What are some rural implications of the Medicaid program?
As with Medicare, the demographics of rural America explain much of the significance of the Medicaid program for rural residents and providers. According to Medicaid and Its Importance to Rural Health, Rural Policy Research Institute (2006), rural populations experience higher rates of poverty than their urban counterparts, are less likely to have health insurance, have a greater proportion of elderly residents, and are more likely to have children in the household. Any changes in Medicaid benefits or eligibility that target children, elderly, or the disabled will therefore significantly affect rural communities. In addition to Medicaid’s importance to rural residents in terms of providing access to care, the program plays a major role in the financial viability of rural providers. As with Medicare, some rural provider types, such as small independent pharmacies, are more dependent on Medicaid reimbursement than their urban counterparts. Because rural health care is heavily dependent o
As with Medicare, the demographics of rural America explain much of the significance of the Medicaid program for rural residents and providers. According to Medicaid and Its Importance to Rural Health, Rural Policy Research Institute (2006), rural populations experience higher rates of poverty than their urban counterparts, are less likely to have health insurance, have a greater proportion of elderly residents, and are more likely to have children in the household. Any changes in Medicaid benefits or eligibility that target children, elderly, or the disabled will therefore significantly affect rural communities. In addition to Medicaid’s importance to rural residents in terms of providing access to care, the program plays a major role in the financial viability of rural providers. As with Medicare, some rural provider types, such as small independent pharmacies, are more dependent on Medicaid reimbursement than their urban counterparts. Because rural health care is heavily dependent o
