Washington, D.C. – This policy change will give states the ability to move away from Obamacare. We can’t emphasize how significant this Medicaid policy change is and can be President Trump’s greatest accomplishment of his Presidency. We know this isn’t sexy and will go widely unnoticed, but it is important nonetheless.
Background Brief (Skip this if you want to get to our commentary):
Medicaid is part of Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society programs of the 1960s that were just an expansion of FDR’s socialist programs (yeah, we said it!). Medicaid was designed to help the poor and disabled, and have the government pay for some level of healthcare for these “vulnerable” voting bloc communities.
Not surprisingly, Medicaid has expanded over the years. Politicians on both sides of the aisle have used it to give constituents “free stuff” and buy votes.
Obama used Medicare as the vehicle to force “Obamacare” on the states. Obamacare, on its face, is a significant push towards a single-payer healthcare system, also known as socialized medicine. Obamacare IS socialism, and that socialist president’s crowning achievement.
Obamacare works by bribing states with a large pool of cash if they meet the requirements. The requirements are extensive, and most states have embraced the changes.
Colorado is an excellent example of how Obamacare changed Medicaid. In 2012 about one in every seven Coloradoans was on Medicaid. With the required coverage expansion required under Obamacare, now almost one in every three Coloradoans are eligible. Yes, this is the same Colorado that arguably has one of the most robust economies in the nation with record-low unemployment.
Obamacare, in turn, sucks up state dollars and resources that could go towards education or roads. Bottom line: Obamacare is bad medicine!
Back to Our Regularly Scheduled Commentary:
Of course, President Trump and most Republicans have tried to roll-back or repeal Obamacare. Their serious attempt failed in 2017. However, the Trump Administration is getting crafty here by using (hopefully not abusing) his Executive Powers. If this survives the onslaught of the left’s lawsuits, states who choose will have the flexibility on how they want to spend their Medicaid dollars with fewer strings attached.
This will help states adjust their spending and policy directions based on local political will versus mandates from Washington, D.C.
Politicians who use Medicaid spending as an excuse for why they can’t fund things like roads, will not be able to hide behind excuses anymore.
Medicaid has been the fastest-growing expenditure by state governments for almost ten years. Maybe this new policy will turn the tide, and right the ship.
Obamacare’s days are numbered, and we’re marking the days off our calendars.
What say you, our readers? IS this Medicare change good for states and our country? Please comment below and on social media.
Please share and get the word out. We can’t have good policy changes by the Trump Administration go unnoticed!
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