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Thursday, March 5, 2009

Bailout Letdown: "Stimulus" Won't Rescue Medi-Cal

If there's anything sadder than individuals being dependent on the state for health care, it's the state being dependent on the federal government. It's a shame that Gov. Schwarzenegger didn't join Gov. Sanford (SC), Gov. Perry (TX) and a few others who plan to reject some of the bailout loot.

The specific boondoggles that the governors honed in on were things like "green buildings", but they suggested declining Medicaid matching funds, too. After all, making more people dependent on government for health care only hurts them when they can't get the services they need.

It looks like that's what will happen to California, despite Gov. Schwarzenegger's cheerleading the stimulus. Although the governor has a squad of lobbyists in Washington, DC, pressing California's case, it looks like the Golden State will end up with a bailout of only about $8 billion, not the $11 billion recklessly promised by U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer.

The result: Among other consequences, Medi-Cal beneficiaries will likely lose dental and podiatry services, starting July 1.

Politicians make promises that they cannot keep, and the most vulnerable suffer. When will we ever learn?

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