US: states, federal government prepare massive Medicaid cuts

[Algorem]

US: states, federal government prepare massive Medicaid cuts

By Joseph Kay

11 May 2005

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/may2005/medi-m11.shtml

As part of ongoing budget negotiations, states in the US are developing proposals for deep cuts in Medicaid, the health care program that serves over 50 million low-income Americans, including children, the disabled and the elderly. The attack on Medicaid is a major component of the systematic destruction of social programs in the United States.

The proposals include cuts in the number of people who will be eligible for benefits, as well as reductions in the services provided to those who are covered. Some states are planning to drive hundreds thousands of people off their Medicaid rolls and force even the poorest of recipients to pay premiums on essential services such as emergency room care.

The New York Times reported in a May 9 article (“States Propose Sweeping Changes to Trim Medicaid by Billions” by Robert Pear) that the National Governors Association and the National Conference of State Legislatures are developing proposals to cut state spending. The Times report was based on draft proposals that have not yet been publicly released.

These proposals are part of negotiations between the states and the US Congress, which last month approved a budget outline that foresees a federal savings of $10 billion by reining in spending on Medicaid between 2006 and 2010. The Bush administration has proposed a far higher cost reduction...

[Erika]

1. Bush's Compassionate Conservatism

Cut the hell out of our programs to the needy while cutting taxes to the rich and funding his war programs to help his globalist donors. We all may have to protest in the streets before he gets the message he's not going to destroy the Christian fabric of this country to help the needy without reprisal.

[undergroundpanther]

2. Make the greedy

Suffer!!!
When will Americans stand up for each other...
Refuse to work for them,refuse to go to wars, obey,refusde to care about thier empires,make them fear the people they exploit!

[Erika]

3. All we have to do is say no and spread the word

If all of the uninsured citizens showed up at their statehouses and demanded an answer as to why they can't have medical care while Bush has promised medical care to illegals, that would do it. Right now, Bush is getting desperate to find recruits for his empire building. All we have to do is say no, and YELL.