Republicans pushed the “death panel” meme hard and heavy during the healthcare debate. So it must have really stung when Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer had that label applied to her cutting of benefits for transplant patients. Now, she’s taken that back, but plans for even more cuts – via ThinkProgress » Priorities? GOP Governors Shift Burden To Poor, Middle Class To Pay For Tax Breaks For Rich, Corporations.

Now, however, Governor Jan Brewer is proposing to kick some 280,000 Arizonans, mostly childless adults, off the state’s Medicaid rolls. Brewer claims such a move is the only way to get the state’s fiscal house in order, as it would save $541.5 million in general funding spending. Brewer also wants to save $79.8 million by dropping 5,200 “seriously mentally ill” people from the state’s Medicaid program. Instead of balancing out these draconian cuts with additional revenue increases or simply not making the cuts in the first place, Brewer instead signed $538 million in corporate tax cuts into law two weeks ago.

So, cut this to the chase: Brewer signed $538 million in tax cuts two weeks ago. This week, she wants to leave 280,000 Arizonans without healthcare and 5,200 seriously mentally ill without the assistance from Medicaid that they need. As has been the case numerous times, the benefits go to those who already have the money, and those who don’t get the shaft. The tax cuts she signed into law almost completely offset the budget cuts that she is making to Medicaid.

So, we know where the priorities are for Brewer. And it isn’t those who need medical help.