Today’s Topics In Health Disparities: Is the Health Care System Ready for Health Reform? October 1, 2009 Event On Wednesday, November 4, at 1 p.m. ET, this Today’s Topics In Health Disparities live webcast examined how ready the health care system is for the influx of newly covered individuals that health reform aims to deliver. In the health care proposals being considered by Congress, changes to Medicaid alone…
The Sleeper in Health Reform: Long-Term Care and the CLASS Act October 1, 2009 Event The Kaiser Family Foundation briefing examines a little-noticed but major provision in two leading health reform bills that would change the way that the U.S. pays for long-term care. The provision, known as the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act, would establish a national voluntary insurance program that…
The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act October 1, 2009 Issue Brief This issue brief provides a brief overview of the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act, including a discussion of how the program would be financed and whom it is intended to reach. The paper was released as part of a Kaiser briefing about the act, a component of…
Oral Histories: Report from a Dental Fair September 9, 2009 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. To download the video, right-click here and select…
The Crunch Continues: Medicaid Spending, Coverage and Policy in the Midst of a Recession September 2, 2009 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…
Efforts in States to Promote Medicaid Community-Based Services and Supports August 31, 2009 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 August 31, 2009 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…
Advancing Access to Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services: Key Issues Based on a Working Group Discussion with Medicaid Experts August 31, 2009 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…
Medicaid Expenditures Increased by 5.3% in 2007, Led By Acute Care Spending Growth August 31, 2009 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…
In Pursuit of Affordable Health Care: On the Ground Lessons From Families in Massachusetts August 30, 2009 Report This report, based on focus groups with adults in a variety of circumstances, highlights the experiences of Massachusetts residents in obtaining health coverage, accessing health care services and managing out-of-pocket costs in the wake of the state’s 2006 health reform law. Report (.pdf)