Medicaid

The federal-state Medicaid program provides health coverage for nearly 46 million lower-income Americans who would otherwise be uninsured and unable to afford care. Approximately 20 million Medicaid recipients were enrolled in private plans as of June 2006. The number of Medicaid recipients enrolled in managed care plans continues to grow. Enrollment in these plans increased by about 5 percent in 2006 and grew by over 14 percent in the last three years.

By enhancing access to providers and emphasizing preventive and routine care, health plans have successfully improved the quality of care received by enrollees in the Medicaid managed care program.

NAIFA Health & Employee Benefits supports initiatives to expand access to health care to the 3 million adults and 6 million children who are eligible for, but not enrolled in, the Medicaid or State Children's Health Insurance (SCHIP) programs. We also strongly support adequately funding state Medicaid programs. Fully funding Medicaid will ensure that the important safety net that state programs provide will remain viable, and those with low incomes will be able to continue to receive necessary health care services.