This article was in Sunday’s Omaha World-Herald online edition: We’ve excerpted the portions about Branstad that pertain to Iowa. BFIA has deciphered some of the Branstad-speak for your convenience and added some comments. They are in brackets.
Terry Branstad of Iowa opposes the Medicaid expansion that was written into the federal health care law, and the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the Affordable Care Act gave states the right to opt out. [What this really means is that because SCOTUS said he can, Branstad is taking this opportunity to obstruct President Obama and help the national GOP with their real #1 priority].
Branstad has not offered any alternatives yet. [Simply put, there are not going to be any alternatives coming].
Governors in 11 states — all Republicans — have said they will not expand Medicaid or are leaning against it. [If we’ve said it once we’ve said it a thousand times, never let any Republican anywhere near the reins of power.]
Branstad said he doubts the federal government can maintain its commitment to fund the increase. [This means, we think we’ve figured out how to suppress enough Democratic votes so Mitt Romney wins the election and with any luck, we shouldn’t have to worry about it.]
“The governor does not believe that it is sustainable or affordable at this time,” said Tim Albrecht, Branstad’s spokesman. [This is thin bureaucratic cover, something to say because what else could he have his spokesman say? This statement is meant for fellow conservatives to communicate that he is not giving one dime of money that is rightfully theirs to poor people. I’m surprised he doesn’t have his spokesperson just come out and say it].
Charles Bruner, executive director of Iowa’s Child and Family Policy Center, said the people who could be covered under the expansion are too poor to get insurance on their own. [This fact is of no consequence whatsoever to our governor].
The Affordable Care Act, which assumed that Medicaid would cover the poorest, provides subsidies only for those with incomes at or above the poverty level. [frankly, Branstad just doesn’t care. He’s much more interested in helping his party achieve their #1 priority].
“Let’s do some good actuarial analysis of what this would mean,” Bruner said. “I’m confident that when we look at the statistics we will decide it really does make sense to do this.” [translation: I can’t just come out and say how ridiculous it would be to refuse federal money for Iowans to have health care, even though I’d really like to].
Branstad’s spokesman said Iowa would look for state-based alternatives [lie, pure and simple] but hasn’t developed any yet [ yet means never]. Iowa does have a special Medicaid program for low-income adults, called IowaCare. The program has limited benefits and requires people to get care at one of two hospitals or six clinics. [by Branstad’s way of thinking, what is wrong with that?]
Refusing to participate in the Medicaid expansion means hospitals and other health care providers will continue to struggle to care for patients who can’t pay and will continue to shift costs to those who can pay. [but the governor is not likely to bring this up]
Bruner expects a fight in the Iowa Legislature. [ya think?]
BTW, have you gotten involved in your local statehouse race yet? To all of our independent readers out there that we’ve heard from who “don’t like joining things” or think “both parties are alike,” or “don’t do politics”, please stop helping Republicans. And stop carrying on about a third party. If we’re not careful, we’ll be lucky to have two.
So suck it up and get out there and support your local Democrat before it’s too late.
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