Can Medicaid Reform Make a Difference for Homeless Individuals?

[OneGrassRoot]

Federal Policy Brief | 28 Feb 2011
Author: National Alliance to End Homelessness

http://www.endhomelessness.org/content/article/detail/3767


As parts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are gradually phased in, state leaders are facing complex decisions on issues Congress has left for states to resolve.

One of the biggest challenges will be managing major changes in publicly-funded and safety net programs. Meanwhile, ACA implementation creates new opportunities for housing experts to inform state Medicaid programs to benefit more homeless and at-risk individuals. Factors unique to individual states will shape these opportunities and prospects for implementation, including: demographics, economic conditions, and leadership on social issues. Further, in political terms, much depends on a state’s partnership with the federal government and the state’s record of adopting innovations as federal health care policy has evolved over time.

Within homelessness assistance systems, leaders who are knowledgeable about health care programs can identify and navigate the post-ACA environment.

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Conclusion

In addition to making Medicaid the insurer of all adults up to 133 percent of the poverty level, the ACA allows states more flexibility to shape and expand HCBS systems, and offers some additional funding to do so. Depending on state adoption, Medicaid HCBS can contribute to successful housing solutions for chronically homeless people. To the extent that states choose flexible options, leaders focused on ending homelessness are key stakeholders in ACA implementation, and can effectively move a broad agenda forward.