Compassionate Conservatism
Congress and the Emperor had many choices when it came to paring the federal budget. Tax cuts for the wealthy and election-year pork barrel projects weren't allowed to be touched, however, so instead, they opted for turning the screws on the sick poor and the elderly. A rule formulated to ensure only US citizens who could prove their citizenship took effect July 1. Because some people complained and threatened court action, the Emperor and his minions decided they'd better look like they were doing something in easing the problems which were already beginning to show. From today's NY Times:
The Bush administration said Thursday that it would exempt millions of the most vulnerable Medicaid recipients from a new law that requires them to prove they are United States citizens by showing birth certificates, passports or other documents.
The action was apparently intended to pre-empt a ruling by a federal judge who is scheduled to hold a hearing on Friday on a lawsuit challenging the new requirement, which took effect on July 1.
Dr. Mark B. McClellan, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said that more than 8 million of the 55 million Medicaid recipients would be "exempt from the new documentation requirement" because they had established their citizenship when they applied for Medicare or Supplemental Security Income.
...Dr. McClellan said the exemption would apply, for example, to "people with mental retardation who have never worked and to many nursing home residents." Critics of the new law had said it would be difficult for many people with mental retardation, Alzheimer's disease and other mental impairments to produce the documents needed to comply.
...Ronald F. Pollack, the executive director of Families U.S.A., a consumer group working with plaintiffs in the court case, said: "The exemption of seniors and people with severe disabilities from the citizenship verification requirement is a commendable development. But many other people who need health care the most and can't come up with the required documentation — such as foster children and homeless people — may still lose Medicaid coverage and join the ranks of the uninsured. This should be corrected." [Emphasis added]
Apparently the only way to get the regime's attention these days is by bringing a law suit. The courts so far have been the only ones to stand up to the powerful, and I'm sure the Emperor has noticed. Like all bullies, the Emperor tends to shrink in stature whenever anyone actually calls his bluff.
If Congress and the White House really wanted to clean-up the waste in Medicaid expenditures, they would pay more attention to the real fraud in the system, that perpetuated by pharmaceutical companies and unethical medical providers. That they haven't gone after either is a pretty clear indication of who owns what.
The Bush administration said Thursday that it would exempt millions of the most vulnerable Medicaid recipients from a new law that requires them to prove they are United States citizens by showing birth certificates, passports or other documents.
The action was apparently intended to pre-empt a ruling by a federal judge who is scheduled to hold a hearing on Friday on a lawsuit challenging the new requirement, which took effect on July 1.
Dr. Mark B. McClellan, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said that more than 8 million of the 55 million Medicaid recipients would be "exempt from the new documentation requirement" because they had established their citizenship when they applied for Medicare or Supplemental Security Income.
...Dr. McClellan said the exemption would apply, for example, to "people with mental retardation who have never worked and to many nursing home residents." Critics of the new law had said it would be difficult for many people with mental retardation, Alzheimer's disease and other mental impairments to produce the documents needed to comply.
...Ronald F. Pollack, the executive director of Families U.S.A., a consumer group working with plaintiffs in the court case, said: "The exemption of seniors and people with severe disabilities from the citizenship verification requirement is a commendable development. But many other people who need health care the most and can't come up with the required documentation — such as foster children and homeless people — may still lose Medicaid coverage and join the ranks of the uninsured. This should be corrected." [Emphasis added]
Apparently the only way to get the regime's attention these days is by bringing a law suit. The courts so far have been the only ones to stand up to the powerful, and I'm sure the Emperor has noticed. Like all bullies, the Emperor tends to shrink in stature whenever anyone actually calls his bluff.
If Congress and the White House really wanted to clean-up the waste in Medicaid expenditures, they would pay more attention to the real fraud in the system, that perpetuated by pharmaceutical companies and unethical medical providers. That they haven't gone after either is a pretty clear indication of who owns what.
posted by Diane at 4:08 AM
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