Thanks for sharing that link, RB. I had to post there. The anonymous commentator got me PO'd.
Incidentally, I can see VA going the same route if closed minded, judgmental fools take control of the government. There is a way to help the vulnerable without having others take advantage. It's called better oversight.
Closed minded, judgmental fools have been in charge of Richmond for a very long time. It is a bipartisan problem. Oversight can’t fix this problem. It is a systemic problem all the way up to the federal level. The federal government mandates Medicare, IDEA, Medicaid, and never fully funds any of them. Never has and probably never will. The states are left holding the bill and scrambling to cover an expanding population with limit to non-existent resources available within the state.
This problem is kind of like trying to fix the Titanic with some plywood and nails. You can tell them where and how much plywood to use, but do you think it will really make a difference?
Closed minded, judgmental fools have been in charge of Richmond for a very long time. It is a bipartisan problem. Oversight can’t fix this problem. It is a systemic problem all the way up to the federal level. The federal government mandates Medicare, IDEA, Medicaid, and never fully funds any of them. Never has and probably never will. The states are left holding the bill and scrambling to cover an expanding population with limit to non-existent resources available within the state.
This problem is kind of like trying to fix the Titanic with some plywood and nails. You can tell them where and how much plywood to use, but do you think it will really make a difference?
So Chuck, where would you suggest we begin? From the top down or the bottom up? Or tackle both at once? It's not enough to say it's some other branch of government's problem or fault.
RB, are there organizations out there advocating for the disabled and their benefits? If so, at what level are they operating?
I am not convinced that the agencies themselves do not have it within their authority to oversee these programs a little better. It seems the protocols would already be in place to ensure people aren't taking advantage of the program and that the people who need the benefits are getting them.
If such protocols are NOT in place, then agencies should have the authority to make those changes. If it's a matter of needing more staff for oversight, then demonstrating money being wasted (on people taking advantage of the system)is necessary. However, agencies requesting more staff also must have their own processes streamlined to justify their requests.
Oversight might not fix the problem entirely, but it's a start and a way to put money where it needs to be. If more money is needed after that, then, at least, the agencies have shown they are doing all they can to prevent fraud and abuse.
And BTW, I completely agree that fools come from all political walks of life. It's not about partisanship.
“So Chuck, where would you suggest we begin? From the top down or the bottom up? Or tackle both at once? It's not enough to say it's some other branch of government's problem or fault.”
I have been working on Richmond since about 2003 or earlier. How many additional waiver slots have been added since then? Probably count them on your hands. We have been on the waiting list since 2003, still waiting. The Fed government has routinely undercompensated medical professionals for Medicare / Medicaid recipients, which is why a large number of practices are dropping coverage for these patients. Most of the major medical organizations have been lobbying for years to no avail. It really doesn’t matter if you determine if a person should be or shouldn’t be because no one will take them without going broke. “RB, are there organizations out there advocating for the disabled and their benefits? If so, at what level are they operating? ARC. They are regional and national. I do not know how strong or even if that have a national lobbying presence. Oversight is picking pennies up off the ground but not having the dollars to maintain the programs.
5 comments:
Thanks for sharing that link, RB. I had to post there. The anonymous commentator got me PO'd.
Incidentally, I can see VA going the same route if closed minded, judgmental fools take control of the government. There is a way to help the vulnerable without having others take advantage. It's called better oversight.
Closed minded, judgmental fools have been in charge of Richmond for a very long time. It is a bipartisan problem. Oversight can’t fix this problem. It is a systemic problem all the way up to the federal level. The federal government mandates Medicare, IDEA, Medicaid, and never fully funds any of them. Never has and probably never will. The states are left holding the bill and scrambling to cover an expanding population with limit to non-existent resources available within the state.
This problem is kind of like trying to fix the Titanic with some plywood and nails. You can tell them where and how much plywood to use, but do you think it will really make a difference?
Chuck
Closed minded, judgmental fools have been in charge of Richmond for a very long time. It is a bipartisan problem. Oversight can’t fix this problem. It is a systemic problem all the way up to the federal level. The federal government mandates Medicare, IDEA, Medicaid, and never fully funds any of them. Never has and probably never will. The states are left holding the bill and scrambling to cover an expanding population with limit to non-existent resources available within the state.
This problem is kind of like trying to fix the Titanic with some plywood and nails. You can tell them where and how much plywood to use, but do you think it will really make a difference?
So Chuck, where would you suggest we begin? From the top down or the bottom up? Or tackle both at once? It's not enough to say it's some other branch of government's problem or fault.
RB, are there organizations out there advocating for the disabled and their benefits? If so, at what level are they operating?
I am not convinced that the agencies themselves do not have it within their authority to oversee these programs a little better. It seems the protocols would already be in place to ensure people aren't taking advantage of the program and that the people who need the benefits are getting them.
If such protocols are NOT in place, then agencies should have the authority to make those changes. If it's a matter of needing more staff for oversight, then demonstrating money being wasted (on people taking advantage of the system)is necessary. However, agencies requesting more staff also must have their own processes streamlined to justify their requests.
Oversight might not fix the problem entirely, but it's a start and a way to put money where it needs to be. If more money is needed after that, then, at least, the agencies have shown they are doing all they can to prevent fraud and abuse.
And BTW, I completely agree that fools come from all political walks of life. It's not about partisanship.
“So Chuck, where would you suggest we begin? From the top down or the bottom up? Or tackle both at once? It's not enough to say it's some other branch of government's problem or fault.”
I have been working on Richmond since about 2003 or earlier. How many additional waiver slots have been added since then? Probably count them on your hands. We have been on the waiting list since 2003, still waiting.
The Fed government has routinely undercompensated medical professionals for Medicare / Medicaid recipients, which is why a large number of practices are dropping coverage for these patients. Most of the major medical organizations have been lobbying for years to no avail. It really doesn’t matter if you determine if a person should be or shouldn’t be because no one will take them without going broke.
“RB, are there organizations out there advocating for the disabled and their benefits? If so, at what level are they operating?
ARC. They are regional and national. I do not know how strong or even if that have a national lobbying presence.
Oversight is picking pennies up off the ground but not having the dollars to maintain the programs.
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