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Reform Is Best Left To The States Anyway
Investors.com ^ | February 25, 2010 | GRACE MARIE TURNER

Posted on 02/25/2010 4:45:56 PM PST by Kaslin

The focus of the health reform debate has shifted about a mile down Pennsylvania Avenue, from Capitol Hill to Blair House, where members of Congress and President Obama met Thursday to determine whether bipartisan cooperation on reform legislation is possible.

The political dynamics do not bode well. The White House insists Mr. Obama is "adamant about passing comprehensive reform similar to the bills passed by the House and the Senate."

Democrats in Congress believe the only way to achieve real reform is with an interlocking chain of mandates on individuals and businesses, taxpayer subsidies and new federal programs, regulations and taxes.

Republicans disagree with the size, substance and direction of the legislation that has passed the House and Senate. They would not agree to plug a few of their ideas into bills they believe are seriously flawed.

So what will happen after the standoff at the summit? The focus is likely to shift yet again to the states where they can find examples of state-level health policy experiments that have proven successful in expanding access to coverage and getting costs under control.

States provide a better foundation for viable reform because they are more flexible and can better balance needs with resources.

Consider the Healthy Indiana Plan. Spearheaded by Gov. Mitch Daniels, this program offers coverage to low-income Hoosiers who are uninsured but aren't eligible for traditional Medicaid.

Participants partner with the state in funding an individual health spending account that can be used for medical expenses up to $1,100. Expenses above that are covered by a state program.

(Excerpt) Read more at investors.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: 111th; bhohealthcare; gop; gophealthcare

1 posted on 02/25/2010 4:45:56 PM PST by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

That’s what I’ve been saying all along! ARRRRRGH! Why doesn’t the GOP get it? Freakin’ quit arguing about how the Dems big government, unconstitutional plan is worse than the GOP’s big government, unconstitutional plan. Both are bad, bad, BAD! If the GOP went into the summit today arguing the constitutionality and the founding fathers’ foresight in leaving these issues to the sovereign states, then the GOP would have walked out clear winners. I’m just so tired of the GOP anymore; they just don’t get it.


2 posted on 02/25/2010 4:50:43 PM PST by Engineer_Soldier
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To: Kaslin

When I was unemployed in NY I took advantage of a state program called Child Health Plus which required me to pay $6 a month per child for basic coverage. I don’t see why the states can’t take care of their own and tell the FEDGOV to BUTT THE HELL OUT!!!!!!!


3 posted on 02/25/2010 5:01:42 PM PST by ez ("Abashed the Devil stood and felt how awful goodness is..." - Milton)
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To: Kaslin

WHAT? Haven’t you heard? We want a STRONG CENTRAL GOVT. right here in D.C. to take care of you ninnies in the stix...


4 posted on 02/25/2010 5:04:45 PM PST by choctaw man (Good ole Andrew Jackson, or You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma...)
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To: ez
What do you think "inpatient utilization" means?
It's probably something good, but my RN adviser on all things medical (my wife) is out of town currently.
If someone I knew told me they were going to "inpatient utilization", I'm not really sure what I'd say. Sounds scary!
5 posted on 02/25/2010 5:10:13 PM PST by WhoisAlanGreenspan?
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To: Kaslin
My state does not allow a health care consumer to shop over state lines for health care[LD-290]. I would enjoy that option. I am also one of the states mentioned where rates will go up by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield ( no competitors ) but State run Dirigo [2003] which insures less that 3% of the population. Spending $19.2 million to save $2.5 million?

We also have the highest enrollment in Medicaid than any other state in the country. Also second in the country in highest health care costs.

A possible $90 million cut to mental health programs as the state works to dig itself out of a $438 million budget shortfall. The proposed cuts are part of Gov. John Baldacci's plan calling for a 10 percent across-the-board decrease in Medicaid funding. And they come after mental health programs have already faced $48 million in cuts over the last three years. Plus, a grant program for funding children's crisis services has also been slashed.

With the above facts on government health care, coupled with government health care in Massachusetts etc (Romney) how can anyone believe that any federal government [taxpayer] funded HC program is going to kiss all your health boo boos and make em all better?


6 posted on 02/25/2010 5:14:09 PM PST by fight_truth_decay
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To: WhoisAlanGreenspan?

Sounds like “hospitalization.”


7 posted on 02/25/2010 5:14:59 PM PST by ez ("Abashed the Devil stood and felt how awful goodness is..." - Milton)
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To: WhoisAlanGreenspan?
Inpatient utilization--nonacute care: summary of utilization of nonacute inpatient care in hospice, nursing home, rehabilitation, skilled nursing facility (SNF), transitional care, and respite.
8 posted on 02/25/2010 5:15:45 PM PST by fight_truth_decay
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To: fight_truth_decay
So the key word is inpatient? "Inpatient care is the care of patients whose condition requires hospitalization."
I thought looking it up would make it the patient avoiding hospitalization.
9 posted on 02/25/2010 5:25:03 PM PST by WhoisAlanGreenspan?
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To: Engineer_Soldier

Ditto here.


10 posted on 02/25/2010 7:31:56 PM PST by gogogodzilla (Live free or die!)
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