Once again the Virginian-Pilot details the struggle over state budget cuts, focusing on the proposed cigarette tax increase. Meanwhile, the so-called Medicaid freeze receives only a brief mention on the inside page at the end of the article:
The governor has also proposed
- Cutting $418 million from Medicaid, in part by capping admissions to community-based nursing homes and homes for the mentally impaired.
Again we ask, how exactly is that going to work? Will patients who would otherwise go to nursing facilities remain at the hospital at a much higher cost? Will they be sent home without the medical care and rehabilitation they need? Will the mentally impaired wind up wandering the streets? Will they get tossed in jail on trumped-up charges? (Oh wait, that’s already happening.)
On one hand, Governor Kaine proposes to close state institutions like the Southeastern Virginia Training Center. On the other hand, he cuts the funds required for community care.
Isn’t he telling the indigent, the elderly, the sick, the dying, the disabled to just go away? Disappear, please, and don’t bother us anymore?
Filed under: Local, Medicaid | Tagged: Hampton Roads, Medicaid
[...] in services at local hospitals. They will not save money, unless the Governor finds a way to “freeze” the effects of old age, ill health, accidents, and other catastrophic events. It is refreshing to [...]