A joint session of the Alabama legislature heard a recap of bills intended to provide major changes to the way Medicaid is administered in the state.
Dr. Don Williamson, state health officer, says if the bill passes, eight or so regional care organizations would assume financial risk in exchange for set payments for patient care.
"We are creating a community based care system that moves from a `fee for service/state bears risk' model to a capitated model that puts a third party at risk," he told the group.
Ryan Sadler, a lobbyist for the managed care company Centene, told the group his company hopes to be a part of the new structure. Other speakers represented agencies on aging and the developmentally disabled communities.
There was no vote scheduled.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
