GAO reports on considerations for policymakers weighing per capita Medicaid cap

The Government Accountability Office today released a report examining key policy and data considerations should policymakers elect to pursue a per capita cap on average federal Medicaid spending per enrollee. According to the report, policy considerations include: coverage and state flexibility, such as whether all or a subset of Medicaid populations and spending categories would be financed under the cap; allocation of funds across states and over time; accountability mechanisms; and the potential effects on other federal health care programs, broader health care costs, states and Medicaid enrollees. Key data considerations include identifying appropriate data on enrollees and expenditures to help develop per capita cap amounts and allocate funds, GAO said. The report was requested by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI).