Actual Impact
The New York Times points out that more than half of Medicaid spending goes toward the elderly and disabled. An Urban Institute analysis estimates the Ryan plan would result in 14 million to 27 million fewer people receiving Medicaid coverage by 2021.

Though rarely mentioned by any of the candidates, Medicaid costs are soaring to cover the elderly who require long-term nursing care. As the Times' details how, states saddled by high Medicaid costs have begun turning to private managed care plans to blunt the cost.

From ProPublica.org (find the original story here); reprinted with permission.

6 Comments

1. 1. Sisko 05:26 PM 9/17/12

   Does anyone believe that a propaganda based publication like unScientific American would provide an unbiased assessment of Obama's and Romney's position on this topic?

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2. 2. aldarwin in reply to Sisko 08:45 PM 9/17/12

   Yes I would Tonto

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3. 3. aldarwin in reply to Gatnos 08:47 PM 9/17/12

   What are your credentials to even comment? Post your credentials!

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4. 4. tharriss in reply to Gatnos 08:33 AM 9/18/12

   "where are the facts"???? Seriously, did you read the article. Again and again it includes references for its claims, and links to further data. Or do things only count as facts to you if they agree with your worldview?

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5. 5. rpostal 11:17 AM 9/19/12

   I used to get really upset about the political bias in many of the on-line articles from SA. But, remember, these are blogs. I agree that SA should not be forwarding such obvious political tracts. And, perhaps it demonstrates the bias of the editor and webmasters. But we need to filter by ourselves the free flow of "information" and know enough to identify the political from the facts and underlying philosophies. We are SA subscribers after all.

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6. 6. DPWalker 11:50 AM 9/19/12

   Lost in this flow of information is a "supply and demand" issue. If the rolls of patients are increased by 16 to 20 million, where is the concurrent increase in the supply of physicians to provide the anticipated care? Of course, it is now extremely easy to make an appointment with your doctor of choice (a little "tongue in cheek" here). One better prepare with the appropriate questions to ask so that the alotted two minute time slot is efficiently utilized! Don't expect the doctor to look at you, though. He'll be busy trying to keep up with all the computer forms required by Uncle Sam.

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