Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has announced that the state received approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for a five-year Medicaid demonstration (often referred to as “waiver”) that will implement Gov. Inslee’s Healthier Washington plan.
Under the waiver, Washington will receive up to $1.1 billion in new federal funds to support and incentivize regional community-based initiatives that will improve health outcomes while reducing health care costs. The state also will provide support for family caregivers to enable older adults and individuals with disabilities to remain at home and will provide supported housing and employment services for high-need Medicaid individuals.
In September 2014, NGA selected Washington to participate in a policy academy on statewide health care transformation. The goal of the project was to work with Washington to accelerate the pace of statewide Medicaid transformation by assisting states to achieve agreement with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Experts within the NGA Center for Best Practices worked closely with Gov. Inslee and the Washington State Health Care Authority to help get their proposal approved. Final approval with special terms and conditions will follow.
“Washington now joins a group of pioneering states that are improving health care quality and reducing costs for its citizens through this type of agreement,” NGA Executive Director and CEO Scott Pattison said. “This is a great example of how NGA partners with states to improve people’s lives.”
To view the press release, click here.
