New Yorkers grab lead in government benefits

New Yorkers get more State aid per person of social programs than residents of another State, find a USA TODAY analysis. By Mike Vogt, Idaho Press-Tribune via AP

Debra Custis of Eagle (Idaho), and others in February to protest against the proposed cuts in public funding for Medicaid.

By Mike Vogt, Idaho Press-Tribune via AP

Debra Custis of Eagle (Idaho), and others in February to protest against the proposed cuts in public funding for Medicaid.

Of the State Medicaid program is the most expensive in the nation, the average cost of all the benefits of the Government in New York drive to $ 9,442 per person.New York on the 28th in social security payments per person and 9th in Medicare benefits. But spending on Medicaid, the health program for the poor is far above that in another State. Only Washington, D.C., spends more.New York spent $ 2903 per person on Medicaid in 2010 – a third more than any other State. The U.S. average is $ 1,364. Nevada spent the least: $ 666 per person. "New York has a social tradition, an ethics, if you will, for the provision of services to the entire population with a welcoming attention to those on the bottom," says James Tallon, a former Legislative leader who heads the hospital United Fund, a research group.New York has unique challenges — a large number of poor people, often migrants, and high cost of providing health care in New York City, he says.The relative prosperity of the State allows it to care for the poor. New York ranks in the middle of the Pack in the provision of benefits to the inhabitants of expenditure is measured as a percentage of the income of the State, the analysis found.United States today analyzed data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the Census Bureau to the importance of government benefits in each State. The numbers advantage give average amounts received per person — not just for those who are in a program.The benefits are what people for social security, Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps, veterans programs, college scholarships and many other government programs.Generally Government controls flow of prosperous States, generally in the North-East and West, to less prosperous States, especially in the South. Key findings: •West Virginia. The State gets 28% of the income of the Government programs, more than any other State. People of the State are the second oldest, after Florida 's, and 20% collect disability. •Colorado. Residents get the least — 13.2% of the revenue from social programs — and far below the average of the U.S. of 18.3%. •Utah. Residents get the fewest dollars-$ 4,731 per person in 2010. The State, which a young population, low in dollars per person of social security, Medicare and Medicaid ranks.

State rankings for assistance

Government paid a record amount in benefits to residents in 2010 for social security, Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps and other programs. How the States rank in dollars per person received. (2000 dollars adjusted for inflation.)

Sources: USA TODAY; Agency for economic analysis; Census Bureau

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