Saturday, February 8, 2020

President Trump is Expanding Health Coverage Through Medicaid Block Grants

In his State of the Union address, President Trump renewed his pledge to ensure that all Americans benefit from the "Most affordable, innovative, and high-quality health care system on Earth." Under his leadership we've seen the end of the costly individual mandate; more-flexible insurance offerings at lower premiums; billions of dollars in savings on prescription drugs, with faster approval of generics; and our veterans empowered to choose doctors and hospitals beyond the VA system, so that they no longer need to wait to receive the care they deserve.

Most recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has introduced the "Healthy Adult Opportunity" initiative, improving services for Medicaid beneficiaries by allowing more discretion to states to craft options in harmony with local needs and capabilities.

As a physician and former member of Congress who has cared for patients receiving Medicaid, I appreciate how important this program has become for our society's "Safety net." Prior to Obamacare, Medicaid concentrated on financially-disadvantaged pregnant women, single parents and children, elderly people, and people with disabilities.

The Trump administration's empowerment of local control is already increasing access to care, as Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt announced that his state will become the 41st to expand Medicaid via SoonerCare 2.0.

These critics ignore the success of programs such as the Healthy Indiana Plan, a groundbreaking initiative that has improved both quality and access for Medicaid beneficiaries by allowing them to make their own decisions about how to spend the funds in accounts that the state establishes for them.

Far from taking anything away from Medicaid beneficiaries, Healthy Adult Opportunity is all about expanding the advantages that flow from respecting and empowering states and citizens.

Instead, as Governor Stitt emphasized in introducing SoonerCare 2.0, we should thank President Trump and CMS for "Listeninginnovatingand putting healthcare back where it belongs - with the states."

https://townhall.com/columnists/drnanhayworth/2020/02/08/president-trump-is-expanding-health-coverage-through-medicaid-block-grants-n2560975

No comments: