I’m not going to spend the entire column trying to refute my friend Charlotte’s stance on Medicaid. There’s not much more I can add to the argument against Medicaid expansion that I have previously made, based upon common sense and facts.
This is something I do not believe Charlotte and I will agree upon.
As for her example of she and her husband, as individuals, working to overcome a deficit, my response is that this worked because the two of them WANTED to get out of a deficit. I don’t think this federal government does.
If the federal government, deep down, wants to overcome its deficit and irresponsible promises, it has shown no backbone to do so. They also seem to have no incentive to do this, as they can just keep printing more and more money, without trying to acknowledge that flooding the world with American currency makes each dollar worth less.
You can also see a letter from a Senator on this issue. It’s up to you to decide if you think it’s a good idea to expand Medicaid. I don’t believe it is a good idea (I make that decision because it is NOT a good idea.) but everyone is entitled to their own opinions.
It just baffles me how people can think spending more and more tax dollars on a health program would be a good thing or any kind of an economic stimulant...since more money for Medicaid will leave less money in people’s pockets to buy other stuff.
But, in today’s world, I guess it doesn’t matter. All you have to do is quote a study performed by an organization, perceived to be reputable and it’s accepted as fact. I received a report from the American Hospital Association on this subject.
I did not have time to read it before our deadline, but it does claim that over 2,000 jobs will be created from Medicaid expansion.
Who knows? Maybe after I read this document, and follow up with these people, my mind will be changed.
Probably not.
Just a few quick questions I intend to ask of these people:
• If we expand Medicaid and medical facilities no longer have “eat” as much in uncompensated care, will the charges for everyone go down?
• If Medicaid is so great, why do so many doctors currently refuse to see Medicaid patients?
• How will your payment system be set up and/or affected if (I should say ‘when’) the federal government fails to live up to its promises?
• How can thousands of jobs be created from increased dependency on the government in an industry saddled with so many government regulations that have traditionally driven up costs?
That’s a start.
•••
Moving on to more important things, I saw “Oz: The Great and Powerful” over the weekend. This prequel to “The Wizard of Oz” was a lot of fun, and, other than a couple of scary flying monkey scenes, is good for the whole family.
I used to get freaked out by the flying monkeys in the original “Wizard of Oz” when I was really little. This new breed is downright terrifying when compared to them, but thankfully, they aren’t on screen much.
•••
I don’t know about you, but I am ready for Spring. Major League Baseball’s Spring Training has already begun. I think that should be a sign for the snow to stop.
We have not had some of the awful weather other parts of the country has dealt with, for which I am thankful, but I prefer mowing to shoveling snow.
I prefer trudging through rain on my way home, versus snow and ice.
I prefer leaving my windows open at home when I leave for work, instead of breathing in the same, stale air from the furnace.
But that’s just me.
Take care of yourself and thank you for reading.
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