Schweitzer disputes criticism of his Medicaid idea

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Gov. Brian Schweitzer has lashed back at the medical industry for their criticism of his idea to privatize a piece of Medicaid.

The governor last month said he was considering a test to let a private, managed-care firm run Medicaid in part of the state. The notion got a cool response from representatives of hospitals, nursing homes and others.

Schweitzer summoned representatives from the medical industry to his office on Tuesday.

The governor told them they are partly to blame for a costly Medicaid system. He says his privatization idea is needed to deal with the federal health care overhaul.

The idea did not advance any further as a result of the meeting, though industry representatives say they look forward to working with the governor.

HELENA (AP) — Gov. Brian Schweitzer has lashed back at the medical industry for their criticism of his idea to privatize a piece of Medicaid.

The governor last month said he was considering a test to let a private, managed-care firm run Medicaid in part of the state. The notion got a cool response from representatives of hospitals, nursing homes and others.

Schweitzer summoned representatives from the medical industry to his office on Tuesday.

The governor told them they are partly to blame for a costly Medicaid system. He says his privatization idea is needed to deal with the federal health care overhaul.

The idea did not advance any further as a result of the meeting, though industry representatives say they look forward to working with the governor.