Strategies to Keep Consumers Needing Long-Term Care in the Community and Out of Nursing Facilities October 1, 2005 Report In recent years states have been trying to shift resources from institutional to home and community based long-term care services. This report examines “transition” and “diversion” policies and practices in eight states. It provides a sense of what state Medicaid programs are doing or could be doing to promote diversion.Report…
The Impact of Enrollment in the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit on Premiums October 1, 2005 Report This Kaiser Family Foundation study estimates the potential impact in monthly Medicare drug premiums if enrollment does not reach 29 million in 2006 as the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) assumed, and if those who do enroll have relatively high total prescription drug costs.The study, prepared by Avalere Health LLC and…
Health Care Coverage and Financing Issues in California: An October 2005 Update October 1, 2005 Issue Brief Health Care Coverage and Financing Issues in California: An October 2005 UpdateThis brief summarizes recent health insurance coverage trends in California and the Medi-Cal program, provides an overview of the state’s newly adopted FY 2005-06 budget agreement, and discusses key issues driving the current health policy agenda. The brief concludes…
State Medicaid Outpatient Prescription Drug Policies: Findings from a National Survey, 2005 Update September 30, 2005 Poll Finding State Medicaid Outpatient Prescription Drug Policies: Findings from a National Survey, 2005 UpdateThis 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…
Medicaid Budgets, Spending and Policy Initiatives in State Fiscal Years 2005 and 2006 September 30, 2005 Poll Finding 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)
In a Time of Growing Need: State Choices Influence Health Coverage Access for Children and Families September 30, 2005 Poll Finding 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)
Health Coverage for Individuals Affected by Hurricane Katrina: September 30, 2005 Issue Brief A Comparison of Different Approaches to Extend Medicaid CoverageApproaches 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…
News on State Medicaid Programs: July through September 2005 Update September 30, 2005 Issue Brief 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)
New State Surveys Show State Budgetary Pressures on Medicaid Easing, But Long-Term Challenges for Program Remain September 30, 2005 Report Three KCMU state surveys indicate improving economy and sustained state cost-containment actions have improved the outlook for Medicaid and SCHIP, but long-term challenges remain due to factors affecting overall health care system. News Release Summary of Findings (.pdf) Medicaid Budgets, Spending and Policy Initiatives in State Fiscal Years 2005 and…
The Policy Implications of Medicare’s New Measure of Financial Health September 30, 2005 Issue Brief This report examines a new measure of Medicare’s financial health established by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA). The report, authored by Marilyn Moon, takes an in-depth look at the program’s new solvency test, which measures general revenues as a share of total Medicare spending and can trigger a “funding warning” that compels the President to propose and the Congress to consider a funding warning.
