Health Affairs, 26, no. 6 (2007): w667-w669 (Published online 18 September 2007) doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.26.6.w667 © 2007 by Project HOPE	New Online   How Would Obama, McCain Cover The Uninsured?   Cost To Cover Uninsured   Let Health IT Market Evolve   How Rate Health IT Progress?   HIV/AIDS In India, China

This Article Full Text (HTML) Reprint (PDF) Submit a response to this article Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services E-mail this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Personal Archive Download to Citation Manager Reprints & Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Holahan, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Holahan, J. Related Collections Variations Consumer Issues Demography Health Reform Medicaid Medicare State/Local Issues Health Spending

Web Exclusives

FROM THE FIELD

State Variation In Medicaid Spending: Hard To Justify

There is great variation among states in Medicaid spending per low-income person. This variation has many determinants, including state discretion and differences in prices and amounts of services used. Incentives in Medicaid to have low-income states spend more have generally not worked. The decentralized approach to Medicaid and the variations in spending created thereby have consequences in access and health outcomes that seem to belie a presumed national interest in equity. The current trend toward state-based solutions to health care coverage would likely exacerbate existing variations. A federal solution, though not likely, would be necessary to eliminate state variations.

                      What's this?