We here at the ‘Grok have fought expanding Medicaid here in NH – and regardless of what the Progressives are howling about (yes, tonite’s Word of the Night is howling) about being heartlessness, cheap, cold-hearted and all of the other words they’ve used in their attempts of plying emotions, we’ve argued on platforms:
- Is it part of the Republican Platform?
- Is it allowable under the US Constitution? The NH Constitution (e.g., the Rule of Law)?
- Is it the Proper Role of Government – or is the the Proper Role of Citizen Responsibility instead?
- What are the practical pitfalls of this endeavor? Will it truly and merely serve the poor, or can / will it be politicized?
- The Democrats cry rivers about helping “their fellow man” while We have asked “when does the expansion stop – when is enough, enough?
- Will it be subject to verifiable and quantifiable objects that can’t be gained (e.g., kill it if it isn’t working)?
- Is it being used as just another stepping stone to move the Overton Window further Leftward?
- Why are we voluntarily submitting the State of NH to “strings attached / never Free money” that helps to further nationalize an entire industry?
So obviously, we were not in favor of the House (re: Democrat) version. And frankly, not keen at all of the Republican one either. But at least we had our reasons instead of vague musings. Having one was bad enough, having two was worse as the conference result could have been worse than either. A tie means it dies for the special session – tabling one and ITL (Inexpedient To Legislate – a kind politicalese way of saying “we hate it”) serves the purpose. Angst along the way these last few weeks – but I can accept the verdict given the adverse and opposite choice that could have taken place.
Our unofficial motto is “Spank’em when they’re wrong, thank’em when they’re right”. In our eyes, “right” would have been just to say “NO!” which was not done. Thus, for putting it to sleep (hopefully for good), the NH Senate Republicans get a H/T (Hat Tip) and nod of “thanks!”. Next time, give us a reason to cheer, please.
The question, however, is “what’s next”? Saying no is good, an alternative is better. Frankly, there are some things that can be done and should be done in the vein of letting people decide for themselves. Let Government enforce whatever contracts (“plans”) are agreed to – not mandate what is to be in the contract. Instead of increasing the Government micro-management and continued distortions of a market so strangled that it can’t really function. Yes, it means more responsibility placed on individuals – both for the good as well as the bad consequences – which is the mark of Freedom. And isn’t that what it is all about? Reduce the mandates forced into plans, encourage more providers to return to the NH marketplace, let people purchase across state lines, and let people buy the “modules of functionality” they determine to need (and not someone else’s idea of what is better for them).
We’ll write more about this – because I bet we Groksters can do as good of a job as anyone else as coming up with solutions.
Here is an idea, now in the US House, that could be a platform for further development if Obamacare is repealed (and more and more, I am hearing that word from MSMers and even Democrats). If nothing else, it again brings up that Republicans have had ideas on healthcare:
Scalise summarizes the key points of the American Health Care Reform Act as follows:
- Fully repeals President Obama’s health care law, eliminating billions in taxes and thousands of pages of unworkable regulations and mandates that are driving up health care costs.
- Spurs competition to lower health care costs by allowing Americans to purchase health insurance across state lines and enabling small businesses to pool together and get the same buying power as large corporations.
- Reforms medical malpractice laws in a commonsense way that limits trial lawyer fees and non-economic damages while maintaining strong protections for patients.
- Provides tax reform that allows families and individuals to deduct health care costs, just like companies, leveling the playing field and providing all Americans with a standard deduction for health insurance.
- Expands access to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), increasing the amount of pre-tax dollars individuals can deposit into portable savings accounts to be used for health care expenses.
- Safeguards individuals with pre-existing conditions from being discriminated against in purchasing health insurance by bolstering state-based high risk pools and extending HIPAA guaranteed availability protections.
- Protects the unborn by ensuring no federal funding of abortions.
This goes a long way to return healthcare insurance to be just that – protecting against risk instead of being a mere payment plan. More later.
