Take care of our Missouri neighbors by expanding Medicaid : Stltoday

Take care of our Missouri neighbors by expanding Medicaid : Stltoday

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We Missourians would instantly care for a neighbor we found hurt and bleeding. We’d take the shirt off our backs for a tourniquet and then rush him to medical care. But what if we never saw him writhing on the ground? The fact that he may be out of sight and out of mind does not absolve our responsibility to make sure he gets care.

It may be easy to resist Medicaid expansion for patients whose sickness prevails beyond our vision, but these patients are our neighbors. If our policymakers could witness firsthand the suffering and barriers to care endured by our waiters, cashiers, daycare workers, and shuttle drivers who work without health insurance, I know they would similarly take the shirt off their back to help.

/the-stars-editorial-missouri-medicare expansion

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/12/28/3985157/the-stars-editorial-missouri-and.html

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Right now, it is nearly impossible for low-income workers in Missouri and Kansas to obtain health insurance if their employers don’t provide it. Both states have very low Medicaid eligibility limits. People go without care, use free health clinics, or use hospital emergency rooms.

The economic and moral reasons to expand Medicaid are compelling.
The federal government would pay all of the costs of the expansion for three years, and never less than 90 percent. Expansions of health care systems would create thousands of jobs and a huge economic development boost. Some populations who use state aid, such as the mentally ill, would be brought under the Medicaid umbrella, saving states money. People would be healthier and more financially secure.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon intends to include the Medicaid expansion in his budget but will face opposition from the legislature. In Kansas, neither Brownback nor legislative leaders have said how they intend to proceed.

Hospitals, citizens and states’ economies will suffer if leaders allow an antipathy toward all things “Obamacare” to deny the benefits of health security.

RNs to Hold Candlelight Vigils, Protests in 20 U.S. Cities | National Nurses United

RNs to Hold Candlelight Vigils, Protests in 20 U.S. Cities | National Nurses United:

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 On the fiscal cliff showdown, “raising the age for Medicare or Social Security, delays in cost of living increases, or cuts in benefits, three of the approaches proposed by some in Washington, would severely harm the seniors and low and moderate income families who have suffered the most from the economic crisis, which continues in Main Street communities across America,” said Deborah Burger, co-president of the 185,000-member NNU.

“Wall Street’s agenda, of more punishing cuts for working people, and more handouts for the banks, who are the main beneficiaries of policies that put debt payments ahead of protecting seniors and working families, was roundly rejected by voters in November. Let’s not hand Wall Street the victory they lost at the polls. Instead, it is time to hold the bankers and speculators accountable, and levy a small tax on their reckless behavior to help rebuild the economy they did so much to wreck, Burger said.

Actions are planned in California, Florida, Illinois (event held Dec. 6), Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Texas, with events in other states pending. RNs are joining with labor, senior, and scores of community activists in insisting on no increase in the eligibility age or cuts in benefits.

Photo from Chicago action on Dec.6, 2012.

Nixon favors expanding Medicaid program : Stltoday

Nixon favors expanding Medicaid program : Stltoday

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“Our hope is that with this report, they will see the economic and health benefits to accepting the new federal health care funding, so that we may avoid leaving the working poor with no options,” coalition Chair Joe Pierle said.

According to the most recent figures available, more than 881,000 Missourians are enrolled in the Medicaid program, which has varying degrees of coverage based on income. More than 60 percent are children, and 18.6 percent are people with disabilities.

The expansion proposal calls for coverage of all Americans who make below 138 percent of the federal poverty level — about $31,800 a year for a family of four or $15,400 a year for a single person.

That includes childless adults who cannot participate in Missouri’s current program, and increased coverage for parents. The expansion would also reduce the number of seniors and disabled Missourians who have to spend some of their income before they can receive Medicaid benefits.

A recent study from the Urban Institute shows that many of the Missouri residents who would benefit from an expansion here are male, white and younger than 44.

Real Time with Bill Maher: Overtime - Episode #266

language warning--bill has potty mouth.

letter from afl-cio richard trumka---off the cliff negoations

We told you the mega-millionaires wouldn’t waste any time. Last week, a coalition of millionaires and corporate CEOs announced they’re launching a $35 million campaign to strong-arm Congress into cutting Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid benefits under the guise of “fixing the debt.” You took the first step in stopping this assault on the middle class by signing our petition. Rep. Russ Carnahan, Sen. Claire McCaskill, and Sen. Roy Blunt need to hear from you. Call now at 888-659-9401 and tell them to oppose cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security benefits and to end the Bush tax cuts for the richest 2%. Here's some short talking points you can use for your call: I voted to Protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and to make the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share in taxes. Do not cut these benefits for working people or give another tax break to the wealthy. While the rich were holding their press conference last week in a posh Washington, D.C., office to announce their multimillion-dollar campaign, tens of thousands of working people like you were outside elected officials’ offices with a simple message: The middle class voted on Tuesday for Congress to create jobs, not to cut Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security benefits or continue to pad the pockets of the richest 2% by lowering their tax rates. Congress needs to hear this message now. Members are back in D.C. this week, ready to make high-stakes decisions on all of these issues. If we don’t hold our senators' and representatives' feet to the fire, some of them may not be with us on one of the most important legislative battles of our lifetime. Call now at 888-659-9401. In Solidarity, Richard Trumka President, AFL-CIO----- I have already called. Missouri senators currently not taking positions according to staffers. one gop and the other blue dog dem and I suggest folks give a call

No ‘magic potion’ will make the GOP budget plan work

sorry for ad



Jennifer Granholm is joined by Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, to discuss the GOP’s proposed budget plan. Dean Baker says Representative Paul Ryan’s budget plan not only cuts care to the country’s most vulnerable but “ignores all the evidence all around us” that proves these kinds of cuts just don’t work.

“(Paul Ryan) acts as though there will be some magic,” Baker said, ”that if we hand over (health care) to the states that the governors have some magic potion that will make all their dollars go further. Well, we’ve tried this… and it costs more.”

Paul Ryan’s GOP balanced budget plan is a disaster that would create $4.3 trillion debt in 10 years

dear Claire M of Missouri my pledge to you

I could not get thru your mailbox today--phone, but I did get ahold of a staffer later this afternoon. Alas, the staffer told me your office could not respond to my phone call nor would I recieve your positions on social security, medicare or medicaid in these budget talks.

This is what I said to your staffer and as vice president of Soar 11-3 (retired steelworkers and member of the Alliance Retired Americans). the support part is what I told staffer

My pledge:

I will not support in the upcoming elections any politican whom seeks to cut social security or medicare (add medicaid). Social Security and Medicare did not contribute to the problem and I will not see myself, children and grandchildren continue to pay for perks for the wealthy.

Your last election: I contributed both time and resources to drum out the vote for you. Should you side with the cutters, consider that at an end. In case you forgot, you barely got elected and my groups helped your cause greatly. Soar 11-3 has members and supporters in about 40 percent of this state in some in southern Illinois

were the election for Missouri senate occur today, you dear senator would lose. Alas, so far the teabag and GOP opposition is not of the highest quality and normially would be supported only by republicans and fools.

I, as many in my groups, might simply opt not to vote in that election for democrats whom will not support popular and necessary social programs such as social security.
Forget monies, phone call support, organizing and more.


Do us a favor, switch parties if you are going to be a republican light. Do not expect retirement folks and union folks to vote for you should you stick it to them.
Better to have one less democrat in the senate than a right-wing traitor to the democratic cause.

Keep your position letter, your actions will speak louder than words.

and yes, I shall read this to the soar group and make it known through-out the Afl-cio and steelworkers

GOP and Third World health care in Missouri

As many of you already know, the GOP in Missouri are quite satified with keeping Missouri healthcare in the third world zone. Indeed, to deny some of the poor and working poor health care is a proud goal of the folks in the statehouse in Missouri. Good work folks for once again you have stuck it to the most vunerable of Missouri folks and protected your insurance buddies bottom lines.

Note for the rest of the nation and world: GOP in Missouri do have the guts to stand up for the rich and for business interests and do a fine job at that. Hell, they even had a proposal to refund the stimulus program money to the citizens of Missouri instead of building hospitals, roads, bridges, schools and the like. It is hard to imagine some of the Missouri leaders of the GOP as being able to walk and chew gum at the same time, but like the national GOP they stand united to protect their business buddies.



These are from the folks at Fired Up! Missouri http://www.firedupmissouri.com/

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another worthy healthcare piece from Fired Up Missouri

More GOP healthcare madness in Missouri

Some folks follow Missouri politics. This is the most recient GOP blockage of Medicaid in the state. Too bad our prisons are full, a few in the statehouse could benefit from the experience and stay. We the citizens would most certainly benefit.
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http://www.kansascity.com/340/story/1186821.html
Posted on Fri, May. 08, 2009

Bill’s defeat another bitter pill for Missouri’s poor

The Missouri legislature is about to cost the state a golden opportunity.
Because of intransigence by House Republicans, a deal that would enable 35,000 low-income citizens to obtain health insurance at no cost to state government is on the ropes.

Along with the relief it would bring to families, the deal would mean fewer uninsured patients in hospital emergency rooms, where medical care is costliest.

It would mean lower health insurance premiums for workers and employers, as hospitals and doctors would have fewer reasons to pass on the burden of uninsured care.

But by an 85-75 vote, almost entirely along party lines, the House this week refused an offer by Missouri hospitals to pay the state an additional $52.5 million a year. The money would come from federal funds that hospitals receive for treating uninsured patients.

By accepting the hospitals’ money, Missouri would qualify for $93 million a year in extra federal health funds.

While the Senate passed a bill to make use of what amounts to a $145.5 million-a-year gift, House Republicans balked. In a stormy debate, GOP members made clear their distaste for helping low-income Missourians with health care, which they repeatedly referred to as “welfare.” Their argument is uncharitable and foolish.

The proposal that Gov. Jay Nixon’s administration worked out with the Missouri Hospital Association would have offered Medicaid benefits to parents who earn up to 50 percent of the poverty level.

That amounts to an annual income of $11,025 for a family of four. Employer-provided health care at that salary level is scarce, and private health insurance is out of reach.

The legislature has one week to come up with an alternate plan that would enable the state to make use of the funds offered by the hospitals.

Any plan must make health care more accessible to low-income Missourians. The House just turned down a straightforward proposal to accomplish that.
House Republicans will be to blame if the session ends with the state forgoing $145.5 million, and 35,000 persons are left without hope of medical insurance.

© 2009 Kansas City Star and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansascity.com

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in short, GOP in Missouri are telling some of the citizens: "Drop Dead" The proud tradition of the GOP in this state was to turn down about a billion dollars of federal healthcare monies during the last governor's term. They should hold their heads high by allowing fellow citizens to die and children to suffer.