[NormsRevenge]

Now this is more like it, merc. The fish wrap that would foster lies and pervert the truth and keep the corrupt in power.

[CanisMajor2002]

Decent article with a provocative title. What good is a "safety net" if it's held in place with Kleenex? :)

[shrinkermd]

"Here's the Bush philosophy: Give the states more flexibility on how to spend federal Medicaid dollars, but cap the total amount. The federal guarantee of matching funds will disappear. And while the total amount given to the states will rise at first, it will drop later.

"In government-speak, Medicaid is an entitlement. Bush would change it to a block grant -- with the amount entirely up to Washington.

This is a forward looking policy change. If the states cannot understand and manage their affairs better than Washington can, we are all doomed.

[irish_lad]

Most of what the SJ Mercury said is true. The MAJORITY of Medicaid recipients are children and the most of the remainder are the disabled and the elderly.

The block grant concept may work if the Feds are prevented from cutting the grants in the future; however, balancing the budget on those who have no other resources is not a prudent idea. I could not advocate cutting therapy funding for mentally disabled patients, and this would happen under these proposed changes.

GW Bush is my personal hero, but I cannot support him in this proposal.

[OpusatFR]

You all loved the Block Grants from the 70's. What's the problem this time?

[mingwah]

I tried to report Medicaid fraud against my father in 1999 to the State of Tennessee Medical Board of Examiners and Washington, D.C. fraud hotline(was on hold for 2 hours and counting). I gave up after two years.
Atleast this addresses my cynicism.

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

Gut it! Abolish this welfare entitlement.