| Subject: Re: Federalizing Medicaid |
Author:
krz
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Date Posted: 10/15/04 7:06:11am
In reply to:
pjk
's message, "Re: Federalizing Medicaid" on 10/14/04 8:28:39pm
>>Federalizing the Medicaid program
>>will remove the state's ability to choose how the
>>monies are spent.
>
>Is it really so clear cut? I really don't know... I'm
>curious how you are so sure this will be case.
>
Pjk - I can't be sure. Kerry's web site suggests he will expand payment to state based Medicaid programs from the federal government to allow states to increase enrollment numbers.
http://www.johnkerry.com/issues/health_care/family.html
However, in the debate on Wed., he clearly stated he would "federalize medicaid". 'Federalizing Medicaid' has specific meaning to me as a provider who has received payments under federalized health care plans (Medicare), adn who is the parent of a child in the federally mandated, state funded program (Medicaid).
My concerns are based on his comment in the debate, however, I cannot find the exact same language on his web site to support his debate language, and have not dug any deeper than that. At the moment, the Federal government sets minimum guidelines for states' participation, with considerable flexibility to the states in full implementation. At the moment, because of the generosity of the people of WI, I like it this way. As my health care costs increase to the point that it becomes financially disadvantageous to have both Geo and I providing coverage for our kids (Geo still will carry the boys) this Medicaid safety net for our family becomes more critical. A side note - adding the family this year would increase my out of pocket payments by about $300/month.
As a side rant, providing coverage for families under the Medicaid program, and assuring providers will provide care are two different things. We're fine at the moment because Danny's first tier of coverage is private. Once he turns 21, with Medicaid being his primary funder - we as most families who only use Medicaid as the provider will have considerable difficulty getting care. There is no accompanying mandate on Kerry's web site to assure that providers actually give the services. Most care under Medicaid is poorly reimbursed. Under Medicare part B (the outpatient kind), the provider is paid $120 for an hour of PT - the same charge is reimbursed at $40 in WI under Medicaid. But, that's a different issue.
Thanks for keeping me honest pjk.
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