REAGAN SAID TO ASK STATES TO ASSUME FOOD STAMP COSTS
President Reagan wants to transfer the Federal food stamp program to the states as part of a sweeping proposal to redefine Federal and state responsibilities for social welfare, Administration officials said today. Under the proposal, they said, the states would take full financial responsibility for the $11.3 billion food stamp program, which has been financed almost entirely by the Federal Government for 20 years. Federal responsibilities for welfare and perhaps some other programs would also be transferred to the states. In exchange, the plan calls for the Federal Government to assume state Medicaid costs. These costs for the medical assistance plan for poor people are now so large and are growing so fast that state savings under the Reagan proposal would nearl y offset the additional costs imposed on the states for welfare and f ood stamps, according tocomputations by the Office of Management and Budget.