The Republicans have made a crusade out of wanting to overturn the ACA and Romney has promised to make that a first-day-in-office priority. Add to that the fact that Romney and Ryan both favor a new Medicare model where senior citizens would be given vouchers to purchase private insurance.
what eye thynk: The Republicans want us to believe that putting them in charge and allowing them to make major changes to our entitlement programs will make our national deficit disappear and we’ll all be doing the Disney dance of happiness under a sun-filled sky; but for the average senior citizen in this country, the dissolution of Medicare as we know it will not have a happy ending.
First, the ACA, which prohibits private insurance companies from denying insurance for a pre-existing condition, will be gone.
Next, when this Republican tag team gets their new Medicare voucher program set up and senior citizens start shopping with their new vouchers, how many will be turned away because of a pre-existing condition? Think about it--how many people get to retirement age without a pre-existing condition? If the Democrats tried this, Republicans would be screaming themselves hoarse about “death panels”.
Romney went out and got himself an ideologue to join his campaign to appeal to the far right and bolster his conservative creds; but blindly following the doctrine of your ideology is not the sign of a leader, it is the sign of a despot.
Showing posts with label ACA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ACA. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Monday, July 16, 2012
Romney Proves Himself to be Essentially Clueless
In a speech to the NAACP this past week, Mr. Romney promised to “eliminate every nonessential, expensive program I can find; and that includes Obamacare”.
what eye thynk: Just one short question for you, Mitt. When did health care become “nonessential”?
The last I heard, we are all human and even the healthiest among us will find himself in need of a doctor’s care at some point.
Do you think the family who is forced to choose between groceries or a doctor visit for their son thinks health care is “nonessential”? Do you think the lady next door who must choose between paying her electric bill or refilling her heart medication thinks health care is “nonessential”? What about a young man just starting out who suddenly finds himself facing a life threatening illness and who, in absence of his ACA health plan, would be denied care simply because he could not pay for it? Nonessential?
If your family has a catastrophic illness, I guess you can just tap into that Swiss bank account and pay for their care in cash; but for the rest of us, health care is a basic necessity. Your statement is incredibly callous and insensate and shows just how unaware you are of the realities of everyday life for those of us not on your Hampton VIP list.
Health care should not be a privilege allotted exclusively to the wealthy. It would be nice to see the concern you and your fellow conservatives exhibit for the unborn extended to include those of us already possessed of corporality.
And, by the way, the proper name is the “Affordable Care Act”. Please try to remember that.
what eye thynk: Just one short question for you, Mitt. When did health care become “nonessential”?
The last I heard, we are all human and even the healthiest among us will find himself in need of a doctor’s care at some point.
Do you think the family who is forced to choose between groceries or a doctor visit for their son thinks health care is “nonessential”? Do you think the lady next door who must choose between paying her electric bill or refilling her heart medication thinks health care is “nonessential”? What about a young man just starting out who suddenly finds himself facing a life threatening illness and who, in absence of his ACA health plan, would be denied care simply because he could not pay for it? Nonessential?
If your family has a catastrophic illness, I guess you can just tap into that Swiss bank account and pay for their care in cash; but for the rest of us, health care is a basic necessity. Your statement is incredibly callous and insensate and shows just how unaware you are of the realities of everyday life for those of us not on your Hampton VIP list.
Health care should not be a privilege allotted exclusively to the wealthy. It would be nice to see the concern you and your fellow conservatives exhibit for the unborn extended to include those of us already possessed of corporality.
And, by the way, the proper name is the “Affordable Care Act”. Please try to remember that.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Flip-flop Friday - Romney on the ACA Mandate
In an interview on MSNBC last Monday, Eric Fehrnstrom, Romney’s senior campaign advisor stated that Mr. Romney “disagrees with the court’s ruling that the mandate (is) a tax”.
On Wednesday, just two days later in a CBS interview, Mr. Romney said “The majority of the court said it’s a tax, therefore it’s a tax. They have spoken. There’s no way around that.”
During the same interview he was asked to compare the ACA mandate with his Massachusetts Health Care Law mandate. He replied, “At the state level, states have the power to put in place mandates. They don't need to require them to be called taxes in order for them to be constitutional, and as a result, Massachusetts' mandate was a mandate, was a penalty, was described that way by the Legislature and by me, and so it stays as it was."
what eye thynk: So the ACA mandate is not a tax…no, wait, yes it is…except in Massachusetts where it isn’t!?
My God, he’s starting to sound like Sarah Palin!
Mr. Romney stood up to his conservative handlers for two whole days before caving in to their opinion. Can he possibly make it any clearer that he is willing to say and do whatever his conservative puppet masters tell him to say and do?
We need a man in the White House who is capable of standing and thinking on his own, not a marionette who can be maneuvered at will by anyone with enough money to buy access to his strings.
Does anyone really think he will suddenly grow a back-bone and act like a leader if he does win the White House? W. was ruled by Cheney and Rumsfeld and look where that got us.
Stand up for yourself, Mitt! It's starting to be embarrassing!
(And, yes, I know today is not Friday, but I like the alliteration. I have a whole collection of Romney flip-flops so check back next week when I’ll share another one…on Friday…really.)
On Wednesday, just two days later in a CBS interview, Mr. Romney said “The majority of the court said it’s a tax, therefore it’s a tax. They have spoken. There’s no way around that.”
During the same interview he was asked to compare the ACA mandate with his Massachusetts Health Care Law mandate. He replied, “At the state level, states have the power to put in place mandates. They don't need to require them to be called taxes in order for them to be constitutional, and as a result, Massachusetts' mandate was a mandate, was a penalty, was described that way by the Legislature and by me, and so it stays as it was."
what eye thynk: So the ACA mandate is not a tax…no, wait, yes it is…except in Massachusetts where it isn’t!?
My God, he’s starting to sound like Sarah Palin!
Mr. Romney stood up to his conservative handlers for two whole days before caving in to their opinion. Can he possibly make it any clearer that he is willing to say and do whatever his conservative puppet masters tell him to say and do?
We need a man in the White House who is capable of standing and thinking on his own, not a marionette who can be maneuvered at will by anyone with enough money to buy access to his strings.
Does anyone really think he will suddenly grow a back-bone and act like a leader if he does win the White House? W. was ruled by Cheney and Rumsfeld and look where that got us.
Stand up for yourself, Mitt! It's starting to be embarrassing!
(And, yes, I know today is not Friday, but I like the alliteration. I have a whole collection of Romney flip-flops so check back next week when I’ll share another one…on Friday…really.)
Friday, July 6, 2012
Delaware!
In response to all the Republican declination of the Supreme Court's ruling on the ACA, Governor Jack Markell of Delaware, (D), is quoted as saying that he welcomes the opportunity to help more of his constituents and is working to make sure that the state of Delaware is prepared to implement all aspects of the Affordable Care Act in full and on schedule.
what eye thynk: Finally, an adult has entered the room.
what eye thynk: Finally, an adult has entered the room.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
The Republicans are Lunching on Sour Grapes
The Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act--and the Republicans are not happy.
The facts -- Each state is required to set up an insurance exchange where the people of that state can compare policies and costs before joining a health care plan. If a state does not set up an exchange, the federal government will take over and set up an exchange for that state. Citizens making up to 400% of the poverty level will get a subsidy to help pay for their health care. Those at or below the poverty level would be added to the Medicare rolls with the federal government paying 100% of that cost for the first three years. After that, the federal government’s portion goes down by small increments each year until it reaches 90% where it will stay. Any state can refuse to expand Medicare.
#1 Mitt Romney says that the ACA puts the government between patients and their doctor.
what eye thynk: Mitt, buddy, think beyond your affluent circle of acquaintances for just a minute. Millions of Americans would love to have a patient/government/doctor relationship, but first they need a doctor…and they can’t afford one!
#2 Republican Governor John Kasich of Ohio spoke through Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor. "At this point, the governor and I agree--we discussed this today--he’s been fully briefed--that we do not see how running a state based exchange is good for Ohio. Ultimately we concluded that Obamacare is not consistent with our values…"
what eye thynk: So, the uninsured and the poor in Ohio don’t count in your “values”? Exactly how much money does an Ohio citizen need to have before he has value in your eyes, Mr. Kasich?
#3 Republican Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana says he will neither expand Medicare nor create a state based exchange for those wishing to purchase health insurance. He says he is waiting for November when he hopes that Romney will undo the law.
what eye thynk: Good luck with that. Romney’s promise to repeal the ACA on “my first day in office” is an empty oath. Only Congress can repeal the ACA, and that just simply is not going to happen. Even Louisiana’s hospitals and health care providers are begging Gov. Jindal to reconsider his stance. If Medicare is not expanded in Louisiana, the poorest of the poor will get nothing. The money that the federal government would have spent to help the truly poor in Louisiana will go to other states while Louisiana hospitals and free clinics, (free clinics like Planned Parenthood which is, of course, also anathema to today’s Republican politician), will be left to deal with the problem.
#4 Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky said "Just because a couple of people on the Supreme Court declare something to be ‘constitutional’ does not make it so".
what eye thynk: Does this man have any idea how our government is structured? Maybe a remedial course in Government 101 is called for.
#5 Glenn Beck is calling Chief Justice Roberts a coward and has begun selling t-shirts saying this.
what eye thynk: Is this man really an adult? Has anyone checked to see if maybe he’s just a 6 year old wearing an old guy costume?
#6 Michael Sanger, (spelling?), conservative radio personality said that Roberts ruled the way he did because he was taking epilepsy medication. “Neurologists will tell you that medication used for seizure disorders, such as epilepsy, can introduce mental slowing, forgetfulness and other cognitive problems. And if you look at Roberts’ writings, you can see the cognitive dissociation in what he is saying”.
what eye thynk: Whoooo, boy.
**********
The fact is that the Affordable Care Act is a LAW. Conservative pundits can rant against it all they want--this is, after all a country that guarantees their freedom to speak out.
However, the elected officials who are declining to uphold the federal statute need to be reminded that each of them put their hand on a Bible and swore to uphold the laws of their state and their country. There is no small print that says “except when I don’t want to”. Every one of these preening politicians is in contempt of the job he pledged to do.
And, finally, the disdain with which they view their own citizens is chilling...and disgraceful.
The facts -- Each state is required to set up an insurance exchange where the people of that state can compare policies and costs before joining a health care plan. If a state does not set up an exchange, the federal government will take over and set up an exchange for that state. Citizens making up to 400% of the poverty level will get a subsidy to help pay for their health care. Those at or below the poverty level would be added to the Medicare rolls with the federal government paying 100% of that cost for the first three years. After that, the federal government’s portion goes down by small increments each year until it reaches 90% where it will stay. Any state can refuse to expand Medicare.
#1 Mitt Romney says that the ACA puts the government between patients and their doctor.
what eye thynk: Mitt, buddy, think beyond your affluent circle of acquaintances for just a minute. Millions of Americans would love to have a patient/government/doctor relationship, but first they need a doctor…and they can’t afford one!
#2 Republican Governor John Kasich of Ohio spoke through Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor. "At this point, the governor and I agree--we discussed this today--he’s been fully briefed--that we do not see how running a state based exchange is good for Ohio. Ultimately we concluded that Obamacare is not consistent with our values…"
what eye thynk: So, the uninsured and the poor in Ohio don’t count in your “values”? Exactly how much money does an Ohio citizen need to have before he has value in your eyes, Mr. Kasich?
#3 Republican Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana says he will neither expand Medicare nor create a state based exchange for those wishing to purchase health insurance. He says he is waiting for November when he hopes that Romney will undo the law.
what eye thynk: Good luck with that. Romney’s promise to repeal the ACA on “my first day in office” is an empty oath. Only Congress can repeal the ACA, and that just simply is not going to happen. Even Louisiana’s hospitals and health care providers are begging Gov. Jindal to reconsider his stance. If Medicare is not expanded in Louisiana, the poorest of the poor will get nothing. The money that the federal government would have spent to help the truly poor in Louisiana will go to other states while Louisiana hospitals and free clinics, (free clinics like Planned Parenthood which is, of course, also anathema to today’s Republican politician), will be left to deal with the problem.
#4 Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky said "Just because a couple of people on the Supreme Court declare something to be ‘constitutional’ does not make it so".
what eye thynk: Does this man have any idea how our government is structured? Maybe a remedial course in Government 101 is called for.
#5 Glenn Beck is calling Chief Justice Roberts a coward and has begun selling t-shirts saying this.
what eye thynk: Is this man really an adult? Has anyone checked to see if maybe he’s just a 6 year old wearing an old guy costume?
#6 Michael Sanger, (spelling?), conservative radio personality said that Roberts ruled the way he did because he was taking epilepsy medication. “Neurologists will tell you that medication used for seizure disorders, such as epilepsy, can introduce mental slowing, forgetfulness and other cognitive problems. And if you look at Roberts’ writings, you can see the cognitive dissociation in what he is saying”.
what eye thynk: Whoooo, boy.
**********
The fact is that the Affordable Care Act is a LAW. Conservative pundits can rant against it all they want--this is, after all a country that guarantees their freedom to speak out.
However, the elected officials who are declining to uphold the federal statute need to be reminded that each of them put their hand on a Bible and swore to uphold the laws of their state and their country. There is no small print that says “except when I don’t want to”. Every one of these preening politicians is in contempt of the job he pledged to do.
And, finally, the disdain with which they view their own citizens is chilling...and disgraceful.
Friday, June 29, 2012
The ACA Stands!
On Thursday, June 28, the Supreme Court announced their decision to allow the Affordable Care Act to stand largely as written.
what eye thynk: I have to say that I was having a particularly horrible day yesterday but when it was announced that the Supreme Court had upheld the ACA, I felt a lot better.
People like my youngest nephew, who has never been able to get health insurance because of a pre-existing condition, will finally be treated equally with those of us lucky enough to be healthy.
I still think the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision is particularly malodorous, but they have regained some respect with their ACA ruling.
what eye thynk: I have to say that I was having a particularly horrible day yesterday but when it was announced that the Supreme Court had upheld the ACA, I felt a lot better.
People like my youngest nephew, who has never been able to get health insurance because of a pre-existing condition, will finally be treated equally with those of us lucky enough to be healthy.
I still think the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision is particularly malodorous, but they have regained some respect with their ACA ruling.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
As the Supreme Court Holds Its Hearings, Let's Get the Name Right...Respectfully
The Supreme Court is holding several days of hearings this week before beginning their consideration of our national health care plan.
what eye thynk: Let's call it what it is. It is not Obamacare; it is the Affordable Care Act.
“Obamacare” is a disparaging term coined by the Republicans to signal their disgust with a major bill that, in the end, they could not stop from being passed. Over the past two years, I can’t remember even one instance of a national health care opponent using its correct name. It is childish and insulting.
That attitude has been a problem with this Congress from day one of President Obama’s administration. The Republican Party has refused to respect him. They act as though theirs is the only party worthy of holding the office of President of the United States and anyone elected who does not meet their approval should be mocked as a joke, no esteem need be accorded. This good ol' boy attitude is anachronistic and should be embarrassing to anyone who has reached the office of United States Congressman or woman.
Over the past two years, the term "Obamacare" has become accepted, even by those who should know better. I read it in the newspaper and I hear it on the television and it irks me every time. It demonstrates how we as a country have come to accept the casual disrespect shown to our 44th President. I don't expect everyone to join in a President Obama love-fest, but at least respect the office and the man who holds it.
what eye thynk: Let's call it what it is. It is not Obamacare; it is the Affordable Care Act.
“Obamacare” is a disparaging term coined by the Republicans to signal their disgust with a major bill that, in the end, they could not stop from being passed. Over the past two years, I can’t remember even one instance of a national health care opponent using its correct name. It is childish and insulting.
That attitude has been a problem with this Congress from day one of President Obama’s administration. The Republican Party has refused to respect him. They act as though theirs is the only party worthy of holding the office of President of the United States and anyone elected who does not meet their approval should be mocked as a joke, no esteem need be accorded. This good ol' boy attitude is anachronistic and should be embarrassing to anyone who has reached the office of United States Congressman or woman.
Over the past two years, the term "Obamacare" has become accepted, even by those who should know better. I read it in the newspaper and I hear it on the television and it irks me every time. It demonstrates how we as a country have come to accept the casual disrespect shown to our 44th President. I don't expect everyone to join in a President Obama love-fest, but at least respect the office and the man who holds it.
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