Relief seen for jobless and states in healthcare plan

For Democrats, the stimulus bill working its way through Congress is a tool for rewriting the social contract with the poor, the uninsured, and the unemployed, in ways they have long yearned to do. With little notice and no public hearings, House Democrats would create a temporary new entitlement allowing workers getting unemployment checks to qualify for Medicaid. Spouses and children could also receive benefits, no matter how much money the family had. In addition, the stimulus package would offer a subsidy to help laid-off workers retain the same health plans they had from their former employers.