Massachusetts Health Care for the Homeless Faces Funding Problems Because of Cuts to Medicaid Program
PRI's "Marketplace" Aug. 22 profiled the Massachusetts affiliate of the Health Care for the Homeless, a nationwide program offering primary and preventive health care for people living on the streets and in shelters. PRI reports that in addition to helping patients with "the basic health hazards that come from living on the streets," the organization helps patients manage chronic conditions, including mental illness, diabetes and HIV/AIDS. The Massachusetts program faces reduced funding because of recently approved changes to the state's Medicaid program, through which it receives funding (Brown, "Marketplace," PRI, 8/22). The budget plan for the current fiscal year reduces funding for the state's Medicaid program by $54 million and cuts coverage for 50,000 people enrolled in MassHealth Basic, which provides health insurance to long-term unemployed individuals earning about $3,500 per year (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 7/22). PRI reports that Massachusetts health care advocates are "hoping for a legislative miracle" that will restore the funding reduction ("Marketplace," PRI, 8/22). The segment is available online in RealPlayer Audio.
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