HB

700 Partial Medicaid Expansion: Whos Left Out?

Expands Medicaid eligibility for parents and other working adults, but only up to 100% of the federal poverty line not to the full 138% authorized by federal law. The federal health reform law provides for 100% federal funding for a Medicaid expansion in 2014-2017, but only if states expand eligibility up to 138% of the federal poverty line. The federal government has already officially notified states that this favorable federal funding is not available for partial expansions up to 100% of the federal poverty line. CMS, Frequently Asked Questions about Exchanges, Market Reforms, and Medicaid, December 10,2012, http://cciio.cms.gov/resources/files/exchanges- faqs-12-10-2012.pdf Leaves out 80,000 uninsured Missourians who earn between 100-138% of the federal poverty level. Eliminates Medicaid eligibility for those receiving blind pensions and uninsured women and men with breast and cervical cancer effective July 1, 2014. Reduces eligibility for pregnant women from 185% to 133% federal poverty effective Jan. 1, 2014 and July 1, 2014. (Two different provisions and have different effective dates.) Reduces eligibility for the uninsured womens health program from 185% to 133% of the federal level effective January 1, 2014 and eliminates the program completely effective July 1, 2014. o These Medicaid reductions assume that people presently covered by Medicaid will have access to new private plans with sliding scale premiums offered through the Health Insurance Exchanges. But 78% of the uininsured are unaware of the new Exchange coverage and may miss the annual open enrollment period for 2014 (and subsequent years too). Retaining Medicaid assures that people with special health needs will continue to have access to health insurance as the State transitions to new models of health insurance. Eliminates CHIP program and reduces income eligibility for infants up to age 1 to 133% federal poverty level effective October 1, 2019. The federal health reform law requires states to maintain present Medicaid and CHIP eligibility levels for children until September 30, 2019 to allow time to assess whether to continue CHIP insurance or transition children to other coverage. Eliminates Ticket to Work Medicaid eligibility for those with severe disabilities who return to work. This Medicaid coverage was authorized through August 28, 2013 and needs to be reauthorized to continue. Moves children ages 6-18 up to 133% federal line into Medicaid rather than CHIP and expands eligibility for children aging out of foster care as required by federal law.

For more information contact Professor Sidney Watson at watsons@slu.edu, 314-807-4792.