Medicaid: A Tale of Two Cities

We have heard about the Medicare and Medicaid issues, including inequities and disparities throughout the country.  One of the biggest disparities is between Los Angeles and surrounding areas in California and the rest of the country, particularly New York. 

New York just got some great news – its new resource level for Medicaid applicants has been raised from $4,350 to $13,050 for individuals and from $6,400 to $19,200 for households of two.  Medicare applicants and recipients now have more flexibility in terms of eligibility and access of care.  The new legislation is retroactive to April, 2008, and is based on a New York Social Services Law through the 2008 Budget Bill.  Previously, people who had to cash in insurance and burial policies in order to qualify for services can now qualify for benefits and keep the assets they will need in the event that they pass away, such as the burial policies.  This is not only good business, it is a fair, dignified and equitable way treat people who are vulnerable and need services the most.
Aside from financial fairness, there is the emotional peace of mind that comes along with the new levels.

Now, let’s head to the opposite coast.  In the South Los Angeles area, ever since Martin Luther King – Harbor Hospital – closed last summer, there are so many patients in need of care that they start lining up in front of the clinic between 6:00 and 6:30 A.M. each day.  The clinic doesn’t open until 8:30 A.M.  The number of patients has risen 70% since the hospital closed last year and only a hand full of clinics have replaced the hospital, which was once considered the jewel of hospitals for South Los Angeles. 

King-Harbor Hospital was the 17th acute care facility to close in or around South Los Angeles in the recent past, leaving some of the most vulnerable, low-income, uninsured with few choices for care.  It has been hard to attract doctors to the area and in an emergency, ambulances often take patients to three or four hospitals before they can get them into an emergency room. 

Why the inequities?  After all, there are poor and vulnerable individuals throughout the country, and New York is no exception.  This is not speculation; it is simply a statement about the facts. In a country that is basically the richest in the world, there might be difference in care and benefits in various states or region for a number of reasons, but the extremes that can be seen in just these two cities are not just slight differences.  They are major differences from one end of the scale to the other. 

It is time to look at the entire picture and truly try to come up with some solutions for helping the most vulnerable individuals no matter where they live.

Filed under: General-Medicare

Tags: medicaid, Medicaid Benefits, Medicaid in Los Angeles, Medicaid in New York, Medicaid resource level