Entitlement Programs Are Good For Us

Medicaid, which is a separate federal funded insurance was intended to cover low-income, aged, blind, disabled individuals, parents, and their dependent children on welfare. However, the senior citizens are the population group most likely to be living in poverty, and only about half of these individuals have insurance coverage. The difference between 1965 and now, of course, is costs. Years ago spending more on health care in result covering more people were the whole point. The administration wants to broaden coverage, but cut spending.

President Obama’s pledge to pay for the program by taxing the rich, who is anyone that makes more than $1 million a year (which would include President Obama) and will make for “a marketplace that provides choice and competition” (Conniff, 2009). He also proposes that reform is about every American who has ever feared losing their coverage if they become too sick, lose their jobs or even change their jobs. It’s realizing that the biggest force behind our deficit is the growing costs for Medicare and Medicaid programs.”

Helping those partaking in the programs has come at a cost to our country. We have accumulated a colossal amount of debt. This is due to many different things one of which is governmental spending on assistance

The federal and state governments are the largest supporters of health care services in the United States. Examples of support that our government provides include assisting those who are in need of health care with numerous options such as Medicare and Medicaid, the employment of millions of people, and billions of dollars each year for new discoveries, treatments, and cures. The government does indeed offer great assistance with programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, two of the largest programs that the government is involved in. Not only does the government provide those who are in need with Medicare and Medicaid, but there is also the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). These programs provided by the government are there to help those who cannot afford insurance. Insurance is not affordable to many families due to the economy and I feel that just because a family or an individual cannot afford insurance does not mean they should not be able to

America was founded on several principles to include, that all men are created equal. However, throughout history, it has been made clear through the various social classes that this is not the case within the realm of monetary value. It is for reasons such as this that the entitlement programs were born. Entitlement programs were created to provide security and assistance to those in need. They would allocate basic necessities for eligible persons and families to live comfortably until they are no longer necessary. Though a great deal of people across the country have benefited from these programs, it has come at a high cost to the government and the taxpayers. Because of the apparent success and high expenses, there are a number of arguments both for and against entitlement programs. This includes the extent of their benefits and costs, the amount spent to fuel them, and even their entire existence. On one hand, they have proven value by significantly reducing the national poverty level and other similar successes; on the other, they cost the country millions and have been adding to the ever increasing national deficit. Another common school of thought, is that an increasing number of individuals or families have become completely dependent on them as they create an avenue to stability at no cost to them. The overwhelming and unnecessary volume of goods and services—including medicaid, unemployment compensation, and food stamps— that entitlement programs supply to many

In the current state of the American economy, needless spending is something the government needs to avoid at all costs. With some trillion dollars owed to various foreign countries, the United States literally cannot afford to pump money into programs that do not benefit the country as a whole. Michael Tanner, who is the Director of Health and Welfare studies at the Cato Institute, reports that this year the Federal government will spend 952,000,000,000 dollars on programs to help the poor (10). While some of this money goes to people who truly need it, there are many people that take advantage of the kindness of others. Robert Rector, who is the Senior

Medicare and Medicaid assist 111 million individuals of which 10 million individuals are qualified for both programs. By 2025, that number will increase to 139 million individuals. Medicare beneficiaries receive $23,500 for a medium income and Medicaid beneficiaries receive $15,000 (Altman & Frist, 2015). Both programs combined comprise of “39% of national health spending, account for 23% of the federal budget, and generate 43% of hospital revenues” (Altman & Frist, 2015). These programs are predicted to increase by 3.7% each year. Since the two programs affect many individuals, any changes to the programs can shake election turn-out votes. The toughest health policy surrounding Medicare and Medicaid today is whether the programs should remain entitlements.

The ever-increasing cost of Medicare and Medicaid is one of the reasons for the rushing United States budget deficit.

Medicaid initially established that each state is responsible for designing their medical costs to pay medical care for the poor. Also, Medicaid created as a voluntary program for each state; they have to have the choice to participate. For one thing, because of the rising costs of healthcare, it has been difficult to bring Medicaid recipients into the “mainstream” of United States (U.S.) medical care. Donald R. Barr notes, “between 1975 and 1989, the cost of the Medicaid program increased by an average of 11.9 percent per year before adjusting for inflation” (172). The rising costs of healthcare are necessary for each state to determine if it is beneficial for them to participate in the Medicaid program. As the government level of payment is determined by each state economic condition. For instance, a state with lower per capita income will receive more government funding. A state with higher per capita income receives less reimbursement for program costs. Therefore, on December 31, 2010, many states continued to experience budget cuts. As a result on August 2010, Congress increased reimbursement rates through June 2011.

The Supreme Court 's favorable ruling on the Affordable Health Care Act allowed for healthcare to be available for many Americans who would otherwise not receive medical benefits. This is because it increases the number of people covered by Medicare/Medicaid, and lowers the cost of insurance through employers. While this idea is good in theory, paying for it is a challenge due to the fact that it will only add to the nation’s already enormous debit of several trillion dollars (Mulvany, 2012). From 2010-2019, the United States is predicted to spend around 400 billion dollars on healthcare. This prediction has prompted lawmakers to reduce spending on Medicare, Medicaid and other welfare programs. The spending cuts will result in less people getting the care they need due to the limited availability of money for care and the increase in the number of beneficiaries receiving

States are being pressured to expand Medicaid to families earning up to $30,000 a year, just like the Affordable Care Act permits. While several respected governors have agreed to expand the program, many other governors and state legislators are cautious. These officials do not want to deny Americans their access to health care, however they do want to slow the expansion of a program that will provide them with limited access to quality care while destroying state budgets. One of the strongest arguments that can be made against the expansion of Medicaid is the fact that States simply can not afford it. The appeal to states to expand Medicaid is that the federal government will cover 100% of the cost through 2016 and eventually lowering to

One of this health care’s programs objective is to limit the number of uninsured (Shi & Singh, 2015). This controversial healthcare plan incorporates a privately funded insurance which is paid for through employment and solely by the patient and a publicly funded insurance by the government. Medicare is provided for senior citizens 65 and older, and Medicaid is provided for low income citizens. The federal government and state government both partake in the funding of Medicaid. Although insurance is provided to the low income through Medicaid, the United States continues to suffer from cost escalation spending 17.1 percent of GDP on healthcare in 2013, a 50 percent more than the second nation (Commonwealth, n.d.) The high cost and limited coverage continues to spark up the conversation for a

Medicare and Medicaid has been providing huge benefits for senior citizens and low income families. The one question nobody seems to answer is how are we going to afford this type of insurance? Maya Rockeymoore argues in her article, “Groundless Fears about Medicaid and Medicare,” that we are able to afford this as long as we make good decisions. Rockeymoore claims that we need to keep Medicare and Medicaid or our country will fall apart.

Medicare and Medicaid are two of the United States largest broken systems, which must sustain themselves in order to provide care to their beneficiaries. Both Medicare and Medicaid are funding by a joint effort between the federal government and the local state government. If and when these governments choose to cut funding or reduce spending, Medicare and Medicaid take the biggest hit. Most people see these two benefits as one in the same, two benefits the government takes out of their pay check to help fund health care. While the government does deduct a sum from paychecks everywhere, Medicare and Medicaid are very two very different programs.

Most of all the U.S. citizens need a more privately owned insurance to cover the cost of medical care services. Group health insurance purchased by employers were introduced originally during World War II, when wages froze it caused employers to offer benefits such as a way to compete for workers. Nearly every amend since the early 1970s has desired to grow this concept of things. There are now currently more than 1200 privately owned insurance companies in America. Public insurance is provided for the poor that can’t afford good healthcare (Medicaid) and for those over age sixty-five (Medicare). The Medicare system administers medical coverage for those who are at the age 65 and older. In addition, younger people with disabling illnesses or injuries are suitable for Medicare coverage. Those who are under age 65, but do not have health insurance are too poor to afford it and are eligible for medical coverage through Medicaid. Medicare is financed by federal income taxes, while Medicaid is funded by a blend of state and federal taxes. Medical insurance for those who can't seem to get it anywhere else is actually paid for by the more prosperous citizens, basically the rich and well paid citizens. It is paid not directly, but through work and taxes that they pay