The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today approved Tennessee’s request to have the state receive Medicaid funding through a block grant, which would give the state more authority to make changes to the Medicaid program.

The Medicaid block grant approval, which is the first in the nation, is effective for 10 years and must get final approval from state lawmakers before it can be implemented.

The federal approval of the Medicaid block grant could be subject to court challenges and further review by the Biden Administration.

CMS last January released new Medicaid guidance to states that would enable them to apply for 1115 waiver authority to receive a defined amount of federal funding to cover services for certain healthy adults. This approach is commonly referred to as a block grant or a per capita cap, depending on the structure.

Related News Articles

Headline
A JAMA study published yesterday analyzed the health characteristics of individuals projected to lose Medicaid coverage due to work requirements included in…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Sept. 30 released guidance to states clarifying its interpretation of a provision that…
Headline
A bipartisan House letter by Reps. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, Yvette D. Clarke, D-N.Y., Gus M. Bilirakis, R-Fla., and Diana DeGette, D-Colo., urged House…
Headline
The AHA detailed its key health care priorities for the remainder of the year in comments to House and Senate majority and minority leaders Sept. 15. The AHA…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Sept. 9 issued preliminary guidance regarding the implementation of certain state-directed payment provisions…
Headline
The AHA and other national hospital organizations Sept. 5 urged Senate and House leadership to act on preventing Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital…