Medic aid managed care. The NMA white paper.

Abstract

The Nebraska Medical Association understands that our state has finite financial resources and must balance that reality against its obligations to its citizens. Our State Legislature has directed that a "Managed Care" format be used with the Medicaid Program, assuming that the dollars allocated to it will be frugally and wisely spent. This is only an appropriate exercise of its fiscal responsibility, and we respect that. The NMA believes, however, that while all parties must work collectively toward that end, at the same time, we must acknowledge that denial of appropriate care is false economy, and poor management is costly in the long-term. Further, no plan of this complexity is likely to begin and finish in the same form, but rather must evolve. The NMA believes that all involved should strive to achieve an effective and cost-efficient system which cares about and for its clients. Finally, we must acknowledge the heterogeneity of our state, and we must therefore recognize that a plan which "fits" for one region will not predictably meet the needs and conditions of another.