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Gov. Ducey's Medicaid Proposals Get Chilly Reception at Public Meeting

AZ Central

Gov. Doug Ducey wants able-bodied Arizonans on the state's Medicaid program for the poor to pay into health savings accounts and be charged co-pays for some services. But those proposals and others he's touting got a tough reception at the first meeting where the public was allowed to weigh in.

Health care providers and patients said Ducey's plan will likely cost Arizona more money by discouraging people from getting treatment until they are far sicker. Their assessment will be passed on to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, which must approve a waiver to allow the proposals to go into force.

The most concerning proposals to those attending the hearing last week were the co-pays, mandatory premiums and a five-year cap on enrollment.

Phoenix pediatrician Tim Jordan says his experience is that poor people don't show up for appointments if there is a co-pay.

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