Recipients of Medicaid already know how critical these benefits can be. Not only can they help a person get the medical care they may desperately need, they can also allow the recipient’s loved ones to have some peace of mind in knowing he or she is being cared for.
However, while many people across Georgia are eligible for these benefits, not everyone is. This means that you or your loved one could be missing out on critical health care. This is at the center of the recent and ongoing debate over whether to expand Medicaid coverage in the state of Georgia.
At issue is whether this state should expand Medicaid coverage to several thousands of low-income Georgia residents who are currently ineligible. As noted in this article, the decision to do this would give this state additional federal funds in exchange for expanding coverage to adults who are at “138 percent of the federal poverty level.” This is something many other states have already decided to do.
However, critics of the expansion argue that expanding coverage would cost more than it would save. Reports on actual financial savings or costs are limited, and it will be interesting to see if the ongoing debate will spark more formal investigation into the fiscal impact of approving or continuing to deny Medicaid expansion.
While matters like these are often discussed in the political context, the fact is that Medicaid decisions have an impact on every person in this state, regardless of political affiliation. And even if they don’t seem to affect you today, the time may come when you, your spouse or your parent will need long-term health care and qualifying for Medicaid will be a top priority.
In these situations, knowing the current law and eligibility requirements will be crucial. However, many people are not interested in or capable of keeping up with all the legislative changes that affect Medicaid. This is why it can be a good decision to consult an attorney who works on cases involving Medicaid application and planning on a regular basis.
Recent Comments