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The problem is, the Feds want to once again "Out-source" Medicaid to private insurance groups. Where as some provide decent enough care, many more are shoddy rip-offs. A recent NYT article discussed how Florida is starting a program to do just what Fletcher wants. Their 'big idea' is that people will be assigned a certain amout of money based on past health status. A vast number of people end up on medicaid because they have sudden catastrophic illness. One Florida official sad only 5% of patients were likely to suffer a negative impact from the change. That means 1 in 20! The biggest problem is, medical care is perhaps the most expensive thing (including buying a house) that can happen in your life. Having an insurance company say 'You've not been to the hospital in 10 years, thus you get $10,000 set aside for you, then suddenly getting Cancer... it happens to people. And then, the people, that 5% lose everything.

Yes, there are people who mis-use the current system. But I'm willing to bet that the number who mis-use it are less than 5%...

Let private insurance companies take responsibility for deciding who gets what amount of coverage is definaedly putting the Fox in charge of the Hen house. Many of the people on Medicaid currently are there because they can't get private insurance or not a a rate they can afford.