WI: Ron Johnson’s “victim of government” had her government healthcare cancelled by Scott Walker

[Scuba]

http://bloggingblue.com/2014/05/ron-johnsons-victim-of-government-had-her-government-healthcare-cancelled-by-scott-walker/

The latest “victim” is Kathi Rose, a 62 year old pastor in Neenah. She had breast cancer 20 years ago and after that found getting health insurance an impossible task because of her pre-existing condition. Luckily, Rose quickly discovered that Wisconsin had something called the Health Insurance RiskSharing Plan (HIRSP). The state-managed HIRSP system was adopted in the early 1990s and was funded through a combination of patient premiums and a surcharge on “regular” health insurance plans in the state. HIRSP also mandated that health care providers treat HIRSP patients at discounted rates.

Generally speaking, HIRSP members loved the plan, because they were getting subsidized rates that were cheaper than what was available on the private market. This was because state statutes required that 40% of the HIRSP members’ premiums be paid by surcharges on the insurance programs of “regular” health plans, and by reduced charges from doctors. In other words, we were all paying 40% of Kathi Rose’s premiums.

...

o, it’s 2013 and everything’s going hunky-dory for Rose, until she gets a letter from the HIRSP Authority saying that, because the Affordable Care Act (ACA) puts an end to discrimination based on pre-existing conditions, HIRSP will cease to exist as of January 1, 2014. Remembering President Obama’s promise that “if you like your insurance, you can keep your insurance,” Rose becomes enraged and calls up Senator Johnson to relay her tale of woe.

Johnson jumped into action and before Obama knew what him, BAM!, another “Victim of Government” was making its debut. The only problem with this story is that Johnson failed to check one key element of this story: The reason why HIRSP was killed had nothing to do with the ACA. HIRSP was axed by Governor Scott Walker in his 2013-15 biennial budget.

[giftedgirl77]

1. Do people not think things like this are going to be researched?

[Scuba]

2. They don't care about facts. The Urinal/Sentinel won't report this, Sykes will never mention it.

A few informed progressives will know, but the majority of the State's citizens will not.

It's good to own all the media.

[giftedgirl77]

3. That is terrible...

[riqster]

4. And that is an excellent example of why Americans are so ill-informed.

It's done on purpose.

[leftyohiolib]

7. and a big comment on the democrat's miserable messaging

[riqster]

8. S'truth.

[hue]

5. Indeed it will not be researched. Welcome to DU!!

Yes I read this and know of several other cases similar to this (since I work in healthcare).

[mtasselin]

11. Thankful

She should be thankful that the ACA is there for her now, but knowing how little people read she will still blame someone else and vote republican.

[blackspade]

6. So the Walker admin lied to HIRSP members

To get them out of the program?
Shouldn't that be considered fraud?

[Pharaoh]

9. they are criminals

they do what they want. Powerful interests own the media and the courts for them.

[AllyCat]

10. RoJo. Awful. Just an awful, awful Senator. Two more years of this bozo.

[Auntie Bush]

12. Scott Walker is an evil man...yes EVIL.

Anyone who is responsible for so much pain, suffering and even death is an evil person.

We as a party should start defining what an evil person is and then start actively calling those people evil. We should run on that! You can bet if the tables were turned...Republicans would call Dems evil if we rejected giving people health insurance.. Republicans think the President is socialist for creating health care...well I say they are Evil for taking it away. That would be a good talking point or platform for candidates to run on. Make people more aware or conscious of the danger of not having insurance. Any Governor who won't let his constituents have health insurance is risking someone dying and is consequently

I'd go as far as to say they should be brought up on charges should anyone in there state die because they couldn't get medical care. Maybe we should keep records of the deaths in states and see if the death rate is higher in states that don't have Health Insurance. That would be a very interesting statistic to know.