NPR’s ‘All Things Considered’ Examines Indiana Medicaid’s ‘Catch-22’

Many poor and disabled Indiana residents are unable to qualify for the state's Medicaid program because of what one administrative law judge calls "Indiana's Catch-22" -- under state law, an individual is not considered disabled if a treatment exists to remedy the disability, even if the patient cannot afford the treatment, National Public Radio's "All Things Considered" reports. "All Things Considered" reports that "no one likes this law," but change is unlikely because easing enrollment barriers could cost the state $90 million per year at a time when Indiana "may be heading into a recession." The report notes that "every other state" covers the poor and disabled; asked why Indiana is an exception, state Rep. Pat Bauer (D) said, "It's just a difference in philosophy. We have a very generous Medicaid program once you are qualified to get into it, maybe too generous at this point." In 1992, a woman named Patricia Day sued the state over its Medicaid qualification procedures, and was "joined by several hundred other plaintiffs." As the case moves through the courts, the state has lost four times and appealed four times, and the Indiana Supreme Court could decide the case "any day." Kathy Gifford, the state's Medicaid director, says that if the government loses, it would have to "track down hundreds of people who have been denied Medicaid and reimburse them," a prospect that leaves her "speechless." She said she "assume[d] the state would find the money someplace, but ... really doesn't know where" (Bradley, NPR, "All Things Considered," 4/26). To listen to this report in its entirety, go to http://www.npr.org/ramfiles/atc/20010426.atc.13.rmm. Note: You must have RealPlayer to listen to this report.