Trump's Conflicting Statements, GOP Interest In Overhauling Medicaid Raise New Concerns

On the campaign trail, candidate Donald Trump vowed to maintain coverage for low-income Americans. But his comments since the election suggest the president-elect favors key changes in the program, including sending much of the control and funding to the states to manage. In Kentucky, where the health law's expansion of Medicaid has been quite successful, some new enrollees are concerned about their future coverage. Also, Arkansas weighs some changes to Medicaid administration.

CNN: Major Changes For Medicaid Coming Under Trump And The GOP

Donald Trump likely won't let Medicaid collapse, but he will vastly change the health insurance program for low-income Americans. Think less federal funding, more state control, fewer participants and higher costs for those in the program. ... While Democrats say the program is a vital part of the safety net, Republicans have long criticized it as being bloated, inefficient and rife with fraud. They want to limit the federal government's financial responsibility, while giving states more direct control over whom to enroll and what kind of coverage participants receive. (Luhby, 11/21)

Kaiser Health News: In Depressed Rural Kentucky, Worries Grow Over Medicaid

For Freida Lockaby, an unemployed 56-year-old woman who lives with her dog in an aging mobile home in one America’s poorest places, the Affordable Care Act was life altering. The law allowed Kentucky to expand Medicaid in 2014 and made Lockaby — along with 440,000 other low-income state residents — newly eligible for free health care .... Lockaby finally got treated for a thyroid disorder that had left her so exhausted, she’d almost taken root in her living room chair. Cataract surgery let her see clearly again. A carpal tunnel operation on her left hand eased her pain and made her sleep better. Daily medications brought her high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol level under control. But Lockaby is worried her good fortune could soon end. (Galewitz, 11/21)

Arkansas Online: Panel Updates Outreach Ban For Medicaid

The Arkansas Department of Human Services would be prohibited from encouraging enrollment in the revamped version of the state's expanded Medicaid program after June 30 under special language recommended by lawmakers Monday. (Davis, 11/22)

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