Indiana Senate To Vote On Bill To Withdraw From Medicare, Medicaid And Other Federal Health Programs

[salvorhardin]

Senior citizens and the poor in Indiana beware. Indiana Senate Republicans want to give Governor Daniels the power to withdraw the state from Medicare and Medicaid, which would effectively throw all senior citizens and poor people in the state under the bus.

On Wednesday, a Senate panel approved House Bill 1269, and sent it to the full Senate for a vote. The bill gives Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels the authority to pull Indiana and all of its senior citizens out of Medicare. Indiana could also withdraw from Medicaid and many other federal health programs that primarily help the poor, including Obamacare.


According to the Indiana Economic Digest, the bill also permits the “governor to enter into a health care compact with other states that will enable each state to regulate the provision of health care at the state level but pay for it with federal funds.”

Critics say the bill allows the governor to strip senior citizens and the poor of their health care, and that’s exactly what this bill is all about. Since its passage, Republicans have wanted to kill Medicare, and now they may have found a way to strangle it until it “withers on the vine and dies,” as Newt Gingrich once said. Since Republicans are unable to kill Medicare and Medicaid at the federal level, state Republicans are going to attempt to withdraw from the programs state by state. Such a move represents a danger to senior citizens and the poor across the country. Without these crucial programs, our country’s most vulnerable citizens will be at risk of not being able to pay for the medical care they need. This is just more proof that Republicans don’t care about the poor and senior citizens.
Link: http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/02/17/indiana-senate-to-vote-on-bill-to-withdraw-from-medicare-medicaid-and-other-federal-health-programs

[annabanana]

1. If we just plain cut Indiana out of all Federal

programs it might be a great deficit reduction option....

[salvorhardin]

3. Well, aside from those of us who live in Indiana and depend on Medicare to stay alive...

I know you're being sarcastic, and I seriously doubt this will be enacted, the fact that this is being seriously considered is helluva scary for us Indianans who depend on Medicare; who would literally die if we didn't have Medicare. Other than that though, hell yeah, great savings abound.

[madrchsod]

2. i doubt that anyone on medicare will buy this shit.

medicare is the best insurance policy i`ve had since 1973-79. after that it`s been insurance company bullshit.

today i went on my personal medicare account and everything was on that page. in fact it reminded me of my --free-- yearly check-ups.

[southernyankeebelle]

6. Let's hope that people across this country is seeing what the republican party is doing and will

turn over their houses back to sanity and vote democrat.

[Jim Lane]

11. On that basis I briefly hoped that the Republicans would pass the bill

Alas, the human cost to people in Indiana would be too great to justify the political benefit.

But it's amusing to picture the legislature passing this bill and putting Daniels on the spot. If he exercised this new authority, his political career would be over. He'd become the most reviled man in the state. But if he didn't pull the plug when he could, he'd be exposed as a hypocrite.

For the sake of the poor and elderly in Indiana, I hope this bill is just a bit of political grandstanding that will never actually pass.

[southernyankeebelle]

12. Your may be right but it is playing with peoples lives.

[2pooped2pop]

4. at what point are people suppose

to conclude that it's kill or be killed? This bill would effectively kill people. At some point fighting back is just self defense.

I hope that if My Bitch Mitch tries this, Indiana becomes the next Wisconsin. Maybe some "union thugs" could have a little chat with the bitch. Maybe the whole country will see that they are next and stand with Indiana.

[salvorhardin]

5. I agree

Like I said above, this would kill me. I can only hope the Senate and Daniels are not this delusionally cruel.

[TheMastersNemesis]

7. Who Will Win

Will the GOP kill the country or will we kill the GOP first.

[salvorhardin]

9. It's a back door established by the Affordable Care Act

If the states can establish health care compacts that will demonstrably provide the same level of care as the federal programs, then they can withdraw from the federal programs. The good news is that this requires the approval of Congress to become law.

Health care compact. Establishes the health care compact. Requires the securing of the consent of the United States Congress. Specifies that the state legislature of each member state has the primary responsibility to regulate health care in the member state's jurisdiction. Allows the governor to enter into the compact on behalf of the state. Allows member states of the compact to suspend all federal laws, regulations, and orders concerning health care that are inconsistent with the laws and regulations adopted by the member state under the compact. Creates the interstate advisory health care commission consisting of individuals from member states.
Source: http://www.in.gov/apps/lsa/session/billwatch/billinfo?year=2012&session=1&request=getBill&docno=1269

[kestrel91316]

10. Single. Payer. Now.

Cut these fuckers off at the knees.

[indypaul]

13. Current status of HB 1269

This bill passed the Indiana House on Jan 31 by a vote of 62 to 35.
With just a brief view of the roll call it appears strict party line vote.
Republicans for and Democrats against. Should be a message to every
citizen in Indiana over 65 as to where the Republican party places their
priorities when your health is concerned, The bill is due for a hearing
by the Senate Apporpriations Committee on Feb 23 at 9:00a.m. Room 431.

[indypaul]

15. Correction

Sorry to say there were four Democratic votes in the House for passage
of HB 1269. There were three Republicans that did not vote 2 excused
and 1 not voting, The Domocrats who chose to throw medicare and medicaid
recipients under the bus were:

Greg Battles Vincennes, IN Dist 45
Scott Reske Pendelton, IN Dist 37
Gail Riecken Evansville, IN Dist 77
Steven Stemler Jeffersonville, IN Dist 71

It appears all have filed for reelection this year except Scott Reske. One can only hope
every person realizes these people with the help of the Republican Party all share a
philosophy that would place the health care you are currently receiving in jeopardy.
I do not think this sort of legislation is what can be expected of persons who are
supposed to represent the people.

[indypaul]

16. Update

HB1269 was amended and passed Senate 2/29/12 by a vote of 37 to 13.
Strict party line vote with Republicans in favor.
Went to conference and House agreed 58-36 this time Battles, Rieken and
Stemler saw the light and voted with the minority. However, Reske continued
to support this bill and voted with the Republican majority. There were 5 members
excused and 1 not voting. Senate conference report accepted 37-13 strict party
line vote. Bill now awaiting Govenors signature.