The AHCA Would Affect Medicare, Too
<p>The bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act could have a profound impact on the 11 million low-income Medicare beneficiaries who also rely on Medicaid to cover their health expenses. Cindy Mann and Allison Orris of Manatt, Phelps & Phillips show in a new <em>To the Point </em>post how the American Health Care Act’s federal funding changes to Medicaid would affect these “dual eligibles”—and the Medicare program itself.</p><p>The House bill’s per capita caps would strain state Medicaid spending, the authors say. Virginia’s Medicaid agency finds that its aged and disabled enrollees needing long-term care would exceed the American Health Care Act’s per person limits in the first year. </p>
<p>In response to the caps, states may drop services or enrollees. Under current federal law, states have the option to end Medicaid coverage of many services, such as nursing home and community-based care, that low-income older adults receive. Even many low-income Medicare beneficiaries themselves are considered optional enrollees. </p>