Medicare Blog

what does it mean to "block-grant" medicare?

by Creola Bernhard MD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Providing federal funding for Medicaid using this type of approach (often referred to as a block grant) would disconnect the level of funding from the number of Medicaid beneficiaries and the cost of providing care.

Under the guidance, states could apply for waivers that would convert their Medicaid programs for many adults into a form of block grant, with capped federal funding and new authorities to cut coverage and benefits. The proposed waivers are a lose-lose proposition for people with Medicaid and for states.Feb 6, 2020

Full Answer

What is ‘block granting’ of Medicaid?

 · On January 30, 2020, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new guidance allowing states to use Medicaid’s 1115 waiver authority to finance Medicaid for adults under 65 who don’t qualify for Medicaid on the basis of “disability or need for long-term care services and supports and who are not covered under the state plan” through a …

What do fixed and block grants mean for health care reform?

 · That means that when spending increases as a result of rising drug prices, newly available treatments or an enrollment surge during an economic downturn, the federal contribution automatically adjusts. For states that opt into a capped funding waiver, that would no longer be the case.

Can Republicans pass a block grant plan to replace Obamacare?

 · In a post for The Commonwealth Fund’s To the Point blog, Manatt Health explains the process for calculating caps, the flexibilities available under the new guidance, the added incentive to divert block grant funds to health-related services outside of Medicaid, and the relief from oversight and delivery system rules.

What's the difference between federal and state block grants?

 · The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Thursday laid out a plan to establish block grant funding for states that have expanded …

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What is the purpose of a block grant?

Block grants are awarded by the Federal government to state and local governments for broadly defined purposes — for example, social services or community development. Block grants are given primarily to general purpose governmental units in accordance with a statutory formula.

What is a block grant example?

Block grants provide funding for eligible activities identified in authorizing legislation. Community development, education, health service and crime controls are some examples of Block grants. Project grants are similar to categorical grants and fund specific projects and services.

What are block grants in simple terms?

A block grant is an annual sum of money that is awarded by the federal government to a state or local government body to help fund a specific project or program.

What is the difference between an entitlement health insurance program and a block grant program?

Block grants are fixed pots of money that the federal government provides to states for benefits or services. This contrasts with an entitlement structure (which is what SNAP currently has), in which anyone who is eligible for benefits or services can receive them.

Why are block grants good for citizens?

Block grants provide state and local governments funding to assist them in addressing broad purposes, such as community development, social services, public health, or law enforcement, and generally provide them more control over the use of the funds than categorical grants.

What is the difference between a grant program and a block grant?

Block grants are distinct from discretionary grants because they generally allow for more autonomy and flexibility to the states to decide how to implement the program. States may use the block grant funding to establish a program or to make sub-awards to local organizations to provide the services within their region.

What are the disadvantages of block grants?

Block grants' funding levels tend to fall short of meeting need, requiring benefit cuts, eligibility restrictions, or waiting lists. Funding levels are often inadequate initially and typically erode over time.

How do block grants give power to the states?

Block grants are federal grants-in-aid that allow states considerable discretion (within broad limits) about how the funds will be spent. These give greater flexibility to state political actors to tailor programs to the state's particular needs than do categorical grants.

How are block grants calculated?

The block grants can be set based on "per capita" or on the needs of the state. Each state has to fill any funding gap if there is a difference between their spending and the amount set by the federal government. Block grants are the topic of debate in the United States.

Is social service block grant legit?

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) is real; however, it does not provide direct grants to individuals and doesn't charge a fee for receiving a grant.

What are block grants AP Gov?

block grants. definition: a grant from the federal government that a local/state government can allocate to a wide range of services. It is generally broad with what it can be used for, have few strings attached. related: categorical grants.

What is one of the biggest problems with federal block grants?

What is one of the biggest problems with federal block grants? There is a need for greater accountability in how the funds are actually spent by the states. There is a need to be sure that the states are following the precise regulations established by the federal government.

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