Fiscal Affairs & Government Operations

Federal REAL ID Legislation: Financial Implications for States

The federal REAL ID Act of 2005 has created a furor in states across the country as they face an estimated $14.6 billion in costs in order to satisfy the Act’s requirements. A number of states already have enacted legislation to avoid participating in the requirement that U.S. citizens obtain a federally approved ID card.

State Representative Jim Guest, Missouri

Senator Larry Martin, South Carolina

Homeowners’ Insurance and Storm-Prone Coastal States

The homeowners’ insurance environment in a number of SLC and non-SLC states continues to be in turmoil in the aftermath of recent hurricane seasons. Several insurers have pulled out of areas in these coastal states and state legislators continue to grapple with holding down premiums without driving away companies.

State Senator Bill Posey, Florida

Steven Weisbart, Insurance Information Institute, New York

SCHIP Financing Update

Financing the SCHIP program remains of huge concern to a number of SLC states and details on SCHIP financing in the short- and long-terms, national trends, the future direction of the program at the federal level, innovative programs from states, and cost-sharing practices will be featured here.

Dennis Smith, Director, Center for Medicaid and State Operations (CMS), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C.

Linda Nablo, Director, Division of Maternal & Child Health, Department of Medical Assistance Services, Virginia