Utilizing the English language, the main focus keyphrase being “Medicaid voter registration system.”
An election worker in Portland, Oregon guides voters to a ballot drop-off spot in 2020. Oregon, along with other states, is anticipating approval from the Biden administration to implement a system that automatically registers eligible voters when they apply for Medicaid enrollment.
Nathan Howard/Getty Images
Officials in various states are eagerly awaiting the Biden administration’s approval of proposals that could potentially empower hundreds of thousands of lower-income individuals and those with disabilities to participate in voting. Despite repeated inquiries from Congress members in the last two years, the Biden administration has not yet provided feedback on utilizing Medicaid application data to automatically register eligible voters when they apply for government-provided health insurance.
The Biden administration has expressed concerns regarding the privacy of information of Medicaid applicants. However, the delay by an administration that claims to support and safeguard the right to vote is causing frustration among state officials who are keen on facilitating increased citizen engagement in the democratic process, especially with the upcoming pivotal 2024 elections.
Molly Woon, Oregon’s election director, laments, “It is a lost opportunity. It would be great to have a way to systematically reach all these people.”
In the context of the Medicaid voter registration system, the Biden administration’s decision-making process is eagerly awaited by states looking to enhance voter participation.
Exploring the Potential of Medicaid Voter Registration System
States across the country have been adopting automatic voter registration processes at Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) offices, simplifying the voter registration for eligible individuals.
Expanding on this initiative, some states are now looking into leveraging their Medicaid agencies, which administer the joint federal and state healthcare program, to enhance voter registration efforts.
Since 2019, several states, including Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Minnesota, Oregon, Michigan, and Washington, D.C., have enacted legislation mandating Medicaid offices to share information of eligible voters with election authorities for automatic voter registration.
Although assisting eligible voters with registration is not a new responsibility for these agencies, the effectiveness of the current process has been questioned. Despite the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, commonly known as the “motor voter” law, requiring Medicaid offices to offer voter registration forms, the actual registration numbers from these offices have been notably low.
Advocates of the Medicaid voter registration system highlight the untapped potential to simplify the voter registration process for Medicaid applicants.
Sam Oliker-Friedland, a former voting rights litigator and current head of the Institute for Responsive Government, emphasizes the inefficiency of the current voter registration process through Medicaid systems. Oliker-Friedland advocates for a more streamlined approach, urging the government to utilize the data collected during Medicaid application processes more effectively.
When individuals apply for Medicaid benefits, they provide essential voter registration information such as their name, address, date of birth, and proof of U.S. citizenship. This data, which needs to be updated annually, could be seamlessly transferred to election officials by state Medicaid agencies. This streamlined process not only simplifies voter registration but also ensures the accuracy and cleanliness of voter rolls, according to proponents of the Medicaid voter registration system.
Impact of Medicaid Voter Registration System on U.S. Democracy
Jamila Michener, a government and public policy associate professor at Cornell University specializing in Medicaid, views it as a potential remedy for a persistent issue in U.S. democracy.
According to Michener, the concept of democracy revolves around equal voting rights, where every individual’s ballot holds the same weight. However, in reality, this equality is often compromised. Elections serve as a platform for expressing preferences on policies, and when certain demographics are consistently excluded from the electoral process, their voices remain unheard, leaving them more susceptible to policy decisions that do not reflect their needs.
Research conducted by Michener indicates that Medicaid beneficiaries are notably less inclined to engage in voting, registration, and overall political participation compared to non-beneficiaries. Various obstacles, such as transportation challenges and frequent relocations, hinder their ability to participate effectively in the political process.
Advocates argue that a significant portion of potential voters, particularly those enrolled in Medicaid, could benefit from an automatic voter registration system. For instance, in Colorado, an estimated 755,000 Medicaid enrollees are eligible to vote but remain unregistered or require registration updates. Similarly, in Oregon, around 171,000 Medicaid beneficiaries represent approximately 85% of the state’s eligible but unregistered voters.
Data confidentiality poses a challenge for the Medicaid voter registration system
Insights from Biden Administration on Implementing Medicaid Voter Registration System
Despite this, Biden administration officials have not yet specified their stance on implementing a Medicaid voter registration system at state Medicaid offices.
Jonathan Blum, the principal deputy administrator and chief operating officer for CMS, refrained from providing a specific timeline for potential guidance to states. However, he mentioned in a statement to NPR that “CMS is exploring additional opportunities to improve voter registration through Medicaid, all while ensuring compliance with Medicaid’s confidentiality regulations.”
Senators from the Democratic party in Oregon and Colorado have been actively pushing CMS for clarity on this matter.
Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, the head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, was questioned by officials in various states regarding the expansion of voter registration through Medicaid in 2022. In response to a letter from Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado, Brooks-LaSure mentioned that CMS had previously raised concerns about Colorado’s proposed automatic voter registration system not aligning with current Medicaid privacy safeguards. However, she hinted at a possible shift in CMS’s stance following President Biden’s 2021 executive order urging federal agencies to support voting access. Brooks-LaSure acknowledged the significance of state Medicaid agencies aiding in enhancing voter access and registration for their beneficiaries.
Regarding the endorsement of automatic voter registration initiatives, inquiries directed to the White House were redirected to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), CMS’ parent agency. HHS faced criticism for the delayed response to requests for incorporating a voter registration query into HealthCare.gov applications, where individuals can seek Medicaid coverage. Sara Lonardo, an HHS spokesperson, mentioned that CMS is actively considering including the voter registration question in time for the upcoming open enrollment period starting on November 1, just before the final day of voting in the current year’s general elections.
Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts emphasized HHS’s commitment to advancing the Biden administration’s objective of broadening voting access. She highlighted the importance of integrating voter registration information into the HealthCare.gov application. Senator Warren urged HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra to fulfill this commitment promptly, emphasizing the necessity for action after prolonged delays.
