Medicaid Recipients Face New Harsh Bush Rules

Posted on January 12th, 2009 by iwaller

Medicaid recipients will be faced with new financial challenges come January 25, 2009 because of last minute changes by George W Bush and his administration. Bush’s revised rules allow states to force people on Medicaid to pay more for health care services. This is another Bush action that debunks his ‘compassionate conservatism’ philosophy.In early 2008, George W Bush, according to information from state Medicaid directors, reduced federal Medicaid payments by nearly $50 Billion over the next five years. His revised rules also cut funding for children of special needs in all states. Bush also cut state programs and eliminated essential services such as statewide hotlines for patients looking for doctors, services to outpatient hospitals and rehabilitative services.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal agency that administers the Medicaid program, made no secret of the fact that a major intent of the rule is to make health care less affordable for Medicaid recipients so they will not seek medical attention as often. “We assume there would be declines in utilization as some enrollees subject to the new cost sharing requirements choose to decrease their use of services.”

“The report confirms what Governors across the country from both parties have feared – that the new Medicaid regulations would have a harmful effect on state budgets, health care providers and – most importantly – the populations served by Medicaid,” stated Congressman Steny H. Hoyer. ”At a time when the economy is significantly slowing down, it makes no sense to implement changes that compromise a program serving those families who are most in need.”

“These irresponsible new regulations are nothing less than an attempt by this Administration to cut our nation’s largest federal entitlement program, which is charged with providing health care to 60 million of our most vulnerable citizens,” said Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, a senior member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. “It is simply unconscionable that this Administration would try take away such critical services from so many particularly as our families continue to experience the effects of the President’s poor economic policies.”

“The Bush Administration’s policy of restricting critical Medicaid programs is yet another effort to divert resources in order to continue funding this ‘black hole of a war.’ It further illustrates his willingness to abandon the citizens most in need in order to promote his own irresponsible priorities,” said Congressman Albert R. Wynn. “Limiting the availability of proper healthcare for the poor, children and the disabled, particularly in this time of uncertainty, is essentially kicking people while they’re already down.”

“As the economy is slowing down, the last thing that we should be doing is taking away health care benefits from people who need them most,” said Congressman Chris Van Hollen. “This report confirms what we already know. These new regulations would have a devastating effect on healthcare providers and the quality of care received by children and families. The Bush Administration should reverse this decision.”

“When you consider rising prices and other burdens facing our working families, these cuts are particularly cynical because they come at a time when these services are most needed and affect those who need them most,” said Congressman John Sarbanes. “We need leadership that puts working people first, instead of making them an afterthought.”

Without health insurance, patients may miss routine appointments and are less likely to receive prenatal and well-child care. Easy-to-treat problems worsen until a costly trip to the emergency room is required.

Without health insurance, many children will lose the opportunity to grow up to be educated, healthy and productive citizens. Preventable conditions such as asthma, uncontrolled diabetes and teen pregnancy will have tragic consequences.

Mike Ervin, a Chicago-based writer and a disability-rights activist with ADAPT (www.adapt.org) says “Medicaid recipients are the poorest Americans. They must have very little income and very few assets to be eligible of coverage. Pricing health care beyond the range of Medicaid recipients will no doubt cause them to cut back on preventive measures and ignore some conditions that should be treated right away.”

Many middle and upper class Americans, those who are not in need, often miss the point of caring for America’s neediest and poorest families and children. Is there abuse in Medicaid and Medicare? Yes, I think we all would agree based on news reports over the last many years. This issue however is not about the politics of these programs, obviously the federal government has failed in its oversight and monitoring of abuse and fraud. However, that is a separate issue.

Americans should be taking care of their own! It is ironic we take care of the impoverished and poor in foreign countries, yet some Americans seem to have a difficult time in supporting their own.

The Religious Right does not care about poor Americans, the Right Wing of the Republican Party does not care about the poorest among us, whether they be adults or children. Do not count on greedy Wall Street nor Corporate CEOs to offer their support.

Who then will speak up for these downtrodden, these Americans with disabilities, these Americans living well below the poverty line? Americans need to speak out, let us take care of our own. Democrats must stand up to ensure the Medicaid lifeline is not cut off for our citizens.

I sincerely hope President Obama will do the right thing, demonstrate what real compassion in government can do for its own citizens, and repeal this outrageous rule authored by George W Bush and the Republican Party.

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