Medicaid. Is it being abused?

SWFlorida · Jun 8, 2004

I know in my area cable is around $40.00 per month. That could go a long way for someone who is old, cripped and needs their heart medications to live. Should they be denied so that others can get cable? This is so wrong.

Brickman · Jun 8, 2004

first, i'm not saying one should not be held responsible for a lack of work ethic .i'm also not saying that it is fair for people to recieve so much reward for nothing ,while we work so hard only to be struck with more and more burden .
i just want to mention and that some people really and truly just do not know any better than to misbudget on fast food and expensive entertainment and material things as well as having unprotected sex to raise soon to be diabetic type ii obese children on that fast food with lack of proper exercise and therefore making a now present even worse dilemna .they probably in fact do not know how to use a stove,or what the damage of sitting in front of computers and tv's does to children who should be playing at the park.they probably do not have a clue about finances ,because the importance of work ethic and money strategies (ie:very simple- don't spend what you don't have)was never taught to them.
the point i'm trying to make is that if more tax money could be used towards educating these people instead of what it is presently being used for,it would get so much more accomplished.

taxpayers have already payed for 12 years of education. :rolleyes: i don't think more will help. as long as we have a system that monetarily rewards people for having children without the means to care for them, then nothing will change. :angryfire

Peppermint · Jun 9, 2004

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hogan4736, BSN, RN · Jun 9, 2004

Peppermint,

I don't think anyone here is equating poverty with bad parenting.

We are discussing the burden to the system by those who seemingly waste taxpayer money in the form of Medicaid abuse...

NO one socioeconomic "class" has a handle on bad parenting, it runs across all levels...

That's not to say the poor have a handle on wasting of healthcare resources either. We all have stories of wealthy patients coming to the ER (in the retirement community) at 2100 (AFTER dinner and a drink) for the hangnail...

But you made a comment about not having walked a mile in their shoes, so we only see things from the north side of the tracks...

Some of us here have admittedly stated that we have been in their shoes, and lived a very humble life, and would never have dreamed of doing so and so...

We were very poor when I was a kid, and my parents taught us the value of money and were GREAT parents. They had strong work ethics (farmers) and we were always helping out in some way...

What frustrates us is the "entitlement" mentality shown by SOME of the Medicaid recipients, and the abuse I spoke of earlier (like the surgeon whos kiddo is on Medicaid) No one said he's a bad parent per se (though he's a horrible role model for that kiddo)...

sean

kastas, BSN, RN · Jun 9, 2004

My Dad is a mailman. I remeber him coming home one afternoon when I was a child. He was flaming p.o.'ed. :angryfire He was telling my Mom that he was talking to a guy on his route that afternoon. He had told the guy that he has 4 kids at home. The guy had told him he was a fool for working. He had said he could probably make more money sitting at home with that many kids. :angryfire I can't say I had ever seen him more upset over a stupid comment.

The other thing I was thinking about after reading this thread...It IS a vicious cycle. My dh got out of it. We talk about it all the time. He is NOT where he is supposed to be in life. He comes from a drunken father, an abusive step dad, and a mom who never cared. He was on wellfare and crippled all his life. He was in and out of foster care. I think the crippled part is what saved him. The teasings and the beatings made him stronger on the inside. He learned to take what life dealt him and deal with it...Anyway, I digress...Now, b/c of being born severely bilaterally club footed and 9 surgeries to help fix it (rumor has it from his mom that the 1st 2 were screw-ups, but who knows what to believe from her)...He has very very bad arthritis pain in his feet and ankles. He takes more narcotics than he should every day just to function. The doctor has told him several times that he would easily qualify for disability. He says that he is suprised that dh can walk, let alone work 10 hour days....

OK, the point of all this is this--Do you know why he won't take the disability? B/c he doesn't want his kids to see it. He doesn't want his kids to see Daddy not working, but still making money. He wants them to know that you have to work for what you want in life. Whatta man I have!

I really did not mean this as a flame to anyone on disability that truly needs it. We just have some options right now. I know not everyone does.

MrsWampthang, BSN, RN · Jun 9, 2004

Last year I was a SAHM with a husband who brought home $60,000 plus bonuses. Our bills reflected that type of income, and now we are cut to less than $20,000. We can't make ends meet... and it's hard. Even now I am crying.
Basically, many people do. But every situation is different, and you can't judge a persons circumstances based upon appearances alone.

Just my point, no one can depend on job security. That is what welfare help is for, short term, stepping stone help. Bless you and your family, I hope you get back on track although I know at times it seems hopeless.

Might I suggest selling some of your nicer things, it wouldn't bring a lot of money but it might bring in some. I ended up selling almost everything from my 1st (and only) marriage at pawn shops and used furniture and appliance stores. Brought in enough to buy groceries and what not. Don't miss any of it either, including the wedding ring set. :rolleyes:

Anyway, that's just a suggestion. Please don't think I am in any way critizing you for keeping anything or having anything. Sometimes a person needs just a little inexpensive fun stuff just to have a way to chill out.

Good luck!

Pam

SWFlorida · Jun 9, 2004

Kastas>>>>> OK, the point of all this is this--Do you know why he won't take the disability? B/c he doesn't want his kids to see it. He doesn't want his kids to see Daddy not working, but still making money. He wants them to know that you have to work for what you want in life. Whatta man I have!

Your husband is a wonderful example of how men should raise their kids. Taking on the responsibility and serving as a good role model.

The US has become so politically correct that it is crippling our society.

Medic946RN · Jun 9, 2004

Is Medicaid being abused? Well name a federal program that isn't abused in some way. I think the problem is societal in a holistic manner. We tend to look at the Governments money as "free money" when it really came from you and me. Then there are the types who feel guilty that they have worked hard and succeeded in life and others haven't who expect the government to take care of the indigent and indolent. And of course then we have the folks who believe because of some percieved slight that others or the Government "owes" them something. But of course then come my favorite people the politicians who pit classes of people against themselves for their own personal gain. Very thorny problem indeed.

I believe in charity, I give to several causes, I believe in the government providing medical help to those who need it, the poor, the young, the elderly. The crux is in the definition of those segments of the population. I heard yesterday on the radio that 46% of our so called poor own their own home with more living space than the average person living in Paris or London, 72% own their own car with 30% having two cars, 89% have color tvs, vcrs and/or DVD players. Now if any of us went to our grandparents (many of which were truly poor and lived through the depression) and asked "Hey if I own my own house, car, and have a color tv and VCR/DVD player, am I poor?" I don't know about you but my old Grandpa would have smacked me up alongside the head and said "Boy, what on earth are you talkin about?"

Sorry, got a little carried away there.

judy ann · Jun 9, 2004

I remember more than one OB that informed me that she "makes" $xxx. She is on medicare. Sorry, that is not a pay check!

HisTreasure, BSN, RN · Jun 9, 2004

kiyasmom,
My post was not an attack on you. I was speaking in terms of things we have all seen, and the frustration the abuse brings.
None of those were thrown onto you for you to own. And the cable comment was directed at those who do ask us for RXs for the OTC meds who brag of the cable TV and the satellite TV (an ex coworker of mine)...
I support the program as it was MEANT to be used (the way you are using it - as a stepping stone)
Calling me from a cell phone for medical advice while eating at MCDONALDS is not the way free medical care was meant to be used, and I didn't single anyone on this board out, just giving personal examples that I HAVE EXPERIENCED!! (REREAD MY POST: I stated: "Things that I have witnessed")
SW Florida hit it on the head
sean

:imbar Well, please excuse the defensiveness. :imbar

Being in my current state is very shameful for me, and trust me, I do not brag. My parents are well off, as are my in-laws. Would they help us financially if we asked? Sure. Do they offer assistance? Of course. But this is a temporary situation and will be over soon. I accept responsibility for myself, my actions, and my children. I am a young wife/mother/nursing student trying to do things the wholesome and American way. I have always been responsible. I am by no means worthless or lazy. :) I'm not saying you are calling me lazy for receiving Medicaid, I just am waiting for someone to make that comment.

I went to college while working two part time jobs to pay tuition (to build character/no financial aid). I maintained a 3.62 GPA while working these jobs, cheerleading, chairing our campus activities board, and sitting as a Officiating Member on the Presidential Cabinet. I also was involved in my youth group and choir. In my spare time I volunteered in the church soup kitchen.

I'm a good person, and dispite the cable channel debate...I do not abuse the system or misuse the tax dollars that my family, your family, everyone's family pays. :)

kids · Jun 10, 2004

I make a decided effort to avoid threads on this subject, except when I see what I feel is incomplete or (IMHO) mistaken information. I am using quotes NOT to respond to the specific poster but rather to address these 2 points that I have seen both here and in previous threads on this topic.

Or these immigrants that can't speak our language who bring their kids in for fevers or coughs and expect us to have an interpretor there 24 hours a day, seven days a week; plus they are on welfare!

"These immigrants" expect to have an interpertor available 24/7 because it is federal law just like it is a federal law that an interpetor be available 24/7 for the deaf. The interpetor does not have to be physically present, it is legal to make use of a language line or TDD but it has to be available. *Personally* the majority of "immigrant" families I have dealt with were private pay and paid their bills because they valued having good healthcare available.

Anyway, the patient smirked and said "well it's free for me" and starting laughing. And she waas being serious!

(1) We are insured thru my husband's employer. Our medication benefit covers OTCs 100% (no co-pay) if prescribed (heck, it covers birth control including OTCs 100% also). You can bet I am not going to pay out of pocket for something that is covered by my insurance.

(2) My grandson has had open heart to correct a serious defect. He has medical coverage thru his parents insurance, BUT, because he is legally (and permanently) disabled he also gets a medicaid suppliment to cover any out of pocket medical expenses including OTC meds if prescribed. I am the one who told his parents to ask for prescriptions for his Tylenol, Motrin and Benedryl. It is a covered benefit and there are a LOT of uncovered expenses that go along with having a disabled or medically fragile child and they add up fast.

My point is, it really isn't "fair" to use someones requesting a prescription for an OTC med to make a value judgement on an individual unless you are intimately familiar with the person and their circumstances.

Dixiedi · Jun 10, 2004

I agree.If this were a perfect world those minimal standards might actually be a possiblilty.
That would be the perfect world in which a capitalist society actually provided shelter,food,clothing and of course centralized healthcare to EVERYBODY EQUALLY.LOL. Where's the daydreamer smiley when you need it.

In a capitalist society, if you don't have the money, you buy no services! You, I believe, are referring to a socailist society.

I choose to stay capitalist. I work, I cannot afford the health inusrance my agency offers and my husbands company offer is worse! So, we live without insurance. Our choice as we prefer to pay our mortgage and eat once or twice a day.

However, I would appreciate it if fokls who do not work for a living do not have health care. What do they need it for?

I have degenerative lumbo-sacral spine. How long without health care do you think I'm going to be able to work? Will I be able to get help if I still own my car? Own my home? (I couldn't get rent less than my mortgage is)

I'm only 50, it's a long time before I see anything of SS.

The whole system sucks! I enjoy our capitalist society and the liberals within our system should quite servicing those who do not work and then deplete the system so severely that those of us trying to survive in our system can't.