Washington special session could slash Medicaid for thousands

oldlewy said on December 23, 2010 at 8:48 AM

An administrative assistant is quite equal to a MacDonald's cashier, in both education and training. Why should they be paid more. Employees for the state get paid too much. Rather than cutting health service for the MacDonald's cashier and other under employed in our state every state worker's wages should be cut

nizran01 said on December 17, 2010 at 10:32 AM

I don't know where people are coming from saying that people are paid insanely high wages. Last time I checked, Administrative Assistants make on average about 15 bucks an hour. That's not bad, but it's not insane. I just came FROM the state to private industry because the health benefits are WAY better and I got a nearly 20 percent increase in pay. Seriously...people need to stop slamming how much state employees get paid...the health benefits are in line now with some of the worst paid out (ACS, Wal-mart) and many of the positions' salaries are >=20 percent less than the private industry equivalent.

jdeubel357139997 said on December 14, 2010 at 1:24 PM

Not only will prescription medications be cut, but so will dental and vision to thousands of senior citizens that have no way to make up that income. When a senior is in a long term care facility, the "stipend" they are allowed to keep varies from $36.00-$62.00 per month. Imagine buying a pair of glasses with that, or a set of dentures so that you can fulfill the very basic need of eating. What is wrong with this picture??

justkidding said on December 11, 2010 at 6:53 AM

I am with those who are mortified by the cuts that impact so many vulnerable people. I am fortunate to have medical insurance through my employer, but not everyone is covered. Regarding the reporting, I wish that someone would fact check articles before they are printed- Saying that the man receives $527 from the medicaid program does not make any sense. Medicaid (was) a program to pay for medical services; it does not dispense cash to the needy. Perhaps you were speaking of the man's disability income? Or perhaps you meant to say that $527 is the value of the medication that he receives at no cost to him? The media is considered a primary source of information, please be aware that you need to be accurate and clear in your reporting.

mjcarpenter said on December 10, 2010 at 9:05 PM

Letters sent to Medicaid recipiants this week outline major cuts already that will take effect Jan. 1st. Cuts to adults include eliminating dental care, hospice, eyeglasses and contacts, hearing aids and cochlear implants, physical, occupatioal and speech therapy, some home care hours. some foot care, and for those of us who have Medicaid and Medicare, no more help paying Medicare Part D medication copays. I think that, given all these cuts and more that may come, all state program directors and other executive employees, and state legislators should have thieir pay cut.

wesleyt said on December 10, 2010 at 8:33 PM

And yet the libs in this State blindly voted in this woman again after the first 4 years of incompetence. She never mentions cutting the art budget or the sound walls along the freeways, or the absurd and massive waste in Olympia, such as ridiculous wages and perks. Wiht her it's always a threat to cut police and fire, and other public services, and now Medicaid. Cheap threats by an amateur politican who has no clue how to run this State. She started with a surplus and is now up what after 6 years, a 9 billion defecit? Cutting programs like these and putting folks in danger will end her career, and although that can't come soon enough for me, it is absurd that she or anyone in Olympia would even consider this, let alone openly discuss it!

wrenavery said on December 10, 2010 at 8:00 PM

I am appalled that the Governor is cutting the most necessary assistance for the most needy people of the state, before she cuts funding from other areas. Care to walk on my head with your high heels, too? You might as well. I will not survive your cuts. I have no way to buy the medicine I need to live. My social security check is less than the cost of the medicine. How much have you cut from your paycheck? Your job perks?

maria98335 said on December 10, 2010 at 7:33 PM

I am a 49 year old woman who at the age of 40 was almost crippled by a degenerative bone disease. After 26 operations in 7 years I now have a pain pump implant in my abdomen that distributes morphine into my spinal cord. I was a bank manager at the time I became disabled. I was then approved for social security and medicare. I have to go in and have my pump filled once a month and am on several other types of medications. Medicare part D does not pay for all of my medications and the balance was paid by Medicaid which is now being cut. I have no idea how I am going to survive. I cant just turn my pump off. I dont get enough social security to barely live let alone come up with amost a $1,000 a month to pay for my medications. ..what do I do?..it seems the states is trying to make the choice for us..quit living..thanks Governor Gregoire for showing the truly disabled residents of the state of Washington how much you care for the truly disabled

yessir said on December 10, 2010 at 10:37 AM

I love these Nastradamus types.... "It's going to get faaaar worse before it gets any better"... can I watch you eat your shoe if that doesn't happen?

hourforum said on December 10, 2010 at 8:28 AM

let me make this clear. the State CAN NOT CUT all medicaid from everyone. That is funded by the Federal Government, those funds are given to the State for the poor, needy disabled. That said-,Cutting such a program IS NOT GOING TO BALANCE THE BUDGET! cutting this program lets look this way, if you worked for the STATE , they said "NO MORE MEDICAL HELP with your state or otehrwise Insurance plan", no 401Ks all disolved under the budget plan, how many would keep working for the state knowing they have NO bennifits? just a pay check. No vacation time, no sick time, no special holiday time, no overtime,no use of state cars,no use of state owned condos,no use of any state vehicle. AH, then you get the picture. This is WRONG. YOU CAN NOT balance the budget on the BACKS OF POOR people. by the way Olympia acts-it is the poor peoples money that is used, after all who would stand up for them? IF this passes, I want to impose everyone in Olympia be fired

cmeeverett said on December 10, 2010 at 4:20 AM

@George Adams ---the obese guy in the video... "losing weight CURES diabetes" ---if ever KING-5 can find me a poster child to support these cuts, they found it by interviewing George Adams. I want my taxes to get this guy back to work, if that involves starving him, which will make him healthier & able to work, how can i debate that? Sorry George, i vote you starve. It's much cheaper than my taxes supporting the life you live. Oprah calls it painful love.

lathankilbrand said on December 10, 2010 at 4:08 AM

I find it amazing that most refuse to hold the politicians accountable for failing to ensure the funding of the medicaid program. I wonder how many examples of waste could be shown, my guess is surely enough to at least maintain prescription coverage. Will this truly save money? I don't think so. Let's take for example all of the elderly disabled that are able to live relatively normal lives with this prescription assistance. When they no longer have that help, there needs will not change. They will be hospitalized, institutionalized and put up in facilities for care, where they will have access to the prescription help they need. The only difference, the taxpayers will now be paying for not only prescriptions, etc.. but all of there care and residential necessities. Sure, eventually we can and probably will get around to cutting that as well. I as a human being simply fail to see the logic, shudder at the lack of compassion and am truly concerned for our future.

patric25 said on December 10, 2010 at 2:39 AM

DO NOT CUT HEALTHCARE FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT!!! Instead of dumping on the poor and needy, there is a much better way to balance the state budget. Cut the Govenors, the Legislatures, and all other state employes, except State Police, by 10 or 15%. If the unions don't like the cuts and go on strike, there will be more money to balance the budget.

ramac7716 said on December 10, 2010 at 2:34 AM

don't drill the tunnel 1.6 billion

jimmy29s said on December 9, 2010 at 11:04 PM

pullyerownw8 have you ever been to a library they have free computer and internet access at most if not all of them in seattle and king county they even have them in shelton so come up with somthing else to complain about moron and to anyone else that want to complain iam disable so if you don't like reading my comments or want to complain becuse of my spelling or becuse i don't where to put a period then get a life

pullyerownw8 said on December 9, 2010 at 8:58 PM

I thought people receiving Medicaid benefits were the poorest of the poor. I see bloggers on here who indicate their medicaid benefits will be cut off pretty soon. Guess they'll have to give up their internet service to pay for their own medicine now - maybe even have to sell their computer!

maynerdgkrebbs said on December 9, 2010 at 8:32 PM

This disheartening,but when many have already cut back their own health care it is kind of a large pill to swallow to pay for others. Everyone needs to cut back on everything. A word of prediction it is going to get far worse before it gets any better.

awol50 said on December 9, 2010 at 7:58 PM

It is about time we began dismantling the welfare state. Just exactly how did we survive before medicaid? And yet all these ad-hominum testimonials would make you believe people will just be dying right and left on the streets. Give me a break.

unhappy said on December 9, 2010 at 7:33 PM

why dont they look at administration cuts they could do... do we really need so many house and senate members..... with tough times lets combine districts........how about the schools... why does every district have a super intendent and a whole admin section.... combine them and save millions...... ....................................STOP PAYING SOCIAL SERVICES TO ILLEGALS.....MAKE THEM GO HOME IF THEY CANT MAKE IT ON THE OWN...............

seattlelovemongr said on December 9, 2010 at 7:25 PM

@ shoreline...I will admit I voted against the Candy tax..."Not".. because I am fat and have a sweettooth...but because they taxed only certain candy and lumped non candy items in....I mean come on tax on "Unsweeted cooking choclate"...but no tax on Twix????.......either tax everything related...or don't tax....you can plainly see who Christine had in her pockets.....Wheat lobbist.....lets see how much money was given to her to keep them out of the loop.........thats why I voted no and will contunue to vote no on coruption and extortion...she's no better the John Gotti himself...

emansnas said on December 9, 2010 at 7:00 PM

The whole concept of a state forcibly taking money from those who are willing and able to support themselves and redistributing it to those who are either unwilling or unable to support themselves is amoral and irresponsible. It's a prescription for unbearably high taxes, economic downturn and a failed state. The fact that so many have become conditioned to believe they actually have the right to other people's money is in itself evidence of how far we've slipped into the spirit smothering destructive depths of socialism. Be an American - earn your own money. If you can't do that then hope for charity, but don't think you have a right to it, you don't.

jayemdub said on December 9, 2010 at 6:50 PM

We need to cut costs.....everyone agrees with that I hope. But, let's be realistic here. Able bodied people who have been sucking Medicaid dry for years need to find another way. Elderly, disabled folks should not be on the 'cutting edge' of Gregroires 'across the board' cuts. Let's stop funding rehab for druggies and boozers.....6 and 8 times each. One time at taxpayer expense.....DONE. You don't get clean and sober....oh well. No more taxpayer money to support the habit or send you repeatedly to rehab. Keep children and the elderly in a safe place for necessary medical care. The rest can do what I have to do...go without medical care.....or get another job to pay for it.

shoreline said on December 9, 2010 at 6:32 PM

Don't worry everyone, all the money you're going to save by not paying tax on candy and bottled water and other "grocery" items will surely make up for the lost medicaid money! Most of you voted for this and many more cuts to come. It's going to be fun listening to all the whiners that will come out of the woodwork in the coming month. Of course none of them will admit in thier posts that they voted against all the tax measures that might have kept these programs afloat. Fun times ahead boys and girls!

yessir said on December 9, 2010 at 6:01 PM

how'd you vote pamby?

pamby said on December 9, 2010 at 5:51 PM

Come on reporter!! Go to the dshs site and read the letter and post it. Let everyone see what EXACTLY is going to happen. And it's going to be enacted JAN1st-- NOT March. I found out through my pharmacist who told me I was cut off the first. People were supposed to be receiving letters that told them what was going on. Didn't happen for me or anyone else I know. We had to go online to look at the 'letter'. Considering that medicaid is funded by the federal government as well as the state and the federal government also sends the state money based on numbers-the state doing what they propose to do is just stupid, it will cost more in lost money than the money they are 'saving' by cutting people off services. Of course if we had kids we wouldn't have to worry about a thing, families are getting more services. We are just the disabled and elderly, evidently we don't count.