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December 29, 2008

19 States Make Cuts to Medicaid Benefits
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In domestic news, the Washington Post reports at least nineteen states
have made cuts to Medicaid benefits, the government health insurance
program for the poor. States from Florida to California have lowered
payments to hospitals and nursing homes, eliminated coverage for some
treatments and forced some recipients out of the insurance program
completely. Many of the states are halting payments for healthcare
services not required by the federal government, such as physical
therapy, eyeglasses, hearing aids and hospice care. Federal health
officials set minimum rules about who can enroll and what care must be
covered, but states are free to add to the basics. In California, Gov.
Arnold Schwarzenegger has asked the state legislature to approve even
more Medicaid cuts, including an end to dental care for adults.



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