NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — Hundreds of people responsible for 73 million Americans’ health care quieted as conference room lights dimmed and Mehmet Oz’s face appeared on giant screens Thursday morning.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator opened the second day of the National Association of Medicaid Directors fall conference with a challenge. “Think of yourselves as scientists comparing lab notes,” Oz said in a pre-recorded video. “You all play a role in this great national research project.”
At times, the conference did have the energy of a group project — lots of ideas, everyone stressing about the final grade, and not enough time to get it all done. Throughout the day, state officials commiserated and feverishly shared notes about how to implement one of the biggest changes to Medicaid in decades with less than 80 days until their deadline.