“The collapse is caused mainly by debt and the economic crisis in Puerto Rico and historic privatization of the health care system there. Our research shows patients are waiting for six to eight months to get an appointment with a specialist. If that’s not a sign of collapse, I don’t know what is,” said Varas-Diaz.
Washington state has a great medicaid system. You’re insured if you make under a certain amount, it even covers basic dental. I think Illinois has something similar. I’m sure other states have similar things, but not all (looking at you southern states).
Medicare is Federally managed, Medicade is state-by-state. To qualify for Medicaid in most states you have to be at or near poverty levels of income - that’s around $11k to $15,000 a year maximum in order to qualify for it.
Don’t forget about the gap between qualifying for Medicaid and qualifying for marketplace subsidies. Expanded Medicaid covers that gap, but some states declined the federal money to cover it.
I looked it up. I remember when it first came about, I thought it was much higher or my memory is failing me. It’s about 20k right now in Washington state. https://www.hca.wa.gov/free-or-low-cost-health-care/i-need-medical-dental-or-vision-care/individual-adults#program-requirements