Plan would trade Medicaid funds for flexibility, By Julie Rovner, May 5, 2011, National Public Radio: “Most of the debate about the budget plan passed by House Republicans last month centers on the dramatic changes it would make to the Medicare health program for seniors. But the proposal calls for potentially even bigger changes to the Medicaid program for the poor. Medicaid actually covers more people than Medicare. In 2010, according to the most recent estimates from the Department of Health and Human Services, Medicaid covered 53.9 million people, compared with Medicare’s 47.3 million. Medicaid’s patients are also among the most vulnerable in society…”
Daily Archives: May 5, 2011
SNAP and Farmers’ Markets – Minnesota
More farmers markets take food stamps, By Mary Jane Smetanka, May 3, 2011, Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune: “The drive to get fresh food to low-income Minnesotans is getting a boost this year with a big increase in the number of farmers markets that will accept food stamps. Eight new markets will allow customers to buy fresh fruit and vegetables with food stamps this year, bringing the number of markets belonging to the Minnesota Farmers’ Market Association that accept food stamps to 13. While that doesn’t sound like a lot — there are an estimated 130 formal farmers markets in the state — using food stamps at those markets is a financial and technical challenge. Users of the federal program, officially called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), buy food with a card that is swiped like a credit card. That requires a card reader and an electrical or wireless connection, which are not always easy to get at makeshift market locations…”
Half-Day Kindergarten – Philadelphia, PA
Experts: Half-day kindergarten a ‘disaster’, By Alfred Lubrano, May 1, 2011, Philadelphia Inquirer: “The Philadelphia School District’s plan to cut full-day kindergarten to help balance its budget is being decried by national education experts as a ‘disaster’ and a ‘very bad decision’ that could harm the development of thousands of children – especially the poor. At the same time, many Philadelphia parents are angered and worried that half-day kindergarten would force them to choose between quitting work to be home for their children or placing them in questionable or costly day care. And local child advocates warn that community child-care centers could not handle the tidal wave of 12,700 kindergartners likely to need placement in some kind of program…”