It’s Not Just Medicare; Romney/Ryan Would Decimate Medicaid, Too

Under the Ryan budget plan, the program that helps the poor and the disabled,  Medicaid, would lose 3/4 of its funding by 2050. Matt Salo, executive director of the National Association of Medicaid Directors, says Medicaid “pays for 40 percent of the country’s births and the majority of the nation’s long-term care [for the elderly]. It’s one of the most complex programs in the U.S. government — on the level of tax policy.”

On Friday, Democratic staff in the House pushed back, warning Ryan’s plan would jeopardize healthcare for 60 million Americans, including 33 million children.

“The Ryan budget shreds the Medicaid safety net,” stated a memo from Minority Staff on the Energy and Commerce Committee.

“Medicaid is currently structured to provide more help when states need it most: when unemployment increases and citizens lose insurance coverage,” it continued.

“The Medicaid block grant … shifts all risks including future recessions, healthcare cost increases, and disasters to states and beneficiaries. The federal government would no longer be a partner responding to such changes.”

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.