Compare what “Honest” Ernie Fletcher is doing with Medicaid in Kentucky with “Rocket” Bill Richardson’s plans in New Mexico. The New Mexico plan, like many recommendations of North Carolina’s Blue Ribbon Commission (PDF),
would spend more state money to get more federal matching money. This
is exactly the kind of thinking that leads to excess use of medical
care by the overinsured. Paul Gessing writes in National Review:
According to the governor?s office, this plan ? if enacted in its
entirety in the upcoming legislative session ? would cost the state $77
million a year. But as statehouse speaker and Richardson ally Ben Luj?n
told the Santa Fe New Mexican, ?The plan is affordable to New Mexicans, because it leverages $250 million in additional federal Medicaid funds.?
Just a note to Ben, you really don’t get the car and $2,000 when the commercial says $2,000 cash back.
