Medicare, Medicaid pose costly dilemma

As the national trend toward managed health care continues, efforts are being made to make sure that two of the largest populations are included: Medicaid and Medicare patients.

And Colorado has emerged as a leader in that effort, with a growing number of health-maintenance organizations, a growing HMO enrollment and a growing number of Medicaid and Medicare HMO recipients.

The reasons for including both Medicaid and Medicare patients in managed health plans is compelling, if for no other reason than to control and contain costs.

Medicaid, the state-federal program for low-income people, has long been regarded as one of the most costly and…