Why We Don't Want To Get Rid of Medicare-Our Best Tool for Health Care Reform
Why We Don�t Want To Get Rid of Medicare-Our Best Tool for Health Care Reform The pressure is on for federal budget slashing and of course social programs (not defense) are top-of-the-list for cost reductions, including the malignant call for block granting the Medicare program. Having previously analyzed the Bush Administration�s Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, including the odious federal government, �claw back provision� for reducing federal contributions for state Medicaid programs, this article reviews some potential impacts of a block grant or per capita allowance for Medicare participants. Parallels are drawn between the Medicaid changes and what may happen to Medicare if it is schlepped to the states. Finally, Medicare�s impact on overall health care policy making in the United States is analyzed. Would Block Granting Medicare Look like the Medicaid 1115 Waiver Plans? As of 2005, half the states already had approved Medicaid 1115 plans including: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Cal...