In 1965, the Medicaid program was created to provide health coverage to a limited number of low-income and disabled people. Distinct from the similarly-named Medicare program, Medicaid is funded jointly by the federal government and the individual states. Over the next four decades, the desire to supply health insurance to the needy blossomed into one
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The fundamental premise of the waiver, that Medicaid is “lining the pockets of providers” is a preposterous fallcy which leads its proponents to a dangerous conclusion. In fact, Medicaid is already heavily subsidized by providers as reimbursement under the program is generally below cost of providing services.
This does mean that we shouldn’t try to fundamentally reform Medicaid, just that it cannot be done in a vacuum, only comprehensive health care reform on a universal basis can achieve the goals stated in the waiver. As it stands, since benefits are federally mandated, the waiver proposal constitutes far too much risk and too little reward. It needs to become part of a broader effort that so far, its proponents have not embraced. TA