Gov. Jack Markell's attempt to rein in Medicaid costs ran into problems Wednesday during the first vetting of a proposal to reduce benefits in the state's health insurance program for the poor.
The Markell administration has drafted a plan that would limit Medicaid recipients to three non-urgent trips to the emergency room each year and implement a $3.65 co-pay for each visit to a doctor or therapist. Currently, there are no limits.
Minimum co-pays for prescription drugs also would increase under the plan from a current range of 50 cents to $3, to $3.65 per prescription.
The proposal, which would save $5 million in the next fiscal year, did not sit well with several members of the Joint FinanceCommittee, who put off voting on the entire $589.6 million Medicaid program after Markell aides presented the plan.
Lawmakers wanted more information on savings from individual cost containment proposals, such as limiting Medicaid recipients to visiting physical, occupational and speech therapists 20 times annually and charging them $3.65 for each visit.
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