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Tags: Health Policy, Medicaid

Briefs and Reports

Proposed Medicaid Cost Sharing: Evaluating The Impact (First in a series)

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Overview

Recent 2010-2011 fiscal year budget proposals to impose new cost sharing on certain children and adults covered by Connecticut’s Medicaid program for children and parents (HUSKY) may result in some failing to obtain needed health care. Others may lose coverage entirely.

Key findings

  • Proposed new and increased HUSKY premiums could cost the state $1.3 billion in new federal Medicaid funding — far more than $21 million in projected savings — because the federal stimulus law requires maintaining eligibility standards.
  • Imposing Medicaid premiums risks losing coverage for:
    • Nearly half — 8,000 of about 18,000 — of HUSKY A parents likely to face new premiums
    • About one in three — 1,600 of 5,000 — of HUSKY B children whose premiums could increase
  • Research shows enrollment fell when other states increased premiums, resulting in more uninsured.
  • Copayments on prescription drugs and other services save money at the expense of increasing costs for families and providers, causing individuals to stop taking medications.

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