IN terms of Medicaid funding for the Commonwealth, it appears that “everything is going to be okay,” Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation Chief Executive Officer Esther L. Muna said on Friday.
“It seems like we’re not going to lose that funding, so that’s an assurance that provides relief for us,” she added.
She noted that Medicaid affects CHCC and all health providers in the CNMI.
“Medicaid is a major payer for all providers,” she said. CHCC is “not the only player in town — there are a lot of providers here on-island, and it’s going to impact everyone,” she added, referring to Medicaid funding.
Medicaid is a federal and state program that helps pay the healthcare costs of people with limited income and resources.
“Whenever there are issues with funding, providers other than CHCC have a choice to deny patients and basically deny accepting Medicaid,” Muna said. “When that happens, then we, as a safety net provider, have no choice but to take [the patients], so it does put a strain on our hospital and our health system.”
She added, “Primary care is essential and critical to prevent hospitalizations. We see that everywhere, whether it’s Covid-19 or any particular disease. Making sure that patients have access to primary care is essential for us.”
Medicaid funding creates opportunities to provide healthcare services and more access to those services, she said.
Recently, some lawmakers said the CNMI State Medicaid Agency needed $5 million in local matching funds before the end of the current fiscal year or Sept. 30, 2022.
The administration, for its part, said the $5 million is in its proposed budget for fiscal year 2023 which starts on Oct. 1, 2022.
