MEDICAID AND ACA ADVOCACY
The NDNRC wants to make sure that people with disabilities are aware of potential changes to their healthcare with the new administration taking office. The disability community utilizes Medicaid, and the ACA (Affordable Care Act) 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.
The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) reviewed the first 100 days of the current Administration, especially the proposed cuts to Medicaid. NHeLP emphasized the importance of advocates to continue to address the importance of Medicaid for marginalized communities, like people with disabilities.
The proposed cuts to Medicaid expansion through the ACA, being tracked through the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), would decrease health outcomes and quality of life for people with disabilities, as the program gives over 20 million people with low-income access to high quality and low-cost healthcare. Research from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) pulls important data to support this.
Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families also covered this topic, going into detail on federal cuts per state, the role of provider taxes in state Medicaid programs, and work requirements for non-elderly adults.
KFF conducted a health tracking poll in April to see how the public feels about major federal funding cuts to health agencies. This poll found that most people oppose Medicaid cuts.
The Commonwealth Fund (TCF) released an issue brief on how Medicaid work requirements would harm those who lose their jobs and the overall economy. Many people with disabilities have trouble maintaining full time employment and these requirements would make them no longer eligible for Medicaid coverage. Overall, over 5 million adults could lose Medicaid next year if these work requirements go through.
KFF covered potential eligibility changes for low-income women, as 1 in 5 women who use Medicaid do not work because they are primary caregivers. This population could no longer be eligible in qualifying for Medicaid coverage, exacerbating already existing coverage gaps.
CBPP noted the importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides food assistance to over 40 million people. This program is used by people with disabilities to ensure positive health outcomes but could be at risk in proposals that would shrink the program.
As infectious diseases like measles increases, the ACA continues to provide enrollees with coverage for preventative services, like free recommended vaccinations. However, with proposed changes to the ACA, many public health advocates are working even harder to make sure this coverage is available to all ACA enrollees for years to come.
The CHIRblog reviewed enrollment and marketplace use throughout all states for stand-alone dental plans that have been purchased through the ACA Federally Facilitated Marketplace and state-based Marketplaces. This new addition of dental coverage in 2024 has grown slowly since enrollees have to cover the full cost of premiums.
Archives of our weekly updates are available on the NDNRC website.