Leave it to Governor Corbett to use his better late than never Medicare Medicaid expansion as a political move to go after the lower class and to pad his jobless numbers in the same move. If President Obama is a “jedi-master” and “12th dimensional chess champion” as described by some, then Governor Corbett is the monopoly money bags champion that would have thrived if he lived in the 1920’s.
The Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that Governor Corbett’s Medicaid expansion isn’t going to actually expand the state’s medicare Medicaid system. His proposal will force people to get private health insurance and pay monthly co-pays. The article states:
Corbett, ending months of speculation about whether the state would take advantage of billions in Medicaid dollars, will seek approval from the federal government to provide private health coverage rather than expand the state’s Medicaid rolls, say several people who were briefed on the plan.
Corbett’s “Healthy PA” plan will contain additional provisions such as co-pays and work-search requirements for both new and existing Medicaid recipients. Their co-pays would be based on income that would be capped at $25 a month.
The best little nugget in that last section states that those who will be getting this “private insurance” will have to take part in some sort of work search program. The article mentions that Governor Corbett is the only governor in the country to require work search requirements in an expansion plan.
So, Governor Corbett, once again, finds a way to denigrate the unemployed and the poor by using a “makers vs. takers” ploy in the expansion of a medicare Medicaid program that isn’t actually a medicare expansion. Or maybe the governor is trying to use this expansion money to help boost the shitty jobless numbers that have been reported month, after month, after month, after month, after month since his time as governor? You decide.
Corbett’s actions continue to provide fodder for those who would oppose him in the upcoming 2014 elections. But where will that leave us voters when the time comes? And if we have to wait that long, what happens to all those being adversely affected in the interim?
I guess Corbett is done working the deal with the private insurance companies in PA, so he can get his campaign money, and screw the public at the same time.
Here is the response I just received from my Representative, Paul Clymer, concerning expanding Medicaid. For your enjoyment:
“Kevin Mahoney VIA EMAIL
Dear Kevin,
The Medicaid benefits in Pennsylvania are more generous than in other states. Presently, there are 2.2 million of our citizens on Medicaid and this does NOT include the CHIP program.
There is a great deal of uncertainty regarding the federally sponsored medical program under the Affordable Health Care Act. For example, states would receive reimbursement for two years. Then, the states would be responsible for the cost, which will run into millions of dollars.
By adding another 700,000 citizens to Medicaid, will there be sufficient resources? Will physicians treat these additional patients?
There are other concerns Pennsylvania has to consider before deciding to join the list of states indicating their desire to accept the federal Medicaid program.
Sincerely,
PAUL I. CLYMER
State Representative
145th Legislative District”