While there is no clear consensus on the best way to reform Alabama’s Medicaid program, members of the newly appointed Alabama Medicaid Advisory Commission agree that transforming the state’s health care program is needed to ensure the financial viability and affordability of the program that currently provides health care benefits to more than 1 million Alabama citizens each year.

Governor Robert Bentley created the commission by executive order in October, tasking the group with evaluating the financial structure of the Alabama Medicaid Agency and identifying ways to increase efficiency while also helping ensure the long-term sustainability of the agency. The Commission is to make recommendations to Governor Bentley prior to the 2013 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature.

Since the Commission’s first meeting on November 1, commission members have met several times to hear presentations from other state Medicaid programs, commercial managed care organizations and Alabama Medicaid’s Patient Care Networks and to review cost and other data. 

The commission is comprised of 32 individuals representing health care providers, legislative leaders, state health and human service agency officials, consumers and insurers appointed by the Governor.  State Health Officer Dr. Don Williamson, who is also serving as Chair of the Medicaid Transition Task Force, was named as the Commission’s chair.

Governor Bentley also named business and health policy expert Dr. Nancy Dunlap as Special Advisor to the Commission.  Dr. Dunlap, who is currently completing a Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellowship in Washington, D.C., is a professor of medicine and business at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and former chief of staff and chief operating officer for the Kirklin Clinic in Birmingham.

“This is the next step in the transformation of Medicaid,” Dr. Williamson said. “This represents an opportunity to fundamentally change the funding and delivery system for the better.” 

Information on the Commission, including meeting minutes, presentations and membership, is available on the Medicaid website at http://www.medicaid.alabama.gov/CONTENT/2.0_newsroom/2.2.1_Med_Adv_Commission.aspx