By SANDRA CHEREB
Associated Press
CARSON CITY -- Gov. Brian Sandoval's recommendation to require copays from Medicaid recipients is being met with criticism from advocates for the poor.
But state Health and Human Services Director Mike Willden says the concept isn't new. He adds Nevada already has cost sharing requirements in other programs.
But critics say requiring copays from Nevada's poorest of the poor is unacceptable.
Sandoval first mentioned cost sharing when he announced he'll expand Medicaid eligibility as called for under the federal Affordable Care Act. He reiterated his stance in his State of the State address Wednesday, saying some Medicaid recipients should make a "modest" contribution for their own care.
What constitutes "modest" hasn't been defined.
Willden says the administration is reviewing newly released federal cost-sharing regulations before recommending how to it should apply in Nevada.
