The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news.
A new Commission report of state experiences after eliminating the Medicaid asset test reveals that the action cut administrative costs, improved program efficiency, and increased access to health care.
Medicaid’s Disabled Population and Managed Care
This fact sheet highlights the key facts about the Medicaid managed care programs that serve persons with disabilities. It describes the Medicaid disabled population and the role managed care plays in serving them. It also provides information on enrollment in managed care, program features, and issues such as quality assurance, rate setting, and benefits.
A 4-page issue brief that looks at trends in employer-sponsored health insurance coverage in California. The brief also includes public and private sector strategies for expanding employment-based coverage, and discusses how other states have implemented incremental coverage expansions using public programs and financial incentives, with emphasis on New York State. The brief lists the panel for a California Health Policy Roundtable held in Sacramento, California on May 4, 2001.
Americans aren’t thinking a lot about the poor these days. A new survey by NPR, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government found that only about one in 10 Americans names poverty, welfare, or something similar as one of the two top issues government should address. Nevertheless, when they are asked about it directly, most Americans think that poverty is still a problem in this country, even in these generally prosperous times. However, the survey found the public is divided on why poverty is a problem and on what should be done about it. Furthermore, the survey highlights the experiences and problems of low-income Americans.Summary of Findings (.pdf)
Toplines/Survey (.pdf)
Summarizes the number of uninsured individuals in rural America, who they are, and the barriers to coverage they experience.
Medicaid’s Role for the Disabled Population Under Age 65
Defines the non-elderly disabled and summarizes Medicaid’s role in their health care coverage. Includes a description of enrollment requirements, benefits, spending and managed care concerns for the population.
New and recent publications on immigrant health policy explore some of the complex problems the country faces in expanding health coverage to immigrants and provide basic statistics and facts on the current status of their health care.
The Kaiser Commission co-sponsored a policy briefing on America’s uninsured population and potential models for coverage expansion. Expanding public programs and providing tax credits are both being discussed as ways to cover some of the 42 million uninsured Americans. A link to the webcast and related resources is provided.