ADOPTED - OCTOBER 9, 2001

Agenda Item No. 20

Introduced by the Human Services Committee of the:

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE FOR MEDICAID RECIPIENTS

IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN'S MEDICAID 1115 WAIVER REQUEST

RESOLUTION #01-304

WHEREAS, the federal government has recently called, as part of the Health Insurance Flexibility Demonstration Act (HIFA), for the submission, by states, of Medicaid 1115 waivers; and

WHEREAS, this waiver application and approval process is purely administrative and requires no oversight by the state legislature nor by Congress; and

WHEREAS, Michigan officials have indicated their desire to seek such a waiver and are actively working to complete the waiver application process; and

WHEREAS, while a Medicaid 1115 waiver can provide considerable flexibility for states in the operation of their Medicaid programs, it can also seriously harm a state's Medicaid program and the access to health care for its Medicaid recipients; and

WHEREAS, this harm can include significant reductions in the health care benefits of a large segment of Medicaid recipients, who are "optional" beneficiaries who are currently covered by Michigan's Medicaid program.

WHEREAS, this harm can include significant increases in cost sharing requirements for the indigent persons who are enrolled in Medicaid.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners request that the Michigan Legislature and Governor John Engler ensure that:

• �Any federal approvals of a 1115 waiver not supercede the existing 1915(b) and 1915(c) waivers that currently define Michigan's Medicaid mental health and substance abuse services system, including the "carve out" of mental health and substance abuse services from general health care coverage.



• �Categories of beneficiaries currently receiving Medicaid services retain their eligibility for the full range of benefits provided to them now.



• �All specialty services (mental health and substance abuse services) that are covered under the current waivers continue to be covered.

• �The existing funding base for the Medicaid speciality services system be preserved in its entirety.

ADOPTED - OCTOBER 9, 2001

Agenda Item No. 20

RESOLUTION #01-304

• �The projected budget deficits, which are driving, in part, this 1115 waiver seeking process, should be resolved within the context of the entire state budget and not limited to the Medicaid program and its enrollees.



• �The process be opened to public discourse, including open dialogue with Medicaid enrollees, consumers of mental health and substance abuse services, advocates, health care providers, and local elected officials.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Clerk is directed to send a copy of this resolution to the Michigan Association of Counties, the Governor, the Clinton-Eaton-Ingham Community Mental Health Board, the Mid-South Substance Abuse Commission and the Ingham County Michigan legislative delegation.

HUMAN SERVICES: Yeas: Czarnecki, Dedden, Severino, Hertel, Celentino

Nays: None Absent: None Approved 10/1/01