Why Medicaid block grants won ’t work

Medicaid is the largest single health insurance program in the nation, spending more than $500 billion to serve the most vulnerable people with some of the highest need, including children, pregnant mothers, people with disabilities, the poor and the elderly living in nursing homes. Recent proposals to repeal and replace Obamacare – such as the American Health Care Act (AHCA) – would fundamentally change the Medicaid program. Given the size and scope of the program, block grants are an even greater threat to our nation’s health than repeal of Obamacare’s individual marketplace reforms. Currently, Medicaid is jointly funded by the federal government and the states. The states get money from the federal government to administer their Medicaid programs based on a formula that includes factors like per capita income. This state-federal partnership requires states to cover certain specific services, but also allows flexibility within the program to cover more people during economic downturns and public health emergencies like Zika. Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Policy Health reform Source Type: blogs