Government advisory groups in Virginia and Maine put together proposals discussing how their states should implement the new federal health care laws and regulations.
In Virginia, the Virginia Health Reform Initiative Advisory Council has given Gov. Bob McDonnell. R, 28 recommendations for expanding Medicaid to offer wider services and cover more beneficiaries in the state, as now required by the Affordable Care Act, the federal legislative package that includes the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA).
The Virginia advisory council, headed by Virginia Health and Human Resources Secretary Bill Hazel, recommended that the state develop eligibility determination standards for the expanded health care program.
The Virginia council also outlined a plan for developing a computerized case management 
system, to help local and state health care agencies share information with each other and with doctors caring for the same patients.
Meanwhile, in Maine, the Maine Advisory Council on Health Systems Development sent outgoing Gov. John Baldacci, D, its final recommendations on PPACA implementation.
The Maine council prepared the proposals after holding a series of public meetings held by a council steering committee.
