Medicare-Medicaid Policy Interactions February 27, 2006 Issue Brief Because over seven million elderly and disabled individuals are entitled to benefits under both Medicare and Medicaid, policy changes in one program not only affect both coverage and spending in the other but also impact access to services by individuals eligible for both programs. This primer summarizes two key policy…
The President’s FY 2007 Budget Proposal: Overview and Briefing Charts February 27, 2006 Report This chartpack reviews the President’s FY 2007 budget request to Congress and highlights overall budget assumptions and funding for major health programs. It begins with a description of the federal budget process, followed by summary information on the overall composition of the Administration’s budget. Overall, the budget includes net reductions…
Deficit Reduction Act of 2005: Implications for Medicaid February 1, 2006 Issue Brief This issue brief summarizes the Medicaid provisions of the budget reconciliation law signed in February 2006 and discusses the implications of the proposed changes. The changes would net reductions of $4.8 billion over the next five years and $26.1 billion over the next ten years from current Medicaid spending. Issue…
The Transition of Dual Eligibles to Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage: State Actions During Implementation February 1, 2006 Report This 50-state survey of Medicaid officials assesses states’ early experience relating to the transition of low-income seniors and people with disabilities enrolled in both Medicaid and Medicare (dual eligibles) to the Medicare Part D drug benefit. Conducted by Health Management Associates, the survey covers the types of problems observed by…
Frontline Perspectives on Long-Term Care Financing Decisions and Medicaid Assets Transfer Practices January 31, 2006 Report Frontline Perspectives on Long-Term Care Financing Decisions and Medicaid AssetsTransfer PracticesIn the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, Congress tightened Medicaid asset transfer rules for individuals qualifying for Medicaid assistance with nursing home bills. Research on asset transfer shows a low incidence of asset transfers and limited cost savings from tightening…
Private Long-Term Care Insurance: A Viable Option for Low and Middle-Income Seniors? January 31, 2006 Issue Brief In the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, the federal government made it harder for individuals to qualify for Medicaid nursing home benefits by increasing penalties on individuals who have transferred assets for less than fair market value during the past five years and by making individuals with home equity above…
A Comparison of the Seventeen Approved Katrina Waivers January 1, 2006 Fact Sheet This fact sheet summarizes and compares seventeen states’ approved Medicaid waivers related to Hurricane Katrina evacuees.Fact Sheet (.pdf)
Resources on Medicaid Policy Changes in the Federal Budget Reconciliation Bill January 1, 2006 Issue Brief The Foundation's Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured has collected resources related to the Medicaid policy changes in the budget reconciliation law, Deficit Reduction Act of 2005.Deficit Reduction Act of 2005: Implications for MedicaidWest Virginia Medicaid State Plan Amendment: Key Program Changes and QuestionsKYHealth Choices Medicaid Reform: Key Program…
The Implications of a Loss in Public Health Coverage December 31, 2005 Event A new Health Affairs article and a policy brief examine the implications of cuts to public coverage programs like Medicaid and SCHIP. The Health Affairs article finds that Medicaid and SCHIP cuts would increase emergency department visits by the uninsured, suggesting that cost containment actions on public coverage programs would…
Medicaid and Budget Reconciliation: Implications of the Conference Report December 31, 2005 Issue Brief Medicaid and Budget Reconciliation: Implications of the Conference ReportThis issue brief provides an overview of the federal budget context and then highlights key Medicaid savings proposals in the budget reconciliation conference bill and discusses the implications of the proposed changes. Issue Brief (.pdf)