WP: Governors Urged to Reach Deal on Medicaid

[Pirate Smile]

Governors Urged to Reach Deal on Medicaid

By Ceci Connolly and Dan Balz
Washington Post Staff Writers
Monday, February 28, 2005; Page A02

The Bush administration is urging the nation's governors to reach early agreement on a restructuring plan for the Medicaid health program for the poor or risk steep budget cuts in the Republican-controlled Congress, according to governors of both parties meeting this week in Washington.

In interviews, several governors balked at what they view as a threat by the White House to slash $60 billion from the program over the next decade. But others see a bipartisan deal emerging around securing lower prescription-drug prices, charging modest copayments and tightening loopholes that allow elderly people to transfer assets to children in order to qualify for Medicaid nursing-home care.

-snip-
At a private breakfast meeting, Virginia Gov. Mark R. Warner, the current NGA chairman, urged his Democratic colleagues not to rush into an agreement with the administration. He said many Republican governors share the Democrats' skepticism about Bush's proposed cuts. He recommended that they stay focused on policy changes that could also save money, rather than just on the bottom line.

-snip-
"I've had to cut just a whole array of services from people and I'm done. I don't want to cut people off of health care; enough is enough," said Michigan Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm (D). "I will get busloads of people to come and march on Washington, and I think other governors will do the same. We will not stand for that. We have all cut and cut and cut."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A58504-2005Feb27.html

[Erika]

1. Where's W's Christianity and compassion now?

I'm glad that at least the democrat governors are standing up against his demands to reduce services to the needy.

As the number of elderly in our country increases this situation is only going to get worse. Affordable health care no longer exists.

We need universal health care coverage or only the rich will be able to receive medical care and attention.

[Pirate Smile]

2. I love Granholm's statement.

[Upfront]

4. Granholm, Yes!

I will be on that bus.

[Corgigal]

3. reach a deal?

You either qualify or you don't should be the damn deal. Our govt nor it's people should being giving out the death penalty because of being poor.