Health Coverage for Individuals Affected by Hurricane Katrina: A Comparison of Different Approaches to Extend Medicaid Coverage

Publication Date: October 2005

Publisher: Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

Author(s):

Research Area: Environment; Health

Type: Brief

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

Approaches have been put forward to extend Medicaid coverage to Hurricane Katrina survivors, but they differ significantly regarding the extent to which they extend Medicaid eligibility and in the role of federal funding for coverage of Hurricane survivors. 

This publication provides an overview of these approaches and their key differences. First is a table comparing the major components of the September 15, 2005 Senate bill, the Administration’s waiver initiative, and the Texas waiver.  Second is a fact sheet that provides greater detail on the Texas waiver and highlights some key questions raised by the waiver.