Recently, we posted a State by State Guide to Medicaid Expansion.  In this article we'll provide a more comprehensive overview of ACA Medicaid Expansion, including an update on where states stand in support of ACA Medicaid Expansion.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) expands Medicaid coverage for most low-income adults to 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL) ($15,415 for an individual or $26,344 for a family of three in 2012). Following the June 2012 Supreme Court decision, states face a decision about whether to adopt the Medicaid expansion. Here's a quick state by state update as of March 5, 2013. 

Last month, the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) issued a new series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that are intended to answer questions states may have about Affordable Care Act-related subjects, including state-based and federally facilitated exchanges, Medicaid expansion and market reforms.

Citing rising costs, Arizona and Hawaii are next in line for federal approval to limit hospital stays for Medicaid members.

What is Medicaid? Medicaid is a U.S. public health program for certain U.S. citizens with low income and resources. 

CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) is the U.S. federal agency that administers Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program. 

Late last year, the state of Arizona and its governor, Jan Brewer, were heavily criticized for a decision to drop Medicaid coverage for some organ transplants.  The decision was made in an attempt to lessen the $1 billion gap in the state's health care budget.

"The waiver Brewer is seeking would effectively push out all 250,000 childless adults on Medicaid. An additional 30,000 parents whose incomes are above 50 percent of the poverty line would also lose their coverage... Brewer's staff projects that the move would save $541 million in 2012, then $900 million the following year."