Date- June 8th, 2015
Summary:
Many of the states had decided to expand the eligibility of Medicaid which is under ObamaCare, and are now regretting the decision to do so. The expansion attracted more people than they had initially thought. Now the states are trying to meet the deadline to pay for it, especially since they have cut some of federal funding that was supposed to go towards the program. Medicaid is healthcare designed for low-income adults, and 1.4 million more people have signed up in seven states, since it opened in October 2013. Many people are wondering if there will be long term effects by expanding Medicaid. While many people are signing up for the program since they believe it is free, that is not the case whatsoever. The funding that is going towards Medicaid is being taken out of important things, such as education. Until 2016, 100% of the costs are being paid for by the federal government, yet every year they are planning to decrease the amount the federal government will pay going to 95% in 2017 and 94% in 2016 and so on. Many people who were for the program are now concerned wondering how the states will be able to pay for the program. The Affordable Care Act which made Medicaid expansion to all 50 states, but The Supreme Court found the mandate unconstitutional, so now states have the option to expand Medicaid or not.
Questions: Which states are the ones that don't want to have the Medicaid expansion? Why don't they want to have the Medicaid expansion in their states? What is Paul Renner worried about? Why do some states want to get rid of the expansion of Medicaid? Does it concern you as a reader that these many people who need or are eligible for Medicaid expansion can't get it because their state doesn't have the program?
Complex to say the least...where to start? Yes, the states that have declined the Medicaid expansion are the ones that need it the most. Interesting as well that states have the freedom to opt out of getting $ from the federal gov't. Coercive federalism? Alternative to Medicaid expansion? Unfunded mandate? GREAT POST!
ReplyDeleteMany GOP states have not expand Medicaid due to concern with overburdening the state tax budget. For example, Florida Republican state Rep. Paul Renner, says that in the long run, expanding Medicaid can be dangerous for the stability of Florida. Five billion dollars over a decade is at risk. However is it justifiable not to take the risk when thousands of citizens need healthcare and are unable to access it because their state does not provide it? I am not so sure myself. Expanding Medicaid would result in severe budget cuts in other government spending such as education. But not expanding Medicaid means denying thousands of people to desperately need healthcare but can not afford it.
ReplyDeleteThe states are concerned on expanding Medicaid because they in the coming years, by 2020, will have to pay 10% of the cost and the federal gov. will pay the rest. This raises concern due to the fact that these states have low budgets as it is and cannot spare the money. The states that have expanded think that the pros are better than the con because it will help state and federal income and also, the reason for this, help the people who can't afford health insurance. As for my opinion, I do agree that education is very important but its hard focus on an education when your family is not in good health.
ReplyDelete19 states are no expanding their Medicaid programs at this time, such as Alabama, Idaho, Kansas, etc. One of the reasons many states do not want to expand its program because people would drop their private insurance companies for the public one, which is paid for by taxpayers. This would only strain both the state and federal budget. Florida representative Paul Renner agrees with this fact believing that expanding Medicaid will only ruin the stability of Florida. I see politicians like Renner's point but some very poor and old people need the insurance to live. More and more nowadays, insurance is needed to help pay for hospital bills or else what is a broken toe could end up costing the same as a broken spine. I believe that instead of expanding the program so more people that don't need the program as much as other can get cheap insurance, the government should limit who is allowed to get the insurance. The program should create limitations so only people who truly need the insurance.
ReplyDeleteThe states are worried with the expansion of Medicaid since will overwhelm the states tax budget in the up coming years. Although losing 1% a year won't make a drastic effect on the states at the moment, if it keeps decreasing at this rate, in the future the program will be dependently funded by the states. Paul Renner agrees that the expansion of Medicaid won't be sustainable in most states, including Florida. It does concern me that all of these eligible people are not able to receive the health care they need. However, I do understand the burden that Medicaid puts on some lower income states. I believe that if we tried to approach Medicaid differently and create more restrictions we would be able to implement it across the U.S.
ReplyDeleteMany states don´t want do implement this program, because when it comes time to start funding it out of their own treasuries, they´ll need to divert funds that go to other important things such as education, urban development, law enforcement, and use a huge percent of those funds to pay for the medicaid program. While it is a shame that many people may not be able to get affordable healthcare due to several states´ decisions not to enact this program, I do believe that it is also not good to reduce funding to other very important sectors.
ReplyDeleteIt concerns me that many states are attempting to cut medicaid eligibility and slash other essential welfare programs such as food stamps. There seems to be a notion that the poor and needy are only attempting to abuse whatever handouts the government gives them. Not only that, many believe that these programs are only used by illegal immigrants, when in fact they are not at all eligible for these, since they don't pay taxes and aren't citizens. Welfare and medicaid recipients still pay taxes, they are only trying to support themselves and their families. If any states have difficulty running these programs it should be the responsibility of the federal government to aid these states in carrying them out.
ReplyDeleteIn 2014 the United States spent $3.5 trillion, accounting to 20% of the nations GDP, of that $3.5 trillion, $3.0 trillion was funded by federal revenues. The remaining $485 billion was borrowed. Medicare and CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) together accounted for 24 percent of the budget in 2014. $836 billion, 2/3 of this went to Medicare ($511 billion). All of this funding is coming from the Gov't, in reality this requires is the states to match the amount the Gov't sets forth. I believe that the longer the Medicare program is in existence, more and more problems are to arise. Problems financially, and soon a problem of inequality because of health care.
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ReplyDeleteMany states want to cut medicaid because they are afraid that it will take away from other important funds in their state and they don't have enough money to pay for it. Although the states that have already expanded medicaid think that it is a great idea because it will help state and federal income. It will also help the people that can not afford healthcare, get it. I think that affordable healthcare is important for people to have but not when it cute into other important funds. If it was funded differently I think that it could be a great idea.
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ReplyDeleteMany states don’t want to expand Medicaid because, although at the moment it won’t affect them that much, in the long term it will take a toll on the states tax budget. Paul Renner, a Florida representative, agrees with this idea that expanding Medicaid will only ruin the stability of states. I am concerned for the people who are actually in need of this program but cannot receive it because their state doesn’t have it because that is a serious issue. I understand the good intentions Medicaid has, however, it is difficult to expand when no state wants to put their stability in jeopardy. I think there should be a reform in the system that way states can benefit as well as the people in desperate need for Medicaid.
ReplyDeleteA number of states are opposed to an expansion of medicaid because of the long term tax tolls that come with such a large project. Larger states in specific would hurt the most from the annual increase in state budget cuts due to their larger concentration of lower income citizens requesting medicaid. Paul Renner, a Florida representative is also concerned what will come from a medicaid expansion. The overall consensus is that states will suffer from this expansion, therefore the people in desperate need of the program will also inevitably suffer because states won't voluntarily take on economic turmoil that could be overall toxic for everyone.
ReplyDeleteA number of states are opposed to an expansion of medicaid because of the long term tax tolls that come with such a large project. Larger states in specific would hurt the most from the annual increase in state budget cuts due to their larger concentration of lower income citizens requesting medicaid. Paul Renner, a Florida representative is also concerned what will come from a medicaid expansion. The overall consensus is that states will suffer from this expansion, therefore the people in desperate need of the program will also inevitably suffer because states won't voluntarily take on economic turmoil that could be overall toxic for everyone.
ReplyDeleteThe cost of Medicaid, which was supposed to be a government funded medical care, is now no longer government funded. Every year the cost burden is going to be given more and more to the state, and the state will have to fund the medical care for all its state residents. This can prove to be difficult, especially for smaller states or not as populated states as they now have to finance both education and Medicaid. At some point in time, the education portion of money will have to be transferred over to cover the cost of Medicaide. The problem all begins with Obamacare not fulfilling its federal duties to pay the medical bill, instead forcing states to carry the heavy burden that not all states are financially prepared to take.
ReplyDeleteMany states are now withdrawing their original support for Medicaid as they are now realizing that it will take a toll on the state's budget in the long run. Despite this fact, I think that the Medicaid program is crucial to the health and well-being of citizens. Paul Renner's concern that the program will cause problems for the states in the near future is not implausible, however it is more important to think about the well-being of low income families who rely on programs such as medicaid to survive. Furthermore, as it is a government program, I think that the government itself should provide a way for the states to continue and expand this imperative program.
ReplyDeleteThere are many states that are expending their Medicaid programs, as well as several states leaving the program. The states do not have the funds to support the program, and the federal government isn't doing a lot to help out. Medicaid is very important to the citizens of each state, and they don't deserve to lose this right. Paul Renner feels that Medicaid should at least be available to the low-income families. It isn't right for the poor to suffer because of a government funding error. If they want to take Medicaid away, it should only be from the wealthy. The poor still need it and to have standards on who deserve it, will create a better functioning society.
ReplyDeletePaul Renner doesn't believe paying for the extra expense of medicare will help the economy. However, like Sarah and Natalie said, he does believe in the basis and supporting families that really need it instead of everyone. By requiring the funds, it'll be harder for the tax payers and will have a ripple affect. Although Medicaid is important and everyone should have the right to health care, several states want to leave it out. It maybe a burden on taxpayers but it is better for us as a country in the long run, promoting the health of industrious citizens. It does concern me that not enough people are getting Medicaid. I believe that at least the lower income families should get it and states should be able to decide to what extent with the end goal eventually being everyone.
ReplyDeleteThe Medicaid program is something that many lower income Americans need. Yet, the cost of helping them will take a toll on the state government as well as the federal government. I believe it is the more conservative states that are opposed to having Medicaid in their state because they are Republican. I am not concerned that there is not Medicaid in some states because if only 1.4 million people signed up for the past 2 years, that means people do not want Medicaid.
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