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
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
3:16 pm
I’m a lot more realistic!),….and the tremendous increase in taxation when obamacare and the rest of obama’s follies come due starting in 2014.
LOL. That’s rich.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
August 28th, 2012
3:16 pm
Do you REALLY want to be associated with the comments of that looney-toon former Congressman Alan Grayson, Cheesy?
Doesn’t matter who said it.
Its true
If Charles Manson says 2 + 2 = 4
He is right.
@@
August 28th, 2012
3:17 pm
They will give it away to anyone except the ones who really need it.
I dunno about ^^^ that. The “aged, blind and disabled” REALLY need it.
Were the public safety unions in San Bernadino, Mammoth Lake & Stockton, CA willing to give up their generous pay and pension packages to help those in need?
No!
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
3:18 pm
yeah, a lot of conservatives back in the mid 60’s thought medicare wouldn’t be around for long…
Excellent prognosticators, aren’t they?
MEDICAID: Where Each State Stands on the Medicaid Expansion « AHLAlerts: American Health Line’s Blog
August 28th, 2012
3:18 pm
[...] Gov. Nathan Deal (R) during a joint Atlanta Journal-Constitution/Politico/11 Alive interview on Aug. 28 said, “No, I do not have any intentions of expanding Medicaid,” adding, [...]
independent thinker
August 28th, 2012
3:20 pm
Much better to follow Ronald Reagan’s plan for socialized medicine and allow everyone to get free emergency room care unless they are one of the poor saps that have insurance or can pay the bill independently. Why put it under Medicaid with some type of regulations? There are dozens of illegals languishing in New York City Hospitals costing tens of millions of dollars to the hospitals but Reagan’s little socialized free medical bill called EMTALA requires they be treated without payment. I expect to hear at the GOP love fest that EMTALA will be overturned along with Obamacare.Same for Medicare Part D that hasd no funding source that Mr. Ryan voted for. Simple reason -can’t afford it; toobad so sad.(known as the Deal doctrine).
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
3:20 pm
Were the public safety unions in San Bernadino, Mammoth Lake & Stockton, CA willing to give up their generous pay and pension packages to help those in need?
Oh, the federal government is asking that we give up our pensions and generous pay to help the people of Georgia? Now it makes so much sense!!!
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
August 28th, 2012
3:22 pm
Matthew 25:34-36 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.”
- Jesus
bev
August 28th, 2012
3:22 pm
Glad I left GA years ago. Mr. Deal’s little speech filled with greed & sarcasm–with people in authority like him–I have always known why the south lost the civil war.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
August 28th, 2012
3:25 pm
I have always known why the south lost the civil war.
Some of them are still fighting it.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 28th, 2012
3:26 pm
“It is so heart-warming to see some people celebrate that fewer poor people of Georgia will get medical attention.”
Technically, there will be no expansion of Medicaid, MarkV. That doesn’t mean less people. It just means no more people.
“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?”
Actually, it shows Deal’s belief that they will get elected, MarkV. Why would they continue a program that is an obvious budget-buster?
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 28th, 2012
3:29 pm
“for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.”
Notice the word missing from that verse, Cheesy?
Government. Lots of “I’s”, but not a single utterance of “government”.
Go figure.
td
August 28th, 2012
3:30 pm
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?
How many people should the state insure? I think we currently insure about 35% and Obama’s expansion would add an additional 650,000 to the rolls. What should we cut to insure these additional people? Education is the only program big enough to get $450 million a year out of it.
MD-2nd
August 28th, 2012
3:32 pm
Exactly MD–but I’m sure you overlooked the fact that Li”l Aynie is one of the majority that contributes zero taxes so it is not as easy to have “terminal stupidity”!
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
August 28th, 2012
3:34 pm
Government. Lots of “I’s”, but not a single utterance of “government”.
Go figure.
Huh ?
WAW
August 28th, 2012
3:35 pm
Well that does it… I will be voting for a second term for the President… I will not vote against myself and my family… by the time Abe was sworn in the South had already jumped ship… sounds like the (R)’s are getting ready to again…
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
August 28th, 2012
3:35 pm
How many people should the state insure?
In Massachusetts.. everyone.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
August 28th, 2012
3:38 pm
Notice the word missing from that verse, Cheesy?
Government. Lots of “I’s”, but not a single utterance of “government”.
Go figure.
If the Government doesn’t do it who will.
Modern Christians sure aren’t going to do it.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
August 28th, 2012
3:38 pm
Mark 10:21-22 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
- Jesus
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
3:42 pm
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven;
That hippy, socialist, sandal-wearin’ savior!
mwuahahahahahahahhahahahahahah
Cheesy is rubbing it in their faces.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 28th, 2012
3:42 pm
“If the Government doesn’t do it who will.
Modern Christians sure aren’t going to do it.”
Not so. Christians contribute far more than non-Christians to charity. Churches are running most of the food banks in the state. Stop lying.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
3:43 pm
Christians contribute far more than non-Christians to charity.
Got proof?
Stop lying.
yuzeyurbrane
August 28th, 2012
3:43 pm
JF McNamara– don’t try to use facts and logic with td. It is a futile effort, he is part of the “me” generation. Just let those poor old sick folks get sick and die quickly; less parasites and more job producers will be left.
A Knife In The Back
August 28th, 2012
3:44 pm
GET READY…..
The knives are coming.
WE TOLD YOU SO.
CONS WILL THROW THEIR MOTHER UNDER THE BUS.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
August 28th, 2012
3:44 pm
Gotta go.
Take heart Liberals.
When you hear the bubbas and rednecks spouting off their nonsense here.
Understand that Georgia is near the bottom in education for a reason !!!
The dumber the state. The redder it votes.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
3:45 pm
If you listen to preachers today, the sermons aren’t about helping the poor, the hungry, or the hurt. The sermons these days are about how to get more for yourself.
Scott Fresno
August 28th, 2012
3:45 pm
Several comments seem to complain about giving medical aid to people who won’t work. But the expansion is aimed at covering the working poor.
mo money
August 28th, 2012
3:46 pm
In year 4 when the extra 450M comes due, how does it get paid? If someone advocating that we start this program could provide a realsitic answer, that would be great. Please note, using credit cards, pawning your belongings or stealing copper don’t count as workable solutions.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
August 28th, 2012
3:46 pm
Not so. Christians contribute far more than non-Christians to charity. Churches are running most of the food banks in the state. Stop lying.
Um no they dont. Most of what “Christians ” tithe/contribute just goes right back into building a bigger Church for themselves.
Very little gets out into the community.
Secular people dont have that burden.
MarkV
August 28th, 2012
3:47 pm
td @3:30 pm: “How many people should the state insure?”
Which people do you want to be uninsured?
Throw Mama From The Train And Under The Bus
August 28th, 2012
3:47 pm
CONS will vote against their own interest to MAKE A POINT.
WE TOLD YOU SO.
Throw Mama From The Train And Under The Bus
August 28th, 2012
3:49 pm
SOME OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AIN’T GONNA
GET HELP FROM MEDICAID.
ITS YOUR FAULT.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
August 28th, 2012
3:49 pm
Which people do you want to be uninsured?
They want it to be people that can afford it the least.
The poor.
But of course the poor choose to be poor.
yuzeyurbrane
August 28th, 2012
3:51 pm
td–what do you think is the job of state govt.? Historically, most of the Georgia state budget has always gone towards education and health. So, your 70% figure, which I will accept as accurate for the sake of argument only, is not a new phenomenon. Public education is even in our state Constitution. Same functions of state govt. goes for other states, too. Sorry JF McNamara, I violated my own advice about trying to use facts and reason with likes of td. My bad. I am sure td will respond in expected fashion. Oh well, hope springs eternal.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 28th, 2012
3:51 pm
“Which people do you want to be uninsured?”
The sick, the lame, the young and the old.
How else are we going to feed ourselves when the real food runs out?
Right?
Sherman
August 28th, 2012
3:53 pm
America’s most generous citizens gave less in 2010 than they have over the past decade, but Jews remained among the top givers, according to an annual survey by the Chronicle of Philanthropy.
ragnar danneskjold
August 28th, 2012
3:53 pm
Bravo. I had low expectations from the governor, and he gives me hope with his Ryan-esque decision.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 28th, 2012
3:53 pm
Still waiting to see the lib-supplied text of our state Constitution which shows that the state must provide health care to it’s citizens.
Dave
August 28th, 2012
3:54 pm
Just asking, and not that it would matter given the make up of the General Assembly, but how come Deal alone says yea or nay?
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
3:55 pm
In year 4 when the extra 450M comes due, how does it get paid?
um, taxes?
ragnar danneskjold
August 28th, 2012
3:55 pm
Hope you saw this analysis attributed to Jeff Foxworthy:
Which side of the fence?
If you ever wondered which side of the fence you sit on, this is a great test!
If a Republican doesn’t like guns, he doesn’t buy one.
If a Democrat doesn’t like guns, he wants all guns outlawed.
If a Republican is a vegetarian, he doesn’t eat meat.
If a Democrat is a vegetarian, he wants all meat products banned for everyone.
If a Republican is homosexual, he quietly leads his life.
If a Democrat is homosexual, he demands legislated respect.
If a Republican is down-and-out, he thinks about how to better his situation.
A Democrat wonders who is going to take care of him.
If a Republican doesn’t like a talk show host, he switches channels.
Democrats demand that those they don’t like be shut down.
If a Republican is a non-believer, he doesn’t go to church.
A Democrat non-believer wants any mention of God and religion silenced.
If a Republican decides he needs health care, he goes about shopping for it, or may choose a job that provides it.
A Democrat demands that the rest of us pay for his.
If a Republican reads this, he’ll forward it so his friends can have a good laugh.
A Democrat will delete it because he’s “offended”.
Well, I forwarded it.
Karl Marx
August 28th, 2012
3:55 pm
What’s wrong with the idea of individuals paying their own way(or at least some of it), socialist libs?
After all, you leftwingers are the ones that go around whining about “paying a fair share”?
Can’t the dumbmasses come up with solutions that don’t require Federal Fascism and or Robe the Rich schemes in order to make healthcare affordable for the poor in this country to buy “their own fair share”?
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
3:56 pm
Still waiting to see the con-supplied text of our state Constitution which shows that the state must NOT provide health care to it’s citizens.
yuzeyurbrane
August 28th, 2012
3:56 pm
Cheesy Grits–sorry but I have seen data that indicates non-Christians contribute large disproportionate share of charity. Further, data also indicates middle class donates far larger percent than wealthy.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
3:57 pm
Where’s that proof on the christian charity giving, Tiberius?
Waiting.
Of course Tiberius thinks it’s a lot since his 10% weekly tithe ($2.88) seems like a lot.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 28th, 2012
3:59 pm
“Just asking, and not that it would matter given the make up of the General Assembly, but how come Deal alone says yea or nay?”
Uh, Dave? That’s because he’s the Chief Executive of the State of Georgia according to our Constitution.
That’s what Chief Executives do – make decisions.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 28th, 2012
4:01 pm
“Still waiting to see the con-supplied text of our state Constitution which shows that the state must NOT provide health care to it’s citizens.”
Once again, Finn shows his failure to grasp Civics 101 concepts.
Constitutions are documents which LIMIT the role of government, not leave things open-ended.
Go back to class, Finn. You failed this one.
Sherman
August 28th, 2012
4:03 pm
In his interview with Charlie Rose on Public TV, Bill Gates has said he is “doubly blessed” to have worked at Microsoft and now at his Foundation. But, “doubly blessed” by whom? By what? What is the religion of Bill Gates? What is the religion of Warren Buffett?
Well, in a succinct email to me, Debbie Bosanek, Assistant to Warren Buffett, says: “Mr. Buffett is agnostic.”
And Bill Gates? In a November 1995 interview of Gates by David Frost, this exchange took place:
Frost: Do you believe in the Sermon on the Mount?
Gates: I don’t. I’m not somebody who goes to church on a regular basis. The specific elements of Christianity are not something I’m a huge believer in. There’s a lot of merit in the moral aspects of religion. I think it can have a very, very positive impact.
Average White Male
August 28th, 2012
4:06 pm
The people this will help the most are the people whom will vote against it. A family of 4, dad works and makes $68,500 per year, mom is a home-maker, This would allow dad to have his deductible covered using medicare for the entire family but the average white male in this situation will vote against it because Fox/Rush has told him it’s giving to the poor? Sad
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 28th, 2012
4:07 pm
“Where’s that proof on the christian charity giving, Tiberius?”
Here you go, Finny. http://www.hoover.org/publications/policy-review/article/6577
“The differences in charity between secular and religious people are dramatic. Religious people are 25 percentage points more likely than secularists to donate money (91 percent to 66 percent) and 23 points more likely to volunteer time (67 percent to 44 percent). And, consistent with the findings of other writers, these data show that practicing a religion is more important than the actual religion itself in predicting charitable behavior. For example, among those who attend worship services regularly, 92 percent of Protestants give charitably, compared with 91 percent of Catholics, 91 percent of Jews, and 89 percent from other religions.”
Another epic fail on your part, sonny.