Supreme Court Spotlight: What Medicaid Changes Might Result From The Ruling?

There is a lot at stake for Medicaid's future, as the court weighs a challenge to the program's expansion. Some states, though, pledge to move forward regardless of the decision. 

Kaiser Health News: Court Challenge Could Result In Medicaid Cutbacks Instead Of Expansion
The future of the nation's largest health insurance program -- Medicaid -- hangs in the balance of the Supreme Court's decision on the 2010 health law. The state-federal program which covers 60 million poor and disabled people would be greatly expanded under the health law, adding 17 million more people starting in 2014 (Galewitz, 6/20).

Politico Pro: Ruling May Lead To Medicaid Cuts, Barriers
A broad Supreme Court ruling could reopen the door for states to slash their Medicaid rolls, although many experts don't expect a mad rush to boot people from the program. That may be a surprise, because many cash-strapped states started clamoring for repeal of the health care law's "maintenance of effort" rules preventing them from tightening eligibility requirements from the moment the law passed. But, experts say, most states are likely to take a more subtle approach to reducing participation, and it won't have a dramatic effect overnight (Feder, 6/21).

Politico Pro: 3 States: Ruling Won't Halt Medicaid Changes
Even if the Supreme Court overturns the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion, some state Medicaid officials plan to move forward with reform plans that are already being put into place. Without the Medicaid expansion, there'll be 16 million to 20 million people who won't be added to the Medicaid rolls starting 2014 — and billions in federal funding for the coverage expansion won't be there. But some state Medicaid officials said they're already working toward changes that can move ahead, regardless of whatever the Supreme Court decides (Millman, 6/20).