The way I look at it is this: Gov't "assistance" programs are unnecessary and cruel. I say cruel because there are so many people who get caught up in finding "free money" from the gov't and they neglect their own families in the process. There is no incentive to work, educate yourself, take care of your children etc... when the state will do this for you. These people then become dependent on the welfare state and the cycle continues with their children.
While I would love for all those programs to be abolished overnight, I don't think that is feasible right now. Unfortunately, most Americans have been "weaned" off their freedoms and are completely ill-prepared to take care of themselves and their family. So instead of saying "No more medicaid. You're on your own." We should be cutting these programs bit by bit, helping these people out through private organizations and encouraging people to become more self-sufficient. "Wean" them off gov't help, so to speak.
People in New Hampshire seem to be a fairly independent bunch and there was a Bill (not sure if it passed or has gone through the senate yet) that would ACTIVELY LOOK FOR PEOPLE TO GET ON GOV'T ASSISTANCE! Apparently there weren't enough people receiving gov't help so they felt the need to recruit people to become wards of the state. Ridiculous, if you ask me.
Do I fault people for receiving gov't help? Not usually. When my sister had a kid she had him put on whatever type of medical insurance is available for newborns (medicaid, medicare, i don't know). But she refused to accept medical insurance for herself. Her line of thinking was: "I can't afford insurance for myself, but that's my fault. My baby shouldn't have to suffer because I can't afford insurance for him." I have no problem with this line of thinking. Do what you have to, but PLEASE don't become totally dependent on gov't help. Don't forget that the money for these programs are payed for by everyone, regardless of whether or not they use the system.