Joe Barton cuts medicaid

[flamin lib]

Lil' Joe is at it again. I've posted before that the Republicans are balancing the budget on the backs of the poor while continuing to cut taxes on the top 3% of incomes. Now they are doing it on the backs of the sick as well.

In an effort to reduce Medicaid costs Republicans are revamping the program. The outcome won't make the system more stream lined or efficient, it will simply make more people ineligible.

The Medicaid Reconciliation Act, section 3111 applies to estate planning. It extends the period of asset transfer review from 3 to 5 years. If the value of any transferred asset is questioned in that period the applicant is disqualified. The really bad part is that the disqualification date is the date of the transfer, not the date of application for Medicaid. It's retroactive! The changes also look at total amounts of transfers. Give too much money to your church for Bush's faith based initiatives and you're disqualified. Fairness would dictate scrutinizing or limiting all future transfers. It's not like five years ago someone would plan to break a hip or have a stroke!

If that isn't bad enough, the Texas Dept of Aging and Disability Staff are now being told not to explain the law. Wait a minute, these people are paid with our tax dollars to help us, not deceive us!

Joe Barton is the committee chair on this matter. Whether you are in his district or not call his office at [phone] and tell his staff that you oppose the change of review period and the disqualification date in the Medicaid Reconciliation Act. Better yet, drop by his Arlington office at 6001 West I-20, Suite 200 and do it in person. Can you imagine what his staff would think if 40 or 50 people showed up and knew what he is up to?

What these people do affects your life. Hold them accountable.

[xxqqqzme]

1. I am getting more than a little pissed

that these assholes won't talk 2 U if U don't live in their district but they propose legislation that affects us all but benefit the multi-national corporations that fill their campaign war chests.

FED UP!

[flamin lib]

2. Yeah, I'm with you. Did you know that Barton proposed

legislation that would dictate to Washington State how many oil tankers would come into their state waters? Or that he proposed legislation that would put a massive LNG in the middle of a major metropolitan area on the east coast?

[Metta]

3. this guy is dangerous.

And malicious. No doubt about it.

[flamin lib]

4. He raised $2.6 mil in the last election. 20% from petrochemical

and communications companies. Anytime there is a conflict between human beings and one of those industries, people lose.

[Metta]

5. I agree. When the task, of caring for people, gets lost, people get hurt

Too true.

[Maestro]

6. I am going to let him have it.

He's my rep unfortunately.