States’ Concerns About the Medicare Drug Debate and the Fiscal Impact of Shifting the Cost of Dual Eligible Care

As the U.S. Congress continues to search for an agreement on the form of a Medicare prescription drug benefit, the Commission has two new reports related to the debate. One new publication reports on findings from an October 26 discussion with state Medicaid officials on the implications of a Medicare drug benefit for states and dual eligibles. The other report provides state-level estimates on spending on dual eligibles and illustrates the effects of scenarios where the federal government assumes the cost of prescription drugs, Medicare premiums, acute care, and long-term care for this population. Additionally, a link to a fact sheet on dual eligibles is provided.

Coordinating Medicaid and Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage

Shifting the Cost of Dual Eligibles: Implications for States and the Federal Government

Dual Enrollees: Medicaid's Role for Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries