what massachusetts has found out and most states know is that there are many citizens who are entitled to medicaid but have not enrolled.Based on MA’s numbers 19% of those that became covered were exempted from insurance because they met the states medicaid levels.If you back out those have now received a penalty based on tax information ,you have left 165,000 who still don’t have insurance. It is likely that many of these patients meet the medicaid levels but not having the data let’s say 50% would be exempt. This raises the total of uninsured who would be exempt/medicaid to 40% of the uninsured. A national study done by NIHCM in 2008 had 56% at 200% or less of the poverty level so the numbers are not to far off. As we continue our national debate about universal coverage ,every state should at least be proactive and efficient in the enrollment of medicaid patients. The fallout has been that providers of care are being asked to take on these cases as charity care which is not in the long term best interest of the patients health status. Let’s do what we should have been doing and reduce the fear of universal coverage.
I don’t want to pay for my neighbors insurance. If he wanted it he would sell his motorhome and buy it. Instead, he bought the motorhome. I don’t have a motorhome, but I buy health insurance. He and I are both Americans, with a spirit of independence that allows us to take risk and enjoy reward. Lets reduce the fear of free will. Jim.
what massachusetts has found out and most states know is that there are many citizens who are entitled to medicaid but have not enrolled.Based on MA’s numbers 19% of those that became covered were exempted from insurance because they met the states medicaid levels.If you back out those have now received a penalty based on tax information ,you have left 165,000 who still don’t have insurance. It is likely that many of these patients meet the medicaid levels but not having the data let’s say 50% would be exempt. This raises the total of uninsured who would be exempt/medicaid to 40% of the uninsured. A national study done by NIHCM in 2008 had 56% at 200% or less of the poverty level so the numbers are not to far off. As we continue our national debate about universal coverage ,every state should at least be proactive and efficient in the enrollment of medicaid patients. The fallout has been that providers of care are being asked to take on these cases as charity care which is not in the long term best interest of the patients health status. Let’s do what we should have been doing and reduce the fear of universal coverage.
I don’t want to pay for my neighbors insurance. If he wanted it he would sell his motorhome and buy it. Instead, he bought the motorhome. I don’t have a motorhome, but I buy health insurance. He and I are both Americans, with a spirit of independence that allows us to take risk and enjoy reward. Lets reduce the fear of free will. Jim.