Medicaid and Complex Care

States continue to drive toward improving the health of their residents and, because health care costs are a large and growing component of state budgets, governors also are looking for long-term, transformational ways to improve the efficiency of their Medicaid programs. Generally, a small segment of the enrollee population account for large portion of states’ Medicaid expenditures. Those individuals with complex care needs, also known as “super-utilizers,” tend to have a history of chronic illness, multiple comorbidities, special needs and other non-clinical complications that may be related to unstable housing, employment, food and transportation and interaction with the criminal justice system. They often use emergency departments and inpatient services when home and community-based interventions could be employed with good outcomes and at lower costs. By appropriately redirecting state funds to address the comprehensive needs of people with complex care needs, states can rein in escalating costs and improve the quality of care delivered to high-risk and vulnerable Medicaid beneficiaries.

State Roles in Delivery System Reforms

With the cost of health care rising faster than the gross domestic product (GDP), it is vital for the United States to improve the delivery of health care services. While ...

Testimony – Governor Douglas State Taxes

Chairman Cohen, Ranking Member Franks, and members of the Subcommittee, thank you for inviting me to testify today.  On behalf of the nation’s governors and the residents of my home ...
Maternal and Child Health Update 2008

Maternal and Child Health Update 2008

This issue brief highlights recent state trends in health care coverage for women and children through Medicaid and CHIP, gathered from an annual survey conducted by the NGA Center for ...

Testimony – Children and Disasters

Chairman Landrieu, Ranking Member Graham and distinguished members of the Committee, on behalf of the nation’s governors, thank you for the opportunity to testify today regarding the state role in ...

Testimony – Health Care Reform Scheppach

Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, my name is Ray Scheppach, and I am the Executive Director of the National Governors Association. I appreciate the opportunity to be a ...

Testimony – Health Care Reform

Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, my name is Ray Scheppach, and I am the Executive Director of the National Governors Association. I appreciate the opportunity to be a ...

Testimony – Health Care Reform

Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, my name is Ray Scheppach, and I am the Executive Director of the National Governors Association. I appreciate the opportunity to be a ...

Testimony – Long Term Care

Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, my name is Ray Scheppach, and I am the Executive Director of the National Governors Association. I appreciate the opportunity to appear before ...
Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Update: States Increase Eligibility for Children’s Health in 2007

Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Update: States Increase Eligibility for Children’s Health in 2007

Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) provide a critical source of health insurance coverage to low-income pregnant women, infants, and children. This report highlights state trends in ...

Testimony – Children’s Dental Health

Mr. Chairman: I appreciate the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss the issue of dental health as it relates to Medicaid and S-CHIP. It is important to continue ...