Proposal would cut back on Medicaid spending (rural hospitals and nursing homes)

[hadrons]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Many rural hospitals and nursing homes would get fewer federal dollars under a proposal to save Medicaid almost $4 billion over the next five years. The change would have "a significant economic impact on a substantial number" of health care providers, the Bush administration acknowledges.

At issue are financing arrangements between states and local governments. These deals tend to increase Washington's share of spending in Medicaid, the joint state-federal program covering 55 million poor and disabled people, even when a state's share is unchanged or drops.

The federal share of the program ranges from 50% to 76%, depending upon the state. Poor states receive a greater federal share.

In many states, financing arrangements between health care providers and the state result in the federal government paying more than the law says it should. Dennis Smith, director of the federal Center for Medicaid and State Operations, said the proposed rule made public late Friday would put a crimp on that practice.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-01-13-medicaid-spending_x.htm?csp=15

[madrchsod]

1. old,poor,and disabled people have no value

and they are a drain on productive society. for the good of the state the state should not treat these people. ever seen the films of the nazi professors teaching medical students? well maybe not that bad -they actually killed people-but the effects will be pretty much the same.

[area51]

2. nazi party

The republinazi party considers the poor and middle class as "useless eaters", and they display that attitude every day with the laws they try to pass. :nuke:

[partylessinOhio]

3. This is more than disgusting, it is unconscionable. What have we become?

I realize this is Medicaid but there have also been cuts in Medicare which paid little as it was. When you are disabled and retired you are screwed because you are not able to work and pay these increasing medical costs.

When I was a young person, the elderly were valued, respected and given consideration. Now, that I am older the view of society toward disabled and retired persons has radically changed. Empathy for persons who aren't making it has seem to disappear.