It is the role of any government to ensure that its citizens have access to quality health care, which is the basis for the proper level of life of the people. The U.S. Government has been keen to ensure that it allocates enough funds to finance the insurance schemes for the safety of the citizens of the country. The federal government funds three major insurance programs, which are Medicaid, Medicare, and SCHIP because they aim to promote quality health services in the country, and to ensure that all the citizens receive the proper care.

Medicaid, Medicare, and SCHIP

Medicaid, Medicare, and SCHIP are government medical health insurance programs in the U.S. Federal and state governments jointly fund the insurance covers. Various states receive a different percentage of medical assistance ranging from fifty percent in the wealthier states to seventy-five percent in states with lower income. The funding rate is revised every three years based on economic fluctuation. Medicaid is one of the largest payers of health coverage in the United States. It provides health insurance to families with low income. States are required to cover certain groups of people. Individuals who are eligible for this plan are from low-income households, qualified pregnant women and children, and people who receive supplementary security income. It covers people at the level of 133 percent federal poverty level, although some states cover children to higher income levels.

SCHIP covers children below the age of nineteen from higher-income families who cannot be insured by Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance. Individual states run both Medicaid and SCHIP either as separate projects or as combined health insurance programs. The two programs, therefore, supplement each other in ensuring that both the middle class and the wealthy people have access to quality healthcare services.

Medicare is a health insurance program that is eligible for people who are sixty-five years old and above. Younger individuals with a disability or permanent heart failure also qualify for it. Part A is entirely funded by the government if the person pays Medicare taxes while working. Part B  is partly funded by the government and individuals where one is required to pay a monthly premium which varies depending on the income. For those receiving social security benefits, the premium is deducted from their accounts. Medicare is a federal government insurance program, which does not look at income provided in the case of an individual’s age of sixty-five. One can have both Medicare and Medicaid insurance coverage if he or she is eligible for both.

Florida

Medicaid

Florida has a medium per capita income, and, thus, the federal government contributes 60.4% while the state share is 39.4% towards Medicaid insurance. The program is eligible to families whose federal poverty level is not beyond 100%, children under the age of twenty-one whose federal poverty level is not beyond 133%, those receiving temporary cash assistance and residents currently receiving supplement security income. Persons with certain disabilities over the age of sixty-five years, those in nursing home, and youths under the age of twenty-six who were previously under foster care are also eligible for the program.

SCHIP

In Florida, SCHIP is provided to children from families with poverty levels between 133% and 200%. The income of such families is considered to be too high to qualify for Medicaid Insurance. It is eligible for children between the ages of six and eighteen. The program is keen in promoting equality in society by targeting vulnerable populations in the community.

Medicaid and SCHIP in Mississippi

Mississippi is among the states with low per capita income. Federal funds are 74.1% while the state funds 25.9% of the Medicaid program. Depending on income and other qualifications, one may qualify for full benefits with reduced coverage, which does not require paying any premium. Some of the individuals who qualify for full benefits depending on income are infants and children below the age of nineteen and uncovered children in families with less than 208% of the poverty level. Children whose parents are constantly absent or unemployed, disabled or have a very low income, pregnant minors, and pregnant women with very low income also qualify for full benefit insurance.

SCHIP is a medical insurance for uninsured children below the age of nineteen whose parents do not exceed the federal poverty level of 209%. There are no monthly premiums although the parents might pay for some services. Children whose parents qualify for Medicaid do not qualify Google Docs plagiarism checker to apply for SCHIP. However, one may combine SCHIP with private health insurance coverage.

Medicare and SCHIP programs should not be equal throughout the United States. It is a good move for the federal government to contribute more funds towards insurance for states with low per capita income. Supporting the program might be a huge burden for a country with economic problems. However, the medical services covered by the government insurance cover should be the same in all states. Government health insurance should also ensure that it includes drugs as some are very costly to afford.

Entitlement is a situation where the government provides help to individuals depending on their needs. For example, the amount of funds received will increase if a person loses their job, has a chronic disease that requires more money to treat, or is affected by a natural disaster. The block grant program is where the government gives an equal amount of aid to those who need it regardless of the difference in needs. The government insurance should be an entitlement program instead of a Block Grant. Entitlement can help those in need as they receive more help. Equity is providing people with what they need as opposed to giving them equal treatment.

Conclusion

The federal government of the U.S. is committed to providing all citizens with medical insurance regardless of their income status. It collaborates with states to fund government health insurance for people with low income. It also provides cover for some cases like pregnancy minors, low-earning pregnant women, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with some diseases. The benefits vary from one state to the other. The federal government funds Medicare meant for people over the age of sixty-five even though they need to remit a monthly premium for Plan “B” of the same insurance coverage. There are three major insurance programs that promote quality health services in the country.