Group petitions for Medicaid increases

National and state organizations representing physicians were among the 118 organizations that sent a letter to House and Senate leaders supporting equality of Medicaid and Medicare rates for primary care services.

The co-signers include nurses, hospitals, and other healthcare providers, as well as consumer, labor, and other patient advocacy groups.

The letter urged the legislators to adopt (in a final House-Senate health reform agreement) the House provision to bring Medicaid reimbursement rates for primary care in line with comparable Medicare rates within four years.