(For all the working links then go here.)
If you're upset by the fact that evil pro deficit republican governors like Tom Corbett aren't embracing Medicaid expansion -- despite at least four reports saying that taking the free $17 billion dollars would help and including one from our own statewide version of the CBO -- then here's a place to be this Wednesday. There will be an attempt to put some pressure on the deservingly low polling Corbett with a march that will be held at 1 pm Harrisburg.
Here's the press release information from the website called www.coverthecommonwealth.com:
Who are the folks who'd be covered under the Medicaid expansion? They're the ones who get our kids safely to school, who care for our
parents and grandparents, who serve us lunch at the diner, cut our hair
at the beauty shop, and do the jobs that keep our communities moving
day-to-day -- and they do it all knowing that one accident, illness or
injury could wipe them out financially.
We have a chance to change that, for good. If Governor Corbett and state lawmakers accept this funding, we can
bring secure health care coverage to 700,000 working Pennsylvanians,
create jobs and boost our economy.
It's time to move forward. Join us on June 12th in Harrisburg to get this done! Stand up for the #LivesOnTheLine!
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BUSES LEAVING FROM:
* Erie - 5:00AM from Voices for Independence, 1107 Payne Ave. RSVP here.
* Grove City - 6:00AM from Eat 'N Park lot at Grove City Outlets. RSVP here.
* Pittsburgh - 7:30AM from 600 Commonwealth Place, Downtown Pittsburgh (hotel across from Point State Park). RSVP here.
* Philadelphia - 9:30AM from 16th and JFK, Downtown. RSVP here.
+ Carpools being organized from other areas! Email Athena to plug into one near you.
MAJOR ACTION to demand we expand! June 12th at the Capitol. Rally at 1:00PM.
Can't attend but want to help? Donate $5 towards bus and travel costs!
Full disclosure: I would be eligible for health care if Governor Corbett simply accepted the medicaid money. Not that I'm bitter. I'm poor and black so obviously I don't have the right to live or to ever get sick. I'm thinking about volunteering my services as a peasant in Game of Thrones because I understand what being low born means.
Be there or be square.
Related: I mentioned earlier the three -- count em three -- published reports that state the considerable if not overwhelming benefits of accepting the medicaid money. But there was one more report that just came out from the Rand Corporation, not your feel good progressive group by the way. It's hard to be pure when you're aligned with defense contractors. But that doesn't mean their analysis is off.
Here's some of their findings that my Governor -- I can't recall does he belong to House Lannister or House Slitherin -- might find of interest if he didn't laugh like a Bond villain at the thought of not giving healthcare to a half million or more of his own citizens. Here are the key findings:
More Pennsylvanians Would Have Health Coverage
With the Medicaid expansion, the model estimates that in 2016 all but 5 percent of nonelderly Pennsylvanians (about 500,000 people) will have insurance coverage, compared with 13 percent (about 1,330,000 people) who would be uninsured under pre-ACA policies, and 8 percent (about 850,000) with the ACA but without the expansion of Medicaid.
Expansion Would Have a Positive Economic Effect
In 2016, federal inflows are estimated at $4.7 billion without Medicaid expansion as opposed to $7.2 billion with expansion. Therefore, Medicaid expansion would result in $2.5 billion more in federal funds to Pennsylvania. Because outflows to the federal government will be nearly $6.7 billion in either case, the net benefit is only positive in 2016 with expansion. From 2014-2020, the cumulative flow of federal dollars will be $16.5 billion higher with the expansion Medicaid.
Benefits Would Have a Long-Term Cost, With Uneven Regional Results
By 2020, new state Medicaid spending is projected to be $611 million with the expansion, or $118 million without it. The Medicaid expansion would increase state spending by approximately 10 percent over current levels. These costs will be partially offset by tax revenue generated from provider taxes, which would be greater under the expansion than they would otherwise. Under either scenario, substantial differences in the net flow of funds are predicted at the regional level, as well as in the number of those insured.
More Related: I don't understand why Republican governors oppose this unless they just like the idea of their own citizens dying needlessly. This is a political winner for the politicians who push for this. Ezra Klein articulates this better here. Not Related: Who knew. I'm still not thrilled with the work of
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (
PHRC) or the work practices of
Gidas Flowers.