Exposing the Republican Party's Sleazy Playbook to Destroy Social Security | Alternet
"In one of its first actions, the Republican House of Representatives of the 114th Congress, changed its rules to manufacture a Social Security crisis."
2/12/15
Koch brothers killed Medicaid expansion in Tennessee, and they're coming for your state
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/09/1362832/-Koch-brothers-killed-Medicaid-expansion-in-Tennessee-and-they-re-coming-for-your-state#
"Those are just a few examples of the Koch brothers expanding the Republican civil war and making sure moderates are either stifled or drummed out. All the way from the presidential level, where they promise to spend $889 million over the next two years, down to city and state parties, the Kochs are taking over the Republican party. They own the entire party's database of voters, they own most of the Republican House and Senate, and now they're going to own the states.
Instead of the GOP it's now the KOP, the Kochs' Own Party."
"Those are just a few examples of the Koch brothers expanding the Republican civil war and making sure moderates are either stifled or drummed out. All the way from the presidential level, where they promise to spend $889 million over the next two years, down to city and state parties, the Kochs are taking over the Republican party. They own the entire party's database of voters, they own most of the Republican House and Senate, and now they're going to own the states.
Instead of the GOP it's now the KOP, the Kochs' Own Party."
Koch Cartel Blocking Medicaid Expansion, Denying Hundreds of Thousands Care | Alternet
Koch Cartel Blocking Medicaid Expansion, Denying Hundreds of Thousands Care | Alternet
"While it is not a surprise that the Republican war on Obamacare continues, it is new to see a handful of Republican governors push for Medicaid expansion while the GOP's Koch wing is essentially intimidating state lawmakers into voting no."
"While it is not a surprise that the Republican war on Obamacare continues, it is new to see a handful of Republican governors push for Medicaid expansion while the GOP's Koch wing is essentially intimidating state lawmakers into voting no."
Meet the Unusual Plaintiffs Behind the Supreme Court Case That Could Destroy Obamacare
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/02/king-burwell-supreme-court-obamacare
"Levy contended that Obamacare had caused many Americans to lose their insurance and for premiums to rise.
In fact, the percentage of uninsured Americans has fallen from 18 percent to 13.4 percent since the law took effect last year. And Obamacare has made health care more affordable than ever before. This especially holds true for Levy. She told me she faced monthly health care premiums of $1,500, which she attributed to health woes that have included two craniotomies and two hip replacements. "I've had some holes drilled in my head," she quipped. Levy hasn't checked out the plans she qualifies for under Obamacare, but a October 2013 affidavit filed by the government in King v. Burwell indicates that at that time she could have purchased a low-cost bronze plan on the federal exchange for $148 a month. Given this, it's unclear how Obamacare has caused her any real harm."
"Levy contended that Obamacare had caused many Americans to lose their insurance and for premiums to rise.
In fact, the percentage of uninsured Americans has fallen from 18 percent to 13.4 percent since the law took effect last year. And Obamacare has made health care more affordable than ever before. This especially holds true for Levy. She told me she faced monthly health care premiums of $1,500, which she attributed to health woes that have included two craniotomies and two hip replacements. "I've had some holes drilled in my head," she quipped. Levy hasn't checked out the plans she qualifies for under Obamacare, but a October 2013 affidavit filed by the government in King v. Burwell indicates that at that time she could have purchased a low-cost bronze plan on the federal exchange for $148 a month. Given this, it's unclear how Obamacare has caused her any real harm."
What Happens To Emergency Rooms When A State Doesn’t Expand Medicaid? Louisiana Is A Harrowing Example
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/02/07/what-happens-to-emergency-rooms-when-a-state-doesnt-expand-medicaid-louisiana-is-a-harrowing-example/
"Helping people shouldn’t be a conservative vs. liberal issue, but to Jindal, it clearly is. And his stubbornness, idiocy, and short-sightedness is putting the health of his state in danger."
"Helping people shouldn’t be a conservative vs. liberal issue, but to Jindal, it clearly is. And his stubbornness, idiocy, and short-sightedness is putting the health of his state in danger."
Exposed: The Republican Alternative To Obamacare Is Nothing More Than A ‘Cut and Paste’ Job (IMAGES)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/02/08/exposed-the-republican-alternative-to-obamacare-is-nothing-more-than-a-cut-and-paste-job-images/
"Obamacare has seen the number of uninsured Americans drop by between 10 and 12 million. Multiple pieces of research have also found that citizens with Obamacare are better off than they were without it; a survey from the Commonwealth Fund found that 60% of people who got new coverage on the marketplaces had used their insurance to pay for services—and 62% of that group said they could not have paid for such care previously. On top of this, according to figures from the Congressional Budget Office, the net result of the policy has seen healthcare costs reach a historic low."
"Obamacare has seen the number of uninsured Americans drop by between 10 and 12 million. Multiple pieces of research have also found that citizens with Obamacare are better off than they were without it; a survey from the Commonwealth Fund found that 60% of people who got new coverage on the marketplaces had used their insurance to pay for services—and 62% of that group said they could not have paid for such care previously. On top of this, according to figures from the Congressional Budget Office, the net result of the policy has seen healthcare costs reach a historic low."
GOP’s “pre-existing” lie: How to trick people into thinking you’re “replacing” Obamacare
GOP’s “pre-existing” lie: How to trick people into thinking you’re “replacing” Obamacare
"Authors of the “new” GOP healthcare reform plan are lying about its policy for people with pre-existing conditions"
"Authors of the “new” GOP healthcare reform plan are lying about its policy for people with pre-existing conditions"
Republicans combine their war on Obamacare with their war on women
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/06/1362776/-Republicans-combine-their-war-on-Obamacare-with-their-war-on-nbsp-women
"It's not just lady parts stuff in Obamacare that these Republican men want to go away, too. The so-called plan does away with the ban on insurance companies charging women more for coverage just because they're women. They want to make insurance more expensive for older Americans by allowing insurance companies to charge much more for older people than Obamacare allows, a cost that will hit women disproportionately higher."
"It's not just lady parts stuff in Obamacare that these Republican men want to go away, too. The so-called plan does away with the ban on insurance companies charging women more for coverage just because they're women. They want to make insurance more expensive for older Americans by allowing insurance companies to charge much more for older people than Obamacare allows, a cost that will hit women disproportionately higher."
2/9/15
Scott Walker's Sneak Attack On Senior Citizens
Scott Walker's Sneak Attack On Senior Citizens
"At least this shows that Walker isn't an ageist. He's willing to screw over anyone, no matter what stage of life they are in."
"At least this shows that Walker isn't an ageist. He's willing to screw over anyone, no matter what stage of life they are in."
2/6/15
Fox Anti-Obamacare Segment Goes Off The Rails When Guest Says He 'Didn't Have Healthcare Before'
Fox Anti-Obamacare Segment Goes Off The Rails When Guest Says He 'Didn't Have Healthcare Before'
"A Fox News interview that was presumably intended to bash President Barack Obama's healthcare reform law took a left turn on Sunday when the guest admitted that he could only afford insurance for the first time thanks to Obamacare."
"A Fox News interview that was presumably intended to bash President Barack Obama's healthcare reform law took a left turn on Sunday when the guest admitted that he could only afford insurance for the first time thanks to Obamacare."
1/19/15
Obamacare Has Reversed A Negative Trend. Researchers Call It ‘Remarkable.’
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2015/01/15/3611905/obamacare-medical-bills-commonwealth/
"Commonwealth’s findings, which also documented a drop in the number of Americans going without insurance, track closely with other surveys that have reported declines in the uninsured rate under Obamacare. The number of Americans without health care was reduced by about 25 percent last year, which means that between eight million and eleven million people have gained coverage."
"Commonwealth’s findings, which also documented a drop in the number of Americans going without insurance, track closely with other surveys that have reported declines in the uninsured rate under Obamacare. The number of Americans without health care was reduced by about 25 percent last year, which means that between eight million and eleven million people have gained coverage."
1/15/15
GOP House Budget Chair Tom Price Is Itching To Cut Social Security
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/01/13/gop-house-budget-chair-tom-price-itching-cut-social-security.html
"They are going after social security, and if you voted for them, your future suffering was self-inflicted."
"They are going after social security, and if you voted for them, your future suffering was self-inflicted."
1/14/15
The 80-Year Conservative War On Social Security Is Back For More
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/conservative-war-on-social-security-history
"Conservatives finally made their play for privatizing Social Security during the second Bush administration.
George W. Bush told conservatives in the midst of the 2000 campaign that Republicans "have to find a way to allow people to invest a percentage of their payroll tax in the capital markets" -- a new incarnation of the individual accounts or privatization concept.
But the GOP was getting sharper with its rhetoric. The libertarian Cato Institute renamed its existing Project on Social Security Privatization to the Project on Social Security Choice in 2002. The overall effect of the Bush-era proposals was the same, turning a guaranteed benefit into something else entirely, but they had figured out what they thought were better ways to talk about it.
"BANISH PRIVATIZATION FROM YOUR LEXICON," read a memo that Republican pollster Frank Luntz gave Bush during the 2004 campaign. But while Bush made Social Security a top priority at the onset of his second term and undertook a national tour to discuss the issue, those who support the traditional program rallied against it."
"Conservatives finally made their play for privatizing Social Security during the second Bush administration.
George W. Bush told conservatives in the midst of the 2000 campaign that Republicans "have to find a way to allow people to invest a percentage of their payroll tax in the capital markets" -- a new incarnation of the individual accounts or privatization concept.
But the GOP was getting sharper with its rhetoric. The libertarian Cato Institute renamed its existing Project on Social Security Privatization to the Project on Social Security Choice in 2002. The overall effect of the Bush-era proposals was the same, turning a guaranteed benefit into something else entirely, but they had figured out what they thought were better ways to talk about it.
"BANISH PRIVATIZATION FROM YOUR LEXICON," read a memo that Republican pollster Frank Luntz gave Bush during the 2004 campaign. But while Bush made Social Security a top priority at the onset of his second term and undertook a national tour to discuss the issue, those who support the traditional program rallied against it."
Obamacare had strong enrollments through January 1
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/09/1356665/-Obamacare-had-strong-enrollments-through-January-nbsp-1
"Obamacare enrollment for plans beginning January 1 has ended, but the exchanges remain open until February 15 for people who don't have coverage through their employers. But the January 1 deadline ended strong, with the government reporting nearly 6.6 million enrollments."
"Obamacare enrollment for plans beginning January 1 has ended, but the exchanges remain open until February 15 for people who don't have coverage through their employers. But the January 1 deadline ended strong, with the government reporting nearly 6.6 million enrollments."
1/12/15
Thanks To Obamacare, Uninsured Rates Hit Record Lows – Again
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/01/07/thanks-to-obamacare-uninsured-rates-hit-record-lows-again/
"Obamacare has accomplished (and will still accomplish) exactly what it was designed to do. I’m waiting for the Republican apology for all the wasted time on frivolous repeal attempts and mass lying to the American public."
"Obamacare has accomplished (and will still accomplish) exactly what it was designed to do. I’m waiting for the Republican apology for all the wasted time on frivolous repeal attempts and mass lying to the American public."
Scott Walker Completely Destroys GOP Obamacare Challenge
Scott Walker Completely Destroys GOP Obamacare Challenge
"He's no fan of the Affordable Care Act; indeed, he's a Kochhead and therefore wants to kill it and all those newly insured people with it.
Nevertheless, he has managed to destroy the central argument going before the United States Supreme Court intended to gut Obamacare."
"He's no fan of the Affordable Care Act; indeed, he's a Kochhead and therefore wants to kill it and all those newly insured people with it.
Nevertheless, he has managed to destroy the central argument going before the United States Supreme Court intended to gut Obamacare."
1/9/15
The Right Tries (and Fails) To Justify Its Assault On Social Security
The Right Tries (and Fails) To Justify Its Assault On Social Security
"Republicans moved to cut Social Security disability benefits by blocking a routine reallocation of funds. That’s bad enough, but their end game is even worse: broad Social Security cuts and the privatization of the entire program.
That would be bad for most Americans, but great for the people who finance the Republican Party – and think tanks like Heritage. There would be less pressure to increase taxes on billionaires. Wall Street would have more money under its control. And the far right’s antigovernment ideology would have claimed another scalp."
"Republicans moved to cut Social Security disability benefits by blocking a routine reallocation of funds. That’s bad enough, but their end game is even worse: broad Social Security cuts and the privatization of the entire program.
That would be bad for most Americans, but great for the people who finance the Republican Party – and think tanks like Heritage. There would be less pressure to increase taxes on billionaires. Wall Street would have more money under its control. And the far right’s antigovernment ideology would have claimed another scalp."
1/8/15
Republican Congress Launches With Back-Door Attack On Social Security Benefits
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2015/01/07/3608887/social-security-disability-reallocation/
"Republicans are starting the new Congress by attacking Social Security funding through a subtle, obscure policy measure buried in the gigantic bill that establishes parliamentary rules for the new session."
"Republicans are starting the new Congress by attacking Social Security funding through a subtle, obscure policy measure buried in the gigantic bill that establishes parliamentary rules for the new session."
GOP’s new attack on Social Security: Yet another result of government for the 1 percent
GOP’s new attack on Social Security: Yet another result of government for the 1 percent
"So if you’re scratching your head over why Republicans are so eager to attack a program as beloved by voters as Social Security, don’t. Just keep in mind that so long as American politics is dominated by the hyper-wealthy, the hopes and fears of regular voters only matter until the final ballot is cast."
"So if you’re scratching your head over why Republicans are so eager to attack a program as beloved by voters as Social Security, don’t. Just keep in mind that so long as American politics is dominated by the hyper-wealthy, the hopes and fears of regular voters only matter until the final ballot is cast."
1/7/15
'Hostage-Takers': Republicans Go After Social Security on Very First Day
'Hostage-Takers': Republicans Go After Social Security on Very First Day
"Advocacy groups like AARP and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare expressed outrage."
"Advocacy groups like AARP and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare expressed outrage."
New GOP Congress Launches First Missile At Social Security
New GOP Congress Launches First Missile At Social Security
"Here we go, folks! First stop, gutting Social Security. You knew it was coming, and Republicans just set out the carving knives."
"Here we go, folks! First stop, gutting Social Security. You knew it was coming, and Republicans just set out the carving knives."
GOP's New House Rules Set Stage For Social Security Cuts | Alternet
GOP's New House Rules Set Stage For Social Security Cuts | Alternet
"Republican opponents of Social Security have not wasted even a single day in their plan to dismantle Social Security brick by brick. What should be a dry, mundane exercise -- the adoption of new rules by the newly convening House of Representatives -- has turned into a stealth attack on America's working families."
"Republican opponents of Social Security have not wasted even a single day in their plan to dismantle Social Security brick by brick. What should be a dry, mundane exercise -- the adoption of new rules by the newly convening House of Representatives -- has turned into a stealth attack on America's working families."
1/6/15
Speaker John Boehner Confirms Republicans Will Target Obamacare Once Again
Speaker John Boehner Confirms Republicans Will Target Obamacare Once Again
"You’d think that after more than 50 times trying to repeal or defund the Affordable Care Act, perhaps Republicans would focus on doing something else. You know, maybe something like coming up with their own version of the road and jobs bill that Sen. Bernie Sanders intends to introduce in the new session of Congress – but no, it looks like we are going to see more fruitless attempts to take down Obamacare in any way possible."
"You’d think that after more than 50 times trying to repeal or defund the Affordable Care Act, perhaps Republicans would focus on doing something else. You know, maybe something like coming up with their own version of the road and jobs bill that Sen. Bernie Sanders intends to introduce in the new session of Congress – but no, it looks like we are going to see more fruitless attempts to take down Obamacare in any way possible."
1/1/15
Right-Wing Media's Catastrophic ACA Predictions Still Haven't Materialized
http://mediamatters.org/research/2014/12/27/right-wing-medias-catastrophic-aca-predictions/201959
"Conservative media issued catastrophic predictions and myths about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2014, despite ample evidence that the health care law is working."
"Conservative media issued catastrophic predictions and myths about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2014, despite ample evidence that the health care law is working."
12/31/14
The year in Obamacare
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/12/29/1353444/-The-year-in-nbsp-Obamacare
"The end of the year finds the uninsured rate 30 percent lower this year than in 2013. And healthcare spending grew slower in 2013 than it had in the past 53 years. Oh, and the law helped save 50,000 lives because it's made hospitals safer. Enrollments have outpaced expectations, and it looks like the uninsured rate could reach historic lows by the end of this enrollment period.
Twelve months of Obamacare show that, despite all the politics, the policy continues to work and work very, very well. But you won't hear that from the traditional media, because the political story is the only one they seem capable of reporting any more."
"The end of the year finds the uninsured rate 30 percent lower this year than in 2013. And healthcare spending grew slower in 2013 than it had in the past 53 years. Oh, and the law helped save 50,000 lives because it's made hospitals safer. Enrollments have outpaced expectations, and it looks like the uninsured rate could reach historic lows by the end of this enrollment period.
Twelve months of Obamacare show that, despite all the politics, the policy continues to work and work very, very well. But you won't hear that from the traditional media, because the political story is the only one they seem capable of reporting any more."
12/20/14
Sanders Slams GOP For Maneuvering to Slash Social Security and Medicare
Sanders Slams GOP For Maneuvering to Slash Social Security and Medicare
"U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Friday slammed the GOP for jockeying to slash Social Security and Medicare in the next Congress, denouncing the plan as a "moral outrage"."
"U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Friday slammed the GOP for jockeying to slash Social Security and Medicare in the next Congress, denouncing the plan as a "moral outrage"."
12/19/14
12/18/14
How Brownback Is Relying On O-Care To Close Kansas' Huge Budget Hole
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/kansas-budget-hole-brownback-obamacare
"Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback (R) is calling all hands on deck to fix his state's huge self-imposed budget crisis, which nearly cost him re-election this year, and the staunch conservative is now receiving an assist from an unlikely source: Obamacare."
"Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback (R) is calling all hands on deck to fix his state's huge self-imposed budget crisis, which nearly cost him re-election this year, and the staunch conservative is now receiving an assist from an unlikely source: Obamacare."
Sam Brownback, Obamacare’s newest patient: Why Kansas is undergoing a revolution
Sam Brownback, Obamacare’s newest patient: Why Kansas is undergoing a revolution
"But for now it’s full steam ahead for his radically conservative tax policy, which endures only because successful government programs like the Affordable Care Act are there to help subsidize Brownback’s economic fantasy."
"But for now it’s full steam ahead for his radically conservative tax policy, which endures only because successful government programs like the Affordable Care Act are there to help subsidize Brownback’s economic fantasy."
12/14/14
Obamacare rolls surging ahead of Dec. 15 deadline
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/12/11/1351104/-Obamacare-rolls-surging-ahead-of-Dec-15-deadline
"New enrollees must sign up by Dec. 15, while existing customers have until Feb. 15, 2015, to reenroll."
"New enrollees must sign up by Dec. 15, while existing customers have until Feb. 15, 2015, to reenroll."
12/10/14
America’s Most Accomplished Looters: The Great Pension Robbery
America’s Most Accomplished Looters: The Great Pension Robbery
"First they come for public pensions and no one notices. Then they come for private pensions. Will anyone stop them before they get to Social Security?"
"First they come for public pensions and no one notices. Then they come for private pensions. Will anyone stop them before they get to Social Security?"
12/5/14
PERRspectives: A Tale of Two Clinics
PERRspectives: A Tale of Two Clinics
"An analysis in Health Affairs estimated that by leaving millions uninsured, the Medicaid opt-out states could see between 7,000 and 17,000 of their residents needlessly die every year. But those reddest of red states are really being hit with a triple whammy. It's not just that "they'll pay $152 billion to extend the program in other states--while receiving nothing in return." The likes of Nathan Deal (R-GA), Bill Haslam (R-TN), Pat McCrory (R-NC) and other Republican governors will be forced to pick more of the tab for long struggling rural hospitals and clinics that disproportionately care for the poor."
"An analysis in Health Affairs estimated that by leaving millions uninsured, the Medicaid opt-out states could see between 7,000 and 17,000 of their residents needlessly die every year. But those reddest of red states are really being hit with a triple whammy. It's not just that "they'll pay $152 billion to extend the program in other states--while receiving nothing in return." The likes of Nathan Deal (R-GA), Bill Haslam (R-TN), Pat McCrory (R-NC) and other Republican governors will be forced to pick more of the tab for long struggling rural hospitals and clinics that disproportionately care for the poor."
Obamacare has another very, very good week
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/12/05/1349481/-Obamacare-has-another-very-very-good-week
"the good folks at the Kaiser Family Foundation released the results of their research into state marketplaces. They found that premiums under Obamacare are being held largely in check for 2015 thanks to the fact that lots of insurers have decided to join in, and are creating competition. As the law intended. That doesn't mean that health insurance premiums aren't still too high for a lot of people, particularly people whose wages aren't keeping up with the growth in healthcare inflation, but it is helping.
What does all of this tell us? That our healthcare system can be made to work better and more efficiently and can save more lives."
"the good folks at the Kaiser Family Foundation released the results of their research into state marketplaces. They found that premiums under Obamacare are being held largely in check for 2015 thanks to the fact that lots of insurers have decided to join in, and are creating competition. As the law intended. That doesn't mean that health insurance premiums aren't still too high for a lot of people, particularly people whose wages aren't keeping up with the growth in healthcare inflation, but it is helping.
What does all of this tell us? That our healthcare system can be made to work better and more efficiently and can save more lives."
Obamacare applications hit 1.5 million in first two weeks
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/12/04/1349334/-Obamacare-applications-hit-1-5-million-in-first-two-nbsp-weeks#
"The first deadline for signing up is December 15 for re-enrollees and new customers who want insurance beginning on January 1, 2015. New enrollments can continue until February 15, when open enrollment ends. People who have significant life changes—new jobs or job loss, marriage, divorce—that changes their health insurance status can sign up throughout the year."
"The first deadline for signing up is December 15 for re-enrollees and new customers who want insurance beginning on January 1, 2015. New enrollments can continue until February 15, when open enrollment ends. People who have significant life changes—new jobs or job loss, marriage, divorce—that changes their health insurance status can sign up throughout the year."
Missouri Bill Would Punish Insurers Who Participate In Obamacare
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/12/04/3599028/missouri-bill-would-punish-insurers-who-participate-in-obamacare/
"A bill introduced Monday by a Missouri lawmaker appears designed to terrorize insurers into no longer providing insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Should it be enacted, it could potentially impose crippling financial sanctions on any insurer who does sell Obamacare plans in Missouri. The bill closely tracks a proposal by a staffer at a conservative think tank who is heavily involved in efforts to push state lawmakers and the courts to undermine or even rewrite segments of the Affordable Care Act."
"A bill introduced Monday by a Missouri lawmaker appears designed to terrorize insurers into no longer providing insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Should it be enacted, it could potentially impose crippling financial sanctions on any insurer who does sell Obamacare plans in Missouri. The bill closely tracks a proposal by a staffer at a conservative think tank who is heavily involved in efforts to push state lawmakers and the courts to undermine or even rewrite segments of the Affordable Care Act."
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