This issue brief provides an overview of the Independence Plus Initiative, compares core program features with the Cash and Counseling Demonstration program, and discusses several policy issues that arise in the implementation of this initiative.

Issue Paper (.pdf)

This SCHIP enrollment report finds that overall enrollment growth is slowing and enrollment declined in 13 states. It also found that some states are capping enrollment and a handful of sates are reducing eligibility and benefits under SCHIP.

Report (.pdf)

For a number of years, Governors and other state policymakers have maintained that Medicare – rather than state Medicaid programs – should play the key role in providing prescription drug coverage to Medicare beneficiaries, including those who also qualify for Medicaid because they are impoverished and/or have extensive health care needs (i.e, the “dual eligibles”). Although the new Medicare prescription drug benefit law shifts drug coverage for dual eligibles from Medicaid to Medicare, it does not provide all of the fiscal relief that states had expected would accompany this shift, nor does it guarantee equivalent coverage to dual eligibles.

This issue brief describes the key provisions of the new law with implications for state Medicaid budgets and dual eligibles, reviews the estimates available at this time on the effect of these provisions on state Medicaid expenditures; and discusses why the fiscal impact of the new law can be expected to vary widely across states.

Issue Paper (.pdf)

This updated policy brief examines federal funding for the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, with a primary emphasis on funding and activities that benefit resource poor countries. United States funding for international HIV/AIDS activities in resource poor countries began in the mid-1980s; and in FY 2003, the U.S. Congress appropriated close to $1.5 billion globally.

Issue Brief (.pdf)

Reaching the MTV Generation: Recent Research on the Impact of the Kaiser Family Foundation/MTV Public Education Campaign on Sexual Health

Since 1997, MTV: Music Television and the Kaiser Family Foundation have partnered on an Emmy Award-winning public education partnership to inform and empower young people about critical sexual health issues.

Close to a million young people have called the campaign’s toll-free hotline to receive additional information on sexual health topics, be connected with a counselor, or find a local HIV/STD testing center. Millions more have visited the comprehensive website (www.FightForYourRights.mtv.com) for additional information and resources, or participated in community events across the country, and the campaign has distributed nearly half a million copies of It’s Your (Sex) Life: Your Guide to Safe & Responsible Sex, the informational guide about a young person’s sexual health.

A survey of 16-to 24- year-olds nationwide indicates that the campaign is having positive results. More than one in two recognize the campaign, and many say they have acted on what they have seen. To learn more about the campaign and its results please review Reaching the MTV Generation below.

Report: Reaching the MTV Generation: Recent Research on the Impact of the Kaiser Family Foundation/MTV Public Education Campaign on Sexual Health (.pdf)

Toplines: National Survey of Teens and Young Adults on Sexual Health Public Education Campaigns

Toplines: It’s Your (Sex) Life Call-Back Survey

News Release: MTV and Kaiser Family Foundation Announce Extension of Emmy Award-Winning Public Education Campaign

Health care reform and decreasing the number of uninsured have emerged as issues in the presidential campaign, primarily driven by candidates’ proposals to expand health insurance coverage to more Americans. This document summarizes the candidates’ positions on covering the uninsured.

Report (.pdf)

This updated policy brief presents data on the range of resources currently directed to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in resource poor settings, including bilateral, multilateral, and private sector support, as well as domestic funding by affected country governments.

Issue Brief (.pdf)

Implications of the New Medicare Law for Dual Eligibles: 10 Key Questions and Answers

This publication is designed to provide a more detailed explanation of the change in drug coverage policy for dual eligibles under the new Medicare law, as well as explore its implications for the individuals affected by it.

Issue Paper (.pdf)

This one page document summarizes the provisions in the new Medicare law that deal with providing financial subsidies to low-income beneficiaries for their drug coverage.

Issue Paper (.pdf)

Medicaid Enrollment in 50 States: December 2002 Update

This Medicaid enrollment report finds that overall growth moderated in 2002 and was greatest for families, children and pregnant women.

Report (.pdf)