What the Media Won’t Tell You: Millions are Hurting as Red States Reject Medicaid Expansion

[babylonsister]

What the Media Won’t Tell You: Millions are Hurting as Red States Reject Medicaid Expansion
By: Dennis S more from Dennis S
Saturday, November, 9th, 2013, 3:55 pm


While Congressional and national attention has been glued to the HealthCare.gov rollout controversy, the inhumane red state shafting of the voiceless percentage of our society who can’t stuff hundreds of millions into campaign coffers or buy endless TV propaganda, goes on unabated and largely ignored. Legislatures of Neanderthal states, the ones that have, for all practical purposes, seceded from the Union, have denied needy citizens access to a Medicaid expansion program that will be free to the states through 2014 and 2015 and never exceed a 10% state contribution. And the federal money for that expansion is already set aside. Medicaid expansion specifically targets the poor, disabled and uninsured.

In researching several sites, I’ve compiled a list of the states that appear to have rejected any federally funded Medicaid expansion whatsoever. None will surprise you. Alabama always leads the way in these heartless endeavors; not only alphabetically, but in serving as exemplar for any health-related program Blue Cross and Blue Shield and their running partner the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) tell these pathetic elected officials to vote for or against. ALEC also handles all critical non-health care related legislation. This description would apply to virtually all of the other states on this list.

Alphabetically is a handy way to proceed. Next is Alaska. Alaska; even without Palin. Arkansas and Florida are predictably included. Yes, there are more right-wing nuts in the Florida legislature than there are in this year’s crop of oranges. Georgia is on board. ‘Nuff said. There’s Idaho and Indiana, a state that gave the moderate and loyal Republican public servant Richard Lugar the primary boot in favor of Teapublican Richard Mourdock who proceeded to declare during a debate that pregnancies resulting from rape are “something that God intended to happen.” Thanks “DICK.” Democrat Joe Donnelly and the American people were the benefactors of your awesomely thoughtless and ill-considered statement.

Here’s Kansas where right-wing legislators made sure all current efforts to expand were blocked. Now it’s wait until next year when the legislators will do the same thing. Louisiana of course makes the list with Governor Bobby Jindal smooching Tea Party tuchis or tokhis or…well, you get the idea. It’s very revealing that Jindal, in explaining why he opposes the expansion, actually tells the real truth behind the right-wing rejection. It takes business away from private insurers. There’s your answer folks and further proof that giant multi-nationals call the shots. Take care of the contributors who give your campaign the big money, not the constituents who genuinely need help. And the easily manipulated Jindal, who wants to be president next time around or, at the very least VP, follows the script.

more, unfortunately...

http://www.politicususa.com/2013/11/09/healthcare-gov-commands-attention-millions-hurting-states-reject-medicaid-expansion.html

[arthritisR_US]

1. I would love to see the talking heads address this

stuff but I won't hold my breath waiting

[winter is coming]

2. Arkansas *is* expanding Medicaid.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/27/us-usa-medicaid-arkansas-idUSBRE98Q0WM20130927

[babylonsister]

4. That's great-I wonder where the writer

got his info?

Maybe cooler heads will prevail once they see the success of this: I'm in GA and not feeling the love at all.

[winter is coming]

5. Don't know, but even the map at the link reflects that.

I'm amazed and pleased that Arkansas and Kentucky chose to expand Medicaid. Here's hoping it's contagious!

[Blue_In_AK]

3. Sarah would have been more likely to take Medicaid expansion

than our current asshole governor. He's very, very stubborn about this despite the fact that even our local Chamber of Commerce is begging him to relent.

Oh, did I mention that he's an asshole?

[johnnyreb]

6. Many lives were lost to bring us our Neanderthal state!

(South Carolina.)

[gopiscrap]

7. yup, and those fuckers should be allowed to do that!

[Puzzledtraveller]

8. Kentucky is a red state and expanded Medicaid

I have been a medicaid caseworker since 2009 in Kentucky.