GOP unveils Medicaid flexibility bill

A chorus of Republican governors and some Democrats has said these requirements are too burdensome in a tight budget climate. Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) warned that the result will be further cuts to doctors and other providers, which would limit access to providers despite keeping eligibility at pre-healthcare reform levels.

“They are already going broke trying to provide Medicaid services,” he said at a press conference Tuesday.

According to preliminary CBO estimates, the bill would save $2.8 billion over the first five years and $2.1 billion over 10 years.

The bill’s lead sponsors, Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said they hope the measure will attract bipartisan support, though it was crafted as a Republican priority.