Alexander is correct, of course. Medicaid and Medicare are remnants of legal segregation--programs available on the basis of some personal criteria that are unrelated to the objective of the service. But, the way to remedy this inequity, a violation of the equal protection clause, isn't to deprive millions of people in the prime of life of access to necessary medical care. The remedy lies in making these programs available to everyone who's in need of help to survive injury and disease. That's what providing for the "security of the person" means. And not doing so amounts to deprivation under color of law. After all, we elect people to the House and Senate to provide for the general welfare. It's not possible to argue that the nation is secure, as long as each individual isn't secure in his or her person.