- Most doctors still reject Medicaid as program expansion nears, By Tony Pugh, May 13, 2013, Charlotte Observer: “Sandra Duck thinks she’s the victim of an undeclared Medicaid boycott. And she’s probably right. When her artificial right hip became infected with the superbug MRSA in late 2009, Dr. Dale Mitchum, a general surgeon, drained, cleaned and closed the infected area. But when the infection returned in early 2010, Mitchum knew Duck needed another hip replacement surgery, which he couldn’t perform. He tried to find an orthopedic surgeon who would operate. More than a year later, he’s still trying. ‘I cannot find a living soul that will touch her,’ he said recently. ‘And I’ve tried everywhere, from Tallahassee to Pensacola.’ Doctors in several states outside Florida also have refused to operate on Duck, who’s covered by Medicaid, the state-federal health insurance program for poor people and those with disabilities. Because of the program’s history of low payments, fewer than half of U.S. doctors and other health care professionals accept Medicaid patients, according to a recent study…”
- Medicaid expansion left out of Michigan Senate budget, leaving proposal in doubt, By Tim Martin, May 16, 2013, mlive.com: “The Republican-led Michigan Legislature is continuing to advance budget bills that do not include an expansion of Medicaid through the federal Affordable Care Act or ‘Obamacare,’ leaving the proposal in jeopardy…”
- Senate committee advances budget; final vote set today, By Mary Jo Pitzl, May 15, 2013, Arizona Republic: “An $8.8 billion state budget for the coming year cleared its first hurdle Wednesday as senators split along partisan lines on key issues, moving along a budget their leaders had negotiated with Gov. Jan Brewer. But the big battle looms today when the Senate is expected to debate Medicaid expansion…”
Poverty-related issues in the news, from the Institute for Research on Poverty