Who Gets Health Care?

[Zen Curmudgeon]

http://www.technewsworld.com/story/n...01UZWU0C.xhtml

Medicaid singled out for a $10 billion reduction in the four-year period beginning in 2007

http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/05/...th.illegal.ap/

Health care providers can charge the government for emergency care provided to illegal aliens beginning Tuesday.

Lawmakers set aside $1 billion over four years for the program, created by Medicare legislation passed in 2003.

Lemme see...the Medicaid program, one that finances virtually all long term care for the elderly in the country, is slated for a $10 billion cut, but illegal immigrants seeking emergency care (which hospitals are required by federal law to provide) will get a cool billion dollars starting this week.

While Tennessee is preparing a list of the hundreds of thousands of poor Americans it's about to drop from Medicaid and add to the 45 million uninsured American citizens, hospitals in California, Arizona and Texas are poised to recoup money they spend on care for people the Border Patrol let slip through the fence.

I've gotten some serious bumps on the head in my time, so maybe it's just me, but how in hell does this make any sort of sense?

If you understand it, please explain it to me. Speak slowly, use short words, and be patient. I have this problem understanding government decisions that seem to favor gardeners over grandparents.

Take Care -

ZC