N.J., Gov. Christie enter national spotlight with plan to cut $540M in Medicaid funding

[nonperson]

Source: NJ Star-Ledger

TRENTON — As states across the country look for ways to trim billions off their spending on Medicaid, New Jersey is garnering particular attention for a proposal that opponents characterize as an unprecedented and draconian attempt to balance the state's precarious budget on the backs of society's most vulnerable populations.

The debates taking place in statehouses, clinics and living rooms crystallize the unfortunate truth about economic recessions: Citizens rely most on public services just when the government has the least money to spend on those services.

In New Jersey's case, changes would mean a parent of two earning more than $103 per week would be ineligible. (emphasis mine)

As a joint federal-state venture, Medicaid changes provide endless opportunities for political collision. New Jersey's proposal to cut more than half a billion dollars occupies the delicate intersection between the Republican governor's budget, the Democratic Legislature's priorities, President Barack Obama's health care reforms and U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan's proposed entitlement overhauls.

Read more: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/06/nj_gov_christie_enter_national.html

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In New Jersey $103 isn't even a good day's pay and Chris Christie wants to make that the WEEKLY cutoff amount for Medicaid for parents of a family.

The national Republican agenda is being handled on a state by state basis by Republican governors with certain of them holding celebrity status for their absurd economics instead of being tarred and feathered and run out of town on a rail.

Here is a morbidly obese example, Chris Christie (I point out his physical condition to highlight the health risks and associated costs involved), who is worth an estimated $3.8 million, getting the best FREE health care available at taxpayer expense (how's THAT for an entitlement?) while he cuts benefits for the poorest workers in his state and in doing so increases overall medical costs by sending people to the emergency room for treatment instead of the doctor for preventive and non-emergency treatment.

This is typical of the short-sightedness that rules the U.S. "healthcare" system and the downright wickedness of the wealthy who continue to force an agenda that can only be described as turning everything in the USA that's outside their gated, guarded compounds into Pottersville.

[TomClash]

1. Rec

He's a freakin' fat fascist.

[aquart]

2. I'll bet he's faithful to his wife.

He only screws his state.

[jillan]

3. Why do the repugs claim they are pro-life if they are going to cause people to die?