Editor’s Note: Welcome to Medical Economics’ blog section which features contributions from members of the medical community. These blogs are an opportunity for bloggers to engage with readers about a topic that is top of mind, whether it is practice management, experiences with patients, the industry, medicine in general, or healthcare reform. The series continues with this blog by Lori E. Rousche, MD, a family physician in Souderton, Pennsylvania. She is also the hospice medical director for Grand View Health in Sellersville, Pennsylvania. The views expressed in these blogs are those of their respective contributors and do not represent the views of Medical Economics or UBM Medica.
Politicians are at it again—trying to save the healthcare system.
Further reading: Front-line physiciansn respond to AHCA vote
Although there is no easy answer, eventually changes will be made that conceivably will ensure the stability of insurance companies and Medicare, hopefully allowing access to care for most, if not all, Americans.
After receiving feedback on my previous blog, Medicaid expansion must remain safe in healthcare reform, I must continue to encourage that Medicaid, a joint federal and state program that funds healthcare for the poor, be protected.
Lori Rousche, MD
Our most vulnerable neighbors need medical care. The Medicaid expansion as enacted under Obamacare helped to cover the working poor, young mothers, young adults and early retirees. Waiters and waitresses, sales clerks and fast food cooks are just some of the workers that might lose coverage with the new American Health Care Act (AHCA). The Medicaid expansion also protected some of our alcoholic, schizophrenic and otherwise disabled neighbors. If we live in an advanced civilization, which we presumably do, how can we not take care of those less fortunate?
Popular on our site: Here’s how to reduce healthcare costs
The House of Representatives passed legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare. It has many flaws, and we all know premiums continued to rise with this program. But, the new-and-improved version, Trumpcare, cuts off federal funding for the Medicaid expansion.