Essay On Medicaid And Federalism

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Medicaid

Health reform and health policy has taken over in the United States in recent years. Medicaid is one of the top policies being implemented throughout our nation today. To understand how Medicaid and federalism cross paths with each other one must understand the basic definitions and concepts each one brings. Federalism is “system of government in which the same territory is controlled by two levels of government. Generally, an overarching national government governs issues that affect the entire country, and smaller subdivisions govern issues of local concern.” In short, federalism is a government system that has an overseeing central government over state government. While, “Medicaid is a health insurance program for low-income individuals and families who cannot afford health care costs. Medicaid serves low-income parents, children, seniors, and people with disabilities.” Medicaid is a test based welfare program for United States Citizens. Now the question is how does Medicaid intersect with federalism? These two intersect because Medicaid is a need-based program that is funded by the federal government and the state government and administered at the state level. The issue with Medicaid is that if it expands then a crowding-out effect may occur. Meaning, that the more the government spends on Medicaid then less they would be able to spend on other programs such as: education, transportation, or other state priorities. Medicaid is supposed to provide access to health insurance for approximately half of our nations uninsured citizens. Without Medicaid a vast amount of low-income citizens will go without having a healthcare insurance plan.
Medicaid dates back from July 30th, 1965 when Lyndon B. Johnson was in office. ...

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...edicaid involves federalism extensively and can come with many pros and cons as well as benefits and drawbacks. Today Medicaid is growing concern and issue in our government. States are trying to find new ways to implement this policy and solve the concerns that comes with implementing this policy.

http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/federalism

http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dma/medicaid/

http://obamacarefacts.com/obamacares-medicaid-expansion.php

http://theincidentaleconomist.com/wordpress/all-the-reasons-to-expand-medicaid-all-the-reasons-not-to/

http://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/History/index.html?redirect=/history/

Gardner, L., & Gilleskie, D. B. (2012). The Effects of State Medicaid Policies on the Dynamic Savings Patterns and Medicaid Enrollment of the Elderly. Journal Of Human Resources, 47(4), 1082-1127.

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