Our Health Policy Matters

Policymakers across the country have declared war on health.   You may have missed the headline, but this is a war with many casualties. Its objective is to topple health care as we know it.   When health care falls, our health will be the victim. Battles are raging in many states to cut the legs out from under health care financing. The Arizona Senate Appropriations Committee recently voted to eliminate the Medicaid program.   This would make 1.3 million people uninsured and cost the state $7.5 billion in federal funding.   A Florida Senate leader has threatened to eliminate Medicaid unless the federal government agrees to massive changes.   This would cost Florida over $10 billion, and make 3 million people uninsured. Wisconsin’s Governor has proposed dropping over 60,000 people from Medicaid because they are too rich.   “Too rich” means a two-person household income of less than $29,100.       Medicaid isn’t the only target.  ...

Policymakers across the country have declared war on health.   You may have missed the headline, but this is a war with many casualties. Its objective is to topple health care as we know it.   When health care falls, our health will be the victim. Battles are raging in many states to cut the legs out from under health care financing. The Arizona Senate Appropriations Committee recently voted to eliminate the Medicaid program.   This would make 1.3 million people uninsured and cost the state $7.5 billion in federal funding.   A Florida Senate leader has threatened to eliminate Medicaid unless the federal government agrees to massive changes.   This would cost Florida over $10 billion, and make 3 million people uninsured. Wisconsin’s Governor has proposed dropping over 60,000 people from Medicaid because they are too rich.   “Too rich” means a two-person household income of less than $29,100.       Medicaid isn’t the only target.  ...

When you’re headed in the wrong direction, running to the front of the crowd and yelling charge may not be the best strategy.   On Monday, Governor Rick Scott of Florida did this when he proposed his new state budget.   Like every state, Florida has struggled over the past few years as state revenues have declined.   The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has documented just how tough that job has become – at least 21 states have already proposed budgets this year with inflation-adjusted spending below 2008 levels.   In presenting his bare-bones $66 billion budget, Governor Scott promised to bring new business principles to state government.   The problem is that he forgot an old one.   If you don’t increase the supply of a product when demand goes up, you’re going to pay an increased price.   He proposed $4 billion in cuts (over two years) from current Medicaid levels.   Medicaid is almost 30% of the state budget, and cutting it w...

When you’re headed in the wrong direction, running to the front of the crowd and yelling charge may not be the best strategy.   On Monday, Governor Rick Scott of Florida did this when he proposed his new state budget.   Like every state, Florida has struggled over the past few years as state revenues have declined.   The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has documented just how tough that job has become – at least 21 states have already proposed budgets this year with inflation-adjusted spending below 2008 levels.   In presenting his bare-bones $66 billion budget, Governor Scott promised to bring new business principles to state government.   The problem is that he forgot an old one.   If you don’t increase the supply of a product when demand goes up, you’re going to pay an increased price.   He proposed $4 billion in cuts (over two years) from current Medicaid levels.   Medicaid is almost 30% of the state budget, and cutting it w...