Reports

The KFF released a report reviewing Medicaid and CHIP eligibility, enrollment, and renewal policies throughout the unwinding of continuous enrollment. The report highlights state actions to improve automated renewal rates, streamline the renewal process, and steps being taken to improve coverage for children. The report focuses on polices for children, pregnant individuals, parents, and other non-elderly adults whose eligibility is based on Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) financial eligibility rules. States report that the biggest challenges faced during unwinding are unclear federal guidance, workforce issues, and the volume of work. Read the report to learn more.

Justice in Aging has released an issue brief intended to equip state oral health, aging, and disability advocates with education and advocacy tips on how to leverage Medicaid waivers to expand access to oral health and address disparities in access to dental treatment. The issue brief begins with an explanation of Medicaid waivers, including what they do and who they impact. This is followed by state-specific examples illustrating how Medicaid waivers can both expand the scope of coverage available and address barriers to care.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released a strategic framework for a national plan on aging, aiming to advance healthy aging and age-friendly communities. The report involves input from federal agencies and various stakeholders including older adults, family caregivers, and the aging services network. The national plan on aging will advance best practices for service delivery, support development and strengthening of partnerships within and across sectors, identify solutions for removing barriers to health and independence for older adults, and more. Key aspects include service delivery, health care access, affordable housing, and economic security.

This issue brief from Justice in Aging discusses the deficit in data regarding guardianship in the United States and the problems that has created for reform efforts in the guardianship system. The brief addresses the need for data to understand who is under guardianship, why they are under guardianship, and the risks marginalized older adults face but are not reported. The issue brief includes current data reform efforts recommendations to advance equity in guardianship.

On March 8, KFF released a policy watch discussing a new proposal in the Health and Human Services (HHS) Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2025 that aims to expand access to adult dental care in Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace plans. The HHS Benefit and Payment Parameters Notice for 2025 proposes to remove the prohibition on the classification of routine adult dental health coverage as an essential health benefit (EHB). Under this proposed rule, states would have the option of classifying adult dental care as an EHB. If a state chose to classify adult dental health as an EHB, the state (or the federal government as a fallback) would be required to enforce the same ACA protections for adult dental coverage that apply to other EHBs...

On March 12, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a report describing best practices in implementing the Money Follows the Person (MFP) Demonstration. Since its authorization in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-171), the MFP Demonstration has provided nearly $6 billion to 43 states and the District of Columbia to improve access to home and community-based services (HCBS) for Medicaid-eligible individuals and helped more than 107,128 long-term residents transition from institutions to the community. Developed in collaboration with states, providers, and MFP participants, this report identifies effective state strategies for implementing the key components of the MFP Demonstration...

The 26th annual Workers’ Compensation Report produced by the National Academy of Social Insurance provides the only comprehensive data on workers’ compensation benefits, coverage, and employer costs for the nation, the states, the District of Columbia, and federal programs. With a five-year study period spanning 2017-2021, this is the second annual report to cover the COVID-19 pandemic period, which permits an early understanding of the adaptation of workers’ compensation to the pandemic and general reversions to pre-pandemic trends. The report includes tables, figures, and appendices detailing outcomes related to workers’ compensation benefits, costs, and coverage.

The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care (Consumer Voice) recently published a survey report on the impact of understaffing on nursing home residents in 2024. The findings highlight substantial challenges faced by residents, with 88% reporting they do not have adequate staffing in their facilities to meet the care needs of all residents. This report spotlights how understaffing can lead to daily struggles for residents, including delayed care, missed activities, and medication issues. The report underscores the pressing need to address staffing deficiencies to ensure quality, person-centered care in nursing homes.

Mathematica recently released a report investigating the connection between strong city data foundations and successful ARPA investments. It spotlights cities that received What Works Cities Certification, which has recognized 57 U.S. cities for robust data practices that make resident lives better. Established as a benchmark for well-managed, data-driven local government, the What Works Cities (WWC) Certification provides insights into how such practices may influence the effectiveness of ARPA investments....

AARP recently released a report titled “Respite Services: A Critical Support for Family Caregivers,” exploring respite, its impact on family caregivers, and barriers to its use. In this report, AARP reviews federal and state programs that provide and/or pay for respite, including some examples of innovative programs that currently exist in communities. AARP also provides recommendations toward improvements in respite research and offers insights into how some respite programs are being scaled up.