Our Health Policy Matters

It took Super Storm Sandy to remind us how much we need our government. And how rarely we see government leaders truly cooperate. Cooperation has been a dirty word in politics for close to two decades.  But in responding to the crisis caused by Sandy, President Obama and Governor Christie showed us that political adversaries are at their best when they work together to meet our needs. It took an environmental holocaust for this to happen.  But as the pictures of destruction in state after state circulated throughout the media, no one talked about privatizing FEMA.  No one complained that the government was spending too many taxpayer dollars rescuing people from death.  It was a fine way for the President to end his first term in office – one that may ultimately have won him his re-election.  And also won him a new opportunity to collaborate with the states. In the storm’s aftermath, we understand that one of the prices of having the freedom t...

It took Super Storm Sandy to remind us how much we need our government. And how rarely we see government leaders truly cooperate. Cooperation has been a dirty word in politics for close to two decades.  But in responding to the crisis caused by Sandy, President Obama and Governor Christie showed us that political adversaries are at their best when they work together to meet our needs. It took an environmental holocaust for this to happen.  But as the pictures of destruction in state after state circulated throughout the media, no one talked about privatizing FEMA.  No one complained that the government was spending too many taxpayer dollars rescuing people from death.  It was a fine way for the President to end his first term in office – one that may ultimately have won him his re-election.  And also won him a new opportunity to collaborate with the states. In the storm’s aftermath, we understand that one of the prices of having the freedom t...

Policymakers across the country have declared war on health.   You may have missed the headline, but this is a war with many casualties. Its objective is to topple health care as we know it.   When health care falls, our health will be the victim. Battles are raging in many states to cut the legs out from under health care financing. The Arizona Senate Appropriations Committee recently voted to eliminate the Medicaid program.   This would make 1.3 million people uninsured and cost the state $7.5 billion in federal funding.   A Florida Senate leader has threatened to eliminate Medicaid unless the federal government agrees to massive changes.   This would cost Florida over $10 billion, and make 3 million people uninsured. Wisconsin’s Governor has proposed dropping over 60,000 people from Medicaid because they are too rich.   “Too rich” means a two-person household income of less than $29,100.       Medicaid isn’t the only target.  ...

Policymakers across the country have declared war on health.   You may have missed the headline, but this is a war with many casualties. Its objective is to topple health care as we know it.   When health care falls, our health will be the victim. Battles are raging in many states to cut the legs out from under health care financing. The Arizona Senate Appropriations Committee recently voted to eliminate the Medicaid program.   This would make 1.3 million people uninsured and cost the state $7.5 billion in federal funding.   A Florida Senate leader has threatened to eliminate Medicaid unless the federal government agrees to massive changes.   This would cost Florida over $10 billion, and make 3 million people uninsured. Wisconsin’s Governor has proposed dropping over 60,000 people from Medicaid because they are too rich.   “Too rich” means a two-person household income of less than $29,100.       Medicaid isn’t the only target.  ...