Resources Examine Medicaid Enrollment Growth And State Budget Pressures
This package of resources examines the substantial enrollment growth in Medicaid between June 2008 and June 2009 and provides a mid fiscal-year 2010 update on key state Medicaid issues, including the impacts of the economic downturn.
News Release
With the country in a deep recession, nearly 3.3 million more people were enrolled in state Medicaid programs in June 2009 compared to the previous June, according to a new analysis, Medicaid Enrollment: June 2009 Data Snapshot (updated for 2011).
It was the first time since the early 1990s that every state experienced an increase in Medicaid enrollment, and in 32 states enrollment grew at least twice as fast as the year before, according to the analysis, which includes data breakouts by state.
The increase in enrollment reflects the role that Medicaid plays in reducing the numbers of people who become uninsured when the economy falters, with many people turning to the program for help after being laid off and losing their employer-based health insurance. Millions more who were not eligible for Medicaid likely joined the ranks of the nation’s uninsured.
A companion report, Medicaid’s Continuing Crunch in a Recession: A Mid-Year Update for State FY 2010 and Preview for FY 2011, finds that 44 states are experiencing higher than expected Medicaid enrollment and spending, prompting many to consider program cuts. Enhanced federal matching money for Medicaid provided through the federal stimulus law is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2010, further complicating state budgets.
An updated fact sheet, State Fiscal Conditions and Medicaid, summarizes the relationship of Medicaid with state budgets and discusses the current fiscal situation in the states and how it is affecting Medicaid programs.
Medicaid Enrollment: June 2009 Data Snapshot
Updated Fact Sheet: State Fiscal Conditions and Medicaid
