Block Grants Cut Medicaid and Put Millions at Risk
Today, the Trump administration released guidance to help states convert some of their federal Medicaid funding into a block grant. In exchange for accepting this capped funding, states will receive more power to cut care and restrict coverage.
This new structure, billed as a voluntary demonstration for states, can apply to funding for optional Medicaid populations: low-income adults under the age of 65 who wouldn’t otherwise be eligible for the program. This includes adults in the Medicaid expansion population, though non-expansion states that voluntarily cover other adults—such as low-income parents with incomes above the traditional Medicaid threshold and adults with dependent children—may also participate.
While children, low-income pregnant women, older adults, and people with disabilities will continue to be covered under Medicaid’s traditional, open-ended financing structure, the changes announced today will nevertheless put their access to providers and needed care at risk.
The Medicaid program, now over half a century old, is a success story. Through Medicaid, millions of low-income Americans have built well-being and gained greater economic security via access to health insurance. This coverage helps guarantee health care to 12 million older adults and people with disabilities who also rely on Medicare. In states that have chosen the life-saving and cost-effective option of Medicaid expansion, over 13 million people have gained coverage. A recent study found that Medicaid expansion has saved at least 19,000 lives in states that have taken up this option. By contrast, the rejection of expansion in some states has led to 15,000 deaths that could have been prevented.
https://blog.medicarerights.org/block-grants-cut-medicaid-and-put-millions-at-risk/?utm_source=Medicare+Rights+Center&utm_campaign=12638a7b94-Medicare_Watch_1_30_2020&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1c591fe07f-12638a7b94-84687761&mc_cid=12638a7b94&mc_eid=d40db0d575
