GOP health insurance plan would hurt poor, elderly, says L.A. County chief

A Republican proposal to radically reshape Medicare and Medicaid, the federal and state-federal health insurance programs for the poor and elderly, would devastate L.A. County’s public hospitals and clinics, said County Chief Executive William T Fujioka.

“It would have a horrific impact on our programs and services, not only in direct context for the amount of funds we receive to support individuals who rely on Medicare and Medi-Cal for healthcare services, but what you’ll see is providers throughout the whole county who will stop seeing Medicare and Medi-Cal patients,”  Fujioka said Monday.

Because the Republican proposal would slash payments to physicians who care for the poor and elderly, Fujioka predicted such aggressive cutbacks would result in physicians deciding to stop seeing those patients.

“As a consequence … their only choice will be to come to the county. And you’ll see an impact on emergency services and an impact on every single county healthcare program we have,” Fujioka said.

Already, he said, county emergency rooms are overcrowded as the economy has worsened. State law requires the county to provide healthcare for people who have no ability to pay for their care.

House Republicans are supporting Rep. Paul Ryan’s proposal to convert Medicare into a largely private insurance program and turn Medicaid into a block-grant program administered by the states, while slicing almost $6 trillion from the federal budget over the next decade.

Ryan’s plan would provide seniors with a subsidy they would use to purchase private insurance. Americans 55 years or older would stay in the current system.

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-- Rong-Gong Lin II at the Los Angeles County Hall of Administration

Photo: William T Fujioka in January 2009. Credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Andrew]

LA County’s hospitals and clinics already are in a devastated state

[HiVeloCT]

"Ryan’s plan would provide seniors with a subsidy they would use to purchase private insurance. Americans 55 years or older would stay in the current system.'
================================
The "subsidy" would consist of vouchers for $14,000. And they accuse Obama of rationing health care for the elderly. How long do you think $14K will last for a 70-something with diabetes or similar health problems? I'm 57 and have incurred what would have cost about $12,000 just in the past month if I wasn't insured under a group plan, and that was simply for a stress echocardiagram and a colonoscopy. Both of these tests would likely be necessary for most older persons every 3-5 years, even if they're healthy. And my co-payments for my prescriptions (I'm diabetic) comes to over $100/month. Yeah, this is a really great proposal...NOT!

[deborah]

Most private doctors are already refusing to take Medicare patients. It's totally unfair , for the state to make doctors take almost 50% less, for their services. The high cost of a tuition and the time it takes, for a person to become a doctors make it almost impossible, for private doctors to treat the poor.

[TheBigPicture]

Life's not fair...get over it...

People need to be responsible for their life and financial management...Get rid of the welfare state...

[Jennifer]

So we have GOP in Arizona that passed a law today equalizing the tea party flag to the U.S. flag (puke!). Then we have GOP in both Maine and Missouri requesting a repeal of child labor laws.

My sister told me today her husband ( a navy worker) was told that everyone under 7 years of service can expect cuts and possible lay offs shortly. All public service recruiters have been advised to be more selective when recruiting potential soldiers.

We can also expect a requirement for those who receive food stamps to go back to school (which means more money from where?) and a decrease in the eitc and credits for college students and low income homeowners.

I don't see a bright future ahead. In fact I see more babies murdered using the same guns that Republicans have worked to legalize. Do they really think people will care when they have lost everything who they will hurt after? I forsee dark times and tears from millions of Americans falling. I just hold my babies and let them know that they are always safe with me. No matter what happens.

[ATL Guy]

People like TheBigPicture never seize to amuse me. Sure get rid of the welfare state.....until you retire and realize that you are woefully unprepared to a live a life of destitution and poverty. But that's what all Republicans do. They rail against the government until they need it. Just like in North Carolina where the tornadoes ripped through and destroyed homes, etc. Suddenly the anti-government people had the feds on speed dial asking them to declare a federal disaster zone and send in money and relief. Sure we hate the government until we need the help ourselves. Be careful what you wish for and who you vote for because you will get what you're asking for. And it will be too late to turn back the clock because those Republican clowns will have moved on from public service to work for their corporate overlords as lobbyists, etc. And you will be left holding the bag.

[Brow Down]

It would hurt the poor, or would it hurt illegals? The reason why "county emergency rooms are overcrowded" is that half of the patients shouldn't be here anyway. This is why the state and the counties are going broke. Because half of the social programs are being used by illegals and their children. Take care of American born citizens (who's parents are here legally) first no matter what race they are. But instead of helping and treating illegals, just deport them. They always say "it would be impossible to round up and deport all the illegals in this country". Just have an Immigration/ICE office at every county E.R. WIC, Welfare office, and they will come to them. What kind of "free" social programs does India, China, Mexico, Central & South America, Caribbean, Africa and many other countries provide to Americans living in their countries?

[Jennifer]

If Medicare is considered welfare then why the hell do I have to pay into it to get nothing! I want my medicare back, no little snot nosed GOP is getting my cash.

[steve rodriguez]

That's a lie!!!

[aholee]

I am so surprised by this. Talk about death panels, there would be bodies everywhere. Hey lets cut some more taxes for the rich and pay for it with the money we take from poor. What a concept, I've never saw such compassion and love for their fellow man.

[Andy K]

Get an education, a good job, save your money, the welfare state is over.

[Andy]

ATL Guy's comments on TheBigPicture are exactly right. Look at all the (coincidentally) red states with all those natural disasters who need govt help when the floods, hurricanes and tornadoes come through. Look at all the red state farmers who want/get farm subsidies, and all those conservative oil companies who pay no taxes and want less regulation, yet still get subsidies as well (while posting record profits and paying no taxes). Geez, how much more do we need to get hit over the head?

[aldol]

GOP budget does not go far enough

[lipoaspiração não invasiva]

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