Utah Gov. Gary Herbert
No sooner had we posted an update on the prospects for Medicaid expansion in several states, including the three that passed ballot initiatives in November, than news came of obstacles emerging in Utah.
The state legislature may take one or more of these actions: delay the April start; cover fewer people; add work requirements or other conditions. Continue reading
Photo by U.S. Pacific Fleet via Flickr
Roughly 38 million low-income adults across the United States rely upon Medicaid for a broad range of health care benefits. But not all of them can count on obtaining even the most basic dental services.
While children are entitled to dental care under Medicaid, dental benefits for adults are only considered an option. Under federal law, each state determines the scope of its adult dental coverage. Continue reading
Image: The Kaiser Family Foundation’s State Health Facts
There’s been a spurt of Medicaid expansion activity in several states. Thirty-three states plus the District of Columbia have approved expansion (including Maine – more on that below.)
Virginia is the most recent state to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam ran last fall on a Medicaid pledge – and the balance of power in his state’s legislature shifted too, with the GOP still in control but now with narrow majorities in both chambers. Continue reading
Photo: Thomas Hawk via Flickr
Three states – Kentucky, Indiana and Arkansas – have now gotten permission from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to add work requirements to Medicaid. More are in the wings – possibly including two states with Democratic governors who are looking for some way to compromise with Republican legislators to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act .
In our latest tip sheet, TPM’s Alice Ollstein explains some of the debates reporters need to understand as they cover this topic. Continue reading
Photo: FacebookJust-closed Hutcheson Medical Center in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga.
We’ve written extensively about Medicaid expansion and the impact on hospitals that have many low-income uninsured patients that would be eligible for coverage.
Now, there are some signs – admittedly preliminary – that the dollar and cents needs of rural hospitals in Georgia may trump the political imperative to keep saying no to the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid option. Continue reading
Photo: Phil GalewitzA recent AHCJ chapter meeting featured discussion of Medicaid and story ideas for reporters to pursue. Facing the camera, from left to right, are Rebecca Adams of CQ Roll Call, Joan Alker of the Georgetown Center for Children and Families; Cindy Mann, former head of Medicaid official; and Matt Salo, head of the National Association of Medicaid Directors.
The Washington, D.C., chapter of AHCJ held an event about Medicaid in late October with Matt Salo, who leads the National Association of Medicaid Directors; Cindy Mann, who until January was the top U.S. official in charge of Medicaid at HHS and now works at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips; and Joan Alker, executive director of the Georgetown Center for Children and Families.
Here are some of their insights and story ideas that can help reporters keep this story fresh. Continue reading