Medicaid at a Crossroads: Brooklyn Roberts on Real America’s Voice
“States are already looking at Medicaid at almost a third of their state budget.”
In a recent interview on Real America’s Voice with host Steve Gruber, Brooklyn Roberts, ALEC Senior Task Force Director for Health and Human Services, called for critical reforms to the Medicaid program. Roberts emphasized the urgent need to safeguard the program’s financial sustainability, especially amid the mounting $37 trillion national debt.
At the outset of the interview, Roberts underscored Medicaid’s original mission and the importance of restoring integrity to the program.
“Medicaid was started in 1960s as we all know, to provide health care to the most vulnerable among us, to pregnant women, children, to disabled,” she said. “And I think that our focus needs to be on that and making sure that the resources are going to the people that need them and can help the most with all federal programs.”
Roberts noted that Medicaid has expanded far beyond its original intent, especially after the Affordable Care Act, creating massive fiscal burdens on state governments.
“With all federal programs, Medicaid has grown hugely over the last years,” Roberts explained. “States are already looking at Medicaid at almost a third of their state budget.”
A major area of concern, Roberts said, is the prevalence of improper payments, particularly due to eligibility issues.
“The Wall Street Journal did an investigation last year and found billions of dollars for people who are multi-registered — meaning registered in two or more states,” she stated. “Almost 80% of that is going to eligibility verification — failure to verify eligibility.”
Roberts also spotlighted work requirements as a key policy being considered by both state and federal lawmakers.
“Work requirements are another thing… aimed at helping to get people off of Medicaid,” she said. “Because this is not meant to be a permanent solution. We’re trying to help people progress onto permanent or to private insurance.”
In her closing remarks, Roberts reaffirmed the need for long-term fiscal responsibility.
“We want to be able to take care of people,” she said. “And we can’t do that if we’re spending or if our debt is at $37 trillion. And I think we just want to make sure that it’s there tomorrow for the people who need it.”