Posted: October 28th, 2023
Present Challenges in Medicaid and Medicare
HSA 500 Financing Health Care.
Use the Internet to locate and evaluate at least two articles on the present-day challenges (such as affordability and accessibility) in health care focusing on Medicaid and Medicare. Be prepared to discuss. Provide support for your evaluation.
Present Challenges in Medicaid and Medicare
Medicaid and Medicare face ongoing affordability and accessibility challenges. Recent studies shed light on these issues and potential solutions.
Affordability remains a pressing concern for both programs. Medicaid covers over 70 million low-income and disabled Americans (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2022). However, eligibility thresholds have not kept pace with rising costs of living, leaving some in the coverage gap (Artiga et al., 2022). Medicare faces rising costs as the population ages; the Congressional Budget Office projects spending will increase from 3.7% of GDP in 2023 to 5.2% by 2052 (CBO, 2023).
Access to care also poses difficulties. While Medicaid expansion under the ACA increased coverage, some states opted not to expand, leaving a coverage gap (Garfield et al., 2022). This impacts vulnerable groups like low-income adults. Medicare beneficiaries also report challenges finding providers accepting new patients due to limited reimbursement rates (Amin et al., 2022). Physician shortages in some specialties and areas exacerbate this issue.
Potential solutions aim to address these intertwined affordability and access problems. Expanding Medicaid in remaining states could help close coverage gaps (Garfield et al., 2022). Increasing Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement rates may incentivize more providers to participate (Amin et al., 2022; CBO, 2023). Improving care coordination through models like accountable care organizations also shows promise for enhancing access and lowering costs (McWilliams, 2016). However, all solutions require significant funding, highlighting the ongoing challenge of balancing program sustainability, costs, and beneficiary needs.
In summary, Medicaid and Medicare continue striving to ensure affordable, accessible coverage despite rising healthcare costs. Recent studies provide insights into ongoing challenges and potential policy responses. Further reforms will be needed to strengthen these vital programs for the long term.
Amin, K., Chen, C., & Sood, N. (2022). Association of Medicaid payment rates with physician participation. JAMA Health Forum, 3(6), e222083. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamahealthforum.2022.2083
Artiga, S., Orgera, K., & Damico, A. (2022). Changes in health homework help – research paper writing service coverage by race and ethnicity since the ACA, 2010-2018. Kaiser Family Foundation. https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/issue-brief/changes-in-health-coverage-by-race-and-ethnicity-since-the-aca-2010-2018/
CBO. (2023). The 2023 long-term budget outlook. Congressional Budget Office. https://www.cbo.gov/publication/58353
Garfield, R., Rudowitz, R., & Musumeci, M. (2022). Medicaid expansion through the ACA: Lessons learned and implications for states. Kaiser Family Foundation. https://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/medicaid-expansion-through-the-aca-lessons-learned-and-implications-for-states/
McWilliams, J. M. (2016). Changes in Medicare shared savings program savings from 2013 to 2014. JAMA, 316(16), 1711–1713. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2016.14625