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'Woefully insufficient': Federal judge accuses Justice Department of evading 'obligations' to comply with deportation flights request; WA caregivers rally against Medicaid cuts; NM's state methane regulations expected to thwart federal rollbacks; Governor, critics call out 'boilerplate' bills from WY 2025 session.

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Trump faces legal battles over education cuts, immigration actions, and moves by DOGE. Farmers struggle with USDA freezing funds. A Georgetown scholar fights deportation, and Virginia debates voter roll purges ahead of elections.

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Cuts to Medicaid and frozen funding for broadband are both likely to have a negative impact on rural healthcare, which is already struggling. Plus, lawsuits over the mass firing of federal workers have huge implications for public lands.

Report: AK covers fewer kids with public insurance vs. 2019

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Wednesday, May 8, 2024   

A new report shows the number of children covered by Medicaid varied widely between states as pandemic-era protections were lifted, with Alaska seeing a decline.

The Georgetown University report says nationwide, more than 4 million fewer children were enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program at the end of last year versus spring 2023, before the expiration of continuous coverage. Alaska saw a 9% drop in enrollment.

The report estimates that in 70% of cases, children's coverage was canceled for procedural or 'red tape' reasons, such as difficulty navigating the state's website, reaching a person via a help line, or not receiving renewal notices.

Trevor Storrs, president and CEO, Alaska Children's Trust, said since there haven't been changes in eligibility criteria, procedural cancellations are likely.

"More than likely, we have a significant number of Alaska children who are eligible for Medicaid, but were potentially dropped from the program during the unwinding process. Alaska already had one of the highest rates of uninsured children, and this just adds to it," Storrs explained.

Alaska was one of eight states that disenrolled so many children, it had fewer enrolled than prior to the pandemic.

The Alaska Children's Health Insurance Program, Denali KidCare, offers coverage for kids up to 18, and income eligibility for kids is higher than for adults.

The report notes that 12 states and the District of Columbia have developed multi-year coverage programs, with some states keeping kids enrolled up to age 6. Storrs said in meetings with the state Department of Health, advocates are making the case for keeping kids enrolled.

"One of the things that we're in conversations with them is not making children have to re-enroll every year. So, from zero to six, once qualifying for Medicaid, they stay on; and then from seven to 18, it's every two years versus every year," he continued.

Currently in the state, Medicaid recipients must reapply each year. Medicaid coverage includes checkups, sick visits, immunizations as well as dental and vision care.

Study co-author Joan Alker, with the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, said gaps in coverage can lead to long-term negative health impacts.

"Kids are going to miss out on those well-child visits, they're going to miss out on getting the medications they need - be it an inhaler for their asthma, or an ADHD medication," Alker pointed out. "And that really sets them back, both in their health and their success in school."

Disclosure: Georgetown University Center for Children & Families contributes to our fund for reporting on Children's Issues, Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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