Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Medicaid, CHIP Enrollment Jumped Nearly 6% In Pandemic's Early Months
CNN: 4 Million More Americans Turn To Medicaid As Coronavirus Roils The Economy
Just over 4 million more Americans turned to Medicaid last spring as the coronavirus pandemic upended the nation's economy, new federal data released Wednesday shows. The 5.7% jump between February and June came as millions of people lost their jobs -- and, for many, their health insurance too -- amid the public health emergency. Also, a coronavirus relief package Congress passed in mid-March barred states from cutting eligibility and disenrolling beneficiaries during the pandemic. (Luhby, 9/30)
Modern Healthcare: Medicaid, CHIP Enrollment Grew By 4 Million During COVID-19
CMS said enrollment spiked again with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act's continuity of coverage requirement. According to the agency, Medicaid and CHIP enrollment increased in all states except Montana, which reported an enrollment decrease. "As of August 31, 2020, Montana had not yet provided an explanation for its Medicaid and CHIP enrollment declines in the first half of 2020," the report said. (9/30)
In Medicaid news from Nebraska, Ohio, Alaska and Illinois —
AP: Expanded Medicaid Begins In Nebraska After Years Of Dispute
Nebraska will officially offer expanded Medicaid coverage to low-income people starting Thursday after years of wrangling over it in the Legislature, a statewide ballot campaign that led voters to approve it and a nearly two-year rollout that left some people in health care limbo. The state will provide coverage to 10,288 residents who have signed up so far, a number roughly in line with the state's projections. State officials expect expanded enrollment to rise to about 90,000 within a few years. (Schulte, 9/30)
WPCO: DeWine Announces First Major Overhaul Of Medicaid Program In 15 Years
Governor DeWine announced his administration's plans for the first major overhaul of Ohio's Medicaid system in 15 years during his Tuesday afternoon press conference. "The Department of Medicaid is the largest provider of health insurance in the state of Ohio," said DeWine. "Medicaid covers 3 million Ohioans. Of those, nearly 90% are enrolled in a managed care plan, including nearly every child enrolled in Medicaid in the state of Ohio." (Jordan, 9/29)
Modern Healthcare: Ohio Searches For New Managed Care Insurers Amid Medicaid Overhaul
Ohio is on the hunt for health insurers interested in serving the state's 2.6 million Medicaid members. The state released a request for applications on Wednesday to procure managed care organizations for the safety-net program, which is undergoing a massive overhaul for the first time since 2005, when CMS approved Ohio's Medicaid program. (Livingston, 9/30)
Houston Chronicle: Medicaid Expansion Could Bring Texas $5.4 Billion In Federal Dollars, Study Says
Expanding Medicaid in Texas could bring as much as $5.4 billion federal dollars into the state and enroll nearly 1 million more people in the federal safety-net insurance program, according to a new study by Texas A&M researchers. Health policy experts said Medicaid expansion would help drive down the state’s uninsured rate, which was the highest nationwide at 18.4 percent in 2019, according to U.S. Census Bureau. (Wu, 9/30)
AP: Number Of Alaskans With Medicaid Coverage Grows During Pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has caused a national increase in the number of people enrolling in the federal Medicaid health payment program and officials have said Alaska residents are joining at unprecedented levels. Over the last six months, more than 12,000 people in Alaska have joined Medicaid, known in the state as DenaliCare and Denali KidCare, Alaska Public Media reported Friday. (9/30)
(Arlington Heights, Ill.) Daily Herald: GOP House Candidate Wants To End Medicare, Medicaid
The Republican candidate for Illinois' 11th Congressional District seat wants to gradually end the Medicare and Medicaid health care programs for older and poorer Americans and those with disabilities. "We need not immediately eliminate Medicare and Medicaid but we should cease ... future expansion of the programs, allow development of private programs and free individuals to leave Medicare and Medicaid," said Rick Laib, who's challenging Democratic incumbent Bill Foster for the post. (Lissau, 9/28)
