Transitional Medical Assistance

Rationale

Recognizing that one of the barriers to sustaining the transition from welfare to work is the fear of losing publicly provided health insurance benefits, Congress established guidelines for transitional medical assistance in 1988. Under these guidelines, states must continue to offer coverage to families with children for at least six months when the family's income rises above the state's Medicaid income- eligibility thresholds because of higher earnings. Through a number of mechanisms, several states have extended the duration of assistance beyond 12 months. With this additional protection, families leaving welfare for work are less likely to deplete their assets in the event of a medical emergency.

About Measure

States that provide more than 12 months of transitional medical assistance (as of 2000).

Source

Broaddus, M., Blaney, S., Dude, A., Guyer, J., Ku, L., and Peterson, J. (February 13, 2002). Expanding family coverage: States' Medicaid eligibility policies for working families in the year 2000 (Table 4). Washington, D.C.: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.