We are confident that Say Ahhh! readers received dozens of smartphone alerts and emails the past few days with minute-by-minute updates on the fiscal cliff deal making.  Yet those alerts missed some important Medicaid- and CHIP-related provisions that rose to the top of our “Breaking News” list:

Express Lane Eligibility option extended until September 30, 2014.  This CHIPRA option, originally set to expire September 2013, stays intact one more year.  (Unfortunately, the performance bonus provision, also slated to expire this federal fiscal year, remains unresolved).

Family-to-Family Health Information Centers continue.  Many children’s advocacy organizations were concerned about the loss of funding for these centers, which assist families of children and youth with special health care needs in making informed choices about health care and navigating the health care system.  The centers also provide leadership and training for health care providers and policymakers to promote family-centered “medical homes”.

Transitional Medical Assistance (TMA) extended to the end of 2013. Originally set to expire at the end of 2012 (after many, many short term extensions), TMA allows adults to continue receiving Medicaid coverage as they become employed and increase their earnings.  Now it’s available until the full Affordable Care Act takes effect in 2014.

Thankfully, these programs live to see another year, but more battles lie ahead.  While major Medicaid changes remained off the table this round, lawmakers are under enormous pressure to look at Medicaid and other entitlements as they negotiate the federal debt and new budget proposals.  So stay tuned to Say Ahhh! in 2013.