Deal: No Medicaid expansion for Georgia
TAMPA — Firming up his earlier stance, Gov. Nathan Deal said Tuesday he “would not have any intention” of expanding Georgia’s Medicaid rolls with federal money from Obamacare.
The expansion to cover anyone who earns one-third more than the federal poverty level, which the law made virtually mandatory by threatening to withhold current Medicaid funds from states that did not cooperate, became optional thanks to a Supreme Court ruling this summer that said Congress had overstepped its bounds in making such a coercive threat. Immediately after the court issued its ruling, Deal said he would wait until November to decide about the expansion, under which the feds would foot 100 percent of the cost of expansion from 2014 to 2016 and less in the years after that.
Tuesday morning in Tampa, during an interview with the AJC, 11 Alive and Politico, he indicated the expansion is off the table:
No, I do not have any intentions of expanding Medicaid. I think that is something our state cannot afford. And even though the federal government promises to pay 100 percent for the first three years and 90 percent thereafter, I think it is probably unrealistic to expect that promise to be fulfilled in the long term, simply because of the financial status that the federal government is in. I am told that that expansion for the federal government will be somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 billion a year. I quite honestly don’t think Congress can find an extra $100 billion a year.
Asked whether this was a change of heart, he replied:
I think for the time being, assuming that things are as they currently are, I would not have any intention of advocating expanding our Medicaid rolls. The reason for saying wait until November is to see whether or not there are going to be legislative changes at the federal level. And we do have a time frame for making the decision that I think, especially on the exchanges, we have just a few days after the election in order to make a final determination on that.
What kind of changes might prompt a reconsideration? “I can’t think of any right now that would induce me to say that we’re going expand our Medicaid population up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level,” he said, adding that the most recent cost estimate puts the state’s portion of the cost at $4.5 billion over a 10-year period.
“We obviously do not have that kind of money,” he said.
One way the state might be able to change its coverage provisions would be if Washington were to change Medicaid into a program where it sends a chunk of money to Georgia and lets the state decide how best to use it. This “block grant” approach was used in the 1990s welfare reform to good effect, and GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan has proposed just such a change for Medicaid.
Deal sounded very supportive of doing so:
I think there are a lot of things in terms of reimbursement rates, in terms of coverage, if a block grant were given to our state, that we could tailor the program to what we think is most appropriate. As you know, it is pretty much a one-size-fits-all [program]. We [in Georgia] are in one of the more modest Medicaid programs in the country. Those states that have seen fit to expand their Medicaid populations, quite honestly I don’t understand how they’re affording it in this downturned economy.
So, what we would have in mind is it would give us the opportunity to design the program as we think is appropriate. We would be trying to find as much efficiency as possible, and perhaps to provide coverage for areas that we currently know are very expensive to us. The aged, blind and disabled category of course is the largest expense category of our Medicaid population, and we think we might be able to come up with some innovative ways to serve that population better and at the same time save money.
Deal was set to return to Georgia this afternoon.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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258 comments Add your comment
md
August 28th, 2012
2:10 pm
“Feds should send us a big chunk of money.Then let us decide how to spend it.While siphoning off a few bucks along the way.”
Even better idea……cut out the middle man…..the feds.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
August 28th, 2012
2:11 pm
I say tax the rich. I don’t want to pay taxes!
They dont pay taxes either.
Like Romney
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
2:11 pm
UNTIL I learned to think
Well, it is an opinion blog….
Dusty
August 28th, 2012
2:11 pm
Finn,
I love opinions but rote propaganda is tiresome That’s why I yawn over your material.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
August 28th, 2012
2:13 pm
Just for the record, I was a registered Democrat UNTIL I learned to think……….I loved the idea of voting for others to work so I could get things…….then I worked 3 jobs, put myself through school, and realized that others were choosing NOT to do the same…………….
My experience was exactly the opposite. Grew up Republican but worked hard and put myself through school with loans Republicans would cut.
Its then I realized unless you are a trust fund baby like Romney or Bush its not in your best interest to vote Republican.
md
August 28th, 2012
2:16 pm
“Well, it is an opinion blog….”
It certainly is……………
Bobby
August 28th, 2012
2:19 pm
@Dusty. We are just as tired of your so-called “rote propaganda”. Have you considered moving to South America or maybe Saudi Arabia?
md
August 28th, 2012
2:21 pm
“Its then I realized unless you are a trust fund baby like Romney or Bush its not in your best interest to vote Republican.”
Being more the centrist that I am, I had to quit voting dem once the blue dogs got overrun on their side of the aisle……I can handle a blue dog, but can’t handle the enablers……….on the other side, I’m none too happy with those that want to tell me I can’t sell beer within so many feet of a church…..especially a church that buys the land AFTER the other landowners………..
Tom(Independent Viet Vet,USAF)
August 28th, 2012
2:22 pm
Finn, why don’t you libs move to California, this Georgia Boy will hold the door open for you to leave. You seem to be under a great deal of stress here, what happened, are your govt checks late this month?
Thulsa Doom
August 28th, 2012
2:22 pm
“They dont pay taxes either.
Like Romney”
LIE. In Romney’s tax returns I believe he paid 7 million. I guess liberals never let the facts get in the way of their argument.
In regards to Medicaid liberals just don’t get it. We don’t have the money. But this is what happens when you have an entitlement mentality. You start to think that you deserve those benefits, that you are owed those benefits by other taxpayers. Look at the liberal comments on here. They seem to think that people are owed those benefits by other taxpayers. Sad.
Thulsa Doom
August 28th, 2012
2:26 pm
“My experience was exactly the opposite. Grew up Republican but worked hard and put myself through school with loans Republicans would cut.”
Sure ya did buddy. If loans have been cut by Republicans than why is it that the country now has a staggering 1 trillion in student loan debt? Answer that one genius.
“Its then I realized unless you are a trust fund baby like Romney or Bush its not in your best interest to vote Republican.”
Wealth envy is not a rational argument. Its just emotional rhetoric based on envy. Try again.
td
August 28th, 2012
2:26 pm
If you are poor and want to have this expanded Medicaid then gray hound will take you to other state that decides to take the money.
Medicaid is already 30% of the states budget and Obama wants the state to spend more on health coverage for the poor then we do on Education. Well tell us libs is this $450 million per year better spent on health care or Education/ police/ Judicial system /Child protective services?
A
August 28th, 2012
2:26 pm
We’re number 49!
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
2:26 pm
You start to think that you deserve those benefits
No, I wouldn’t be eligible for those benefits. But my tax dollars would go to support those who do need them getting them.
td
August 28th, 2012
2:27 pm
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
August 28th, 2012
2:11 pm
I say tax the rich. I don’t want to pay taxes!
They dont pay taxes either.
Like Romney
Romney paid more taxes last year then your entire family will ever make.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
2:28 pm
Finn, why don’t you libs move to California
I gotta stay to help turn GA blue. What good would adding my blue vote to a sea of blue votes in CA?
md
August 28th, 2012
2:33 pm
“I gotta stay to help turn GA blue. What good would adding my blue vote to a sea of blue votes in CA?”
If a few more of their cities go bankrupt, don’t be surprised if that pendulum doesn’t swing…….Moonbeam just eeked out that last win.
JF McNamara
August 28th, 2012
2:36 pm
So he is actively withholding a benefit to citizens that would cost Georgia very little? If someone offers you a free lunch, would you decline it? All of the other states are taking this, won’t that make us less competitive to business? Won’t I simply end up paying for federal taxes and footing the bill for them through higher insurance rates?
How in the World does this benefit Georgia?
Dusty
August 28th, 2012
2:37 pm
Bobby,2:19
Why don’t you j yawn over my “material” just like I yawn over yours?
—————————
Hey, Isaac should be hitting New Orleans any time now. The wind was supposed to be around 90 mph. Now that’s a blow!
General Honore’ (the John Wayne dude) better get his bags packed. They may need him again.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
2:42 pm
So, our tax dollars will go to support this medicaid expansion in other states….but not our own state?
Are you Republicans just confused?
Sandra
August 28th, 2012
2:43 pm
@double,
I wouldn’t send the folks in this state anything and let them ‘decide’ how to spend it. They will give it away to anyone except the ones who really need it. And all you hypocrites that say you work and support yourself and those that need help only need it because they are lazy and don’t work, you should get down on your knees and pray to God that you never have a situation in your life that puts you into that ‘don’t have a job with insurance’ column.
td
August 28th, 2012
2:46 pm
JF McNamara
August 28th, 2012
2:36 pm
“So he is actively withholding a benefit to citizens that would cost Georgia very little?”
How little is $450 million per year? According to this paper we are $300 million in the hole right now.
70% of the states budget is currently spent on Education and Medicaid. The other 30% goes to such programs as Judicial system/DNR/Child protective services and police. What do we cut to afford this new give away program? You do understand that we will not raise taxes in this state.
Jefferson
August 28th, 2012
2:46 pm
Hospital will close in rural GA, Deal will be the blame.
Mike
August 28th, 2012
2:47 pm
Democratic mantra – Love means never having to say “we can’t afford it.”
Dusty
August 28th, 2012
2:47 pm
J McNamara 2:36
There’s no free lunch. If the finances of the Federal government get any worse, Geithner will have to pay his taxes on time and the president will have to carry his golf clubs to the pawn shop.
Your free lunch is Chinese chop suey with interest thrown in.
Beyond the Middle of the Road
August 28th, 2012
2:48 pm
“Teach a man to think and he will vote Democrat.”
A little over the top, but then again, this is what we find in the GOP Platform for Texas:
“Knowledge-Based Education – We oppose the teaching of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) (values clarification), critical thinking skills and similar programs that are simply a relabeling of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) (mastery learning) which focus on behavior modification and have the purpose of challenging the student’s fixed beliefs and undermining parental authority.”
independent thinker
August 28th, 2012
2:48 pm
Yeah god forbid we imitate Massachusetts that has gone eight and half billion over its Medicaid allotment since Romneycare was enacted with waivers from the feds. Which idiot was responsible for that program?
Bob
August 28th, 2012
2:50 pm
It’s funny how these blogs are always Flooded with Liberals, and yet ALWAYS on Election day Georgia goes Republican. Georgia is one of the Redest of the Red States. Guess it’s just a load obnoxious vocal Minority
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 28th, 2012
2:52 pm
Let’s look at the history of Federal-sponsored government expansion, shall we?
As was pointed out before, the 100,000 cops program funded the initial couple of years to put more feet on the street, then those Federal funds evaporated and local jurisdictions either had to pony up, or lay them off.
The more recent stimulus helped save teachers, cops and firefighters at the local level, but two years later, the same thing is happening; as the Federal funds dry up (you can only borrow so much to stimulate, after all) the locals have to find another way to pay for them. Look for local taxes to go up (which should have been done in the first place – after all, why should my tax dollars in Georgia pay for teachers in New York), or unemployment to rise again.
The bottom-line is, Federal promises don’t last – period.
Never liked Deal much, and sure didn’t vote for him, but he’s made the right decision here.
Dusty
August 28th, 2012
2:53 pm
Finn says, about Medicaid: Are you Republicans confused?
No, Republicans can add and subtract which is obviously, more than most Democrats can do.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 28th, 2012
2:55 pm
“And all you hypocrites that say you work and support yourself and those that need help only need it because they are lazy and don’t work, you should get down on your knees and pray to God that you never have a situation in your life that puts you into that ‘don’t have a job with insurance’ column.”
I did, Sandra. What’s your point?
In my case, it reminded me to double my efforts to eventually find a job that did provide benefits. Funny thing; the thought never crossed my mind to look for government to provide either the job or the health care.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
2:57 pm
Let’s see, we live in a red state that elected a Republican governor who is flabbergasted the state has no money.
Is there ANY reason we should continue to listen to Republicans?
Sam
August 28th, 2012
2:59 pm
Okay so what is Gov Deal’s plan to insure more uninsured people in state of Georgia?? If Deal does not have any intention to increase medicaid, what is your response or solution to increase more affordable healthcare..
IF you don’t have insurance and get sick, send bills to Deal so he can help pay for it.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
3:00 pm
The bottom-line is, Federal promises don’t last – period.
To paraphrase:
We have a horrible government. All government employees are idiots. God bless America – the greatest country in the world!!
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
August 28th, 2012
3:00 pm
Why don’t we concentrate on expanding our Gross Domestic Product?
Oh yeah, Paul Ryan has, they just haven’t gotten elected.
Yet.
southpaw
August 28th, 2012
3:01 pm
Kyle – A comment I’ve tried putting in twice didn’t post. Did I accidentally throw in spam or something?
@@
August 28th, 2012
3:03 pm
So in other words, the Obama administration wants Georgia to follow their lead…figure out how to spend money they won’t have.
Republican and Proud
August 28th, 2012
3:07 pm
Bravo Governor! Let’s “change this change” come November!!
JF McNamara
August 28th, 2012
3:07 pm
@td,
What you said makes no sense. If they pay 100%, then our situation is unchanged. Being $300M in the hole right now doesn’t matter. We will be in the hole $300M in either scenario. In one, you just get better benefits.
“the federal government promises to pay 100 percent for the first three years and 90 percent thereafter”
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 28th, 2012
3:08 pm
“Okay so what is Gov Deal’s plan to insure more uninsured people in state of Georgia??”
Sam, please show me where in the Constitution of the State of Georgia that we are responsible for providing health care through government action.
td
August 28th, 2012
3:10 pm
Sam
August 28th, 2012
2:59 pm
Okay so what is Gov Deal’s plan to insure more uninsured people in state of Georgia??
Why should it be the governments job to provide insurance? What is wrong with the people providing their own insurance? Do away with Iphone, cable tv and internet service and there is the monthly premium right there for family coverage.
Slanky
August 28th, 2012
3:10 pm
When Obama campaigned 4 years ago he promised me a bunch of free stuff from the Government if I voted for him. If Nathan Deal gets his way I’ll have to pick blueberries in South Georgia.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
3:10 pm
Well, I suppose we can sit back and watch all the poor and downtrodden in other states benefit from our tax dollars.
As Jesus would say – lets keep our people sick and dying…..that serves em right!
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
August 28th, 2012
3:11 pm
IF you don’t have insurance and get sick, send bills to Deal so he can help pay for it.
This is the Republican plan.
Don’t get sick.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 28th, 2012
3:11 pm
“We have a horrible government.”
Largely true, especially at the Federal level.
“All government employees are idiots.”
Actually, I have worked with many smart, dedicated and talented government employees. It’s the majority of liberals who are idiots.
cc
August 28th, 2012
3:11 pm
southpaw:
“Start a program, then decrease the funding for it. Easing into yet another “unfunded mandate.”
Absolutely! These libs don’t understand that “if you fund it, they will come” and keep coming while the fed ciuts the water off (they have to because they’re nearly bankrupt)., The burden then falls on the state who must produce the revenue.
Libs want to help everybody – with someone else’s money. The problem now is that “someone else” is out of money, too!
What the libs need to worry about is the 15+% jobless rate (I know the obama regime says 8.3%, but I’m a lot more realistic!), the additional $6 trillion in indebtedness that obama has run up in just three and a half years and the tremendous increase in taxation when obamacare and the rest of obama’s follies come due starting in 2014.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 28th, 2012
3:13 pm
“This is the Republican plan.
Don’t get sick.”
Do you REALLY want to be associated with the comments of that looney-toon former Congressman Alan Grayson, Cheesy?
td
August 28th, 2012
3:14 pm
JF McNamara
August 28th, 2012
3:07 pm
“adding that the most recent cost estimate puts the state’s portion of the cost at $4.5 billion over a 10-year period.”
$4.5 billion over 10 years is $450 million per year. Right out of Kyle’s article above.
MarkV
August 28th, 2012
3:14 pm
It is so heart-warming to see some people celebrate that fewer poor people of Georgia will get medical attention.
It is puzzling, however, that Deal does not believe that the government would be able to keep the promise in the long term. Does he doubt that Romney/Ryan will be elected, or does he doubt their promise to bring us economic prosperity?
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
August 28th, 2012
3:14 pm
When Obama campaigned 4 years ago he promised me a bunch of free stuff from the Government if I voted for him
No he didn’t.