For those trying to understand Medicaid spending a little more (you know who you are), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Medicaid Statistical Information System (MSIS) is a treasure trove of information.  Researchers can download person-level Medicaid spending and enrollment information from FFY 1999 through FFY 2005.  This information allows one answer such questions as:

• What drives my state's Medicaid spending - for kids; non-elderly, non-disabled adults; those with disabilities and seniors?
• What portion of seniors in my state on Medicaid use nursing homes compared to the US average?  At what cost - per senior, per day or per average stay?
• How does mental health spending in my state compare to those neighboring states?
• What categories of health care service - inpatient, outpatient, drugs, physician, etc - are driving spending in my state?

Information is power.  In politics, little of the Medicaid discussion is driven by facts and comparisons with other states.  MSIS allows you to move beyond anecdotes and debate Medicaid based on the facts.   

I am writing a series of papers on Medicaid spending in Maine.  Here is quote from a recent paper on child Medicaid spending:

"Maine Medicaid could save almost $232 million if spending for every child on Medicaid was at the U.S. average spending.  Maine could save $111 million if Medicaid spending for every child was at the average for the other New England states.

• Maine spends more than six times as much on mental and behavioral health services for children than the U.S. average -$1,344 per child Medicaid beneficiary compared to $216. Average mental and behavioral spending would save Maine Medicaid $127 million.
• Maine spends 69 percent more on major medical care per child Medicaid beneficiary than the U.S. average - $1,832 compared to $1,082. Having average spending in this area would save $84 million. Maine’s spending in this area is about the same as the other New England states.
• Maine spends 86 percent more on prescription drugs per child Medicaid beneficiary than the U.S. average - $243 to $130. Average spending would save Maine Medicaid $12.6 million."
  

You can find out the facts for your state and move the Medicaid discussion beyond just talking about expansions and talking about concerning spending trends.

If you have any questions, send me an email at tbragdon@mainepolicy.org.