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| Congressional Medicaid Hearings Begin |
June 05, 2003 |
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Wilson Looks at Consumer-Directed Care
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Heather Wilson continued her look today at the care provided by America’s largest medical insurance program—Medicaid. Wilson joined her colleagues on the Health Subcommittee today for a look at a pilot program in Florida, Arkansas, and New Jersey that gives Medicaid patients more control and say over their healthcare.
“As stewards of this program [Medicaid], we should be engaged in making sure the women, children, disabled and seniors on Medicaid have a program that addresses their needs,” said Wilson in her opening statement. “Many people feel they are deprived of what makes sense, or what they need most. It would certainly make sense that satisfaction goes up when your program is personally tailored the way you would like it.”
The Energy and Commerce’s Health Subcommittee will take a detailed look at Medicaid over the Summer and into Fall. This hearing marks the first of several, and its topic was suggested by Wilson and a Medicaid Task Force she was tapped to lead.
Wilson’s task force, composed of five Members of Congress with an interest in healthcare issues, is looking for ways to modernize the Medicaid program and improve the health of low-income Americans who rely on the program for wellness.
Medicaid is a health insurance program jointly funded by the federal government and the states. Generally, eligibility for Medicaid is limited to low-income children, pregnant women, parents of dependent children, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Wilson says Congress has focused on Medicare in recent years while Medicaid has gone largely under the radar.
“It is about time we begin taking a serious look at ways to make sure Medicaid is serving the population it intends to, and does it well. I look forward to ongoing discussions and hearings to move us in that direction,” concluded Wilson.
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