Health care system is in real trouble

Submitted by gjohnsit on Fri, 01/19/2018 - 3:27pm

Republican in Congress and the Trump Administration worked hard last year to undermine Obamacare and Medicaid. Their efforts paid off.

According to the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index, the uninsured rate rose in 2017 by 1.3 percentage points — the largest single-year hike since 2008, when Gallup began collecting the numbers — to 12.2 percent. That may not seem like much. In fact, it works out to about 3.2 million more people lacking health-care insurance.

I'm guessing that Republicans are happy about these results, and want more uninsured people. Especially uninsured poor people.

The uninsured rate for Americans who earn less than $36,000 went up nearly three times as quickly as the uninsured rate for those earning more than $90,000.

That's one take-away from this story. However, there is another take-away. It's not just poor people. It's the young and healthy as well, and that will have long-term consequences.

President Donald Trump and the Republican Party decided to undermine the law anyway. When they couldn’t manage to repeal it, they voted to gut it, reducing the federal government’s outreach efforts to the still-uninsured and finally removing the individual mandate.
That’s why this new, disturbing trend could get worse. The Congressional Budget Office projects 13 million Americans will become uninsured because of the repeal of the individual mandate, which required that Americans buy health insurance or pay a small fine. Though it was unpopular, it was a linchpin of the law and a complement to the federal mandate that everyone receive care in emergencies, even when they couldn’t afford to pay. It made sure there were enough young, healthy people in the marketplace who don’t spend much on health care but whose presence kept premiums down for the older and sicker.

Obamacare premiums are set to skyrocket next year, and they will probably accelerate after that.
But the Obamacare cuts are dwarfed in significance compared to the cuts in Medicaid.

The $3.6 billion in cuts this year — $2 billion from a program that sends federal dollars to hospitals that serve a high percentage of Medicaid or uninsured patients, and $1.6 billion from a drug discount program — will have the greatest effect on so-called safety net hospitals that provide medical care for all comers, no matter their ability to pay.
..“They are placing our already fragile health system in jeopardy,” said Danne Howard, executive vice president of the Alabama Hospital Association. “More than 90 percent of our rural hospitals are already operating in the red. When you add further cuts to that, you are creating an extreme risk to our continued operations.”
The cuts come at a time when many rural hospitals already are struggling to keep their doors open. Since 2010, 83 rural hospitals have closed across the United States, according to the National Rural Health Association. An additional 673 hospitals are considered at risk of closure. Many of those hospitals are in states that chose not to expand Medicaid, the federal-state health plan for low-income Americans, meaning that they treat uninsured patients with no ongoing federal and state reimbursement for the care they provide.

If the GOP and corporate Dems win their "war on health care", our health care system will essentially collapse. Big Pharma and Big Insurance will de facto kill their own source of revenue. Not to mention, make America's workers sick and undermine the economy in general.

This dystopia doesn't have to happen.
There is, of course, a solution - Medicare For All.

The latest Harvard-Harris Poll survey found 52 percent favor a single-payer system against 48 who oppose it. A strong majority of Democrats — 69 percent — back the idea. Republicans oppose single-payer, 65-35, and independents are split, with 51 percent opposing and 49 supporting.

Tags:

health care

uninsured

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Comments

Submitted by Wink on Fri, 01/19/2018 - 4:18pm

There's only one cure

for this b.s. and we all know what it is.

—

the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.

Submitted by doh1304 on Fri, 01/19/2018 - 5:13pm

Actually there's two

@Wink
We could make health care a refundable deduction.

—

On to Biden since 1973

Submitted by UntimelyRippd on Sat, 01/20/2018 - 1:23am

that won't control the prices

@doh1304

—

The earth is a multibillion-year-old sphere.
The Nazis killed millions of Jews.
On 9/11/01 a Boeing 757 (AA77) flew into the Pentagon.
AGCC is happening.
If you cannot accept these facts, I cannot fake an interest in any of your opinions.

Submitted by edg on Sat, 01/20/2018 - 10:46am

However...

@doh1304

a refundable deduction only works for people who a) can afford the initial purchase and b) have taxable income against which to claim the deduction (assuming it's like the EITC).

Submitted by doh1304 on Sat, 01/20/2018 - 3:28pm

You're right but

@edg
My full plan includes a minimum income. Everyone files, even with no income. Functionally your doctor would send his bill directly to the government. And the government would set the amount billable just like in a single payer system, except price controls would be part of the tax code, or there would be a windfall tax for price gougers. Yeah, it'll be hard work to make it fly - just like MFA will.

—

On to Biden since 1973

Submitted by Citizen Of Earth on Fri, 01/19/2018 - 4:18pm

Medicare For All Will Soon Not Be An Option.

Now that Repubs have completed the $1.2 Trillion wealth transfer to the Morbidly Rich, Ryan says next up is to gut "Entitlements" to pay for it. That means gutting SocSec, Medicare and Medicaid.

I hope Trump supporters are enjoying the ride, b/c Trump and his sociopath Repubs are shoving it right up their #Shitholes.

—

Donnie The #ShitHole Douchebag. Fake Friend to the Working Class. Real Asshole.

Submitted by gjohnsit on Fri, 01/19/2018 - 4:23pm

Nothing the GOP has done can't be reversed

@Citizen Of Earth
Simply lifting the cap on payroll taxes will both save SS and pay for MFA.

Submitted by Citizen Of Earth on Fri, 01/19/2018 - 4:33pm

Ok Sure. And Repubs and Dems could suddenly

@gjohnsit

stop being corrupt and begin working for the commoners.
But I ain't betting on it.

—

Donnie The #ShitHole Douchebag. Fake Friend to the Working Class. Real Asshole.

Submitted by Wink on Fri, 01/19/2018 - 5:41pm

It's more a case

of voters booting Repub
@Citizen Of Earth
asshats like Paul Ryan.

—

the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.

Submitted by TheOtherMaven on Sat, 01/20/2018 - 10:47pm

Plenty of Dem asshats too

@Wink

Boot 'em ALL out. Start over with all-new faces. They'll get corrupted eventually too, but it will take a while. And in the meantime they too can be booted.

—

There is no justice. There can be no peace.

Submitted by Wink on Fri, 01/19/2018 - 5:38pm

Exactly. This is all

very reversible.
@gjohnsit
Assuming, of course, enough
Berniecrats are elected to reverse this b.s.
As I suspect and expect they will be.

—

the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.

Submitted by Unabashed Liberal on Sun, 01/21/2018 - 12:01am

Hey, might want to check out

@Wink

the article below. Sounds like there's little chance of progressives being elected to Congress (this election cycle).

Sorta another case of 'All hat, no cattle.'

Somehow, Senate Dems united as election year begins

Democratic senators once dreaded an onslaught of liberal primary challenges.

They’re not worried anymore.

In a remarkable development, none of the party’s 11 battleground incumbents — those in states Republicans have targeted — is set to face a serious threat from the left this year. That includes the 10 Democratic incumbents running in states Donald Trump won in 2016, who have quelled progressive rage despite relatively moderate backgrounds. . . .

Mollie

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."--Lao Tzu

—

Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.

Submitted by Ellen North on Sun, 01/21/2018 - 10:31am

Are there any Prog options in that area?

@Unabashed Liberal

Are there Progs running in any other parties in those areas, do you know?

If there are and they seem sincere and capable, how could sites like this spread the word on them over the internet, since corporate media would only mention them to diss 'em?

—

Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.

A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.

Submitted by Wink on Sun, 01/21/2018 - 2:30pm

There are Tons

of progs running.
@Unabashed Liberal
Whether those specific targets
are on the list, and apparently Not,
should be addressed, but there are plenty running.
If activists can't get excited about supporting progs this year then when?
I do Not expect a Blue Wave becuz the usual Dem party suspects are still running this show, but if they weren't there might be. But there's no reason not to take back the Senate. If that effort fails we're hosed. We need to get our Prepper on.

—

the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.

Submitted by doh1304 on Fri, 01/19/2018 - 5:18pm

Who started it?

@Citizen Of Earth
Obama, unless you want to go back to Daniel Patrick Moynahan.

—

On to Biden since 1973

Submitted by Citizen Of Earth on Fri, 01/19/2018 - 5:47pm

Agreed, Dems and Repubs are both sociopaths.

@doh1304

And when Obama wanted to attack SocSec (during christmas break), it was the Repubs who saved us by not going along. Now it's the Repubs turn to F**k us.

—

Donnie The #ShitHole Douchebag. Fake Friend to the Working Class. Real Asshole.

Submitted by chuckutzman on Fri, 01/19/2018 - 4:50pm

Credit where credit is due please. Obama created this piece of

crap, gift-to-the-insurance-lobby. He had control of congress when he pissed away financial reform & health care reform. The loss of Democratic seats top-to-bottom was the result. HRC was the cherry on top of the Dem's shit-sundae they presented to the voters.
The Dems & MSM have managed to mau-mau Trump out of his initial reluctance to expand Obama/HRC's wars of regime change and expanding Russia antagonism. So there's that "success".
But let's be sure to stay focused on ID politics & Russia, Russia, Russia. Obviously, this is all the fault of the dumb racists that elected Trump.
I think I need to vomit.

—

chuck utzman

TULSI 2020

Submitted by gjohnsit on Fri, 01/19/2018 - 4:54pm

The attack on Medicaid is another story

@chuckutzman
It's a roll back of the Great Society

Submitted by snoopydawg on Fri, 01/19/2018 - 7:33pm

I remember how mad people were when the ACA passed

@chuckutzman
@Citizen Of Earth

instead of single payer, but now people are just trying to preserve it and not pushing for MFA. Why is that? I'm sure I don't need to explain this to anyone here.

Chris Hedges and Glenn Ford talk about how Obama killed the left.

—

There were problems with running a campaign of Joy while committing a genocide? Who could have guessed?

Harris is unburdened of speaking going forward.

Submitted by gjohnsit on Fri, 01/19/2018 - 5:18pm

Completely OT

why continue to criminalize pot

During Saturday’s Legislative Coffee session at St. Catherine Hospital, State Rep. Steve Alford, R-Ulysses, made an ostensibly racist comment when citing domestic Jim Crow-era drug policies.
When Zach Worf, president of the Finney County Democrats, argued that legalizing marijuana could be a financial boon to cash-strapped Kansas, Alford told him he should look to the 1930s, the latter part of the prohibition era, for a history lesson. Alford said that a reason for the tightening grip on potential intoxicants at that time was to shield Americans from the consequences of drug abuse by “African Americans.”

“Basically any way you say it, marijuana is an entry drug into the higher drugs,” Alford said. “What you really need to do is go back in the ’30s, when they outlawed all types of drugs in Kansas (and) across the United States.

“What was the reason why they did that?” he continued to a crowd of about 60 people, none of whom were black. “One of the reasons why, I hate to say it, was that the African Americans, they were basically users and they basically responded the worst off to those drugs just because of their character makeup, their genetics and that. And so basically what we’re trying to do is we’re trying to do a complete reverse with people not remembering what has happened in the past.”

• See video of Alford’s remarks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IVNkUr8t4k

Alford was referring to a period when a man who became known for his fight against marijuana, as well as for his racism, was appointed the founding commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN). His name was Harry Anslinger. Under Anslinger’s leadership, the FBN came to be considered responsible for the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, regulating cannabis and further taxing it to the ultimate detriment of the hemp industry that was booming at the time.

From 1930 to 1937, Anslinger campaigned for prohibition against the use of the cannabis plant. He postulated that marijuana caused crime and violence, saying, “Reefer makes darkies think they’re as good as white men.”

Anslinger also said the primary reasoning for marijuana prohibition was founded in the prevention of “its effect on the degenerate races.”

Submitted by mimi on Fri, 01/19/2018 - 9:12pm

totally OT comment to your lovely OT comment

@gjohnsit
nice to learn about the lovely Mr. Anslinger with his 'non-degenerate, but 'pure' mind, almost pure as the white lilies in the field. You certainly know that:

The Lily is a unique and fascinating flower. Did you know that a Lily flower symbolizes refined beauty and purity? Depending on the type or color of the lily, the flower can display different meanings. A white lily traditionally symbolizes new beginnings and modesty. An orange lily symbolizes passion. A Lily of the Valley is usually a symbol of a pure heart and sweetness...

Oh yeah, these clips come to mind, don't they? At least to mine they do and not everybody was welcomed with open arms... But then, did it really matter?
[video:https://youtu.be/X5kA31rV6sA]
[video:https://youtu.be/kH1d9i6-9L8]
[video:https://youtu.be/W4teSva3BSs]
[video:https://youtu.be/rBc0pV2Ipj8]
[video:https://youtu.be/IuQgWtRIoNQ]
[video:https://youtu.be/eDOo3v2ntHI]
[video:https://youtu.be/V2av__s-598]

hmm... still confused about who of the three (Father, Daughter or son-in-law in spe, or Harry Belafonte and all the celebrities, who sang the praise for Obama, who of them would still sing the "Amen" to all of it today. They all 'missed the boat' with their predictions and Morgan Freemann actually drilled a hole in the boat and sink it. Whose tears were crocodile tears and whose were not?

Here I remember something I also can't forget. I saw the adult son of Patrice Lumumba on the streets of Douala in Cameroon around 1984, his mind gone to insanity due to despair. I bet those tears of mourners for Patrice Lumumba were not crocodile tears. And no Hollywood celebrity and their movies will ever compare or match up to the non-fiction facts of the "black lilies in the African Rainforests"...

[video:https://youtu.be/fSXDCp-XZuU]
[video:https://youtu.be/4eXSkjZbLaI]
[video:https://youtu.be/-xgy3X4yD1U]

And how did it come to this?
[video:https://youtu.be/ZGVWyMLkc2E]

why continue to criminalize pot During Saturday’s Legislative Coffee session at St. Catherine Hospital, State Rep. Steve Alford, R-Ulysses, made an ostensibly racist comment when citing domestic Jim Crow-era drug policies. When Zach Worf, president of the Finney County Democrats, argued that legalizing marijuana could be a financial boon to cash-strapped Kansas, Alford told him he should look to the 1930s, the latter part of the prohibition era, for a history lesson. Alford said that a reason for the tightening grip on potential intoxicants at that time was to shield Americans from the consequences of drug abuse by “African Americans.” “Basically any way you say it, marijuana is an entry drug into the higher drugs,” Alford said. “What you really need to do is go back in the ’30s, when they outlawed all types of drugs in Kansas (and) across the United States. “What was the reason why they did that?” he continued to a crowd of about 60 people, none of whom were black. “One of the reasons why, I hate to say it, was that the African Americans, they were basically users and they basically responded the worst off to those drugs just because of their character makeup, their genetics and that. And so basically what we’re trying to do is we’re trying to do a complete reverse with people not remembering what has happened in the past.” • See video of Alford’s remarks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IVNkUr8t4k Alford was referring to a period when a man who became known for his fight against marijuana, as well as for his racism, was appointed the founding commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN). His name was Harry Anslinger. Under Anslinger’s leadership, the FBN came to be considered responsible for the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, regulating cannabis and further taxing it to the ultimate detriment of the hemp industry that was booming at the time. From 1930 to 1937, Anslinger campaigned for prohibition against the use of the cannabis plant. He postulated that marijuana caused crime and violence, saying, “Reefer makes darkies think they’re as good as white men.” Anslinger also said the primary reasoning for marijuana prohibition was founded in the prevention of “its effect on the degenerate races.”

—

https://www.euronews.com/live

Submitted by Centaurea on Sat, 01/20/2018 - 4:37am

Harry Belafonte

@mimi I believe Harry Belafonte is the "real deal". He publicly endorsed and campaigned for Bernie Sanders for president in 2016. As an authentic activist, he has been openly critical of the Democratic party and the DNC for many years, and there doesn't appear to be any love lost between him and Hillary.

—

"Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep."
~Rumi

"If you want revolution, be it."
~Caitlin Johnstone

Submitted by mimi on Sat, 01/20/2018 - 7:14am

yes, that I thought too, I just found that Harry Belafonte

@Centaurea @Centaurea
'evolved' to what he is today. He perhaps wasn't that "clear minded" earlier in his life. That's why I included the clip of him singing "Amen" from the past. And also I remember that Sidney Poitier had many more inner conflicts than the fee press allowed to come to light.

Who doesn't evolve and changes his mind and pov? It would be awful, if we were always "the same" and not "changing", no?

PS - I am still evolving in my feelings about Caitlin Johnstone ... Don't know why. Just saying.

—

https://www.euronews.com/live

Submitted by UntimelyRippd on Sat, 01/20/2018 - 1:48am

oh my good sweet lord, the loonie stuff these

@gjohnsit
folks believe.
reminds me of that clown who claimed a woman's lady parts could shut down the whole pregnancy thing if she'd been raped.

why continue to criminalize pot During Saturday’s Legislative Coffee session at St. Catherine Hospital, State Rep. Steve Alford, R-Ulysses, made an ostensibly racist comment when citing domestic Jim Crow-era drug policies. When Zach Worf, president of the Finney County Democrats, argued that legalizing marijuana could be a financial boon to cash-strapped Kansas, Alford told him he should look to the 1930s, the latter part of the prohibition era, for a history lesson. Alford said that a reason for the tightening grip on potential intoxicants at that time was to shield Americans from the consequences of drug abuse by “African Americans.” “Basically any way you say it, marijuana is an entry drug into the higher drugs,” Alford said. “What you really need to do is go back in the ’30s, when they outlawed all types of drugs in Kansas (and) across the United States. “What was the reason why they did that?” he continued to a crowd of about 60 people, none of whom were black. “One of the reasons why, I hate to say it, was that the African Americans, they were basically users and they basically responded the worst off to those drugs just because of their character makeup, their genetics and that. And so basically what we’re trying to do is we’re trying to do a complete reverse with people not remembering what has happened in the past.” • See video of Alford’s remarks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IVNkUr8t4k Alford was referring to a period when a man who became known for his fight against marijuana, as well as for his racism, was appointed the founding commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics (FBN). His name was Harry Anslinger. Under Anslinger’s leadership, the FBN came to be considered responsible for the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, regulating cannabis and further taxing it to the ultimate detriment of the hemp industry that was booming at the time. From 1930 to 1937, Anslinger campaigned for prohibition against the use of the cannabis plant. He postulated that marijuana caused crime and violence, saying, “Reefer makes darkies think they’re as good as white men.” Anslinger also said the primary reasoning for marijuana prohibition was founded in the prevention of “its effect on the degenerate races.”

—

Submitted by seabos84 on Fri, 01/19/2018 - 8:30pm

What % of the blood suckers making

over $100,000 or ... $500,000 a year in the "health" care parasite calss are fat-check writing Dem-0-CRAP$?

Many of the parasites have deliberately cut off themselves from the day to day realities of the working stiff - the parasites might? notice a problem if every time they went to do any mundane errand, there were people wearing hospital gowns trying to stab them to steal 3 bucks for a quart of milk. Other than that, they'll never give a shit - which is why they all need to fired, preferably jailed.

rmm.

—

But then I sigh; and, with a piece of scripture,
Tell them that God bids us do good for evil:
And thus I clothe my naked villany
With old odd ends stolen out of holy writ;

Submitted by eyo on Sat, 01/20/2018 - 1:25am

Why not just call it Medicare for Millenials?

It is not "for all" if poor people can't afford to use it. Medical Insurance is bullshit if you can't afford the doctor fees, or the lab fees, or the prescription fees, or the "professional" fees. The system creates debt. The ACA split the program public/private even further, suddenly my Medicare account became "Legacy", Biden's "BFD". Thanks Obama. Now, the bastards just want to finish the job and have everyone "shop" for a plan that "fits". Wait for it.

Everyone talks about millenials as a political force. In this broken fucked up system they are the still the same old tired "marketing age" consumer force that boomers used to be. MfA has nothing to do with health anymore, it is all about the profits.

Not giving page views to sites spewing Bezos' rag pile of establishment blather is where I am, so thanks for the information.

affirmation