I have always believed expansion of Medicaid would be the best way to move toward universal insurance. In my years in Public Health I saw Medicaid expand beyond 133% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for what was then called Aide for Families with Dependent Children (welfare) to 185% for Pregnant women and Infants. The next big step was expansion to 185 % for all children under 18 which meant over 50% of SC children were covered.

• My thought is they should move up the age limit up as fast as feasible and lower the age for Medicare. Each state makes these decisions once federal guidelines are established. ACA was not strategically thought through and many did not qualify because they were older than 18,young adults, still living with parents . Parents income was included so they were “over income”.
• Sadly so many young folks can’t move out ! Some states have expanded eligibility over 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines . Sadly, some of those states have financial issues. Our states are too poor to go that high but even expanding older ages to 185% would help. That would include a number of working poor.
• My husband works for a company that provides all kinds of services for children and adults with special needs. If any parent wants their child to receive services during the school day, if they are virtual, they can have the school write a letter on school letter head explaining the hours that virtual instruction is happening. (Because it should not be all day, every day for young children).

The other option is one that fixes it is to request that the child’s IEP be changed, so that services can be provided during school hkursb. A parent can request this at any time. He has been helping families the last few days get these things done so that their children can schedule services during school hours.

Fix it before expanding it. Unless you increase the Medicaid reimbursement rates for providers and specialists, the number of Medicaid patients they see will not increase. The amount of money our state paid out for the Medicaid Reform (rfp) process was enough to pay for all kids needing services for a long time.

I hope they come through for you and Amos. I don’t ask or argue about it because my brother when he was alive was on Medicaid for both Michigan and North Carolina. It paid for his cerebral palsy therapies, his knee and neck surgeries, doctor visits, and his wheelchairs. I always and still believe Special Needs kids are a gift from God. Scott taught me so much about kindness just like Amos’s brothers and sisters teach him.

Grinch I wouldn’t touch you with a 39.5 foot pole social distancing face mask