Posted on 11/07/2013 11:14:18 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
Remember Medicaid? You know, the massive, costly federal healthcare program for America’s indigent? Within the last few months, it’s been (a) exposed as an empirical failure by the most comprehensive study ever done, and (b) expanded hugely by Obamacare, natch. Here’s how Medicaid is working in the Land of Lincoln:
The early findings of an ongoing review of the Illinois Medicaid program revealed that half the people enrolled weren’t even eligible. The state insisted it’s not that bad but Medicaid is on the federal government’s own list of programs at high risk of waste and abuse. Now, a review of the Illinois Medicaid program confirms massive waste and fraud. A review was ordered more than a year ago– because of concerns about waste and abuse. So far, the state says reviewers have examined roughly 712-thousand people enrolled in Medicaid, and found that 357-thousand, or about half of them shouldn’t have received benefits. After further review, the state decided that the percentage of people who didn’t qualify was actually about one out of four.
Not to fear, taxpayer-fleecing fraudsters, Big Labor has heroically filed a lawsuit to block the state from using private workers to purge ineligible recipients from the Medicaid rolls. This thing may be tied up in court for awhile:
Illinois will continue looking at each of the 2.7 million people on Medicaid, trying figure out who doesn’t belong in the program despite a lawsuit from the state’s largest public employee union. Illinois’ Health and Human Services Director Julie Hamos said Tuesday the state will appeal a ruling that would force the state to essentially stop its Medicaid scrubbing program, which is being done by a private contractor. “We believe ending this contract … would not best serve the interest of Illinois taxpayers,” Hamos told a state legislative panel. “We do plan to appeal the decision of the arbitrator.” That arbitrator ruled in favor of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees labor union, saying Illinois could have offered the work of scrubbing the Medicaid rolls to state employees, who are members of the union.
Medicaid is the textbook definition of “junk” coverage. Obamacare supporters are presently trying to excuse the president’s historic “keep your plan” lie by arguing that people are only losing “crappy” coverage anyway. (In many cases, this isn’t true). Yet they’re also resolutely in favor of doubling down on this failing government program — which provides genuinely horrible access and lousy care. It’s almost as if results and evidence don’t matter to the Party of Science. Parting snark from John Sexton:
Guy Benson @guypbenson
Terrific. RT @Schneider_CM: Audit: HALF the people enrolled in Illinois' Medicaid program aren't eligible: http://www.kmov.com/news/just-posted/Audit-reveals-half-of-people-enrolled-in-IL-Medicaid-program-not-eligible-230586321.html …
John Sexton @verumserum
@guypbenson @Schneider_CM Luckily, Illinois is flush with cash.
12:15 PM - 5 Nov 2013
1 Retweet 1 favorite
Yup.
Illinois would appear in the dictionary as the example for “dysfunction” if Detroit had not beat them to it.
Illinois would appear in the dictionary as the example for “dysfunction” if Detroit had not beat them to it.
Pretty close race there!!!
WHERE are the Inspector Generals overseeing this OBAMFIASCO
I have been deathly sick 2DV, and you know what I’m talking about. In 3 years I’ve had 3 joint replacements at the absolute best hospital in Central Florida. The last time in July, there was a mixup on rooms available. They put me in a private suite. Good thing this has all happened before Obamacare. I thank The Good Lord. I won’t get sick in the future.
A former neighbor of mine (native of Wisconsin) once asked me if I knew the difference between a “cheesehead” and a “dickhead”.
I said tell me. He said the Illinois state line.
(with apologies to all Illinois Freepers)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.