Posted on 06/14/2013 8:41:11 PM PDT by Baynative
TUCSON — Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer won a battle with state lawmakers this week, defying most other conservatives in her party to get a key component of President Obama’s Medicaid expansion through the Legislature.
The Arizona Senate voted Thursday to approve the measure 18 to 11. That followed approval earlier this week by the state House of Representatives.
The issue had inflamed passions and divided the Legislature for weeks. Things came to a head Tuesday when Brewer called lawmakers into the Capitol in Phoenix for a surprise special session.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
She is the Chris Christie of Arizona ... you never know what you will get on any given day. Seems to be a trend in many states.
When I see Republican politicians making concessions like this I have to wonder what NSA dirt is being used on them.
“Sorry, I could have let you have health coverage for free at no expense to our state but I have to take a stand against Obama-care instead so good luck to you, maybe you wont get sick, or your kids“
Look, the GOP house repealed Obama-care about 40 times in the House and lose seats in the last election.
‘Sorry pilgrims but the Calvary ran the wrong way and got lost so hold out to the last man woman and child and remember there is honor in death for the cause(Japanese motto 1945)’
Time to move on. I am not going after Brewer.
Either Obama has something on her or like most government types in the states, they can’t resist free money from Uncle Sugar.
The fun part will be when Uncle Sugar begins pulling the plug on this a few years down the road and the screaming starts to keep funding it out of state coffers instead.
No, she is not. This is an untenable situation for Brewer. And she has to find a way to take care of all the illegals that McCain is sending her way.
how to take care of the illegals? is this really so complicated for people??
once an illegal is determined to be in need of medical assistance... render aid, of course. we are the United States. BUT... while aid is rendered, interview to determine the nation of origin. once determined, verify with the country’s embassy... and once the patient is healthy enough for travel.. ship the individual home via coach class ticksts and $100 in their pocket for cab fair.
THEN... give the entire bill, plus 5%, to the embassy due in full within 30 days.
nonpayment would force closure and proceedings to the world court for redress (it is international financial issue)
before implementing such a policy, give a 30-60 day notice to the embassy so they can get their people out
BTW, a similar policy should be in force when dealing with law breakers.
QED
I think it was the ‘free’ money. But ‘free’ money is like ‘free’ healthcare. It REALLY costs those who work for a living. I am appalled that Brewer used Democrat talking points when describing Republicans as the ‘Party of no’. Reagan would be weeping now.
Not my state so not my battle but I do feel bad for those in Arizona who she betrayed.
Personally, I see the governor as fulfilling the voters’ mandate to provide Medicaid coverage to eligible poor residents. That mandate was over-ridden two years ago by the legislature which dropped poor, childless adults from Medicaid coverage due to recession budget constraints.
From its pre-statehood territorial days, Arizona had a safety net to provide healthcare to the poor. It was law that counties had that financial responsibility. Arizona was the last state to start participating in Medicaid, starting in 1982.
Poor childless adults were excluded from the state’s Medicaid program until about ten years ago, so the county “safety net” continued to provide and pay for care provided to poor childless adults. However, voters then approved two propositions to cover poor childless adults under Medicaid, and county financial responsibility for their care was eliminated with a resulting change in the law.
Two or three years ago, faced with serious budget deficits, the state essentially dropped coverage for poor childless adults despite the earlier voter approved Medicaid for them. For the first time in generations, those people had no fall back coverage if they became uninsured.
All of the above had nothing to do with “Obamacare.” A couple hundred thousand poor we’re dropped for two years from the state’s Medicaid program despite earlier voter approval for their inclusion.
It has been a disaster for the poor with illness these past two years. The governor recognizes this and wants to restore the earlier program. The earlier program made people eligible for treatment if their income were below 100% of the federal poverty level, and that is the level that the governor wanted to restore.
Where ObamaCare comes into this picture is that it requires setting the income eligibility level at 138% of the federal poverty level instead of 100%. It is 138% or nothing, which sucks.
Arizona taxpayers will continue to pay for Medicaid services in the other states and must decide whether it will also receive the Medicaid funded services locally for poor childless adults - or - will instead pay twice by also paying higher private insurance rates (a tax on the insured) to make up the losses from doctors and hospitals as a result of no Medicaid for poor childless adults.
The governor’s goal was to restore Medicaid for the poor, as directed previously by voters. Obamacare then required that more people be included - the difference between 100% and 138% of the Federal poverty level.
Except from the Democrats. THEY seem to be able to be dependable.
Never heard that before ... and I like it ... a lot.
Thanks for clearing that up.
Good synopsis! Thank you!
jan has been extremely tough against obama, seriously. i wonder if the metdata finally paid off for barry.
What is so hard to figure out. Obama has her emails. She cooperates, the emails don’t go public.
Don’t wonder. That is what is happening.
Hmmm. It’s hard to say. If she has been a RINO in the past, it may just be that creeping back again.
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