So what else is new? -- Let's balance the budget on the backs of the poor -- More Medicaid cuts in store

Before we had tapes and CD's, sometimes the needle on a phonograph record would get "stuck" and the same thing would play over and over. That was my reaction when I read the following headline in the 8-25-05 ajc: "Medicaid board considering deep spending cuts."

The article notes:

The board that manages government health programs in Georgia is considering massive spending cuts that could deny, reduce or eliminate benefits to thousands of low-income women and children as well as to the blind, aged, disabled and those in hospices.

Options for cutting at least $172.6 million and perhaps as much as $327.6 million from Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids in next year's budget were outlined for the first time Wednesday for the Board of Community Health.

Commissioner Tim Burgess said he will ask board members to act on the proposal at a later meeting, but added that the agency has little choice because the cuts are required under new budget orders given department heads this month by Gov. Sonny Perdue.

[And for the doctor-types who think all Democrats are bad, the administration has something for you:]

The department also would adjust the formulas by which it reimburses Medicaid providers, including a 3 percent reduction for all but hospitals, nursing homes and pharmacies.
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Somebody needs to tell the Governor that President Bush is not going to drop Dick Cheney from the ticket, and that he needs to cease and desist positioning himself for being named as Bush's replacement running mate.