By Chris Jacobs Across the country, state legislatures are considering whether or not to expand their existing Medicaid programs. Last year’s Supreme Court ruling struck down the mandatory nature of Obamacare’s expansion of Medicaid to all families with incomes up to approximately $30,000 a year. Chief Justice Roberts’ June 2012 opinion stated that the health law as originally written engaged … [Read more...] about 21st Century Health Care Options for the States
Would Congress have the nerve to exempt itself from ObamaCare?
A brouhaha has erupted over a Politico news story entitled, “Lawmakers, aides may get Obamacare exemption.” “Congressional leaders in both parties are engaged in high-level, confidential talks about exempting lawmakers and Capitol Hill aides from the insurance exchanges they are mandated to join as part of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul, sources in both parties said,” the article … [Read more...] about Would Congress have the nerve to exempt itself from ObamaCare?
W.’s Legacy
In his first term, President Bush and congressional leaders knew there was a strong political imperative to add a prescription-drug benefit to Medicare, and they enacted the Medicare Modernization Act with a squeaker of a vote in November 2003. The law continues to draw criticism from conservatives for adding a $400 billion drug benefit to Medicare. But because the benefit was created by … [Read more...] about W.’s Legacy
On PCIP, A Misfire from the Circular Firing Squad
An early Obamacare program already is running out of money, and the president has decided to close it to new enrollment, leaving out tens of thousands of people who were expecting help. The House of Representatives is expected to vote this week on legislation that would extend this safety net, the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Program, and it would do so with money from an Obamacare ”slush … [Read more...] about On PCIP, A Misfire from the Circular Firing Squad
A misfire from the circular firing squad
An early ObamaCare program already is running out of money, and the president has decided to close it to new enrollment, leaving tens of thousands of people who were expecting help out in the cold. The House of Representatives is expected to vote next week on legislation that would extend this safety net, and it would do so with money that HHS Secretary Kathleen is using as a slush fund to … [Read more...] about A misfire from the circular firing squad
Florida Speaker Offers Alternative to Medicaid Expansion
Florida House Speaker Will Weatherford continues to oppose Medicaid expansion, but, like almost every state official, is under intense pressure to offer an alternative proposal. He announced a plan yesterday that would use state funds to expand coverage, tailor benefits to different patient groups, and give people the option of a Healthy Indiana-type health spending account. An estimated 115,000 … [Read more...] about Florida Speaker Offers Alternative to Medicaid Expansion
Budget Summary — Obama’s “One Percent” Solution
By Chris Jacobs According to the Congressional Budget Office’s most recent baselines, the federal government will spend a total of $6.87 trillion on Medicare and $4.36 trillion on Medicaid over the next ten years – that’s $11.2 trillion total, not even counting additional state spending on Medicaid. Yet President Obama’s budget, released today, contains net deficit savings of only $152 billion … [Read more...] about Budget Summary — Obama’s “One Percent” Solution
A Temporary Insurance Program Foretells Exploding Obamacare Costs
An early ObamaCare health insurance program that has been operating for nearly three years is foreshadowing big problems to come with the larger health overhaul law. The law allocated $5 billion for a program to help uninsured people with pre-existing conditions get insurance. It was designed to provide temporary bridge coverage until the health law takes full effect in 2014. But this … [Read more...] about A Temporary Insurance Program Foretells Exploding Obamacare Costs