GOP's "Block Grant" Proposal for Medicaid

[wysingm]

Source: CBO

Bad idea then, bad idea now!

The Republicans' Medicaid plan funding would be shifted into "block grants" for states. The GOP has been pushing for Medicaid "block grants" ever since the Clinton era... 1995 Congress passed but President Clinton vetoed.

Source: CBO

Block Grant Would Produce Disparate, Harmful Effects for States Over Time

Some policymakers, including House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton and House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, are considering converting Medicaid to a block grant to produce large federal budget savings. For example, a block-grant proposal that Ryan co-authored last fall would reduce federal Medicaid spending by $180 billion over the next ten years, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). All states would face substantial reductions in federal funding under such a block grant, but some states would likely be hit particularly hard — including states whose current Medicaid expenditure levels are relatively low and states whose expenditures would rise relatively quickly in future years due to demographic, economic, or other factors...


Read more: http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=3422

[freshwest]

1. It's already pushing people out of care. Then the grant runs out and they're left with nothing.

No medical care, no assistance, nothing. In most of those cases, the results are fatal. More deaths to satisfy the phony pro-life movement.

[penndragon69]

2. God bless those hatefilled rethuglicons.

Fascists, one and all.

[iwishiwas]

3. Ryan is another repug from WI. He and walker are 2 peas in a pod.

[underpants]

4. I have to mark this for a later read

basically it sounds like instead of adding the cases up - usually hospitals get around $3,000 per hospital stay, the earlier out the more money they make- they want to approximate (probably low) and dole out the money to states to pay hospitals.


Have to read all the info at your great link. Will respond later.

[No Elephants]

5. Death panels.

``Scrooge and Marley's, I believe,'' said one of the gentlemen, referring to his list. ``Have I the pleasure of addressing Mr Scrooge, or Mr Marley?''

``Mr Marley has been dead these seven years,'' Scrooge replied. ``He died seven years ago, this very night.''

``We have no doubt his liberality is well represented by his surviving partner,'' said the gentleman, presenting his credentials.

It certainly was; for they had been two kindred spirits. At the ominous word ``liberality'', Scrooge frowned, and shook his head, and handed the credentials back.

``At this festive season of the year, Mr Scrooge,'' said the gentleman, taking up a pen, ``it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.''

``Are there no prisons?'' asked Scrooge.

``Plenty of prisons,'' said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.

``And the Union workhouses?'' demanded Scrooge. ``Are they still in operation?''

``They are. Still,'' returned the gentleman, `` I wish I could say they were not.''

``The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?'' said Scrooge.

``Both very busy, sir.''

``Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course,'' said Scrooge. ``I'm very glad to hear it.''

``Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude,'' returned the gentleman, ``a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?''

``Nothing!'' Scrooge replied.

``You wish to be anonymous?''

``I wish to be left alone,'' said Scrooge. ``Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don't make merry myself at Christmas and I can't afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned: they cost enough: and those who are badly off must go there.''

``Many can't go there; and many would rather die.''

``If they would rather die,'' said Scrooge, ``they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Besides -- excuse me -- I don't know that.''

``But you might know it,'' observed the gentleman.

``It's not my business,'' Scrooge returned. ``It's enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere with other people's. Mine occupies me constantly. Good afternoon, gentlemen!''

Seeing clearly that it would be useless to pursue their point, the gentlemen withdrew. Scrooge resumed his labours with an improved opinion of himself, and in a more facetious temper than was usual with him.



MODS: COPYRIGHTS ON ALL DICKENS' WORKS HAVE EXPIRED. HIS WORKS ARE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.

[freshwest]

11. Actually had a GOPer quote part of that rant shamelessly, agreeing with Scrooge. Big Xtian, too.

[Faygo Kid]

6. Do they KNOW who they are cutting? My partner shops for them, and I WANT to pay taxes for them.

They cannot do for themselves. My partner has shopped for years for women on Medicaid. One story: An absolutely good-hearted sweet soul in her 40s who is confined to a wheelchair in a tiny subsidized apartment who has no relatives and only survives thanks to Medicaid. She's a sweetheart who makes gifts for others (they aren't very good, but her heart is in the right place).

A disabled, poor black woman with no resources. Yes, that's the ticket: Punish her.

I pay and have paid for 40+ years for war, oil subsidies, the Koch interests and other benefits for the filthy rich. Or just the filthy.

Now the Repukes are going to cut off support for people like this nice lady, who I WANT MY TAXES TO SUPPORT.

I am sickened.

[No Elephants]

7. Fucking bleeding heart liberal.

I so want to give you a big hug.

[Faygo Kid]

8. Right back at ya.

We can use all the hugs we can get. But hug those who truly need it first; I'm doing OK.

[freshwest]

12. Running the government like a business, she's bad for the bottom line along with a LOT of people...

That I know and care about. It's nothing less than murder, and they know it, but they've demonized these folks so much, the teapartiers support this as good for society. Certainly for themselves. And we would have been sent to prison for not paying for all those stinking wars, past, present and future.

[GoCubsGo]

9. There they go with their damn "block grants" again.

They were the answer to everything back when Clinton was President, not just for Medicaid. Same tired, old shit, different decade.

[wysingm]

10. Got that right

same old, same old... it's getting annoying