Impact on Children and Families
The proposed Medicaid Expansion changes will have significant consequences for children and families, particularly those in low-income households.
1. Cost Sharing: Increased Financial Burden on Families
Families may forgo healthcare due to costs: Even small premiums and copays can be a barrier, forcing parents to choose between medical care and necessities like rent, food, and utilities.
Delayed care and worse health outcomes: When families cannot afford copays, they may delay seeking medical treatment, leading to more severe health issues and higher costs in the long run.
Children’s healthcare access at risk: While children typically qualify for Medicaid or CHIP, parents’ ability to access healthcare directly affects family stability and well-being. Parents without coverage may be less able to work, provide care, or seek timely medical attention for their children.
2. Work Requirements: Increased Administrative Barriers
Families with working parents may still lose coverage: Many parents in Medicaid expansion households already work, but new reporting requirements create red tape that could cause coverage lapses due to paperwork errors or job instability.
Loss of coverage for caregivers: Parents staying home to care for young children or disabled family members may struggle to meet work-reporting rules, risking coverage loss.
Added financial strain on struggling families: Families experiencing job disruptions or inconsistent work hours may be penalized despite their efforts, increasing economic hardship.
3. Medicaid vs. Marketplace Exchange: Unaffordable Alternatives
Moving families to Marketplace insurance plans is more costly to the federal government and the waiver will not be approved. The subsidy for the Marketplace plans often have higher premiums, deductibles, and copays compared to Medicaid, making healthcare less affordable for low-income families.
Gaps in coverage: If parents are moved to the marketplace while children remain on Medicaid or CHIP, families may face confusing bureaucratic hurdles that disrupt their care.
Increased risk of medical debt: Families forced onto exchange plans may struggle with unexpected healthcare costs, leading to increased medical debt and financial insecurity.
Overall Consequences for Children and Families
More uninsured parents: Parents losing coverage due to cost-sharing, work requirements, or administrative burdens will negatively impact family health and financial security.
Worse health outcomes for children: When parents are uninsured, children are less likely to receive preventive care, vaccinations, and treatment for chronic conditions.
Higher economic strain on vulnerable families: Increased out-of-pocket costs and bureaucratic hurdles will disproportionately affect low-income families, deepening financial instability.
Medicaid and Expansion in Idaho is very complex: The Legislature should take a more thoughtful and intentional process to determine changes to Medicaid and Medicaid Expansion, relating to work requirements reporting, managed care models, and administrative changes. Making so many changes, all at once, without knowing all the unintended consequences is irresponsible. The health and well-being of our children and families should be given all due consideration, before wide ranging changes are made.