Impact of Obamacare on Eddy County’s indigent health care unclear [Carlsbad Current-Argus, N.M.]
By Stella Davis, Carlsbad Current-Argus, N.M. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Indigent program administrator
"At this point, I really have no idea," Martinez said. "Will Obamacare do away with the need for the indigent program? I don't know that either. There are so many unanswered questions. We are in a holding pattern and it's business as usual until we learn otherwise." Martinez said she hopes to learn more during next week's
Martinez said she hopes more funding will be funneled down to indigent programs. However, it will be up to the
The state agency receives funding for programs from the federal government for
According to the
At the same time, counties have had growing difficulties in paying the state match portion of the program. In addition, recent federal administrative initiatives have threatened the viability of the program, especially for public hospitals.
"That's another area of concern," Martinez said. "We don't know what changes to the funding for Sole Community Provider fund will be made under Obamacare."
Martinez said indigent fund administrators in
"Under Obamacare, everybody will be required to have health insurance. But we are going to continue to see the undocumented seeking indigent care," Martinez said. "Per
Martinez said she has seen a steady increase in the number of undocumented individuals or families seeking indigent care. But the increase in the number of people filing indigent is not limited to undocumented residents.
"I know
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