How the Wrong Medicaid Reforms Could Devastate Young People with Complex Medical Needs

This post was authored by Sophia Jan MD, MSHP; Ahaviah Glaser, JD; and Rebecca Kim. It was originally published by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute Policy Lab blog. 
Current proposals to simultaneously repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and reform the federal Medicaid program would be devastating to children and young adults with disabilities and complex medical needs. Even if the final ACA replacement plan continues to allow young people to stay on their parents’ insurance plans until they turn 26 – which is a benefit largely supported on both sides of the political aisle – the most medically complex among them rely on Medicaid because of the extraordinary level and cost of care needed.
Today, Medicaid covers 10.2 million adults and children with serious illnesses or disabilities whose health needs create significant financial burden for patients and their families. For example:

Medicaid pays for physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy that children with cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities may receive through school.
Medicaid covers private-duty nursing and assistive technology — such as ventilators, feedings tubes and communication devices — that children with disabilities may need to attend school and avoid placement in institutional settings.
Medicaid frequently fills in coverage gaps for privately insured children with disabilities since over one-third of insured children with disab...

Source: Disruptive Women in Health Care - March 10, 2017 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: dw at disruptivewomen.net Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: blogs