A “To The Point” posting by the Commonwealth Fund shows why Medicaid’s design allows it to respond nimbly to a crisis by enrolling additional individuals and covering new services. Medicaid’s flexibility is a strength to streamline the enrollment process, sign up beneficiaries whenever needed, and make eligibility retroactive so providers are not financially punished for furnishing emergency care.

The posting can be obtained at https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2020/medicaid-and-coronavirus-putting-nations-largest-health-care-first-responder-work.