Medicaid in Need

Investing in Medicaid Funding Now Can Save Tax Dollars Later
Long Term Care is the topic of Tim Graves article on “Investing in Medicaid funding now can save tax dollars later,” a local contributor to the Austin Statesman editorial column. Graves is president/CEO of the Texas Health Care Association in Austin Texas. His article focuses on reforming the current Medicaid program funding which he says will reduce the future cost of Long Term Care for the elderly.
Medicaid was established in 1965 for eligible individuals and families with low incomes and resources. This program is a state ran program, with an over site by the federal government. According to the author, Texas is ranked 49th nationally towards the funding of Medicaid for its state. With the proper and adequate funding to Medicaid, the author states “can help reduce the number and frequency of hospital admissions by improving resident health, and increasing the capability of skilled nursing facilities themselves to successfully treat more complex medical conditions and incidents – at lower cost to taxpayers.”
Long Term Care needs, is what is being addressed in this article. Long Term Care is for the elderly that are no longer capable of taking care of themselves and those with chronic issues which they are in need of a 24/7, 365 day nursing assistance. As many as 60 nursing homes have closed in Texas due to lack of funding which the residents and nurses where sent else where. This is making it very difficult for the elderly who depend of their care locally.
The author is focusing on Texas Residents for their support of increasing Medicaid, but the primary audience would be Texas Political leaders, since they are the approving authority in passing the new program proposal which is specified at http://www.ahca.org. I agree that Medicaid funding should be increased for support of our local elderly. The author says we are paying about $106 compared to other states that are paying about $160 by the tax payers. I think it would be a good idea to increase Medicaid to $130 and keep it as a flat rate. This could reduce the cost of those hospital visits which are costing tax payers a lot of money, regardless if an individual tax payer see’s it affecting them or not.