3 May 2021 - To improve their COVID-battered fiscal situations, some states are looking to cut Medicaid, which makes up nearly one-third of average state spending and whose enrolment increased by about 15% last year.

Specifically, states like Massachusetts and Tennessee are seeking federal approval to curtail Medicaid coverage of prescription drugs that have received accelerated government approval. 

At its meeting last month, The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC) voted to recommend that Medicaid programs demand higher rebate payments from drug manufacturers for these accelerated medications as a condition of maintaining Medicaid coverage. Such reform would allow states to curtail their coverage of these medications, threatening patient access. It's now up to Congress whether to accept this recommendation.

Read The Hill article