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| Rhode Island Medicaid Expansion |
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Summary:
Current Status of Medicaid Expansion in State:
State has decided to Expand Medicaid
Decision Process:
Governor Chaffee exercised executive order.
Background:
· Currently:
19% of Rhode Islanders are enrolled in Medicaid. 69% of beneficiaries have managed care.The state's current Medicaid covers up to 250% FPL depending on the specific program. The Department of Human Services runs the state's Medicaid program.
· Expansion:
Expansion of Medicaid to 133% FPL would be a 20% increase over current enrollment.
· Process:
When the state legislature struggled to reach an agreement on abortion coverage in the exchange, the Governor stepped in and implemented the ACA through executive order. Governor Lincoln Chaffee is a strong supporter of the ACA and Rhode Island will expand Medicaid accordingly.
State Activity:
· Governor Chaffee said that the Supreme Court's decision reaffirmed the state's commitment to health care reform and that he would “[ensure] Rhode Island is a national leader in implementing health reform.” State Secretary of Health and Human Services said that “the expansion is easy to do and makes sense.”
· The state offers information through the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner website.
· Rhode Island has received an 1115 Waiver to expand services for uninsured adults not otherwise eligible for Medicaid with mental illness or substance abuse problems as well as low-income adults eligible for the state's General Public Assistance Program who are unable to work due to health conditions, but don't qualify for disability benefits.
· A study of EHB benchmark options was conducted for the Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner.
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