The federal government and the states currently share responsibility for Medicaid long term care. Tommy Thompson, former U.S. Health and Human Services secretary, says that should change in light of the approaching retirement of the baby boomers.
Medicaid is already burdening the states, and it will get worse in the next few years. Thompson believes the federal government should be responsible for long term care of the elderly, while the states focus on “acute care for those under 65.” (Washington Post – free registration required)
Thompson notes the feds and the states would still share financial responsibility for the program. Under his proposal, the feds would run the long term care portion of the program, which he believes will save money for both:
The federal government is the only one large enough to handle this growing problem…The states are going broke right now under the Medicaid system. Who else is going to be able to handle the elderly?
Any new plan designed to make Medicaid more efficient and less expensive must include incentives for preventive care.
Blogger Alan Greenblatt of 13th Floor (Governing.com) says this about Medicaid reform: Fuhgeddaboutit.
(Photo credit: Bill O’leary – Twp)
