Is Medicaid Expansion good for PA?

Last week GOP Gov Chris Christie decided that the Medicaid expansion is “the smart thing to do for our fiscal and public health”.  Among other GOP governors that are taking the ACA deal are Arizona’s Jan Brewer who says it will help hospitals and care givers not adequately compensated for indigent care and Florida’s Rick Scott, who called it a common sense solution; two governors no one would argue are conservatives.

As part of the ACA (Obamacare) states can opt in to a Medicaid expansion which will cover uninsured people who make up to 133% of the poverty level ($31,800 a year for a family of 4) and be reimbursed by the federal govt 100% of those expenses for the first 3 years.  It will also pay 100% of CHIP for children in families that make under the income level, something that is currently funded by the Federal gov’t at about 66%.  Mental health coverage whose costs are shouldered by not only the state, but the counties too, would be covered.

Gov Corbett has said that he can not support this because of the costs to the state down the road, but ignores these facts:

  1. PA can opt out, “down the road” if those expenses get too great
  2. The savings realized by other health and mental care programs
  3. The tens of thousands (upwards of 41,000) of health care jobs created
  4. The increased productivity of a healthier work force (most of the new people covered, work for $10 – $12 per hour)
  5. It protects rural and safety net hospitals from being pushed towards bankruptcy by the growing costs of the uninsured.
  6. Preventative care costs way less than critical/emergency care
  7. The federal tax dollars Pennsylvanians pay that will go to other states.

For more information check out Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center.

If you agree with Gov Christie that this is the right thing to do for our fiscal and public health, please sign the TAKE THE DEAL petition

Hats

1/31/2011 So I am knitting a hat for my neighbor. I get about halfway done and realize that I used the deep purple tweed instead of the dark brown tweed.  Apparently I need to turn on more lights in my knitting room.  He tried it on and it was too small too so I don’t feel bad about starting over.  I am a constant source of amusement.

Thank you to my niece for modeling

Thank you to my niece for modeling

2/28/2011 Well I am definitely now on a hat kick.  I just finished a hat for me so of course the temperature has been above 45°F or I floofed (kind of like fluffed) my hair and don’t want to squish it.  I have to find a way coordinate the weather and the floofing.

This hat was done with short row shaping (turning the work before you finish the row) which is really cool because of the way it curves while you are knitting.

BTW: It is really hard to take a picture of yourself in a hat

3/7/2011 My husband now wants a hat.  He lost that old one he has (I think on purpose, but don’t blame him, I didn’t make it.) I also think he felt a tiny bit neglected when I made on for our neighbor.  I am making the same one for him, but with a cable twist in some of the ribs.  I post that picture when I am done.

So I made the hat for my husband and we didn’t like how he looked in it but my son loved it.  (happy ending)  Now he needs to send me a picture of it. (it will not happen, I am a realist)

More Bread Adventure

My husband and daughter are upset that I am baking so much, but I did say they didn’t have to finish each loaf. (“Sure, she didn’t say we had to finish each loaf, but, it’s hard not to!” -husband) Finished baking loaves, 5, 6, … Continue reading

The No Knead Bread Adventure

I had heard about Jim Lahey’s no knead bread several years ago and decided it would be a great addition to this semester’s bread and soup class.  I checked out the recipe and knew very few of my students would … Continue reading

Breath & Balance

What do we want to be, as a people, want to be?  Do we want to be self centered and greedy or caring and compassionate? I think the answer, as usual, is somewhere in the middle. Some of the advantages … Continue reading

Roasted Chicken

A great roasted chicken, well seasoned with crispy skin, is a perfect company dish during the holiday season, or any season for that matter. I think that butterflying and brining the bird are wonderful techniques to insure a juicy, evenly … Continue reading

Position enlightenment

I thing I like best about yoga is that while you appear to be still  in a posture, it is always dynamic with micro moves.  Not only do these micro moves improve your alignment, but thinking about the hundreds available … Continue reading