Arizona First State to Ask for Medicaid Waiver

In what could be considered a jaw dropping act and a first of its kind, the state of Arizona has stepped forward to ask the federal government for a Medicaid waiver. That waiver would end the majority with the Medicaid program within the state. The move is an attempt to help alleviate the state’s larger than life spending budget deficit. Even though the cuts were supposed to affect only adults who have no kids, some 30,000 parents and almost 12,000 kids will shed their Medicaid protection if the waiver is granted. For numerous low income households, it's the only type of medical and health care coverage that they obtain.

Governor Jan Brewer has stated that she hopes the waiver is granted, and that the state is currently trying to locate the means to stop the nearly 43,000 households that would be losing coverage if it's passed.

Laws like this appear to trend across the nation. Will other states choose up on Arizona’s idea and also request exactly the same from the government?