PERRspectives: Missouri Blocks Navigators for Obamacare, but Not Medicare

PERRspectives: Missouri Blocks Navigators for Obamacare, but Not Medicare
"The first numbers on the body count from the Republican sabotage of the Affordable Care Actare just now coming in. Last week, an analysis from Harvard's Theda Skocpol revealed that states that both set up their own health care exchanges and embraced the ACA's expansion of Medicaid are racing towards their enrollment goals, while the reddest of red states which refused to do either are barely moving the needle for their uninsured populations. Now, a George Washington University study shows that states that also passed laws limiting the ability of health care "navigators" to advise customers have severely compromised their residents' ability to gain access to health care."

STUDY: Steadfast GOP Refusal To Expand Medicaid Leaves 5 Million Poor Americans Without Health Care

STUDY: Steadfast GOP Refusal To Expand Medicaid Leaves 5 Million Poor Americans Without Health Care: Without Medicaid expansion, many Americans earning less than $11,500 per year won't get any assistance to purchase health care.

PERRspectives: GOP Blocks Health Insurance for 11 Million in 2014

PERRspectives: GOP Blocks Health Insurance for 11 Million in 2014
"As other studies have warned, the state-by-state numbers are shocking. In Texas, Governor Rick Perry denounced Obamacare Medicaid expansion as a "fool's errand." But his foolishness in opting out means an extra 1.9 million Texans will needlessly go without health insurance in state where 24 percent of all residents--and 30 percent between the ages of 18 and 64--lack coverage. In Florida, where the GOP legislature is rebuffing Republican Governor Rick Scott's choice to accept the windfall from Washington, another million residents will be left uncovered. (In contrast, over 300,000 more Arizonans will gain insurance, thanks to a rare showing of common sense by Governor Jan Brewer.) Next door neighbors Minnesota and Wisconsin provide another useful case study. While Democrat Mark Dayton will be cutting the ranks of the uninsured by almost half in his state, in Madison Republican Scott Walker is leaving an estimated 182,000 folks out in the cold."

State Participation in the Affordable Care Act's Expansion of Medicaid Eligibility

www.commonwealthfund.org/Maps-and-Data/Medicaid-Expansion-Map.aspx
"Check out our new interactive map showing which states are expanding, pursuing a customized expansion, or not expanding, and which states haven't yet decided whether to expand. "

PERRspectives: State-Run Exchanges Expand Blue States' Health Care Edge

PERRspectives: State-Run Exchanges Expand Blue States' Health Care Edge
"From the very beginning, one massive irony has loomed over the Obamacare debate. The elephant in the room? Health care is worst where Republicans poll best. From access to care and insurance coverage to the health of their residents, red states generally produce the most dismal rankings. And while Democratic-led states are now embracing the Affordable Care Act to bring new insurance options, lower premiums and improved customer service to blue state denizens, many GOP states are doing almost nothing at all."

PERRspectives: Meet the Real Death Panelists

PERRspectives: Meet the Real Death Panelists
"Every single Republican Representative and Senator voted against the Affordable Care Act before President Obama signed it into law in March 2010. Since January 2011, House Republicans have voted 40 times to repeal Obamacare. Were they to succeed, the GOP wouldn't just be preventing up to 30 million more people in the U.S. from obtaining health insurance."

In Some Deeply Red States, Figuring Out How To Enroll In Obamacare Is Like ‘Searching For A Unicorn’

In Some Deeply Red States, Figuring Out How To Enroll In Obamacare Is Like ‘Searching For A Unicorn’: Missouri's GOP-controlled legislature has enacted so many barriers to health reform, it may be too hard for uninsured residents to figure out how they can get coverage under Obamacare.

Ready, Get Set, Enroll! Catholic Health Association of the United States

Showdown In South Carolina Senate Could Rob Thousands Of Their Health Insurance

Showdown In South Carolina Senate Could Rob Thousands Of Their Health Insurance: A South Carolina bill intended to stick a finger in the eye of Obamacare is riddled with unconstitutional provisions that are likely to be struck down. In the mean time, however, it could massively disrupt the state’s insurance market, potentially stripping thousands of people of health insurance. We will know within 48 hours whether South [...]/p

States that rejected Medicaid also have most uninsured, poorest health

www.dailykos.com/story/2013/05/21/1210668/-States-that-rejected-Medicaid-also-have-most-uninsured-poorest-nbsp-health
"Sadly, the states that have the greatest need to expand Medicaid also have the Republican leaders who are refusing to participate. That's according to an analysis from the Los Angeles Times, which states health data to determine levels of coverage and overall health status in the states."

Kentucky Will Expand Medicaid Under Obamacare, Cutting Its Uninsured Population By More Than Half

Kentucky Will Expand Medicaid Under Obamacare, Cutting Its Uninsured Population By More Than Half: Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear (D) announced on Thursday that he would accept federal money to expand his state’s Medicaid program under Obamacare. That brings the total number of states participating in the optional expansion up to either 22 or 18 (plus the District of Columbia) — depending on the actions of some state legislatures that [...]/p

26,000 Uninsured Americans Died Prematurely In 2010 Because They Lacked Health Care

26,000 Uninsured Americans Died Prematurely In 2010 Because They Lacked Health Care: About 26,100 people between 25 and 64 died prematurely in the U.S. in 2010 because they lacked health insurance, according to a report by Families USA. That estimate is up from 20,350 in 2005 and 18,000 in 2000. The group based its findings on government data and a 2002 Institute of Medicine showing that people [...]/p

Study: Small Business Owners Support Obamacare

Study: Small Business Owners Support Obamacare: Throughout his campaign, Mitt Romney has continued to claim that the Affordable Care Act hurts small businesses. But a new study on small businesses contradicts Romney’s claims. Conducted by a business advocacy group, Small Business Majority, an opinion poll surveyed 800 businesses owners across the country. And the results show that over half of the [...]/p

NEW DATA: 6.6 Million Young Adults Insured Thanks To Obamacare

NEW DATA: 6.6 Million Young Adults Insured Thanks To Obamacare: Even though much of the Affordable Care Act does not go into effect until 2014, conservatives insist the bill is making things worse for Americans. But a new study shows that one implemented provision of the ACA is already providing millions of young Americans with health insurance. According to a study by the Commonwealth Fund, [...]/p

House Republicans having a hard time defending Ryan budget vote

House Republicans having a hard time defending Ryan budget vote
"Rep. Paul Ryan's budget and his kinder, gentler approach to ending Medicare as we know it is no more popular in 2012 than it was in 2011."

The Savage Arithmetic of the Pre-Existing Condition

The Savage Arithmetic of the Pre-Existing Condition
"Two years ago, Republican Mike Huckabee compared people with pre-existing conditions to houses that have already burned down. Just the other day on the Leno show, likely GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney voiced a very similar opinion.

They both have awesome health insurance.
 

Do you? Forever?"