Online Program

Oral

The Affordable Care Act calls for a nationwide expansion of Medicaid eligibility, which was to take effect on January 1, 2014. As the law was written, nearly all adults under age 65 with family incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level ($32,193 for a family of four in 2014) would qualify for Medicaid under the expansion. This expansion would particularly benefit childless adults, who, prior to 2014, were ineligible for Medicaid in nearly all states, regardless of their income. The law also expands Medicaid eligibility for parents, which was previously limited to below the poverty level in more than 30 states. However, the Supreme Court ruling on the ACA effectively made the Medicaid expansion a state option. While some states have taken advantage of the historic opportunity to expand Medicaid coverage to its eligible residents, other states have not taken advantage of this opportunity to extend health care coverage to its most vulnerable, eligible residents. Of particular note, is the impact that failure to expand Medicaid coverage has on Communities of Color. This session will feature panelists from states that have expanded Medicaid, are considering Medicaid expansion, or have not expanded Medicaid. The goal of the session will be to provide an expansive understanding of Medicaid Expansion from first-hand accounts of states at various stages of activity, as viewed through a Communities of Color lens. The panelists will emphasize the impact of not expanding Medicaid for Communities of Color. An overarching perspective will be provided by Kaiser Family Foundation, a national, non-profit organization which will provide a national overview on what has been taking place with Medicaid Expansion from participating and nonparticipating states Kaiser Family Foundation will frame the discussion for the audience. State and local presenters will provide a view from the field.

Session Objectives: Explain various approaches to Medicaid Expansion for communities of color.