by G.L.F. Gammey

Created on: May 24, 2008

What are the guidelines that determine whether one person is entitled to Medicaid before another person? We live in a society where people would rather take free handouts than work for a living. My dad always said that before he took advantage of the welfare system he would have to be totally crippled no arms or legs.

The state government puts forth an effort to keep people on Medicaid because the more need the state shows the more money they receive from the Federal Government. For example, back in 1995 I found out I was pregnant. My husband and I were living with my parents, had no insurance, and were not well established in the work force so we were recipients of Medicaid and food stamps. My husband was able to get a good job during this period. When my daughter was a few months old our insurance through his company began. I called the Medicaid office and informed them that we no longer needed their services. They promptly tried to talk me into staying on Medicaid. However, I refused because I was not willing to take advantage of the system.

There are people out there that take advantage of the system. I had an acquaintance that I lived with for a period of time. She claimed she could not work because she suffered from migraines and could not take her medication while she was pregnant. Consequently, she continued to have babies (five in all). However, I never witnessed her in the thralls of a migraine but I came to believe that the real reason she wasn't working was pure laziness.

She lived with her long time boyfriend who was the father of at least two of her children and who made a considerable income that was never claimed. She received full state benefits for years. Another thing I don't get is why someone who doesn't work and receives state financing is entitled to claim taxes and get a huge refund (such as the earned income credit) when they don't pay the taxes that I do?

I agree with those who believe that our welfare system is broken. We need to change how we determine who is in need and who isn't. We needed help a while back because my husband couldn't work for a short period of time due to neck surgery and we had a lot of bills. However, we were denied because my husband makes too much money and they don't consider the amount of bills one has when determining eligibility. I have absolutely no problem with giving assistance to those who are in need but I think we need to concentrate on helping people get back on their feet instead of promoting the free income system that we have instituted. If you can't work for reasons of disability, then they are entitled to help. If people are down on their luck then they should also receive help for a short period of time. Our government should be more concerned with offering work programs instead of free handouts for indefinite periods of time.

People, in general, feel better about themselves when they can stand on their own two feet.

Learn more about this author, G.L.F. Gammey.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.