Struggling With Financing: The Recession and National Health Reform Dominate State Medicaid Concerns

The recession has squeezed state Medicaid programs between the twin pressures of rising enrollment and shrinking budgets as the economic downturn triggers both increased demand for safety-net services and a decrease in the tax revenues that state governments rely on to fund them. The report, draws on interviews with state Medicaid directors, discusses the prospect of significant Medicaid cuts in some states, shows how federal stimulus money has been helpful but still leaves states trying to cope with budget shortfalls, and examines how state Medicaid directors see federal health reform affecting their programs.

 Report (.pdf)