How Not to Limit Medicaid Spending

Starting tomorrow, proof of citizenship is required for Medicaid benefits. The Washington Post reports:

The new provision is part of last year's Deficit Reduction Act, which President Bush signed into law in February. Despite a federal inspector general's report concluding that there was little fraud by noncitizens, supporters said the measure would ensure that Medicaid dollars go only to citizens or eligible immigrants. [Empasis mine]

You have to give the Republicans credit, it's not too often that you can combine zenophobia with an illusion of healthcare reform.

The simple fact is, this mesaure is bad for the poor. As if the health care system isn't already too difficult to navigate, many Medicaid eligable forgo care becuase they fail to navigate the Medicaid beauracacy. While the healthy need not register for Medicaid, there is a class of Medicaid eligable who need healthcare. Proof of citizenship only adds another barrier.