A new issue brief from the Kaiser Family Foundation examines the trends in state Medicaid programs over the last 15 years. The information in the brief is a compilation of years of surveys conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Management Associates of the state Medicaid programs. In their brief entitled “Trends in State Medicaid Programs: Looking Back and Looking Ahead,” Kaiser has identified three key findings from their survey data:

• Changes in the economy have significant effects on Medicaid programs, with spending and enrollment rising during downturns, while state revenue and budgets grow tighter.
• States have generally moved to expand Medicaid eligibility and streamline enrollment processes over time.
• State Medicaid programs are evolving over time, implementing initiatives, including managed care and more community-based care, to improve delivery of services and control costs.

To download the brief, click here.