The State's Medicaid Waiver is Extended...Again

"Not quite there yet" is the word from state and federal Medicaid officials. They will continue negotiations on a multi-billion dollar Medicaid Waiver for another two weeks...the third extension since the waiver expired on July 1st. The waiver is critical for funding of the state's health coverage law. Patrick administration officials said earlier this week that their federal counterparts have not identified any particular items in the contract that are a problem and continue to support the law. This latest extension means that state legislators will end formal sessions without knowing if the state faces a shortfall in funding the law beyond the $350 million or so (Masshealth + Commonwealth Care) outlined in a filing to lenders this Spring.