Medicaid 101: A Primer for State Legislators

From the Council of State Governments:

Medicaid is the largest health insurance program in the country, covering as many as 62 million low-income Americans over the course of a year, including one of every four children in the country. Medicaid has grown from about 10 percent of total state spending in 1987 to nearly 22 percent of total state spending in 2008, making it the top spending category for states. Medicaid, like all health care in America, is expensive— it comes with an annual price tag of more than $300 billion in combined federal and state dollars. The program is important to not only the millions of low-income Americans who receive benefits but also to the economy of each state where Medicaid funds support thousands of health-related jobs, medical education and work force development. It is incredibly complicated and different in each state, with no two Medicaid programs alike. Policies vary from state to state and the population Medicaid serves is incredibly diverse. The Medicaid program is loved by few, criticized by many and misunderstood by most. This primer will help you understand the basics and dispel some myths often associated with Medicaid. As a legislator, you come into contact with people who run the program in your state, service providers, those who are beneficiaries and those who are trying to become beneficiaries. This primer is designed to provide the information you need to help your constituents.

Full report: Medicaid 101: A Primer for State Legislators