“AHCCCS Arizona”

                                                   AHCCCS Sucks......No it Doesn't
Royce Cons.                                                   

1. Strains the medical and EMS system, people use ambulances as personal transportation for non-emergency medical problems.

2. People abuse the AHCCCS system and use it as a way of life. They support their families   instead of seeking gainful employment.

3. AHCCCS spends millions of dollars a year on healthcare and cash assistance for non-legal citizens which only adds to the states deficit.

Kurt, Pros.

1. The program provides medical care for the less fortunate, un-employed and those who are employed but are not offered insurance at all.

2.  The AHCCCS offer`s a Nutrition Assistance program for low-income individuals, children and families.

3.  The AHCCCS offer`s a Cash Assistance program for children and their families to meet their needs until they can re-establish their lives.

Royce’s opinions: My opinion on this healthcare disaster is to try to re-vamp the AHCCCS system. I tend to be a bit jaded on this issue, due to the fact that I work emergency medicine and see the system abused on a daily basis. I do have a large amount of friends that work in the EMS system also, so this tends to be a chiefly shared opinion among many of the people I associate with. Not that the whole system is bad, but for the most part it sucks. My personal actions do not affect the way I perform my patient care while on the job, but it has made me a little crass towards people when I’m not at work. When I see the people in line at the store that are buying more booze than food and a food stamp card in hand with three dirty little kids in tow, I do get bothered and a little pissed off. I hate to say it but I may even look down on them a bit.

Kurt’s opinions: I believe without this program and services that the AHCCCS provide that many or a lot of the Arizona residents would be in much more dire straits than they already are. It provides opportunities or a hand out to get back on ones feet after experiencing a crisis, layoff, disability, or financial burden. I personally believe and feel that these services that AHCCCS has been providing for Arizona residents over the years has made a difference in a lot of people’s lives. This state truly believes in personal health being of upmost importance for the less fortunate.    

Royce’s sources for information: I read JEMS (journal of emergency medicine) which addresses this issue quite frequently in its monthly magazine. I also use the internet, http://www.azahcccs.gov/fraud/default.aspx, is a very insightful source. Updates through my employer on these issues, also is a great source of information, since it affects our jobs directly and is a daily issue.

Kurt’s sources for information: I stay current with the AHCCCS through means of local television, newspapers, radio and the internet. I have seen how and what they can and will provide for with a neighbors cancer condition. I have also gained further and in-depth knowledge of these programs by personal means of applying for medical assistance myself recently.

In Summary (Common Ground): This tends to be a very touchy subject for most people. It is a highly opinionated and controversial issue that many find personal to their beliefs. We discussed this issue for quite some time and had a plethora of opinions on all of the issues that are encompassed in the AHCCCS system. It is such a broad spectrum of issues it is sometimes hard to pin down what is right and wrong with the system and how it works. Even though we had quite a difference of opinions on these issues, we did see some things eye to eye.

   One cannot disagree that some type of public assistance is necessary and there are several people that rely on this help for their lively hood and day to day needs, this we both could not deny. We also agree that it’s not perfect and people do take advantage of system. It was created to help people get back on track with their lives, not a way of life. People do use it for the better good when they have ongoing medical conditions, need to feed their children or are laid off of a job. We both are in agreement that the non-legal citizens that are in our state should not be entitled to apply and receive these benefits, as to the fact that this costs millions of tax dollars a year. We both respect and honor each other’s opinion and realize neither has all of the answers, but then who does. The main point we could really come to an agreement on is, the system is in desperate need of being overhauled and restructured so those that truly need it are not being denied because of those that abuse the system. Through doing this quest we have learned one lesson that everyone is entitled to their opinions weather right, wrong or indifferent and as long as we respect each other, we can all agree to disagree.