News on Medicaid and State Budgets: July and August 2003 Update

Publication Date: September 2003

Publisher: Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

Author(s):

Research Area: Health

Type: Report

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

This update summarizes recent news from press reports published during the months of July and August 2003 as well as information reported by the National Conference of State Legislature’s health policy tracking service during these two months. It highlights recent changes that governors and state legislators are making or plan to make to reduce
Medicaid spending growth.

The information in this news update has not been verified by the states, and in some cases the actions reported not final. States are continuing to face difficult fiscal challenges. As state revenues remain on the decline and Medicaid spending pressures continue to grow, more emphasis has been given to Medicaid cost control strategies to reduce spending growth.