States Slashing Social Programs for Vulnerable

States Slashing Social Programs for Vulnerable

By ERIK ECKHOLM
Published: April 11, 2009


PHOENIX — Battered by the recession and the deepest and most widespread budget deficits in several decades, a large majority of states are slicing into their social safety nets — often crippling preventive efforts that officials say would save money over time.

President Obama’s $787 billion stimulus package is helping to alleviate some of the pain, providing large amounts of money to pay for education and unemployment insurance, bolster food stamp programs and expand tax credits for low earners. But the money will offset only 40 percent of the losses in state revenues, and programs for vulnerable groups have been cut in at least 34 states, according to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a private research group in Washington.

Perhaps nowhere have the cuts been more disruptive than in Arizona, where more than 1,000 frail elderly people are struggling without home-care aides to help with bathing, housekeeping and trips to the doctor. Officials acknowledge that some are apt to become sicker or fall, ending up in nursing homes at a far higher cost.

Ohio and other states face large cutbacks in child welfare investigations, which may mean more injured children and more taken into foster care. Despite tax increases, California has ended dental coverage for adults on Medicaid, all but guaranteeing future medical problems.

“There’s no question that we’re getting short-term savings that will result in greater long-term human and financial costs,” said Linda J. Blessing, interim chief of the Arizona Department of Economic Security, expressing the concerns of officials and community agencies around the country. “There are no good options, just less bad options.”

more...

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/12/us/12deficit.html?hp

up in more expensive nursing homes a lot faster. They will have no choice and their doctors will not either. This is what the home health programs were designed to prevent: more expensive placement.

expensive nursing home? That's my big concern. Will they be kicked to the curb?

care in a nursing home and then they are eligible for Medicaid which is the program that pays for the nursing homes. As I said in my prior post this is not the way to go. Many of those frail elderly would never even reach the nursing home stage if given home health care. Years ago a memo came across my desk at social services that said only 5% of seniors end up in the nursing home before they die. Of those most use up all their savings paying for that nursing home in the first year and end up on Medicaid. It is much cheaper for Medicaid and Medicare to pay for home health needs.

My uncle was a vet and was turned away from the VA services because they were full up (in 1998). He wound up in a nursing home, but I use that term advisedly. It was really disgusting; it was a boarding home for people who had no where to go. He hated it.

He died elsewhere under the care of a friend thankfully, but some of the places old or sick people wind up in aren't fit for anyone.

they don't WANT to go into nursing homes. They WANT to stay as independent as they possibly can. They just need a little help on a regular basis.

Our country is so fucking stupid sometimes, I want to spit. But, it's the goddamned states that fuck it up.....

:shrug:

For Social Programs, Long-Awaited Boost
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/15/AR2009021501795_pf.html


STATES CUTTING SOCIAL PROGRAMS WHICH WOULD SAVE MONEY OVER TIME
http://www.sanfranciscosentinel.com/?p=22556