Paragon Hones In On Phasing Down Medicaid Expansion FMAP; Ending Provider Taxes, State-Directed Payments

Phasing out the enhanced federal matching funds (FMAP) for the Medicaid expansion population, ending state-directed payments and stopping state use of budget gimmicks like provider taxes are among the solutions Paragon Health Institute President Brian Blase told Inside Health Policy the think tank is pushing Congress to pass in its next legislative package -- but Blase noted work requirements and lowering the minimum FMAP for states are still popular reforms among lawmakers looking for payfors, though Paragon isn’t putting as much weight behind those as there’s lots of interest in them.