Delaying massive cuts and eligibility restrictions is still voting for massive cuts and suffering.
Call the Senate
The Senate's #Medicaid compromise would not preserve anyone’s coverage in the long run: https://t.co/dqCBCehp21 #MedicaidWorks pic.twitter.com/Oj7n9PNe7L
— Center on Budget (@CenterOnBudget) June 8, 2017
When you call a Senate office, ask to speak to the relevant Health Legislative Assistant. Hey look, a list of staffer names! 18/ pic.twitter.com/UQ0yZNaSxc
— Ben Wikler (@benwikler) June 8, 2017
rikyrah
Thanks for the call to arms, Mayhew.
O. Felix Culpa
Cutting Medicaid doesn’t just fuck the *undeserving* poor, it also fucks *deserving* middle class olds (and their families) who have the misfortune of needing long term care and running out of money. SMH.
JMG
Here’s what I don’t get. If a party is about to do something it knows is very unpopular, why drag it out for more than one election cycle? This means Democrats will campaign on “you have to vote for us to protect your health insurance” twice instead of once, including in the presidential election.
rikyrah
Reminders of what Medicaid is about:
1. Working poor getting access to healthcare
2. Grandma and Grandpa’s Nursing Home Bill
3. The disabled adult population
4. Aid to disabled children
There are a whole lot of different segments of our population – all vulnerable – that get help from Medicaid.
The stereotype is some poor mother with 3 children by 3 different Baby Daddys.
YOU know someone who is helped by Medicaid. There is no 6 degrees of separation between you and someone you know on Medicaid, unless you’re the 1%.
Yet, they insist, cutting a program by 800 BILLION DOLLARS will NOT affect care.
PHUCK.OUTTA.HERE.
They want to steal healthcare for the vulnerable to give tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires.
SOCIOPATHS.
THE.ENTIRE.LOT.OF.THEM.
Lee
FYI the Dodd-Frank repeal passed the House.
O. Felix Culpa
@rikyrah: Yup.
Hungry Joe
The slashing doesn’t begin until after the 2020 election, by which time it will have been on paper for more than two years and will have largely faded in most of the public’s memory. The Dems will be screaming bloody murder — which is exactly what it’ll be: bloody murder — but GOP candidates will say, “What? What’s the problem? We passed that two years ago and everything’s fine.” By the time the arterial blood starts to spout they’ll have won yet another election and so thoroughly savaged the safety net, the financial regs, and the nation’s infrastructure that we’ll have to look hard to find even the remaining shreds.
That’s their plan, anyway. And it ain’t a bad one. You’ve got to hand it to Mitch McConnell: He knows how to do the Villain thing.
Laura
@rikyrah:
They want to steal healthcare for the vulnerable to give tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires.
I love NMFTG Rikyrah!
? Martin
My mom is now actively looking for where she’s going to move. She hasn’t fully committed to doing it, but figures she needs to start her research now. They aren’t poor or even typical working class. They’re upper-working class, nudging into wealthy. My stepfather was a C-level executive for a Blue Cross/Blue Shield and retired early for a number of reasons out of his control. But he also has a rare genetic degenerative illness that without regular treatment and surgeries will kill him soon, rather than somewhat later. He’s not old enough for Medicare and not poor enough for Medicaid. He can afford even fairly expensive insurance premiums but Iowa is facing a situation where there may not be any individual market policies to buy next year.
So here’s someone that should have everything in his favor – former insurance executive who knows almost everyone in the industry on a first name basis, sufficiently well off to afford the premiums without subsidies, very healthy aside from a pre-existing condition. And despite all of that, he’s likely to face a situation whereby he cannot buy health insurance at all if he remains in his state. He’s given the option of moving or dying. Thankfully, he can afford to move, though he doesn’t want to. Their house is paid off, they like their neighbors. They have friends and hobbies and volunteer activities and so on. But dying comes along for the ride, and its immoral to expect people to accept their own death for the sake of some administrative practicality.
But how many other people in Iowa aren’t in that position. That haven’t paid off their farm, that don’t have the income/savings to just pack up and find a state where health insurance is sold, who is too sick to handle the move? Even if this legislative effort fails, it may not change their situation. The deliberate neglect of the ACA by the GOP is why they’re in this situation. It was all avoidable. But Republicans saw an opportunity to weaken the ACA by yanking the risk corridors, and signaling to insurers that there may not be subsidies next year. This isn’t some unavoidable byproduct of market economics, but a deliberate outcome so a bunch of elected officials could win their primaries next cycle. And this is just the story from one state. How many other states are facing similar problems?
rikyrah
McCaskill uses facts to slam Senate Republicans’ health care process
06/09/17 10:22 AM—UPDATED 06/09/17 10:26 AM
By Steve Benen
Many of us tuned in to watch yesterday’s Senate Intelligence Committee hearing with former FBI Director James Comey’s sworn testimony, but around the same time, there were a few fireworks in a lower-profile hearing in the same building.
HHS Secretary Tom Price testified yesterday before the Senate Finance Committee on his department’s budget, and not surprisingly, there was a fair amount of discussion of the Republican plans on health care policy. Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) asked the committee’s chairman, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), whether the panel would hold any hearings on the GOP’s proposal.
The Utah Republican, apparently unsure how to respond, had an aide whisper a talking point in his ear. Hatch eventually told McCaskill that he doesn’t know if the committee would hold a hearing on the still-secret legislation, but Democrats had been invited to “give your ideas” about the issue.
McCaskill wasn’t having it.
Hunter Gathers
Remember, all of this is happening because suburban nitwits, Wilmer’s Army, and your cousin Billy Bob from the sticks are scared of black people they’ll never meet.
MAGA, Bitches. MAGA.
JMG
@Hungry Joe: That’s not how it works. People don’t forget about how they’re going to lose health insurance. They just don’t.
Jim Parene
I calle my Senators, Nelson (D-Good Guy) and Rubio (R-Scumbag Bastard). I could not get thru to a live person so I was forced to leave a recorded message.
I mentioned that I take trump “care” personally and seriously.
Hungry Joe
@JMG: Man, I hope you’re right. I was just pointing out that that’s their plan, and it’s not unreasonable to think — I mean, to fear — that it might work.
gene108
This is EVIL.
No religion or philosophy, which I am aware of, holds that taking from the poorest and sickest to give more money to your already wealthy friends and benefactors as anything but EVIL.
This is some serious Satanic shit.
I hope the word EVIL gets used to describe Republicans, because this is what they are.
the Conster, la Citoyenne
@rikyrah:
But she’s a corporate centrist Dem which is why Dems lose!! argle bargle. Wilmer’s always calling for shit – why doesn’t he get his low info idiot army to call their red state Senators? Isn’t this the test of his leadership on a pet issue of his – saving Medicaid which serves the most vulnerable? Never mind, it’s Wilmer.
The Dangerman
@gene108:
…and practically unstoppable; the Republicans were given the Keys to the Castle and they are going to rape and pillage to lengths we thought impossible not that long ago. They’ve dreamed about this for decades (kinda like Donald and Ivanka but without the ewwwww factor).
Sorry to be a doom and gloomer today and gloomy I am.
Mnemosyne
@rikyrah:
You know who else has kids with three different baby mommas … ?
Mnemosyne
@? Martin:
Please urge your mom and stepdad to tell every person they encounter that they’re moving because of the Republicans in Congress. Not just “Congress,” the Republicans. Reality may dawn on a few of the people they talk to.
AMinNC
@? Martin: Have you written anything like that to your local paper? You lay out a heartbreaking case against the ugly realities of GOP policies and actions. I’m so sorry for your mom and step-dad. And they, as you say, are lucky, relatively-speaking.
Tom
@The Dangerman: I have to partially disagree. This also has the ewwww factor (not to say that Donald and Ivanka don’t).
Tom
@Mnemosyne: NICE! While we’re on the subject, doesn’t Clint Eastwood (paragon of all things Republican) have like seven kids by five different women?
elm
The listing of legislative staffers does not appear to be completely reliable. The staffer listed for one of my Senators appears to work for a Senator from another state.
jl
No one leak that John G Cole woke up sleepy one night, and started mopping the bathroom naked for some bizarre reason and stepped into pet poop, which prompted a moment of sublime spiritual clarity and peace. You will be an unconstitutional leaker. An outlaw! And liar. And especially don’t do it when you are totally vindicating John G Cole on everything he can vindicated on. This is very important. Pass it on.
hovercraft
@gene108:
You’re getting this all wrong, Mark Good News For Republicans Halpern told me this morning that the problem is that the TRussia stuff has taken up all the oxygen and prevented the GOP from being able to explain that yes there will be temporary pain, you will lose benefits, BUT in a few years when the free market kicks in you will have better and cheaper healthcare!
So relax people, just put all your ailments on hold for a few years and the “market” will take care of you!
ETA: Morning Joke looked at him like he was insane, as he said this right after watching that powerful new democratic AD.
eric
@hovercraft: that bag of dicks is not gonna eat itself, so send it along to Halpern
Chris
@? Martin:
I moved to Maryland from Florida because of the ACA expansion the second I could, and it’s good for what it is. Now I’m wondering if I’ll need to move to NY or CA (I imagine the really big wealthy states will try to make up for this fallout with their own funds, but I’m not at all sure Maryland will/will be able to).
I share the pessimism.
jl
@hovercraft:
” So relax people, just put all your ailments on hold for a few years and the “market” will take care of you! ”
Mr. Halpern is full of BS. The GOPers are not even promising that. Anyone needs evidence, go to youtube and dig up Ryan’s presentation on how insurance is supposed to work. According to Ryan, the problem with auto insurance is all those winners who didn’t have an accident have to pay out to those losers who did. UNFAIR! Seriously, you know some one on the fence about calling Congress, send them that youtube and tell them the GOP knows damn well their policy will kill people and they don’t care.
Mnemosyne
@hovercraft:
Yeah, it’s not like diabetics not taking insulin for a few years has any long-term consequences for their health. What’s a few amputated limbs between friends when there are tax cuts for the rich at stake, amirite?
LurkerNoLonger
I’m having trouble functioning with the amount of anger I have about this. My mother had a stroke 2 years ago and she is on Medicaid with a spend down so she can get home health care. This is personal to me.
brendancalling
Bon Corker’s officde is refusing to put people through to Arne Owens. FYI.
hueyplong
@eric: Are you suggesting that Halpern be sent UNSALTED dicks?
Uncivilized.
Miss Bianca
@Mnemosyne: Meanwhile, in MY home state…
http://gazette.com/colorado-house-gives-first-ok-to-12-month-supply-of-contraceptives/article/1599063
jl
@brendancalling: GOP moderates always cave. Looks like McConnell squashed the bipartisan GOP Senate moderates’ work with Democrats, and now they will go along with that legislative thug’s death plan like good little sad abject flunkies.
DeliciousGuac
Just called Bill Cassidy’s DC office again. This time I asked for health care staffer Matt Gallivan. He was in a meeting so I left a message explaining my concerns. The staffer I spoke with said Cassidy has been getting a lot of calls and it’s been “eye opening” for the senator. Let’s hope so.
Louisiana folks, please call Cassidy! 202-224-5824
rikyrah
@hovercraft:
I know you do not lie, but the disgust I felt while reading this is off the charts.
Mnemosyne
@Miss Bianca:
In CA, you don’t need a prescription for BCP anymore — you can get it from the pharmacist.
I didn’t realize it until recently because perimenopause means I’m off the stuff permanently now.
Le Comte de Monte Cristo fka Edmund Dantes
@hovercraft:
So after years of zero MSM recognition of the ACA essentially being an up front investment in improved health outcomes (and from which savings were already starting to flow), Halperin says “give trickle down a chance”.
He ignores the now three decade long proven failure of trickle down.
Chris
@hovercraft:
Well, of course I’ll have cheaper health care. It’s always cheaper when you don’t have health care.
zhena gogolia
@rikyrah:
I noticed that in the McCaskill clip, Hatch was doing the same “doddering grandpa” act we saw from McCain yesterday. I don’t buy it for a minute. They know exactly what they are doing.
Ruckus
@Chris:
Even CA, with the 6th largest economy…… in the world, would have a hard time making single payer or universal care work, especially if you don’t desire to just throw a bunch of people who work to make the current system happen, out of work. Single payer would be far easier but it would still require lots of trade offs from the current system. For one there would need to be a lot of federal programs removed and the money now given to the federal government would have to stay in CA. While the current maladministration does want to stop paying for a lot of stuff, they do not want the lower 99% of us to stop sending them money to play with. What they really want is to do with that money anything they want and nothing we want.
Ruckus
@zhena gogolia:
You do know that they are doddering grandpaws, or at least they are well into the age range of doddering grandpaws. I’m easily old enough to have grandkids over 21 and mc cain is 12 yrs older than I am. And Hatch is 83.
? Martin
@AMinNC: Oh, yeah. Understand, they play golf with the state insurance commissioner and the CEOs of the insurance companies and hospital groups. Chuck Grassley recognizes her when she attends his events. They’ve written op-eds and LTEs.
In a sense, that’s part of my point here. My mom isn’t some random voter getting fucked over here. She and my stepfather are insiders to this system, and even they are getting fucked over. This is way beyond some mere policy disagreement, this has mutated into some sort of cancer that is consuming a powerful american institution with no regard for what it destroys – and it infects not just the members of congress but their voters as well. They won’t recognize what they’ve destroyed until they realize that it was something they depended on. There’s no capacity to understand future consequences here.
? Martin
@Chris: The size of the state has something to do with it, but also the attitude of the state. Texas, regardless of its size, consistently fucks this up, where Hawaii is doing pretty well with it.
My bet on California is that it has both, and it has really strong healthcare institutions. We were early on the managed care bandwagon here, and we have the strongest exchange and a reasonable level of competition across the state. But smaller states can certainly make up for their lack of scale with the right approach. Vermont fell short being a VERY tiny state (the biggest city in the state is about the size of my HOA) but it came pretty close.
MomSense
@? Martin:
Massachusetts or California. I’m trying to move to Mass for similar reasons of wanting to avoid death should the GOP evil monsters succeed in destroying the ACA.
Another Scott
@zhena gogolia: Hatch is 83. I don’t know how much of it was an act…
Cheers,
Scott.