The annual 50-state survey of enrollment and eligibility policies in Medicaid and SCHIP for low-income families reveals that 20 states are taking actions to simplify procedures and requirements for beneficiaries and, in some cases, expand eligibility.

Report (.pdf)

Executive Summary (.pdf)

This update summarizes state Medicaid actions from July through September 2005 highlighting changes that governors and state legislators have announced or implemented.

Issue Brief (.pdf)

The 50-state annual survey of about budget conditions and Medicaid cost containment actions in FY2005-06 shows that all states implemented and planned more Medicaid cost-containment actions, but are also implementing expansions as the gap between Medicaid spending growth and state tax revenue narrowed.

Report (.pdf)

Executive Summary (.pdf)

State Medicaid Outpatient Prescription Drug Policies: Findings from a National Survey, 2005 Update

This survey of state Medicaid pharmacy programs supplements surveys conducted in 2003 and 2000 and reports Medicaid prescription drug policies in effect in early 2005. It covers key elements of utilization management, drug purchasing and potential impacts of the implementation of the Medicare prescription drug benefit.

Report (.pdf)

Executive Summary (.pdf)

A Comparison of Different Approaches to Extend Medicaid Coverage

Approaches have been put forward to extend Medicaid coverage to Hurricane Katrina survivors, but they differ significantly regarding the extent to which they extend Medicaid eligibility and in the role of federal funding for coverage of Hurricane survivors. This publication provides an overview of these approaches and their key differences. First is a table comparing the major components of the September 15, 2005 Senate bill, the Administration’s waiver initiative, and the Texas waiver. Second is a fact sheet that provides greater detail on the Texas waiver and highlights some key questions raised by the waiver.

Issue Brief (.pdf)

The 50-state annual survey of about budget conditions and Medicaid cost containment actions in FY2005-06 shows that all states implemented and planned more Medicaid cost-containment actions, but are also implementing expansions as the gap between Medicaid spending growth and state tax revenue narrowed.

Report (.pdf)

Executive Summary (.pdf)

Attention to the details of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) has largely focused on the new drug benefit and, to a lesser degree, to new payments and rules for private plan participation in Medicare. Less noticed is a provision in the law that created a new measure of financial health of the Medicare program to be included in the annual report of the Boards of Trustees of the Medicare Trust Funds.

The new financial measure established by the MMA assesses how much of Medicare spending is financed by general revenues (mainly made up of income taxes). When general revenues exceed 45 percent of total Medicare spending, general revenues are deemed to be used “in excess.” The intent of the measure is to treat a 45 percent contribution of general revenues to Medicare as the upper bound of reasonable support for the program from this one funding source.

This brief takes an in-depth look at the program’s new solvency test, how it differs from other commonly reported indicators of Medicare’s financial health, and some of the implications and issues it raises for the future.

It is authored by Marilyn Moon, who was a public trustee for the Social Security and Medicare trust funds and is now of the American Institute for Research.

Premium Assistance Programs: How Are They Financed and Do States Save Money?

This brief examines premium assistance programs implemented under section 1115 waivers in five states (Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah) to determine how they are financed; their eligibility, benefit, and cost sharing requirements; their methods for determining cost-effectiveness; and cost savings.

Issue Brief (.pdf)

Executive Summary (.pdf)

Tools for Reporting on HIV/AIDSThese tools, including the Reporter’s Manual on HIV/AIDS, The Kaiser AIDS Timeline, and pages with country-specific data among others, will help you navigate through the Kaiser Family Foundation’s current work and resources on HIV/AIDS.

Medicaid and Budget Reconciliation: Options and Implications of Savings Proposals

This issue brief examines the context for federal Medicaid savings proposals, emerging themes for savings and the potential impact on Medicaid beneficiaries, states and providers.

Issue Brief (.pdf)