Medicaid in New York: Looking Back (2000-2010)

Author/Editor: Michael Birnbaum

Highlights from this presentation, which was delivered at the United Hospital Fund's July 14, 2010, conference entitled "A New Era in Medicaid: Federal Reform and Fiscal Uncertainly," include:

• Due to a variety of policy changes and economic factors, Medicaid enrollment in New York has increased 66 percent since 2000 and now stands at 4.7 million people.
• Approximately 900,000 people are currently eligible for, but not enrolled in, New York State's Medicaid program.  As national health reform is implemented, efforts to enroll the eligible but uninsured remain paramount.
• A relatively small group of Medicaid enrollees generate a high percentage of spending.  Elderly and disabled Medicaid recipients—24 percent of all enrollees—accounted for 68 percent of Medicaid spending in New York in 2008.
• The past decade saw a large shift toward Medicaid managed care—particularly for children and adults, 80 percent of whom are now in managed care as opposed to 24 percent of elderly and disabled Medicaid recipients.
• New York Medicaid spending grew 4 percent from 2005 to 2009.  This is lower than growth in national health expenditures (6 percent per year), but higher than growth in New York State revenue.
• Medicaid spending growth was concentrated among the elderly and disabled.  Fifty-five percent of the spending increase from 2000 to 2009 was related to care for the elderly and disabled, as compared to 28 percent for adults, 11 percent for children, and 6 percent for safety net providers.
• While national health reform will provide substantial new federal support starting in 2014, New York faces significant fiscal stress and uncertainly at present.

Copyright: 2010
Published: 07.22.2010

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• Medicaid in New York: Looking Back (2000-2010) (130KB)