Comments on: Which Is Worse: Being Uninsured or Being Enrolled in Medicaid? http://healthblog.ncpa.org/which-is-worse-being-uninsured-or-being-enrolled-in-medicaid/ Health Care Policy and Reform Insights | NCPA Fri, 25 May 2012 18:53:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Devon Herrick http://healthblog.ncpa.org/which-is-worse-being-uninsured-or-being-enrolled-in-medicaid/comment-page-1/#comment-86750 Devon Herrick Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:15:49 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=1363#comment-86750 Medicaid reimbursements are so low that physicians often cannot afford to treat significant numbers of Medicaid patients. Studies have shown that uninsured patients willing to pay cash at the time of service have an easier time getting timely ambulatory appointments than someone who is on Medicaid. The physician practices that do see large numbers of Medicaid patients are often described as "Medicaid Mills" and run patients through like cattle through a corral. The most vulnerable Medicaid enrollees are often not sophisticated enough to understand how to navigate the system and seek out the care they need. As a result, many of them receive substandard care. Expanding the Medicaid rolls without substantially increasing the supply of physicians willing to see them will make the most vulnerable Medicaid enrollees worse off. Medicaid reimbursements are so low that physicians often cannot afford to treat significant numbers of Medicaid patients. Studies have shown that uninsured patients willing to pay cash at the time of service have an easier time getting timely ambulatory appointments than someone who is on Medicaid. The physician practices that do see large numbers of Medicaid patients are often described as “Medicaid Mills” and run patients through like cattle through a corral. The most vulnerable Medicaid enrollees are often not sophisticated enough to understand how to navigate the system and seek out the care they need. As a result, many of them receive substandard care. Expanding the Medicaid rolls without substantially increasing the supply of physicians willing to see them will make the most vulnerable Medicaid enrollees worse off.

]]> By: Sam http://healthblog.ncpa.org/which-is-worse-being-uninsured-or-being-enrolled-in-medicaid/comment-page-1/#comment-86745 Sam Fri, 25 Feb 2011 11:26:01 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=1363#comment-86745 Thank you for your approach to this. I was on Medicaid for a short time and it was awful. First, spending down my money made no sense. I was also prevented from doing ANYTHING which would enable me to get out of that socio-economic status. I could not marry, could not make any substantial income, could not own any property, accept inheritance, or save money. It was also difficult to decide to try to go back to work because I was so afraid of losing the health care. It was shameful. Then, there were only a few Dr's who took it, the care was shoddy, and the only place I could get real care was a teaching hospital 70 miles away. When they forced managed care, that was the end. There was no way even to get there. In the end, I decided to go without any health insurance and any health care. I have a severe chronic condition that I Live with and yes, it may reduce my life span, but I could not stand to have all my freedoms removed from me. I appreciate that you are standing up for people who are thought of as nothing because many of us can get off of Medicaid and would if we could. And many do not have long term illnesses, yet could end up with one if they are forced onto managed plans that essentially remove all access to acceptable health care. Thank you for your approach to this. I was on Medicaid for a short time and it was awful. First, spending down my money made no sense.

I was also prevented from doing ANYTHING which would enable me to get out of that socio-economic status. I could not marry, could not make any substantial income, could not own any property, accept inheritance, or save money.

It was also difficult to decide to try to go back to work because I was so afraid of losing the health care. It was shameful.

Then, there were only a few Dr’s who took it, the care was shoddy, and the only place I could get real care was a teaching hospital 70 miles away. When they forced managed care, that was the end. There was no way even to get there.

In the end, I decided to go without any health insurance and any health care.

I have a severe chronic condition that I Live with and yes, it may reduce my life span, but I could not stand to have all my freedoms removed from me.

I appreciate that you are standing up for people who are thought of as nothing because many of us can get off of Medicaid and would if we could. And many do not have long term illnesses, yet could end up with one if they are forced onto managed plans that essentially remove all access to acceptable health care.

]]> By: Vicki http://healthblog.ncpa.org/which-is-worse-being-uninsured-or-being-enrolled-in-medicaid/comment-page-1/#comment-40062 Vicki Sat, 13 Dec 2008 22:25:43 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=1363#comment-40062 Apparently, the Democrat's plan is to try to get a quick expansion of SCHIP, which is just as bad as Medicaid because in most places it pays Medicaid rates. Apparently, the Democrat’s plan is to try to get a quick expansion of SCHIP, which is just as bad as Medicaid because in most places it pays Medicaid rates.

]]> By: Larry C. http://healthblog.ncpa.org/which-is-worse-being-uninsured-or-being-enrolled-in-medicaid/comment-page-1/#comment-40037 Larry C. Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:46:09 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=1363#comment-40037 Joe, it's called killing with kindness. Joe, it’s called killing with kindness.

]]> By: Joe S. http://healthblog.ncpa.org/which-is-worse-being-uninsured-or-being-enrolled-in-medicaid/comment-page-1/#comment-40036 Joe S. Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:45:26 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=1363#comment-40036 Terrific post. Remember, the most common liberal health reform is to expand enrollment in Medicaid. Terrific post. Remember, the most common liberal health reform is to expand enrollment in Medicaid.

]]>