Yesterday I noted that the Maryland legislature, which has had an excellent record on healthcare reform policy in recent years, had a rare misstep when they took a pass on allowing undocumented immigrants to enroll in the states ACA exchange. While the lack of federal subsidy eligibility would have severely limited the number of undocumented Maryland residents who would be able to utilize this path towards healthcare, it was still a missed opportunity.
Today, however, I can report that the MD legislature has passed several other bills which move things in the right direction. Via Rob Flaks of WMDT:
With just days left in the General Assembly session, Maryland lawmakers have passed a series of bills aimed at expanding healthcare access and combating costs across the state.
In December 2022, 92,340,585 individuals were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP.
85,280,085 individuals were enrolled in Medicaid in December 2022, an increase of 425,110
7,060,500 individuals were enrolled in CHIP in December 2022, an increase of 87,296 individuals from November 2022.
Since February 2020, enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP has increased by 21,690,345 individuals (30.7%).
Medicaid enrollment has increased by 21,474,995 individuals (33.7%).
CHIP enrollment has increased by 215,350 individuals (3.1%).
The Medicaid enrollment increases are likely driven by COVID-19 and the continuous enrollment condition in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
In December 2022, 2,360,820 applications for Medicaid and CHIP were submitted directly to states.
Connecticut House Bill 6616 was introduced to the state House in February with a total of 13 cosponsors (all Democrats). Since then it's had a public hearing and has been reported favorably out of the legislative commissioners' office and to the House Appropriations Committee.
The bill seems to expand Medicaid and/or CHIP eligibility ("Husky A, B or D") to a significant number of undocumented children in the state, but it's rather densely worded, making it difficult for me to be certain just how far up the age range it applies. However, according to Louise Norris, it would extend it from the current 12-year old limit for undocumented children up to age 20 by January 2024 and age 25 by later that year, as long as their household income is still below the thresholds currently in place for those populations:
Section 17b-261 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2024):
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is offered through the Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa program, also known as Hawki. Iowa offers Hawki health coverage for uninsured children of working families.
No family pays more than $40 a month. Some families pay nothing at all. A child who qualifies for Hawki health insurance will get their health coverage through a Managed Care Organization (MCO).
via the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), by email:
Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the latest enrollment figures for Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). These programs serve as key connectors to care for more millions of Americans.
Medicare
As of November 2022, 65,372,781 people are enrolled in Medicare. This is an increase of 136,217 since the last report.
35,114,923 are enrolled in Original Medicare.
30,257,858 are enrolled in Medicare Advantage or other health plans. This includes enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans with and without prescription drug coverage.
Based on current COVID-19 trends, the Department of Health and Human Services is planning for the federal Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 (PHE), declared under Section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, to expire at the end of the day on May 11, 2023. Thanks to the Administration’s whole-of-government approach to combatting the virus, we are in a better place in our response than we were three years ago, and we can transition away from an emergency phase.
via the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), by email:
Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the latest enrollment figures for Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). These programs serve as key connectors to care for more millions of Americans.
Temporary Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for Consumers Losing Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Coverage Due to Unwinding of the Medicaid Continuous Enrollment Condition– Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
...Since the onset of the novel coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency (PHE), state Medicaid agencies have made policy, programmatic, and systems changes to respond effectively to the pandemic. State Medicaid agencies also have made changes to qualify for the temporary Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) increase under section 6008 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), including satisfying a continuous enrollment condition for most Medicaid beneficiaries who were enrolled in the program as of or after March 18, 2020.1 Similarly, during the COVID-19 PHE, some states have been granted 1115 demonstration authority to provide continuous enrollment for Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) beneficiaries in addition to other flexibilities that have had this effect.
First-of-its-kind initiative will help people get the behavioral health care they need as they leave incarceration
Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), approved a first-of-its-kind section 1115 demonstration amendment in California which will provide a set of critical pre-release services and improve access to critically needed care for people returning home from jails and prisons.
For example, Medi-Cal will be able to cover substance-use treatment before a Medicaid beneficiary is released from jail, prison, or youth correctional facility. Additionally, the state will be able to help connect the person to community-based Medicaid providers 90 days prior to their release to ensure they can continue their treatment after they return to the community.
January 11, 2023: CMS marked another important maternal health milestone by approving Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) postpartum coverage expansions in Alabama and a Medicaid postpartum coverage expansion in North Dakota through the American Rescue Plan (ARP). Nationally, more than 439,000 people across 28 states and the District of Columbia now have access to Medicaid and CHIP coverage for a full 12 months following pregnancy — up from just 60 days before the ARP. Postpartum coverage extensions form one of the cornerstones of CMS’ Maternity Care Action Plan — part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis. Click here and here to learn more about Alabama’s approvals, and here to learn more about North Dakota’s approval.
