- Although conservatives in the House are trying their damnedest to dismantle all of the Affordable Care Act, the 26 states that decided not to take federal money for Medicaid expansion have already done a good job screwing people out of health insurance.
- And, the shutdown has played its own special role in the Medicaid mayhem, as D.C. Medicaid payments have ceased until the federal government reboots.
- (In truth, we need to thank the Supreme Court for this mess-they upheld the law, but left asneaky loophole for conservatives governors to stick it to the man, i.e. hurt their poorest residents.)
- According to a report in The New York Times, although only half of our nation's population is in these 26 states, 68 percent of the poorest black Americans and single mothers without insurance live there.
- "Among those excluded are about 435,000 cashiers, 341,000 cooks and 253,000 nurses' aides."
- In total, as many as 8 million Americans will be outside looking in on the new health-care benefits provided by the Affordable Care Act.
- The 24 states that are expanding coverage could see as many as 8.7 million new people enroll .
- As one janitor in Mississippi put it (all states in the South except Arkansas turned down the expansion money), "You got to be almost dead before you can get Medicaid in Mississippi."
- And in some of these states foregoing free cash to insure their residents, making less than $10,000 a year can be too much to qualify for Medicaid.
- In California, another man is planning to take advantage of his state's Medicaid expansion, and hopes the program will grow further. "I don't think Congress has a clue. Fifty-five-year-old people are falling apart. They can't swing a hammer till they're 70 or 80, like some congressman who sits at a desk and jaws."
- But, maybe we can hope that if the Affordable Care Act proves a political boon, Republicans will follow the example of GOP governors in blue states by giving in and learning to love the health-care legislation.
- How is the rest of the Obamacare rollout going? Over 4.7 million people have visited the site, but the White House has yet to reveal how many people have applied.
- Here's a behind-the-scenes look at how the website was built.
- And, despite the shutdown and politicking and website glitches, there is the not-so-slim possibility this whole experiment might just work out, and that everyone can forget what we were yelling about ten years down the road.
- We can hope.
Daily Meme: Shutdown or Not, Republicans Have Already Screwed Millions Out of Insurance
If you enjoyed this article, please consider making a tax-deductible donation today. For over 30 years, The American Prospect has delivered independent reporting that exposes corporate power, investigates political corruption, and analyzes threats to our democracy. Unlike many media outlets, we’re not owned by billionaires or corporations—we’re powered by readers like you.
Today’s independent journalism faces unprecedented challenges. Your support makes our reporting possible and keeps our work free and accessible to all. Whether it’s $5 or $50, every contribution helps sustain our nonprofit newsroom.
Join our community of supporters and make a donation today to help keep independent journalism thriving.
