A question for those who say expanding Medicaid is a no-brainer
Liberal think tanks and columnists have been cranking out the arguments about why a state like Georgia would be foolish to reject Obamacare’s expansion of Medicaid. The expansion, which was made optional for states in the Supreme Court’s June ruling upholding the bulk of the law, would cost Georgia an estimated $2.5 billion over 10 years, according to state officials. Gov. Nathan Deal has said our state will not participate, but Obamacare supporters are trying to pressure him to change his mind.
Proponents of the expansion say hospitals and doctors in the state would receive an additional $33 billion in federal funds during that time frame. To hear them tell it, this is tantamount to finding $33 billion in between the couch cushions; they never mention whose pockets it’s falling from.
“The economics of this are very strongly in favor of adopting the expansion,” said John Holahan, study co-author and director of health policy research at the Urban Institute, in a recent AJC story. Holahan’s study puts the total federal cost of expanding Medicaid via Obamacare at $952 billion over 10 years if all 50 states participate. That’s a 26 percent increase on top of what’s already one of the federal government’s fastest-growing budget items. And, for you non-math majors, that comes out to $95.2 billion per year on average.
But here’s my question: Where do we find another $95.2 billion per year in a Washington that is currently:
- running annual deficits of at least $1 trillion;
- trying desperately to avoid an automatic spending cut (the “sequester” portion of the fiscal cliff) that would shave about $133 billion per year on average (over the next nine years);
- and discussing tax increases on “the rich” that would raise, at most, $160 billion per year?
No one in Washington seems to be talking seriously about deeper spending cuts or sharper tax increases than these, so we are talking about continuing to run annual deficits of well over half a trillion dollars before tacking on $95.2 billion in new Medicaid spending.
And remember: This is just the Medicaid portion of Obamacare. We’re not talking about subsidies for the federal exchanges or new costs for long-term care.
Why is it that none of the “found money” advocates ever explain how we’re going to pay for this new spending? Or do they think Georgia taxpayers will truly believe someone else will handle that federal portion of the cost?
– By Kyle Wingfield
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308 comments Add your comment
Hopeful
November 27th, 2012
6:25 pm
Teachers don’t get paid enough as it is! We teach the whole world too.All kinds of Countries and languages coming in they have their work cut out when the last time you visited schools all in the south
from the east to west to south to north then you would leave those teachers along !! People need to take care of their children and help them give them Love and Guidance! When the last time you walk in your child’s room and said I love you good job!
md
November 27th, 2012
6:25 pm
“Thats why we have 50,000 troops in Germany”
I believe the theory is called “rapid response”……
Nunna Yobinnes
November 27th, 2012
6:25 pm
Black Label – since you obviously didn’t read my post, I’ll say it again. The Canadians live healthier lifestyles than Americans do. They don’t have welfare Cadillac hoods to sit on.
Black Label
November 27th, 2012
6:25 pm
Nunna
Good for Cheesy. Many people from all over the world, including the US, go to other countries for healthcare. This is done for various reasons and has been going on for years.
Nothing new.
Bye Bye Cheesy Grits
November 27th, 2012
6:26 pm
Cheesy doing the whole “heath care is better in (fill in the blank)” argument by trying to equate lifestyle issues to heath care quality.
Cheesy, let me introduce you to the concept of “apples to oranges”.
Tiberious doing the whole ill spin this and the statistics by offering up something that doesn’t make a lot of sense.
You see I couldn’t just be wrong it has to be something else.
Black Label
November 27th, 2012
6:27 pm
Nunna
And that is a bad thing? Isn’t your eating and exercising habits part of your “healthcare”?
Bye Bye Cheesy Grits
November 27th, 2012
6:27 pm
“Thats why we have 50,000 troops in Germany”
I believe the theory is called “rapid response”……
LOL. File that one with Mitts bayonets.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 27th, 2012
6:28 pm
“You see I couldn’t just be wrong”
No, actually, you COULD just be wrong, Cheesy.
And you are.
Bye Bye Cheesy Grits
November 27th, 2012
6:29 pm
Nunna
And that is a bad thing? Isn’t your eating and exercising habits part of your “healthcare”?
They are healthier all the way around.
Preventive measures taken by the poor because of Universal Healthcare plays a major major role.
An ounce of prevention ….
They take that to heart.
Bye Bye Cheesy Grits
November 27th, 2012
6:30 pm
No, actually, you COULD just be wrong, Cheesy.
And you are.
No you are.
Nunna Yobinnes
November 27th, 2012
6:30 pm
No Black Label, it’s not a bad thing. However, exercising and proper diet don’t cost one dollar of taxpayer money.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 27th, 2012
6:31 pm
“File that one with Mitts bayonets.”
Mitt never said anything about bayonets. That was Obama’s ignorant remark when he didn’t even know that his own military still buys and uses bayonets.
But nice try, Cheesy.
But another epic fail.
mike
November 27th, 2012
6:32 pm
Tiberius: I’m glad to see you’re awake. Sleep in late today?
Linda: “[I]f our military is cut & our oil supply is cut, that we will no longer OWN our fiscal house.” You mean we might have to (gulp) seek alternative sources of energy? You mean we might have to (gulp) melt our SUVs down and drive sub-compacts like those crazy Europeans? PLEASE say it ain’t so! ANYTHING BUT THAT!
Black Label
November 27th, 2012
6:33 pm
“However, exercising and proper diet don’t cost one dollar of taxpayer money.”
You pay already for other people’s bad habits through taxes and via your insurance. So the good or bad habits have had an impact on your wallet way before Obamacare ever came into being.
What is new? How it is administered?
Nunna Yobinnes
November 27th, 2012
6:33 pm
Oh and Cheesy showed us a link to a picture of “Yukon Bacon.” That one photo shows that the entire population of Canada has poor dietary habits. There you have it. Who’d a thunk it?
Bye Bye Cheesy Grits
November 27th, 2012
6:33 pm
Well its time to get off work.
Have to leave now to stop by the Obama store on my way home and get my free stuff for the day.
I hope its a new car this time.
See you guys !!!!!
Black Label
November 27th, 2012
6:34 pm
Still debating the election.
Wow. Thought that was over.
Oh well. Carry on.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 27th, 2012
6:34 pm
“They are healthier all the way around. ”
Actually, Cheesy, they aren’t.
All you have to do is attend a family reunion with me and my Canadian cousins and listen to their stories comparing double, triple and quadruple bypasses, which pacemakers and what medicines they use.
btw, I have had none of those things, and I take ZERO medicines except over the counter pain meds. And I’m in their same age bracket.
So another fail on your part.
Bye Bye Cheesy Grits
November 27th, 2012
6:35 pm
That was Obama’s ignorant remark when he didn’t even know that his own military still buys and uses bayonets.
He was making a point that simple minds like yourself cant grasp.
Bayonets. Seriously.
Yes they still have them.
Are they relevant.
No.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 27th, 2012
6:35 pm
“I’m glad to see you’re awake. Sleep in late today?”
That’s what people who are retired do, mikey.
Michael H. Smith
November 27th, 2012
6:36 pm
Isn’t socialism great, you never have to explain how to pay for anything Kyle. Just tax the “evil rich”… make them pay their fair share… about 120% of their total worth!
Nunna Yobinnes
November 27th, 2012
6:36 pm
Let me know where you go to get your free stuff. I want some.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 27th, 2012
6:37 pm
“Bayonets. Seriously.
Yes they still have them.
Are they relevant.
No.”
Tell that to the next Marine who has to take a beach head, Cheesy.
Not that you’d ever know what that was like . . .
Bye Bye Cheesy Grits
November 27th, 2012
6:38 pm
All you have to do is attend a family reunion with me and my Canadian cousins and listen to their stories comparing double, triple and quadruple bypasses, which pacemakers and what medicines they use.
btw, I have had none of those things, and I take ZERO medicines except over the counter pain meds. And I’m in their same age bracket.
So another fail on your part.
Yes because by all means your small family represents the whole population.
Man are you guys dumb.
Actually they are healthier.
By alot.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Health_Organization_ranking_of_health_systems
Ill await your spin or shoot the messenger response.
Dusty
November 27th, 2012
6:38 pm
Cheesy is moving to Canada if he can find a Canadian bride? Some poor girl, oh nevermind.
I am sure the Canadians are aware of such “conveniences” and have a few restrictions. But, go, cheesy, go! Good luck!! Congrats!! Have fun! Make a snowman. Enjoy! You can get help. Free healthcare at every drug store. It’s all there for you. Don ‘t hesitate. You will live longer. Tooo cold to deteriorate.
Nunna Yobinnes
November 27th, 2012
6:38 pm
Michael – You just print some mo’ money.
Bye Bye Cheesy Grits
November 27th, 2012
6:39 pm
I am sure the Canadians are aware of such “conveniences” and have a few restrictions. But, go, cheesy, go! Good luck!! Congrats!! Have fun! Make a snowman. Enjoy! You can get help. Free healthcare at every drug store. It’s all there for you. Don ‘t hesitate. You will live longer. Tooo cold to deteriorate.
Thanks for your support.
Bye Bye Cheesy Grits
November 27th, 2012
6:41 pm
Tell that to the next Marine who has to take a beach head, Cheesy.
Not that you’d ever know what that was like . .
Really. LOL.
I think they use the gun part first LOL.
Then they reload.
You see we do have fewer boats than we had along time ago.
But the ones we have do alot more.
Can you understand that ?
I doubt it.
I love the fact that there are people reading this stuff who probably dont ever post.
You dont do your side much credit.
Hopeful
November 27th, 2012
6:43 pm
Good luck you’ll need it lol
Bye Bye Cheesy Grits
November 27th, 2012
6:44 pm
Michael – You just print some mo’ money.
Notice the mo’ use for effect.
Hopeful
November 27th, 2012
6:45 pm
I’m going to get me a money tree and plant it
Hopeful
November 27th, 2012
6:48 pm
Watch out Michael that money you print will be taxed
Nunna Yobinnes
November 27th, 2012
6:52 pm
Hopeful – Nah, it’s the gub-ment (for effect for Cheesy) that prints more money.
md
November 27th, 2012
6:53 pm
“Bayonets. Seriously.
Yes they still have them.
Are they relevant.
No.”
Common sense dictates that if they were no longer relevant then we wouldn’t still be using them.
Hmmm……….
Nunna Yobinnes
November 27th, 2012
6:54 pm
Where do you find those money trees? I sure could use one. Especially if I aint gonna get no free stuff.
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
November 27th, 2012
6:58 pm
Cheesy, you really need to get off that apples to oranges comparison of heath care systems vs. lifestyles.
The biggest WHO statistical mistake they make is relying on is death rates to judge health.
Guess what? They do not discriminate between accidental deaths and natural causes. They don’t discriminate between natural causes and murders.
Your entire argument is washed down the drain because you cannot recognize nor analyze data.
And neither can the WHO.
Nunna Yobinnes
November 27th, 2012
6:59 pm
Tiberius – Rock bands are notoriously poor statisticians. ;^)
JDW
November 27th, 2012
7:00 pm
@Linda…”Bush cut taxes & the result was economic growth, lower unemployment & the highest tax revenues in the history of the country.”
Linda
November 27th, 2012
7:00 pm
mike(with a little m)@6:32, The US Dept. of Energy was created under Carter to wean our dependence from foreign oil & to produce alternative energy sources. Well, how many trillions of dollars has that helped us? The first windmills were established in the US in 1622. How advanced are we now?
http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM7Z03_First_Windmill_in_English_North_America
We’ve been seeking alternative sources of energy for centuries, not just decades. Any disruption of oil right now will plummet the US economy into doldrums.
Nunna Yobinnes
November 27th, 2012
7:03 pm
JDW – Just goes to show you what a lucky rascal President Clinton was, doesn’t it? He timed his presidency to perfection. Rode the dot com as he entered office and ended his term as it fell through the cracks. That is one lucky man.
Nunna Yobinnes
November 27th, 2012
7:04 pm
He was so lucky Al Gore invented the internet.
md
November 27th, 2012
7:08 pm
Yep, it’s all georgie’s fault…..never any mention of the dems blocking any and all reform of F&F for the entire 8 years………doesn’t fit the narrative.
JDW
November 27th, 2012
7:12 pm
“Just goes to show you what a lucky rascal President Clinton was, ”
Not so much Clinton understood and executed the basic law of cash flow…grow revenue faster than expenses and it works out. Duhbya pi$$ed all over that from day 1. Tax cuts, ending paygo and unfunded wars, part d etc…
Duhbya trashed a system that was in balance and caused the vast majority of the budget issues we face today.
Nunna Yobinnes
November 27th, 2012
7:12 pm
Not to mention that the Clinton administration never had to deal with the aftermath of 9/11.
Nunna Yobinnes
November 27th, 2012
7:14 pm
JDW – And the false economy of the dot com boom offered no assistance to Clinton at all did it?
Linda
November 27th, 2012
7:18 pm
JDW@7:00, I’ve already told you several times today to sling your mud on the minions, not me. I’ll make a deal with you. If you will stop calling me “too ignorant” & stop trying to educate me & stop trying to sway me to the asinine liberal agenda, which will result in the demise of the US of America, I will refrain from placing you on the prayer list for my subdivision & those beyond, not that you don’t need to be placed there, but as a gesture of good will, during this season of compassion.
I take that back. You are hereby prayed for by our subdivision. May you atone for your sins & may your sins be forgiven.
mike
November 27th, 2012
7:27 pm
Linda: “Any disruption of oil right now will plummet the US economy into doldrums.” I agree.
Are you saying that if we remove all of our troops from Iraq and Afghanistan (which doesn’t have any oil) that the world will end as we know it?
mike
November 27th, 2012
7:28 pm
Here’s some interesting reading for you, Linda, and anyone else concerned with our energy future.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-20/germany-s-clean-energy-transforms-industrial-city-of-hamburg.html
With that, I’m out of here. Goodnight.
Hopeful
November 27th, 2012
7:33 pm
I tell you who is over paid is doctors if you want to pick on someone how about lawyers you do their work then you pay them ! Some don’t know how they got their if your on Medicare look out you will be treated for 15 minutes the nurses do just about all the work !And if your sick in a Hospital you better get a friend to come check on you they treat us like dirt all those old people are dirt to a doctor hope your friend comes see you in the Hospital
Hopeful
November 27th, 2012
7:38 pm
Free stuff air time with others maybe they will make you a sandwich.
Get a money tree at Home Depot