Increased Federal Funding of Medical Assistance

Description

Medical Assistance (called Medicaid by the federal government) provides health coverage and related services to very low income families, persons with significant disabilities, and very low income seniors. To qualify U.S. citizens must meet tests related to their assets and income. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has increased the federal matching rate for this program by 5.6 percent (from 50 percent to 56.2 percent) so the state can serve more people without increasing the state funding required.

Hennepin County plays several roles in helping families and individuals secure and use Medical Assistance: it processes applications to determine eligibility, plans and manages services to persons with various disabilities, and directly provides needed health care through Hennepin County’s hospital and clinics. If the state’s unemployment rate were to significantly rise, additional federal participation could be earned.

Money Received

$4,200,000