The Real Patients of Medicaid: Rebecca

Rebecca Myers qualifies for Medicaid because she is a single mother with no health insurance.  

Myers is in a managed care program under Medicaid and says she has easy access to health care, especially for her 12-year-old son. She is learning, however, the program has limits.

When she was in another state and became sick, she said she discovered Michigan Medicaid did not cover out of state care. She said the bill for her out-of-state medical care was for about $600. 

She also said she has difficulty in getting eye, dental and prescription coverage for her son because it is not covered by Medicaid. Myers said she would like to make more money to afford other health care options, but she would lose her Medicaid coverage all together because of its income limitations.

Opponents of Medicaid expansion in Michigan point to studies that show the program has little effect on health outcomes. Physicians in the state and around the nation point to other policy options like state health plans providing catastrophic care and Health Savings Accounts.

A study on the program in Oregon published by the New England Journal of Medicine found "no significant effect" of Medicaid coverage in important health areas. Meanwhile, other states, like Indiana, offer plans that inject more competition into the system, saving money while offering coverage.

Gov. Rick Snyder and state Democrats want to expand Medicaid in Michigan. Doing so would complete a key component of Obamacare. More than 20 states in the nation have refused to expand the social welfare health care system.

~~~~~