Medicaid, SNAP Cuts Would Hit State Economies Hard
Potential federal budget cuts to Medicaid coverage and to food benefits provided through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could trigger severe economic effects across the U.S., according to a state-by-state analysis by George Washington University researchers. Among the key findings: Medicaid cuts, as discussed by some policymakers, would shrink state gross domestic products (GDPs) by an estimated $95 billion in 2026, eliminate 477,000 jobs, and reduce state and local tax revenues by $7 billion. SNAP cuts would reduce state GDPs by $18 billion in 2026 and decrease state and local tax revenues by $1.8 billion.
Proposed Medicaid Cuts Could Jeopardize Long-Term Care Services
Every day, 6 million people — mostly older, many with disabilities — rely on home aides or nursing home staff to get dressed, bathe, eat, and prepare meals. Some Republicans in Congress are proposing cuts to Medicaid that could have a major impact on these long-term services and supports, say Lena Marceno and Alyssa Llamas on To the Point. While lawmakers claim the changes will decrease fraud, waste, and abuse, the proposed $880 billion spending reduction can only be achieved through measures that limit services or reduce enrollment. “These services are not traditionally covered by private health insurance,” the researchers explain, “and they are only covered by Medicare for a short duration in limited circumstances.”
Adults and children enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) often experience disruptions in their health coverage when they fail to meet regular plan renewal deadlines — even when they remain eligible for these programs. And those no longer eligible often don’t know that premium tax credits could help them afford a marketplace plan. In their Commonwealth Fund issue brief, the Urban Institute’s Matthew Buettgens and Jameson Carter offer a range of possible solutions, including automatic renewals and an extension of beneficiary eligibility for an extra 12 months. “The challenge for state and federal policy is how to maximize renewals and prevent disruptions in coverage,” they say.
Among Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older with dental coverage, which group was more likely to have received dental care in the past two years?
Those enrolled in traditional Medicare
Those enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans
Scroll down to see if you got it right.
Betancourt on Administration’s Cuts to HHS
“Over the past 10 weeks, we have seen spending cuts proposed that have the potential to erode or eliminate health insurance coverage for millions of Americans,” said Commonwealth Fund President Joseph R. Betancourt, M.D., following the Trump administration’s announcement of steep cuts to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). “This historic, sweeping removal of thousands of the department’s employees puts everything at risk, including childhood vaccinations, maternal health, and community health centers. While the full measure of these cuts is still coming into focus, we can already say with certainty that every state, county, and community will be affected.” Read Betancourt’s full comments on To the Point.
Selecting and enrolling in a marketplace health plan can be challenging: many people need help choosing between options or finding out if they’re eligible for financial assistance. The Affordable Care Act’s “Navigator” program not only provides this kind of help, but it’s been shown to boost take-up of coverage. However, federal officials have targeted the program for drastic funding reductions, mirroring cuts made during the first Trump administration. On To the Point, Georgetown University experts point out that previous cuts decreased marketplace enrollment among certain populations and didn’t result in consumer savings.
Interested in the latest research on the contraception, abortion care, and workforce impacts of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe? Join AcademyHealth for a webinar about the consequences of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization on April 8 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET. Researchers will summarize evidence available and remaining questions, while policy experts will share insights on current state and federal perspectives, emphasizing evidence needs and priorities that researchers can address.
In efforts to reduce disparities in care and address social determinants of health, many hospitals have introduced a new position: equity officer. Writing in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, Joel Weissman of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, the Commonwealth Fund’s Joseph Betancourt, M.D., and colleagues examined results from a national, cross-sectional survey of equity officers in U.S. community hospitals in 2023 to describe their experiences and needs and the environment in which they operate.
States interested in implementing hospital price caps — also known as reference-based pricing or payment maximums — have a new informational resource. Bailit Health, with Commonwealth Fund support, has compiled a wide range of research on the topic, including on the rationale for price cap strategies, evaluations of existing and prior price cap programs, modeling of projected impacts, state legislation and existing laws, and strategies for countering anticipated opposition.
The answer is A. Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in traditional Medicare were more likely (83%) than those enrolled in Medicare Advantage (77%) to have used dental services in the past two years.
Poor dental health can harm people’s overall health and increase the risk of developing conditions like cardiovascular disease. Getting regular dental care can reduce these risks, yet about one of five older adults don’t visit the dentist because of the cost. On To the Point, Acumen’s Janet Sutton and Julie Lee examine the difficulties that Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older experience accessing dental services. They found that beneficiaries enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid were less likely to use dental services than other Medicare beneficiaries, and substantial proportions of beneficiaries age 65 and older with dental coverage reported that although they had received some dental services, this care was difficult for them to afford.
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