An Overview of the Independence Plus Initiative to Promote Consumer-Direction of Services in Medicaid November 30, 2003 Issue Brief 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)
Medicaid: Current Benefits and Flexibility November 29, 2003 Issue Brief Medicaid: Current Benefits and FlexibilityTwo issue briefs discuss the minimum requirements for states to receive federal Medicaid matching funds and the options states have under federal law and waivers to tailor their Medicaid programs.Medicaid as a Health Insurer: Current Benefits and FlexibilityMedicaid as a Long-term Care Program: Current Benefits and…
Medicaid as a Long-Term Care Program: Current Benefits and Flexibility November 29, 2003 Issue Brief This brief focuses on one subset of “flexibility” issues: the current federal benefits and cost-sharing rules that apply with respect to long-term care.Issue Paper (.pdf)
Regulation of Private Long-Term Care Insurance: Implementation Experience and Key Issues February 27, 2003 Report Regulation of Private Long-Term Care Insurance: Implementation Experience and Key IssuesWhile private long-term care insurance (LTCI) has been available since the mid-1970s, its popularity has grown rapidly in recent years, and Congress is considering proposals that would further encourage LTCI purchase through expanded tax subsidies. Yet there has been little…
Private Long-Term Care Insurance: Who Should Buy It and What Should They Buy? February 27, 2003 Report Private Long-Term Care Insurance: Who Should Buy It and What Should They Buy?Despite the growing interest in private long-term care insurance (LTCI), there has been little independent examination of how much protection LTCI policies provide consumers or whether LTCI policies are a worthwhile purchase for people of average means. This…
Nursing Home Quality: State Agency Survey Funding and Performance August 2, 2002 Report This policy brief describes the resources, staffing, and performance of state licensing and certification agencies based on findings from a survey of state survey agency officials.Issue Paper
Nursing Home Staffing Standards August 2, 2002 Report This policy brief describes the current federal staffing requirements and how states separately regulate staffing levels in nursing homes. It also presents data showing actual staffing levels in over half of this country’s nursing homes exceed the levels that states and the federal government require.
The Wide Circle of Caregiving June 29, 2002 Poll Finding The Kaiser Family Foundation helped conduct a national survey of over 1,000 informal caregivers in 1998 to assess the policy issues involved with this new, growing role for many family members and friends. Nearly one of every four adults (23 percent) is an informal caregiver, and, as the American population…
Medicare Chartbook December 1, 2001 Report The Medicare Chartbook includes data and background information critical to understanding the Medicare program and the challenges it faces in keeping up with the rising costs of health care and in ensuring the program s future financial security.
Key Facts: Women and Medicare July 1, 2001 Report Medicare is a critical source of health insurance coverage for virtually all older women in the U.S. and for many younger women who have permanent disabilities. Today, 22 million women one in five adult women rely on Medicare for basic health insurance protection. In fact, women comprise 57% of the…
