We knew that slogan was almost meaningless and now we find out that GOP hearts are even darker than we thought. In Arizona, the GOP controlled legislature and the GOP governor have made draconian cuts to Medicaid, known in the state as AHCCCS.
Here's a list of the cuts that took place on Oct. 1st:
Due to Arizona's huge budget problems and more people being added to the Medicaid Program, after 10/1/2010, Health Choice Arizona under the direction of the AHCCCS Administration, will no longer pay for certain medical care for anyone who is 21 years old or older.
The medical services that will no longer be covered are:
• Most dental care
• Bone anchored hearing aids and cochlea!' implants
• Insulin pumps
• Percussive vests
• Orthotics
• Visits to a podiatrist
• Pancreas transplants (except when pancreas transplant and a kidney transplant are done at the same time)
• Lung transplants
• Allogeneic unrelated hematopoietic cell transplants
• Heart transplants for non-ischemic cardiomyopathy
• Liver transplants for persons with hepatitis C
• Visits to the doctor when you have no specific complaint and are not being treated for any symptoms (well exams)
• Microprocessor-controlled lower limbs and joints for lower limbs
Mark Price is the first of many victims:
Transplant man needs to live no longer covered under AHCCCS
by Alicia E. Barrón
azfamily.com
Posted on October 1, 2010 at 8:08 PM
Updated yesterday at 9:54 PM
PHOENIX – Budget cuts to the state's Medicaid program AHCCCS went into effect Friday but it was a few hours too late for a local father who is dying of Leukemia.
The transplant operation Mark Price needs is no longer covered under his health program even though he got was notified Friday there are two perfect bone marrow matches.
Price explains, "We got a phone call from the hospital telling us the good news that there were two perfect matches."
Nevertheless Friday is also the day the Arizona’s Medicaid benefits that would pay for the expensive transplant expired.
Gov. Brewer says the cuts were hard but necessary and her spokesperson made clear it is unlikely the governor will change her mind and move to reinstate the transplant cuts