Of everything to come out of Gov. Tom Corbett’s budget speech, his decision on Medicaid was perhaps the most controversial.
He said, “At this time, without serious reforms, it would be financially unsustainable for the taxpayers, and I cannot recommend a dramatic Medicaid expansion.” Corbett said that the immediate benefits of funding would be outweighed by the long term costs of an expanded program.
Democrats say he was turning down free money for poor people, Republicans say he was declining a temporary boost with expensive long term strings attached.
What do you think?
Will tonight's U.S. Senate debate affect your decision?
- No. I've already decided on how to cast my vote. (81%)
- Yes. Anxious to hear from both candidates (19%)
Total Voters: 27
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12 Responses
I agree with Jocelyn Grecco. Not one dime to help minority people or working poor. If they get sick, tough. No doctors or hospitals for them unless they pay the full frieght upfront!!! Screw ’em.
Gov. Corbett may be a heartless SOB, but he’s our SOB and we love him.
Corbett for Prez in 2016 and let’s take our country back.
I am a conservative leader and as a young single female I can tell you I am thrilled that while I have practiced abstinence, with Gov Corbett’s decision today the promiscuous young women who have had multiple babies won’t be rewarded with my tax dollars for free healthcare. Bravo Governor, the conservative movement is proud of your principled stand to prevent children from getting healthcare with taxpayers dollars, that’s what faith based organizations are for.
Typical Democrats/Progressives who oppose Corbett’s decision, always favoring short term gain for long term pain.
This unscrupulous administration bribes states into supporting their ride to Marxism cognizant of the fact by the time citizens realize the degree of betrayal on the part of elected/appointed officials all will be out of office collecting millions from the lobbyists who bought and paid for them while they were in office.
Governor Corbett made the right call on this one. There are still too many unanswered questions and we have no idea how we will cover the bill wants the federal money runs out. Also, the Medicaid system as it stands is currently broken and it’s never good to just continue to throw money at a broken system.
This governor cares only for his buddies in the energy sector and cutting corporate taxes.
An good article explaining why declining is a wise choice.
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/340023/mission-new-congress-mario-loyola?pg=2
Pa already has its own health insurance available to the needy. Stop mixing up Federal and State responsibilities.
That we can’t afford to continue to pay for medicaid in its current state. It will harm all Pennsylvania’s, is an unfair burden on the taxpayer and add to our budget and deficit woes. Unless Medicaid is fixed, expanding it is foolish, unwise and dangerous. Governor Corbett has a great vision for the Commonwealth. His fiscal responsibility will lead to a prosperous PA down the road.
Whether you’re for the expansion or not, it is completely disingenuous to say (as some Democrats are) that this is “free money.” Once you commit to the expansion, there’s no getting out of it, and a few years down the road the Commonwealth will be obligated to start paying its share. As I understand it, the Corbett administration has not ruled out the expansion permanently, but given the long-term implications, they are seeking more clarity from the Dept. of Health/Human Services.
As much as we like to simply things, this is much more complicated than a simple “We’ll pay 100% now, you pay 90% later.” What if, for example, the feds decide to double the poverty rate, thus increasing Medicaid eligibility? Is the Commonwealth on the hook for the extra cost?
As per Dennis Roddey of the Governor’s Office, HHS was twice given a deadline to provide the requested information so that a decision could be made for the upcoming budget, but those deadlines came and went with no answer.
“But Democrats immediately attacked Corbett as pandering to right-wing conservatives at the expense of billions of federal dollars that could help the working poor and hospitals. Five other Republican governors have embraced the Medicaid expansion, and Ohio’s Gov. John Kasich even viewed it as a boost to the state’s tax collections.”He’s turning his back on $4 billion” a year in federal health care money, said House Minority Leader Frank Dermody, D-Allegheny, adding that Corbett’s fears of a growing state share are “overstated.”
Read more here: http://www.centredaily.com/2013/02/05/3491263/corbett-wont-pursue-medicaid-expansion.html#storylink=cpy
Obviously not the popular decision, but probably the best one.
One Term Tom
Impeachment should be the next vote!