US Congress makes changes in Medicaid health for poor

[UpInArms]

http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=2005-12-19T190432Z_01_N19258943_RTRIDST_0_BUDGET-CONGRESS-MEDICAID.XML

WASHINGTON, Dec 19 (Reuters) - The spending bill approved by the House early on Monday and awaiting a Senate vote could increase the out-of-pocket costs of many of the poor people who rely on the joint federal-state program for their health care.

The legislation also tightens eligibility rules for long-term care. Medicaid pays for roughly half of nursing home bills.

The mostly Republican backers of the bill say the changes are necessary to preserve a financially beleaguered social program that has not been updated to keep up with the changes in U.S. health care.

Mostly Democratic critics say it shreds the health safety net for the most vulnerable Americans. The AARP is among the interest groups opposed to the health care legislation.

...more...

[movonne]

1. This is sick...how come no one is asking for a tax increase to the rich...

this would take care of the poor...

[leftchick]

2. well that is the plan isn't it?

"shreds the health safety net for the most vulnerable Americans" Ask Grover, it is all going according to his plan...

[bleedingheart]

3. this is the cold water poured on the poor that may wake them up

because many poor folks don't vote...they were convinced they were not part of the system BUT when even the very little they do receive from the system is taken away...perhaps they may wake up.


and the poor outnumber the rich...

[wiley]

4. And Republicans do everything in their power

and outside the law to make sure they don't, or can't, vote. This has been coming for some time. They thinki that the states will pick up more of the costs of Medicaid. What a sick country we are when run by Republicans. People who make over 10 million a year are like 50 times less likely to make contributions to chairties than those who make 40 to 100 K. Millionaires are obviously part of a different society.

:wtf:

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[AnneD]

8. Often times it is hard for the poor to keep body and soul togather...

on the Maslow scale of needs, voting is too far from the basic needs.....and that is just what the GOP want. It is not a matter of waking up but dealing with multiple jobs, child care, etc. Don't judge too harshly.

[Dogmudgeon]

9. Are you CERTAIN you want to stand by that statement?

It's got to be one of the most reactionary quips I've seen here in a long time.

Just a little more pain for the hurting ... you really want to advocate this?

--p!

[bleedingheart]

11. I don't want anyone to hurt, BUT

I have tried to register people to vote in very poor districts in my community and I have pleaded with people to vote, call and interact with the government.

I have given money to food banks and charities for the great number of people in my local community that are suffering.

I hate to see suffering BUT....my grandfather came from Croatia and he was Pro-Union, Voted and he was dirt poor....but he knew that it was important to be part of this great democracy.

My other grandfather came from Lithuania...dirt poor with nothing but the clothes on his back and he voted!!!!!

I just don't know anymore....what does it freaking take for people to wake up anymore. Perhaps I am being reactionary but after you see the absolute apathy I have seen...you just don't know what it will take for people to finally wake up....when their kids can't get their asthma medication and they are crying every night from hunger....will that wake them up?

[preciousdove]

13. Its not as dangerous to vote in America when you are European looking.

:shrug:

[bleedingheart]

14. you have no clue what you are talking about.

my one grandfather was forced out of his house at gun point for starting a union. he and his wife and 6 children (including my infant father) had to live in a tent during the strike. They lived in fear of the Coal and Iron police and what might happen.

He was blackballed by the companies and had to move multiple times...all to fight for a 40 hour work week and a living wage.

When you are poor your life is worth shit to the wealthy no matter the color of your skin.

[preciousdove]

15. Topic was voting...I stand by my statement. I am white.

I do know what I am talking about. I have two sons. My ex-husband is of mixed race. One of them looks like my family the other has been mistaken for Mexican and Middle Eastern by people from there. His life was different than ours. If I had not been blessed with both sons I would not know but I DO KNOW. (They do both vote but my younger son makes sure that he goes with someone he knows to the polling place, just in case)

His personality was much more open and friendly than mine or my "white" son. He has never done anything illegal or controversial but he has had numerous ugly, dangerous run-ins with authorities anyway. Driving while Black, shopping while Black. This is in liberal, Minnesota nice country.

Your grandfathers grew up in a different time than now. The fact that they came to America meant that hope had not been terrorized out of them. They would not be met a block outside the polls and run in for questioning and followed home by patrol cars like what happened to elderly black men in 2000 in Florida.

Yes the poor and often activists are treated badly in this county but not as badly as minorities for just existing. You do not have to mention your activities when voting. You can borrow clothes and dress up before voting but you cannot change the color of your skin.

I am not minimizing your grandfathers contributions just trying to explain why whites encouraging poor minorities to vote has little effect. Although they would not admit it they are often just plain terrified and do not have the personal resources to cope. Kudos to those who are heroic enough to go out and vote anyway.

[Coastie for Truth]

6. Maybe an analysis of the US in terms of

Proletariat class

Bourgeois class

The Romanovs

is in order.

<>

[SoCalDem]

7. Poor people don't need health care

at least republicans think they don't. What lots of people forget is that poor kids might be sitting right next to YOUR kid..or they might be at the same mall with you and your family.. They shop too.

Health care is a PUBLIC issue..when we don;t take care of the least of us, we all suffer

[CountAllVotes]

10. yep that is right

leave no child behind ... no child, even the one that is sick and needs care .... chant the mantra GOP ... evil bastards. Pure unabated EVIL.


:kick:

[kineneb]

23. US public health is in shambles

and the "f*** you" party has forgotten that fences and walls will not protect them or their children from such afflictions as multiple-drug-resistant TB or even the possiblity of the "dread bird flu."

[MaineDem]

12. I got this from our local Health center network

Final Budget Reconciliation Bill Contains Severe Cuts to Medicaid and Health Centers
Call Senators Snowe and Collins Now and Urge Them to Vote NO on Budget Reconciliation!!

Senators Snowe and Collins represent two of the most critical votes in the issue of budget reconciliation, they need to hear from you as soon as possible! The future of the Medicaid spending package/cuts, and the implications these decisions will have on health centers will be decided TODAY or TOMORROW, for this reason please make a phone call to their offices TODAY and ask for their opposition to the Budget Reconciliation Congference Report.

House and Senate leaders have agreed upon more than $15 billion in harmful cuts to Medicaid and Medicare as part of a $40 billion deficit-reduction 'reconciliation' bill. Despite the inclusion of some provisions protecting FQHCs from some of the worst effects of the Medicaid changes, the overall bill would cause excessive harm to low-income beneficiaries and financially impact FQHCs and other safety net providers who furnish care to them.
Only mandatory children, pregnant women, and dual eligibles would be protected from the bill's cost sharing provisions. Everyone else could be subject to cost-sharing which would be limited to 10% of charges for those below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and 20% of charges for those above 150% of FPL.
Taken together, these and other provisions will eliminate coverage for certain Medicaid beneficiaries, increase uncompensated care for health centers and other safety net providers, and jeopardize the ability of patients to receive the full scope of needed services. Moreover, these provisions also will disadvantage health centers and other safety net providers, whose missions and tax status require them to provide care to everyone, regardless of ability to pay.

The House approved their budget last night. The agreement now stands or falls on the final vote in the Senate that could happen TODAY or TOMORROW!

It is critical that Senators Snowe and Collins hear from as many people as possible as soon as possible ASKING THEM TO OPPOSE THE BUDGET RECONCILIATION BILL.

Ask to speak to either the health Legislative Assistant, the Legislative Director, or the Chief of Staff - DO NOT just leave a message with the receptionist or allow them to just shuffle you to to a voice mailbox.

Because time is tight, please CALL Your Senators at:
Senator Susan Collins [phone]
Pricilla Hanley- Health Legislative Assistant
Jane Alonso- Legislative Director
Steven Abott- Chief of Staff

Senator Olympia Snowe [phone]
Susan Walden- Medicaid Legislative Assistant
Ray Krncevic- Legislative Director
John Richter- Chief of Staff

[deadparrot]

16. Budget Plan May Hike Health Costs for Poor

WASHINGTON - The poor will have to pay a greater portion of their health care under spending cuts moving through Congress.

The House has signed off on a compromise bill that would trim federal spending overall by $40 billion over the next five years. The Senate vote is expected to be so close that Vice President Dick Cheney was called back to Washington in case he is needed to break a tie.

Under the compromise measure, states would have the option of charging premiums and increasing copays for Medicaid recipients. Typically, copays now range from 50 cents to $3 per service. Copays could increased dramatically for those with incomes above the poverty line. For those living in poverty, increases would be held to the rate of health care inflation.

The Congressional Budget Office has concluded that such increases would lead many poor people to forego health care or not to enroll in Medicaid at all — contributing to some of the $4.8 billion in Medicaid savings envisioned over the next five years. Medicaid is the state-federal program that provides health care for the poor.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051220/ap_on_go_co/congress_entitlements

[leftstreet]

17. Well they should just stop being poor, dammit!

:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

I wish our reps could be as passionate on the House and Senate floors about health care, as they are about Bush's spying.

[AzDar]

18. ...Time to enlist! n/t

[UrbScotty]

19. But I thought Bush is a good Christian!

Beatitudes be damned! After all, he supports the sanctity of marriage!

[brentspeak]

20. Funny how Bush and the GOP haven't cut Halliburton payouts

How much of our hard-earned tax dollars have gone to Bush cronies so far? $300 billion?

[Solly Mack]

21. At least the wealthy are protected

whew...what a relief.

[VegasWolf]

22. Thank goodness gays still can't get married!

:sarcasm: