Natural disasters such as the tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri and the flooding that affected residents of several states along the Mississippi river, serve as stark reminders of the important role the federal government plays in helping states respond to such events.  Health care is one of the most pressing needs victims of natural disasters face and states and local communities often need the help of the federal government to meet those needs.

The most immediate health care needs are met through the National Disaster Medical System to support local health agencies in responding to disasters.  But there are many other health care needs that linger long after the disasters.  For example, victims of floods or tornados may lose personal records needed to qualify for Medicaid or CHIP coverage.  Or agencies and medical facilities may be directly impacted by the disasters and unable to retrieve medical records, computer files and other vital information needed to ensure access to health care coverage.

The Medicaid program, under Administrations of both parties, has a strong record of helping states during times of crisis:

• During the September 11th attacks, many of the Medicaid computer systems were damaged.  The federal government responded by establishing Disaster Relief Medicaid (DRM) in New York City.  The DRM increased eligibility levels and streamlined the Medicaid application process with a one-page application and no asset test. This ensured that help was available to people when they needed it the most.

• When Iowa was hit by massive flooding in 2008, CMS approved a waiver to suspend eligibility redeterminations for residents of the affected counties in order to ensure continuity of Medicaid and CHIP coverage, and to relax the documentation requirements for new applicants who may have lost documents in the flooding.

• In response to Hurricane Katrina, Congress created a waiver program for Medicaid to provide assistance to states that had families who evacuated Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama in the amount of $2 billion.  This appropriation helped cover some of the states' share of expenses in Medicaid and restored access to health care in areas that were affected.  Evacuees who were enrolled in Medicaid before Katrina were able to continue their coverage and families who were previously ineligible for Medicaid until the Hurricane struck the Gulf Coast region were able to receive coverage.

Helping people in their time of need, particularly when disaster strikes, is one of the most important roles our government serves. One of the virtues of the Medicaid program is its flexiblity in responding to unforseen disasters -either natural or man-made.We need to make sure that Medicaid continues to hold strong so it will be ready to help when the next disaster strikes.

Cross posted from the Say Ahhh! blog at the Georgetown Center for Children and Families