But patchwork measures will not correct the interstate inequities in Medicaid eligibility, benefits and payment rates.
It falls to the states to control spending by setting limits on eligibility, benefits and provider payments within broad federal guidelines.
"If you are a provider using the telephone to do an eligibility benefits check on somebody, that phone call can cost the insurance company $11," says Brad Waugh, CEO of health IT company NaviNet.
The ensuing funding shortfall would leave states with an untenable choice between increasing taxes, cutting other state programs, or cutting eligibility, benefits, or provider payments.
Two members of the study team independently assessed all titles and abstracts of identified reports for eligibility (benefits: JBT and CBJ; harms: JBT and LSL).
This investigative approach was taken due to a lack of an accepted taxonomy in health care systems' research that would provide detailed information on eligibility, benefits, reimbursement, financing and delivery of health care services [ 14].
Advocates worry more about the small but steady decline in real benefits since 1996, when the "standard deduction" for living costs, which is subtracted from family income to determine eligibility and benefit levels, was frozen.
The government also has steadily expanded eligibility for benefit programs.
Its changes prior to 2012 derive primarily from changes in eligibility and benefit rules for the unemployment insurance program and related subsidies, and for the food stamp program.
Still, the basis for eligibility to benefit from fees exemption remains overly restrictive.
