BCT Editorial – 2/24/08

This page was last updated on February 24, 2008.

No easy way out; Editorial; Beaver County Times; February 24, 2008.

The subtitle of the editorial is “Resolving Medicaid funding dilemma for nursing homes is going to be very costly.”

The editorial leads off with, “The mini-drama called ‘Medicaid’ that is playing in Harrisburg and nursing homes across Pennsylvania and the nation is painful to watch because there can be no happy ending.” and concludes with “One thing is certain: Without an incredible amount of creative thinking, resolving this drama is going to be very costly in human and fiscal terms.”

All I can ask is, why did it take the Times 40+ years (from Medicaid’s birth as a “Great Society” program) to figure this out? Name an earnings and/or property redistribution program that has worked over the long term. These programs work only for the bureaucrats and politicians who redistribute the earnings and property.

The only viable long-term solution is to gradually phase out programs like Medicaid, Medicare, SCHIP, PACE, et cetera and allow people to take care of themselves. Do I believe people who need help because of unforeseen circumstances should get it? Of course, but via private charities funded by voluntary contributions.