"States seek federal aid as more people turn to Medicaid; Ask for extra $40b to avert cuts in service" by Kevin Freking, Associated Press | December 22, 2008
WASHINGTON - That day in July was one that Tammy Morse won't soon forget.
Five months earlier, her husband lost his job as a recruiter for the financial services industry. Now it was the summer and the family savings were gone. She saw no way to get health insurance coverage for her family other than to apply for Medicaid.
And that was why she made the drive from her Stratford, Conn., home to the nearest office of the state Department of Social Services.
"It was humbling," said the mother of two. "It's funny how your attitude changes, because honestly, I was probably a little judgmental previously. . . . For lack of a better way to put it, that was for other people. It wasn't for me."
Around the country, similar stories are playing out for thousands of families....
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Many who lost their jobs were eligible to continue group health insurance. But that is not an option in most cases because they no longer have an employer picking up a large share of their premiums.
Cassandra Edmonds, a single parent who joined the program in October, is a newcomer to Medicaid, like Morse. Her job as a parent-activities coordinator with the Bridgeport school district was eliminated to save money. She has found a job selling life insurance, but her earnings are low enough that she is eligible for coverage.
The insurance is particularly important for her 4-year-old son, who has glaucoma and tubes in his ears to prevent repeated infections. He has to check in with a specialist about every three months for each condition. Edmonds said she couldn't have imagined that she would be relying on government assistance. "I never really thought I would be without a job," Edmonds said. "I have an MBA. I'm not trying to sound cocky or anything."
Medicaid insures nearly 1 in 6 low-income people in the United States. The program typically covers the very poor and about half of enrollees are children. Spending came to $333 billion in the budget year ending Sept. 30, 2007. Washington picks up about 57 percent of that; the states cover the remainder.
We need national health care!
Michael Cannon, director of health policy studies at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank, sympathizes with new families now relying on Medicaid. Still, he disagrees that the federal government should reward states that did not plan adequately for the bad times. Better planning would mean setting aside more money for rainy day funds and not expanding the scope of Medicaid during the good economic times, he said....
I agree with Cato; however, the original Cato also said slaves should be used until they die, then just go buy another one.
