In the United States federal assistance programs go through the states. But those dollars that are supposed to go to impoverished families - abused and neglected children - to the disabled and elderly poor -- those dollars don't always get there.
Instead they are diverted to the state administrations - the general fund of the state - or to privvate contractors who are motived by profit and have little or no over sight.
It's a story that is told in the book "The Povery Industry: the exploitation of American's most vulnerable citizens."
Former Governor Rick Perry is highlighted in the book. Hatcher argues that despite an open disdain publicly, Governor Perry diverted more than a billion dollars from Texas Medicaid programs to the state general fund between the years of 2008-2013.
And that is only one program in one state. How much money intended for the bottom are ending up elsewere?
Guest:
Daniel L. Hatcher -- a professor of law at the University of Baltimore.
