Officials Scrutinize Medicaid Policy on ‘Spousal Refusal’

Spurred by the rising cost of nursing care for the elderly, an increasing number of U.S. residents are declaring "spousal refusal," which allows sick spouses to file for Medicaid coverage if their healthy spouses stop supporting them financially. Although the practice is legal, some officials say it is being abused and should be curbed to address growing Medicaid expenses.

• "Full Wallets, but Using Health Program for Poor" (Hartocollis, New York Times, 12/10).