Expanding coverage to the uninsured is a key issue in health reform. A number
of leading proposals rely on a combination of public and private approaches to
achieve broader coverage with shared responsibilities across employees,
employers, government, consumers and insurance markets. Medicaid is the
nation’s primary health coverage program for low-income and high-need
populations and is a logical platform to extend coverage to more uninsured.
This brief explains the current role of Medicaid in today’s health care
system and answers some of the key questions and issues related to Medicaid that
could emerge in the context of broader health reform discussions.
It is
part of a series of briefs providing an overview of key issues and concepts
related to health reform.
Brief (.pdf)
