Question

Suppose that the federal government decided, although it did not want to, that it must either eliminate Medicare or Medicaid…no choice, one had to go. No alternatives or mixtures, it is either one or the other that you must select to eliminate for this discussion. Which would you vote to eliminate and why?

Answer 1

Medicare and Medicaid are both Government programs that helps pay for healthcare.

I will eliminate Medicare as a choice.

Medicare is available to US citizens and permanent legal residents who have been in the country for 5 years or above and aged 65 years or older. Younger people may also receive benefits for medicare if they have received atleast 24 months of social security disability benefit or have any permanent kidney failure or having amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

-> To qualify this claim, In premium free medicare part A , the client should worked atleast 10 years and paid medicare pay roll taxes while working and in medicare part B has premium and most people pay.

-> for covering additional healthcare facilities, one may enroll into a medicare prescription during plan (part D) or medicare advantage plan ( part C)

-> Both are offered by private medicare approved insurance companies.

-> On the other hand, Medicaid is jointly funded between the state and federal levels.

-> Medicaid is mainly for low income individuals and families by covering both medical and long term custodial care.

-> Medicaid also offers coverage that is not included under medicare such as personal care, optometry services and dental services.

-> Eligibility of the programme is strictly based on income so that many poor people get the benefit.

-> Medicaid offers more services and facilities than medicare such as inpatient and outpatient hospital services, periodic screening, diagnostic and treatment services for children, home health and nursing facility services, family planning services etc.

-> It also covers optional benefits like occupational or physical therapy services, speech and hearing services etc.

-> Income guidelines on medicaid are not uniform and varies from state to state.

-> Medicaid covers some services that medicare typically doesn't cover such as the cost of nursing homes, assisted iving facilities, and other long term care alternatives.

-> Most medicaid enrollees get care through private managed care plan.