Could Florida benefit from a Medicaid expansion?
An analysis of other state Medicaid expansions suggests that in addition to the fiscal gains, Florida could see an increase in revenue from assessments on providers and new economic activity, as has happened in Michigan and Montana.
What does Biden’s plan to expand Medicaid mean for Florida?
Tucked into the Biden administration’s massive federal relief package is a major provision to expand benefits for low-income people in Florida and other states that haven’t adopted Medicaid expansion, according to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Why don’t more states expand Medicaid?
Nonexpansion states frequently cite the uncertainty around the costs of expansion and the fiscal impact on the state budget as a reason for not expanding the program.
Which Florida senators are pushing for Medicaid expansion?
“The Florida Senate Democratic Caucus has continually pushed for the expansion of Medicaid in the state of Florida,” state Sen. Linda Stewart, an Orlando Democrat, said in a written statement. “I hope that by offering coverage for maternity care, we will see firsthand how beneficial our own tax dollars are in providing access to medical services.”
Why did Florida choose not to expand Medicaid?
Florida has set below-average limits for the mandatory coverage groups, and since the state has not accepted federal funding to expand Medicaid, the eligibility rules have not changed with the implementation of the ACA.
Does Florida have extended Medicare?
Florida is one of 12 states that has not expanded its Medicaid eligibility under the Affordable Care Act.
Why did states choose to expand Medicaid?
By reducing the number of people without insurance, Medicaid expansion significantly reduces the amount of uncompensated care. Therefore, some states have chosen to reduce payments to health care providers for uncompensated care.
What is meant by expanding Medicare?
Medicare expansion refers to broadening the benefits of the program, as the parts in which beneficiaries enroll through the government provide limited coverage. Throughout the years, extensions of the program have been uncommon, with one of the most notable instances being coverage of disabled individuals under 65.
Is Florida going to expand Medicaid?
By: Issac Morgan - March 11, 2022 7:00 am With state lawmakers wrapping up the 2022-23 state budget, one thing is clear on the health care front: Florida still won't move to expand Medicaid, despite continued efforts by health advocates and many legislators who want to provide medical care to vulnerable Floridians.
How much would Expanding Medicaid cost Florida?
The American Rescue Plan o ers an additional $3.9 billion to Florida should it expand Medicaid, enough to cover the cost for 6.5 years.
What are the cons of the Affordable Care Act?
Cons:The cost has not decreased for everyone. Those who do not qualify for subsidies may find marketplace health insurance plans unaffordable. ... Loss of company-sponsored health plans. ... Tax penalties. ... Shrinking networks. ... Shopping for coverage can be complicated.
Why did NC not expand Medicaid?
North Carolina has an unprecedented opportunity to provide health care to those currently without insurance through Medicaid expansion. The NC General Assembly has rejected federal dollars to expand Medicaid for the last five years, repeatedly choosing politics over the health and well-being of North Carolinians.
Why the Affordable Care Act is good?
The ACA supports public health prevention efforts. It created the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which has paid for public health efforts across the country. The ACA requires insurance policies to cover essential health benefits that can help prevent serious, costly conditions.
What is Biden's plan for Medicare expansion?
The Medicare expansion in President Joe Biden's $1.75 trillion spending plan included fewer new benefits than some Democrats had hoped for. Medicare benefits would be expanded to include hearing coverage under a framework for a $1.75 trillion spending plan released by President Joe Biden on Thursday.
What is the Medicare expansion proposal?
Medicare would be expanded under $3.5 trillion budget resolution approved by House. Coverage for dental, vision and hearing would be provided through original Medicare, if Democrats' full $3.5 trillion budget plan comes to fruition. Reducing the age of eligibility for Medicare is also included in the approved framework ...
Which is a reason some states have not expanded Medicaid to cover more of their needy residents following passage of the ACA?
(The cap on Medicaid eligibility under the ACA is 138 percent of the poverty level, which is currently less than $28,000/year for a family of three.) The lack of a work requirement is purportedly one of the reasons some states still haven't expanded Medicaid coverage.
1. Building on Florida's Medicaid program is the most efficient and economical way to extend coverage to more than 800,000 uninsured Floridians with low income
If the state expanded Medicaid to cover adults aged 19 to 64 with income up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, more than 800,000 Floridians would gain access to coverage, including 400,000 residents stuck in the health care “coverage gap.”
2. Medicaid expansion would provide significant relief for Florida's state budget and a boost to its economy
Medicaid expansion would bring $14.3 billion in new federal dollars to Florida over a five-year period. These new dollars would help offset other state costs, including behavioral health services and health care for people involved in the criminal justice system. Florida could save nearly $200 million in state dollars annually.
3. Floridians faced multiple challenges accessing affordable, quality health care before the pandemic. The COVID-19 health crisis and economic downturn have added countless new barriers
Even before the pandemic, 2.7 million Floridians were uninsured, and that number will increase as unemployment rises. The state has a large share of seniors and people with disabilities — groups who are at the greatest risk of serious illness if infected by the virus.
4. People covered by Medicaid are more likely to have a consistent source of care compared to those who are uninsured
Medicaid expansion would help divert demand away from already-stretched safety net providers trying to serve a growing number of uninsured residents during this public health emergency. The uncompensated care burden on hospitals already exceeded $2.5 billion annually before the COVID-19 crisis.
5. Federal relief packages do not include policies to expand access to coverage and keep the uninsured rate from rising during the crisis
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act creates a new optional Medicaid coverage group for the uninsured, but it solely covers COVID-19 testing. It does not cover treatment. Moreover, Florida has not opted to include this group in its Medicaid program, despite that it would be 100 percent federally funded.
What is Taddeo's plan for Medicaid expansion?
Taddeo wants the Legislature to eliminate the need for that process by putting the measure on the ballot itself. She’s filed SJR 276 to put Medicaid expansion on the 2020 ballot, but that avenue is unlikely, too, because it requires 60% support in both chambers.
How much does Medicaid cover?
Medicaid expansion would provide coverage under the program, which is run jointly by the state and federal government and covers poor families, children and pregnant women, to people who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty line, which stands at $18,000 per year for a person and $37,000 for a family of four. ...
Did Rick Scott support expansion of Medicaid?
At the time, then-Gov. Rick Scott had come out in favor of expansion, as long as the federal government was covering the costs. After he was reelected in 2014, he reversed course and didn’t speak in favor of a plan pushed by Senate Republicans in 2015 to expand Medicaid while imposing work requirements and attaching other strings.
Did Florida have a health care bill read in full?
In 2013, Florida House Democrats demanded all bills be read in full, slowing down the chamber to protest the lack of action on the issue, but a Senate plan to allow newly eligible enrollees to receive private health plans paid by the federal government was rebuffed by House Republicans. At the time, then-Gov. Rick Scott had come out in favor ...
Will Florida expand Medicaid?
Florida unlikely to expand Medicaid for 800,000 residents, despite offer of more federal money. TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida legislative leaders still aren’t interested in expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, despite the federal government’s offer to defray the cost to the state for two years as part ...
What is the ACA expansion?
Program Associate, Federal and State Health Policy, The Commonwealth Fund. Expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been critical in reducing the uninsured rate and allowing the most vulnerable people in the country to get access to care.
How many Floridians will be on Medicaid in 2020?
The report predicts that 837,514 Floridians would be newly enrolled in Medicaid within the first five years if the state adopted the expansion. In addition, $2.1 billion in new federal dollars would come into the state in 2020 and a total $14.3 billion in new federal dollars over five years. The net state budget cost of expansion would be $81 ...
Does Medicaid expansion generate savings?
These costs would be more than offset by fiscal gains in other parts of the system. The expansion could generate savings within Medicaid as some currently enrolled beneficiaries — like pregnant women and adults with disabilities — would convert from traditional Medicaid to the new expansion.
Will Medicaid be expanded in 2020?
This could free up $119.3 million in state funds in 2020.
Is Florida expanding Medicaid?
Despite evidence that shows how Medicaid expansion leads to coverage gains, improved access, and more affordable care, Florida remains one of 17 states that have not expanded. According to the Commonwealth Fund’s 2019 Scorecard on State Health System Performance, Florida ranks near the bottom of all states on measures of access and affordability.
Is Medicaid expansion a bargain?
Conclusion. Medicaid expansion is a bargain for states. Between savings within the Medicaid program and fiscal gains in other areas, the cost of expansion would be more than fully offset in Florida over the first five years of expansion.
Who is pushing for Medicaid expansion?
Meanwhile, Florida House Speaker Chris Sprowls followed President Joe Biden’s initiative by pushing to expand Medicaid for pregnant women and their babies, which will likely go through the budget process.
What is the stimulus package for Florida?
Tucked into the Biden administration’s massive federal relief package is a major provision to expand benefits for low-income people in Florida and other states that haven’t adopted Medicaid expansion, according to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation. The $1.9 trillion stimulus plan signed earlier this March provides financial incentives in ...
Is Florida buying in to Medicaid expansion?
But Florida isn’t buying in . In the past, governors and lawmakers in Florida have been opposed to Medicaid expansion.
Is Ron DeSantis on board with Medicaid?
And Gov. Ron DeSantis is still not on board, even though the giant relief package is in place and providing incentives. According to The Washington Times, DeSantis is a “hard no” on the issue. “The governor remains opposed to the expansion of Medicaid in Florida,” DeSantis spokesman Cody McCloud said in the recent Washington Times story.
Why should Florida's safety net population and budget not suffer?
Florida's safety net population and budget should not suffer because we disagree with the federal government on health care policy. We must have a budget by July 1, and the Florida House of Representatives stands ready to meet our constitutional obligation.
Did Florida expand Medicaid?
In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court gave states the option to expand Medicaid under Obamacare and Florida has chosen not to expand. There are principled reasons for declining to grow a program that currently covers 3.7 million Floridians at a cost of $23.5 billion per year, or about one-third of Florida's budget.
What is the coverage gap?
But for those dozen states that did not expand, their poorest citizens with incomes below the poverty line have fallen into the so-called coverage gap — a kind of insurance purgatory where they are ineligible for Medicaid and yet unable to receive subsidies to help buy marketplace insurance.
Does North Carolina have medicaid?
The only benefits she qualifies for under North Carolina’s current Medicaid program are for birth control and one physical a year. It’s hard to qualify for Medicaid in the state. A family of three making just $900 a month makes too much to qualify for Medicaid, according to Fawn Pattison, campaign director for the advocacy group NC Child.
Did Missouri expand Medicaid?
Missouri voters did actually pass a statewide referendum on Medicaid expansion there last summer, with 53% of the voters approving the measure. But so far the state legislature has refused to appropriate the needed funds to implement the law — about $130 million — to match the federal government’s contribution of $1.4 billion. In late March, GOP lawmakers in the state senate blocked the expansion funding. The talking points of the Opportunity Solutions Project also appeared in Missouri. The Project’s website asserted: “In every state that has expanded Medicaid to able-bodied adults who are capable of working, we see the same disastrous results: hospital closures, shattered enrollment projections, and unsustainable skyrocketing costs.” Dirk Deaton, a Republican vice chair of Missouri’s House Budget Committee, said the expansion gives “free health care, government health care to able-bodied adults who can do for themselves.”
