NEW YORK — Under pressure from the health care industry and consumer advocates, seven Republican governors are cautiously moving to expand Medicaid, giving an unexpected boost to President Obama’s plan to insure about 30 million more Americans.
The Supreme Court ruled last year that expanding Medicaid to include many more low-income people was an option under the new federal health care law, not a requirement, tossing the decision to the states and touching off battles in many capitals.
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"NEW YORK — Under pressure from the health care industry and consumer advocates, seven Republican governors are cautiously moving to expand Medicaid, giving an unexpected boost to President Obama’s plan to insure about 30 million more Americans." First of all, article does NOT inform the reads that "The Obama administration is "Quietly winding down" the major feature of the Affordable Health Care Act , which is the pre-existing condition feature,.....But in an unexpected DISASTER for President Obama's health care plan...Per the AP...
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_HEALTH_OVERHAUL_PRE_EXISTING_CONDITIONS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
2/15/13 WASHINGTON (AP) -- Citing financial concerns, the Obama administration has begun quietly winding down one of the earliest programs created by the president's health care overhaul, a plan that helps people with medical problems who can't get private insurance.
In an afternoon teleconference with state counterparts, administration officials said Friday the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan will stop taking new applications. People already in the plan will not lose coverage.""
And, these Republican governors (as well as the so called consumer advocates) KNOW that the Federal Government will NOT continue to pay for 90% of the Medicaid health Care. But when the federal government turns off the spigot, Kathleen Sibelius will invoke the "Maintenance of Effort" provision in the Law, which will force the states to pay for expanded Medicaid enrollment, even if the state goes BANKRUPT........And in MA, the increased health care costs are the REAL reason why Deval is asking for new tax hikes.
Nice job of cherry picking the parts you like from this story. The PCIP program will cease taking new applications for two reasons. One, the GOP controlled House didn't provide enough funding to allow for significant additional enrollment. Two, the language in the law barring insurance companies from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions will take effect next January, so the need for this program will fade away.
What those governors know better than you is that care covered by Medicaid is costs state governments much less than does care for people with no coverage at all. Individual states will benefit even if they have to pay a higher share of the total cost.
NER's comments are interesting. As a true liberal, they always talk as if governments and states are footing the bill.
Example: "Individual states will benefit even if they have to pay a higher share of the total cost."
Libs never talk in terms of the individual having to pay. That has been their key to success.