According to a Congressional Research Service memo, the Supreme Court's recent health law decision only touches the new Medicaid expansion provision of the health law, not penalty requirements associated with the existing program. Meanwhile, Politico Pro offers a list of states to watch as the expansion efforts continue.
CQ Healthbeat: CRS Analysts Say Supreme Court Decision Didn't Strike Down 'MOE' Rule
Contrary to arguments by Maine Governor Paul R. LePage, the Supreme Court's June 28 health care law ruling did not strike down the measure's "maintenance of effort" requirement that blocks states from reducing Medicaid eligibility before coverage expands in 2014. That's the finding of a July 16 Congressional Research Service memo that analyzes some of the practical implications of the high court's ruling for Medicaid officials (Reichard, 7/19).
National Journal: CRS: Governors Can't Change Medicaid Enrollment Yet
Bad news for governors hoping that the Supreme Court could lighten their current Medicaid load: Congress's independent experts say that states can't kick people off their Medicaid rolls, despite the Court's ruling (McCarthy, 7/19).