April 30, 2015
While April showers will hopefully bring May flowers tomorrow, this week brings a packed edition of the Finish Line Flash. First, we link you to 2013 data on how many eligible children are enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP. Next, Jane Perkins from the National Health Law Program provides a great overview of the Armstrong v. Exceptional Child ruling. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Manatt Health Solutions looked at eight states that expanded Medicaid and estimates their budget savings and revenue gains. In regards to the marketplace news, NASHP published a detailed brief laying out the options state may pursue in the case of a ruling in favor of the plaintiff. We leave you with two great dental resources. The first is a brief from NASHP describing how addressing oral health can improve care and reduce costs. Last but not least, The Pew Dental Campaign provides state report cards on how well they are providing dental sealants to low-income children.
Medicaid and CHIP
2013 Medicaid and CHIP Participation Rates – CMS recently published 2013 child participation rates for Medicaid and CHIP. These rates measure the percentage of children who are eligible for Medicaid and CHIP and are enrolled. While it’s encouraging to see that 88.3% of eligible children in 2013 were enrolled in public health coverage, this data also tells us that 12% of eligible children are not enrolled, and thus likely not receiving necessary health care. See the link for a state-by-state breakdown, and read this blog post for a quick summary.
Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Supreme Court Case – While all eyes are on King v. Burwell, the Supreme Court made an important ruling regarding Medicaid’s payment provision. Jane Perkins, Legal Director at the National Health Law Program (NHeLP), wrote a detailed summary of the case and its possible implications for future of other plaintiffs attempting to obtain relief in federal court.
Medicaid Expansion States See Budget Savings and Revenue Gains – The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Manatt Health Solutions recently released an issue brief examining the Medicaid expansion across eight states – Arkansas, Colorado, Kentucky, Michigan, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, and West Virginia. The analysis finds that these states are expected see savings and revenues of over $1.8 billion at the end of this year. The brief provides more detail, including examples of where states are experience savings and revenue gains.
Marketplace
King v. Burwell: State Options – As we await the Supreme Court’s decision regarding King v. Burwell, the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) lays out current options that states might pursue. This detailed brief provides different case scenarios and state examples.
Marketplace Income Counting Error Fixed – Tricia Brooks blogged on Health Affairsof a federal marketplace income counting error for dependents with social security income. The error is now fixed on healthcare.gov, but Brooks provides steps for those who may have been affected by the error.
Dental
Improving Care and Reducing Costs by Addressing Oral Health – The National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) released a new brief exploring how addressing oral health can move us closer to achieving the Triple Aim. In particular, this brief examines oral health and how it intersects with diabetes, maternal and child health, and avoidable emergency department use.
States Stalled on Dental Sealants – Dental sealants are important preventive measure that can reduce tooth decay. These are particularly important for low-income children who experience higher rates of tooth decay. The Pew Children’s Dental Campaign has published their most recent state-by-state evaluation of all states’ performance in providing dental sealants to low-income children. This evaluation is a follow-up report describing whether states have progressed on their goals over the past two years.
April 16, 2015
April showers got you staying indoors? Don’t worry, this week’s Finish Line Flashhas you covered with great health policy reading material. With the SGR/CHIP bill heading to the President’s desk, we provide two blog posts on what the bill contains in regards to CHIP. Next, we link you to a new Managed Care webpage from CMS. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities released a new report looking at how existing flexibility in Medicaid can contribute to better health outcomes and lower costs. The Commonwealth Fund and Manatt Health Solutions produced a helpful brief laying out what states will be able to pursue in 2017 with section 1332 waivers. And we round out the Flash with a reminder to sign up for our annual conference, this year from July 21-23, 2015!
CHIP
CHIP Funding is Renewed – Republican and Democrat lawmakers came together and passed H.R. 2, which repeals the Sustainable Growth Rate and extends CHIP funding for another two years. The package not only continues CHIP funding, but it does not make any structural or programmatic changes to CHIP. This blog post from Georgetown Center for Children and Families provides an overview. For more detail about what’s in H.R. 2, see this blog post.
Managed Care
Managed Care Resource – CMS has created a new webpage dedicated to Medicaid managed care. The site provides highlights, technical support, and state profiles of each Medicaid managed care program. As CMS looks to release final managed care regulations in the next few months, this may be an important page to reference. Also, see more in this blog post.
Medicaid
Improving Health Outcomes and Lowering Costs with Existing Medicaid Flexibility – The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities recently released a report sharing how states can use the existing flexibility in Medicaid to promote personal responsibility and work. As more states are considering using waivers to expand Medicaid and ensure individuals take responsibility for themselves, this report analyzes how strategies like cost-sharing for low-income people and work requirements can actually be counter-productive. The authors note that states could better improve the delivery of care by focusing on the existing opportunities in Medicaid to transform service delivery.
Waivers
State Innovation Waivers – The Commonwealth Fund and Manatt Health Solutions released a brief providing an overview of Section 1332 waivers in the Affordable Care Act, also referred to as State Innovation Waivers, which can be implemented starting in 2017. This brief describes what requirements can be waived, what coverage options cannot be reduced, and possible waiver strategies states may pursue.
Register for Georgetown CCF’s 2015 Annual Conference!
We hope you will join us for our annual conference this year from July 21-23, 2015. If you haven’t done so already, check out our conference webpage, which has a list of confirmed speakers, a tentative schedule, and more.
To register, simply click here. Registration is free for our state partners. If you have any questions, send an email to Sophia Duong at sophia.duong@georgetown.edu.
April 2, 2015
This week’s Finish Line Flash has great resources to put a spring in your step. First up is a recently published study from the University of Wisconsin’s Institute for Research on Poverty finding that the Medicaid expansions in the 1980s and 1990s increased children’s economic mobility in adulthood, adding to the burgeoning evidence of Medicaid’s long-term benefits. Next, we link you to the Kaiser Family Foundation’s analysis of Medicaid and CHIP enrollment as of January 2015. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services produced two reports – one estimating the economic impacts of Medicaid expansion and a second describing the significant reduction in hospital uncompensated care due to the Affordable Care Act. Another helpful resource is the National Academy for State Health Policy’s check up on pediatric dental benefits. Last but certainly not least, CMS is hosting a webinar onWednesday, April 22 from 3:00-4:30 pm ET discussing how to help newly enrolled families understand their Medicaid and CHIP benefits.
Medicaid
Medicaid and Intergenerational Economic Mobility – A new study from the University of Wisconsin’s Institute for Research on Poverty provides further evidence that the Medicaid expansions in the 1980s and 1990s have positive long-term effects for children. This study finds that children born to parents on Medicaid in the 1980s and 1990s experienced positive economic mobility in adulthood. The authors conclude “early exposure to health insurance is a key policy lever for improving the physical and financial condition of individuals and for reducing inequalities in life chances.”
Medicaid and CHIP Enrollment
January 2015 Medicaid and CHIP Enrollment – The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) analyzes the latest CMS data and finds that between Summer 2013 and January 2015 Medicaid and CHIP enrollment increased by 11.2 million people. Children’s enrollment increased by 1.2 million kids between January 2014 and January 2015. KFF recognizes that we will be able to gain more insights as the quality and completeness of the children’s data improves over time.
Medicaid Expansion
Economic Impact of Medicaid Expansion – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a brief detailing the economic benefits of Medicaid expansion. States that opted to expand coverage experienced increased savings and job growth. The brief provides a breakdown of the economic impact in each state that expanded coverage.
Affordable Care Act
ACA and Decreased Uncompensated Care – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released an additional brief showing that the ACA contributed to a dramatic $7.4 billion decrease in uncompensated care costs for hospitals. Of the $7.4 billion, $5 billion of reduced costs are attributed to Medicaid expansion. Hospitals in Medicaid expansion states saw a drop in uncompensated care costs by 26 percent on average, compared to only 16 percent in states that did not expand Medicaid. See this blog for more details.
Dental
Dental Coverage and the ACA – Dental experts at the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) provide a check-up on dental care in this recent Health Affairs blog post. The blog explains how pediatric dental benefits fit into the federal marketplace, and how different state based marketplaces are incorporating pediatric dental benefits.
Webinar
Helping Newly Enrolled Families Understand Medicaid and CHIP Coverage – OnWednesday, April 22 from 3:00-4:30 pm ET, CMS will be hosting a webinar discussing how to help newly enrolled families understand their benefits in Medicaid or CHIP. Experts will review the benefits available and then describe how organizations are working to ensure families understand their coverage. Register at the link.
March 19, 2015
This week’s Finish Line Flash brings you helpful resources for the March Madness of children’s health policy (not so much for college basketball). First, we link you to the Urban Institute’s report outlining how major health care decisions in the Supreme Court and Congress could affect children’s health coverage. Next, NHeLP has a new guide for advocates, detailing tools and tips on holding Medicaid Managed Care accountable. NHeLP is hosting a webinar tomorrow to review the guide. The long term affects of Medicaid coverage has been long debated, and now we have two new studies showing that there are benefits down the road. Finally, with the Affordable Care Act’s 5th anniversary next week, the Kaiser Family Foundation’s health poll finds increased support for the health law.
Children’s Coverage
What Lies Ahead for Children’s Health Coverage? – With major health care decisions in the Supreme Court and Congress looming, the Urban Institute estimates the impact on children’s health coverage. This brief analyzes the implications for children’s coverage if premium tax credits are disallowed in the federal marketplace, discontinuation of federal CHIP funding, and removal of the maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement. The report, which provides a national look and a deeper dive into four groups of states, finds that the as many as 3.3 million children could become uninsured in the worst-case scenario. Also, see this report for more on the MOE and children’s coverage.
Managed Care
Medicaid Managed Care Guide – The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) has published a new guide on oversight, transparency, and accountability in Medicaid Managed Care. The robust guide provides tools, tips, and techniques for advocates and others to ensure that managed care companies and state Medicaid agencies are fulfilling their obligations. NHeLP is hosting a webinar to discuss their guide on Friday, March 20 at 1 pm ET. Register for the webinar here.
Medicaid
Long term Health Effects of Medicaid Coverage – Two new studies explore how children who were enrolled in Medicaid coverage are faring as adults. The first studyfinds that expanded Medicaid eligibility for children is associated with fewer hospitalizations and emergency department visits as adults. Also, see this blog poston the study. The second study shows that in utero and early childhood Medicaid coverage reduces the likelihood of obesity and hospitalizations related to obesity and diabetes, implying even more cost savings in the future. See more in this blog post. The new research indicates Medicaid coverage for children is a healthy investment for the future.
Affordable Care Act
Kaiser Health Tracking Poll – The Affordable Care Act is approaching its 5thanniversary, so how are Americans feeling about the health reform law now? The Kaiser Family Foundation’s tracking poll finds that the gap between Americans who have an unfavorable view (43%) and favorable view (41%) of the law has narrowed to the closest margin in over two years. The poll also separates out views by political leanings, analyzes reasons behind the public’s view of the law, and look at the impact of King v. Burwell on opinions.
March 4, 2015
This edition of the Finish Line Flash provides resources to help you march fourth in your health policy work. The first item on the list is the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ report on the discussion draft proposal to extend CHIP funding. Next, a new study finds that co-pays in Medicaid for unnecessary use of the emergency department does not decrease ED visits. Today, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the King v. Burwell case, so we link you to the Urban Institute’s analysis of what’s at stake. We leave you with an important report from the Office of the Inspector General finding that nearly a third of children in foster care, who are enrolled in Medicaid, are not receiving necessary medical screenings.
CHIP
Report on the CHIP Discussion Draft – Last week, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chairman Joe Pitts, and full committee Chairman Fred Upton released a discussion draft of a bill to extend CHIP funding. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities published a report analyzing how provisions of this draft bill moves backwards on children’s coverage and enrollment. For more information, also see CCF’s latest blogon CHIP.
Medicaid
Co-pays in Medicaid for Unnecessary Use of ED does not Decrease ED Visits – A recently published study in the Journal of the American Medical Society finds that emergency department co-pays for Medicaid beneficiaries do not decrease unnecessary use of the ER. Researchers analyzed the effect of the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA) of 2005, which allowed states to enforce emergency (ED) department copayments for nonurgent visits, on ED utilization among Medicaid beneficiaries and compared the effect among beneficiaries living in states that did and did not adopt ED copayments. The authors concluded that ED copayments did not decrease ED or outpatient medical provider use among Medicaid beneficiaries. Read more in this blog.
King v. Burwell
King v. Burwell – What’s at Stake? – The Supreme Court heard oral arguments today on King v. Burwell, but a final decision will not be made until June at the earliest. In the meantime, the Urban Institute lays out what’s at stake in this case. This rundown covers what could happen if the Supreme Court rules in favor of the plaintiffs, who could lose insurance, and what could happen to medical spending for the uninsured. Also, take a look at this blog to see how kids could be affected by the decision.
Children in Foster Care
Foster Care Children in Medicaid not Receiving Screenings – The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) examined foster care populations in four states (California, Illinois, New York, and Texas) and found that nearly a third of children in foster care who were enrolled in Medicaid did not receive at least one required health screening. These screenings are important for children’s healthy development, but particularly for children in foster care who may have experienced neglect and abuse. The OIG report concludes with recommendations for the Administration for Children and Families and states.
February 19, 2015
Though parts of the country are very icy, this week’s Finish Line Flash has some health policy resources that are quite spicy. First, we link you to the National Academy for State Health Policy’s survey results from state CHIP Directors. The survey results provide us with insight into how states are approaching the next steps in CHIP funding renewal. Next, experts from Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms and Center for Children and Families published the toughest questions and answers that came to light during this second open enrollment. The Kaiser Family Foundation provides a profile of the uninsured but potentially Medicaid eligible adults and their relation to the workforce. We round out the Flash with a timely report from Young Invincibles on the need for a Special Enrollment Period for pregnancy.
CHIP
NASHP Survey of State CHIP Directors – The National Academy for State Health Policy’s most recent survey of state CHIP Directors included important questions regarding state budgets and planning around federal CHIP funding renewal. The summary of responses finds that the majority of states are assuming federal funding will continue and that timely action by Congress is needed. If Congress delays action beyond spring, then states may act to close their CHIP programs. These responses emphasize the need for Congress to act quickly to ensure certainty for state budgets and children’s coverage.
Consumer Assistance
OE2 Round Up of Consumer Assister Questions – The second open enrollment has brought on more questions from consumers and their assisters. As part of a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation project, Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms and Center on Children and Families provide technical assistance to consumer assisters in five different states. The centers have compiled some of the toughest questions (with answers) they have encountered during OE2.
Medicaid
Medicaid Expansion and Working Adults – As additional states consider whether to implement Medicaid expansion, some have raised pursuing waiver authority to tie Medicaid eligibility for adults under the expansion to work requirements. The Kaiser Family Foundation provides a profile of the uninsured adults who could gain Medicaid coverage under the ACA, if the remaining states expanded coverage, by their relationship to the workforce and job-based coverage. The brief finds that most eligible uninsured adults (72%) are already working or live in families with at least one worker. Utah Voices for Children and Georgetown University Center for Children and Families found similar results in a joint brief looking at uninsured Utah parents who may be eligible for coverage if the state expanded coverage.
Marketplace
Need for Special Enrollment Period for Pregnant Women – Young Invincibles published a report highlighting the need for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for pregnancy. The report reviews the importance of maternity coverage for the health of mother and child, and makes the case for an SEP for women who become pregnant. The brief is a timely reminder of the need for comprehensive maternity coverage as HHS works to finalize new marketplace rules for 2016.
February 5, 2015
The first Finish Line Flash of February (say that five times fast) highlights a number of important health policy resources. First, the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families published a helpful brief untangling the new MAGI standards. Next, the Kaiser Family Foundation updated their brief on Medicaid per enrollee spending with the most recent MSIS data. In eligibility and enrollment news, the 2015 Federal Poverty level thresholds were released earlier this week, and Tricia Brooks from Georgetown CCF explains how and when to apply the new thresholds to Medicaid, CHIP, and premium tax credit eligibility. State Refor(u)m created a useful chart depicting how states have approached Marketplace renewals, and ASPE published Marketplace enrollment data from the first two months of the second open enrollment period. Finally, we link you a webinar hosted by the Center for Health Care Strategies on adult dental coverage in Medicaid.
Medicaid
Getting MAGI Right: A Primer on Differences that Apply to Medicaid and CHIP—Implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) brought significant changes, including the move to Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) in determining Medicaid and CHIP eligibility. The Georgetown University Center for Children and Families published a new brief explaining the new MAGI standards for determining eligibility. The report aims to clear up any confusion for navigators, assisters, and consumers. Tricia Brooks is currently writing a series of blogs on MAGI on Say Ahhh! Check out the latest one here.
Medicaid Per Enrollee Spending: Variation Across States—The Kaiser Family Foundation released an issue brief on Medicaid per enrollee spending with updated MSIS data from FY 2011. The brief examines variation in Medicaid spending per enrollee across eligibility groups, across states, and over time. Though the data is pre-ACA, it is important to understand the complexities of variation and the impact on federal and state policies.
Eligibility and Enrollment
2015 Federal Poverty Level Thresholds and Medicaid, CHIP, and PTC – New 2015 federal poverty levels (FPL) were recently released, and Tricia Brooks from Georgetown CCF dives into how the new FPLs affect Medicaid, CHIP, and premium tax credit eligibility. Read the blog post to understand in which situations the new 2015 FPL levels will be appropriate to use and when to stick with 2014 FPLs.
Marketplace
Marketplace Renewal Strategies during OE2— State Refor(u)m provides a handy chart looking at the different renewal strategies states have taken up during the second open enrollment. The chart breaks down into type of Marketplace and describes how states are handling Advance Premium Tax Credits.
ASPE January 2015 Enrollment Report— The Office of the Assistance Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) issued its latest Marketplace enrollment report for the first two months of the second open enrollment period for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The report includes data relating to completed applications, eligibility determinations, website visitors and call center activity for the HealthCare.gov states. It also contains data on the overall distribution of Marketplace plan selections in the states by gender, age, metal level, financial assistance status, race/ethnicity, and rural status.
Upcoming Events
Dental Coverage and Access for Adults in Medicaid: Opportunities for States—On Tuesday, February 17, 2015, the Center for Health Care Strategies will host a webinar on adult dental coverage in Medicaid. The webinar will highlight key opportunities and challenges in advancing oral health care coverage and access.
January 21, 2015
This week’s Finish Line Flash starts off with two big reports. First, the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families and PerryUndem Communications released two new reports discussing the experience of families who lost CHIP coverage in Arizona after the state decided to close its program. Next, Kaiser Family Foundation and Georgetown CCF released the annual 50-state survey on Medicaid and CHIP policies. Kaiser also provides an explainer on Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Center, the Supreme Court case that has the potential to affect the ability of private parties to sue states in federal court to enforce the requirements of the Medicaid Act. The Georgetown University Center on Health Insurance Reform also provides a helpful blog post explaining what consumers need to know for tax filing. We link you to two upcoming events: AcademyHealth’s 2015 National Child Health Policy Conference on February 11 and Enroll America’s webinar on tax filing on January 26. And finally, be sure to head to Say Ahhh! for a note from Joe Touschner on his departure from CCF.
CHIP
Losing CHIP Coverage in Arizona – Two new reports from the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families and PerryUndem Communications explore how losing CHIP coverage affects children and families. In Arizona, the only state without an active CHIP program, 14,000 children lost their health insurance when the state ended its KidsCare program. In the aftermath, families experienced confusion and disruption in care, leading to negative impacts on children’s health. These lessons from Arizona are important considerations in the national debate on CHIP’s future. A brief overview is provided in Joan Alker’s blog post.
Eligibility and Enrollment
50-State Survey on Medicaid and CHIP – The Kaiser Family Foundation and Georgetown University Center for Children and Families recently released their annual 50-state survey on Medicaid and CHIP eligibility, enrollment, renewal, and cost-sharing policies. The findings from the survey show the effects of state’s Medicaid expansion decisions, promising strides in ACA implementation, and also emphasize the importance of continuous progress in streamlining systems. Tricia Brooks, a co-author of the report, covers the highlights in her blog post.
Medicaid
Explaining Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Center – Earlier this week, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Armstrong v. Exceptional Child Center, a case that raises the question of whether Medicaid providers can sue a state in federal court based on violation of the Medicaid Act. A group of providers in Idaho are challenging the state on failing to implement new reimbursement rates, claiming this is in violation of the equal access provision of the federal Medicaid Act. Kaiser Family Foundation provides an explainer on key questions to better understand the case.
Tax Filing
What Consumers Need to Know about Tax Filing under the ACA – Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms provides a helpful blog post explaining what consumers who received premium tax credits in 2014 need to know in filing their taxes this spring.
Upcoming Events
AcademyHealth 2015 National Child Health Policy Conference – AcademyHealth will host a conference dedicated to children’s health policy on February 11, 2015. The conference will feature sessions that highlight key policy priorities for child health on the federal, state, and local levels. Register by Friday, January 30, 2015.
Navigating the Tax Filing Moment – On Monday, January 26, 2015, Enroll America and Intuit TurboTax will be hosting a webinar discussing ways to leverage partnerships with tax-focused groups and getting answers to tax-filing questions for this year. In the first tax filing season after ACA implementation, this webinar may be helpful for those involved in outreach and enrollment.
Finish Line News
Joe Touschner Moves On—The Finish Line project—including editing the Flash—has been a major part of my work with CCF over the last several years. It’s been a wonderful opportunity to labor and learn alongside some very skilled and dedicated child health advocates. Countless children across the country have benefited from your work and I appreciate the chance to be a small part of it. Please check out my farewell blog post on Say Ahhh! -Joe
January 8, 2015
The first Finish Line Flash of 2015 starts out with a huge victory for children and pediatricians in Florida. A federal judge recently ruled that the low reimbursement rates for children’s services in Medicaid were in violation of federal law. Next, the Urban Institute estimates the impact of the expiration of the Medicaid primary care payment increase. The Commonwealth Fund provides an analysis of current and proposed 1115 waivers for Medicaid expansion. We also share NHeLP’s lessons learned from California in ensuring that Medicaid managed care plans provide appropriate services to children. A NASHP blog post provides insight into how we can achieve more comprehensive care for children with special health care needs. We round out the Flash on a positive note: new data from the CDC shows that the uninsured rate for adults had declined in the first half of 2014.
Medicaid
Florida Case – In a groundbreaking ruling, U.S. Circuit Judge Adalberto Jordan ruled that Florida’s healthcare system for low-income children violated federal law. The lawsuit was brought about in 2005 by pediatricians, child advocates, and nine children suing the state claiming reimbursement rates for pediatric, dental, and specialty care for children were set so low that it stopped doctors from treating children in Medicaid. Judge Jordan ruled that the low reimbursement rates for Medicaid providers led to rationing of care and thus deprived children of necessary medical services. While the ruling may be appealed, the case and any subsequent decisions could have important implications both in Florida and across the country.
Impact of the Medicaid Primary Care Rate Increase Expiration on States – The Medicaid primary care payment increase, the ACA provision that raised Medicaid primary care reimbursement up to Medicare levels, expired at the end of 2014 despite popular support from many physician groups. In a new brief, the Urban Institute provides some numbers on the “fee bump.” It is estimated the fee bump would increase fees by an average of approximately 73 percent, and that the federal government had spent $5.6 billion on the fee bump as of June 2014. The Urban Institute also found that in the 49 states and in the District of Columbia, the expiration of the primary care bump may lead to an average 42.8 percent reduction in primary care physician fees. The brief includes a breakdown of the fee reduction by state.
What States Are Doing on Alternative Medicaid Expansions – The option of an 1115 waiver is an area of interest for many traditionally conservative states to expand Medicaid coverage. Researchers funded by the Commonwealth Fund take a look at the common themes among these waivers, particularly at use of private health insurance, premiums, and incentives for cost-effective care. The brief provides a breakdown of waivers in Arkansas, Iowa, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana’s proposed waiver, and New Hampshire’s proposed waiver.
NHeLP Lessons from CA on EPSDT – In this month’s Lessons from California, the National Health Law Program (NHeLP) describes the work the organization has done to ensure that California’s Medi-Cal (Medicaid) managed care plans provide the right services to children. NHeLP’s advocacy led the state of California to release guidance explaining the obligation of Medi-Cal managed care plans to provide EPSDT services. Read the brief to see how these lessons may apply to your state.
Care Coordination
Comprehensive Care for Children with Special Health Care Needs – At the National Academy for State Health Policy’s (NASHP) annual conference last October, a select group of Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) Coordinators, Title V directors, and children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) directors convened to strategize on improving systems of care for CYSHCN. NASHP provides a blog post describing universal themes, including care coordination, delivery system reform, cross-agency partnerships, and certain Medicaid policies.
Data
NHIS data – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released new data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and Joan Alker gives the highlights. The data, which covers the first six months of 2014, provides good news in that the uninsured rate for adults has declined, especially for adults in states that expanded Medicaid. The NHIS data shows that the adult uninsured rate decreased from 16.6 percent in 2013 to 14 percent in the first six months of 2014. The data show no statistically significant changes for children’s uninsured rates.
Save the Date: You may have received an email earlier this week, but we want to make sure you mark your calendars for CCF’s 2015 Annual Conference on July 21-23, 2015. Additional meetings before or after the main conference days may be announced later. We hope to see you there.
