Bush Administration Keeping Katrina Victims off of Medicaid

A bipartisan senate bill proposed by the Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Charles Grassley and Democrat Sen. Max Baucus, that would ease Medicaid eligibility requirements for storm victims, is being blocked by the Bush Administration. The bill would also reimburse states 100% for the Medicaid costs, the states usually have to pick up at part of the bill.

Baucus said the Medicaid bill proposes the same provisions that were enacted after the September 11, 2001, attacks in New York, but action since the August 29 storm has been slow.

"It's been six weeks now. Where is the administration? It is slow-walking, it is opposing, it is obfuscating, it is delaying, it is not acting," he said.

While the politicians wrestle with the Bush administration, people in need of health care are being turned away:

In Louisiana, some 55 percent of hurricane evacuees who sought Medicaid assistance were denied, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported this week. But that figure only counted people in shelters and may be conservative, state health officials told the newspaper.

It's a long way from the promises Bush made "We're also developing a comprehensive plan to immediately help displaced citizens. This will include housing and education and health care and other essential needs."

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.- Matthew 7:15-16

posted by Sarai @ 5:24 PM