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  • Medicaid and State Budgets: From Crunch to Cliff

    Fact Sheet

    This fact sheet discusses the status of Medicaid and state budgets in light of the continuing recession and the federal fiscal relief provided to state Medicaid programs through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The ARRA money has proved to be critical in helping states address budget shortfalls, preserve Medicaid eligibility and soften program cuts. But ARRA funds are set to expire on Dec. 31, 2010, creating a major cliff in state financing that…

  • Changes in Health Insurance Coverage, 2007-2008: Early Impact of the Recession

    Issue Brief

    This issue brief examines trends in health insurance coverage from 2007 to 2008, a period marked by the start of a deep recession. It finds that the share of the nonelderly population covered by employer-provided insurance declined, the share covered by public programs increased and the number of uninsured people continued to rise. Notably, the economic downturn affected health insurance coverage differently for adults compared to children. The increase of 1.5 million in the number…

  • Explaining Health Care Reform: What is Comparative Effectiveness Research?

    Issue Brief

    The brief examines current funding for comparative effectiveness research, the provisions included in the current health reform legislation, and issues related to which treatments that might be studied, whether and how to weigh costs of care, and how such findings will be used and shared with health-care practitioners and the public. It is part of the Foundation's series of Explaining Health Reform briefs on key concepts in health reform. Brief (.pdf)

  • Oral Histories: Report from a Dental Fair

    Video

    This video profiles patients attending a dental fair in rural Virginia and highlights the impact of lack of coverage for oral health services. Uninsured adults have vast oral care needs, and untreated dental problems can have serious health, employment and social consequences.

  • The Crunch Continues: Medicaid Spending, Coverage and Policy in the Midst of a Recession

    Event Date:
    Event

    This annual 50-state survey finds that number of people on Medicaid and state spending on the program are climbing sharply as a result of the recession, straining state budgets and pressuring officials to curb costs despite increased financial help from the federal government through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The survey finds that these trends are expected to continue well into the 2010 fiscal year, with the slumping economy contributing to the loss…

  • A Profile of American Indians and Alaska Natives and Their Health Coverage

    Issue Brief

    A Profile of American Indians and Alaska Natives and Their Health Coverage This brief examines the health coverage, access to care and health status of American Indians and Alaska Natives across the country. Although the U.S. government has an established responsibility through tribal agreements to provide health care services to members of federally recognized Indian tribes, many American Indians and Alaska Natives lack access to health care. The brief gives an overview of the some…

  • Advancing Access to Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services: Key Issues Based on a Working Group Discussion with Medicaid Experts

    Issue Brief

    This brief highlights key strategies to address financing, program administration and community workforce challenges that key experts, federal and state officials and advocates believe must be overcome to expand access to home and community-based services (HCBS). Among the key ideas drawn from a working group discussion at the Foundation are the benefits of: • providing additional federal financing to states to provide Medicaid HCBS and to administer these benefits; • simplifying the process for states…

  • Medicaid Expenditures Increased by 5.3% in 2007, Led By Acute Care Spending Growth

    Issue Brief

    This brief presents analysis of the latest available Medicaid spending and enrollment data to examine recent trends in program enrollment, total spending, spending by service, and spending per enrollee. The focus is on spending changes between 2006 and 2007, with historical context also provided. After Medicaid spending declined in 2006 for the first time in the program's history, spending climbed by 5.3 percent in 2007. In raw dollars, spending increased to $330.8 billion in 2007,…

  • Efforts in States to Promote Medicaid Community-Based Services and Supports

    Issue Brief

    This brief summarizes lessons in offering more home and community-based services from states at the forefront of the effort. It describes current options for state Medicaid programs and draws on interviews with state officials to provide details about specific policies and procedures in states. Brief (.pdf)

  • Key Issues in Medicaid and Home and Community-Based Services and Support

    Issue Brief

    These briefs examine current issues in providing more people who need long-term care services and supports access to these Medicaid services in home and community-based settings rather than in institutional ones. The first brief, Advancing Access to Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services: Key Issues Based on a Working Group Discussion with Medicaid Experts , highlights key strategies to address financing, program administration and community workforce challenges that key experts, federal and state officials and advocates…