Sunday, January 28, 2018

Bill Crawford: Medicaid cuts will hurt all.

Our politicians these days seem to look only at the costs of health care when making policy decisions. Thus, it is no surprise legislative leaders are proposing to cut already low Medicaid reimbursements by 5% while Congressional leaders look to slash health care spending wherever they can.
 
People with health crises have a different view. During this flu epidemic, mothers with sick babies on Medicaid have trouble getting timely access to providers. Clinics are backed up, hospital emergency rooms are on patient diversion, and too many children are really sick.
 
 
More cuts to Medicaid will likely cause more private clinics to quit accepting Medicaid. Already too many clinics do not since Mississippi Medicaid reimbursements are among the lowest in the nation.
 
More cuts to Medicaid will put more rural hospitals at risk of closure, or at least their emergency rooms. They can't stay open when costs continually exceed revenues.
 
More cuts to Medicaid will make it hard to recruit and retain physicians in Mississippi. It's already hard. It will get harder.
 
Seriously ill rural residents needing specialty care travel farther and farther to receive services. That will just get worse as more communities and hospitals lose specialty physicians.
 
Meanwhile, as hospital emergency room usage soars, Medicaid and Medicare continue to reduce payments for uncompensated emergency room care.
 
And, while Congress finally reauthorized and sustained funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program through Medicaid, federal funding for community health centers remains uncertain. These health centers provide essential medical services for large and growing numbers of uninsured and Medicaid patients.
 
And, the President and Congress look to reduce subsidies for low-income families with Affordable Care Act exchange health insurance. These tend to be mostly working families without employer or dependent coverage. As families drop these policies due to increased premiums, the burden on community health centers and emergency rooms will only grow and grow.
 
Rural communities will suffer most. Residents there already have few choices.
 
As one with family members currently suffering from flu, heart conditions, dementia, and pancreatic cancer, I am thankful for the precious access we have to health care in America. Seems like this is something we would want to strengthen and provide to all, not tear down.
 
Yes, Obamacare went too far, but Republicans don’t need to go too far the other way.
 
For example, protecting the escalating, and often obscene, profits for giant pharmaceutical companies while not protecting the wellbeing of the working poor, e.g. leaving them without coverage and access, is not conservative, it's diabolical.
 
The Associated Press reported that Mississippi's population fell for the third year in a row, "as more people moved away from the Magnolia State than moved in."
 
The AP also reported that John Green, director of the University of Mississippi Center for Population Studies, said, "If I had to argue one prevailing reason for net out-migration from Mississippi, I would focus on the search for socio-economic opportunities and wellbeing."
 
A state whose mantra is cut Medicaid, cut public health, and cut mental health not only puts its health care infrastructure at risk but also will find it hard to keep and attract talent.  
 
 
 
Crawford (crawfolk@gmail.com) is a syndicated columnist from Meridian.
 

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cherry picking Crawford at it again. Always suspected he was the family member with dementia.

Hello from Texas! said...

I didn't move from Mississippi for any of the reasons in this piece, I just grew tired of dealing with self-entitled, ignorant people with a chip on their shoulder.

Anonymous said...

Although it doesn’t make him a bad guy, it is curious that Crawford never discloses that he serves on the board of directors of a large regional medical center. I mean, his employer suckles at the very teat of Medicaid, after all. Everything Crawford writes about health care policy in general, and about Medicaid in particular, must be understood with this frame of reference in mind. He “ghosts” for his Hospital industry buddies whenever he opines about Mississippi healthcare. He is the opposite of fair and impartial on this topic. http://www.andersonregional.org/AndersonLeadership.aspx

Anonymous said...

There is no need for Mississippi taxpayers to prop up small rural hospitals with regional medical center no more than an hour away. It's not cost effective. If people move out of Mississippi because of lack of Medicaid doctors, then bye bye. It will save us money. We need productive citizens here.

Anonymous said...



I refuse to read Crawford because of his bias and failure to disclose his apparent connections to topics he frequently discusses. I am glad others are now seeing through this lack of transparency. I do like to read the comments and see people recognize him for what he is.

Anonymous said...

Amazing to me while Ms Leg. decreases access to medical treatment the same leg. Refuse to
address actions associated with wellness- raising tobacco tax, funding opine education
and limiting food stamp purchases to heathy foods.

Anonymous said...

Has Crawford officiallly switched to the Democratic Party?I am sure that they would give him the Tim Johnson treatment.

I do not believe in eliminating the Medicaid program but to believe that it is MS’s ticket to better health care outcomes and a stronger economy is foolish and Keynesian. It reminds me of the Winston Churchill quote about trying to lift oneself up by the bucket while standing in the bucket.

Anonymous said...

Better than a Rick Cleveland column.

Anonymous said...

Someday, and maybe sooner than later, we'll all realize that poor people getting any level of care is better than them getting none at all and adjust our delivery models accordingly. Nothing else in our lives is equal regardless of our ability to pay. Why should health care be any different?

Anonymous said...

When you learn, someone has to pay.

Anonymous said...

12:57 pm If you don't read an article because you feel the author may have a bias, you need not read at all ever.
Every author has a bias or what may be experience in the subject that influences his or her interpretation of which facts are relevant.
If you can't dispute their point of view or why the facts they cite aren't definitive, that's on you.
Apparently, you just want your beliefs reinforced regardless of whether or not they are well founded.

Anonymous said...

Texas, it's those self-entitled, ignorant people with a chip on their shoulder that created the reasons listed, so you made a point without a difference.

The sad fact is that unless a Mississippian has a business or properties here that can support the next generation or the political/social connections to enhance their children's level of skills, or the next generation lacks mobility because they aren't marketable elsewhere, our children are leaving. They are leaving to achieve on their merits and to find a more level playing field that's not based on " who they know".

God bless the few who do stay or come back because they have a social conscious and want Mississippi to succeed. Of course, those are the folks Mississippians love to hate especially if they have an Ivy League education or academic achievements like a Rhodes scholarship. The first rap is always " they think they are smarter than we are". It never occurs to anyone that maybe they are. Maybe they even actually have learned something worth knowing like how others have successfully solved problems we are still having.

Anonymous said...

Every author has a bias or what may be experience in the subject that influences his or her interpretation of which facts are relevant.

Capt Stating-the-Obvious makes an appearance.

Plain ol' Catfish said...

@ January 29, 2018 at 7:41 AM

You deserve a damn Dilly-Dilly on that one! well said!

People just hate admitting when Bill Crawford is right. But he's right and people will be none the wiser for continuing to bash his points.

He gives early warnings and a year or two down the road, he turns out to be right.

Of course, politicians like Bryant and Reeves will tell you otherwise through fluff tactics. But the numbers never lie, especially for those who know what they are looking at and understanding the data.

Bill's talking points may not be popular with the "conservative" masses, but once again, if Mississippi does not take action to address Medicaid funding. Bill will be right, once again.

But I am pretty sure, this is something Bill does not want to be right about in the future.

otisfyfe said...

The Mississippi legislature has a storied history of making assumptions about groups of people. For example:

All teachers are second rate employees who aren't really professional and don't need to make much money.

All state employees should be happy to have a job and don't need wage increase but every seven or eight years.

All medicaid recipients are scamming the system, should get off their asses and go to work and we can't be expanding this program for more of that crap.

We are a special group of servants who deserve dual, double retirement programs and perks such as per diem, gaveling in late and gaveling out early. We work our asses off and are away from our families and deserve way more than we get.

Anonymous said...

Catfish, Oh Catfish....what a soothsayer and teller of fortunes you have turned out to be. When an article-writer stated the obvious as a projection of the future, you bit it hook, line and sinker and saw it as some sort of miraculous revelation. Good God Man...He stated the damned obvious and all you wanted to do was bash the Gov and Light Gov. But, speaking of obvious....

Plain ol' Catfish said...

@ January 29, 2018 at 4:48 PM

How is calling out the Gub'nor and Lt. Gub'nor for spinning facts, bashing them? LMAO!

Anonymous said...

7:45 - Prolly 'cause this thread ain't got shit to do with either one of them. But, Seein' as how you've revealed yourself, over time, to be pretty show on the uptake, here's a hint: This is about nothing more than Crawford's hidden agenda and his weakness at hiding it.

(Do it count if it's the BACK of a street sign?)


Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.