GOP governors opting out of health reform pool for high-risk uninsured

[babylonsister]

So, are these governors doing the bidding of their constituents?


GOP governors opting out of health reform pool for high-risk uninsured
By Julian Pecquet - 05/01/10 12:17 PM ET


The decision whether to operate their own high-risk pool for sick people who can’t get insurance has become a highly politicized issue in some states, with a number of Republican governors blasting the $5 billion set aside for the provision as insufficient.

As of mid-day Friday, 21 states and the District of Columbia had decided to run their own pool while 11 states had opted to let the federal government take over. Of the latter, all have Republican administrations save for Tennessee and Wyoming.

Conversely, all but five of the 21 states that opted to run their own pools are led by Democrats. The exceptions: Connecticut, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont and California, where Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday became the first Republican governor to endorse the health reform law.

In an April 2 letter to governors and insurance commissioners, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius set an April 30 deadline for states to decide whether to run their own pool.

In states that choose not to run their own programs, the federal government will use their share to cover that state’s uninsured itself. HHS unveiled each state’s share of the $5 billion last week.

more...

http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/95443-gop-governors-opting-out-of-health-reform-risk-pool

[Captain Hilts]

1. Well, ain't that just grand?

[bluestateguy]

2. As long as the high risk pool will be created no matter what, does it really matter?

Seems like a political freebie for governors to opt out so as to appease their teabag base, while the uninsured still get covered (which will actually save their states money in the long run).

[GreenTea]

3. Grand Old Party...sounds nice & sweet, they must have a reason....

but I despise the slimy, lying, cold-hearted fucking republicans!!

[babylonsister]

4. Yes, their reason is to not appear to agree with anything the Dems

do, until they do, like Boner.

Boehner: Popular Parts Of HCR Were GOP Ideas

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=8249693

Also the stim pkg; how many rethugs badmouthed that but then took credit for improvements the stimulus funds funded. Lots of them!