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Strengthen the Evidence for Maternal and Child Health Programs

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Items in this list may be obtained from the sources cited. Contact information reflects the most current data about the source that has been provided to the MCH Digital Library.

Displaying records 41 through 60 (88 total).

Dorn S, Garrett B, Holahan J, Williams A. 2008. Medicaid, SCHIP and economic downturn: Policy challenges and policy responses. Washington, DC: Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, 26 pp.

Annotation: This analysis examines the implications of an economic downturn for health coverage and state programs and projects the impact of one percentage point rise in the national unemployment rate on Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and the number of uninsured individuals. The analysis also documents how federal fiscal relief during the last economic downturn of 2003-2004 helped to stabilize Medicaid eligibility to let states avoid deeper budget cuts and options for restructuring federal fiscal relief in the future. Appendices include an outline of methods to estimate the effects on unemployment on coverage, a description of fully targeted fiscal relief approaches, and a chart illustrating the impact of alternative formulas in earlier periods.

Keywords: Economic factors, Federal programs, Health care financing, Health insurance, Medicaid, State Children's Health Insurance Program, State initiatives, Uninsured persons

Levi J, Cimons M, Johnson K. 2008. Healthy women, healthy babies. Washington, DC: Trust for America's Health, 25 pp. (Issue brief)

Annotation: This document identifies issues and obstacles facing the United States in promoting preconception care, and it recommends actions to improve women's health and thereby ensure healthier infants. The document discusses the move into a new era of well-women care; challenges; and federal, state, and local initiatives.

Keywords: Ethnic factors, Federal programs, Health insurance, Health promotion, Healthy Start, Infant health, Initiatives, Local programs, Preconception care, Pregnancy, Racial factors, Reproductive health, State programs, Women's health

Shirk C. 2008. Shaping Medicaid and SCHIP through waivers: The fundamentals. Washington, DC: National Health Policy Forum, 32 pp. (Background paper no. 64)

Annotation: This paper reviews the statutory basis and mechanics of demonstrations and program waivers, as well as their history and political context in shaping Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program. It also explores the ways the changing state-federal relationship and the ever-growing demand for state flexibility have driven waiver policy and examines the impact of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 on the need for or desirability of waivers.

Keywords: Federal programs, Health care financing, Medicaid, State Children’s Health Insurance Program, State programs, Waivers

Smith V, Gifford K, Ellis E, Rudowitz R, O'Malley M, Marks C. 2008. Headed for a crunch: An update on Medicaid spending, coverage and policy heading into an economic downturn— Results from a 50-state Medicaid budget survey for state fiscal years 2008 and 2009. Washington, DC: Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, 107 pp.

Annotation: This report provides results of a survey of Medicaid officials in all 50 states and the District of Columbia conducted to track trends in Medicaid spending, enrollment, and policy initiatives for state fiscal years 2008 and 2009. Contents also include an overview of Medicaid today and issues, Medicaid and the economy, legislative and regulatory actions, and the methodology used in the survey and report. The survey instrument is provided.

Keywords: Adults, Federal health insurance programs, Health care financing, Medicaid, Oral health, Pregnant women, State surveys, Trends

Courtot B, Codispoti L, Waxman J, Borchelt G, Ammerman A, Swedish J, Philip G. 2008. Reform matters: Making real progress for women and health care. Washington, DC: National Women's Law Center, ca. 250 pp.

Annotation: This toolkit provides women's advocates with resources to fight for health care reform that meets the unique needs of women and their families. The toolkit provides an overview of the distinct challenges that women face in the current health care system, analyzes the impact that various national and state health reform proposals would have on women's access to health care, and presents options for how to promote high-quality, affordable health care for all. Topics include the role of public coverage programs, exploring issues in health reform, making health care affordable, promoting comprehensive health benefits, addressing health care quality, and talking about health reform.

Keywords: Access to health care, Advocacy, Costs. Communication, Families, Federal health insurance programs, Health care reform, Health care systems, Low income groups, State health insurance programs, Women's health

Trinity M, Martinez-Vidal E, Friedenzohn I, Folsom A, Cox B. 2008. State of the states: Rising to the challenge. Washington, DC: AcademyHealth, 60 pp.

Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured. 2007. State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) at a glance. Washington, DC: Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, 2 pp. (Key facts)

Ross DC. 2007. New Medicaid citizenship documentation requirement is taking a toll: State report enrollment is down and administrative costs are up. Washington, DC: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 8 pp.

Annotation: This report presents available data on a recently passed law that requires U.S. citizens to present proof of their citizenship and identity when they apply for, seek, or renew their Medicaid health insurance coverage. The report introduces the issue, discusses the impact of the requirement on Medicaid applicants and beneficiaries, and discusses the impact on state administrative costs. A conclusion is included.

Keywords: Children, Costs, Eligibility, Enrollment, Federal health insurance programs, Legislation, Low income groups, Medicaid

National Academy for State Health Policy. 2007. Reauthorizing SCHIP: Principles, issues, and ideas from state directors. Portland, ME: National Academy for State Health Policy, 9 pp. (NASHP issue brief no. 2007-102)

Annotation: This document for federal policymakers describes survey findings on the current views of selected State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) directors on key issues being considered in the reauthorization process. Issues include (1) providing a mechanism to provide a sufficient and predictable source of funds for states to effectively manage programs and reduce the number of uninsured, (2) the roles played by SCHIP in covering children and adolescents and the programs that provide services to them, (3) state progress in simplifying enrollment for children and families and federal program requirements, (4) state flexibility in specific area of program design, and (5) supporting states in their efforts to improve program performance and promote access to quality care.

Keywords: Access to health care, Adolescents, Children, Enrollment, Federal programs, Health care financing, National programs, Program planning, State Children's Health Insurance Program, State programs

Howell EM. 2007. High-cost children in public health insurance programs. Washington, DC: Urban Institute, 5 pp.

Annotation: This brief provides data from San Mateo County, California, which provides subsidized health insurance to any uninsured child whose family's income is below 400 percent of the federal poverty level. The brief examines two public insurance programs: Medi-Cal, the federal and state program that covers most children from families with low incomes in California, and Healthy Kids, a county-based program. The brief defines high-cost children as those whose annual costs are in the top 10 percent of health care users in their programs. The brief answers the following questions: (1) who are the high-cost kids? (2) what do they cost? and (3) why do they cost so much? Statistical information is presented in figures throughout the brief. Policy recommendations, notes, and references are included.

Keywords: California, Child health, Community programs, Costs, Federal programs, Poverty, State health insurance programs, Uninsured persons

Hoag S, Paxton NElectronic Document-Server; Bookshelves. 2007. A report on Covering Kids and Families: What prevents state Covering Kids and Families' grantees from achieving the Program's goals?—A synthesis of findings on barriers, 2003-2006. Princeton, NJ: Mathematica Policy Research, 31 pp.

Annotation: This report examines the types of barriers that Covering Kids and Families (CKF) initiative grantees encountered in the process of trying to achieve their goal of helping to overcome barriers that make it difficult for children and adults to enroll and stay enrolled in Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Types of barriers discussed include limited state funding, policy changes, difficult processes, political climate, government bureaucracy, paperwork, staffing, operational barriers, and language barriers. The report includes the following sections: (1) executive summary, (2) about CKF evaluation, (3) background, (4) methods, (5) findings, (6) conclusions, (7) endnotes, and (8) references. Statistical information is presented in figures and tables throughout the report. The report includes three appendices: (1) state selection, (2) interview guides, and (3) a table detailing state-level primary and secondary barriers.

Keywords: Barriers, Enrollment, Federal programs, Financing, Medicaid, Public policy, State Children's Health Insurance Program, State programs

Brodt A, Burton A, Cohn D, Cox B, Folsom A, Friedenzohn I, Martinez-Vidal E, Trinity M. 2007. State of the states: Building hope, raising expectations. Washington, DC: AcademyHealth, 54 pp.

Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured. 2006. Health coverage for low-income populations: A comparison of Medicaid and SCHIP. Washington, DC: Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, 5 pp.

Annotation: This issue brief examines the similarities and differences between Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) as well as the implications of applying some SCHIP design features to the Medicaid program. The brief provides an overview of Medicaid and SCHIP, describes differences in program design (financing, benefits, and cost sharing) and offers a conclusion. Statistical information is presented in figures and tables throughout the brief.

Keywords: Children, Cost sharing, Federal programs, Financing, Health insurance, Legislation, Low income groups, Medicaid, State Children's Health Insurance Program

Markus A, Rosenbaum S, Cyprien S. 2004. SCHIP-enrolled children with special health care needs: An assessment of coordination efforts between state SCHIP and Title V programs. Washington, DC: Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, 43 pp.

Annotation: This study (1) describes the Title V Maternal and Child Services Block Grant program as it pertains to children with special health care needs (CSHCN), (2) explores the level of interaction and coordination between Title V CSHCN programs and separate State Children's Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP) in terms of providing services to CSHCN, and (3) assesses the implication of state program choices for publicly funded health insurance programs and pediatric health care. The study includes an executive summary as well as the following sections: (1) the Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant program, (2) models of coordination between SCHIP and Title V, and (3) discussion and conclusion. Statistical information and other information is presented throughout the study in figures and tables. An appendix contains state-by-state profiles. The study also includes a list of endnotes.

Keywords: Block grants, Child health, Children with special health care needs, Federal MCH programs, Program coordination, Social Security Act, Title V, State Children's Health Insurance Program

Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs. 2004. Making children healthy and ready to learn. Washington, DC: Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, 2 pp. (AMCHP fact sheet)

Annotation: This fact sheet discusses the State Early Childhood Comprehensive System (SECCS), an initiative launched by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau to support the development of young children so they are healthy and ready to learn when they enter school. The fact sheet provides a snapshot of the SECCS initiative, which consists of grants to the states, and invites relevant organizations to contact their state maternal and child health director if they are interested in working on this initiative. The following critical SECCS components are described: access to health insurance and a medical home, mental health and social-emotional development, early care and education, parenting education, and family support. Next steps are also discussed.

Keywords: Child health, Early childhood development, Early childhood education, Education, Family support, Federal MCH programs, Health insurance, Initiatives, Medical home, Mental health, Parenting, School readiness

Meyer JA, Silow-Carroll S, Waldman E. 2004. Community Voices: Lessons for national health policy. Washington, DC: Community Voices, 12 pp.

Annotation: This brief highlights some promising local approaches to improving access to health care for vulnerable communities. These approaches could be used as models for large-scale or federal reforms. The brief describes ways that states and the federal government can directly support local efforts as well as reduce the burden on communities by expanding public and private coverage on a statewide basis. The brief concludes by emphasizing the importance of community initiatives while pointing to the need for a broader, multi-level, fundamental reform of the U.S. health care system in the long run.

Keywords: Access to health care, Community programs, Federal government, Health care delivery, Health care reform, Health care systems, Health insurance, Local initiatives, Low income groups, State government, Uninsured persons, Vulnerability

Folz C, Friedenzohn I, DeFrancesco L, Konig M, Hallman L, Alberga J. 2003. State of the states: Bridging the health coverage gap. Washington, DC: AcademyHealth, 46 pp.

Annotation: This report summarizes states' efforts in 2002 to provide health insurance coverage to the uninsured during budget shortfalls, rises in health care costs, and suffering private-sector coverage. Section topics include state budgets and cost-containment efforts, approaches to preserving coverage, state efforts to lower drug costs, insurance market reforms, and state planning and demonstration efforts. Additional topics include demonstrations from the Health Insurance Flexibility and Accountability waivers, State Coverage Initiatives programs, and state Medicaid disease management programs; Pharmacy Plus 1115 waivers; and the Health Resources and Service's Administration's State Planning Grants program. Charts, tables, and a map present statistical data throughout the report, and a state index is provided.

Keywords: Costs, Federal programs, Health care financing, Health insurance, Medicaid, State health care reform, State health insurance programs, State programs

U.S. General Accounting Office. 2002. Medicaid and SCHIP: Recent HHS approvals of demonstration waiver projects raise concerns. Washington, DC: U.S. General Accounting Office, 67 pp.

Annotation: This report to the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance discusses a review of Social Security Act section 1115 waiver requests by states to modify Medicaid and the State Childrens Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Topics of the review were (1) types of waiver proposals that have been submitted and approved; (2) whether the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has ensured that the approved waivers are consistent with the goals and fiscal integrity of Medicaid and SCHIP; and (3) the extent to which there has been opportunity for public input into the expedited process. The report offers recommendations for Congressional and executive action, agency and state comments about the review, and the General Accounting Office's (GAO)evaluation. The appendices include descriptions of four recent Section 1115 waiver approvals; waiver applications under review; the response of the HHS General Counsel's Office and HHS; comments from the states of Arizona, Illinois, and Utah, along with GAO contact and staff information.

Keywords: Arizona, California, Federal programs, Health insurance, Illinois, Medicaid, State children's health insurance program, State programs, Utah, Waivers

Ryan JM. 2001. Health insurance family style: Public approaches to reaching the uninsured. Washington, DC: National Health Policy Forum, 12 pp.

Annotation: This issue brief reports on a forum discussion of existing and potential opportunities to further expand the availability of health coverage for the uninsured and the underinsured, given the current economy and the resulting state budget shortfalls. It also considers the implications of the Health Insurance Flexibility and Accountability Initiative and the legislative options for health care reform, including tax credit incentives and additional federal funding for public coverage expansions through Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Additional topics include cost sharing and eligibility. A summary of the key questions, speakers and their topics, and endnotes are provided.

Keywords: Costs, Federal health insurance programs, Health care financing, Health insurance, Medicaid, State children's health insurance program

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Changes in Health Care Financing and Organization (HCFO) Program; Academy for Health Services Research and Health Policy. 2001. Understanding the dynamics of crowd-out: Defining public/private coverage substitution for policy and research. Washington, DC: Changes in Health Care Financing and Organization, 19 pp.

Annotation: This brief highlights difficulties that researchers and policymakers face as they try to define and measure crowd-out (in which public resources may diminish health insurance coverage people already have in the employer-based system) and identifies questions that need to be addressed.

Keywords: Federal programs, Health insurance
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The MCH Library is one of six special collections at Georgetown University, the nation's oldest Jesuit institution of higher education. The library is supported through foundation, private, university, state, and federal funding. This information or content and conclusions are those of the authors and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by Georgetown University or the U.S. Government. Note: web pages whose development was supported by federal government grants are being reviewed to comply with applicable Executive Orders.