Trending
BISMARCK - U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-ND, is asking federal health agencies for a phased approach to coming changes in Medicaid reimbursements.
Cramer's letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy, Jr. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz requested a collaborative partnership regarding North Dakota's Medicaid expansion program and implementation of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
"I have heard from many stakeholders across the state with concerns about proposed changes to Medicaid expansion reimbursement and the impact of such changes on healthcare delivery," Cramer said. "To help address these concerns, I requested Secretary Kennedy and Administrator Oz work with North Dakota on a phased approach to implementing any changes and partner on harnessing the RHTP to transform healthcare in our state.
The RHTP is a $50 billion investment program created through the Working Families Tax Cut Act. The legislation also included a tiered pathway to reduce certain approved state directed payments in Medicaid expansion beginning Jan. 1, 2028, with rates reducing annually until the target is reached.
Cramer highlighted the state's healthcare delivery challenges, including a large rural population and long travel distances, and the importance of Medicaid reimbursement in sustaining a reliable delivery system. Abrupt changes to existing payment arrangements could create disruption for providers, patients and communities, he wrote. Cramer requested a phased approach that will provide stability while creating opportunities for federal investments through RHTP grants to expand innovation and enhance access, especially in the state's more rural areas.
Cramer stated that without a phased approach, providers could face a fiscal cliff. A phased approach would provide the state and affected providers sufficient time to adjust to new requirements and mitigate any disruptions to the state's healthcare delivery system.