The
New York Times (11/26, Pear) reported, "A new federal rule gives states sweeping authority to charge premiums and higher co-payments for doctors' services, hospital care and prescription drugs provided to low-income people under Medicaid." The new rule "is expected to save money for the federal government and the states. But public health experts and even some federal officials predicted that many low-income people would delay or forgo care because of the higher charges." Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services spokesman Jeff Nelligan said that "states are in the best position to determine the appropriate levels of cost sharing. This rule gives states more tools to help slow spending growth, while maintaining needed coverage, which was the intent of Congress." But the rule has drawn "criticism from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Association for Home Care and AARP, among other groups."