Posting date: July 26, 2005

This Article Reprint (PDF) HTML Version Table of Contents Submit a response to this article Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Comments 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 Derzon, R. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Derzon, R. A. Related Collections Health Reform Medicaid Medicare Politics Elderly

Health Affairs, 10.1377/hlthaff.w5.326
Copyright © 2005 by Project HOPE

Web Exclusives

The Genesis Of HCFA

¹ Bob Derzon was the first administrator, serving from June 1977 to November 1978. He is now retired and lives in Mill Valley, California.

^*Corresponding author.

Abstract

HCFA's creators underestimated the complexity of merging two very different national programs. Medicaid was designed to permit wide management latitude among the fifty states. It allowed variation in eligibility. Medicare was a uniform top-down cookbook with costless eligibility determinations. States could juggle the scope and duration of Medicaid's benefit package.

Key Words: Elderly, Health Reform, Medicaid, Medicare, Politics

                      What's this?