The Medicaid Preservation Act Essay Example for Free

The Medicaid Preservation Act Essay A legislative proposal that if passed by both the House and the Senate and approved by the President becomes law. There are several steps involved for a bill to become act. First the legislation is introduced in house then referred to committee and members from a conference will sort out and will be sent to president. On signing of the bill by president it becomes law (Government, 2008). This is the process of enactment of an act. The present paper is discussing about the Medicaid Preservation Act of 2005 bill. The purpose of the Medicaid Preservation Act of 2005 bill is to restrain Federal funding under the Mediciaid program until the recommendations of a bipartisan commission on Mediciaid is implemented. The bill was introduced in the house on November 3, 2005 and it was referred to subcommittee of health (Medicaid Preservation Act of 2005). The bill aims at the evaluation of the Medicaid act and the recommendations on cuttings or changes in the funding of the act. It is very difficult fort the expert policymakers at state and federal levels to balance the program and maintain it as critical safety net for the policyholders. The bill under 23 commission experts will be promoted through public meetings. Bill came to make sure the cutting planned by the government to cut around $ 60 billions in 10 years is a correct move without compromising the health care. The ways and means of the act should be appropriate and should not be arbitrary based on the budget numbers. (NAMI, February 18, 2005). Bipartisan Commission on Medicaid Bipartisan commission was established on Medicaid to make policy recommendations. The duties of the commission include Reviewing and making recommendations on †¢ Delineation of federal state roles responsibilities not to overlap the functions and on the coordination with the other programs. †¢ On major functional responsibilities 1. Source of coverage for low-income children, pregnant women some parents. 2. Source of coverage or assistance for low-income seniors individuals who lack medical care. As a whole the analysis will be on each recommendation focusing on †¢ Provider payment rates †¢ Coverage of items and services †¢ Beneficiary access to covered items and services †¢ Beneficiary out-of-pocket expenditures †¢ Federal and state expenditures †¢ Program administration †¢ Long term care †¢ Eligibility, benefits design and delivery The bipartisan commission in its report on Medicaid has a clear view on the policy obligations. The objectives of saving $ 11 billon over next five years were given focus. This will ensure longer sustainability of the Medicaid program. The overall expenditures on increased from $ 153 billion to $ 248 billion that means rise of 62 percent. (Medicaid commission, 1999). Anticipated effect of the bill Medicaid is one of the best health insurance policies providing benefits with half the rate of private insurance policies. Cutting the budget will lead to loss of jobs in the health care sector resulting the low payment for the medical care professionals. It will affect the health care centers that depend on the Medicaid. The cuttings should not be arbitrary budget-driven. (John D. Dingell, Max Baucus, 2005) Analysis of the recommendations The bipartisan commission in its report on Medicaid has a clear view on the policy obligations. The objectives of saving $ 11 billon over next five years were given focus. This will ensure longer sustainability of the Medicaid program. The overall expenditures on increased from $ 153 billion to $ 248 billion that means rise of 62 percent. (AMCHP fact sheet, 2005). Conclusion The Medicaid program is a helping hand to the low-income individuals in assuring them a quality health care in a developed country like USA. The recommendation of the HHS bipartisan commission should be carefully analyzed before enacting the act. There is need to have sustainable balance between the health programs and the budget plans then only the objective of social welfare will come true. Reference: Project vote smart, Government, 2008, http://www. votesmart. org/resource_govt101_02. php accessed Dec 4, 2008) 2. GovTrack. us. H. R. 4223109th Congress (2005): Medicaid Preservation Act of 2005, GovTrack. us (database of federal legislation) http://www. govtrack. us/congress/bill. xpd? bill=h109-4223 (accessed Dec 4, 2008)