Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provided health coverage for about 80 million people for at least part of the fiscal year and spent over $470 billion on their care. In addition to paying for medical care, Medicaid provides a safety net for long-term services and supports (LTSS) as well as a growing array of non-medical services that promote prevention and wellness. The agencies that administer Medicaid and CHIP also have duties that go beyond those of a typical health insurer, with additional responsibilities relating to public health and public financing.
In our June 2014 Report to the Congress on Medicaid and CHIP, the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission takes a close look at four policy issues now facing these programs: the future of CHIP, Medicaid’s role in providing assistance with LTSS, efforts to promote population health, and administrative capacity to meet growing responsibilities.
