Essential reading for serious students of political science and health politics. Library Journal ...given the complexity of Medicaid, Olson's book provides a service in succinctly describing the current state of the program, its shortfalls, and some solutions. -- Nicole Huberfeld Concurring Opinions an excellent critique of the perils of 'welfare medicine.' -- Mary Ruggie Political Science Quarterly a valuable cautionary tale about the ways in which well-intentioned public policies intersect with political, economic, ideological, and cultural realities. -- Carolyn Long Engelhard, M.P.A. Inquiry The Politics of Medicaid provides a service in succinctly describing the state of the program before healthcare reform, its shortfalls, and some solutions...Professor Olson reminds us, at a key moment, that Medicaid is more than just headline grabbing politics-it is a lifeline for our most impoverished citizens, and one that deserves more careful attention. -- Nicole Huberfeld Journal of Legal Medicine [A] richly detailed study. -- Mary Ruggie Political Science Quaterly