Governors Join G.O.P. in Concerns on Health Bill

[GoldieAZ]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/20/health/policy/20health.html?_r=1&src=twt&twt=nytimes

WASHINGTON — Despite President Barack Obama’s assurance that a revamping of the United States health-care system would not swell the federal deficit, his goal of quick congressional passage seemed to grow a bit more tenuous on Sunday as Republicans dug in their heels while governors in both parties raised concerns that they will be handed costly new Medicaid obligations without the money to pay for them.

The states pay, on average, more than 40 percent of the cost of Medicaid, so they bear a significant burden of any expansion of the program to help more low-income Americans. At their annual summer meeting, in Biloxi, Miss., the governors said that their concerns dominated discussion, with striking levels of bipartisan hostility voiced during a closed-door luncheon on the topic on Saturday.

And Congressional Republicans said on Sunday that Mr. Obama could probably meet his deficit goal only by increasing taxes on the wealthiest Americans and requiring small business owners, already battered by the enduring recession, to assure coverage of their employees.

The Senate’s top Republican, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that rising health-care costs, and the problem of millions of Americans who lack insurance, could be resolved without a costly revamping — estimates are that it could cost $1 trillion over a decade — that he said would lead to inferior care and an outsized government role.

The opposition continues to go up as Obama's polls go down. Needs to stay out there until after the August recess.

[thundley4]

I hope it never makes it to a vote.  The Socialists in congress know that their only hope is rushing crap like this through without debate, much like the Spendulous Bill and others.

[BlueStateSaint]

Thing is, the Dems are pretty much guaranteeing that they'll lose both the House and Senate in 2010, and the White House in 2012.  And, if Obama loses badly eoungh in 2012, the Republicans could (easily) wind up with an fillibuster-proof majority in the Senate in 2012.  Then, they can undo some of this stupid stuff.

[5412]

Thing is, the Dems are pretty much guaranteeing that they'll lose both the House and Senate in 2010, and the White House in 2012.  And, if Obama loses badly eoungh in 2012, the Republicans could (easily) wind up with an fillibuster-proof majority in the Senate in 2012.  Then, they can undo some of this stupid stuff.

Hi,

Have you done your homework on the senate coming up for reelection in 2012?   Normally only 1/3 of the senate is up for reelection every two years so it would take a massive overhaul in 2010 and 2012 to get it done.  Sure hope you are right.

The problem is this.  Many programs, once they are passed, are almost impossible to undo.  The republicans really had the answer on social security and could not get it done.  Once you start giving people something for free it is almost impossible to take it away. 

BTW, here is how I would fix medicare.  I would announce beginning in 2011 a reduction in coverage and outline what it is each and every year.  I would then require all the medicare supplement insurance companies to add the cost of the additional coverage to their supplemental insurance coverages they offer.  In effect you are transferring the cost back to the private sector.  The way it works is all medicare supplement coverage must be identical in their choices.  For example I have chosen coverage D.....and every carrier's part D includes the same coverage.  Same for part E, etc.  The premium is deducted from my social security check each month.  If they gradually decrease coverage so the supplemental insurance goes up gradually it should work.  If they try to do it all it once there would be a huge backlash.  I do not know any retired person on social security who does not purchase supplemental coverage.  I suppose you could give something back to the super poor who basically get money from the government when they file their taxes anyway.

regards,
5412
regards,
5412