tailieunhanh - Losing Ground - Declining Medi-Cal Enrollment After Welfare Reform

The 1996 fed. welfare law de-linked eligibility for Medicaid (Medi-Cal in Calif.) from the receipt of cash assist. Congress required states to provide Medicaid coverage to recipients of state programs funded under the Temporary Assist. for Needy Families block grant, as well as any individuals who would have been eligible for AFDC, the former cash assist. program. Individuals no longer need to receive cash assist. in order to qualify for Medi-Cal. This paper examines Medi-Cal enrollment trends in light of the substantial drop in welfare caseloads in recent years. While the number of persons re. | LOSING GROUND Declining Medi-Cal Enrollment After Welfare Reform A Publication of the California Budget Project October 2001 Molly O Shaughnessey completed initial research and data analysis presented in Losing Ground Declining Medi-Cal Enrollment After Welfare Reform. Jean Ross and Kate Breslin wrote the final draft of this report. The CBP wishes to thank the foundations and individuals who provide general operating support for our work. This report was made possible by grants from the David and Lucile Packard William and Flora Hewlett and California Wellness Foundations. This analysis builds upon a preliminary paper prepared by Matthew Broaddus and Jocelyn Guyer of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The authors are deeply indebted to them for their assistance with this project. The authors would also like to thank the state and county officials who provided assistance with data and the county case studies. Liz Schott and Leighton Ku of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Diane Van Maren of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee Ingrid Aguirre Happoldt of the MediCal Policy Institute and health policy consultant Lucy Quacinella provided valuable comments on drafts of this report. California Budget Project The California Budget Project CBP was founded in 1994 to provide Californians with a source of timely objective and accessible expertise on state fiscal and economic policy issues. The CBP engages in independent fiscal and policy analysis and public education with the goal of improving public policies affecting the economic and social well-being of low and middle income Californians. Support for the CBP comes from foundation grants publications and individual contributions. California Budget Project 921 11- Street Suite 502 Sacramento CA 95814 916 444-0500 916 444-0172 fax cbp@ October 2001 2 LOSING GROUND Declining Medi-Cal Enrollment After Welfare Reform Executive Summary The 1996 federal welfare law delinked .