Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families (CCF) covered state implementation and evaluation of multi-year continuous eligibility opportunities for pediatric populations, including children with disabilities, that utilize Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Many states have already implemented a 12-month continuous eligibility requirement for these populations.
The CHIRblog discussed the overall timeline of the end of the continuous coverage requirement, also known as the unwinding of Medicaid. There has been much discussion and analysis on the transition from Medicaid to Marketplace coverage on a national level, allowing states to try out new and innovative models to ensure all populations have healthcare coverage.
The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) updated their Section 1115 tracker, which tracks waiver provisions that include restrictions and expansions. This tracker also covers eligibility and benefit expansions that relate to behavioral health, and provisions related to social determinants of health.
As of September 12, states have reported renewal outcomes for more than half of those enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP, according to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) with 14.1 million renewals still remaining. 27% of those who completed the renewal process were disenrolled and 56.4 million enrollees were able to qualify for renewed coverage. The large range of disenrollment rates in each state varies, with the highest of 57% being in Montana and the lowest of 12% in North Carolina. Out of all states with available data, 69% of all those disenrolled were due to procedural reasons.
The Commonwealth Fund explained the 2024 Election’s impact on Medicaid and its policies. Major takeaways include increased funding and expansion of Medicaid or changes in cost-sharing for specific services, premiums for higher-income enrollees, and increase uninsured rates.
KFF discussed the potential future of the 81 million people, with over 10 million of those having one or more disabilities, that have Medicaid coverage and what could happen with a change in administration. The increased use of Section 1115 waivers with time limits and work requirements could potentially become more common.
KFF conducted a health tracking poll comparing presidential candidates on key health care issues. In total, only 5% of respondents found that health care costs were the most important issue in determining their vote. The survey found that 4 in 10 voters wanted their candidate to discuss health care costs and wanted a federal law to restore the right to abortion.
CCF covered the role of enrollment assisters in ensuring nonpartisan voter registration efforts. Enrollment assisters help guide families in obtaining health coverage and in turn, help overall community well-being. The Health Resources and Services Administration noted that “health centers have discretion, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to support non-partisan voter registration efforts as a means of reducing barriers to civic engagement within the communities they serve.”
CCF discussed the KFF and the Health Management Associates annual Medicaid budget survey. The survey found that states reported the greatest access challenges in provider enrollment, training certification, or licensing, alongside some low Medicaid reimbursement rates.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reported on census data that found an increase in income and healthcare coverage with much more work needed to be done to decrease poverty rates. Investments in tax credits, housing, and childcare could help elevate burdens that increase poverty rates.
Join the Beyond the Basics webinar on “Immigration-Related Eligibility for Health Coverage Programs” on September 17th at 2 PM ET. This webinar will cover immigration-related eligibility requirements for Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. Check out the full fall schedule to register for future webinars!
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