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Plight of Medicaid nursing
home patients
highlights flawed health care approach
The Olympian’s Dec. 14
editorial “State must do better on Medicaid” highlighted the problems
nursing homes face caring for Medicaid patients. Lawmakers are aware of
the challenges and there is support for increasing funding for these
patients.
Yet we must address the structural problem that underlies
government-purchased health care. The current approach has led to
runaway costs, limited access and a lack of funding.
Some people want to enroll more people in government-sponsored health
care programs. But before we do this and strain limited resources, the
state should focus on doing a better job of delivering services to the
people already under its care.
We should also reduce costs and create plans that families and employers
can afford. Years of government regulatory changes have created
distortions in the way health care is purchased, developed and
delivered. This has led to more costs and a rigid system.
Most lawmakers, including the governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on
Health Care, understand the problems – and there is support for
meaningful reforms. If we fail, we will continue to face challenges such
as expanded dependency on government, limited access and choices, and
higher costs for taxpayers and patients.
State government needs to lay the foundation for a system that provides
patients with good information and flexibility to respond to their
health care needs. If this can be done, there will be a transformation
in the way health care services are delivered – and our system will be
more accountable, convenient, efficient, and affordable.
Rep. Bill Hinkle is the top ranking Republican on the House Health
Care Committee and a member of the governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on
Health Care. He represents the 13th Legislative District and is a former
emergency medical technician.
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