Healthcare Case Study

Background – A state legislature was considering a Medicaid expansion bill. We were asked to help determine the probable costs modeling different groups and levels of participation.

Challenges/Objectives – The federal government had changed Medicaid rules to give states flexibility in allocating Medicaid eligibility. The state legislature was nervous that if they were too expansive, it would be detrimental to the budget. However, the legislature wanted to open it up enough to benefit the maximum amount of citizens.

Strategy/Plan – Steve R. Howe Associates developed a way to use household-level census data to study the different subgroups. By consulting with experts in other states, we could predict take-up rates for various subgroups eligible for Medicaid.

Outcome – State passed Medicaid expansion legislation. They passed expansion, and 50,000 or more families had health insurance.