Feds to unplug medical subsidy

[question everything]

Source: Minneapolis StarTribune

By KEVIN DIAZ, Star Tribune

September 11, 2008

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration plans to drop Medicaid coverage for 18,000 low-income parents in Minnesota, a move that has stunned state officials who say they didn't see it coming. The decision, buried in a 29-page document outlining federal changes affecting the state's subsidized health program, known as MinnesotaCare, has prompted written protests from all 10 members of Minnesota's congressional delegation, along with two emergency bills to head off the cuts, which could total $135 million over three years. On Wednesday, state officials were given two more weeks to make their case that the cut-off is unwarranted and could increase state costs and the ranks of the uninsured.

Most of those affected are parents of children who have been enrolled in the state children's health insurance program (known as SCHIP), the focal point of a heated political fight with the White House, which vetoed two separate Democratic proposals to expand the program last year.

One of the sticking points: The Bush administration's opposition to covering parents with children's health program funds, a practice used by Minnesota and a half-dozen other states that have their own programs for children's health coverage.

(snip)

Minnesota officials say they have long relied on federal Medicaid dollars to expand the reach of MinnesotaCare, which has about 117,000 enrollees across the state, about 30,000 of them the adult parents of children who get subsidized health care.





Read more: http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/28223014.html

---

Now... why did neither Coleman nor Pawlenty address this during the convention?

Yeah, right.

[southern_belle]

1. This needs to be seen k&r n/t

[Tempest]

2. Bush torpedos Coleman

Coleman must be fuming now.

Bush just handed Franken a huge talking point.

[dflprincess]

51. And there's poor Normie, running an ad

about how he's working for health care for all of us (of course he also says he's keeping the government out of "our healthcare decisions").

[nichomachus]

3. That sound you hear is

Grover Norquist and his buddies popping champagne corks. This is their goal. The big enchiladas for them are Medicare and Social Security. Just wait.

[seafan]

48. Rx For Republican Revitalization, according to Jeb Bush:

Cal Thomas interviewed Jeb Bush for Townhall, lamenting the setbacks of the conservative ideology.


September 11, 2008

Some political pundits have said that if it were not for his last name, he might have been the Republican nominee for president this year. But former Florida Governor Jeb Bush tells me he is happy to support the McCain-Palin ticket, which he predicts, perhaps predictably, will win. Of Gov. Sarah Palin, he says, "She has generated so much enthusiasm, which was the one element of the campaign that was completely missing."

I ask him what he thinks Republicans must do - regardless of the election outcome - to win back a congressional majority and the trust of the public. Noting that House Minority Leader John Boehner has confessed to "mistakes" by Republicans when they held the majority, Bush says, "I guess admitting you're a sinner is the first step on the road to redemption." He still believes too many of the party leaders are "in denial" about why they lost their majority. So what must the Republican Party do now?

"I think the Republican Party needs to stand for reform," he says, "within the context of our ideology, which is limited government." Bush thinks too many institutions are stuck in "the '50s, '60s, or maybe '70s. They're not relevant in 2008." He mentions job training. "We have billions of dollars of job training programs, but world and corporate structures have been radically altered. Š If you walked into a job training center now, it may not have Formica, or a '70s look, but it would have a '70s feel in terms of the services being provided Š same thing with education and health care, entitlement programs, common sense environmental policy. There should be a zeal for reform. And I'd look outside Washington for those models, typically led by governors."

Bush wants to revive the model of the Grace Commission used by Ronald Reagan to eliminate wasteful and unnecessary government programs. "Some states - and Florida is one of them - have sunset reviews. Why can't every (federal) government agency be sun-setted?" This, he says, would allow people to ask if the program or agency is necessary and "I think it would generate enormous enthusiasm outside of Washington."

One issue on which Jeb Bush believes Republicans dropped the ball was Social Security and Medicare reform. "I was disappointed that the Republicans didn't rally around (the president)," he says. It wasn't just Democrats being opposed to it. I think it was the gutless nature of a lot of Republicans in Congress. This was the beginning of what I saw as the demise. When they had a chance to unite behind the president to advance a solution to this ticking time bomb, some did, but many blinked." Still, he thinks that because his brother touched the notorious third rail and didn't blink, it will be easier for a new president to enact meaningful and necessary reform of Social Security and Medicare.

.....

These people are relentless in their crusade to destroy Medicare and Social Security, as this interview with Jeb Bush clearly illuminates.



The only way to stop the zealots of radical conservative extremism, as this ideology relentlessly cannibalizes its way through a government of the people, for the people and by the people, will be to figuratively drive a stake through its heart.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. Just one of the many plugs they will try to unplug before Jan 20, 2009

Remember Grover Norquist...and his vow to shrink govt so he could then drown it in a bathtub?????

[intheflow]

5. Minnesota must be so proud to have just hosted the RNC.

:sarcasm:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

10. Hey, I never wanted them here

Now I'm REALLY mad.

:grr:

[intheflow]

29. That's why we love you, LL!

Give 'em hell!

Wait. I'll join you: They are by far the rudest guests your state could have hosted! :grr:

[Straight Shooter]

20. GOP irony on steroids. n/t

[NBachers]

54. Blood Porn Killers

They had their vigorous little incursion on the St. Paul mattress; now they're slashing their victim's throat on the way out the door.

Another corpse with an elephant calling card carelessly tossed onto the body.

[santamargarita]

6. See what happens when let those fascist pigs congregate in your state

~

[DissedByBush]

13. Which fascist pigs?

The governor is a Republican, check.

But the legislature is majority Democratic, who have almost double the seats of the Republicans.

[yardwork]

50. I think that the comment referenced the hosting of the RNC convention

[DissedByBush]

71. Nevermind, sorry n/t

[MetaTrope]

7. They're hoping all those new Democrats will die off before the election

Don't be surprised if there's a sudden epidemic of anthrax in the area as well.

[LaStrega]

8. I hope Franken takes this ball and runs like hell with it.

k+r

[bobbolink]

12. Has he been talking much about poverty?

If not, don't expect this to jumpstart that conversation.

Poverty just isn't high on the Dem priority list.

[question everything]

52. I heard him early in his campaign

He was talking about the Republicans want people to pull themselves by their bootstraps except, he commented, in many cases the poor do not own any pair of boots.

Sadly, as we've seen with Edwards - before the fall - talking about poverty does not generate interest and fire, so he talks about Iraq, and the deficit and health care.

[bobbolink]

62. He was pushed by Edwards. With Edwards out of the picture, he has dropped it.

I must disagree with you about your analysis of Edwards.

Edwards was PUSHED out... his talk against corporations invoked their ire, and they wouldn't rest until they got him done in. If you remember, a week before Edwards dropped out, the national head of the Chamber of Commerce sent a strong letter THREATENING him. Yes, THREATENING.

" talking about poverty does not generate interest and fire" ON THE CONTRARY! Realistic talk about the state of the economy, and poverty in general DOES get a lot of response. They just don't want to risk the retaliation of the powers that be... the big bucks in business.

So, poor people suffer and die... a lot because "liberals" and "progressives" just aren't willing and interested.

It's time we look at OURSELVES.

[spag68]

59. Fund cuts

It's not so much that the poor will be hurt, they will , but the real bad news is that the states will have to pick up the difference. Here on Long Island Newsday said today that this move will cost New York about 450 million , maybe more as the emergency rooms will be overloaded and we all know that is the most expensive health care.

[bobbolink]

63. Those cuts mean that poor people will DIE.

Does it matter?

[offog]

9. Can't believe this!

:wtf: Is the Bush administration trying to drum up more support for universal healthcare? Looks like they just caused some problems for McCain, or maybe the McCain campaign has written off Minnesota.

[bobbolink]

11. Not really. It's only poor folk. Won't cause much thinking.

We're invisible.

[offog]

39. Yeah, I'm afraid you're right.

Poor people are less than invisible. The rest of the population uses them as scapegoats for all their problems.

[bobbolink]

61. "Poor people are less than invisible. The rest of the population uses them as scapegoats for all

their problems."

Very powerfully said!

I get hung out to dry for saying much less incendiary things.

What do we do about this??????

Thanks for your words.... I wish many would read your words and understand.

:yourock:

[HughBeaumont]

14. Still believe these assholes are on your side, DUMBERICA???

Jesus Christ.

Nation. Of. Doorknobs.

[bobbolink]

So, what are rank-and-file Dems doing about this?

Where are the massive phone trees generating calls to Washington?

Where are the demonstrations?

Where are the organizing actions on behalf of poor folk?

Not happening?

Geeee... what a shock.....

[Lydia Leftcoast]

17. Hey, the news just broke

I can't even find it on the Strib's website yet.

[bobbolink]

64. I think we can go by what has happened in the past, can't we?

[Pierre.Suave]

21. Jesus Christ

I just found out about this 3 minutes ago, what exactly would you like me to do?

on a related note, WTF are you doing about it?

before you get all condescending on the rest of us, why not do something yourself first...

[bobbolink]

65. thank you for your loving concern.

[Name removed]

68. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bobbolink]

70. erased out of pity

[Infinite Hope]

15. Mark my words: Pawlenty is heavily involved in this move.

He's chief among them who has been trying to privatize everything in the medical and social program areas. This is just another step in that direction.

[Raster]

16. Gotta have those funds to fight terra!!! Yesiree...terra, terra, terra!

The fucking warmongering bastards won't be happy until they get every last drop.

Wake Up, America!:kick:We CAN do Better!

[progressivebydesign]

18. That's outrageous! Caution.. everytime the Repugs come to your State..

..they immediately screw you over days later. Happens every time. This is soo wrong.

[Pierre.Suave]

19. Wow

that really sucks, that will put a lot of people that really need it, in quite a dire situation...

This is not good at all.

[pleah]

22. K&R n/t

[Solly Mack]

23. There are people who are still "stunned" by the callousness of a govt. that tortures people?

Unreal

Talk about living in denial

[mcg]

24. $135 million - less than the cost of one day of the Iraq Occupation. nt

[Canuckistanian]

25. For $135 mil they cut off 18,000 people?

What's that, about four days of Iraq war funding?

I'm guessing that they've already written off Minnesota.

Thanks for the use of the town for our convention, suckers!

[bronco214]

47. Yep

In order to not raise taxes in (Wasilla) Alaska, they charged
rape victims for their rape kit. Now they bump the poorest
among us off insurance. Just one more example of
"compassionate conservatism".

[superconnected]

26. I agree it's bad but the headline is tasteless.

[Seldona]

43. I don't think it's tasteless.

In fact I applaud the imagery the author uses in the title for their article. It really conveys the truth behind this decision. People are going to DIE because of this. A lot of them.

[ramapo]

27. Nice...so much for compassionate conservatives

Tough shit poor people

[offog]

40. You know what compassionate conservatism is?

That's when they make the streets safer before they throw you out into them. :sarcasm:

[radfringe]

28. ownership society comes to Minnesota

"you are on your own"

[Myrina]

30. ... and in Indiana ... we're close to 'running out' of unemployment funds ...

... but yes, Mr. McCain, the economy is strong and we don't need another stimulus package and the national infrastructure doesn't need any help. Let's just go further into debt for bombs and oil, shall we?


:spank:

[IndianaGreen]

32. and McCain thinks the market can take of our health needs

:eyes:

[BayjanDem]

31. Bush is lower

than snakes balls. Only an elitist would be this out of touch. I'm curious as to how McCain would respond.

[bluesmail]

33. Everybody needs to be aware of their true intent

NONE NO > Social Programs. You either are born into extreme wealth or you perish in poverty.

[Kitty Herder]

34. That's their plan.

I get so fucking frustrated that the people around me(I live in a very red state.) who are barely getting by and going bankrupt from medical bills still support these bastards who are trying to ruin their lives. The Repugs don't want citizens; they want peasants.

[glinda]

60. Ownership Society

That is their belief.

[trthnd4jstc]

35. This is a real legitimate campaign issue. I hope the Dems. make something out of this.

Here is what being Republican is all about. Terrible, horrible, suffering inflicted on our citizens. This is what the Republicans cause, fear, anger, and desparation. Voting Republican is the same as supporting Satan.

[rucky]

36. How many poor people has Bush killed?

[peacetalksforall]

37. Thoughts .... all speculation ....

If it's only MN ....

This move is drastic and loaded with bad publicity for all Republicans.

This is ground to throw baseballs at the Soccer Mom and McCain.

A first guess and gut feeling is that there is trouble with the finanacing of the Convention. Someone didn't get paid.

Next is that I believe that the PNAC crowd are in a deep money doo-doo crisis. Pawlenty might have volunteered the State - as a source of placing sacrificed funds in the hands of of the war lovers to pay fore more mercenaries, to fund WH, Pentagon, State, Justice legal funds as well as private individual funds, to pay off Japan or one of the other coalition partners as they are about to pull out.

Pawlenty may have an unfulfilled promise to privatize something in the State.

If this doesn't go NATION WIDE in coverage, I won't have faith in our citizens. They just can't do this in a blue State and get away with it. It appears that there will be no appearances of Palin or McCain in MN again.

I want to cry for those families.

I'm remembering something I just heard repeated - a 'belief' from the past - that MN is a good destination for poor people because of the help they can get.

Will the middle income people whether low, middle, or high middle praise this - do they really think they are going to get to keep the lapdoc, Coleman with this?

[offog]

41. Yeah, give 'em hell!

I want to see this story all over the MSM!

[question everything]

53. Yes, used to be

Many people move to Minnesota for the great services provided by the state. Once there, they have been voting down any taxation that would keep these services afloat.

[annabanana]

38. HEY AL FRANKEN! HEY BARACK!! - - - I HOPE YOUHEARD THAT!

It was the sound of millions of Minnesotans who NEED to vote Democratic!

[DCKit]

42. I was wondering where they were going to find the $$$ to pay for the RNC arrest lawsuits. n/t

[peacetalksforall]

46. Of course, the lawsuits are a cost to the RNC, but they don't care. They have

stolen billions from us already. I have run out of words to describe these creatures.

[question everything]

55. They purchased arrest insurance. Seriously. Precisely for that reason (nt)

[nightrain]

44. okay Al Franken, if ever you had an opening, here it is....

I hope that you take full advantage. Curious isn't it that the US can bail out private Fannie and Freddie, but not CHILDREN who need healthcare. Such fucked up priorities!

Gotta vote Obama if you want this stupidity to stop.

[lisainmilo]

45. Mc Cain/Palin in expect it to get worse.

All those church tax exemptions will come in handy if pigs remain in control, MANY will be standing in the soup lines at various churches. The poor, helpless, elderly, sick, will be left fending for themselves.

effing disgusting pigs with no morals, no kindness, no humanity!

[yardwork]

49. So much for family values

[OmahaBlueDog]

56. This is the Ellsworth AFB ploy they used to get Daschle

Step 1) They make this cut

Step 2) Norm Coleman will get insenced; he'll demand action

Step 3) Pawlenty will act insenced, they'lldemand action

Step 4) Both will then say something like "With President McCain coming in (with typical conservative cockiness), your only hope as a voter is to re-elect Coleman, because there is no way the President will work with Franken"

This is how they used the threat of closing Ellsworth (outside Rapid City) as a tool to defeat Daschle.

[peacetalksforall]

57. Can you keep reminding us as this plays out. I think it is the most logical

speculation offered so far. Keep prodding us.

[glinda]

58. blackmail

Bush wants Anwar before he goes out. That is his gold. That is what he wants. He is using force, bribery, threats, you name it. He is a turd.

[bobbolink]

66. Poor people pay disproportionately for the longer-lived affluent Americans.

"Finally, affluent Americans also have longer life expectancies than lower- and working-class people, the largest single cause of which is better access to health care. Echoing the results of Helen Keller's study of blindness, research has determined that poor health is not distributed randomly about the social structure but is concentrated in the lower class. Social Security then becomes a huge transfer system, using monies contributed by all Americans to pay benefits disproportionately to longer-lived affluent Americans." Lies My Teacher Told Me by James W. Loewen

When are Dems going to start telling the truth about these things?

"The truth shall set you free."

It will also enrage most of the population, and get them to THINK.

[lib2DaBone]

67. You mean Special Needs Kids Like Trig Palin?

cut funds? Nah.. Republicans want freedom, democracy.. and a Chicken in every pot. Er.. My Friends...

[Zhade]

69. Why do republicans hate children?

NT!

[Blue_Tires]

72. disgusted kick

[KakistocracyHater]

73. more of those pro-life policies

I would cease paying from the state-level the federal taxes that disappear into the black hole called "Pentagon budget" & use the billions to give Americans the health coverage they've worked for, hell with the pro-lifers.