Medicaid Buy-In: A sensible approach for coverage and cost

Show me the coverage! The term ‘Medicare for All’ is being bandied about as the campaign for the Democratic Presidential nomination gets underway. Declared and potential candidates are warming to the idea. It’s easy to see why: After years of trying to defend complex, compromised Obamacare from GOP rhetorical attacks and legislative and administrative undermining, Democrats are going with a program that is popular and well funded Medicare especially appeals to the middle-aged and older population, who tend to vote. There’s no stigma attached to it It could be funded and implemented as a sweeping program at the federal level, which is ideal for a Presidential candidate to talk about. However, I’d much rather see attention turn to continued expansion of Medicaid, specifically by offering people the opportunity to “buy in” to Medicaid coverage. This has real advantages: “It’s the prices stupid,” we have been told since 2003. Price, not utilization, is the main reason the US spends so much more than other countries. By design, Medicaid puts the squeeze on costs through lower reimbursement rates Medicaid has provisions to squeeze drug prices, too, something Democrats and Republicans favor Medicaid coverage is more holistic than Medicare. It includes programs to address social determinants of health, and is suitable for younger people including parents and children Medicaid is a partnership between the states and federa...
Source: Health Business Blog - Category: Health Management Authors: Tags: Health plans Policy and politics Medicaid medicaid buy-in medicare medicare for all presidential election Source Type: blogs