The Washington Post had a great article on how Idaho has tried to do something on Medicaid expansion eligible populations without actually accepting the federal money to just expand Medicaid eligibility to 138% of the Federal Poverty Line. I have some sympathy for Idaho policy makers who actually want to do something in a state that is controlled by fantasists and Tea Party Republicans. I’ve always though that health policy and working poverty policy is tough work with lots of interacting factors.
Silly me, I could never have come up with this proposal that would have solved all economic and health policy problems:
One senator lobbed the idea of offering the working poor tax incentives if they use a life coach to motivate them to get higher-paying jobs. None of the proposals caught on.
Chris Farley down by the river is not a systemic solution.
@JennyAGold @charles_gaba Chris Farley Full Employment Act down by the River?https://t.co/Ufl3bggHBK
— David Anderson (@bjdickmayhew) February 10, 2017
Health policy is tough and there are few easy wins.
Open Thread
Baud
I’ve been thinking of getting a life coach. Any juicers have experience with one?
silvery
@Baud: I think the comments of Balloon Juice are a life coach at times.
Peale
@Baud: The first thing they’ll recommend is staying away from us.
Roger Moore
@Baud:
The problem with getting a life coach is that anyone who can recommend one based on personal experience is the kind of person who needs a life coach.
jonas
What were some of the other ideas? A series of billboards on the interstate with “Hey poor people! Make more money!” printed in huge letters — you know, to communicate that the key to no longer being poor is getting some more money. If only poor people would decide to have more money, we wouldn’t have all these problems.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
@jonas: Remember when it was a scandal when some Dem said the Republican health care plan was “Don’t get sick”
Baud
@jonas: I think you’ve described lottery ads.
ThresherK
@Baud: I’m sure that Idaho senator has one in mind for the state contract. Why not use him?
Baud
@Roger Moore: Pays for itself.
Baud
@Baud:
That was directed at @Peale.
Life coach could have helped me there.
p.a.
“Down by the river
I shot my” healthcare…
Iowa Old Lady
I’m trying to imagine requiring Iowans to hire life coaches. Where would you even find such a fancy pants citified person if you lived in Grundy, Iowa?
The Moar You Know
I’ve been poor, homeless poor. Believe me, the poor don’t need “motivation” to get higher-paying jobs. It’s all you can think of, when you’re poor.
It’s simply that those jobs aren’t to be had.
Barbara
@jonas: And that quote just bately wins the prize for the most idiotic statement made by Idaho legislators who went on the record.
MomSense
@Baud:
Isn’t that what dogs are for???
I think life and health coaches can be helpful. They are more for people who have goals and perhaps need encouragement or an accountability person. I try to go to the gym with a friend because I’m much less likely to skip a workout if I know someone else is counting on me.
Arclite
Given that so many health issues are caused by poor diet, I’d like to see healthcare legislation that addresses this. WIC is a good start, but how about applying that across the board to all EBT benefits? And how about sin taxes on food “products” that aren’t food at all: potato chips, candy, soda, etc.
Baud
@MomSense: I never made it past the butt sniffing lessons.
Mnemosyne
@MomSense:
Yeah, a life coach is basically a therapist you can check in with by phone. It’s helpful for people with learning disabilities or who are doing something specific like changing jobs, but it sure ain’t a panacea.
Gvg
@Arclite: in Florida, it’s just sales tax. Real food isn’t taxed. Junk food, fast food, candy, prepared food is. I think it’s a good policy but I don’t think it really helps on choices.
MomSense
@Baud:
Hahaha!
@Mnemosyne:
If you have a well formulated goal, life coaches can be extremely helpful.
Ruckus
@Jim, Foolish Literalist:
Wasn’t the policy “Get sick and die”?
Yoda Dog
@David Anderson: Hey, David just saw your question from the Moral March thread, I apologize for the late response. I had planned to just drive down there and wander around, didnt have much of a plan beyond that. I would love to meet you, sir, I dont comment on your stuff very often, but I have read and learned alot from you over these years.. Did you have a corner or spot you were planning on situating? Anyways please dont hesitate to come talk to me if you see me. I’ll have a green hat on as well as the balloon. I’ll probably be rolling solo with the wife home with the kids, so any company (from anyone here) would be welcomed and appreciated.
Dr. Ronnie James, D.O.
Go go magic bootstraps!
Rugosa
You know what would help the working poor make more money? Raising the minimum wage.