Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement

Advisory commission members don't represent all viewpoints, Baucus says.

The Medicaid program's financial health during the next five years and beyond could depend on just 13 people - the voting members of the new Medicaid advisory commission. But some Democrats are already displeased with the appointed commission members.
 
The Bush administration and Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt named the Medicaid advisory commission's 13 voting members and 15 non-voting members July 8. The commission members include health policy leaders, state health department officials, physicians and hospital officials. Former Maine governor Angus King (I) will serve as vice-chair and former Tennessee governor Don Sundquist (R) will chair the commission. Three current or former Bush administration officials are among the commission's voting members.
 
The commission will meet July 27 and will issue its first report to Leavitt on Sept. 1, outlining how Medicaid can apply the drastic $10 billion in budget cuts to Medicaid while maintaining or improving beneficiaries' quality of care.

Many Democrats and consumer advocates say that the newly appointed members will inevitably become one- sided in their decision-making. "I remain concerned about the lack of balance and independence of this commission," Senate Committee on Finance ranking member Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) said.