Saturday, March 16, 2013

Maine's alcohol drinkers and 49 other states will pay off the state's Medicaid debt if both parties get their way.

By Associated Press at Boston Herald
AUGUSTA, Maine — Democrats and Republican Gov. Paul LePage moved closer this week toward an agreement on paying Maine's $484 million Medicaid debt to hospitals. But in his weekly radio address, LePage insists his plan is better, because it's simpler. The governor says the Democrats' plan is difficult to understand, full of legal jargon, budget gimmicks and empty promises. He would use a revenue bond of $186 million and federal matching funds of $298 million to pay off the debt. The bond would be paid with liquor revenues. ...continues here
 
You really don't have to read any further for its rather simple...both parties are pulling the wool over the taxpayer's eyes.
Democrats Plan:
The state should accept the federal dollars provided by the Affordable Care Act for Medicaid expansion. 

Republican Plan:
Use a revenue bond of $186 million and federal matching funds of $298 million to pay off the debt.  The bond would be paid with liquor revenues.
In either of the above cases it's your tax dollars that paying for the debt...except that alcohol drinkers would pay approximately 38% of the tab under the Republican plan. Just why drinkers are penalized is not explained.  And don't be fooled by the federal matching funds.   It's still your money!  The more important question here would be, "Why are other states forced to pay for one state's debt?"
The Democrats must be the drinkers in this scenario for why wouldn't they simply accept the Governor's plan... Must be they don't want to pay the liquor tax ya think? (Oh, that 'tax' word...just another name for revenue.)
Meanwhile the Democrat plan is not so unique for Democrats.  They would take federal dollars (repeat that important question here) provided by the Affordable Care Act... this leaves me with one final statement: 
"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me"
 
Submitted by Norman E. Hooben
 

No comments: