Assignment Details
Choose two states; one state that has expanded Medicaid and one that has not.
- For the state that expanded Medicaid, discuss at least three ways the quality of healthcare has improved (ex,- increased EHR interoperability,-decreased morbidity, increased immunizations, etc.)
- For the state that did not expand Medicaid, discuss at least three reasons why they chose not to (political rationale, big-government distrust, etc)
- Based on what you have learned, argue for or against Medicaid expansion by discussing at least three reasons that support your stance.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction: In this assignment, we will compare two states, one that has expanded Medicaid and one that has not. We will discuss the ways in which the quality of healthcare has improved due to the expansion of Medicaid and the reasons why a state might choose not to expand Medicaid. Finally, we will weigh the advantages and disadvantages of Medicaid expansion by discussing at least three reasons that support our stance.
Answer:
For the state that expanded Medicaid, there are many ways in which the quality of healthcare has improved. Firstly, with the expansion of Medicaid, many individuals who were previously uninsured now have access to healthcare services. This has led to decreased morbidity rates as patients can get preventative care and manage chronic conditions more effectively.
Secondly, the expansion of Medicaid has led to increased EHR interoperability, which has enabled better coordination of care between healthcare providers. This has allowed doctors and other healthcare professionals to access a patient’s medical history and provide more informed care.
Finally, with the expansion of Medicaid, there has been an increase in the number of immunizations administered to patients. This has led to a decrease in communicable diseases and improved public health outcomes.
For the state that did not expand Medicaid, there are several reasons why they chose not to. One reason could be a political rationale. For example, the ruling party in the state may be ideologically opposed to expanding government-run healthcare programs. Similarly, there may be a distrust of big government or concerns about long-term costs associated with expanding Medicaid.
Another reason might be that the state does not have the necessary funding to support Medicaid expansion. This is especially true for states with high levels of poverty and limited resources.
Finally, there could be concerns about the impact of Medicaid expansion on the quality of care. Some policymakers may be concerned that expanding Medicaid may lead to a decline in the quality of care provided to patients due to an increase in the number of patients receiving care.
Based on what we have learned, we can argue for or against Medicaid expansion. One reason to support Medicaid expansion is that it provides more individuals with access to healthcare services, which can lead to better health outcomes overall. Secondly, Medicaid expansion has been shown to decrease healthcare costs in the long-term by reducing unnecessary emergency room visits or hospitalization.
However, there are also reasons to be against Medicaid expansion. For example, some people argue that Medicaid expansion may increase healthcare costs for those who already have health insurance by driving up demand for healthcare services. Similarly, there may be concerns about the long-term sustainability of Medicaid expansion programs and the impact they may have on state budgets.
In conclusion, Medicaid expansion remains a contentious issue in the United States. While there are clear benefits associated with expanding Medicaid, there are also valid concerns about the impact of such programs on state budgets and the overall quality of healthcare. Ultimately, policymakers must weigh the advantages and disadvantages of Medicaid expansion and determine whether it is the right course of action for their state.
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