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Medicaid and CHIP Waivers

Federal law and regulations set guidelines for how states operate their Medicaid and CHIP programs.  States, though, can request that the Secretary of Health and Human Services waive certain laws or regulations in order to demonstrate new methods for providing coverage, cover populations not ordinarily covered, or make other changes to Medicaid and CHIP.  Waivers have become an important source of variation in Medicaid and CHIP programs across states and impact the way that many children and families receive care. 

Joint Letters:

• January 26, 2012 letter asks HHS to reject Wisconsin's maintenance-of-effort waiver proposal
  
• October 21, 2011 letter asks HHS to reject aspects of California's demonstration waiver proposal that threaten to reduce coverage
• October 17, 2011 letter asks the White House to finalize the proposed regulations on public participation in Section 1115 research and demonstration proposals (75 FR 56946) as soon as possible
• August 3, 2011 letter asks CMS to reject aspects of Utah's demonstration waiver proposal that threaten to reduce children's coverage
  
• April 13, 2011 letter asks HHS to finalize the proposed regulations on public participation in Section 1115 research and demonstration proposals (75 FR 56946) as soon as possible
• February 14, 2011 letter expresses concern to HHS about a Section 1115 demonstration proposal that was submitted by Arizona to waive the maintenance of effort requirement
  

Comments:

• November 16, 2010 comments on the proposed federal regulations on public process for Medicaid and CHIP demonstration waivers
  

CCF Resources:

• As Legislators Wrestle to Define Next Generation of Florida Medicaid, Benefits of Reform Effort Are Far From Clear
• Assessing Florida’s Medicaid Reform (project funded by the Jessie Ball duPont Fund)
  

CCF Blog Posts:

• National Groups Oppose CA Request to Circumvent Cost-Sharing Protections
  
• Waiver Watchers Alert: CMS decision protects AZ parents' coverage; Budget cuts do not a waiver make
  
• Hard Work Pays Off for "Waiver Watchers"
  
• National Children's Groups Express Concerns About Utah's Waiver Request
  
• Utah's Waiver Proposal--Join Us in Speaking Up for Kids
  
• Florida Medicaid Transformation: Bad Policy & Bad Politics
  
• Rhode Island Waiver - Model or Sweetheart Deal?
  
• CMS Asks Florida 'Where's the Beef'? (Do States Need a Waiver to do Managed Care?)
• Groups Develop Public Comments on Section 1332 Innovation Waiver Regs (aka Wyden Waivers)
  
• Transparency in Medicaid/CHIP Waivers is Urgent
• Arizona Waiver Situation Not Applicable to Other States
  
• MEDICAID MATTERS: Arizona Section 1115 Waiver Request Sets a New Low
• Calling All Medicaid 'Waiver Watchers'