Bredesen Predicts Even Larger Costs to Tennesseans
From Andy Sher at Chattanooga Times Free Press, we get some great information from Governor Bredesen. I am so appreciative of Governor Bredesen actually discussing the costs to Tennesseans. Thank you, Governor. In light of the attempts at a rush job for legislation that won’t even kick in until 2013, the discussion is right on target.
From Andy (and click over and you can hear the audio as well):
NASHVILLE — Gov. Phil Bredesen warned Tuesday that pending federal health care legislation could cost Tennessee far more than the $735 million “best estimate” his administration previously has cited.
The $735 million would stretch over five years, but “in addition, there are huge unknowns for the states in this reform,” Gov. Bredesen said, estimating that those costs, if realized, could exceed another $3 billion from 2014 to 2019.
The governor’s comments, made during a health care forum at Belmont University, came hours before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee approved a $829 billion health care overhaul sponsored by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont. The plan relies in part on state Medicaid programs such as TennCare to extend health insurance coverage to millions.
Also in the article, Tennessee Hospital Association Craig Becker calls the Baucus legislation a good step.
Craig Becker, president of the Tennessee Hospital Association, said that while the committee’s action on the Baucus bill is a “good step.”…
And some background on the Tennessee Hospital Association:
The New York Times picked up on the hospital angle when they reported on the Tennessee Hospital Association sees dollars in the Democrat plan.
In other words, the hospitals would give up $155 billion in cost cuts, but take in $171 billion in new money — a net gain of $16 billion.
What’s more, the Tennessee association notes that the deal delays most of the industry’s cost givebacks until the second half the agreement’s 10-year year period — well after the hospitals have enjoyed some of the benefits of the new money they’re expecting from expanded insurance coverage.
15 Comments so far
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This is such a great deal for the states that Harry Reid wants his state to be exempt from this fantastic plan. He doesn’t think his state can handle the financial strain. So right off the bat, we are all no longer equal under the law. We are only as equal as the aristocracy want us to be.
Then look at the deeper issue of these plans. If any plan that makes insurance mandatory is passed, it will be a federal plan to tax people just for existing. EXISTING!! Think about that. You can no longer claim ANY freedom or liberty when your very presence on the earth is subject to taxation through no actions of your own. It’s not like you made more money that someone else through your time, talents and abilities. Nay, nay. The only way that you can escape this little destructive bit of law is to commit suicide.
Or maybe we should just move to one of the 4 states that want to be exempt. Why can’t our state legislation and Governor make us exempt? Invoke the 10th Amendment! Tell Big Brother that we will not go quietly into that night. Rage, rage against the dying of that light, Governor Bredesen.
By BCB on 10.15.09 10:26 am
Bit by bit the opponents of our current healthcare rationing system are making the case for single-payer, the only system that will cure the illness.
By SemiPundit on 10.15.09 12:08 pm
[...] Another example was upwards of $100 billion that the Feds are presuming they can pass along to the States. Which was corroborated by candid statements from Gov. Bredesen. Terry Frank links to it at her place. terryfrank.net » Bredesen Predicts Even Larger Costs to Tennesseans [...]
By Tennesseefree.com » Ramming “reform” on 10.15.09 2:20 pm
Curious Semi. I see the case slowly unfolding for getting government out of health care entirely.
By Malcolm Tent on 10.16.09 9:13 am
“making the case for single-payer”…
So, states can’t afford the increased costs that will be forced upon them by BaucusCare without taxing the hell out of their residents. BaucusCare imposes huge tax hikes and fees on the paying segment under the new plan at the federal level too.
So let’s go single payer. The government pays for everything cradle to grave. Where does the money come from? Massive increased taxes, fees and massive cuts in out payments and services forcing severe rationing, lower QOS for EVERYONE. Sounds great. Where do we sign up to stab ourselves in the back?
This is a scheme to funnel 16% of the nation’s wealth through the hands of the federal government so it can rob the “trust me” funds leaving IOUs and increase the federal employee unions. The same type of plan they are cooking up for your 401(k) and IRA retirement funds because they believe government can do it better. BS, BS, BS!
By Pogo on 10.16.09 10:25 am
Where would the money come from? For starters it might have something to do with the hundreds of billions of dollars that are presently being spent on current insurance plans. Most opponents of single-payer conveniently leave out that fact when trying to make a case for the status quo. And, all too often, it goes right over the heads of those to whom the case is made.
Ultimately I don’t see any other way out, since insurance companies in their current incarnation cannot survive without denying coverage for preexisting conditions or by dropping people who get really sick.
By SemiPundit on 10.16.09 12:03 pm
Semi, why then are so many of the architects of this fiasco all talking about denying treatment to the elderly and infirm? That sounds more like rationing than what we currently have.
Then let’s look at the single payer system you seem to love. Certain things won’t be paid for with the new way of doing things. Whether its done thru private carriers or Big Brother there are immunities built in so that you can’t sue if something life saving is denied to YOUR loved one. Even if they die because of it. Is that better? And yet they won’t entertain tort reform.
Looking at what they are doing with Social Security this year I’m not sure that we want them to just cut the budget if people are sick or injured based on a revenue stream that isn’t producing up to expectations.
Then there are the fines imposed on the highest 10% of the doctors. It doesn’t matter what the reason those at the top will be fined. There isn’t a magic number to meet, you just have to charge less than your competition or suffer. Will that lead to an INCREASE of medicine practiced? If you need to go back in the hospital after your initial treatment, your doctor and hospital gets fined.
Semi, you of all people would be screaming from a rooftop if insurance companies were doing this or denying care to a PAYING customer, why can the govt get away with it and get your support? And don’t forget Semi, in just a few years, all plans will have to meet govt standards and therefore we will have no choice but accept the govt doctor selling us govt meds in a govt facility. Kinda like our govt run public schools that BHO won’t send his kids to, the politicians that are pushing for this won’t have their choices diminished one iota.
Good luck Semi and don’t get sick. Reisch will just sentence you to death for the cash savings.
By BCB on 10.16.09 1:08 pm
And here’s that Reich video link since you brought it up, BCB.
http://www.verumserum.com/?p=9040
By Terry on 10.17.09 6:37 am
Thank you ma’am.
By BCB on 10.17.09 7:00 am
And, if you are inclined to do so, you may listen to the entire speech, in context, here:
http://robertreich.blogspot.com/2009/10/more-desperation-from-right.html
It’s much better than Hannity’s and others’ versions which consist of the misleading excerpt which you cite.
No need to thank me.
By SemiPundit on 10.17.09 11:53 am
He claims to be speaking as if he were an honest and frank presidential candidate in a speech. I still think that from his point of view, letting people die is the answer for him.
I don’t recall him being against Hillary-care or speaking out against the rationing and fiscal constraints that BHO and crew are trying to put in place.
Yes, he is speaking hypothetically. But he really thinks it is the answer to our problems. Much like when I speak hypothetically when I want our politicians to do what is right for freedom, liberty and our country.
Of course, in truth adn not hypothetically, no politician will be as honest as Reich protrayed them and, judging from many in DC, not many will stand up for true freedom like I want.
By BCB on 10.17.09 9:31 pm
BCB, of course none of the polecats will be truthful. Look at the asinine statement by Baucus about the “complexity” of uploading the his bill to the I-net. But it doesn’t really matter what they post on the web. Reid and the crony lobbyists are going to write the Senate bill then call for a vote without any Senator given the chance to review it let alone the American public. The Maine congeniality twins, Snowe and Collins will once again jump at the chance to become the Senate bipartisan queens and darlings of the leftist media.
This is how it’s going to play out. The MSM will never report this to the American public. But the MSM will report that the GOP was obstructionist and the party of no.
By Pogo on 10.20.09 10:52 am
[...] terryfrank.net » Bredesen Predicts Even Larger Costs to Tennesseans Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Not a coincidenceHats off to Governor BredesenOink-oinkStudy of Adoption and Fostercare by Lesbians and Gay Men [...]
By The bottom line « Right Minded Online on 10.24.09 9:41 am
If Baucus and his staff are’nt smart enough to handle “new-fangled” equipment, maybe they could hire the guy that flaified the Bush military records? Just spitballin’ here. lol
By BCB on 10.25.09 9:48 am
For those of us that are typing challenged, “flaified” should have been FALSIFIED. I apologize for the inconvenience.
By BCB on 10.25.09 9:49 am
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