For all the talk about Medicare, the race for the White House may have a greater impact on Medicaid, which many with disabilities rely on for everything from in-home care to health coverage.
Under President Barack Obama’s signature health care reform law, Medicaid is slated to expand dramatically over the next several years. Up to 17 million new beneficiaries could be added to the program which already covers more than 60 million Americans.
Should Mitt Romney win the presidency in November, however, the future of Medicaid may look very different. He’s pledged to repeal the health care law and supports converting the program to a block grant system whereby states would receive a set amount of money for Medicaid and would be able to control eligibility and spending on their own terms.
The election outcome could have huge implications for people with disabilities and older Americans who account for about half of Medicaid spending. One recent estimate found that block grants may lead to as many as 27 million people losing coverage, reports The New York Times. To read more click here.
Can we please end the scare tactics? Probably not, but a guy can dream can’t he?
On a more serious note: When did we adopt the false belief that the only organization which can successfully care for anyone is the federal government? This community needs to take a hard look at the numbers. I think we will find that liberal democrats have not done any better and maybe even worse that republicans at managing the social safety net.
Really? Stop buying the propaganda. Expanding Medicaid means millions get minimun and those with disabilities have to compete with the masses. Not enough doctors to provide care to so many. The reimbursement rate to healthcare providers is so miniscule that few doctors will take patients with this coverage. If you think more competition is needed for the limited resources then don’t be surprised when more turns out to be less!
Do you are telling me that by adding 17 million new beneficaries (that are not I/DD) will help to increase the amount of support that our I/DD population receives. If I understand right, a lot of the cost for the new 17 million will be passed on to the states, not the federal government. So states, most of which are already cash strapped are going to provide more care for more people ? I don’t think so. I run a small business that works with individuals with I/DD. So I have been researching and attending seminars about healthcare reform because it is going to affect us a lot. I also below to several associations where I meet with other agencies that provide similar services around NC. Most of them are in the same boat. The problem is that there are so many penalties (new taxes according to the supreme court) that several will not be able to survive what healthcare reform does to us. These are agencies that are providing support to thousands of individuals with I/DD. Of course if they are forced out of business due to a lot of the new requirements coming from healthcare reform, that will help to greatly lessen the amount of money required to support these individuals. Hey I guess that fixes both of those problems……
Please! Medicaid is a state program not a federal program. BOCare will eventually cause less money to be avalable to the disabled in the future. Can we see what happens in Europe when everyone wants a handout and not willing to contibute their fair share. If we continue on this grandiose idea that we can buy what ever we want and give it away to the people in order to maintain power we are kidding ourselves. I’m afraid for my disabled daughter in the future. What is the first thing the states and the federl govt cut when times are tough, aid to the poor and disabled.
Florida already does control Medicaid eligibility on it’s own terms to the point that I am not eligible for it at all, with SSDI income at around 130% of the Federal Poverty Level. I am on Medicare, but can’t afford secondary insurance, and wish I did have Medicaid as a secondary. I can’t afford dental care, which will affect my medical condition at some point. I am 51, with an inherited genetic condition that nearly killed me at 35. I am under 55, so my Medicare and SSDI also hang on this election. Losing them will punch me a ticket to the local cemetery. They won’t care that it took me 10 years and 4 different attempts to get it. I am scared to death.
Nice post.Thanks for the share.