Volume 26, Number 447: June 27, 2005

Cover Story - Medicaid Reform Shifts to The Front Burner
State and federal officials are coming up with new ways to reform Medicaid, now the largest health insurance program in the U.S. Consumer-controlled accounts, changing the Average Wholesale Price policy that governs what Medicaid pays for drugs, and “reverse engineering” of care are all on the table as ways to control costs without, it is hoped, harming beneficiaries.

Primary Care News - Informal Caregiving: Family Caregivers Still Providing Bulk of LTC Assistance
Family members and friends provide the vast majority of long-term care to the frail in the U.S. – often at cost to their health and their finances. In 2000, family members provided nearly 80 percent of the long-term care in the U.S.

Highlights
Governors’ Medicaid wish list … FL tests reforms … MI rewards healthy lifestyles … FL addresses mental health drugs … New drug Web site … MA coverage expansion … Underinsured stressed out … Universal coverage in VT … HIV numbers up

FYI - National Policies: What Works for Individual States?
Researchers say it pays to look closely at national policy proposals. Proposals to expand coverage will affect each state differently, depending on such factors as how many people in the state are poor and the cost of coverage.