QUOTE
Medicaid storms swirling
David Lazarus
Friday, September 30, 2005
The latest storm to erupt on the Gulf Coast is a political spat over spending about $9 billion on Medicaid health coverage for low-income hurricane victims who otherwise wouldn't qualify for the federal program.
The bipartisan backers of such legislation in the Senate say it's the most effective way to quickly bring health care to uninsured people who need it, no matter where they end up.
The Bush administration says it wants to prevent what it calls "a massive new federal program," preferring instead to hand out limited funds to individual states to cover hurricane-related medical expenses.
All this squabbling could be avoided -- and people in need would already be receiving hassle-free treatment -- if the United States had what it so sorely lacks: universal health coverage for all.
LINK
David Lazarus
Friday, September 30, 2005
The latest storm to erupt on the Gulf Coast is a political spat over spending about $9 billion on Medicaid health coverage for low-income hurricane victims who otherwise wouldn't qualify for the federal program.
The bipartisan backers of such legislation in the Senate say it's the most effective way to quickly bring health care to uninsured people who need it, no matter where they end up.
The Bush administration says it wants to prevent what it calls "a massive new federal program," preferring instead to hand out limited funds to individual states to cover hurricane-related medical expenses.
All this squabbling could be avoided -- and people in need would already be receiving hassle-free treatment -- if the United States had what it so sorely lacks: universal health coverage for all.
LINK
Yes, we do need universal health coverage, but who will stand up on this issue?
