State initiatives for the medically uninsured

Recently, Medicaid has changed in terms of both perception and reality. After a period of decline in entitlement, that trend has been reversed through both Federal mandates and an increasing role for Medicaid in dealing with the uninsured. As States and the Federal Government seek structural solutions, further eligibility expansions may be necessary, such as public subsidies of private insurance or using Medicaid as a reinsurance mechanism. Currently, there is considerable State activity in identifying such solutions. These activities have given us some ideas about what is necessary to expand coverage to more of the population. Continued demonstrations and better definitions of the respective roles of the private and public sectors are needed.