Policy Discussion Board 2 responses
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Walden University *
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Medicine
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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Uploaded by MattM5
Matthew Meyer
Policy Discussion Board Responses Week 2
Respond to at least two of your colleagues by addressing the following questions. Since we all
have political views try to be as objective as possible when approaching this discussion.
1.
What are the two sides of this argument?
2.
How has this tension affected your particular state and its health outcomes
#1
Hello Khatera, I did not know that you have been living in Virginia for the past eight years. It
appears that Medicaid is continuing to expand over the years. I am from California and they are
expanding as well. These programs are so important to cover the elderly, disabled, children, and
so much more. This joint state and federal program is extremely beneficial to provide free
healthcare to millions of people. In 2015 total Medicaid spending was $553.8 billion ((Medicaid
at a glance, 2019)). Because this program is a join program states can choose not participate in
the program. One reason why Medicaid may be frowned up is that it is financed with tax hikes
and cuts to Medicare. Because of the financial struggle, states could potentially reduce funding
other areas such as education. In California this historically has not been the case. The expanding
Medicaid costs forced and increase in state taxes. Medicaid may also raise the cost of private
insurance. Despite these arguments, the government just as you say in your post covers the
expansion, but is it sustainable? I believe it is. I am in favor of these programs and the expansion
as long as control is shared between state and federal government. As we learn more about policy
in this class I look forward to learning more about programs like this so we can be better
advocates for our patients.
References
BallotPedia. (n.d.) Medicaid spending in Virginia. Retrieved from:
https://ballotpedia.org/Medicaid_spending_in_Virginia
Medicaid at a glance (2019). Department of Medical Assistance Services: Retrieved from
http://www.dmas.virginia.gov
Hello Kate, it is amazing how diverse we are as a cohort! I have read a few posts and it appears
that our school really does accept people from all over the country. Montana is expanding their
Medicaid just as California and Virginia are. I am originally from California and this program is
becoming bigger and bigger with the increased population and increasing cost of living. I believe
that the access to healthcare in some of the poorer and rural communities also is a big factor for
implementation. As I have described in my post and my response to Khatera, I am definitely for
Medicaid, but it has its costs. Quite literally, the fact that Montana has to cover approximately
34% of the funding could be a potential problem, especially with expansion (“Montana
DPHHS,” 2015). This is a shared program between federal government and state government so
both must work together to adequately finance the program. This could draw funding away from
other areas of interest. If I take a step back and look at the program from the broadest perspective
I believe that it is going to do the most good for the most amount of people. I could only see the
financial aspect being a problem if the federal government changes the funding criteria for the
program. Even if this is a huge problem the state can still op out of the shared program. All
things considered, it is working well in California and I believe Medicaid should continue to
expand in other states.
References
Medicaid at a glance (2019). Department of Medical Assistance Services: Retrieved from
http://www.dmas.virginia.gov
Montana DPHHS.
Healthy People.
Healthy Communities. (2015).
The Montana Medicaid
Program
.
Retrieved from:
https://dphhs.mt.gov/Portals/85/Documents/2015MedicaidReport.pdf
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