ObamaCare, Health Care Reform, Health Care Need And The GOP

    

The Affordable Care Act (AKA, ObamaCare) is trod-ding the minefields on the path major program implementations in 2014. The Henry J Kaiser Foundation published an implementation timeline on its web page. The interactive table is informative showing what’s to come from the ACA, what has been established and what remains non-implemented.

The 2013 timeline shows 10 of the 14  components are in effect. As we move towards 2014 and implementation of major components of the ACA, we find the GOP still fighting the futile fight of repeal, we find many in the nation are not happy with the ACA, and we find even greater need for the ACA as Boomers age. 

Boomers will also hand the nation greater need for funding as their health issues expand with rising age. The first of the Boomers hit age 65 in 2011.  Studies indicate where our geographic locations reveal much about the quality of our health.  

USA Today (Health and Wellness)

HEALTH OF AMERICANS 65 AND OLDER: HOW STATES STACK UP  (Highligthed red  history GOP stated bold font added by TPI)

Rankings are based on 34 measures of senior health from government agencies and private research groups, ranging from physical activity levels and obesity to poverty and flu vaccinations:

How all 50 states ranked:

1. Minnesota

2. Vermont

3. New Hampshire

4. Massachusetts

5. Iowa

6. Hawaii

7. Connecticut

8. Colorado

9. Utah

10. Maryland

11. North Dakota

12. Delaware

13. Maine

14. Nebraska

15. Oregon

16. Washington

17. Pennsylvania

18. Kansas

19. South Dakota

20. Wisconsin

21. Virginia

22. Arizona

23. New York

24. Idaho

25. California

26. Michigan

27. New Jersey

28. Ohio

29. North Carolina

30. Florida

31. Rhode Island

32. Indiana

33. Missouri

34. Wyoming

35. Montana

36. South Carolina

37. Illinois

38. New Mexico

39. Texas

40. Alaska

41. Tennessee

42. Nevada

43. Georgia

44. Alabama

45. Kentucky

46. Arkansas

47. West Virginia

48. Louisiana

49. Oklahoma

50. Mississippi

Source: United Health Foundation

The map just above depicts states of highest need in the color  red.  Red as in GOP?  We actually do not suspect the interactive map coloration relates to political parties and voter constituents, but the coincidence is remarkable. 

Since we mentioned political party, it is a fact the GOP wants no part of any program that offers opportunity for health care in cases of need.  The House continues to enact “silly” votes to repeal care. Legislation that directly benefits many in GOP districts.

Summary of results of the 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012 presidential elections:   States carried by the Republican in all four elections   States carried by the Republican in three of the four elections   States carried by each party twice in the four elections   States carried by the Democrat in three of the four elections   States carried by the Democrat in all four elections

Let’s review a quick MSNBC segment about the ACA, GOP and a loyal constituent base. 

The party would turn its back on its most loyal voting bloc.  Of late, I am hearing and seeing more and more about how the public is not favorable to the ACA.  We know “the public” well enough to know that it does not dig deep. We also know that people are averse to what they perceive as major change especially if (the) change is accompanied by effective negative propaganda.  Let’s borrow a few minutes from Rachel Maddow, MSNBC, regarding a recent CNN Affordable Care Act Poll. 

   

It appears the unfavor-ability towards the ACA includes people who feel it does not go far enough in properly insuring registrants.  Why did the CNN host fail to delineate such? It is a glaring and rather basic observation and one easily accomplished by media dedicated to fair and balanced reporting. 

The GOP without doubt wants to dismantle President Obama’s seminal healthcare reform legislation. But, at what price? Costs to the GOP voter base is obvious in states where the greatest need for affordable healthcare exists, the GOP stands in solidarity against implementation. Medicaid expansion and state ACA exchanges are 2013 implementation requirements.   A few GOP Governors have wisely moved to expand Medicaid in their states after initially following the party-line in opposition.  Yet, expending ACA Medicaid is nothing compared to major implementations in 2014 (See interactive link above and scroll to “2014”). Questions arise that have broad impact going forward. How will people who flock to vote with fully armed GOP psyches react as they grow more in need of medical care they do not possess or do not possess at the level of coverage necessary to sustain (physical or mental) comfort or life?  They vote as a loyal GOP voting bloc while clearly harming themselves with the very same vote election after election.   Would the GOP return the nation to the reality of 50 million people living in our nation with no health or dental care?  While, I strongly feel the GOP would do so in a nano-second the real question is, will voters condemn so many to the horrors of living with no medical coverage.  We will find out after the answer to that questions after the 2014 primary elections. 


The New Republic has published a piece that lays-out real danger for the GOP in continuing to pursue a repeal of the ACA.

Racist Appeals Court Judge Is Typically Conservative

Think Progress has look deep into the background of the Appeals Court Judge who declared that blacks and Latinos are prone to violent crime.

Ten Things You Should Know About The Federal Judge Accused Of Racism

By Ian Millhiser on Jun 5, 2013 at 3:47 pm

Judge Edith Jones

Earlier this week, several civil rights groups filed an official complaint against Judge Edith Jones, a former chief judge of the powerful United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, alleging that she claimed that African-Americans and Hispanics are predisposed towards violent crime and that the death penalty is a public service because it allows inmates to “make peace with God.” Though these allegations will need to be proven during the formal ethics process, they are entirely in line with Jones’ past record. Here are some o

Here are some other facts you should know about Judge Edith Jones:

The TPI: We have provided a point to point list from Think Progress. You really have to read the verbiage associated with each point.

1. Edith Jones Waved Off Horrific Sexual Harassment 2. Edith Jones Thinks Victims Of Employment Discrimination Should ‘”Take A Better Second Job Instead Of Bringing Suit” 3. Edith Jones Thinks A Man Whose Lawyer Slept Through Much Of His Trial Should Be Executed 4. Edith Jones Would Allow Porn Bans And Bans On “the ‘F’ word in public venues” 5. Edith Jones Told A Fellow Judge To “Shut Up” During A Court Hearing 6. Edith Jones Urged The Supreme Court To “Re-Evaluate Roe“ 7. Edith Jones is A Big Fan Of “Junkets For Judges” 8. Edith Jones Went To Bat For The NRA 9. Edith Jones Think People File Bankruptcy Because They Lack “Personal Shame” 10. Edith Jones Could Have Been On The Supreme Court

Two points.

This Judge came close to being nominated for a seat on the SCOTUS. Judicial Activist?  

Next point, Have you ever seen a resume more typical of American conservatism. 

NSA Whislteblower Identified (VIDEO)

The Guardian and the Washington Post have complied with a request for identification from the NSA whistleblower.

NSA whistleblower is identified Edward Snowden, a 29-year-old former CIA employee, is the source behind the major intelligence leaks of the past week, according to the man who first reported on the the government’s surveillance programs last week, the Guardian’s Glenn Greenwald. Snowden’s identity has been confirmed by The Washington Post. In a story posted by the Guardian on Sunday afternoon, Greenwald and two other reports reveal Snowden, who currently works for the consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton but has contracted for years with the National Security Agency, as the source of his information.  The Guardian reports it is naming Snowden at his own request.  Read More The Guardian video, linked

The Daily GOP Ignominious: Cavuto And The Capitalism Institute Practice "Less Informed"

Now for a few examples of conservatism.

President Obama last Friday visited Los Angles on a mission related to California’s reported positive pricing on ACA exchanges.  He met with a Chinese Leader, Xi-Jinping on issues related to cyber-security  trade agreements and to get to know each other.  

As is the case with the President, he is always prepared (and appropriately prepared) and probably planned to use a press conference for a few purposes. One of which related to the recently published (yet nothing new) issues regarding NSA and Verizon wireless and the NSA/PRISM Program.

Imagine the seriousness of each issue as a backdrop to the seriousness of the ACA and recent success in the nation’s most populace state.  Would you head to a podium without notes  (Exhibit A; Exhibit B)  If you were President of the United States, do you think you might be even more apt to use prepared notes?    

Let’s say you agree that notes are most assuredly in order.  Should the president have to walk to a podium with notes in hand. How about a leader or manager who prefers to have a degree of choice in how she/he delivers critical communication and stretch that to how the person might want their notes “on the ready.” Does the leader not have such a right for fear of offending a right-wing “rag?” Or, how about notes on a piece of paper as was the case with Romney during a presidential debate. No, we suggest you would handle the critical communication fully equipped with notes necessary to ward off right-wing lies ten minutes after you leave the stage.  

A conservative website replete with an image of a colonial solider (we assume denoting tea party or patriot) named Capitalism Institute posted a piece called: Video: Obama Loses His Notes… and Starts Yelling at Staff.  

If you notice the inflammatory title is obvious written for vast readership among people who hate Barack Obama.  As we viewed the short video  we do not find evidence of the president “losing” his notes. We also find use of the word “Yelling” as staff typically Fox News (ish).  In fact, while I am sure he was irritated  he never once lost his penchant for the smile, and use of the word “people”, is about as civil as way of enacting a quick fix as I can imagine. 

Excerpt

Obama’s response was a press conference earlier today… and it got even worse. He walked out, was about to start speaking, and then realized his notes weren’t at the podium. Obama is infamous for being completely and totally unable to give a speech unless someone else has helped him write it — either on paper or through teleprompters. How did he respond? Watch below:

He blames his staff by yelling out “PEOPLE!” The level of incompetence and lack of professionalism in the White House would be hilarious if people weren’t dying and liberties weren’t being lost because of it.

Do you see how the Right feeds its minions?

Speaking of Fox News, watch Neil Cavuto, Ben Stein and another Fox News personality “Go postal” with a Liberal Democratic strategist.  I recall Tamron Hall cutting the mic on a GOP pundit during the 2011/2012 presidential campaigns  but she warned the propagandist of a pending cut if he did not answer question vs spewing talking-points.  She also did not use any form of profanity, and her on air demeanor remained professional. Cavuto, on the other hand, works for Fox News and the delivery model obviously includes cursing, child-like (O’Reilly finger-pointing) and incessant over-talking.    

Don’t you find it interesting when people on the Right summarily decide, “you are not cooperating, so this if fruitless.”  “Not cooperating with me”, is the implication, so let’s get nasty and cut this off. 

Cavuto also deploys the very weak argument, “If this was Bush.” Well, the guest was not allowed an opportunity to address the fact that these programs are not new, they started with Bush, have continued, and have yielded results that probably saved lives.  The host’s antic are personified as he knew the Democratic strategist would not agree with his positions and that of Stein  therefore his behavior was staged for effect. Cavuto’s viewers leave segments like that fully aroused and charge-off into “less informed” land.

We wonder why Cavuto has not summons right-wing members of congress to his ‘yelling’ floor. Isn’t it almost uncanny the lack of out-cry from congress. Do you think they may have been previously informed about these programs?