KEY FACTS ABOUT MEDICAID
The NDNRC wants to make sure that people with disabilities (PWDs)are aware of potential changes to their healthcare with the new administration taking office. The disability community utilizes Medicaid, and the ACA Marketplace plans at a higher rate than those without disabilities due to their unique needs.
By updating this newsletter with resources and educational pieces on where disability health policies stand, we hope to ensure that the disability community continues to have access to accessible and affordable healthcare coverage no matter what changes occur in the foreseeable future.
Community Catalyst made a statement on CMS’ announcement to cut Navigator funding, offering only $10 million to the program, a vital resource for people with disabilities to receive trusted, community-based assistance in enrolling in affordable health coverage, by 90%. This action will increase health inequities and barriers that the disability community faces in the enrollment process.
As changes continue to occur and be proposed to the Medicaid program, it is essential that the general population and the disability community be aware of the basics of Medicaid. The Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) released key charts about public opinion on Medicaid, as well as ten things to know about Medicaid. Overall, 1 in 5 people have Medicaid, proving that it serves as a major source of accessible and affordable health coverage for many, including the disability community.
Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families (CCF) discussed the importance of Medicaid for families. This article emphasized how increased Medicaid coverage for children is associated with reduced child neglect, increased economic stability, advances wellbeing, and overall strengthens families by decreasing healthcare costs through access to sustainable and comprehensive coverage.
The Commonwealth Fund covered enhanced premium tax credits for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plans, specifically who they help and the negative impacts of not extending them. These tax credits have helped people who use ACA plans obtain affordable coverage and without them, enrollees will experience high premiums and less coverage.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) released a blog that included stories from Marketplace enrollees and how they would face hardship in being able to afford healthcare coverage if the tax credits mentioned above are not extended. Here is an excerpt: “’If I didn’t have health insurance I probably wouldn’t be here,” said Erin, a 62-year-old white woman in Georgia who works part time as a mental health technician.’”
KFF continues to release basic issue briefs on aspects of Medicaid to ensure that the general population understands what and who are covered. This brief is on home and community-based services, also known as HCBS, alongside another brief on workforce challenges. Many people with disabilities use these services, with Medicaid being the main payer of all home care spending.
Community Catalyst covered the facts about Medicaid work requirements and how they would impact the populations that use Medicaid. CBPP also covered this topic along with removing food assistance for those who do not meet work requirements.
As an FYI for those who missed Open Enrollment, if enrollment or changes need to be made, people with disabilities who are looking for a Marketplace plan would need to qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Common SEPs, but not a definitive list, can be due to changes in:
- Income
- Employment
- Healthcare coverage
- Household size
As a part of our partnership with the Center of Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), we have updated Factsheets 1 through 16, excluding Factsheet 6; people with disabilities should read topic and population specific sheets.
The American Public Health Association (APHA) is calling for abstracts for the APHA 2025 Annual Meeting and Expo. The submission deadline is March 28, 2025: “APHA’s Disability section invites abstract submissions for socio-behavioral including health education and program intervention research, epidemiological, health systems, health law and policy, and social justice research related to disability and public health that represent people with all types of disabilities (e.g., cognitive, physical, mental, and sensory) across the lifespan. The section encourages abstracts that feature domestic and international perspectives. Case studies and demonstration projects that represent best practices and have been evaluated are also highly encouraged.”
Archives of our weekly updates are available on the NDNRC website.