Growing need for Medicaid strains states

Medicaid rolls are surging, by unprecedented rates in some states, as the recession continues and Americans lose their employer-sponsored health coverage along with their jobs. In a number of states, Medicaid populations grew by 5% to 10% in the last 12 months and, in many, the growth rate was at least double what it had been in the previous year. State Medicaid officials also say that because enrollment often lags behind job losses by several months, the growth in 2008 may represent only the leading edge of heightened demand.