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Devastating Medicaid cuts

Thursday, March 29 at 12:01 AM

Donna Harrison of Centennial writes:

During the week George Bush was bragging about how much financial help the United States gives South American countries a story appeared in the paper about the Office of Management and Budget’s rule change which would save money by cutting those pesky Medicaid payments to certain public hospitals. I didn’t think the Bush administration could sink any lower, but I was wrong. Financing aid for foreign countries, the unconscionable war in Iraq, and sustaining the egregious tax cuts for the wealthy is made possible by increasing the misery of the old and poor. The devastating effects Medicaid cuts would have in health care for the poor and to the hospitals which provide that care is nothing short of criminal. Does Mr. Bush intend for people who depend on Medicaid and Medicare to simply die if they have no health care possibilities? If Denver Health, University of Colorado Hospital and others have to cut back services or close their doors due to Medicaid payment cuts thousands of people will lose health services, even those with Medicare. As an additional slap in the face, the OMB is also asking for cuts in the graduate Medical Education Program. Perhaps Mr. Bush thinks fewer doctors will be needed if all the superfluous poor folks die. This rule change must die before human beings die.

READER COMMENTS

In 2005, the IRS collected more taxes than ever in US history. And, 2006 will likely be substantially greater. The tax cuts generated more business, more employment and more revenue. If you want less money for the services you want, increase taxes and send us into another recession.

Posted by Bob on March 29, 2007 03:19 PM

You want real savings to medicaide? Ship all the illegals home with their kids and all illegal relatives. If the anchor baby exists then give them a choice of taking the child home or leaving it here in foster care. We will have a net gain of at least 1 off of medicaid and other government services and probably a lot less expense for other offenses(no car insurance or driver's license etc)
Harsh? Yes! Necessary? Completely. The growing welfare and benefits mess will improve greatly if we eliminate the families that put such a strain on services and don't try to say it doesn't happen. I saw too much of it in 12 years of cab driving in Denver including using the ambulance to get to the ER for something non-urgent by citing chest pain. They got a free cab ride home later with a filled prescription which is where I saw them. Solve the illegal immigration problem and we ease many burdens.
Please no lubbering fools trying the "only trying to better themselves line." A bank robber wants to better himself too and with just as much respect for others or the law as the illegals.

Posted by momma y on March 29, 2007 11:11 PM