Hurricane Katrina: Medicaid Issues (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Revised Dec. 29, 2005 |
| Report Number |
RL33083 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Evelyne Baumrucker, April Grady, Jean Hearne, Elicia Herz, Richard Rimkunas, Julie Stone, and Karen Tritz, Domestic Social Policy Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
Medicaid is jointly financed by the federal and state governments, but each state designs and
administers its own version of the program under broad federal guidelines. The complexity of
Medicaid can present an enormous challenge in meeting the needs of Hurricane Katrina's victims,
especially when evacuees cross state lines. State variation in eligibility, covered services, and the
reimbursement and delivery of services is the rule rather than the exception. Furthermore, although
Medicaid is targeted at individuals with low income, not all of the poor are eligible, and not all those
covered are poor.
As a federal-state program that helps to finance health care services for people with limited
resources, Medicaid is an obvious avenue of quick response for support of victims in the aftermath
of a disaster. The program's federal budgetary status as mandatory spending means that federal
funding is available to support coverage for all people who meet the program's eligibility criteria,
without the need for a supplemental appropriation.
However, the ability of Medicaid to respond to a disaster -- in terms of the numbers and types
of people who can rely on it for health care support -- may depend on a number of factors, including
congressional action to modify statutory provisions (e.g., the level of federal Medicaid
reimbursement offered to states), the Secretary of Health and Human Services' ability to waive
certain program requirements administratively (e.g., regarding eligibility and benefits), and actions
of the states (each of whom operates its own unique Medicaid program within federal guidelines).
This report, which will be updated as events warrant, discusses the following:
Medicaid's rules on eligibility, benefits, and financing in the context of current
questions and issues raised by Hurricane Katrina.
Recent state actions in response to Medicaid issues raised by the
hurricane.
Federal Medicaid waiver authority, including information on current activity
in this area and the New York Disaster Relief Medicaid waiver granted in response to the September
11 terrorist attacks.
Current federal legislation related to Medicaid and Hurricane Katrina relief
efforts.
