Medicaid Troubles

State House News Service reported yesterday that the new Medicaid waiver will make it harder for the state to continue to get the federal support it has in the past. While some in Washington want to rein in Medicaid spending to control deficits advocates and governors are fighting to keep Medicaid funding to make sure the most vulnerable get the care they need. Check out Families USA to see what you can do.
A drop in Medicaid spending from the Feds will make it all that much harder for us to get to universal coverage since it threatens the coverage of the almost 1 million Massachusetts residents who rely on MassHealth for access to health care. However, it also heightens the importance of the constitutional amendment which makes a clear commitment to getting to affordable coverage for everyone. Only then will the families threatened by rising costs, shrinking benefits and loss of coverage know they can get the care they need when they need it.

Also in the news:

Former governor Michael Dukakis (who worked in the late ‘80s with the Legislature to pass legislation providing near universal health care only to see the critical employer mandate repealed by the next governor) spoke recently about the need for health care reform organizations to work together. He pointed out that we are all working for the same goal – affordable health care for all..

Both Governor Romney’s and Senate President Travaglini’s health care proposals have been referred to committee at the State House.