As the Census Bureau releases the latest data on health insurance coverage, prior research has shown that health insurance coverage improves access to care and health outcomes. New data from the Kaiser 2003 Health Insurance Survey updates what is known about barriers to access to health care.

Chart Pack (.pdf)

This report finds that the primary cause of the state fiscal crisis is the falloff in state tax revenue.

Report (.pdf)

A new survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard School of Public Health examines public opinion on the current Medicare prescription drug debate. The survey, a follow-up to a broader, more comprehensive survey released in June 2003 about the Medicare program and proposed changes, finds that a majority of seniors want Congress to pass Medicare prescription drug legislation this year, but most worry that they will still pay too much for drugs even if Congress acts (September 2003).

News ReleaseChart PackToplines/Survey

The House and Senate versions of a Medicare prescription drug bill treat the drug costs of those dually-eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and other low-income Medicare beneficiaries quite differently. The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured cosponsored a policy briefing on the key issues in the two bills that would impact low-income beneficiaries and released a brief and background report on the topic.

A Prescription Drug Benefit in Medicare: Implications for Medicaid and Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries Issue Brief

Presentation Slides (.pdf)

Background Paper: The Proposed Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit: A Detailed Review of Implications for Dual Eligibles and Other Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries

Dual Enrollees: Medicaid’s Role for Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries fact sheet

The Medicaid Drug Benefit: Highlights from the KCMU 2003 Survey of the States (.pdf)

Medicaid Matters for Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries: A Video

View a webcast of this policy briefing

Full side-by-side comparison of the full House and Senate Medicare prescription drug bills

The Senate and House of Representatives each approved legislation in June of 2003 that would establish outpatient prescription drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries as part of Medicare program reform. Among the key differences in the House and Senate bills that still must be addressed are the treatment of Medicaid beneficiaries and the structure of low-income subsidy programs. The way in which these issues are resolved will have major implications for Medicaid beneficiaries, other low-income individuals, and state budgets, as well as potential cost implications for the federal government. The major issues for low-income individuals and Medicaid in the bills are described in this issue paper.

Issue Paper (.pdf)

This fifth edition of the Federal Budget Chartbook provides a comprehensive overview of the most recent data on federal funding for HIV/AIDS by agency and major program and in the areas of care and assistance, research, prevention, and the international arena. The chartbook also includes data on spending trends since FY 1995. Click here to view the previous editions of the Federal Budget Chartbook.

Chartbook (.pdf)Download the FY 2002 Budget Chartbook Slides in Powerpoint

The Senate and House of Representatives each approved legislation in June of 2003 that would establish outpatient prescription drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries as part of Medicare program reform. Among the key differences in the House and Senate bills that still must be addressed are the treatment of Medicaid beneficiaries and the structure of low-income subsidy programs. The way in which these issues are resolved will have major implications for Medicaid beneficiaries, other low-income individuals, and state budgets, as well as potential cost implications for the federal government. This background report details the major issues for low-income individuals and Medicaid in the bills.

Report (.pdf)

provides comprehensive data on the impact of HIV/AIDS epidemic on African Americans. Based on the most recent data and research on the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS among African Americans, the report includes an overview and epidemic profile, as well as data on major trends, access to and use of health services, and perceptions of HIV/AIDS.

Chartbook (.pdf)