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
ByteMe
August 28th, 2012
1:01 pm
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.
Oh, don’t keep us in suspense and don’t tell us you haven’t looked at the problem and come up with solutions already, Gov. Deal. This reminds me of Romney’s “I can do better, but I won’t tell you how” messaging. It works with the goobers, but the rest of us want specifics from you instead of platitudes.
It’s like I’m talking to an empty blog or something
Jefferson
August 28th, 2012
1:02 pm
Bad decision, again.
southpaw
August 28th, 2012
1:02 pm
Start a program, then decrease the funding for it. Easing into yet another “unfunded mandate.” It reminds me just a bit of Bill Clinton’s plans for putting 100,000 more police on the streets. Nobody was supposed to notice that the salaries of the additional police officers would become the problem of local governments.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
1:09 pm
Georgia, perpetually bringing up the rear.
Jeffrey
August 28th, 2012
1:09 pm
Mitt the tea party conservative would take the money and expand the roles just like he did in ma
Ray
August 28th, 2012
1:10 pm
We have the money to find tax breaks for private jet owners. They don’t pay sales tax on parts, and they can pretty much land at any Georgia general aviation airport for free.
Saving lives doesn’t have a priority in this state, any more. The poor are invisible, or worse, considered “takers” and “losers”, and not worthy of our love, any more.
The Governor has decided to not take federal money, because he has deemed in his opinion it will not be able to continue its promise to provide 90 percent funding in the years to come. So let’s just let people die now. This is crazy thinking, and immoral.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
1:11 pm
This reminds me of Romney’s “I can do better, but I won’t tell you how” messaging. It works with the goobers, but the rest of us want specifics from you instead of platitudes.
The Goobers!
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
1:12 pm
Jesus would just let those poor people suffer too, wouldn’t he?
liberal hack
August 28th, 2012
1:15 pm
I expect Georgia to be fiscally sound in the coming years due to this brave decision from our governor. And the states who have decided to expand Medicaid roles will be even more bad shape just like California…..
liberal hack
August 28th, 2012
1:17 pm
We just don’t have the money within our governmental structure to feed, clothe, give shelter to, and insure every poor person. Raising taxes isn’t helping.
Welfare and Medicaid, the new slavery…..
the Federal gov’t, the new slave master….
fed up
August 28th, 2012
1:20 pm
Maybe Georgia should keep the Medicaid funding for only the citizens and not every Immigrant/refugee that comes here. That would really help the elderly that need it. Why should everyone be entitled to something that a Georgia taxpayer is not?
liberal hack
August 28th, 2012
1:22 pm
no Finn, Jesus would expect his church to feed the poor….not build larger sanctuaries…
Bob Loblaw
August 28th, 2012
1:23 pm
This Governor understands Medicaid. When he was in Congress a huge Medicaid reform bill went through the subcommittee he chaired. Obviously, he’s had his folks do the math and we ain’t got the money. It’s too bad, because we’re still going to have a lot of uninsured, working poor out there. But with Medicaid in the hole $300 million already, how can we add more to the program?
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
1:25 pm
Raising taxes isn’t helping.
Who has tried this?
Virginia Highland Boy
August 28th, 2012
1:26 pm
When I saw the headline “Gov. Deal Makes News In Tampa”, I automatically assumed he’d been arrested for stealing something. He may not have been arrested, but he’s certainly shown he’s guilty of stealing access to medical insurance from the poor. What a lovely fellow he is. Hopefully at the end of his only term more of the voters in this state will have grown a brain.
Democrat Man
August 28th, 2012
1:26 pm
Yes we can.
Hope and change.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
1:27 pm
Hopefully at the end of his only term more of the voters in this state will have grown a brain.
asking an awful lot.
Carl
August 28th, 2012
1:28 pm
Speaking on behalf of the 49% that pay ZERO income tax…I say tax the rich. I don’t want to pay taxes!
Jefferson
August 28th, 2012
1:28 pm
What do you expect from someone who can’t balance their own check book.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
1:29 pm
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.
Give that money out to the wealthy as tax cuts? Or maybe use the money to lure business to Georgia?
Lynnie Gal
August 28th, 2012
1:30 pm
Leave it to Republicans to cheer when people are denied healthcare coverage. The Federal government needs to directly provide assistance to those needing healthcare and not give “block grants” to states like Georgia, whose leaders have no interest in the welfare of its people. Georgia’s leaders would misspend the money to help some representative’s second cousin’s brother-in-law’s business rather than helping the people for whom the money it is intended. Georgia still has too many dimwits who vote against their own self interest, and until that changes, Georgia’s leaders can’t be trusted to distribute any federal dollars for healthcare for Georgia’s people.
Li'l Aynie
August 28th, 2012
1:34 pm
It’s terminal stupidity to turn down a deal in which 90-100% of the cost is covered by the federal government. Think of all the jobs that would be created by the increase in consumer spending.
Give money to the poor, and they will spend every dime, thereby boosting consumer demand, adding jobs, and opening investment opportunities. Give the money to the ultra-rich and Big Business, and they will bet it on derivatives and hedge funds, or send it to overseas tax havens.
Do nothing, and nothing will change.
SM
August 28th, 2012
1:36 pm
Jeez people, give it a break. It’s not the job of gov’t to support every loser who can’t finish school and hold down a job. Pull your weight or get off the planet!
Dusty
August 28th, 2012
1:38 pm
Good point, liberal hack. No state wants to copy California’s crazy debt domain.
————-
Georgia is blessed with a good governor. He won’t spend money we don’t have, won’t project future debts, and knows the national debt is almost beyond fixing.
Now that’s a ;practical man. Too bad that Washington cannot figure out what plain arithmetic should tell you.
JustTheFactsPlease
August 28th, 2012
1:38 pm
Oops, I think he gave us his list of places where he can make cuts…”…the aged, blind and disabled..” This is the man that Georgians elected when he fled the House because of an ethics investigation, lied about his involvement in a company declared bankrupt and is now going to come up with financial solutions for the most vulnerable in GA. WHEN has he done anything for anyone that didn’t have a check book out in front of him??? His motives are ALL to benefit him and only him…well, and the family members and friends he’s put on the State’s payroll.
Centrist
August 28th, 2012
1:40 pm
Good for Deal. Fiscal restraint is more important than attempting to buy votes with taxpayer funds and added debt.
Original Chinese Proverb:
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day.
Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.
2012 White House Revision:
Give a man a welfare check, a free cell phone with
Unlimited free minutes, cash for his clunker, food
Stamps, section 8 housing, free contraceptives,
Medicaid, ninety-nine weeks of unemployment, free
Medicine, and he will vote for Democrats the rest of
His life; even after he’s deceased.
Georgia, The " New Mississippi "
August 28th, 2012
1:42 pm
Johnny Reb Economics rules the day in Ga
Gordon
August 28th, 2012
1:44 pm
“We obviously do not have that kind of money”
When’s the last time you heard someone in Washington say that?
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
1:46 pm
Why don’t we let Georgians vote on whether we will take the expansion or not?
Jefferson
August 28th, 2012
1:46 pm
No vision, just greed.
Typical Obama Voter
August 28th, 2012
1:47 pm
It is the government responsibility to take care of me!
yuzeyurbrane
August 28th, 2012
1:47 pm
A block grant to Nathan Deal!! I have a bridge I want to sell you. What Deal doesn’t mention is that he is willing to leave the 20% of Georgians (that is about 2 million PEOPLE) without health insurance. That means they will continue to crowd into ER’s who end up eating the bills and passing along the costs in increased insurance premiums for the rest of us. Nor does he mention that he is rejecting $35 billion in Federal funds over the same time period we are asked to chip in $4 billion as our share. No brainer? No wonder the sports shop he jointly owned with his daughter and son-in-law went bankrupt. And what about the hospitals that will have to close because their ER bills aren’t being paid? Or the doctors and other medical professionals who would receive most of this $35 billion in Federal money? Not to mention the multiplier effect of money going to all those with whom these institutions and people do business? Yes, Georgia is so wealthy it can thumb its nose at this massive infusion of needed cash. I am not surprised. This is the Governor who I heard at the UGA Commencement uplift graduates by telling them that if they had any trouble finding a job in this economy it is their own fault. Yet somehow he can find money for tax cuts to his rich friends and funding for state financed charter schools as well as quasi-vouchers to private and parochial schools? I wish I could say Georgians were smart enough to see the souls of this man and his buds and turn them all out of office.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
1:50 pm
name hijacker at 1:49
Jason
August 28th, 2012
1:50 pm
Work hard in school, get good grades, earn a college degree, land an entry level job, and then turn around and pay half your salary for those that decided to do the exact opposite…
yuzeyurbrane
August 28th, 2012
1:51 pm
p.s.– forgot to mention Deal and have no problem publicly funding a large part of Artie Blank’s proposed new stadium. You would at least think they would make their VIP seats available to average voters through some type of drawing.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
1:51 pm
If Jesus were a Republican:
The Lazy Paralytic
…“This is a gated community. How did you get in?” The man’s friends grew silent. 9. Then Jesus turned and said to the paralytic, “Besides, can’t you take care of your own health problems? I’m sure that your family can care for you, or maybe the synagogue can help out.” 10. “No, Lord,” answered the man’s friends. “There is no one. His injuries are too severe. To whom else can we go?” 11. “Well, not me,” said Jesus. “What would happen if I provided access to free health care for everyone? That would mean that people would not only get lazy and entitled, but they would take advantage of the system. 12. Besides, look at me: I’m healthy. And you know why? Because I worked hard for my money, and took care of myself.” The paralyzed man then grew sad and he addressed Jesus. “But I did work, Lord,” said the paralytic. “Until an accident rendered me paralyzed.” “Yes,” said the man’s friends. “He worked very hard.” 13. “Well,” said Jesus, “That’s just part of life, isn’t it?” “Then what am I to do, Lord?” said the paralytic. “I don’t know. Why don’t you sell your mat?” 14. All in the crowd then grew sad. “Actually, you know what you can do?” said Jesus. “You can reimburse me for my roof. Or I’ll sue you.” And all were amazed. 15. “We have never seen anything like this,” said the crowd.
http://www.alternet.org/belief/what-if-jesus-had-been-republican
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
1:53 pm
If you’re going to hijack a name and risk getting banned, you should write something better than that! How lame….
Bobby
August 28th, 2012
1:54 pm
Gov. Deal prefers to let Georgia’s poor and downtrodden die in the streets. What fine family values and Christian morals he supports.
southpaw
August 28th, 2012
1:56 pm
I could post “Jesus and the Democrat” here, but since I’ve already posted it once, I don’t want to run the risk of spamming.
md
August 28th, 2012
1:56 pm
“And the states who have decided to expand Medicaid roles will be even more bad shape just like California…..”
I would suspect it will also have an impact on the states that elect not to expand. On our current course, the feds will just keep bailing them out with money from all 50 states…………..
Moremantabby
August 28th, 2012
1:56 pm
“It’s something our state can’t afford…”
Well, if anyone should know about buying things you can’t afford and going bankrupt (although, perhaps, not telling the truth about it to the bankruptcy court), it’s our guv and his family. I suspect he and his won’t suffer since the fine, educated electorate of Georgia elected him governor.
southpaw
August 28th, 2012
1:58 pm
May the fake Finn go the way of the fake @@.
Dusty
August 28th, 2012
1:59 pm
Well, since the Dem machine is trying to wreck Kyle’s blog by using it as a conduit of DemWit hate material, I skip lightly over comments that start with stupid, terminal stupidity, people denied heathcare, Deal & steal, wealthy taxcuts,Jesus, bringing up the rear,and on and on..
It is like loose trash by the side of the road. Makes the place ugly and you wonder why someone threw it out there.
md
August 28th, 2012
2:02 pm
“It’s terminal stupidity to turn down a deal in which 90-100% of the cost is covered by the federal government.”
Maybe….if one had no clue as to where the money was coming from……..think about it, money from the feds……and they first have to get their money from where??
And then folks need to realize that the feds cover the cost of care…..they do not cover the cost that the states will have to incur to provide the extra services for the expansion.
GA is a balanced budget state……and folks are already complaining about the last round of cuts, mainly to education. For those in favor of expansion, what gets cut next??
Complaining is the easy part………….
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
2:03 pm
trying to wreck it?
Don’t like hearing from people with different opinions, do you? Dusty the Fascist!
Number 15
August 28th, 2012
2:04 pm
It is blatantly obvious that the “change” on the federal level this good old boy is waiting on is the Presidency. If the voters in this so called great nation falls for the head fake and votes for Romney who does not have a clue, this bigoted racist governor will quickly accept monies from a republican-lead federal government……Don’t trust a politician with the last name DEAL.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
2:05 pm
the last round of cuts, mainly to education.
Those cuts are intended to maintain an ongoing pool of ignorant Republican voters.
Teach a man to think and he will vote Democrat.
double
August 28th, 2012
2:08 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.
Dusty
August 28th, 2012
2:08 pm
I wish Dems would get it straight as to whom is going to post what material on Kyle’s blog… Some goof took Finn’s turn.
md
August 28th, 2012
2:09 pm
“Teach a man to think and he will vote Democrat.”
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…………….
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.
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.
yuzeyurbrane
August 28th, 2012
4:07 pm
Tiberius–if you are referring to my previous comment on Ga. Constitution, I stated, correctly, that public education is a state responsibility. I have read that text several times in comments on subject of Deal advocated constitutional amendment to approve state funded charter schools (which by the way, would cost state additional $400 million per Republican State School Superintendent Barge). I did not say Constitution says there must be health insurance or even healthcare but I am reasonably certain it gives legislature general power to promote the health and welfare of all Georgians. You can research yourself and tell me if I am wrong.
JB
August 28th, 2012
4:11 pm
The root problem at hand is still not solved – the millions of uninsured Georgians who cannot afford decent health insurance. I have yet to hear a plausible solution for that from Deal – he just ignores it, because he knows his base does not care about “those” people, their fellow citizens. And we COULD afford it if taxes were raised to reflect the actual need out there. And gawd help us if Medicaid is turned into block grants – I see that $ going straight to the GA “economic development” (read: massively expensive and gratuitous business tax breaks) before that ever reaches actual people in need, just like the foreclosure settlement money.
Darwin
August 28th, 2012
4:12 pm
I think we should just allow the uninsured to use our hospitals and medical services for free.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 28th, 2012
4:13 pm
yuzeyurbrane, you correctly pointed out education, but if you are going to insist on the state providing health care, then you must also find the passage which allows for it.
As has been correctly argued before, “promote” does not mean “provide”.
Even in a liberal dictionary.
David C
August 28th, 2012
4:13 pm
“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.”
If Washington were to send a chunk of money to GA and let the state decide how best to use it, I would have ABSOLUTELY NOT FAITH in our State Government on how they handle that money. It would not go to where it should.
gadem
August 28th, 2012
4:19 pm
take the money and increase taxes by a penny to help cover the cost…
YOU BEEN BAMBOOZLED AND ITS YOUR FAULT
August 28th, 2012
4:24 pm
The aged, blind and disabled category of course is the largest expense category of our Medicaid population.
NO SOUP FOR YOU!
Darwin
August 28th, 2012
4:25 pm
Tiberius refuses to accept the fact that the insured and those who pay taxes currently provide healthcare to the uninsured.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
4:26 pm
Fixing the health care system is very, very important to the Republican platform committee, but the key to fixing it isn’t by allowing more people to use a more efficient, government-run program or by regulating the private sector; according to the platform, all of our problems will be solved if only we relied nearly exclusively on profit-driven private sector businesses to fix everything — Atlas drugged, if you will. But before you say “Isn’t that exactly like how things are now?” take a second to shut your mouth and open your mind. We all know that the corporations always act like compassionate entities, and that all health care industry shenanigans can be blamed on too much regulation. Plus, you know what they say about problems — the best way to fix them is to do what you were doing before, but harder. Works for joint repair therapy, works for public health!
Further, the platform states, sick people need to take a moment and examine if their health problems are their own fault. From a draft of the platform leaked Friday, When approximately 80% of healthcare costs are related to lifestyle — smoking, obesity, substance abuse — far greater emphasis has to be put on personal responsibility for health maintenance. Translation: This country has devolved into a nation of fat drug addicts who smoke like chimneys. If you worked on the wait staff of a bar or restaurant that allowed smoking, it’s your fault when you get lung cancer. And if you develop Type II diabetes as an adult, it’s because you’re weak. You shouldn’t have grown up in that town next to a coal mine and gotten cancer when you were 7, you bad lifestyle choice maker. They say that this will introduce competition, and drive prices down. Except health care isn’t like an iPad or velour pants; it’s something that people literally need to stay alive. Really, the sky’s the limit for how expensive this *&^$ can get.
alternet.org
Ol'Timer
August 28th, 2012
4:27 pm
Enter your comments here
Ol'Timer
August 28th, 2012
4:29 pm
A lot of needy people are going to be thrown under the bus — kicked to the curb — so that the governator can pander to his base.
yuzeyurbrane
August 28th, 2012
4:30 pm
Tiberius, I read your link to the charity article and it was quite interesting. But I don’t see where the article contradicts what I stated: namely that I have seen data which shows non-Christians (to be particular, Jews) make a large disproportionate share of charitable donations. To be fair, the article also backs up your statement. How the seeming disparity? It is because the author defines terms rather artificially into religious, secular and partial. Perhaps the categories are OK but his defn. of each seems to be rather arbitrary. Also, he goes strictly by what percent of each category give something, never really quantifying it by dollar amount. It is amazing what a smart man, like the author, can do to prove a point with statistics. Anyway, I think it is fair to conclude we could both be right.
As to your comment on the state Constitution, based on another comment you made, you inaccurately state that a state Constitution can only be a limiting document. It is well established law that a Constitution certainly can establish broad authority for government to act in different areas but that it is up to the legislature to fill this in with specific legislation. In fact, with Medicaid and many other areas, I am oversimplifying it a bit since the concept of Federalism and joint Federal and state action comes into play. Suffice it to say, that Georgia may legally choose to participate or not to participate in expanding Medicaid to the working poor as part of Obamacare.
Gimme Gimme Gimme
August 28th, 2012
4:34 pm
Finn-
A human life is a terrible thing to waste on a blog. Just sayin.
Dusty
August 28th, 2012
4:34 pm
Will those who want to preach political religion please start off by telling us what church, faith, clan, shrine, temple, mosque or hall in which you participate?.
It might make your comments a little more believable. Right now it sounds like a bunch of blowhards trying to ridicule any religion, with Christians in particular.
What a sad thing here in America, which is so blessed and founded by people of faith. .
.
Centrist
August 28th, 2012
4:35 pm
Irresponsible states adding even more benefits via the federal government which doesn’t attempt to balance its budget while heaping on debt to future generations is not the answer. The poor in the U.S. are richer than the poor in entire world, thanks to taxpayers and added debt. There must be a limit, or Greece like implosion will be the result.
Individual states like Georgia have to balance their budgets, so if more benefits are given to the poor to let them live like middle class workers – it comes at the cost of cutting from somewhere else and/or taking more away from the producers. Liberals always suggest the latter thinking the golden goose is real. Thank goodness the Georgia electorate has emphatically rejected liberal philosophy.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
4:37 pm
A human life is a terrible thing to waste on a blog. Just sayin.
Ummm, it’s called multitasking. Look it up.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 28th, 2012
4:37 pm
“Tiberius refuses to accept the fact that the insured and those who pay taxes currently provide healthcare to the uninsured.”
Actually, Darwin, there is nothing in my posts to suggest anything in your comment. That is simply uninformed projection on your part.
thwg
August 28th, 2012
4:38 pm
this state is at the bottom of the totem pole. Thank goodness for MS and LA. Not only are the politicians like Deal running the state for their own self interest, the uneducated, financially challenged rednecks in this state continue to vote them in and against their own self interest. I’m just glad to be a rich liberal who like Romney, can utilize the system to my own advantage. But I do appreciate these destitute conservative tea partiers since someone has to serve me at restaurants and restock the shelves Kroger.
Just Saying..
August 28th, 2012
4:38 pm
No surprise that a business man with Deal’s financial history can’t figure out how other states are affording it…
S
August 28th, 2012
4:40 pm
What else can we expect from an ethically challenged fool that was forced out of his job in Washington. No thinking person will be voting for these selfish, greedy, ungodly Republicans this year.
thwg
August 28th, 2012
4:40 pm
And as a business person, it’s easy to see how Deal’s decisions will continue to move this state down the list of desirable states for business development. I can remember when Atlanta was a hot bed of interest. Now, it’s an afterthought for venture investment. Who would want to invest in a state with such disregard for it’s own well being.
thwg
August 28th, 2012
4:42 pm
Good point S. Can you even imagine any other venue besides politics, where someone with clear ethics violoations gets elected gov. What does that say about the populace of this state. Next thing we’ll vote Marian Barry in as mayor atlanta.
wallbanger
August 28th, 2012
4:42 pm
Gov. Deal, a rare politician. He doesn’t want to spend money he doesn’t have.
Sherman
August 28th, 2012
4:44 pm
Dusty
Within the rules of the blog, everyone is welcome to their opinion be it right, wrong or indifferent.
Your is not the only one, however in your last post you were being quite the hypocrite by basically doing the same thing you claimed others were doing.
Correction
August 28th, 2012
4:45 pm
“Gov. Deal, a rare politician. He doesn’t want to spend money he doesn’t have.”
Unless it’s on a sporting goods store in the middle of nowhere.
Dusty
August 28th, 2012
4:46 pm
ho hum……….
Deal is a good governor.
Georgia is a great state.
SouthWest is ready when you are.
mo money
August 28th, 2012
4:48 pm
Ah, the taxes answer. So what yet to be approved tax increase shall we make up? How about an extra $100 a month/unit on multi family dwellings? A few more percentage points on check cashing? tax churches? 10 bucks per swipe on EBT cards? Increase marta fares? Liquor tax? Wait, I’ve got it, we’ll just create a hospital tax like the hotel tax, that will do it. Problem solved Finn, you’re a genius. .
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 28th, 2012
4:50 pm
“Suffice it to say, that Georgia may legally choose to participate or not to participate in expanding Medicaid to the working poor as part of Obamacare.”
Nice deflection, yuzyurebrane, but that isn’t the question before us. That question was, “Where in the Georgia Constitution is the authority to provide health care?”, not whether expanding Medicaid coverage is Constitutional. There are any number of posters who feel that it is the role of this state to provide same, however, none (including you), can provide the Constitutional authority to do so.
At some point, rather than trying to wrongly justify your position on this issue, the best, and most efficient thing to do is just say, “You’re right, Tiberius”.
Sherman
August 28th, 2012
4:52 pm
The US is a great country
If you do not like Obama
Delta is ready when you are. They have the most international flights of any US carrier
Bye bye
Follow the Law
August 28th, 2012
4:52 pm
One of the major reasons that our medical system is so dis-functional is that care is provided that can not pay for it so others are expected to indirectly pay for it. Here we have the Federal Government helping us out with this issue to some extent for some period of time but we refuse to take the money. Would a block grant be better, yes. But that does not seem to be an option. So, not taking 90% – 100% of the funds necessary to cover the needs of a significant sector of society with needed health care seems to be a poor decision. The State can make it very clear that if and when the Fed stops paying, the GA rules will revert to the older rules so less would be covered at that point. So, the government is afraid its citizens will be upset if it reduces the number of people who qualify if the government stops keeping its end of the bargain, well that is called having a spine. It can be done and to simply leave these significant funds on the table could end up being a very poor decision unless the goal is to have the poor move out of the state to one that takes the federal government’s deal.
Dusty
August 28th, 2012
4:52 pm
Sherman,
Go burn a city somewhere.
And stop crying. It’s pitiful.
Just Saying..
August 28th, 2012
4:53 pm
“Georgia is a great state.”
Based on…?
Compared to…?
Sherman
August 28th, 2012
4:54 pm
Ho Hum
Rosa Hatten
August 28th, 2012
4:54 pm
Let’s vote this loser Governor out of office,he would have stole enough of the State’s money by then,they are all liars and crooks.
Sherman
August 28th, 2012
4:55 pm
Dusty
Put your floaties on. It is two ft deep and that is way past your limit.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 28th, 2012
4:56 pm
I find it amazing that people like Sherman who want to continue to accelerate this county’s decline by constantly changing it, are the first people to tell those of us who wish to return this nation to it’s greatness to get up and leave.
Pitiful.
Sherman
August 28th, 2012
4:58 pm
As for crying, it is you who initiated the you can leave bs, because you are so myopic that you do not have the aptitude and ability to see past your nose…….
Any opinion that doesn’t fit your narrow narrative gets you all worked up, so you start biting at people’s ankles to show your discontent and usual pouting ways
But do carry on
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
August 28th, 2012
4:58 pm
ho hum……….
Deal is a good governor.
Georgia is a great state.
Thats about last in education.
Most people that say that have never been out of the state.Or at least the South.
Sherman
August 28th, 2012
4:59 pm
Tiberius
Are you being a a dumb @ss or can you show my exact post with all these things I want changed?
Thought so, run along with your projections, implications and innuendos
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
August 28th, 2012
5:01 pm
are the first people to tell those of us who wish to return this nation to it’s greatness to get up and leave.
What greatness is that ? Bush
Back to the sixties when minorities knew their place?
td
August 28th, 2012
5:02 pm
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.
You restated my point but still did not answer the original question. Where is the money going to come from? What are you going to cut or who are you going to tax more and how much?
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
5:02 pm
Thats about last in edumacation.
fixed yer typo…
curious
August 28th, 2012
5:04 pm
Enter your comments here
td
August 28th, 2012
5:05 pm
JB
August 28th, 2012
4:11 pm
“The root problem at hand is still not solved – the millions of uninsured Georgians who cannot afford decent health insurance.”
Who says they can not afford insurance? What sacrifices have they made to afford insurance? Cable TV, internet and cell phone bill every month will afford a very nice policy.
YOU BEEN BAMBOOZLED AND ITS YOUR FAULT
August 28th, 2012
5:05 pm
@Centrist
August 28th, 2012
4:35 pm
Liberals always suggest the latter thinking the golden goose is real. Thank goodness the Georgia electorate has emphatically rejected liberal philosophy.
***************************************************************************************************
DEAL DID NOT SAY NO MEDICAID FOR THE LIBERALS ONLY.
HE SAID NO MEDICAID FOR CONS, WHITES, BLACKS, BLUES, GREENS,
HISPANICS, YOUR MAMA, HIS MAMA, NOBODY.
THE GEORGIA ELECTORATE HAS REJECTED EVERYONE……:)
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
August 28th, 2012
5:07 pm
THAT DOESNT MAKE ANY SENSE
WHEN YOU TYPE ALL CAPS IT DOENST MAKE YOUR POINT ANY BETTER.
concerned
August 28th, 2012
5:07 pm
So easy to turn down help for others when all your medical need, those of your family here and to come are being met. Georgia is so ignorant in logic. In order to make a President look bad or unqualified, let all of georgia suffer. Gov. Deal you need to seek guidance from God about how to treat people. It is not about who is president, or his/her party it is ALL ABOUT GOD’S PEOPLE AND OUR NEEDS.
I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
August 28th, 2012
5:07 pm
You were bushwacked and its all your fault
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
5:08 pm
Deal is just talking a big game. When it comes time to take the money, his hands will both be out.
Tag
August 28th, 2012
5:08 pm
I want free health care, food, housing and transportation.
I can get my cloths at the Salvation Army.
YOU BEEN BAMBOOZLED AND ITS YOUR FAULT
August 28th, 2012
5:09 pm
@Rosa Hatten
August 28th, 2012
4:54 pm
Let’s vote this loser Governor out of office,he would have stole enough of the State’s money by then,they are all liars and crooks.
*******************************************************************************************
TOO LATE.
PEOPLE SHOULD NOT HAVE VOTED FOR HIM IN THE FIRST PLACE.
WE KNEW HE WAS GOING TO STAB EVERYONE IN THE BACK.
“YOU CAN’T PUT THE MANURE BACK INTO THE HORSE”
concerned
August 28th, 2012
5:09 pm
the caps were not ment to make any comment stronger it was to give reverance to GOD. HE IS WORTHY.
curious
August 28th, 2012
5:11 pm
No need for Medicaid expansion. They can go to the ER and receive care as an indigent. If Government can’t afford it (Federal, State, and Local), we had better remove the requirement to treat folks at the ER unless they have “good” insurance or cash.
Georgia again fails to see the whole picture. We’re so worried about someone getting something that the rest of us have, we are willing to gain that bit of satisfaction of denying them at the expense of our own long term self interest as a Nation and State.
td
August 28th, 2012
5:12 pm
ust Saying..
August 28th, 2012
4:38 pm
No surprise that a business man with Deal’s financial history can’t figure out how other states are affording it…
Please let us know which states have accepted and which states have rejected this additional Medicaid?
Dusty
August 28th, 2012
5:12 pm
My goodness, It is almost entertaining here with liberals getting their feathers ruffled. Oh dear! And they mean so well!!
Well, it is getting towards dinner time and departure. So don’t forget now!
Deal is a good governor.
Georgia is a great state.
Conservatives rule!!! You betcha!
Rush
August 28th, 2012
5:13 pm
None of the libtards propose how to pay for the “poor”…..Finn must be a college libtard….opened the blog and he/it was one of the first on….went to the end and he/it is still on…..get a life, dude. Try Bookman’s blog as he should have topics more to your liking
YOU BEEN BAMBOOZLED AND ITS YOUR FAULT
August 28th, 2012
5:13 pm
@I demand to see Cheesy Grits Birth Certificate- Long Form Please
August 28th, 2012
5:07 pm
THAT DOESNT MAKE ANY SENSE
WHEN YOU TYPE ALL CAPS IT DOENST MAKE YOUR POINT ANY BETTER.
******************************************************
You are what’s wrong with this country.
YOU WORRY ABOUT THE WRONG THING.
YOU NEED TO WORRY ABOUT DEAL CUTTING MEDICAID BUT
INSTEAD YOU ARE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT I AM DOING.
CONS ARE IDIOTS.
CONS HAVE BEEN BAMBOOZLED BY A CON.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
5:13 pm
“The meek shall inherit the tip of my boot up their…”
~ Jesus Christ
YOU BEEN BAMBOOZLED AND ITS YOUR FAULT
August 28th, 2012
5:14 pm
@Dusty
August 28th, 2012
5:12 pm
My goodness, It is almost entertaining here with liberals getting their feathers ruffled. Oh dear! And they mean so well!!
Well, it is getting towards dinner time and departure. So don’t forget now!
Deal is a good governor.
Georgia is a great state.
Conservatives rule!!! You betcha!
*****************************************************************
I bet you are on MEDICAID.
TELL THE TRUTH AND SHAME THE DEVIL.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
5:15 pm
Rush, I was here waiting for you to come back on, sweetie.
Rush
August 28th, 2012
5:16 pm
BAMBOOZLED DEBT FREE CON…..NOW HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?
MAYBE I NEED TO BECOME POOR AND MOVE TO THE ENLIGHTENED STATE OF MD, CA, IL WHERE THE STATE IS GOING BANKRUPT….
HOW DID I GET BAMBOOZLED INTO STAYING IN GA AND WHY ARE OTHER PEOPLE LEAVING STATES MENTIONED ABOVE? THEY MUST HAVE BEEN BAMBOOZLED LIBTARDS
Rush
August 28th, 2012
5:17 pm
Glad you were but shouldn’t you be on Bookman’s blog?
MarkV
August 28th, 2012
5:18 pm
The perpetual question “where will the money come from,” whenever it is about social spending (unlike, for instance, defense spending) always seems to suggests that somehow we have a terrible tax burden in the US. Well, face the facts. We do not. Our overall tax burden is very low compared with most developed countries. And the Republicans want to make it even lower so that they could cut the social spending more.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
5:19 pm
What fun would it be busting Conservative chops on Bookman’s blog?
Rush
August 28th, 2012
5:19 pm
Good points, Dusty. Georgia is a Republican state and will be that way for our lifetime. Deal with it!! Move on if you don’t like it or convince the poor Dixiecrats to put you in charge.
Cons Have Been Bamboozled By A Con..heehee
August 28th, 2012
5:20 pm
@Rush
August 28th, 2012
5:16 pm
*********************************************************************
Cons Have Been Bamboozled By A Con..heehee
Cons Have Been Bamboozled By A Con..heehee
Cons Have Been Bamboozled By A Con..heehee
Cons Have Been Bamboozled By A Con..heehee
Shine
August 28th, 2012
5:20 pm
What do Roy Barnes and Gov Deal have in common? They will be remembered as one term governors.
Rush
August 28th, 2012
5:21 pm
I don’t think anyone takes you seriously and you are barking up the wrong tree. Blog all you want however as you will not change the fact Georgia is a Republican state. If it makes you happy, does not infringe on other rights, and is legal then please do what you wish. This motto is one everyone should adhere to.
Cons Have Been Bamboozled By A Con..heehee
August 28th, 2012
5:22 pm
@Rush
August 28th, 2012
5:19 pm
Good points, Dusty. Georgia is a Republican state and will be that way for our lifetime. Deal with it!! Move on if you don’t like it or convince the poor Dixiecrats to put you in charge.
**************************************************************************************
Cons Have Been Bamboozled By A Con..heehee
Cons Have Been Bamboozled By A Con..heehee
Cons Have Been Bamboozled By A Con..heehee
Cons Have Been Bamboozled By A Con..heehee
DEAL WITH IT
Rush
August 28th, 2012
5:22 pm
Thanks for the reminder at 5:20. I was confused. Hope you are happy.
Just Saying..
August 28th, 2012
5:23 pm
td: “Please let us know which states have accepted and which states have rejected this additional Medicaid?”
td, did you even read Kyle’s column? Like, for comprehension? Here are Deal’s words, as quoted by Kyle in his column:
“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.”
Certainly you believe Governor Deal knows what he’s talking about.
Don’t you?
Rush
August 28th, 2012
5:24 pm
Dealing with it now and the great Republican state of Georgia. Looks like I am happy in my bamboozlement and you are still frustrated. Deal with it
td
August 28th, 2012
5:24 pm
I see you libs are taking this whole issue out of context as usual. The governor did not drop the Medicaid program. It is still viable and in effect for the truly poor in the state. He did not accept the Feds proposal (as part of Obamacare) to expand the program. Medicaid currently covers people to 100% of the Federal poverty level and the Feds want that to be expanded to 137% of the Federal poverty level. This is giving FREE medical coverage (0-premium payment, 0-co-pay and 0-deductable) to people between 100% and 137%. Below is the table for the Federal poverty level (100%)
2012 Poverty Guidelines for the
48 Contiguous States and the District of Columbia Persons in
family/household Poverty guideline
1 $11,170
2 15,130
3 19,090
4 23,050
5 27,010
6 30,970
7 34,930
8 38,890
For families/households with more than 8 persons,
add $3,960 for each additional person
Cons Have Been Bamboozled By A Con..heehee
August 28th, 2012
5:25 pm
@Rush
August 28th, 2012
5:21 pm
I don’t think anyone takes you seriously and you are barking up the wrong tree. Blog all you want however as you will not change the fact Georgia is a Republican state. If it makes you happy, does not infringe on other rights, and is legal then please do what you wish. This motto is one everyone should adhere to.
************************************************************************
No medicaid for you.
No medicaid for your mama
No medicaid for your grand mama
No medicaid for the Cons.
heeheeheeheeheeheehee
Rush
August 28th, 2012
5:26 pm
Shine has an excellent point about Deal being a one term governor… Which Republican will be the next governor of Georgia? Who will the Dixiecrats offer up as the sacrificial lamb?
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
5:26 pm
Want to understand what we libs are fighting against?
How Romney-Ryan’s Budget Would Destroy America’s Soul
http://www.alternet.org/election-2012/george-lakoff-how-romney-ryans-budget-would-destroy-americas-soul
Rush
August 28th, 2012
5:28 pm
Excellent…I say no Medicaid for anyone. Make everyone responsible for their own family. Cons and libs. Equality for all…..
Cons Have Been Bamboozled By A Con..heehee
August 28th, 2012
5:29 pm
@td
August 28th, 2012
5:24 pm
I see you libs are taking this whole issue out of context as usual. The governor did not drop the Medicaid program. It is still viable and in effect for the truly poor in the state. He did not accept the Feds proposal (as part of Obamacare) to expand the program.
****************************************************************************
The KEY word is E-X-P-A-N-D
No soup for who?
Genius
Virginia Highland Boy
August 28th, 2012
5:35 pm
I love all these left wing idiots who’re always shouting “if the poor would just get a degree, get an entry level job and work their way up, they’d have access to insurance”. Yes, that would be nice, but anyone with an IQ of a rutabaga knows that most poor people have a less than 1% chance of going to college even if they have grades good enough to get in. Most poor people have too many other worries in their lives (like feed themselves and keeping a roof over their head) to worry about getting into college.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
5:35 pm
Yeah, I guess when you get to raise a family of 3 on $19,000 a year you are living the dream, baby!
high
on
the
hog!
Made
in
the
shade!
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
5:37 pm
Virginia, you mean right wing idiots?
Follow the Law
August 28th, 2012
5:39 pm
Tag, it is called the “safety net.” I do not know about you, but I do not want to live at the standard of living of the government’s safety net. You are free to do so if you like the deal of having others take care of you. It is your choice. But, it does get pretty cold outside during some of the winter months.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 28th, 2012
5:49 pm
Sherman, you’re a liberal. That’s all you want to do is change things.
td
August 28th, 2012
6:02 pm
Finn McCool (The System isn’t Broken; It’s Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
5:35 pm
Yeah, I guess when you get to raise a family of 3 on $19,000 a year you are living the dream, baby!
high
on
the
hog!
Made
in
the
shade!
That household of three is more then likely a single mother with two children (BTW: the children are on Medicaid due to Peach care). Why is this woman not married? Why does she not have the skill set to get a job making more money to support herself and her family? Why is not the father of these children paying for the childrens healthcare? (BTW: if she receives Child support then that income is not counted in these figures).
tiredofIT
August 28th, 2012
6:04 pm
Rush
August 28th, 2012
5:13 pm
None of the libtards propose how to pay for the “poor”…..
++
What’s your suggestion?
Cons Have Been Bamboozled By A Con..heehee
August 28th, 2012
6:04 pm
@Follow the Law
August 28th, 2012
5:39 pm
Tag, it is called the “safety net.” I do not know about you, but I do not want to live at the standard of living of the government’s safety net. You are free to do so if you like the deal of having others take care of you. It is your choice. But, it does get pretty cold outside during some of the winter months.
****************************************************************
“I do not want to live at the standard of living of the government’s safety net.”
Who does?
No one knows who, when or where they might need the “SAFETY NET”.
People should not get so HIGH AND MIGHTY..
It might be YOU the next time who needs the “safety net”.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 28th, 2012
6:09 pm
George Lakoff is a prepuce.
Just saying. . . .
Cons Have Been Bamboozled By A Con..heehee
August 28th, 2012
6:11 pm
@td
August 28th, 2012
6:02 pm
Finn McCool (The System isn’t Broken; It’s Fixed)
August 28th, 2012
5:35 pm
Yeah, I guess when you get to raise a family of 3 on $19,000 a year you are living the dream, baby!
high
on
the
hog!
Made
in
the
shade!
That household of three is more then likely a single mother with two children (BTW: the children are on Medicaid due to Peach care). Why is this woman not married? Why does she not have the skill set to get a job making more money to support herself and her family? Why is not the father of these children paying for the childrens healthcare? (BTW: if she receives Child support then that income is not counted in these figures).
***********************************************************************
I SEE THE DOGS ARE STILL WHISTLING DIXIE.
Some of these dogs are so poor they don’t have a pot to
tee tee in and a window to throw it out of.
They hide behind their words while living a meager life.
You can tell their social status by their comments.
Some are just a generation out of the trailer park.
ld
August 28th, 2012
6:28 pm
Federal matching (x% to x% spent) BLOCK GRANTS to states is by far the BEST way for the federal government to financially help the medically needy.
States delivering aid to the medically needy via the EXISTING health department infrastructure — enhanced, w/additional resources and authorizations, including a state requirement for 100% participation by medical providers to be licensed to operate in the state — is by far the best way for the states to help the medically needy.
Each state needs to encourage indivdual responsibility even as it guarantees individual liberty and equal right under law. (Abortion should NOT be outlawed, but taxpayer money should not pay for abortion or contraception or viagra OR ANY elective care or medication as an entitlement. Private, non-profit, tax free charities should be set up to deal with such controversial funding.)
Obamacare is a boondoggle in the making — in no small part because
1. People can be JAILED for not paying taxes, including the Robert’s Tax, and…
2. As soon as the GOP again win the political tripple crown, it will begin to dismantel all consumer assistance and protections, leaving in tact ONLY the obligation to buy an overpriced product from a private owned for mega-profit industry….
… … Therefore, Obamacare will likely end up hurting MOST the very people it was intended to help. This could well be the beginning of “political prisoners” w/indefinite detention in this country.
3. Obamacare does NOT even begin to encourage people to accept any responsibility for their own health or lifestyle decisions that affect their health.
4. Obamacare is NOT financially sustainable in the long term in our “greed is good” consumer driven economy. (That which is detrimental to our nation’s economy is also substantially detrimental to our national security — including such things as the ever-widening wealth gap.)
A renewed effort needs to be made to reach children in public schools at every age, repeatedly, with these messages regarding individual responsibility that is ESSENTIAL in any successful society where there is to be individual liberty:
A. Your overall health –physical, mental, including addictions — WILL affect your economic health and THAT will drastically affect your personal freedom — your individual liberty and equal right under law — by its direct and indirect effect on YOUR personal options –YOUR future choices.
B. Your education will, in no small part, greatly affect your career options and, therefore, your personal freedom — your individual liberty and equal right under law — by its effect on YOUR personal options — YOUR future choices.
@@
August 28th, 2012
6:28 pm
Finn:
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!!!
Wasn’t my point.
California’s welfare rolls are exploding. The state is on the verge of bankruptcy. Taxes are already through the roof in California, and yet…
the public service unions are fighting tooth and nail to keep what’s theirs. I’d be willing to bet you support THEIR greed.
md
August 28th, 2012
6:33 pm
“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?”
A good manager will have a plan for both worse case and best case scenarios………
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 28th, 2012
6:34 pm
The easiest way to get the libs on here to stop pushing for more social programs is to make it illegal to run up a deficit.
The second THEIR taxes have to pay for something, they’ll squeal like pigs to make it stop.
md
August 28th, 2012
6:41 pm
“In Massachusetts.. everyone.”
Might want to double check that one……
Cons Have Been Bamboozled By A Con..heehee
August 28th, 2012
6:43 pm
@ld
August 28th, 2012
6:28 pm
*****************************************************
Since YOU got all the answers WHY DON’T YOU RUN FOR PRESIDENT?
Since you think you are smarter than the average bear go to Washington
and see how far it will get you.
yuzeyurbrane
August 28th, 2012
6:51 pm
td–you are simply incorrect about Georgia’s Medicaid population. The states have a lot of discretion already in how they craft their programs and Georgia has crafted its to be the 2nd lowest benefits in the country. How? First, the lion’s share of the Georgia Medicaid budget goes to nursing homes, which rely on it for 85% of their revenues. Many of these are part of very large for-profit corporate entities and their lobbyist is Rusty Paul, former Exec. Dir. of the Georgia Republican Party and state legislator. They are the source of large campaign donations to Deal and other Republicans. So it is doubtful if Deal will ever cut back on that part of Medicaid. The second largest group of recipients are the young, primarily through Peachcare. And the third are single moms who can only make no more than 75% of the poverty level. No single adults are eligible except in case of emergency. Further, Deal has imposed a 5% budget cut order on traditional Medicaid while only a 3% cut on other state agencies. So under Deal’s policy, nursing homes are probably safe from further cuts, single adults will continue to get no benefits, and cuts will probably be made to benefits for children and single moms. While state Medicaid budget is large, 75% of this is paid by the Federal govt. and 25% by Georgia. Get your facts straight next time.
md
August 28th, 2012
6:52 pm
“One of the major reasons that our medical system is so dis-functional is that care is provided that can not pay for it so others are expected to indirectly pay for it. Here we have the Federal Government helping us out with this issue to some extent for some period of time but we refuse to take the money”
Not sure if you are aware, but one of the reasons the current system is dysfunctional is due to the gov’t “help”. Over the past few decades, that benvolent gov’t has been reducing payments to providers, hospitals, nursing homes, etc…..in essence “cutting costs”. The problem is it DOESN’T cut costs……it SHIFTS costs, as the providers move the pea under the shells until it comes up on your bill.
And now, Obamacare cuts 700 billion to “providers, hospitals, and nursing homes”………do I really need to explain what is about to happen??
David R. Boag, DDS
August 28th, 2012
6:57 pm
It’s NOT free money.
Look at Canada–and my parents live in Detroit and see this all the time–they have a 6 month wait just to get an MRI. So the Canadians come over the border and pay cash for one here. Happens all the time. THEN, you’ve got to wait for treatment once you are “approved.” and all this for only roughly 60% (or more) of your gross income. EVERYONE’S gross income, not just the “rich.” and they’ve had their system in place a LONG time.
Three words: AT WHAT COST?
“Free” health care is anything but free. So is this money. It’s “free” for 3 years, but then it begins to cost more. Anyone have any doubt looking at history that the costs will end up being MUCH higher than we are being sold…I mean told?
If people were being told HONESTLY what it would cost them for “free” health care, there’s NO WAY a majority of Americans would say yes to paying the price in both $ and lifestyle changes in order to get “free” health care. Heck, most complain loudly when they have to pay $4 for a gallon of gas. What happens when suddenly someone paying zero percent tax now has to pay 60% like the Canadians do? Or even 40%? Or what about that 15% that will suddenly have no job, because their “rich” boss can’t afford to pay both the tax and their salary/benefits? Would you give up everything your income allows you to have so you wouldn’t have to pay for your medical care when it was your turn?
md
August 28th, 2012
6:58 pm
“Georgia again fails to see the whole picture. We’re so worried about someone getting something that the rest of us have, we are willing to gain that bit of satisfaction of denying them at the expense of our own long term self interest as a Nation and State.”
There is a fine line between helping those that can’t and enabling those that won’t…………
yuzeyurbrane
August 28th, 2012
7:06 pm
Tiberius–I obviously don’t understand your line of reasoning. On the one hand you seem to acknowledge that the Medicaid for the working poor provision is entirely legal but is optional with each state and on the other you seem to want a citation to some provision in the State Constitution which specifically authorizes Georgia to participate or for that matter spend any money on public health at all? I think, but am not certain, that you are saying that health care should not be a govt. function at all. If so, you are entitled to your opinion with which I would disagree. But if you are saying your opinion is the current state of the law then you are incorrect and have the burden of providing me a legal citation that backs your position. Kindly clarify.
Follow the Law
August 28th, 2012
7:15 pm
There is a big difference here between Obama Care as a whole and this particular subsidy. This is essentially a low cost benefit provided by the Fed Gov. Yes, it is our tax dollars coming back but isn’t better going here than elsewhere. yes, Obama Care may be repealed but can’t we take the benefit until it is repealed. The fact is that the Fed Gov is bankrupting this country by spending Trillions that it does own and may never be able to repay without inflating our way out of it, a la Greece (pre Euro days). But this will happen in any case. By GA saying no, we are taking a stand that hurts those in need and could indirectly benefit others of us since less medical care is given away by the hospitals for free and therefore less cost to pass to those with insurance or who can otherwise pay. GA, take the money and be prepared to end the benefit when the funds stop coming in.
David R. Boag, DDS
August 28th, 2012
7:32 pm
Follow the Law @ 7:15 pm
So, if we were a family about to go bankrupt, your advice is to take EVERY credit card we have and go max it out just before filing. Might as well get everything we can before the u no wut hits the fan, right? Because that would be the RIGHT thing to do, right?
td
August 28th, 2012
7:41 pm
yuzeyurbrane
August 28th, 2012
6:51 pm
You sound like you work for DFCS? Well my wife does and your FACTS are off a little:
1: Adults are eligible under three programs:
a: ABD: Aged, blind and disabled
b: Pregnant woman
c: TANF
2: The rest of the programs are for children. Peachcare is for the children of working parents up to 235% of the FPL.
3: This expanded Medicaid in Obamacare is to cover all the able bodied adults left off these programs. The vast majority of the 650,000 will be able bodied adults who should be getting their own health coverage.
4: EMA: Emergency Medicaid is for these all people that are income eligible and go to the ER.
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
August 28th, 2012
8:24 pm
Jefferson: Bad decision, again.
———————–
Start a libtarded charity to make up the difference. Don’t just sit there whining that Americans don’t support having their property confiscated to support those who aren’t even in poverty.
Problem is, liberals are notoriously stingy and don’t give to charity at anywhere near the level of conservatives.
David R. Boag, DDS
August 28th, 2012
8:35 pm
Can you give food stamps to charity?
yuzeyurbrane
August 28th, 2012
8:52 pm
td–maybe I am your wife’s boss?? Just kidding. Thought I would spread a little paranoia. I have no connection with DFACS at all. I just read a lot. Pleased to see you concede I am essentially correct. You should fact-check with your wife more often.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
August 28th, 2012
11:56 pm
“I think, but am not certain, that you are saying that health care should not be a govt. function at all.”
As we say in Massachusetts, yuzyurebrane, “Light dawns on Marble-head”!
charles wahlquist
August 29th, 2012
8:23 am
Governor Deal,
Your decision to not expand Medicaid is shameful.
There are several reasons why government is essential and your administration appears to be trying to make itself useless in all of them.
You have now added indifference to those who most need assistance to the numerous negatives already massing to further depress our economy and our standard of living.
I say this as an employed voter who does not believe your efforts to continuously lower my taxes will benefit Georgia or my family in the long run.
Georgia was once a marginally attractive state to live in.
I believe your administrations failures will relegate our state to a has been backwater that has no appeal to new residents and poor hope of competing with our neighboring states.
yuzeyurbrane
August 29th, 2012
10:29 am
Tiberius–glad you clarified you are not making a legal argument against government involvement in healthcare but that it is simply your opinion. So you neither have nor need a citation to the state Constitution since you are entitle to your own opinion. My opinion is that we have tried it your way since the first settlers landed and look where it has gotten us—37th in the world in healthcare. Don’t you think it is time to at least try some modifications to a failed model?