View Full Version : The disabled face Hard Choices As States Slash Medicaid


Laura
05-20-2010, 04:04 PM
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704292004575230673483973904.html?m od=WSJ_hps_MIDDLEFifthNews
POLITICSMAY 20, 2010.Disabled Face Hard Choices as States Slash Medicaid
BY CLARE ANSBERRY
FLORENCE, S.C—Tandem forces of shrinking state budgets and rising health-care costs have collided and struck a small brick ranch house in this rural town, home to Barbara Hickey.

Born with cerebral palsy, Ms. Hickey, now 67 years old, is confined to a motorized wheelchair. She lives alone and relies on certified nurse's assistants to get her in and out of bed, bathed, clothed and fed.

In December, she received a letter from the South Carolina Department of Special Needs and Disabilities, saying her weekly 50 hours of personal-care help was being cut to 28 hours. That meant Ms. Hickey would ...