October 2008

 October 21, 2008

HHS Releases Medicaid Actuarial Report

Last Friday, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued the first actuarial report on Medicaid spending. The report includes analysis of past program trends and projections of Medicaid expenditures and enrollment for the next 10 years. According to the report, Medicaid benefits spending is expected to increase 7.3% from 2007 to 2008, reaching $339 billion, and to grow at an annual average rate of 7.9% over the next 10 years, reaching $674 billion by 2017. HHS also reports that average Medicaid enrollment is projected to increase 1.8% to 50 million people in 2008 and at an average annual rate of 1.2% over the next 10 years. The report can be found at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/actuarialstudies/03_medicaidreport.asp

October 14, 2008

FEMA Revises Real ID Grant Rules

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced modifications to its rule regarding Real ID grants. Previously, the agency had indicated that grants should be used for Real ID implementation. States raised concerns that such a condition would prevent states with anti-Real ID statutes from using the funds to improve their systems. The new language provides greater flexibility by stipulating that states should use Real ID grant funds "towards securing their driver's licenses consistent with Real ID."

LIHEAP Median Income Figures Released

Pursuant to the FY 2009 continuing resolution, which permits eligibility for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) up to 75% of state median income, the Department of Health and Human Services has released a new table of maximum eligibility by state by family size. The table is attached (http://inside.ffis.org//ff/LIHEAP75percent.pdf).

October 2, 2008

Senate Approves Rail Package

Yesterday the Senate passed H.R. 2095, which combines several rail-related bills passed by the Senate or the House earlier this Congress, including Amtrak reauthorization, rail safety, rail solid waste and funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. The president is expected to sign the legislation.