GOP Seeks Audit of Rising Connecticut Medicaid Costs

The ongoing debate over Connecticut’s Medicaid program just hit a new high. Senate Republicans are now demanding a full audit, saying budget overruns have become persistent and expensive.

With shortfalls looming, more people enrolling, and healthcare costs climbing, their call for a deeper fiscal review is stirring up political tension. GOP legislators and Democrats are clashing again over how to manage and fund one of the state’s biggest public assistance programs.

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Republicans Sound the Alarm on Medicaid Costs

Connecticut Senate Republicans, who currently hold 11 out of 36 Senate seats, have asked state auditors John Geragosian and Craig Miner to take another look at Medicaid’s expenses. They’re hoping the audit will spot ways to save taxpayer money and help with the state’s fiscal headaches.

Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding pointed to a projected $100 million shortfall in the Department of Social Services’ $3.7 billion Medicaid budget for this year. He’s worried about the pattern—last year’s overrun was $166.3 million, and lawmakers have already authorized another $284 million for 2024–25.

Reasons Behind Rising Medicaid Costs

Social Services Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves says several things are pushing costs up. She lists rising pharmaceutical prices, more demand for inpatient hospital care, growing behavioral health needs, staffing shortages, and plain old medical inflation.

Connecticut’s not alone in this, but cities like Hartford, New Haven, and Stamford feel the impact more because of their larger populations and higher demand for public health services.

Impact of Rising Eligibility Numbers

Harding also points out that Connecticut’s high cost of living is driving more families to qualify for Medicaid. In towns like Bridgeport, Waterbury, and Norwich, about 40% of households can’t cover basic needs without some help.

Republicans aren’t thrilled about recent expansions of Medicaid eligibility and benefits. They mention coverage for undocumented children and new health services, saying these changes add to the burden on taxpayers.

Enrollment Surge Among Undocumented Children

One number really stands out to the GOP: enrollment of undocumented children jumped from an expected 4,250 to 15,000 by mid-2024. Towns like Danbury and Meriden are seeing hospitals and clinics stretched by the extra demand for care.

Democratic Perspective and Policy Defenses

Democratic lawmakers don’t see things the same way. State Representative Jillian Gilchrest defended Medicaid, arguing the state should keep investing in the program even with possible federal cuts looming.

She does think it makes sense to look at efficiency reforms to help keep Medicaid sustainable. In places like West Hartford and Middletown, expanded services are popular, so cutting back could be tough both politically and socially.

Existing Oversight Processes

Connecticut’s Medicaid program already faces several audits each year at both state and federal levels. These reviews are supposed to catch irregularities and make sure everything’s above board, but Republicans argue a more focused audit might uncover waste that’s still slipping through.

Potential Effects on Connecticut Residents

If Medicaid funding gaps keep growing, people in towns from Norwalk to Torrington could see less access to care or longer waits. Healthcare providers are already worried about reimbursement rates and how resources get divided up.

Some efficiency ideas floating around GOP circles include:

Streamlining administrative processes to cut overhead.
Negotiating better deals on pharmaceuticals.
Expanding telehealth to take pressure off inpatient services.
Reviewing eligibility rules to better focus resources.

Political and Fiscal Stakes

The issue is shaping up to be a flashpoint in the next legislative session. Connecticut faces post-pandemic economic pressures and rising calls for publicly funded healthcare.

Both parties know Medicaid matters for tens of thousands of state residents. Still, they’re at odds over how to manage it—and what price tag makes sense.

It’s hard to say if auditors will agree with the Republican request. The fight over Medicaid funding and efficiency keeps steering the future of healthcare policy in Connecticut, touching communities from Hartford and New Haven to the smallest towns.

Here is the source article for this story: Why are CT Medicaid costs rising? GOP wants auditors to find out

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