1965 - a good year. That was the year that I turned 20. It was the year that I met my future wife, (though later divorced). It was the year I entered my junior term in college. And, it was the year that I was subject to being drafted into the military and sent to Viet Nam. But, when the lottery drawings were held, my number - 136 - turned out to be safe insofar as the draft called up those up to 116 that year. Medicare and Medicaid were signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1965 too. And, since then, the debate has raged on in the Beltway over these "socialist" programs spanning 52 years! With Republicans in opposition to "federal control of medicine" - or so their nonsensical argument goes - and "big government spending" (translation: this will cost wealthy folks and companies tax money), and Democrats arguing that a democratic, egalitarian society should provide for a dignified retirement for its citizens and for affordable health care for the neediest among us (and, of course, that those who have benefited the most in our society can afford to pay taxes - and for their own healthcare as well). 2017 has become the year that "everything old is new again." It seems that the Republicans want people to be dependent on companies and corporations for control of their health care benefits - sort of like groceries bought at the company store - rather than as a benefit provided for by the government.
The national tug and pull between the Ds and Rs has long held that any attempt to repeal Social Security or Medicare would be political "suicide." The seniors in America do vote, after all. In fact, the senior cohort is the most reliable and largest percentage turnout of any voting age grouping, making these issues the legendary "third rail" of American politics. No surprise, therefore, that there has not been any real attempt - successful or not - to abolish either of these federal "entitlements." In fact, President George Bush succeeded in EXPANDING MEDICARE by adding a prescription benefit for seniors who could opt in with a small buy-in and small co-pays. Democrats were happy to lend their votes to that measure in early 2003. The drug benefit went into effect in January, 2006.
The next step toward the US joining the rest of the developed world in providing universal health care for all citizens came when President Barack Obama and the Democrats in Congress adopted the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010. Still, since the rise of the right-wing "deficit hawks" and the political successes of the Tea Party on the far right in the 2010 and 2012 congressional elections, "Obamacare" was demonized, repeal of the act became the Republican goal, and pressure has been building to cut, cut, and cut. And, today, with Republicans holding the levers of power at the White House with Donald Trump as President and control of both houses of Congress, we revisit the old and tired debate over health care in 2017 - some 52 years after these programs were originally enacted.
The truth lies in the fact that both the largest expansion of coverage under the ACA and the biggest reduction in coverage under the proposed Trumpcare "replacement" is the treatment of Medicaid. The ACA expanded Medicaid to cover families of modest income who earned just above the poverty line and who could not afford health insurance. With the 2016 addition of Louisiana to the Medicaid Expansion segment of the ACA, more than 15,000,000 Americans in 32 states now have health insurance coverage via Medicaid - many for the first time. When added to the numbers that have extended coverage to age 26 on their family insurance policy and the requirement that those with pre-existing conditions cannot be denied coverage or charged more than others enrolled, it is easy to see how much the ACA has benefited those previously excluded - and, how millions will lose coverage should the Trumpcare bills proposed be adopted that eliminate Expanded Medicaid and allow insurance companies to again exclude those with pre-existing conditions, should states opt to do so. Removing coverage under Expanded Medicaid alone will result in the reduction of 15,000,000 from the rolls. I should note here that the Trump Budget reflects another $600 billion cut to Medicaid over the following 10 year period, reducing coverage for the poor that much more over time. Insofar as most of the pain contained in these proposals falls on the poorest among us, and the tax benefits go to the most wealthy, it is certainly appropriate to describe the legislation as not being a "healthcare reform" but, instead, a giant tax cut for the wealthy at the expense of the poor and lower middle class, disguised as a healthcare bill!
* Half of all babies born in the USA are covered by Medicaid;
* 40% of all children in America are covered by Medicaid;
* 66% of all elderly and disabled nursing home patients are paid for by Medicaid
(Medicare does not cover nursing home or long-term care);
* 9 million Americans who are blind or disabled, those with Down Syndrome or cerebral
palsy rely on Medicaid for coverage;
* Most children's vaccines are covered, as are adults in many states who get flu shots.
John Kasich, Republican Governor of Ohio and a former "Budget Hawk" as a member of Congress, commented on the Senate Republican bill during a visit to DC to lobby against the Senate measure on June 27th. "They think that's great? That's good public policy? Are you kidding me?" - Governor Kasich. The Governor joined with virtually every healthcare advocacy group including doctors, nurses, technicians, hospitals, and the AARP in opposing these measures. And, unsurprisingly, only approximately 15% of Americans polled think that these proposals are a "good idea" while some 60% oppose these measures. And, that's why - now that the Senate is back in session..... Let's join with Governor Kasich and the vast majority of Americans in opposing this mean-spirited disaster.
STAND UP! SPEAK OUT! AND, MARCH ON! Bobby J
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