Medicaid, SCHIP, & Federal Authority

The ACA provides for additional means of expanding coverage beyond expanding Medicaid and establishing exchanges, including allowing states to run a so-called Basic Health Program beginning in 2014. This policy brief explores the issues surrounding the Basic Health Program and outlines options for states.

The Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services sent out a letter to State Medicaid Directors providing guidance on Medicaid benchmark benefit coverage options, which will now be referred to as “Alternative Benefit Plans.”

This Policy Update provides a summary of the final regulation released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services governing the implementation of the Medicaid primary care rate increase to Medicare levels for 2013 and 2014. It highlights select provisions for states to consider when planning implementation.

A Kaiser Family Foundation analysis on the potential costs and savings that the ACA could generate for state budgets that are currently in a shortfall after the recession.

This brief highlights nine critical issues, and identifies efficient implementation approaches that can benefit the primary care delivery system well beyond 2014.

The number of nonelderly uninsured grew to 50.0 million due to the recent recession, which contributed to the continued erosion of job-based coverage.  As incomes dropped more qualified for Medicaid, buffering the loss of health insurance for millions.