Tuesday Talk: Is the GAMC Deal a Long-Term Solution?
March 9th, 2010 at 6:30 am By Nora FerrellOn Friday, the Governor and legislators reached a “deal” on whether or not to continue providing health care to the state’s poorest residents, an issue Minnesota 2020 has been closely following. The good news is that the program, known as GAMC, will be extended and more than 20,000 adults can remain on MinnesotaCare, the health care program for middle-class Minnesotans in which Governor Pawlenty wanted to enroll GAMC recipients. The bad news is that the program will now be severely underfunded with no plans to address the real need that exists.
According to the Star Tribune, “The bill provides $91 million over 13 months to hospitals, at least $30 million less than would have been available to hospitals under the bill Pawlenty vetoed on Feb. 18, and perhaps half as much as they would have received under the original GAMC program, which Pawlenty vetoed last May.”
So it seems hospitals will now be responsible for any costs not covered by the state. It’s another example of Governor Pawlenty balancing the budget on the backs of Minnesota communities, school districts, and now local health care providers.
Is this a long-term solution for providing health care to poor and homeless individuals? Will cuts to programs like GAMC help the state in the long run?
Tags: GAMC, GAMC Cuts, Health Care, Tuesday Talk
Want a long term solution?….Go back to the tax system that made this state and country great. A truly progressive income tax at the same rates we had in post WWII period when we built all the buildings and freeways that are falling into disrepair.
A truly progressive tax might cut into the $500K RV’s and million dollar yahcts treated as second homes, but most of us could get by. No other solution will work…cuts will cost us in the long term(1- 20 years) and we will continue or slide to mediocrity.
Putting along with regressive sales taxes and gambling oincome will not do the job in the long term!
oops…that was “gambling INCOME”
Herb
You are absolutely right. None of these other “fixes” and half measures and attempts to get gambling money will do what a progressive, straightforward, honest tax increase can do. The wealthy got their taxes cut and their taxes cut, and now they pay a much lower percentage than the middle class and even the poor. They can afford to help pay for their prosperity.
When we did have adequate, progressive taxes in the postwar world, we had unparalleled prosperity (we also had the G.I. bill which sent millions of veterans to school and helped them buy houses which also fueled the economy).
Perhaps in the postwar world, we were used to working together on behalf of the whole country and this greed and me-first greed didn’t develop until much later. We have no sense that we have to work together and perhaps sacrifice to make everyone prosper.
People who say that we can’t afford taxes in a tight economy do not understand economics and what a fair system does. They also are being disingenuous (lying) when they say we can’t afford it because they never say that the low and moderate income folks will not be taxed further.
Once again the spineless democrats compromise on a bad bill. And this is leadership? These people are running for governor? Really?
If MN instituted the MN Health Care Plan, EVERYBODY would be covered. No one would be paying exorbitant and outrageous health insurance premiums, but a state income tax instead that would be much cheaper, as the pool would be large, spreading out the liability. Paper work would be minimal because doctors and hospitals wouldn’t be dealing with a zillion different insurance companies, patients could go to their doctor of choice, no insurance companies would be dictating care, and no one would be using emergency rooms with no ability to pay. The only government involvement would be that the government would be the cashier for care by dispensing the money already collected in taxes. An independent board would oversee the program. Not only would this solve the problem, the state would save money, as well as individual citizens. The burden on small business would be lifted. This is NOT socialism! Question? Do we want to save money? YES. Do we want to cover everyone? YES. This has worked beautifully in every other 1st world country. Just ask your European friends if they’d be willing to give up their health insurance program in lieu of ours?!! Most physicians and nurses see this plan as the only answer. Are we stupid or something??
I liked Corinne’s specifics.
Janice, can you be as helpful, in stating your own argument?
It didn’t seem long ago that Republicans wanted low taxes because it creates jobs. Not many jobs are being created now. There has been a monumental shift both tax and income re-distribution ever since Reagan got into office. It’s time for a progressive tax that helps cover people who are NOT able to work and/or afford healthcare coverage.
I haven’t taken the time to do the math but has anyone totaled the votes in the last election that Democratic House members received. In addition what were the totals that the Senate Dems garnered. Then compare those to the total vote count of Pawlenty. I am guessing there was a significant difference with the public weighing in on the side of the Dems. House and Senate members run on issues, door knocking and person to person meetings. They don’t have enough money to bombard the public with TV ads that avoid the issues but attack the opponent’s character. The legislature needs to stiffen up a bit and remind the public that they represent the majority of Minnesotans, that they ran and were elected on issues and that most Minnesotans are not happy about becoming a northern Mississippi.
Here’s one approach that will help create a better political solution long term. Bear with me and read to the end.
Governor Pawlenty seems to be aiming for the Vice Presidency.
Republicans, including Tea Party Republicans, frightened many Americans in the health reform runup by falsely claiming “rationing”.
Yet Pawlenty’s position in the GAMC debate have been very much about rationing health care coverage. His “compromise” involves rationing-for the poorest and most vulnerable who can least afford it.
His hypocrisy, and the hypocrisy of many in his party, need to made known to the country during the course of his campaign: They falsely attempt to frighten the insured, with claims of rationing. And when it comes to our poorest and most vulnerable citizens, they actually enact rationing.
Governor always like to cut the human services cost, e.g. GAMC and dental benefits for MA/MN Care receipients. From Jan. 1, 2010, these receipients cannot do root canal treatments for back molar teeth. If patients cannot afford the cost of $1000.00, the only choice is to extract the infected tooth. Is the cost of denture cheaper or more expensive than the root canal treatment? Plus, denture never works well as a person’s own teeth.
On the other hand, look at how much money wasted for some projects: e.g. Hwy 394 car pool lane. How many cars traveled on that road each day? More than half of the time of the year, it is closed. Even if when it is open, not many vehicles travel on that lane? People afraid of getting charged when they see: $0.25 fee at the entrance of the lane.
What is the purpose of building new Twins stadium? what will happen to the current Metrodome stadium? How much money is wasted on that?
There are lot of places that we can save money and used them more wisely, on solving human being’s needs.
Yi Li You
Chinese Social Service Center