Medicaid
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Statement: Robert Greenstein to Health Reform Financing Roundtable of the Senate Finance Committee
May 12, 2009
Thank you for inviting me to discuss health care reform financing issues. This is an important aspect of health care reform. Financing is Critical Some 46 million Americans are uninsured, a problem that other western industrialized nations have been able to address. In addition, rising health care costs … -
Online Information About Key Low-Income Benefit Programs
Revised April 27, 2009
Virtually all states have made information regarding the five main state-administered low-income benefit programs — food stamps, Medicaid, SCHIP, TANF and child care — available to the public via the internet. There is significant variation between what online information is provided … -
New Children's Health Law Reduces the Harmful Impact of Documentation Requirement
April 23, 2009
The Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA) enacted in February contains several provisions to reduce the harmful impact of Medicaid’s citizenship documentation requirement, which has caused many eligible citizen children to lose or be denied coverage … -
Mississippi’s “Face-To-Face” Rule Blocks Coverage of Eligible People, Not Fraud
March 25, 2009
Since 2005, Mississippi has required low-income adults, including parents trying to secure health coverage for their children, to travel to a state office for a face-to-face meeting in order to receive or renew benefits in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Mississippi is the only state requiring face-to-face … -
Medicaid and CHIP Eligibility Is Protected For Jobless Families That Receive Boost in Unemployment Benefits
March 20, 2009
An estimated 17.9 million jobless workers who become unemployed in 2009 will see their unemployment benefits increase by $25 per week under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).[1] While unemployment benefits typically are included as income when determining eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP, ARRA excludes this additional $25 per week from the … -
States Should Tap New Tools to Help Medicaid Beneficiaries Maintain Coverage
March 12, 2009
States should adopt two important new options, enacted in February under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), that would help more low-income Medicaid beneficiaries maintain their health coverage when they reenter the workforce or see their earnings increase, while also lowering states’ administrative costs. Under the Transitional Medical Assistance (TMA) program, … -
Improving Medicaid as Part of Building on the Current System to Achieve Universal Coverage
February 24, 2009
The U.S. health care system suffers from a number of problems. Almost 46 million individuals were uninsured in 2007, an increase of 6 million people since 2001. Employer-based coverage, the primary source of health insurance across the nation, continues to erode. Costs continue to rise and bear primary responsibility for the … -
Recovery Act Provides Much-Needed, Targeted Medicaid Assistance To States
February 13, 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes an $87 billion temporary increase in the share of Medicaid that the federal government would pay over nine calendar quarters (October 1, 2008, through December 31, 2010). It would provide three elements of Medicaid fiscal relief assistance to states, as outlined below.… -
Measure in House Recovery Package — But Not Senate Package — Would Help Unemployed Parents Receive Health Coverage
February 9, 2009
The economic recovery package that the House passed on January 28 would establish a temporary option for states to provide Medicaid coverage to certain workers (and their families) who have become unemployed during this recession. This provision, which is not in the Senate package, would help address a problem many parents face … -
Challenges of Providing Health Coverage for Children and Parents in a Recession
January 27, 2009
http://www.kff.org/medicaid/upload/7855.pdf -
Louisiana's Medicaid Waiver Proposal
December 17, 2008
In the Louisiana Health Care Reform Act of 2007, the Louisiana legislature put the state on a path intended to transform how Medicaid beneficiaries and low-income uninsured people get health care services. The Act directed the state Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) to establish a “medical home system of care” with the goal of improving patient … -
Policy Basics: Introduction to Medicaid
December 17, 2008
What Is Medicaid? Created by Congress in 1965, Medicaid is a public insurance program that provides health coverage to low-income families and individuals, including children, parents, seniors, and people with disabilities. Medicaid is funded jointly by the federal government and the states. Each state operates its own Medicaid program within … -
The Long-Term Fiscal Outlook Is Bleak
December 16, 2008
This report updates the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ projections of federal spending, revenues, deficits, and debt through 2050. These projections — like the projections the Center issued in January 2007 and the projections by other institutions such as the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Government Accountability … -
Podcast: Long Term Deficit Projections Highlight Need for Action
December 16, 2008
This podcast discusses a report that provides updated long-term federal budget projections. The report describes the factors driving the big increases in deficits and debt projected for the next several decades, such as rapidly rising health care costs and revenues that are inadequate to cover even current expenditures. This podcast features the Center's Executive Director Robert … -
Rhode Island's Medicaid Proposal Would Put Beneficiaries at Risk and Undermine the Federal-State Partnership
September 4, 2008
On August 8, Rhode Island applied for federal permission to radically transform its Medicaid program in ways that could profoundly affect beneficiaries.[1] If approved, the proposal could also set a national precedent that would affect low-income people in other states who rely on Medicaid to obtain needed health care. The proposal … -
Expanding Medicaid a Less Costly Way to Cover More Low-Income Uninsured Than Expanding Private Insurance
June 26, 2008
Average medical expenditures[1] per person are lower under public programs like Medicaid or the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) than under private insurance, according to new research published by Health Affairs.[2] The new research, by Leighton Ku of George Washington University and Matthew Broaddus of the Center on Budget and Policy … -
Statement by Robert Greenstein on the House Supplemental Funding Bill
May 15, 2008
The House supplemental funding bill makes important changes to domestic policy by temporarily extending unemployment benefits and imposing a moratorium on harmful Medicaid regulations. The unemployment measure would provide, on a temporary basis, an extra 13 weeks of jobless benefits to workers … -
Delaying Adminstration's Medicaid Regulations Will Not Weaken the Program's Fiscal Integrity
April 25, 2008
The Bush Administration has threatened a veto of H.R. 5613, the “Protecting the Medicaid Safety Net Act of 2008,” which the House passed 349-62 on April 23.[1] The bill would place a moratorium until April 1, 2009 on seven Medicaid regulations that the Administration has issued over the past year. H.R. 5613 would delay … -
Administration Moves to Withdraw Key Health Services from Children and Adults with Mental Illness and Other Disabilities
Revised March 21, 2008
On August 13, 2007, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a proposed regulation that would eliminate federal Medicaid funding for important services provided to adults and children with disabilities (particularly those with mental illness), as well as other beneficiaries. The rule would significantly limit states’ … -
Administration’s Medicaid Regulations Will Weaken Coverage, Harm States, and Strain Health Care System
Revised March 4, 2008
Over the last year, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a series of Medicaid regulations that could significantly affect health care at the state and local level. [1] These regulations, most of which alter longstanding Medicaid policies, do not require congressional approval. In fact, in some cases Congress … -
The Dubious Priorities of the President's FY 2009 Budget
Revised February 7, 2008
The President’s budget would provide more tax cuts heavily skewed to the most well-off while cutting vital services for low- and moderate-income Americans, generating large deficits, and increasing the strain on states already confronting budget problems as a result of the economic downturn. The budget … -
New Medicaid Rules Would Limit Care for Children in Foster Care and People with Disabilities in Ways Congress Did Not Intend
Revised March 6, 2007
On December 4, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published interim final rules governing case management services provided by state Medicaid programs.[1] CMS claims the new rules are necessary to implement changes Congress made in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA). In fact, the rules go well beyond what … -
Administration Moves to Eviscerate Efforts to Enroll Uninsured Low-Income Children in Health Coverage through the Schools
September 17, 2007
While deep disagreements emerged between Congress and the Bush Administration last year in the debate over reauthorizing the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), all sides agreed that states should do all they can to enroll low-income children who are currently eligible for Medicaid and SCHIP. And while the Administration issued … -
Collateral Damage: Children Can Lose Coverage When Their Parents Lose Health Insurance
September 17, 2007
A substantial body of research indicates that providing public health insurance coverage to low-income parents is an effective means of improving the enrollment of eligible, but uninsured, low-income children in public programs like Medicaid or SCHIP.[1] A recent study by Dr. Jennifer DeVoe and her colleagues at Oregon Science and Health … -
The False "Public Versus Private" Choice for Children’s Health Coverage
June 21, 2007
As Congress considers the reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), groups like the Heritage Foundation are making a strong push to change the way coverage is provided to eligible low-income children.[1] They claim Congress must choose between “government-run health care” and private … -
New Research Shows Simplifying Medicaid Can Reduce Children’s Hospitalizations
June 11, 2007
New research indicates that increasing the continuity of children’s Medicaid coverage reduces subsequent hospitalizations for chronic health conditions like asthma or diabetes. The research — a new study conducted by Dr. Andrew Bindman and his associates at the University of California at San Francisco, which was unveiled at a … -
Can Incentives for Healthy Behavior Improve Health and Hold Down Medicaid Costs?
June 1, 2007
The impact of individual behavior on the cost of health care is attracting a great deal of attention from policymakers. A number of state Medicaid programs are offering rewards for healthy behavior or considering this step, assuming that financial incentives will improve the health of Medicaid beneficiaries and help hold down health care … -
Comparing Public and Private Health Insurance for Children
May 11, 2007
In considering the pending reauthorization of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), some have recommended that Congress use federal funds to subsidize purchasing private health insurance rather than expanding public health insurance, like Medicaid or SCHIP.[1] Some may reflexively assume that private health insurance is … -
Reducing Disparities in Health Coverage for Legal Immigrant Children and Pregnant Women
Revised April 20, 2007
A key health policy success of the past decade is the substantial reduction in the number of uninsured children, primarily due to improvements in Medicaid and the creation of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).[1] However, while there are fewer uninsured citizen children, the percentage of low-income immigrant children who lack … -
President's "Affordable Choices" Initiative Provides Little Support for State Efforts to Expand Health Coverage
April 3, 2007
The large and growing number of Americans without health care coverage is increasingly a focus of attention, especially at the state level.[1] A number of states are now considering proposals to expand coverage, and several states have already adopted such plans. The federal government has an important role to play in these efforts.… -
New Medicaid Citizenship Documentation Requirement is Taking a Toll: States Report Enrollment Is Down and Administrative Costs Are Up
Revised March 13, 2007
A new federal law that states were required to implement July 1 is creating a barrier to health-care coverage for U.S. citizens — especially children — who are eligible for health insurance through Medicaid. The new law, a provision of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, requires U.S. citizens to present proof of their … -
Cost-Sharing and Premiums in Medicaid: What Rules Apply?
February 28, 2007
A substantial body of research shows that higher co-payments are likely to cause low-income people to decrease their use of necessary health care services. Low-income people with chronic health conditions are the most vulnerable to harm from cost-sharing, as they use the most health care services. Research also shows that premiums can make it … -
The Administration Again Proposes to Shift Federal Medicaid Costs to States
February 14, 2007
In its new budget, the Administration proposes cuts in federal Medicaid funding that total $24.7 billion over the next five years and $60.9 billion over ten years through a combination of legislative changes and regulatory action. [1] These reductions are more than five times as large over the next five years as the federal Medicaid cuts enacted by the Congress last year … -
Press Release: New Medicaid Documentation Requirement Hurting Enrollment and Raising States’ Costs, Study Finds
February 2, 2007
A recent federal requirement that U.S. citizens document their citizenship status when they apply for or renew their Medicaid coverage is reducing Medicaid enrollment, particularly among low-income children, and raising state administrative costs, according to a report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. … -
There Is No General “Entitlement Crisis”
January 29, 2007
As is well known, the United States will face grave budget challenges in coming decades. In a new set of federal budget projections through 2050, we find that if current policies remain unchanged, federal expenditures will increase substantially as a share of the economy and revenues will fall short of covering expenditures by increasing amounts, leading to exploding … -
Chartbook: Improving Children's Health - The Roles of Medicaid and SCHIP
January 1, 2007
This chartbook summarizes current knowledge about the health insurance coverage and health needs of low-income* children in the United States and the roles that Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) — the joint federal-state, publicly funded health insurance programs for children — play in improving children’s health care access … -
Administration Policy Change Threatens Health Care Coverage for Poor Infants
Revised December 11, 2006
Since 1984, federal Medicaid law has required that states provide one year of automatic Medicaid eligibility to babies whose mothers are sufficiently poor that the baby’s birth was covered by Medicaid.[2] For the past 22 years, these babies have been able to get check-ups and other health care services that can be … -
Medicaid Commission Recommendations Raise Serious Concerns
November 16, 2006
On November 8, the Medicaid commission created by the Administration last year released a “chairman’s mark” setting forth broad recommendations designed to “promote Medicaid’s long-term fiscal sustainability, while also emphasizing quality of care.” The commission will consider these recommendations at its final meeting on November 16 and 17. In … -
Medicaid Costs Are Growing More Slowly Than Costs for Medicare or Private Insurance
November 13, 2006
Are Medicaid expenditures growing “out of control”? This paper reports new data showing that Medicaid expenditures did not grow at all in fiscal year 2006 and are expected to grow only modestly in 2007. There are good reasons to be concerned about projected increases in Medicaid expenditures over the long term, since health … -
Coverage of Parents Helps Children, Too
October 20, 2006
The nation has made an important commitment to reducing the number of uninsured children. Over the past decade, the creation of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and related changes made by states in their Medicaid programs have boosted children’s enrollment and led to a marked reduction in the … -
Is Medicaid Responsible for the Erosion of Employer-Based Health Coverage?
September 22, 2006
The Census Bureau recently reported that employer-sponsored health insurance coverage in the United States has continued to erode. Between 2000 and 2005, the percentage of Americans with job-based insurance slipped from 63.6 percent to 59.5 percent. Michael Cannon, director of health policy studies at the Cato Institute, has blamed … -
The Illusion of Choice: Vulnerable Medicaid Beneficiaries Being Placed In Scaled-Back “Benchmark” Benefit Packages
September 14, 2006
The Deficit Reduction Act, signed into law in February 2006, permits states to vary the benefit packages they offer to some groups of Medicaid beneficiaries.[1] States can require most children and parents to enroll in new “benchmark” benefit packages that do not provide all the benefits covered by regular Medicaid. … -
Documenting Citizenship and Identity Using Data Matches
September 1, 2006
Under the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA), U.S. citizens must document their citizenship and identity when applying for Medicaid or renewing their coverage. The new requirement, which took effect on July 1, could jeopardize the health coverage of substantial numbers of eligible citizens who are unable to secure the required … -
Budget Process Bill Would Result In Deep Cuts In Medicare and Medicaid
Revised August 9, 2006
The Senate Budget Committee has approved a bill (S. 3521) that would radically alter federal budget procedures and could lead to deep cuts over time in the vast majority of domestic programs, including Medicaid, Medicare, and SCHIP. While the odds are slim that the legislation will be considered by the full Senate this year, the … -
Administration Medicaid Rule Would Put Pressure On States To Reduce Benefits Or Eligibility Or To Lower Payments To Providers Reduce Health Care Spending
June 13, 2006
Medicaid, which provides health and long-term care insurance to more than 50 million low-income Americans, is paid for jointly by the federal government and the states. States have the option of raising some of their share of Medicaid expenditures by using revenue from taxes on hospitals, nursing homes, managed care organizations, … -
West Virginia’s Medicaid Changes Unlikely To Reduce State Costs Or Improve Beneficiaries’ Health
May 31, 2006
The federal Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA), signed into law in February 2006, gives states new options to scale back health-care benefits for children and parents enrolled in Medicaid.[1] On May 3, 2006, West Virginia received federal approval to provide a scaled-back basic benefit package for most children and parents in its … -
The Slowdown In Medicaid Expenditure Growth
March 16, 2006
It is sometimes claimed that Medicaid expenditures are “out of control.” A careful analysis of recent data and projections indicates, however, that Medicaid growth has slowed considerably in the last year or so, even before the enactment of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. Both the Administration and the Congressional … -
Survey Indicates Deficit Reduction Act Jeopardizes Medicaid Coverage For 3 To 5 Million U.S. Citizens
Revised February 17, 2006
The Deficit Reduction Act signed by the President on February 8th contains a new mandate requiring U.S. citizens covered by Medicaid to prove their citizenship by submitting a birth certificate or passport (or a limited set of similar documents) or else lose their Medicaid coverage. Beginning July 1, 2006, this provision will apply … -
Press Release: Administration’s Health Savings Accounts Proposals Would Cause Net Increase In Number Of Uninsured
February 15, 2006
A new analysis by one of the nation’s leading health economists finds that the Administration’s proposals to expand tax breaks for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) would cause a net increase in the number of uninsured Americans. The analysis, conducted by Jonathan Gruber of M.I.T., projects that while 3.8 million previously uninsured people would gain health coverage through HSAs as a result of the President’s proposals, 4.4 million people would … -
The Administration’s Medicaid Proposals Would Shift Federal Costs To States
February 14, 2006
In its new budget, the Administration proposes net federal Medicaid funding cuts equal to $14 billion over the next five years and $35.5 billion over ten years through a combination of legislative changes and regulatory action. [1] These reductions follow on the heels of significant federal Medicaid cuts ($4.9 billion over five … -
New Congressional Budget Office Estimates Indicate Millions of Low-Income Beneficiaries Would Be Harmed by Medicaid Provisions in Budget Bill
January 29, 2006
On January 27, the Congressional Budget Office issued a new analysis of the Medicaid provisions of the budget reconciliation conference agreement,[1] on which the House of Representatives is expected to vote February 1. The conference agreement, which the Senate passed 51-50 in late December with Vice President Cheney breaking the … -
New Survey Finds 3 To 5 Million Citizens’ Medicaid Coverage Jeopardized By Budget Reconciliation Bill
January 26, 2006
On February 1, the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the budget reconciliation agreement, which contains a little-noticed mandate requiring U.S. citizens covered by Medicaid to prove their citizenship by submitting a birth certificate or passport or lose their Medicaid coverage. … -
Press Release: South Carolina’s Revised Medicaid Plan Unlikely To Cut State’s Costs
January 11, 2006
New details contained in South Carolina’s revised proposal to replace its Medicaid program with a system of state-funded personal health accounts show the plan is unlikely to save the state money even as it deprives many beneficiaries of needed health care services, according to a new analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. … -
Still Risky Business: South Carolina’s Revised Medicaid Waiver Proposal
January 11, 2006
On November 16, 2005, South Carolina requested federal permission to make radical changes in its Medicaid program. The request, which took the form of a proposed waiver of federal Medicaid rules, would affect more than 700,000 low-income South Carolina children, parents, and people with disabilities.[1] The November proposal revises … -
Assessing the Effects of the Budget Conference Agreement on Low-Income Families and Individuals
Revised January 9, 2006
Some Congressional leaders are claiming that the low-income provisions in the conference agreement on the budget reconciliation bill are modest and will not harm vulnerable families. Many of the legislation’s key provisions were altered behind closed doors in weekend negotiations, and the legislation was not released until after 1:00 the morning of December 19, just hours before … -
State Budgets Would Be Squeezed Under Budget Conference Agreement
Revised January 6, 2006
The budget reconciliation conference agreement which passed the Senate would have a significant impact on state budgets. The agreement includes numerous changes to low-income programs in which states share costs with the federal government, such as Medicaid, Child Support Enforcement, and TANF. On the whole, CBO estimates indicate that over the next five years, the loss to states from reductions in … -
New Requirement for Birth Certificates or Passports Could Threaten Medicaid Coverage for Vulnerable Beneficiaries
January 5, 2006
The Deficit Reduction Act, which was signed by the President on February 8th, contains a provision that would require all citizens applying for Medicaid or renewing their coverage to produce a passport or birth certificate to prove they are U.S. citizens. There would be no exceptions for any Medicaid applicants or beneficiaries, not even individuals … -
Press Release: New Documentation Rule Threatens Medicaid Coverage For Many
January 5, 2006
A bill nearing final passage in Congress that would cut programs such as Medicaid, student loans, and child support enforcement contains a little-noticed provision that would require all citizens applying for Medicaid to produce a passport or a birth certificate to prove they are U.S. citizens. The … -
The Fallacy of Using Cash and Counseling to Support Proposals to Convert Medicaid to Vouchers or Health Savings Accounts
December 21, 2005
Executive Summary Several states, including South Carolina and Florida, have proposed radically changing Medicaid from a program that reimburses health care providers for the services they provide into a program that gives beneficiaries a fixed amount of money to purchase health coverage or health care services directly.[1] … -
Medicaid Provisions of House Reconciliation Bill both Harmful and Unnecessary: Senate Bill Achieves Larger Savings without Reducing Access to Care
Revised December 9, 2005
Executive Summary The House and the Senate are attempting to work out a conference agreement on a budget reconciliation bill that reduces funding for a range of programs, including Medicaid. The House and Senate bills differ dramatically in their approach to Medicaid. The House bill would significantly increase the co-payments and premiums imposed on … -
Health Opportunity Accounts For Low-Income Medicaid Beneficiaries: A Risky Approach
Revised November 1, 2005
On October 27, the House Energy and Commerce Committee marked up reconciliation legislation that includes about $10 billion in cuts to the Medicaid program.[1] In addition to other Medicaid proposals that would adversely affect low-income beneficiaries by increasing cost sharing and reducing benefits, the package approved by … -
Energy and Commerce Committee Bill Imposes New Costs on Low-Income Medicaid Beneficiaries
Revised October 28, 2005
This week the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Finance Committee voted on reconciliation legislation to reduce projected expenditures for programs under their jurisdiction. This legislation meets the requirements of this year’s budget resolution to achieve reductions in entitlement programs, including … -
In a Time of Growing Need: State Choices Influence Health Coverage Access for Children and Families -- A 50 State Update on Eligibility Rules, Enrollment and Renewal Procedures, and Cost-Sharing Practices in Medicaid and SCHIP for Children and Families
October 18, 2005
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An Analysis of the National Governors Association’s Proposals for “Short-Run Medicaid Reform”
Revised October 14, 2005
Executive Summary On August 29, the National Governors Association released “Medicaid Reform: A Preliminary Report,” a set of recommendations for Congress as it develops budget legislation this fall to reduce projected federal Medicaid expenditures. These NGA proposals are intended to build on longer-term Medicaid … -
Critical Choices: Will Congress Secure Health Care Savings by Targeting “Weak Claims” or “Weak Clients”?
Revised October 12, 2005
The House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Finance Committee are beginning to craft “reconciliation” legislation to reduce projected expenditures for programs under their jurisdiction. This year’s budget resolution requires $10 billion in reductions in programs under these committees’ … -
Many Katrina Survivors Seeking Medicaid in Louisiana Shelters Remain Without Coverage: Medicaid Categorical Eligibility Rules Continue to be the Major Barrier
Revised October 12, 2005
While legislation introduced by Senators Charles Grassley and Max Baucus (S.1716) to provide temporary, fully federally funded Medicaid coverage to low-income hurricane survivors remains blocked in the Senate, indigent individuals seeking health care coverage at more than 200 shelters throughout Louisiana continue being denied … -
Failing to Deliver: Administration’s Medicaid Waiver Policy Excludes Many Katrina Survivors and Provides No Guarantee of Full Federal Financing
Revised September 29, 2005
The Administration has come out against bipartisan Senate legislation (S. 1716) introduced by Senators Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Max Baucus (D-MT) that would provide temporary, fully federally funded Medicaid coverage to low-income survivors of Hurricane Katrina. [1] Despite the endorsement of the National Governors … -
Medicaid Categorical Eligibility Rules are Proving a Major Obstacle to Getting Health Coverage to Impoverished Katrina Victims in Louisiana: Pending Legislation Would Address Coverage Gaps in Louisiana and Other States
Revised September 26, 2005
New information from Louisiana demonstrates that substantial gaps in health care coverage are emerging among impoverished Hurricane Katrina survivors in that state. The information, gathered by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals and presented below, shows that as a result of restrictions in federal … -
Medicaid and SCHIP Retention in Challenging Times: Strategies from Managed Care Organizations
Revised September 13, 2005
Efforts to reduce the number of low-income uninsured children and families have focused on expanding eligibility for public insurance programs and finding ways to facilitate enrollment in these programs. Another key factor that contributes to reducing the number of uninsured is the retention of eligible beneficiaries once they … -
Public Benefits: Easing Poverty and Ensuring Medical Coverage
Revised August 17, 2005
When individuals and families experience crises such as job loss, illness, disability, or divorce, they may face the prospect of falling into poverty (or becoming poorer) and losing health insurance coverage. Various government assistance programs are designed to lessen these hardships. These programs also provide support when families work but have low earnings and when … -
Risky Business: South Carolina's Medicaid Waiver Proposal
Revised August 10, 2005
On June 7, 2005, South Carolina requested federal permission to undertake what would constitute the most radical changes ever made in a state Medicaid program. The request, which took the form of a proposed waiver of federal Medicaid rules, would affect more than 700,000 low-income South Carolina children, parents, seniors, and people … -
Selected Research Findings on Accomplishments of the Safety Net
July 27, 2005
Summarized below are some of the most important research findings on the accomplishments of government programs that assist low-income families and individuals. For more information, see the series of Center reports entitled What Have Low-Income Programs Accomplished? * Public Benefit System Sometimes called the “safety … -
Supplemental Security Income: Supporting People With Disabilities And The Elderly Poor
July 19, 2005
Signed into law by President Nixon in 1972, the Supplemental Security Income program replaced a patchwork of state programs for the aged, blind, and disabled.[1] A study conducted by the federal government of the implementation of SSI found that “the quality of life of the aged and disabled who are poor has improved greatly … -
New Research Sheds Light On Risks from Increasing Medicaid Cost-Sharing and Reducing Medicaid Benefits
Revised July 18, 2005
Congress and the newly appointed HHS Medicaid Commission are considering changes to reduce federal Medicaid expenditures. Recent recommendations from the National Governors Association would eliminate most federal standards with regard to the amounts that low-income Medicaid beneficiaries may be charged for health care … -
Medicaid Commission Named By Secretary Leavitt Lacks Balance
Revised July 11, 2005
On Friday, July 8, HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt named the members of his new Medicaid Commission, which is designed both to make recommendations by September 2005 on how to cut $10 billion from Medicaid funding and to make longer-term recommendations regarding Medicaid by December 2006. The … -
Assessing the National Governors Association's Proposals to Allow Increases in Cost-Sharing Charges to Medicaid Beneficiaries
Revised July 7, 2005
On June 15, the National Governors Association released preliminary policy recommendations on Medicaid reform. Among other things, the NGA recommended a substantial restructuring of current federal cost-sharing rules for Medicaid. NGA’s proposed cost-sharing policy would let states “establish any form of premium, … -
The Effect of Increased Cost-Sharing in Medicaid
Revised July 7, 2005
Recent policy discussions concerning ways to change Medicaid often include the idea of letting states increase the amounts that low-income beneficiaries are charged in the form of cost-sharing (i.e., in premiums, deductibles, co-insurance, and co-payments). Proponents of increased cost-sharing maintain it would … -
Statement by Robert Greenstein, Executive Director of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, on the National Governors Association's Medicaid Recommendations
June 15, 2005
Today, the National Governors’ Association outlined NGA’s preliminary recommendations for Medicaid. Several of the NGA proposals are promising. Others are troubling and likely would be damaging to low-income people. On the positive side, the proposals dealing … -
Out-of-Pocket Medical Expenses for Medicaid Beneficiaries Are Substantial and Growing
May 31, 2005
Key Findings Federal and state officials are discussing possible ways to reduce Medicaid expenditures. One commonly mentioned proposal is to increase the copayments that poor Medicaid beneficiaries must pay when receiving medical care. A related proposal would reduce the benefits that Medicaid covers for … -
Element of Medicare Trustees’ Report Could Spell Trouble for Beneficiaries in Future Years
Revised March 31, 2005
The report that the Social Security and Medicare trustees issued March 23 on the state of Medicare’s finances contains a “finding” that may draw considerable attention. The Medicare drug law enacted in 2003 requires the trustees to estimate in each of their annual reports the point at which general revenues … -
The Senate's Cuts in Medicaid and SCHIP Substantially Exceed Those the Administration Proposed
Revised March 14, 2005
The Senate begins consideration today of the federal budget plan for Fiscal Year 2006 adopted last week by the Senate Budget Committee. The plan requires $15.2 billion in reductions over five years in programs within the jurisdiction of the Senate Finance Committee. The bulk of this $15.2 billion — $14 billion — is … -
The House Budget Committee's Proposed Medicaid and SCHIP Cuts Are Larger Than Those the Administration Proposed
Revised March 10, 2005
Yesterday, the House Budget Committee voted on Chairman Nussle’s proposed federal budget plan for Fiscal Year 2006. The plan’s required reductions in mandatory programs are likely to lead to cuts in federal expenditures for Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) totaling $14.9 … -
Medicaid Cuts in President’s Budget Would Harm States and Likely Increase Ranks of Uninsured
Revised March 3, 2005
.style2 { margin-left: 40px; } A new Center report finds that the Medicaid proposals in the President’s fiscal year 2006 budget would likely lead to increases in the number of uninsured and underinsured Americans by weakening states’ ability to fund health and long-term … -
Medicaid Budget Proposals Would Shift Costs to States and Be Likely to Cause Reductions in Health Coverage: Administration’s Proposal Also Implies Cap on Federal Funding
Revised February 18, 2005
The President’s budget for fiscal year 2006 includes major proposals relating to Medicaid, the health care and long-term care program for low-income Americans that is jointly funded by the federal government and the states. The Administration proposes to reduce net federal funding for Medicaid by $45 billion over the next … -
Future Medicaid Growth Is Not Due To Flaws in the Program's Design, But To Demographic Trends and General Increases in Health Care Costs
Revised February 4, 2005
New Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt has begun discussing plans for $60 billion in Medicaid cuts over the next ten years as part of the Administration’s federal budget proposal for fiscal year 2006, which will be released on Monday, February 7. A key rationale for the effort to cut Medicaid is that the program’s costs are expected to grow faster … -
Administration Expected to Propose New Budget Rule That Could Adversely Affect Social Security, Medicare, SSI, Veterans’ Disability, and Other Programs
Revised February 2, 2005
Overview The Administration’s forthcoming budget is likely to propose a new budget rule that would affect Social Security, Medicare, veterans’ disability compensation, the Supplemental Security Income program for the elderly and disabled poor, health and retirement programs for federal civilian and military … -
Medicaid and SCHIP Protected Insurance Coverage for Millions of Low-Income Americans
January 31, 2005
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that the ranks of uninsured Americans have grown substantially since 2000. It is less commonly known, however, that the number of those uninsured would have been millions higher had it not been for enrollment growth in Medicaid and its sister program, the State Children’s Health … -
State Policies to Assist Working-Poor Families
December 10, 2004
Introduction For a large and growing number of Americans, having a job is not enough to lift them out of poverty. This report presents a menu of practical policy options that states can adopt to help working-poor families meet their basic needs and improve their lives. The number of people in working-poor families has grown significantly in the last two decades. In 2003, 13.1 … -
Press Release: Loss of Federal Funds From Eliminating Tenncare Would Offset State Savings and Injure State Economy
November 15, 2004
The possible elimination of Tennessee’s TennCare program, suggested by Governor Bredesen, would have far-reaching consequences for state residents that would reverberate far beyond the individuals who would be dropped from TennCare, a new report by the Center on Budget and Policy … -
The Potential Impact of Eliminating TennCare and Reverting to Medicaid: A Preliminary Analysis
November 15, 2004
On November 10, Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen announced, “I have set in motion a process to dissolve TennCare and replace it with a traditional Medicaid program.”[1] The governor estimated that 430,000 low-income Tennesseans could lose TennCare coverage if the state eliminates the eligibility expansions … -
The Effects of Copayments on the Use of Medical Services and Prescription Drugs in Utah’s Medicaid Program
November 2, 2004
In recent years, a number of states have increased cost-sharing for low-income Medicaid beneficiaries as one approach to Medicaid cost-containment. While copayments have been most commonly applied to prescription drugs, they also have been assessed for other services, such as physician visits, hospital admission, or … -
Administration's Medicaid Proposal Would Shift Fiscal Risks To States
Revised April 22, 2003
Developed Jointly With The Bush Administration’s fiscal year 2004 budget proposal appears to provide a modest amount of funding to help states meet Medicaid costs during this time of state fiscal crisis. This offer, however, comes with a major catch. States that opt for this fiscal relief would receive lower …
