Hayabusa Rider
Admin Emeritus & Elite Member
- Jan 26, 2000
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Originally posted by: ericlp
Much of the roughly $11 billion in cuts over five years proposed by the Senate for Medicaid, a health care program for the poor that many elderly use to pay nursing home costs, were recommended by state governors. They contend the program is becoming burdensome for the states, which must come up with money to match federal funding. Democrats have portrayed the reduction in the growth of Medicaid spending as dire, but even liberal analysts concede they are not severe. One provision would increase co-payments from $3 to $5, and another would allow elderly nursing home residents to shield $750,000 in home equity, raised from $500,000 after Republican moderates objected.
"It's less about the magnitude and more about why should you be asking poor people to pay anything more for health care at the same time that you're giving brand-new tax cuts to the most fortunate," Furman said. "That is what is just completely wrong with this picture.
Hmmm, tell me this isn't a failure?
Just an FYI. Someone on medicaid can ask for a carton if cigarettes, then say they dont want to pay the copay, and the pharmacy has to take the loss and give them their meds. They don't get that money. They are legally obliged to take the loss, which is a substantial loss of profit.
Medicaid copayments are completely optional. It will probably be that way with medicare, causing substantial losses for pharmacies. It will probably be the death of the independent. Ought to be interesting.