Kansas Health Institute | Information For Policy Makers. Health for Kansans.

The concept of "personal responsibility" as it relates to the state's Medicaid population is frequently cited in discussions about the Kansas public health insurance program.

Gina Maree, vice president for health policy at the Kansas Health Institute, delivered a PowerPoint presentation about the underlying factors that contribute to decisions made by many in this population to a group of Legislators assembled for a lunchtime session at KHI.

Some of the findings presented include:

• To contain Medicaid costs and improve the health of beneficiaries some state policymakers are considering personal responsibility policies for the Medicaid program.

• Medicaid beneficiaries, because they have low-incomes often face unique challenges that can affect their success in personal responsibility programs. Some of these challenges can include: generational poverty, limited educational opportunities, limited resources, constraints in their physical environment, chronic stress, social exclusion, and a short term focus due to a survival mindset.

• Many states have tested personal responsibility policies but there is limited research on the success or failure of these policies. The limited evidence does suggest however, that rewards and penalties don’t have a significant impact on reducing Medicaid costs or improving the overall health status of beneficiaries.

• An individual must have the following to take personal responsibility; therefore policies should focus on enhancing these key factors: control of the outcome, knowledge, skills and abilities, resources, self-efficacy, opportunity, and an enabling environment.

The presentation may be accessed by clicking the link below.