Wall Street Journal Editorial Examines South Carolina's
Proposed Medicaid Changes24 Aug 2005
"No
worthwhile reform occurs without predictions that the sky will
fall," so South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) "must be on to
something" with his proposed changes to the state's Medicaid
system, a... Wall Street Journal editorial
states. Sanford has proposed using the $4 billion spent
annually in the state on Medicaid to create "personal health
accounts" for beneficiaries to purchase private health
insurance, according to the editorial (Wall Street
Journal, 8/23). The accounts also could be used to pay
for care directly, with the amount of money allocated to each
account determined by the beneficiary's age, sex and physical
condition (Kaiser Daily Health Policy
Report, 8/17). Individuals would receive about the
amount Medicaid spends on them now -- approximately $4,000 for
most adults, the Journal notes. Beneficiaries who
purchase insurance for less would be able to "pocket the
difference for other health care needs," the editorial states.
"All of this is earning Mr. Sanford's proposals the usual
hazing as cruel and heartless," with many critics contending
that children would lose access to health care and that the
"accounts wouldn't pay for all the care adults need," the
Journal says. However, the editorial notes that
the "reform would ... mandate that any health insurance
purchased with Medicaid money provide at least the benefits
that are currently offered," adding, "The health care for many
is likely to improve." The editorial concludes, "Medicaid is
the next great welfare reform, and we hope Mr. Sanford and his
fellow governors persevere" (Wall Street Journal,
8/23).
"Reprinted with permission from http://www.kaisernetwork.org/. You can view
the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the
archives, or sign up for email delivery at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/dailyreports/healthpolicy.
The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for
kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser
Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser
Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
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