spending on Medicaid came from federal taxpayers. The more a state spends, the more federal matching funds it receives, creating a
The Medicaid program does not distribute any cash for patients to address their own medical or social needs. A patient cannot reject the “free” air conditioner in exchange for cash to improve her health at her own discretion, nor can she make any cash contribution into a health savings account to enjoy its
Simply put, the Oregon Medicaid program has already decided that all eligible patients need air conditioners, heaters, fridges, air purifiers, and power supplies the most to combat climate change. Similarly, other states’ Medicaid programs have determined, on behalf of their patients, what housing and meal arrangements best address the social needs of all of them. Do human beings truly have such identical tastes and preferences?.
In contrast, government programs that decide our needs for us and make standardized arrangements on our behalf cause human capital to atrophy, not only leaving our needs unsatisfied but also creating hurdles for our upward mobility.Direct cash transfers also threaten the justification for government bureaucracies that design and regulate the complex Medicaid system.
Political inconveniences should not deprive Medicaid patients of the opportunity to achieve the most bang for taxpayers’ buck. If we genuinely want to help patients in need, we must prioritize their best interests over political and business considerations. Both patients and taxpayers will be better off if we dare to let patients take the driver’s seat.Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations.