On April 22, the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) released a brief explaining how Medicaid currently operates and the role it will play in health reform.  The brief offers answers to common questions about changes to Medicaid under the national health care reform law. 

From the report: Today, Medicaid is the nation’s primary health coverage program for low-income and high-need populations and the program serves as the foundation for coverage of the low-income population under health reform. Prior to health reform, Medicaid, together with the Children’s Health Insurance Program, offered broad based coverage to children with median eligibility levels up to 235% of poverty. However, Medicaid coverage for parents was much more limited and federal law generally prohibited Medicaid coverage for adults without dependent children. The new law bases eligibility for Medicaid on income without categorical restrictions for individuals under age 65 and establishes a national floor for Medicaid coverage at 133% of poverty ($14,404 for an individual or $29,326 for a family of four in 2009).

Full report:  Explaining Health Care Reform: Questions About Medicaid’s Role (PDF | 203.29 KB)

Kaiser Family Foundation.  (2010).  Explaining health care reform: questions about Medicaid's role.