The current housing crisis has occupied much of our time at NPACH, just as it has likely occupied the time of most homeless activists and service providers. But as we continue the push for additional housing resources to help end homelessness, we cannot forget other key issues that impact homelessness - issues such as health care.
The health care debate is heating up on Capitol Hill, and embedded in that debate is the question of expanding Medicaid to cover low income Americans who typically do not have health insurance. Current proposals would expand Medicaid eligibility to everyone with an income at or below 133% or 150% of the federal poverty level, without any disability requirement. Because nearly all children below 200% (and sometimes higher) are already covered by the Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP), this would be most significant for single homeless adults or adult parents in homeless families. Currently, these individuals do not typically get coverage through their low wage employment, and cannot qualify for Medicaid if they are not disabled.
NPACH has recently joined a broad coalition, with Families USA and many other national groups, to focus on ensuring that any final health reform legislation extends coverage to everyone who is homeless, and includes provisions to facilitate enrollment for people facing high barriers such as the lack of a mailing address or the lack of ID or other documentation. This will not be an easy fight - expanding coverage costs money, and Members of Congress are already seeking ways to limit it. But it is of tremendous importance for the people we serve, and to help providers get reimbursement for health care and other supportive services. We urge you to lend your support on this issue - for additional information, keep checking this website, watch for future NPACH alerts, and look for materials and updates at http://www.familiesusa.org.