13 States Cut Medicaid to Balance Budgets

Thirteen states are moving to cut Medicaid by reducing benefits, paying health providers less or tightening eligibility, even as the federal government prepares to expand the insurance program for the poor to as many as 17 million more people.

States routinely trim the program as tough times drive up enrollment and costs.  But the latest reductions – which follow more extensive cuts last year -- threaten to limit access to care for some of its 60 million recipients.