Robert Pear does what reporters are supposed to do in the NYT today. He does a little digging, and finds that new Medicaid rules requiring a birth certificate, or similar documentation, to receive benefits, are denying coverage to many citizens. The new rules are intended to prevent immigrants from receiving Medicaid benefits. But, many low-income citizens do not have the proper documentation needed to qualify for Medicaid under these rules, as a result they must either find a way to pay for their health care themselves, or do without. Pear has been on top of this story since the rules were first being considered by Congress last spring. He has done an important public service, as has the NYT by running the stories.
--Dean Baker
