Publications: Medicaid
Helping People with Long-Term Health Care Needs: Improving Access to Home- and Community-Based Services in Medicaid discusses how health care reform will give states incentives to strengthen home- and community-based services in Medicaid. 4 pp. Print copies free (October 2009)
Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Soften the Blow during Tough Economic Times discusses how these programs have served as an effective health care safety net for many newly uninsured families, particularly for children. 3 pp. Print copies free (October 2009)
Health Coverage in Communities of Color: Talking about the New Census Numbers takes a closer look at the latest data and finds that communities of color continue to bear the brunt of the uninsured crisis. This fact sheet looks at who is uninsured, poverty levels of different racial and ethnic groups, and why public programs are vital to communities of color. 4 pp. Print copies free (September 2009)
What's Next for CHIP-Funded Adult Coverage? examines how the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) changes coverage for parents and for adults without dependent children. 11 pp. Print copies $5.00 (August 2009)
Better Coverage for Children discusses how the health reform legislation that is before Congress will help cover uninsured children, and their families, by making insurance more available and affordable and by expanding Medicaid. 4 pp. Print copies free (August 2009)
10 Reasons to Support the Health Care Reform Bills provides a quick rundown of the most exciting provisions in the health reform bills pending in Congress, including provisions that will help middle-class and low-income families, small businesses, and seniors and people with disabilities. 7 pp. Print copies free (July 2009)
More Funding for CHIP, Different Rules: How Does CHIPRA Change CHIP Funding? summarizes the new federal financing rules for CHIP, as well as the improvements to the financing system that will help ensure that states have the funding they need to get more children covered. 12 pp. Print copies $5.00 (June 2009)
The Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA): Addressing Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities examines four key provisions in the new law: investing in outreach, increasing access for legal immigrant children and pregnant women, increased funding for interpretation and translation services, and establishing new quality of care measures. It also includes action steps for advocates. 12 pp. Print copies $5.00 (June 2009)
CMS Guidance on Increased Medicaid Funding Provides Important Protections for Medicaid Consumers discusses two important aspects of the guidance, the maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement, and how the enhanced FMAP will be applied to states that expanded Medicaid eligibility after July 1, 2008. 3 pp. Print copies free. (April 2009)
Covering the Uninsured in Medicaid describes the critical role Medicaid must play in ensuring coverage for all low-income Americans as part of health care reform. 2 pp. Print copies free (April 2009)
Covering More Children, Rewarding Success: State Performance Bonuses discusses the new system of performance bonuses created by the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA). These bonuses are designed to reward states for enrolling more uninsured low-income children in Medicaid. 12 pp. Print copies $2.00 (April 2009)
CHIPRA 101: Overview of the CHIP Reauthorization Legislation discusses the major provisions of the reauthorization, including those pertaining to new funding, changes in eligibility, getting more children enrolled, and improving children's health. Print copies $2.00 (March 2009)
Getting Covered: Finding Health Insurance When You Lose Your Job is designed to help consumers who've lost their health coverage sort through possible options for new coverage, including COBRA, Medicaid, CHIP, other federal and state programs, and the individual market. 11 pp. Print copies $2.00 (February 2009)
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: House Bill Health Coverage Provisions for the Unemployed Are Essential describes key differences in the health coverage provisions in the Senate and House versions of the economic recovery package, namely temporary Medicaid for unemployed workers and COBRA subsidies, and explains why the House provisions are crucial for helping unemployed workers and their families keep health coverage. 2 pp. Print copies free. (February 2009)
Critical Care: The Economic Recovery Package and Medicaid examines the latest state reports of newly enacted or proposed cuts to Medicaid and CHIP. It also provides state-level estimates of the economic impact of the proposed temporary increase in federal Medicaid funding in the House American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. 14 pp. Print copies $5.00 (January 2009)
A Shot in the Arm for West Virginia: Increasing Health Coverage for Working Families discusses the state's opportunity to reduce the number of uninsured residents by expanding Medicaid to more parents. The report also examines how expanding parent coverage could boost the state's economy, creating new jobs, wages, and business activity. 13 pp. Print copies $5.00 (January 2009)
A Painful Recession: States Cut Health Care Safety Net Programs documents one impact of the current recession by examining state cuts in Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The report also shows, on a state-by-state basis, how temporarily increasing federal funding for Medicaid can stimulate state economies, increasing business activity, jobs, and wages. 25pp. Print copies $10 (December 2008)
Mountain Health Choices: An Unhealthy Choice for West Virginians continues our analysis of the state's radical Medicaid reform program. Problems with the program include a confusing enrollment process; lack of clear information; and lack of access to key health care services, particularly mental health care. 8 pp. Print copies $2 (August 2008)
Precarious Position: States Must Balance Declining Revenues with a Growing Need for Medicaid Several states are proposing to balance their budgets by cutting Medicaid—raising cost-sharing, shrinking eligibility, or reducing benefits. This issue brief discusses Medicaid cuts in a number of states and recommends congressional action to bring fiscal relief to the states. 12 pp. Print copies $2 (July 2008)
Five Good Reasons to Increase Health Coverage for Parents discusses the reasons why states should strengthen the health and economic security of families by expanding health coverage for parents. 4 pp. Free (July 2008)
Screening for Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) Eligibility is intended as a reference to help determine whether someone may qualify for Medicaid or SCHIP coverage. Each question includes federal and state-specific information. (Families USA, originally published in 2004, updated June 2008 - online only)