First in Series of Medicaid Reform Policy Briefs Released December 7

December 7, 2011–Researchers at the Georgetown University Health Policy Institute today released the first two in a series of four policy briefs examining the impact of proposed changes to Florida’s Medicaid program.

Most notably, the research noted new, proposed monthly premiums could lead to as many as 800,000 Florida children and parents—mostly children in very low income families—disenrolling from Medicaid and becoming uninsured because they can’t afford the premiums.

The educational briefs were made possible through financial support from the Jessie Ball duPont Fund and the Winter Park Health Foundation (WPHF). The briefs are designed to help educate and inform consumers, stakeholders and policy-makers on the issues involved in Medicaid reform.

In brief one, “Looking Ahead to 2012, What Changes Are in Store for Florida’s Medicaid Program?” the researchers provide background and an overview of the proposed changes and the process involved.

Brief two, “Proposed Medicaid Premiums Challenge Coverage for Florida’s Children and Parents,” focuses on the possible impact of a proposed $10 monthly premium on all Medicaid beneficiaries, including children. This, according to the researchers, could result in many not having any form of health insurance coverage.

“Last week (Nov. 29, 2011) Georgetown released a report showing that Florida has made great strides over the past few years in reducing the number of children without health insurance,” said Joan Alker, one of the authors of the reports. “This proposal (mandatory monthly premiums for Medicaid coverage) would turn back the clock on all that progress and would have a devastating impact on the growing number of Florida children living in poverty.”

Click here to view the first brief, “Looking Ahead to 2012, What Changes Are in Store for Florida’s Medicaid Program?” released today.

Click here to view the second brief, “Proposed Medicaid Premiums Challenge Coverage for Florida’s Children and Parents.”

To view additional research completed by the Georgetown Health Policy Institute, go to http://ihcrp.georgetown.edu/ and click on “Assessing Florida’s Medicaid Reform” on the right side of the page.

Additional briefs will be released in early 2012.