Unlike eight of his fellow Republican Governors who have put the interests of their residents ahead of party politics, Governor Sean Parnell is refusing to accept federal funds for expanding Medicaid to 37,000 needy Alaskans.
Although no fan of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, Governor Chris Christie from New Jersey explains his decision to accept the Medicaid expansion in typical blunt language: “It is now the law of the land, and I will make all my judgments as governor based on what I believe is best for New Jersey.”
Governor Scott from Florida explained his rationale in an op-ed entitled, “A Republican Governor’s Rationale for Expanding Medicaid.” Here is the essence of his argument: “To be clear — our options are either having Floridians pay to fund this program in other states while denying health care to our citizens or using federal funding to help some of the poorest in our state with the Medicaid program as we explore other health care reforms.”
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer said of her decision to expand Medicaid: “With this move, we will secure a federal revenue stream to cover the costs of the uninsured who already show up in our doctor’s offices and emergency rooms … Weigh the evidence and do the math. With the realities facing us, taking advantage of this federal assistance is the strategic way to reduce Medicaid pressure on the state budget.”
Did Governor Parnell do the math or just resort back to ideology for rejecting an expansion to be paid 100 percent for the first three years and 90 percent thereafter? According to the March 1 story in the Juneau Empire, Governor Parnell believes the dysfunction in Congress and the fiscal mess of going from ‘fiscal cliff’ to ‘sequester’ makes it too risky for the State to go forward with an expansion of Medicaid. He feels this way even though Medicaid is largely shielded from the sequestration cuts and the total cost to cover these uninsured once the federal government pays 90 percent instead of 100 percent would be $149 million up to the year 2022 according to the non-partisan Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
This additional is just 3.4 percent more than what Alaska would have spent on Medicaid in the absence of the ACA. This is a paltry amount when the Governor proposes a total budget of $12.8 billion for 2014. If the governor is so concerned about the uncertainty of federal funds in today’s political climate that he can’t risk such an inconsequential costs for including more Alaskans into Medicaid, then how does he square submitting a state budget that relies on receiving $2.9 billion from the federal government?
The hypocrisy does not end there. Governor Parnell noted in his press conference, “With Washington broken and broke, it just seems to me that Alaska has got to take care of ourselves and work smarter to secure its own future.” So is the governor proposing some alternative means for taking care of Alaska’s uninsured that show up in our emergency rooms? No. Instead, the only plan to take care of ourselves is for highly profitable oil companies to receive billions in tax breaks.
Rather than follow the lead of other Republican governors who are doing the math and then setting aside their conservative ideology for the good of their citizens, Governor Parnell appears to be on a course to establish himself as one of the nation’s most extreme right-wing Governors. And the logic he uses in justifying his decisions is full of inconsistencies. There is no even hand in the application of his fiscal principles.
For example, if you’re a school district struggling to maintain proven programs at increasing graduation rates above 70 percent, he wants more results before increasing the base student allowance for the first time in three years. But if you’re a big oil company, you don’t even have to commit to increased production before you get to fatten your profit margin. If the project is a ferry that has a cost overrun, it gets drastically altered. But if the project is a road or airport with cost overruns — no problem. It will routinely get adjusted for within DOT’s overall budget. Now we have one more casualty of Governor Parnell’s skewed, favoritism-driven application of conservative principles… 37,000 uninsured Alaskans.
• Troll is a long-time Alaskan with more than 22 years of experience in fisheries, coastal policy and energy policy. She resides in Douglas.
Comments (48)
Add commentThank you Gov. for not
Thank you Gov. for not rewarding the Moochers.
Governor Parnell chooses respect...
For oil company CEOs, not for poor mothers trying to raise children.
Sean Parnell has not gone one day in his life without health insurance coverage. Nor has his family. Think about that.
Go Sean Go!!!
We have to get off the Federal tit. This is a good place to start. I have been to the public housing on many occasions. What I find there, for the most part, is a class of people that know how to game the system. Just yesterday several young ladies ( I assume the best of people and let them prove me wrong) smoking. I make good money and I can't afford to smoke. What is it now $8.00 per pack? Times 30 days is over $300.00 per month. And then I am suppose to subsidize their health care with Medicaid. I think not!
Kate Troll, if you want to donate your money to pay for this program , please do. But don't demand that the rest of us put our hard earned, taxed and shrinking money into what many of us see as a bunch of freeloaders too lazy to work an honest job and earn a living the old fashioned way.
You seem to want the 99% thinking group, that pay little to nothing into the system, to get yet another incentive to stay on the public tit. I say it is time to ween them.
Parnell needs to go pray
He needs to ask what Jesus would do, since he refuses to listen to any mere mortal on the subject.
"rewarding the moochers..."
already done.
AK + most fed dollars recieved + least paid in = MOOCHERS
PFD = state welfare check.
liv'in large in the king of nanny states
Remember,
Federal revenue comes with heavy chains attached. The state is always better off to refuse it when possible!
Thank you...
Thank you Gov. Parnell. All accepting federal dollars ever does is eliminates the need for state government and creates a need for federalism. Once money is accepted, the federal government has the power to remove that money at any time. And since they can print unlimited paper, we are powerless to do anything about it. Highway funding for a 21-year drinking age. Highway funding for speed limits. They can do this with anything. The federal printing press has all but eliminated the 10th Amendment which secure states rights.
Honestly, if Alaska were to decide to break off from the United States, I would fully support it. For now, I'll accept that at least we're not accepting bribes from the King, selling our souls in the process.
Thank you Parnell. Now start cutting the rope between the feds and Alaska.
"start cutting the rope between the feds and Alaska"
ok. lets start with shutting down all the miltitary bases. send them all to some fed loving state on the East coast. I am sure the local AK community will be greatful to seem them go. Next lets get rid of any VA stream of revenue and shut down any federally funded VA facility. send the vets to some warmer state, they are no longer productive anyway. Ok, what next, air traffic controllers and funding gone, certainly anything to do with the EPA, NOAA, TSA or BIA. That is a godd start. Right?
kate
were does it stop? When everyone has a chicken in every pot, the feds paying for the pot, the fuel to cook it & a warm fed housing to cook it in paid by to so called 1%ers?
Send9line
As a veteran, a former employee of both the FAA and US Forest Service with parents retired from the BLM and Forest Service, I won't be heartbroken to see them all go. The state has the ability to run itself and the people have the skill and the state has the resources.
The only reason the US dollar has any value is because people believe the worthless paper is worth something. We, as states, aren't able to print money. We are held hostage by the US dollar. And when other countries decide not to recognize the paper, with nothing to back the paper, it will simply be firestarter...
If the State of Alaska decided to make its own dollar and utilize its resources responsibly, we would survive just fine with our own laws and beliefs. We wouldn't crumble without the feds, we would be stronger.
Gov Parnell did the right
Gov Parnell did the right thing. There is a heavy cost to the State later if we accepted the federal money and we simply can't afford it.
"we would be stronger"
exactley right. given that AK feeds from fed trough more than any other state by a large measure, what other outcome other than "stronger" would be possible. i really like your idea about printing AK money. we could call them Moose Dollars or something very AK. of course we would not be able spend them anywhere but AK. might be a problem if we need to buy back 90% of the land in present AK owned by the feds. otherwise AK would end being smaller than RI. keep the good ideas coming
Governing by Ideology and Voting
Governor Parnell governs by his ideologies. When you govern by ideologies you tend to leave certain groups out. What percentage of the people who this expanded program covers voted and how many of them voted for Governor Parnell?
This population has a low voter turnout and there is little political incentive to expand services because they don't vote. They are not going to vote for or against you. If this group of people wants to have to receive expanded coverage they need to get out and vote. The Republican Party ignored Latino voters in 2008 and lost partly for this reason. In 2012 they reached out to the Latinos because they recognized the importance of this voting bloc. If the poorer populations get out and vote they will have to be heard by their legislators but if they don’t they will continue to be ignored.
You take care of your flock first and if you have enough left over you can share some of the pie; there is little pie for those who don't vote.
Send9line
FYI, the feds DON'T OWN any part of Alaska. Just because the land is managed, unconstitutionally I might add, by the feds, doesn't mean they own it. The federal government is only even allowed to be here at out pleasure! Amendment 10 gives us control of our lands and Article I, Secion 8 doesn't even give them the right to EITHER OWN or MANAGE our lands. In fact, no part of the Constitution gives them that right! Are you really that misled to think the feds actually own land??? They are managers of the land, failed managers at that...
When did Alaska sell it's land to the feds? OMG, that statement just shows how pathetically ignorant some people are!
Yes, our federal government owns our land, our souls too??? Really? Holy bajezussss!
If we did have our own dollar, backed by our resources, it would be more valuable than the US dollar! Also, if one state went, others would follow. If they didn't, we have plenty of trade options. There are countries out there in need or the resources we have.
Owned by the feds, we would have a worthless dollar. Are you the Persnickety with a new screen name? Sure sounds like something a socialist/federalist would say! Opposing common sense by stretching truth and using ignorance...
Cons of accepting fed paper $$$
1. Medicaid $$$ to the states to cover expansion are 100% for first 4 yrs, BUT the administration of this free $$$ is states' burden and it amounts to 10s even 100s of million $$$;
2. No one knows the bottom line how ACA will shake out. It passed in 2010, and we're still finding warts & surprises;
3. feds can yank these expansion $$$ at any time. Feds do not know how to reign in spending. Sooner or later, the bottom will fall out and entitlements will be cut...
4. but states will still be committed to admin for medicaid expansion of 2013. They would have $$$ committed to hollow program that supports nothing;
5. has Obama administration given any cause to trust that they are fiscally conscience?
well . . .
you sure are being a bit "persnickety."
By the way whats in a screen name? send9line is an action command for a particuliar message in a live fire combat theater. when a soldier (or other person) is wounded and a medivac is requested they need very specifc to render assisstance, 9 lines of info to be exact. hence send9line.
as a veteran i am sure you knew this
Two faced politicians
like Parnell continue to balk at some federal dollars while accepting other federal funds. Parnell and these others use some claim that the feds could stop funding the program they do not chose to accept. However, in truth funding for any federal program could simply end. So claiming one program could get cut while not admitting funding for the other can be ended is true two faced political speak.
October 18, 1867
...The US purchased Alaska from Russia.
Doesn't matter...
Doesn't matter if the feds spent money to purchase Alaska, show me in the Constitution where that removes our rights as a sovereign state? Just because they bought the land doesn't remove our rights as citizens or as a state.
Moochers?
Seems to me the people trying to mooch the most are the oil companies, cruise industry and mining companies.
Look in the phone book to find a lobbyist for the poor, elderly or single mothers. What, couldn't find one?
Alaska is becoming a colony and Parnell is the appointed Colonial governor. All the talk about state's sovereignty is a joke. We are owned by big business.
Send9line
As another who took an oath, I suggest you review the Constitution and maybe try to understand it this time... To protect and defend isn't to protect and defend the paper, it's to protect the rights of the people and their states. The Constitution limits government, it doesn't give it the right to do whatever they choose to do. That would be tyranny...
Gee lets see, Alaska is the
Gee lets see, Alaska is the largest recipient of federal funds, and we are looking at having to cut major stuff because we cant afford it. How would cutting all federal funds make us stronger? I get the saber rattling, but those pesky facts keep sneaking in...
Comments
I agree with many here, especially bfranklin and AKjustice. I endorse Governor Parnell's decision. I am proud he made it.
I read the Constitution the way wren reads it. As a matter of fact, I don't see how anyone can interpret those words (in the Constitution) in any other way.
The federal government is crooked, plain and simple. While I dislike the Obama administration most of all, I didn't trust the federal government earlier just because a Republican was in the White House. Even when I disagree with Governor Parnell I know he is an honest man.
Like the article...
and agree. Wren, I find your successionist rhetoric offensive. We are part and parcel of the US - if you don't like it, get the hell out (PS - Ya don't get to take the state with ya.) This is indicative of the serious and complete disconnect in the GOP. Some of their proponents persist on talking absolute crazy-flippin nuts sh * t . And, as long as the crazy continues, the GOP will continue to be also-rans...except in Alaska that is... We're always last to pick up the trends! But serious trend it is. Keep snoozin GOP!
wolfmagic2012
Disconnect, really? Democratic-Republican Party founded under Jefferson and Madison to fight Federalist Party. The fundamental word in Republican being Republic. The disconnect is the Republican Party acting like Federalists, and the Democrats acting like Socialists.
This country was not founded under a tyranical federal government, it was founded under the belief states could self-govern and the feds would ensure the rights of the people and states under the Constitution.
Now the Republican Party is no better than the Democratic one.
Who is going to pay?
You are going to pay. When you go for medical treatment you will be paying higher costs to cover those that can't pay. Thank you Sean.
37,000 people going to the ER
So instead we have 37,000 people going to the ER instead of a doctor.
Parnell just forced 37,000 people to go to the most expensive place for medical care where they will be unable to pay for it.
Who ends up paying for the people that do not have health care? First the hospital with the ER eats the costs. They fold that into their charges for the next year. People with insurance then get charged a higher rate for the hospitals' services which then get billed to the insurance companies. The insurance companies then either deny the claim-above customary rate-or pay it but then charge the consumer more the next year for their insurance.
Basically all Parnell did with this is put more money in the hands of insurance companies while forcing poor people to get the most expensive health care without any long term care.
Denying long term health care to 37,000 Alaskans is going to kill a large portion of them. Blood is on his hands.
SHAMEFUL
"We the People of the United
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
I guess keeping the poor sick and in debt for medical bills keeps them down, helping "insure domestic Tranquility."
Not sure how that fits in with promting general Welfare or how one can be secure in Liberty when working to pay debts for a health issue.
But hey. Jesus would have screwed the poor, right? Screwing the poor and the least among us is the basis of Christian thought, right? And Jesus wrote the Constitution, right?
Governor Parnell chooses respect.
For oil company CEOs, not for poor mothers trying to raise children.
Sean Parnell has not gone one day in his life without health insurance coverage. Nor has his family. Think about that
Governor Parnell chooses respect.
For oil company CEOs, not for poor mothers trying to raise children.
Sean Parnell has not gone one day in his life without health insurance coverage. Nor has his family. Think about that