Thom Hartmann: The GOP refusal to expand Medicaid is a disaster

[thomhartmann]

It’s a disaster for healthcare providers - it’s a disaster for hospitals - and it’s a disaster for working people who just want to get access to affordable health insurance. Don't you think it's a bit hypocritical for Republicans, who flipped out about people changing healthcare plans under Obamacare, to say nothing about the effects of refusing Medicaid?

The Big Picture with Thom Hartmann on RT TV & FSTV "live" 9pm and 11pm check www.thomhartmann.com/tv for local listings

[truebluegreen]

1. We need to give a big shout-out to

John effin' "strikes-and-balls" Roberts for this. His ideology coupled with his personal or institutional cowardice is killing Americans.

As always, Thom Hartmann is great but the MSM needs to report on this and put it in perspective (I know, nagunnahappen).

What's kinda funny (in a sick way) is that the corporate lackeys on the Court have hurt at least some of their corporate clients. Were they the ones who paid less?

[DhhD]

2. Ideology of Paying Less has ruined the State of Texas. The Robert's Resolution will ruin many more

states.

http://hobokencurriculumproject.blogspot.com/2011/03/letter-from-comptroller-carole-keeton.html

And this letter explains how Texas Medicaid program for Children-CHIP was lessened/ruined

http://www.cpa.state.tx.us/comptrol/letters/accenture/letter.html

As early as 2003 persons needing State Medicaid services were beginning to be dumped from Medicaid. That way, less money was allocated to the State service debt for Medicaid services. More and more people were finding themselves ineligible for Medicaid as time went by. After 2006, a funding war existed in the State of Texas for programs and services (too numerous to go into now but here are a few examples). Federal monies were diverted from their federally directed path in to the State's Red Line Budget as in Federal monies from wildlife sales and taxes, were diverted from the Texas Parks and Wildlife in to the Texas Black Hole, budget, as it is called. 2009 Federal monies to the State for Education, were moved to other programs. President Obama stopped this in 2010. 2011 Texas Legislative Sessions, told Texans that the Education Budget would be reduced to put the money into Medicaid. (Yes I am talking about negligence and a threat.) Perry has been requesting additional Federal Health and Human Services grants and monies which were cut off at the end of 2013 because ACA could cover these needs with Expanding Medicaid funding. Rick Perry and the Republican Legislature could care a flip less about the citizens of Texas even using state funding for Perry's Enterprise Fund, to bring businesses in to Texas that get tax breaks as long as they contribute to Perry's Political Fund. When the tax abatements ended the business left the State.

You can see how this state is ripe to turn blue. TX Senator Wendy Davis, Democratic 2014 gubernatorial candidate, tried to stop the $6 billion dollar move of education money from Texas School children to the Texas Black Hole.

[dotymed]

3. I live in Tn.....of course no medicaid expansion.

I have insurance but my deductible is $1000.
Since the ACA was implemented (I am for Universal Health Care, not insurance company gim mes) My cardiologist hesitates to see me as I cannot afford my deductible.
Before the ACA this was never a problem. I am disabled, have 6 heart stents, etc..
I have been having familiar problems and my Dr. has intimated that need to be having a heart attack and then go to the E.R.
This is Vanderbilt, not a rural hospital. I also have two completely occluded Artery branches to my heart.
I thought the ACA would help some people, but I never expected it to have a negative impact on me and others in my situation.
States should be forced to open the Medicaid rolls. my healthcare has fallen dramatically.