Medicaid and Counties: Understanding the Program and Why It Matters to Counties

national association of counties nacoThis report from the National Association of Counties explains Medicaid’s role in the healthcare system and its benefit to counties in particular. It examines how counties are able to support the health and well-being of residents through Medicaid, which acts as the largest source of funding for behavioral health services in the U.S., as well as provide a vital source of coverage for people with substance use disorders. The report describes challenges county governments face due to the limits states place on their options for raising revenue and offers recommendations for the federal government, including supporting the federal-state-local partnership structure for financing and delivering Medicaid as well as promoting measures that provide flexibility and incentivize program efficiency and innovation.