Is Medicaid really such a good thing?

Zane Pollard: The Bureaucrat Sitting on Your Doctor’s Shoulder – WSJ.com.

Had I accepted Medicaid’s protocol and only obtained a scan of the chest, that child might not be alive today. Is that battle with government bureaucracy one that you are comfortable having your doctor fight when your child’s life is at stake?

People of means, as well as those who need substantial financial assistance, must be able to trust their doctors. When government sets up rigid protocols that control the surgical procedures a doctor may perform, that limit the medicines approved for treatment, and that deny a critical diagnostic scan that may save a patient’s life, the bond of trust is broken.

In Colorado, if the family income is less than 250% of the Federal Poverty Level ($59,000 for a family of 4) and you apply for a subsidy, your children will automatically be placed on CHP+ (Medicaid for children). You can decline Medicaid for them but you will have to pay “list price” for their coverage.

I’m frankly stunned by the number of people who place their children on Medicaid with little thought. As I’ve mentioned before, my younger daughter has been a patient at  Children’s Hospital 7 tines. I’m not referring to seeing a doctor or even a simple out patient procedure. I’m referring to multiple day stays. I would not, if I had any financial wherewithal at all, allow her to be on Medicaid.

Your mileage may vary, but don’t fool yourself that some unexpected illness or disease can’t happen to your children. Medicaid may work great for day to day stuff, and frankly I have my doubts about that, but is it really the insurance you want if your children have a serious illness or injury?

In closing, I realize many don’t have a choice due to their financial situation. Most likely Medicaid IS the best choice for them. For others, let me just say the decision deserves much more serious thought then it’s being given.