Author Archive

Andy Miller

By Andy Miller is CEO and editor of Georgia Health News and interim bureau chief of the new Kaiser Health News Southern Bureau.
Finance

Georgia’s Medicaid work requirements costing taxpayers millions despite low enrollment

The program touted as an alternative to Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act has cost taxpayers millions, with more than 90% going toward administrative and consulting costs rather than medical care.

Management

CDC to reduce funding for states’ child vaccination programs

Citing the recent debt ceiling deal, the CDC is trimming its funding to child vaccination programs that focus on communities vulnerable to disease outbreaks. The cuts come despite data showing the percentage of children getting vaccinated has dropped in recent years.

Management

Special Medicaid Funds Prompt Oversight Concerns

More than 35 states use an under-the-radar federal funding mechanism to boost payments for hospitals and other providers under Medicaid. But watchdogs say sparse oversight makes it hard to tell if the “directed payments” program is meeting its goals.

Digital Government

States pull back on COVID data even amid delta surge

Just as hurricane warnings are needed ahead of storm, full information on COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations is vital during the pandemic, public health experts say.