Mental Health Financing in the United States: A Primer April 1, 2011 Report This primer provides an overview of behavioral health care, reviews the sources of financing for such care, assesses the interaction between different payers, and highlights recent policy debates in mental health. It also discusses the role of Medicaid, currently the largest source of financing for behavioral health services in the…
Medicaid’s Continuing Crunch In a Recession: A Mid-Year Update for State FY 2010 and Preview for FY 2011 February 1, 2010 Report This report finds that 44 states and the District of Columbia are experiencing higher than expected program enrollment and spending for fiscal year 2010. At least 29 states say they are considering additional mid-year cuts in provider rates and program benefits. The recession and the scheduled end on Dec. 31,…
State High-Risk Pools: An Overview January 25, 2010 Issue Brief Health reform bills passed in the House and Senate would create a national high-risk pool insurance program to offer health coverage to otherwise uninsurable individuals during the interim period between the enactment of legislation and the implementation of broader health care reform. This issue brief discusses the structure, operation, benefits…
State Medicaid Coverage of Perinatal Services: Summary of State Survey Findings November 1, 2009 Issue Brief The report examines state Medicaid program policies regarding coverage of pregnancy-related services. It details state-level Medicaid eligibility and enrollment policies for pregnant women, as well as scope of coverage for prenatal and screening services, delivery and post-partum care, educational classes and support services.
Why Express Lane Eligibility Makes Sense for States and Low-Income Families October 2, 2009 Issue Brief Express Lane Eligibility (ELE) is a new tool available to states to streamline enrollment and renewal of children in Medicaid and CHIP. It allows state Medicaid and CHIP agencies to utilize data and eligibility findings from other public need-based programs, such as Head Start or Food Stamps, and/or tax return…
Putting Children on the Express Lane to Health Insurance: Streamlining Enrollment and Renewal of Children in Medicaid and CHIP Through Express Lane Eligibility October 2, 2009 Issue Brief Express Lane Eligibility (ELE) is a new tool available to states to streamline enrollment and renewal of children in Medicaid and CHIP. It allows state Medicaid and CHIP agencies to utilize data and eligibility findings from other public need-based programs, such as Head Start or Food Stamps, and/or tax return…
Patients Under Pressure: Profiles of How Families Affected by Cancer Are Faring in the Recession July 2, 2009 Report This report by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the American Cancer Society profiles six cancer patients and survivors and the challenges they face to help gauge how the recession and rising unemployment is affecting workers who are most in need of ongoing medical care. The report, “Patients Under Pressure: Profiles…
Chartpack: Kaiser Health Tracking Poll – June 2009 May 31, 2009 Poll Finding This document contains the chartpack from the June Health Tracking Poll. The survey was designed and analyzed by public opinion researchers at the Kaiser Family Foundation and was conducted June 1 through June 8, 2009, among a nationally representative random sample of 1,205 adults ages 18 and older. Telephone interviews…
Pulling it Together: The Experts vs. The Public on Health Reform May 14, 2009 Perspective In repeated Kaiser polls, we see a divide between what experts believe and what the public believes about some of the key issues in health reform. They don’t disagree on everything; far from it. But there is a wide gulf on basic beliefs about what is behind the problems in…
Pulling It Together: Critical Path To Health Reform: Stage One March 27, 2008 Perspective Will there be a big debate about health reform in the general election? If there is it will elevate the issue further, engage the public, and create momentum and a mandate for action by a new President and Congress. If, however, the debate about health is tepid or health is…