Scott Walker's administration walks back attack on Wisconsin family planning clinics

Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI)

Last August, Scott Walker's administration accused two Wisconsin family planning clinics of overbilling Medicaid programs by $3.5 million. Now, the state Department of Health Services has had to walk that back by more than $3.2 million—93 percent—and one of the clinics is still contesting whether it owes anything at all.

The state contended the clinics — which can buy the drugs at a discount under a federal program — should bill Medicaid for the actual purchase price plus a dispensing fee.

The clinics countered that they were billing the state properly under published rates that allowed a markup to offset operating costs.

"You don't get to dictate to Medicaid or the state what they pay you," said Jennifer Waloway, a nurse practitioner and director of community health services for NEWCAP Community Health Services in Oconto.

The funding is for contraception, as well as testing for cervical cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy. Lots of basic, important health care, in other words, that these clinics are now struggling to provide while paying attorneys to beat back this attack by the Walker administration. But that's probably not worrying Walker much. As Joan Walsh notes:

Walker’s New Hampshire “Everyman” performance was widely covered in the national media. His family planning screw-up was not.

No wonder Walker's approval rating is plummeting in his home state even as he rises in presidential polling. People in Wisconsin see the effects of what he's doing, but word hasn't spread yet. Let's hope it doesn't spread to everyone in the form of a Walker presidency.

from Daily Kos http://ift.tt/1E3lwZC