Health

What You Need To Know About Medicaid

There are potentially big changes coming to Medicaid, as Senate Republicans have introduced a bill, to be voted on soon, that would essentially gut the entitlement program, which the USVI is heavily dependent on. The New York Times has put together a list describing Medicaid, who it covers, who pays for it, its cost and other pertinent information. We've included them below. What is Medicaid? It’s a public health insurance program largely for low-income people, though some middle-class disabled and elderly people also qualify. States and the federal government share the cost. Whom does Medicaid cover? ■ Nearly one in five Americans, 74 million people, are on Medicaid. ■ Federal law guarantees Medicaid coverage to pregnant women, children, elderly and disabled people under certain income levels. ■ It covers more than a third of the nation’s children and pays for half of all births. ■ It also covers almost two-thirds of nursing home residents, including many who are middle class...