A new Medicaid program.
This paper suggests a new federal-state partnership--a new Medicaid program--for coverage of the uninsured and long-term care. It discusses national eligibility standards, based on financial need (rather than categorical eligibility); buy-ins and reinsurance for high-risk populations; a national strategy of "Medicaid plus tax credits" to cover the uninsured; Medicaid long-term care with expanded eligibility, better financial protection, and home and community-based care benefits; quality initiatives; administration; and possible financing sources (such as estate taxes and an increased Social Security Disability Insurance wage base). Without a new mission and national standards, Medicaid will continue to grow in a patchwork fashion with huge gaps and inequities.
Etheredge
Lynn
L
Health Insurance Reform Project, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA. lyneth1@aol.com
Moore
Judith
J
D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004608:Eligibility Determination; D035082:Federal Government; D008484:Medicaid / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017057:Medically Uninsured; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012941:Social Responsibility; D013219:State Government; D014481:United States