Project Mission The mission of the Medicaid transformation project is to create a responsive 21st Century Intelligent Medicaid system that leverages the most cutting-edge technology to provide better health outcomes at lower cost.

Jim Frogue Project Director

Project Goals

• Eliminate racial and socio-economic health disparities.
• Make the individual the center of health decision-making.
• Leverage Medicaid funding to achieve 100 percent individually-chosen insurance coverage for all Americans. Encourage governors to accept greater direct oversight and responsibility for their Medicaid programs. Transform the administration of Medicaid to an entrepreneurial culture that embraces innovation and emphasizes results over process.
• Emphasize the importance of health before healthcare.

Project Priorities

1. Identify and publicize the best practices in Medicaid across the country so that other states may duplicate and improve upon them.
2. Recognize that Medicaid should be treated as three separate programs for three distinct population groups.
   • The healthy poor, who make up the majority of people on Medicaid, should be mainstreamed into private insurance coverage, be it with an employer or an individual policy.
   • The disabled population should be part of a “Capabilities Program” that reintegrates those Americans with disabilities and workers’ compensation injuries into society and the workforce to the extent they are able and willing.
   • For the elderly, we must emphasize long-term living instead of long-term care. Modern information technology systems, home diagnostic kits, real-time monitoring, and instant assistance when needed is achievable.
3. Work with Congress and CMS to ensure maximum flexibility for states so that state Medicaid directors can focus on improving their programs instead of spending too much time asking Washington for permission.
4. Ensure that key state policymakers are aware of the sweeping power and potential of 1115 and HIFA waivers.
5. Promote coordinated and effective measures to combat waste, fraud, and abuse of scarce Medicaid dollars. 
6. Utilize electronic health records and e-prescribing to ensure individuals are getting the most timely and appropriate care.