A "Shot Across the Bow" concerning Medicaid Expansion in Michigan

“A Shot Across the Bow”

My fellow Republicans and Precinct Delegates,

On Friday, August 23, 2013, the Michigan Mackinac Center for Public Policy and Ohio’s Buckeye Institute for Public Policy issued a “Shot Across the Bow” for any Michigan Law Maker that would consider voting for Medicaid Expansion.  The study being released states:

“It is unrealistic to assume that the Obama administration will weaken the Medicaid requirements that they fought so hard to get,”  ”No state should expand Medicaid based upon the illusory hopes of waivers, which are inadequate to genuinely reform Medicaid’s ills.”  This study confirms the warnings of Senator Colbeck that this Medicaid Expansion is in fact a “bait and switch” attempt by the Obama Administration.

Some Republican law makers have attempted to hood wink their fellow Republicans and constituents into believing that they had written a “sustainable” clause into House Bill 4714 that would protect the State of Michigan should the Federal Government decide not to fully fund the costs of this Medicaid Expansion.  This new study confirms that which most Republicans have feared:  That the Federal Government may (and probably will) choose to change any waivers that do not further the implementation and expansion of Obama-Care.

( Reference:  http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/19025)

If the Medicaid expansion bill is enacted, additional legislative votes will be required to appropriate the federal dollars that are linked to the measure. That means adding $1.5 billion to the state budget this fiscal year and $2.6 billion a few months before the 2014 election. For those looking further down the road, the appropriation figures would go up to $3.07 billion in the third year, according to a Senate Fiscal Agency analysis.

“(Attorney General) Bill Schuette has consistently opposed the expansion of Medicaid,” said Joy Yearout, a spokesperson for Attorney General Schuette. “He believes that the federal government is not a reliable or steady funder and the long term fiscal costs of government expansion of health care is not sustainable and will result in huge costs to Michigan taxpayers.”

(Reference:  http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18893)

The Senate may vote on this as early as this Tuesday.  You are urged to contact both your Senator and your Representative and insure that they are not intending on voting yes on this toxic bill, Medicaid Expansion (AKA HB 4714.)

Bob Cushman

Precinct Delegate – Northville

Reference House Bill 4714 excerpt regarding opting out:

(16) IF A WAIVER REQUESTED UNDER THIS SECTION IS NOT APPROVED

19 BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BY

20 DECEMBER 31, 2015, MEDICAL COVERAGE FOR INDIVIDUALS DESCRIBED IN

21 SUBSECTION (1)(A) SHALL NO LONGER BE PROVIDED. IF THE WAIVER IS NOT

22 APPROVED BY DECEMBER 31, 2015, THEN BY JANUARY 31, 2016, THE

23 DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH SHALL NOTIFY ENROLLEES THAT THE

24 PROGRAM DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (1) SHALL BE TERMINATED ON APRIL

25 30, 2016.