Study: New Rules Led To Medicaid Decline

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Study: New Rules Led To Medicaid Decline

WASHINGTON, Jul. 24, 2007

(AP) Medicaid rolls declined in many states after Congress imposed
new documentation requirements, but most of the drop-off appears to
be among people eligible for coverage _ not illegal immigrants.

A law that took effect July 1 requires states to obtain evidence of
citizenship and nationality when determining whether people are
eligible for Medicaid.

The Government Accountability Office surveyed states on the impact
of the new rules. Twenty-two of 44 states reported enrollment declines,
the GAO said Tuesday. And most of those states said the decline was
due to delays in coverage or a loss of coverage for eligible citizens.

-snip-

In responding to the report, the federal agency that oversees Medicaid
raised concerns that states did not provide data to document their
conclusions.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/07/24/ap/congress/main3093824.shtml

[Sapere aude]

1. Well at least we don't have those diseased illegals getting treated.

No matter how communicable they are we should not let them get well. Go back to Mexico and get treated and speak English until you do!

What me a racist? Nah just sarcastic!

[silverojo]

7. If the diseased illegals weren't here in the first place

We wouldn't be seeing outbreaks of previously-controlled diseases like leprosy (and yes, it is making a comeback).

It isn't racist to want your own country's people to be safe. Our government should be working with Mexico's government to ensure that ALL Mexican people--not just the ones that sneak over here--get treated in their own country.

Just as our government should work to ensure that all Americans get treated, as well.

[Sapere aude]

9. If If If If If shit were gold we'd all be rich! They're here, "if"doesn't solve anything.

[sutz12]

2. Mission Accomplished...

After all, that's what they really wanted. Not increased/improved coverage. No, they wanted to cut the rolls of eligible patients to save money.

Mission Accomplished. Compassionate Conservatives. Yeah, right. :shrug:

[kineneb]

3. difficult for some people born here to document their citizenship

if they are elderly and were born at home, perhaps no birth certificate... or the court house records were destroyed in a fire or flood... There have been several fellow DUers that have had real problems getting documentation for their parents.

[DBoon]

5. even if you have the docs

just the runaround itself is enough to discourage someone who is ill to begin with.

This is the traditional tactic for reducing public benefits spending - make it so difficult that qualified individuals just throw their hands up and give up

[silverojo]

8. All you need is a birth certificate or similar ID to get Medicaid

You want a hassle, try applying for food stamps. You even have to be fingerprinted for THAT. I know--I've been there in the recent past.

Oh, yeah--and if you're single without kids, you can't get food stamps, period. Great way to encourage people to be responsible and use birth control. :sarcasm:

[roseBudd]

11. Even if you have the docs. because you never lost them in an eviction, flood, fire...

sometimes just finding the docs can be a royal time consuming pain in the ***

[Telly Savalas]

4. So the Democratic Congress sits by idly and lets this happen?

[Pastiche423]

6. Looks that way

[roseBudd]

10. Just like photo identification laws for voting these rules prevent eligible people...

It's hard for the driving population to fathom, but photo ID is not all that prevalent among the people who do not own cars.