Monday, September 26, 2011
Congress Pith Answers All Lamar's Questions about Obamacare
Posted by Jeff Woods on Mon, Sep 26, 2011 at 10:09 AM
“Our public universities in America are in grave danger of losing their quality and stature at a time when our nation needs them to help create jobs, and this is directly related to federally mandated health care costs soaking up dollars that would otherwise go to the universities. We’re telling the states that you can’t cut Medicaid or make changes, and as a result, the only thing they’re able to cut is aid to community colleges and state universities. I think it’s important for us to know exactly the impact on that.”
Well, we’re here to help. If Alexander were a loyal Pith reader, as he most certainly should be, he would know Obamacare’s exact impact on Tennessee—or at least he’d know it as precisely as anyone.
We were curious about this last year right after Congress finally passed Obamacare. After a week of trying, we managed to pry a cost breakdown out of the Bredesen administration.
It turns out the big cost doesn’t come from newly eligible beneficiaries, as Alexander and other Obamacare critics would have us believe. That’s because the feds are paying almost all the cost of newly eligible beneficiaries—a fact you don’t hear much about in all the teeth-gnashing over health care reform.
Instead, the biggest cost by far—more than $900 million—comes from the addition of an estimated 50,000 beneficiaries who already are entitled to Medicaid but aren't on the rolls mainly because they don't know they're eligible. It's believed that publicity over national health insurance will lead them to sign up for Medicaid. The experts have given this a really charming name: the woodwork effect. The state will pay the usual one-third of their cost.
People signing up for a life-saving benefit that they’re actually already entitled to receive—that’s what Alexander is complaining about. Here's the question he should ask: If there are so many people out there entitled to Medicaid who don't know it, why isn't the state already trying to let them know? In the long run, that would save money by curtailing the number of uninsured who go without care until arriving at hospitals for the most expensive treatment.
Comments (15)
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In a framework where costs for all other Medicare enrollees are split between the states and the Feds, how long do you figure the Feds will remain picking up the tab for all new enrollees? Also do you want to know where the costs are calculated for employers and individuals purchasing or changing to plans that comply with the increased baseline federal requirements? nowhere, that's where.
The lamest thing is that the govt didn't have the balls to just actually tax for and pay for universal healthcare if that's what they wanted during a 100% democratically controlled govt. instead we get a grand public private boondoggle full of giveaways to big healthcare and big pharma. whee.
If Obamacare is such a great idea why has the Obama administration given 1500 waivers to it? And why are Unions favored for the waivers?
Clue: Start with the premises that this administration is addicted to spending other people's money and is the most corrupt in the past 100 years.
"Start with the premises that this administration is addicted to spending other people's money and is the most corrupt in the past 100 years."
Not just the past 100 years Davidlongfellow, the most corrupt in the history of the world! President Osama would make Genghis Khan blush! I would provide examples of this corruption, but you can scan conservative blogs for those, I don't have the time! But you keep up the great analysis Davidlongfellow!
What Obamacare costs the state includes what it costs to the individuals living in the state in terms of increased health care premiums for all the coverage mandates and the increased federal taxes they will all have to pay for creating another massive entitlement program - not just what it costs the state government.
"In the long run, that would save money by curtailing the number of uninsured who go without care until arriving at hospitals for the most expensive treatment."
That's nothing but pure speculation.
There is much more surefire way to save money - get the government out of the healthcare business altogether - no subsides, no entltiements and no mandates of any sort - and let it operate as just another consumer commodity.
That's all libtards do Gilbert, sit around all day and speculate! That and trying to make the rest of us miserable! Libtards are pure vermin, pure and simple!
And I'm surprised no one has mentioned that picture! It's the height of arrogance for President Osama to dress up like a doctor and flash a stethoscope, like he's the nations doctor or something! It's almost as bad as Osama naming his healthcare law "Osamacare" like he's in charge of our health! Get your socialistic hands off my healthcare President Osama! It just all makes me sooooo mad!
And the trolls (not you, Donna) have returned to welcome you back, Jeff! I, too, am delighted that the bosses of the Scene have let you come home, where you have been missed.
"Not just the past 100 years Davidlongfellow, the most corrupt in the history of the world! President Osama would make Genghis Khan blush! I would provide examples of this corruption, but you can scan conservative blogs for those, I don't have the time! But you keep up the great analysis Davidlongfellow!"
Typical liberal. When you can't refute the facts, evade the issue. Maybe you can convince some of your 7th grade pals with this level of "insight" though. Good luck with that.
Davidlongfellow, what?!? I've never, ever, in my life, been insulted the way you just insulted me! I've been called every name in the book, but never has anyone stooped so low as to call me a liberal! Those are fighting words! I'm going to ask that you take that back, after carefully rereading my posting that agreed with your spot on analysis! Brilliant and completely unbiased commentators such as Michelle Malkin, Ann Coulter, Dr. Savage (whom I see as almost like a father to me, even though we've never met), the legendary Glenn Beck, Nashville's own Phil Valentine, and the great, great actor Jon Voight have all said what you are saying! ACORN, communist Czars, Osamacare, Michelle Osama trying to force everyone to be vegans, rapper thugs having loud house parties in the White House featuring naked white women and malt liquor, hundreds of thousands of illegal brown people being registered to vote, poker games with terrorists and arms dealers, and I could go on and on!
Davidlongfellow, please carefully read postings, otherwise you are falling into the same trap that these libtards fall into! That's why they function on such bad information!
Well, I may be trolling, Steve, I don't know. I may not know for what unless I catch it. Hope you're doing okay.
Anyway, I hope Woods isn't muzzled on the, you know, biz pigs.
Japan being no Third World economy requires posting of pricing for
90% of procedures done in any medical facility. Their recent National
program requires all providers use a payment schedule with the cost
that will be paid by the government. Last yr my brother tripped on a
sidewalk in Tokyo and cut his arm. The clinic sewed him up and the
provider noted on his chart-4" cut. The billing clerk looked that up in
the book and informed him the cost would be $24.00 clinic cost plus
26.00 to the doctor. $50.00 Travel check provided, happy client leaves!
Here one would receive 3 or 4 invoices and it might be $200. or $2,000.
For a country believing in competition and free enterprise the mystery
of medical cost and charges is as mysterious as the number of stars!
Apparently speaking as the token liberal in this discussion, I'd like to say a few things.
First, the picture was Photo Shopped. Duh.
Second, the name of the law is the Affordable Care Act; "Obamacare" is a name made up by conservative politicians.
Third, Michelle Obama encourages families to be healthy. She's not pushing legislation or demanding that everyone be on the South Beach Diet; she's simply suggesting that *perhaps* giving your children a veggie now and then might be a good idea. And if you want to check facts, please look up this country's obesity rates.
Fourth, certain people on this thread are insultingly, disgustingly racist. Please take your filth elsewhere and leave the adult conversations to... well, the adults.
