Other Editions:
TNValleyWheels.com
|
TNValleyHomeFinder.com
|
TNValleyJobFinder.com
|
TNValleyStuff.com
|
TNValleyDeals.com
11/15/12
|
1216 views
Bentley’s political gambit
“It is, in my opinion, truly the worst piece of legislation that has ever been passed in my lifetime.”
Those were the words Gov. Robert Bentley used Tuesday to suggest his rejection of the Affordable Care Act was motivated by principle, not by pure political calculation.
The retired doctor announced Alabama would not expand Medicaid as permitted under the federal health-care law.
He also announced the state would not set up an insurance exchange under the law, even though he previously supported the idea.
If Bentley’s decision stands, he will have deprived about 250,000 Alabamians of access to health coverage.
But no matter. Alabama’s poor and uninsured — while more numerous than in almost any other state — are neither a majority nor a particularly effective voting bloc.
While imperfect, this “worst piece of legislation” manages to provide access to health care for 30 million uninsured Americans while reducing the deficit. It provides preventive care, thus keeping people in the workforce and reducing emergency room costs.
The broad strokes of this “worst piece of legislation” were designed by conservatives who recognized America’s health-care system was broken but wanted a solution that incorporated private-sector competition.
The federal government would pay for 100 percent of Alabama’s Medicaid expansion for at least three years, after which the state could drop the program if expected efficiencies do not materialize.
Bentley said a state-managed exchange would cost $50 million a year. Yet the Republican governor of Nevada — who also opposed the Affordable Care Act — decided he could do a better job than the federal government at setting up an exchange.
The Nevada exchange has had some start-up costs — reimbursed by the federal government — but it will cost the state nothing once it is in place.
“We’re going to run as a business, charge fees as a business and stand on our own two feet,” said a Nevada exchange official.
The purpose of the exchange is to increase competition among insurers, thus lowering rates. It would be particularly effective in Alabama, where one insurance company controls 90 percent of the market.
Bentley may be making an astute political calculation.
In the process, though, he is hurting the state and turning his back on hundreds of thousands of Alabamians.
Not registered? Click here
|
E-mail this
|
Print this
|
Photo Galleries
Follow Us On Twitter 
| Decatur Daily | @DecaturDaily |
| High School Sports | @DecaturPreps |
| Living | @DecaturLiving |
| Seth Burkett | @DD_SethBurkett |
| Bill Campbell | @DD_BillCampbell |
| Deangelo McDaniel | @DD_Deangelo |
| Eric Fleischauer | @DD_Fleischauer |
| Bayne Hughes | @DD_BayneHughes |
| Ben Montgomery | @DD_BMontgomery |
| Meredith Qualls | @DailyMeredith |
| Mary Sell | @DD_MarySell |
| Ronnie Thomas | @DD_RonnieThomas |
Alerts The Way You Want Them
Sign up for our any or all of our alert services & receive breaking local news, daily updates, sports, weather & more in your inbox or mobile device.
Breaking news, bible quotes, weather, sports, horoscopes, stocks & more sent to your mobile devices.
Receive breaking local news, daily updates, sports, weather & more. Enter your e-mail address below.
Most Read
Most Recent
Most Commented
Alabama A&M names alumnus as new band director
Updated Fri 08:24AM
Huntsville joins Decatur in approving entertainment district
Updated Fri 07:24AM
2 killed after pickup crashes, catches fire near Athens
Updated Fri 07:24AM
ULA launch scheduled tonight
Updated Fri 07:24AM
Poll
Affiliated Websites:
Times Daily
|
Decatur Daily
|
Courier Journal
|
Moulton Advertiser
|
The Redstone Rocket
|
Madison Weekly News
|
American Classifieds
© Copyright 2013 Tennessee Valley Printing Company — all rights reserved. Restricted use only.
Powered By: Creative Circle Advertising Solutions, Inc.
It's time for Bentley to go, if he can not do his job.
Sure Jimmy, I'm sure you could do a much better job, dah.
Like most people in America, I believe insurance companies are legal forms of racketeering.
" where one insurance company controls 90 percent of the market" and 100% of our governor.
I don't know if its time for Bentley to go or not but I do feel that its time for all of us Repub, Demo,Indep, Conservative and Liberal to try to think positively and put aside our petit pride and differences and work toward solutions. This " what's in it for me?", selfish attitude has come about in the last 10 years and gotten worse. I don't know that our state can afford to go it alone on health care and I'm not sure we can legally do it. One thing we cannot afford is a new series of law suits against us which usually end up with us losing, not only the issue at hand but also huge fees for court costs. It would be much cheaper for our representatives to each voice our state's opposition to Obama care and let Congress vote up or down.The world knows Alabama opposes it without us having to suffer another humilating defeat and the debt that goes with it.
.
"As governor, I cannot support adding such a tax burden onto our citizens,” Governor Bentley said. “The Affordable Care Act is neither affordable nor does it actually improve health care. Congress and the President have said they want to work together to solve the fiscal crisis facing this country, and I suggest they start with this health care bill.”
I'm with the Governor and STATES RIGHTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Did y'all know that it will cost Al. $50 million if we set up our own exchange and we will still be subject to all the Federal rules? Some have been misled into believing we are opting out of the whole Affordable Care Act by setting up our own exchange. Not so. We are subject to every other part of the act.Why pay $50million to be subject to the same rules? Even if Al could afford it it would be unwise to pay for something the other states are getting free. If you've been misled into believing any state can "opt out" you are being controlled by the insurance industry and the medical community. Talk to your state reps & senators and to members of the U.S. Congress..Ask them point blank what setting up our own exchange means. Also ask them if a state can, under the act, totally avoid The Affordable Care ACT. If they have the courage and if they have read the act in its entirety they will tell you that it can't be done. Wishing don't make it so!.
Joe from Falkville is right - in both posts. Unfortunately, the "haves" are controlling the minds of the "have nots" to a monumental degree. They are serving manure and making these people believe that they like it. It's sad really.