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February 28, 2011

Governors Push Changes to Medicaid 
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President Obama is hosting a meeting of the nation's governors at the
White House today amidst a contentious debate over the squeezing of
workers' rights and social services in the name of reducing deficits. At
a gathering of the National Governor's Association over the weekend,
Democratic and Republican leaders agreed to form a committee to explore
ways to amend Medicaid. The panel will look at how states can change
eligibility rules and other provisions of the insurance program for
low-income Americans. Republicans have called for converting Medicaid
from an entitlement program to a block grant, similar to how Republicans
and former President Bill Clinton altered welfare programs in the 1990s.
Among the strongest advocates for that route is Wisconsin Gov. Scott
Walker, who has just been named the new chair of the National Governor's
Association's health and human services panel.



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