2002.03.08:HHS Approves D.C. Request to Extend Medicaid Coverage

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, March 8, 2002

Contact:

CMS Press Office
(202) 690-6145

HHS APPROVES D.C. REQUEST TO EXTEND MEDICAID COVERAGE

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today approved a District of Columbia Medicaid section 1115 demonstration waiver to expand health insurance benefits to low-income childless adults who otherwise would not have access to needed health care.

The newly covered population will be adults between the ages of 50-64 who have incomes at or below 50 percent of the federal poverty level ($8,860 per person). The group was selected because its members typically experience poor health, including higher rates of inpatient hospitalization.

"Our goal is to give local authorities the flexibility they need to strengthen their Medicaid programs and extend health coverage to more Americans," Secretary Thompson said. "Through waiver demonstrations like this one, Americans who have no other avenue for care will get the help they need to stay healthy."

Under current federal law, nondisabled childless adults are not eligible for Medicaid at any income level, except in states that have been granted an 1115 waiver to cover them.

Today's approval will allow the District to add the newly covered group to an already existing managed care waiver program. New enrollees will receive the same package already offered under its program, which includes primary care and a prescription drug benefit. By the end of the second year, the District expects to enroll more than 1,200 residents as a result of the change.

Since taking office, Secretary Thompson has worked to improve access to health care through innovative coverage demonstrations through the Medicaid and State Children's Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP). Since January 2001, HHS has approved more than 1,500 SCHIP and Medicaid waivers and plan amendments that have expanded eligibility to about 1.8 million people and enhanced benefits for about 4.5 million people. In August 2001, HHS launched the Health Insurance Flexibility and Accountability demonstration initiative to make it simpler for states to coordinate SCHIP and Medicaid plans and to submit waiver requests and to have those requests promptly considered.

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