Is The 'X Factor' Bloodbath Over?
BlackVoices History Quest: Augusta, Georgia
Seven of the states suing the Obama administration over its health care reform law are benefitting from monies provided under the new law.
Twenty states are suing because they say the law, which requires individuals to have health insurance, is an attempt by the federal government to overreach its authority.
However, seven of those states -- Arizona, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska and Nevada -- are also receiving money provided under the new law to cover health care costs of retired state employees, and six of the states are headed by Republican governors.
Maybe the heads of these states should listen to William Shakespeare, who said, "It is a good divine that follows his own instructions."
How hypocritical is it to sue regarding a law on one hand, while collecting money from that same law on the other?
Under the health care measure, the federal government provides funds to private corporations and state governments to help fund expensive retiree care.
Approximately half of Fortune 500 companies have expressed interest in the program, while 16 states have been approved to participate.
The AP writes:
As medical costs soared in the last 20 years, employers have dramatically scaled back retiree health coverage. The share of large companies providing the benefit dropped from 66 percent in 1988 to 29 percent last year. To try to hold off a steeper drop, the health care law provides $5 billion to help employers maintain coverage for early retirees age 55 and older but not yet eligible for Medicare.
The government subsidy amounts to 80 percent of medical claims between $15,000 and $90,000 – significant assistance to help cover high-cost retirees and eligible family members. Companies can use the federal money to lower their own costs, or pass on the savings to their retirees through lower premiums and reduced cost sharing. Firms that receive federal help have to formally notify their retirees that they've gotten a subsidy.
"In these tough economic times, it is difficult for employers to keep up with skyrocketing health care costs for employees and retirees," Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told the AP. The program "will make it a little easier for employers to provide high-quality health benefits to their retirees," she added.
If these states think the federal government is overreaching its authority, then they should just fund their own retiree health care costs. The law is designed to provide as many people as possible with health care coverage. Obviously, these states agree that this is an important goal.
This behavior reminds me of those in the Tea Party who criticize "government handouts," such as unemployment insurance and Social Security, but partake of those benefits themselves.
If we live long enough, we'll all wind up on government health care: It's called Medicare. That program is popular for a reason. I don't think most of the folks at these Tea Party events can afford to pay for the cost of a hip replacement or angioplasty out of pocket.
You can't have it both ways. If you think Social Security is a government handout, then maybe you should decline yours. And if unemployment is making people lazy, then maybe the industrious members of the Tea Party should not apply for it. And if health care reform is a bad idea, don't take money provided under the legislation.
Instead of pretending to restore honor to America, I wish some people would just cut the hypocrisy and restore honesty.
Comments: (9)
Add a comment
By: rightorwrong on 9/01/2010 4:03PM
what is wrong with people, the health care is law it will benefit rich and poor why are they doing this, it is so stupid, it makes not sense look at how boston has benefited from health care they can't tell me they don't want the same.
Is it because he is black?
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: jeromequigley on 9/01/2010 4:17PM
I could not agree more with the statement you made "rightorwrong"! The thing I don't get how people or others are sooooo against Health Care required for all, yet no one seems to have any legal issue with Auto Insurance being required(liability coverage that is)?? It is no different, except the health ins. would do a lot more for people that they can actually see the results!! These government Boobs are getting carried away with their games of trying to beat each other out! They have NO concept of the fact that their actions and games effect REAL PEOPLE!! We need to bond together and over throw these fools!
BTW: as I understand where you are coming from with your last statement, but it has nothing to do with it! I just cringe when peepz say things like that(again not meaning you personnally cause it seems you were being sincere). Cause it is all about the Reb vs the Dem. It would not of mattered if we had a white Dem in the office now or not. The Reb would still be land blasting him just like they have been with Prez Obama! Every time it's always, "They go after him cause he's black", and if Hillary got elected it would of been "They go after her cause she's a woman". So it would not matter, it's all just politicians playing games w/our lives by laying down rules that they do not have to live by!! But agree with you about all this being such BS! The Reb. are just making all these waves to make themselves look better for the 2012 elections!! So tired of all of it!!
Report This
By: rightorwrong on 9/01/2010 4:05PM
These stupid people don't even know what's good for them, the end game is they wanted to get all the glory but in the end when they can't do something themselves they would rather see you fail they don't care it's called resentment.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: BillSchrier on 9/01/2010 5:16PM
"You can't have it both ways. If you think Social Security is a government handout, then maybe you should decline yours."
What an idiotic, INCOMPLETE statement. I'd love to decline Social Security and Medicare --- JUST GIVE ME MY TAX MONEY I ALREADY PAID FOR THEM BACK. The states are saying the same thing, stupid.
Or, just stop charging me more taxes, I'd still come out ahead declining that crap. Those are socialistic redistribution programs, the kinds blacks love because they are the ones who get more benefits than taxes paid, while whites get much less in benefits than taxes paid.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: darrell eason on 9/02/2010 1:37AM
To Mr. Schrier, your argument is so weak, why make such blanket statements. Let me tell you something, I was in the Navy, worked for the Department of Defense negotiating large contracts. I made a lot of money, paid a lot of taxes, and now I am on disability due to an on the job injury. I don't feel guilty about receiving Social Security, and I am also a full time college student working on my Masters in Mental Health. Black people don't love handouts, we just want a fair shake like anyone else. And my wife also owned her business, so we paid mad taxes, and I am not saying that I mind. I like what Myrna Loy said, "It is a privilege to pay taxes, when this country has given so much".
Report This
By: Alie on 9/02/2010 9:40AM
really how come you have more middle class signing on social security not fogetting trailer parks like yourself, why did roosvelt sign upto to social security and called it social security card, you don't even know what your talking about! then you call us socialist you idiot!
Report This
By: gerald on 9/01/2010 8:50PM
Socialist liberal pigs think they know whats good for everyone,Im so tired of this regime.They keep people dependent on the government with their social programs.Dummy down the people is their way.People open your eyes before its to late and when it hits you it will be to late.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: ying on 9/09/2010 2:41AM
This summer you can choose [URL=http://www.shoppingchristianlouboutin.com/]Christian louboutin[/URL] wedges. A pair of beautiful cheap Christian Louboutin wedges can keep you feeling effortlessly fabulous every day this summer. These can be matched with c
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: jonesmaira on 11/25/2010 12:15AM
Assuming it passes? it would vary by state and income level. The only state where this exists is Massachusetts.
http://superprobiotic.net
Reply to this Comment | Report This