"Do The Right Thing" For Medicaid

by Joy Wheeler

Those of us in healthcare may at times see things differently from state lawmakers. But it's hard to believe that reasonable people would subscribe to certain of the legislators' vision of what is right based on the proposed Missouri legislative cuts in Medicaid.

Do the right thing!

It's hard to disagree with that statement. The trouble is, "right" isn't always black and white in the eyes of those Missouri Legislators who appear to be making questionable cuts in the Medicaid program. In all fairness, good people can have different opinions. One legislator may have honest differences from a colleague across the aisle. Those of us in healthcare may at times see things differently from state lawmakers. But it's hard to believe that reasonable people would subscribe to certain of the legislators' vision of what is right based on the proposed Missouri legislative cuts in Medicaid. How would you define "doing the right thing" with regard to Medicaid?

Question #1:

Is it right for a family of three with an annual income just over $7800, or a parent working fulltime earning $5.15 per hour, to no longer be eligible for health insurance through Medicaid?

Question #2:

Is it right to deny glasses to the working poor who need them to do their jobs and lead productive lives?

Question #3:

Is it right to deny significant dental benefits to the poor even though we know poor dental hygiene can lead to other major physical problems?

Question #4:

Is it right to eliminate dental and optical services that would save the state $7 million while losing $11 million in matching funds? I believe that most reasonable people would answer these questions different than the current General Assembly. Albert Schweitzer once said, "You don't live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here, too." You don't have to be a humanitarian at the level of Schweitzer to view this pro- posed Medicaid legislation as perplexing. A simple dollars-and-cents evaluation will also raise concerns over whether this is right.

Healthy citizens are productive citizens. Parents need health coverage to be able to contribute in business and society. Children need health coverage in order to learn and be successful in school.

Here is a financial fact: Missouri Medicaid spending generates $1.60 in federal matching funds for every state dollar spent. Spending on children's coverage generates about $2.70 in federal matching funds for every dollar spent by the state. These cuts reduce Missouri's access to much needed additional Federal funds.

What happens when people do not have access to healthcare services? Take the case of a pregnant woman who has no-prenatal health coverage and only goes to the hospital emergency room when she's about to deliver her baby. Without pre-natal care to catch potential problems early, there is a much higher probability that her child will be born prematurely with multiple health problems. This alone could set off a chain of events that could literally costs millions of dollars in additional healthcare costs during that child's lifetime.

Believe it or not, the majority of people on Medicaid are working people. Most have jobs where they have no health insurance. Or maybe their insurance only covers them, but not their families. These are people who are working hard to make ends meet and are productive members of society.

In the end though, it's not about money, it's about doing the right thing. Our elected officials must not make cuts in Medicaid programs that represent healthcare lifelines for many individuals and families. Instead they must become advocates for the people most in need in our communities.

We have a slogan at FirstGuard Health Plan: "When in doubt always do the right thing." That might not always be the most expedient or even the most cost-effective way to do something, but following that rule has worked well for us and it can work for elected officials.

Joy Wheeler, is the President of FirstGuard Health Plan. She may be reached at 816.922.7250 or you may visit them at www.firstguard.com.