Medicaid, explained: why it's worse to be sick in some states than others

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1. How is medicaid different than medicare?

Medicaid only covers 1 in 5 americans and it is different that medicare because it has 50 different programs.
2. Federalism is a system of government in which a written constitution divides power between a central
government and regional or sub-divisional governments. Both types of government act directly upon the
people through their officials and laws. In the case of medicaid how does the system of federalism play
out? Do you think the federal government should determine who gets medicaid or the states, explain
why.
For medicaid each state is in charge of their own program. I think the states should determine who gets
medicaid because if the government were to do it, they would have to focus on multiple states while each state
could just worry about themselves.
3. What saves more lives in the medical system? How does having health insurance impact people’s
health?
Health Insurance saves more lives. It impacts people’s health because without it a lot of people wouldn’t be able
to afford treatment.
4. Why do you think the AMA lobbied against socialized medicine whenever FDR proposed it?
They lobbied against it because they wanted to make as much money as they could.
5. Why was private insurance created in the first place? What do you think our healthcare system would
look like today if private insurance was not created.
It was created because the AMA didn’t want a national healthcare system. I think it would be a lot more simple
because there would be less complications.
6. What is the difference between US private insurance companies and the ones created in Germany and
France?
In Germany and France, the government regulates the health care system.
7. Why did doctors not want a system of private insurance like Germany & France?
They didn’t want the system because they wouldn’t be able to make as much money as they wanted to.
8. The primary goal of much of the money that flows through U.S. ​politics​ is this: Influence. Corporations
and industry groups, labor unions, single-issue organizations - together, they spend billions of dollars
each year to gain access to decision-makers in government, all in an attempt to influence their thinking.
The American Medical Association has achieved their goal of preventing socialized medicine from
becoming a US policy. What are your thoughts about this fact?
I don’t think it’s ideal because socialized medicine could be really helpful to people who can’t afford private
insurance.
9. How did Johnson get medicaid started via his war on poverty?
He wanted to help people who didn’t already have health insurance get insurance.
10. Why was medicaid expansion under Obamacare struck by the Supreme Court?
It was struck down by the Supreme Court because it’s the state’s choice to expand medicaid.
 11. Why did some states choose not to expand medicaid under Obamacare? Do you think most of those
states are conservative or progressive?
They didn’t expand medicaid because they didn’t want to spend the extra money on health care. I believe the
majority of those states were conservative because conservatives hate Obamacare.
12. How was the medicaid expansion paid for?
The expansion was paid for by the top 5%.
13. Why are conservatives concerned about expanding medicaid?
They believe spending that much money on health care is unnecessary.
14. Explain why conservatives are in favor of block grants.
They are in favor of block grants because it would reduce federal spending on the program that provides health
coverage for the nation's poor, disabled and frail elderly.
15. How can which state you live in determine whether or not you live or die?
The state determines whether or not you get medicaid depending on your income.