http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-971219.mp3
Albany, NY – The New York Times is reporting that Arizona, like many other states, says it is no longer able to finance its Medicaid program adequately. As part of a plan to cut costs, the state has proposed imposing a $50 fee on childless adults on Medicaid who are either obese, or who smoke. In Arizona, almost half of all Medicaid recipients smoke. While the number of obese people is unclear, about one in four Arizonans is overweight, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The state's plan must ultimately be approved by the federal government. Hear all about it on this edition of Vox Pop, with WAMC's Alan Chartock