BY SARA MURRAY, JANET ADAMY AND NEIL KING JR.

More than half the states want permission to remove hundreds of thousands of people from the Medicaid insurance program, a move that would represent a rare cut to a national social program.

The push sets up a showdown between states struggling with fiscal 2012 budgets and the Obama Administration, which says it may lack the authority to allow such cuts. That means Congress could be forced to settle the matter.

Nearly every state has nipped at parts of the program, which currently insures 53 million Americans. Arizona stopped covering certain organ transplants, Washington pared vision and dental services and South …

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The perception of Medicaid is largely that of a welfare program. It is.  It is the government sending money to its citizen’s to help them pay rent, buy food etc.  It is hard working American’s money going to hard up Americans. Yes there are abuses.  Yes we are a society of 250 + viewpoints.  We are more interested in policy than politics.  Many citizens do not realize that Medicaid (not Medicare) pays for the long term, skilled nursing care of many elderly Americans.  Medicaid pays for most American’s  Nursing Home room & board. If you have strong feelings about this policy of cutting deeply into Medicaid, or other social programs which affect your parents and other Seniors you may wish to contact your local, state and Federal representatives and give them your input.