The States Save the Feds

Medicaid Expenditures (N.Y.)

Perhaps the greatest problem with the new Medicare Part D benefit concerns those 6 million clients on Medicaid. When the "benefit" went into effect, the Medicaid folks were arbitrarily placed on random Part D plans. Previously, Medicaid paid for drugs needed by those in direst need, particularly the disabled. Now these people must pay the $250 deductible and whatever copayments are set up by whichever Part D plan they were placed on. Who is to say whether they have the bucks to do this ? By definition, if you qualify for Medicaid, you don't have the money. They may be forced to deal with costs incured should they reach the "donut hole" where they must pay full costs for a stretch. In some cases, the new plan has so confused, distressed, and disserved Medicaiders that they have gone off their meds (especially in mental health areas) requiring a hospital stay, which naturally costs more. Some states ,like Maine and California, have begun emergency plans to help these people and save the Federal program. Heckuva job, Dubya.