Medicaid

In Brief

America’s state-administered Medicaid program provides health insurance to more than 53 million poor parents, children and senior citizens. But the program leaves many low-income people without coverage and its rising costs pose a serious threat to state and federal budgets. Are there reforms that can help achieve a better health care system?

People eat a free Thanksgiving meal for the Skid Row homeless and needy at the Los Angeles Mission in Los Angeles, California (REUTERS/Jason Redmond).

Opinion

Progressives and the Safety Net

Fall 2012, Henry J. Aaron

As conservative extremism has quelled progressive discussion of entitlement reform, Henry Aaron offers a history and analysis of the future of Social Security, Medicare and retirement benefits.

Recent Activity

Refine by: Medicare | Health | U.S. Economic Performance | The Federal Budget and Sequestration

Past Event

Bending the Curve: Person-Centered Health Care Reform

April 29, 2013
In the News

It’s the biggest expansion of Medicaid in a long time, and the biggest ever in terms of adults covered. Although the federal government is on the hook for most of the cost, Medicaid on the whole is one of the biggest items in state budgets and the fastest growing. So there are some understandable concerns about the financial implications and how implementation would work.
January 28, 2013, Mark B. McClellan, The Associated Press
In the News

Right now in this political campaign, both sides are trying to scare people by saying this other guy will destroy Medicare. No one is going to destroy Medicare.
October 10, 2012, Alice M. Rivlin, MarketWatch
Opinion | Real Clear Markets

Are Voters Ready to Make the Tough Fiscal Choices?

September 18, 2012, Isabel V. Sawhill
Opinion | Democracy Journal

The Long Term Is Now: Medicare, Medicaid, and the Financing of Long-Term Care

September 11, 2012, William A. Galston
Past Event

Web Chat: Health Care and the States

July 11, 2012
Blog Post

States and Medicaid: Health Policy Jenga

July 11, 2012, Tracy Gordon | comments
Blog Post

States and the Affordable Care Act: An Offer They (Still) Can’t Refuse

July 2, 2012, Tracy Gordon | comments
Blog Post

The Power to Tax Justifies the Power to Mandate Health Care Insurance, Which Can be More Economically Efficient

June 28, 2012, Amanda Kowalski | comments
Blog Post

The Supreme Court Ruling on the Affordable Care Act—A Bullet Dodged

June 28, 2012, Henry J. Aaron | comments