MEDICAID DIES IN MISSISSIPPI

Medicaid will no longer exist in the state of Mississippi as of Feb. 28, due to the state’s overspending. This change in health care is causing problems for many citizens depending on the free medicine. According to Michael Boland, a physician at the Baptist Memorial Hospital, as many as 1,500 patients will be affected just from his office alone. Patients have been notified of this situation and are not happy about the change. “They are poor people who can’t afford medicine,” Boland said. Boland is sympathetic to his patients who are stuck in the middle of a bad situation and offers this piece of advice. He encourages them to educate themselves about the problem and talk to politicians who do things that are not always in their best interest.

The cause of the problem is simple. The state spent more money than it had, thus causing bankruptcy, Boland said. He knows of no solutions as of yet, but says that it is the government’s responsibility, as well as society in general, to think of one. For those who cannot afford health care due to this cessation of Medicaid, non-compensated care will still be offered to patients. Not only does this sudden change affect patients, but health care providers like Boland have had to hire more full-time employees just to fill out paperwork. It has increased the cost of his practice significantly, so he knows firsthand the effect that Medicaid is having statewide. Boland said Mississippi has more low-income citizens per capita than any other state; therefore, Medicaid will hit its citizens hard.

Jeffrey Dennis, a doctor at Internal Medicine Associates of Oxford, agrees the discontinuance of Medicaid is causing a huge crisis in the state, and Oxford is no exception. Despite this challenge, he believes that doctors should not compromise care for their patients. “The true challenge is not letting people get medicine who could find other ways of getting it,” Dennis said. “We need to identify those who really need it.” Although Dennis is facing an uphill battle in the office, he is encouraged by pharmaceutical companies’ support and generous donations. One company, Navartis, has been providing Dennis with free samples.

Dennis is questioned every day by concerned patients who don’t know the future of their health care. The only comfort he can provide, however, is small. He tells them to have faith in the legislature – that they will come up with a system to take care of patients. He supports any plan to raise the cost of cigarettes where funds would go toward aiding in the Medicaid problem. Dennis also offers to help his patients in any way he can through medications and doctor visits.

Source

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For greatest efficiency, lowest cost and maximum choice, ALL hospitals and health insurance schemes should be privately owned and run -- with government-paid vouchers for the very poor and minimal regulation.

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