In a health care finance meeting, I learned some information that does not come as much of a shock. The tobacco tax hike that Governor Mitch pushed so hard for to provide health care for thousands of Hoosiers with the money raised from the taxes, has had some funny twists and turns on its way through the coffers.
According to the information I had learned, municipal hospitals funding from the state was cut by $50 million. They were then "awarded" $32 million dollars across the state, apparently the difference went into the HIP program (the miracle plan that would provide health care to thousands of Hoosiers with out insurance). Apparently the government also wanted to implement a program called HIP 2, which was contested by the municipal hospitals because of the abysmal failure and difficulties related to the original recipe HIP.
We also learned that the reimbursement rate for medicaide is going to drop an additional 5%, while the number of people added to medicaide is expected to raise, even more so when one considers that a proposed unemployment benefit will be enrollment in medicaide.
In essence, comprehensively care for more people, with less money.
Oh yeah, about those pesky tobacco taxes, that little thing where a minority of the population is expected to carry the lions share of the tax burden for the expenditures associated with state provided insurance assistance, According to at least one highly ranked local hospital administrator, the majority of that wonderful money that was to provide health care to the uninsured has went to fluffy feel good projects for anti-tobacco education and coalitions. Sure, lets take money away from community hospitals, give them a fraction of that back, institute program riddled with hurdles and problems to the point that any self respecting practitioner with a business to run, a staff to pay, supplies to buy, and still manage to earn a living, will stay away from because of the issues related to collecting dwindling payments with extra long waits to get reimbursed for services.
So, we raised the tobacco taxes, and promised the money would go to health care for the indigent, and instead we are paying for "be smart, don't start" T-shirts, and "Anti-smokey" the bear.
Don't get me wrong, intervention is VERY important-
BUT...
Each week we are adding 15 to 25 new patients in our Clark county office alone, losing maybe one patient per month from them getting insurance, or moving to more fruitful areas. And they are "sicker" patients with more serious health issues.
While the federal government is making strides in improving the network of FQHC's (federally qualified health centers) , the state is really dropping the ball here.
Just food for thought, all in all, what will you do when your boss comes around with your pink slip?
Mitch promised that the money from tobacco taxes would be there to care for those who need medical help, and in the end, it was all a lie.
So what is the point of this rant? The can be filed under the title of the hell if I know. I just know I am mad about it. If you are going to tax a particular section of the population based on untrue data (the health care costs related to morbid obesity is outpacing the health care costs related to tobacco use), then by God, at least make damn sure that the money goes to what you say it is going for. Put OUR money where your mouth is, stop the fluff and help people!
CONGRATULATIONS MORGANNE!
