Medicaid Reform Commission Hears More Concerns Over Rising Costs

State Social Services Director Gary Sherman says Medicaid grew out of good intent, but he adds the state can no longer afford what it has grown into. Sherman tells the Medicaid Reform Commission that Medicaid has become a huge, complex health care program that threatens the state budget. And he tells lawmakers on the Commission that they cannot ignore the federal government as they consider state changes. The Commission has held two days of meetings at the Capitol, discussing its role and hearing testimony. The Commission is composed of both Senators and Representatives, Democrats and Republicans, and will make recommendations to change Medicaid for the Legislature to consider next year.