Kaiser Health News to Expand Coverage in the Mountain West April 2, 2020 News Release KFF’s Kaiser Health News (KHN) will hire a full-time Montana-based correspondent and recruit a team of freelance reporters to expand its coverage of health care policy and politics in the region, including the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic. The expansion is made possible by a new long-term partnership among KFF, the Montana…
Problems Getting Care Due to Cost or Paying Medical Bills Among Medicare Beneficiaries April 2, 2020 Issue Brief There is ongoing discussion as to whether Congress should waive COVID-19 treatment costs. To inform these discussions, this analysis examines the extent of health care cost-related problems among Medicare beneficiaries. The analysis is based on a composite measure of cost-related burdens that includes problems getting care due to cost, delays seeking care due to cost, and problems paying medical bills among people with Medicare.
Put to the Test: Can the U.S. Get to the Next Phase of the COVID-19 Response? April 1, 2020 Blog This blog examines challenging with COVID-19 testing in the U.S. and concludes the nation won’t be able to lift social distancing measures safely until testing catches up to the disease.
A Look at the $100 Billion for Hospitals in the CARES Act March 31, 2020 Blog The $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act contains $100 billion for hospitals. This post examines key questions about how that money will be used.
New KFF State Survey Data Provide a Benchmark for Measuring State Responses to COVID-19 March 27, 2020 Blog Our 18th annual 50-state survey of Medicaid and CHIP eligibility, enrollment, renewal, and cost sharing policies provides data on policies in place as of January 2020 and serves as a benchmark against which we can measure state actions to respond to COVID-19 and the economic crisis.
Medicaid and CHIP Eligibility, Enrollment, and Cost Sharing Policies as of January 2020: Findings from a 50-State Survey March 26, 2020 Report This 18th annual survey of the 50 states and the District of Columbia (DC) provides data on Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) eligibility, enrollment, renewal, and cost sharing policies as of January 2020. The survey findings highlight state variation in policies that affect individuals’ ability to access coverage and care amid the COVID-19 public health crisis. They also provide examples of actions states can take to expand eligibility and simplify enrollment to respond to the COVID-19 epidemic.
Medicaid Emergency Authority Tracker: Approved State Actions to Address COVID-19 July 1, 2021 Issue Brief States used a number of Medicaid emergency authorities to address the COVID-19 public health emergency. Between March 2020 and July 2021 we tracked details on Medicaid Disaster Relief State Plan Amendments (SPAs), other Medicaid and CHIP SPAs, and other state-reported administrative actions; Section 1115 Waivers; Section 1135 Waivers; and 1915 (c) Waiver Appendix K strategies. This resource was last updated July 1, 2021 and is no longer being updated.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Summary of Key Provisions March 23, 2020 Issue Brief A summary of key provisions of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act that addresses the domestic coronavirus outbreak, including paid sick leave, insurance coverage of coronavirus testing, nutrition assistance, and unemployment benefits.
Novel Coronavirus “COVID-19”: Special Considerations for Pregnant Women March 17, 2020 Issue Brief With over 6 million pregnancies per year in the U.S., pregnant and breastfeeding women constitute a significant portion of the population that could be impacted by COVID-19. This brief summarizes what is known thus far about pregnancy and COVID-19.
What Issues Will Uninsured People Face with Testing and Treatment for COVID-19? March 16, 2020 Fact Sheet With COVID-19 cases rising in the US, issues surrounding access to testing and treatment for uninsured individuals have taken on heightened importance. Efforts to limit the spread of the coronavirus in the United States are dependent on people who may have been exposed to the virus or who are sick getting tested and seeking medical treatment. However, the uninsured are likely to face significant barriers to testing for COVID-19 and any care they may need should they contract the virus.