Medicaid Foster Care

Millions of Americans rely on Medicaid for services to treat their mental health needs. Medicaid is the largest payer of mental health services in America and helps to cover an array mental health services. Children in the foster care system represent a significant amount of people that require mental health services throughout the county. These children are a concern because they are at high risk for behavioral health problems and are considered a vulnerable population. When it comes to economic issues, Medicaid and foster care children researchers have stressed the significance of interpretation for expenditures and services. “ Children in foster care account for a disproportionate share of Medicaid expenses related to enrollment. These
Furthermore, state legislative sessions and federal regulations had begun to implement a mental health care reform which can be seen positive for mental health treatment but has adverse effects for people with Medicaid from politicians that seek to change and appeal the Affordable Care Act. Beginning in 2014 the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was introduced to many Americans which gave the options of expanding Medicaid to people living below the federal poverty level. These additional services allowed people to seek treatment for mental health and substance abuse issues at no cost to them. Wth the ACA and Medicaid children in the foster care can use their health insurance for mental health outpatient and inpatient hospitalizations. In recent years, Medicaid program has begun to face scrutiny from lawmakers and politicians, and they have threatened to appeal the Affordable Care
“The increasing number of children in foster care has escalated federal spending from $200 million in the 1970s to approximately $4.5 billion in 2000”( Becker, M., Jordan, N., & Larsen, R.2006). With the National, Budget exceeding cost each year for Medicaid dollars. Congress has become increasing concerned about health care coverage in America. Furthermore, politicians have suggested repealing the ACA. Cutting back on the ACA insurance will have a drastic effect on mental health coverage. On average Medicaid spending covers twenty-five percent towards the treatment of mental health and substance abuse. Furthermore, if the ACA is repealed, it could leave more than 58 million Americans without heath insurance thus having a large impact on those who need mental health services. Also, this appeal process would not only increase the cost of obtaining Medicaid services it would also add to high deductibles and out of pocket costs for people living in poverty as well as those in the foster care