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Category Archives: Healthcare

America, America…in 2020

19 Thursday Nov 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in Healthcare, social media, US Senate

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Chuck Grassley, Corona virus, COVID-19, Iowa, pandemic, social media, Twitter

Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley (r):

ChuckGrassley @ChuckGrassley
I remain symptom free & in isolation. I continue to feel good Thx for all the messages of encouragement & prayers
1:58 PM · Nov 18, 2020

Some of the responses:

I’m guessing you are getting the good stuff already. Sorry the two people who just died in my small Montana county and who probably voted R were not as lucky. How does it feel to chop those grasping hands off the lifeboat so you can survive? It it all you dreamed it to be?

Unfortunately, 246,000 Dead #American Families don’t feel so good that the republicans Politicians Mislead constitutes
Undermined Health Experts, COVID19 restrictive measures & enabling the deaths of thousands of more #Americans by not allowing the peaceful transition of power

While you are quarantining, spare a thought for the millions in increasingly dire straits without pandemic relief. Maybe look at the aerial footage of the shockingly long bread lines? Senators like you are their only hope at this point.

Trust me I didn’t send any good wishes or prayers

You’ve got to get back and do the peoples’ business of confirming unqualified judges and quacks to the Federal Reserve

Hope you get well soon. And that this experience informs you of the importance of passing a bill that enables people to stay home without undue financial hardship and that gives every medical facility and essential worker in the country what they need to be safe

Not going to happen.

Must be nice to still get a pay check while you’re in quarantine.

Good, but let’s not forget:

Days it took the GOP to confirm Amy Coney Barrett: 30

Days it took them to pass a $1,900,000,000,000 tax cut for the super-rich: 51

Days since they let expanded unemployment benefits expire for millions of Americans: 99 and counting…

You are complicit in the deaths of tens of thousands. How do you feel about that?

Happy for your family that you aren’t sick. However, how about the families of the 1,700+ Americans who died today? Anything you want to say to them? Besides sorry you didn’t get the same drugs……

Hope for you that this opens your eyes to go the route of caring for your planet and fellow humans vs always siding with greed and power.

Your maker knows the difference.

Nah. If he’s supposedly asymptomatic, I wouldn’t hold my breath for a change of heart. Plus as everyone else has mentioned, it’s super easy to act like covid is no sweat when you’ve got top quality socialized healthcare, exclusive drugs, unlimited PTO and a steady paycheck.

You are fortunate. No ventilator. No struggle to breathe. No family members who must watch you on facetime take your last breath. Perhaps you can show respect for those who wish they had your outcome by encouraging masks on the Senate floor.

How’s that socialized healthcare. I bet they even give you the good medicine. Good thing you’re not a meat packer, you would be forced to work w/o ppe. Relax and enjoy your checks on a regular basis.

It has to be said. But he doesn’t give one good goddamn.

And somehow he doesn’t get it that this is exactly why people should wear their masks. He is asymptomatic, so he has been spreading it to other people around him. What a monster.

Also free of compassion for the huddled masses yearning to breathe free or breathe at all lately

So what you’re saying is that everything is under control and republicans should continue to spread the virus and refuse to wear masks?

He’s shown us time and time again that he doesn’t care. He’s complicit in family separations, forced hysterectomies, and the spread of COVID—just to name a few.

You could have at least ended your tweet with, “Please, Wear a Mask!” But you guys can’t even do that.

No. He doesn’t care about people, just power.

You didn’t get one from me. Btw thanks for missing that vote yesterday. It gave us the opportunity to sink that Fed garbage you wanted installed.

You’ll be fine. Only the good die young.

We could have been like New Zealand.

Just imagine if you were quarantining and you were BROKE and had a couple of kids, with no hope in sight of help from the government who promised to protect you. Because two sides can’t figure out how to come together a lot of people are suffering. Glad to hear you’re fine, tho.

That DC strain obviously does not work on evil politicians. You lucked out.

Is it real yet or no?

Lucky you have socialized health care.

Now talk about the people you possibly infected.

Tots and pears. Tell your president to concede already.

I like the upbeat regular updates. Herman Cain did those too.

A grown man who down played the virus and the advise of scientist, now wants to thank you for your prayers and encouragement. Sorry you are not getting them from me. You are to blame for so many dying.

I think, people who are struggling to live should protest at Senators houses on Thanksgiving! Since they can’t pass a damn stimulus to help people, but, they can question social media CEO’s and confirm another judge

Grassley was last at the Capitol on Monday, when he spoke on the Senate floor. He made a brief speech about the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic, and he was not wearing a mask while he spoke.

Stay healthy while killing people, please! Remember: virus is a hoax, don’t pass expensive relief to those in dire need, save it for the 0.1 percenters, and come out of isolation since straining hospitals and endangering 1st responders is a personal choice. Freedom!

Possibly sarcasm.

Maybe Sherrod Brown had a point when he implored Senators to wear masks? Did you check with Ted Cruz?

Yep, 2020.

Judy Baker (D) on Healthcare

20 Sunday Sep 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in Healthcare, Missouri General Assembly, Missouri Senate

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Judy Baker, missouri

Judy Baker (D) [2020 file photo].

Judy Baker (D) has an ad on the air in the 19th Senate District:

In times like these every Missouri family needs good healthcare
at a price they can afford.

As the director of a major healthcare group I managed over six hundred doctors. I reduced cost and improved access to health care for mid-Missouri families.

I’m Judy Baker. As your senator I won’t take money from insurance or drug companies and I’ll never let them deny you healthcare because of a pre-existing condition.

Because when it comes to your family I’ll always be on your side.

Judy Baker (D) [2016 file photo].

Same vote, same state, same world, different takes

05 Wednesday Aug 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in Healthcare, social media

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

amendment 2, healthcare, initiative, Medicaid expansion, missouri, social media, Twitter

The initiative for Medicaid expansion in Missouri passed. Too damn close.

State of Missouri – Primary Election, August 04, 2020
Unofficial Results
as of 8/5/2020 6:34:43 AM

Constitutional Amendment No. 2 [Medicaid expansion] 3575 of 3575 Precincts Reported

YES 672,967 53.250%
NO 590,809 46.750%

Total Votes: 1,263,776

[emphasis added]

State of Missouri – Primary Election, August 04, 2020
Unofficial Results
as of 8/5/2020 7:21:08 AM

Constitutional Amendment No. 2 3575 of 3575 Precincts Reported

County YES NO

Boone 23,697 11,891
Clay 26,467 18,008
Greene 27,772 25,343
Jackson 41,233 25,528
Kansas City 49,350 6,938
Platte 12,567 7,810
St. Charles 40,363 38,171
St. Louis 181,501 67,906
St. Louis City 65,214 8,556

Iron 64 70

[emphasis added]

Different takes:

Blue Girl the Tenacious Teacher @BGinKC
Congratulations out-state sister-fuckers. Y’all wouldn’t vote to keep your local health centers open, you just figured you’d keep doing what you’ve been doing…coming to the city, showing up in the ER knowing we have to treat them because of EMTALA.

So we did it for you.
6:08 AM · Aug 5, 2020 from Kansas City, MO

Blue Girl grew up in rural Missouri, comes from a family with generations involved in farming, served in the military, and currently lives in Kansas City.

The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) was passed by the US Congress in 1986 as part of the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act (COBRA), much of which dealt with Medicare issues. The law’s initial intent was to ensure patient access to emergency medical care and to prevent the practice of patient dumping, in which uninsured patients were transferred, solely for financial reasons, from private to public hospitals without consideration of their medical condition or stability for the transfer….

And:

Lindsey Simmons @LynzforCongress
I’ve seen a lot of commentary from my fellow Missourians living in STL and KC discussing “rural Missouri voting against its interest.”

Here’s the thing.

Y’all have to stop talking about us like we’re stupid. You’ve got to leave your bubble + come stand with us.
6:11 AM · Aug 5, 2020

Lindsey Simmons grew up in rural Missouri, comes from a family with generations involved in farming, is the spouse of an individual currently serving active duty in the military, and lives in rural Missouri.

Lindsey Simmons is the Democratic Party nominee running in the 4th Congressional District.

Still, the vote on Amendment 2 was too damn close. Ya’ll.

Campaign Finance: on a mission for access to healthcare

23 Thursday Jul 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance, Healthcare

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

campaign finance, healthcare, imitiative, Medicaid expansion, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission for the initiative to expand Medicaid on the August primary ballot:

190918 07/23/2020 Missourians for Healthcare The Fairness Project 1342 Florida Ave NW Washington DC 20009 7/21/2020 $150,000.00

C190918 07/23/2020 Missourians for Healthcare North Fund 1101 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 450 Washington DC 20036 7/21/2020 $350,000.00

C190918 07/23/2020 Missourians for Healthcare American Heart Association 460 N Lindbergh St Louis MO 63141 7/22/2020 $22,924.13

C190918 07/23/2020 Missourians for Healthcare North Fund 1101 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 450 Washington DC 20036 7/22/2020 $19,000.00

[emphasis added]

They’re not taking prisoners…

Previously:

Campaign Finance: they’re serious (July 12, 2020)

Campaign Finance: singular focus (July 15, 2020)

Campaign Finance: serious and more serious (July 20, 2020)

Campaign Finance: consistent

13 Monday Jul 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance, Healthcare

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

campaign finance, healthcare, intiative, Medicaid expansion, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission, right wingnuts

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission for the right wingnut committee opposed to Medicaid expansion on the August 4th ballot:

C201344 07/13/2020 No on 2 in August Pelopidas, LLC 1034 S. Brentwood Blvd. Ste 1700 St Louis MO 63117 7/13/2020 $69,697.82

[emphasis added]

They’re consistent.

Campaign Finance: they’re serious

12 Sunday Jul 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance, Healthcare

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

campaign finance, healthcare, initiative, Medicaid expansion, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission

As should we all be.

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission for the committee supporting Medicaid expansion on the August 4, 2020 ballot:

C190918 07/12/2020 Missourians for Healthcare Missouri Hospital Association PO Box 60 Jefferson City MO 65102 7/10/2020 $16,538.00

C190918 07/12/2020 Missourians for Healthcare North Fund 1101 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 450 Washington DC 20036 7/10/2020 $88,000.00

C190918 07/12/2020 Missourians for Healthcare North Fund 1101 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 450 Washington DC 20036 7/10/2020 $1,500,000.00

[emphasis added]

Yep, they’re serious.

Campaign Finance: It’s not like you were expecting anything else

06 Monday Jul 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance, Healthcare

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

amendment 2, campaign finance, Medicaid expansion, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission, Pelopidas

Today at the Missouri Ethics Commission for the opposition to Medicaid expansion which is on the August primary ballot in Missouri:

201344 07/06/2020 No on 2 in August Pelopidas, LLC 1034 S. Brentwood Blvd. Ste 1700 St Louis MO 63117 7/6/2020 $18,982.26

[emphasis added]

Opposing access to health care. Fancy that.

It’s in their nature.

Medicaid Expansion in Missouri: petition signatures submitted – for the November ballot

01 Friday May 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in Healthcare

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

healthcare, initiative, Medicaid expansion, missouri

Today, from Healthcare for Missouri:

Healthcare for Missouri submits petition signatures to place Medicaid expansion vote on November ballot
May 01, 2020

At a time when access to healthcare is needed more than ever, a group of Missouri doctors and Medicaid expansion advocates on Friday submitted more than twice as many signatures from Missourians as required to put the initiative directly before voters in November.

If approved, Medicaid expansion will help keep rural hospitals open, deliver billions in economic stimulus, and help hundreds of thousands of hardworking Missourians, who have jobs that don’t come with insurance, get access to life-saving care.

That includes Missourians on the frontlines of the coronavirus outbreak, working essential, low-wage jobs in grocery stores, as delivery drivers, in nursing homes, hospitals and elsewhere.

They and others who would benefit fall into what is known as a coverage gap, often earning too much to qualify for Medicaid and too little to afford private insurance.

An estimated 230,000 state residents would benefit from expansion, with eligibility for individuals limited to those earning less than $18,000 a year.

Thanks to a strong, early start in fall 2019, the Healthcare for Missouri campaign and its volunteers were able to collect voter signatures before the coronavirus outbreak shut down public life in March, submitting to the Secretary of State’s Office petitions signed by nearly 350,000 Missourians. Roughly 172,000 verified and validated voter signatures are required to qualify for the November general election ballot.

“The need for Medicaid expansion was apparent before the outbreak and only becomes more critical as the pandemic continues. It’s time to help the workers hit hardest by this crisis and bring billions of our tax dollars home to create jobs once this outbreak is under control,” said campaign manager A.J. Bockelman.

Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, the campaign relied on a small contingent to turn in the nearly 300 boxes of petitions safely while maintaining social distancing, and did not invite volunteers to Jefferson City, Bockelman added.

Medicaid expansion leads to more financially stable homes by reducing medical debt, medical bankruptcies and the need to borrow money to pay household bills. Studies show that when parents have insurance, their children are more likely to as well.

“This truly can be a game-changer for my family and others like me facing a lack of healthcare coverage for ourselves and our loved ones,” said Victoria Altic, a Springfield mother in the coverage gap. “We need to change this, and I say this not just for my own family. We are already facing stress and financial hardship, and now with this COVID-19 pandemic, our anxiety is at an all-time high. The opportunity to expand Medicaid coverage can save lives.”

Qiana Thomason, president and CEO of Health Forward Foundation, a Kansas City-based nonprofit, called Missouri Medicaid expansion “a critical step in removing barriers to access to public healthcare.”

“COVID-19 has shown that the virus does not discriminate in who becomes infected, regardless of one’s socioeconomic status,” she said. “For that reason alone, health and wellness must be a priority for those most in need. No disparities must remain for mental and physical health and our organization stands with Healthcare for Missouri.”

The expansion of Medicaid in Missouri would also help counter the dearth of healthcare in rural Missouri. Ten rural hospitals in the state have closed in recent years according to the Missouri Hospital Association, giving our state one of the country’s highest such closure rates.

“Over the last several years, several rural hospitals in Missouri have shut their doors and forced residents to travel further distances to receive the proper medical care. In some cases, patients wait until it becomes a life or death situation before seeking emergency care,” said Todd Ahrens, CEO of Hannibal Regional Hospital. “Now with the spread of COVID-19, medical facilities throughout Missouri could face a surge of patients who need care, and in some cases, those patients may not have health insurance. Now, more than ever, uninsured patients in Missouri need Medicaid expansion.”

As literally hundreds of research studies of Medicaid expansion in other states show, Medicaid expansion also makes strong fiscal sense.

One such research study at Washington University in St. Louis shows that Medicaid expansion would save Missouri more than $1 billion by 2026 by bringing our tax dollars home from Washington and reducing many of the healthcare costs the state currently pays.

Thirty-six other states have already expanded Medicaid, including neighboring Arkansas, where officials reported using savings from the expansion of more than $400 million during the last three years alone to cut state income taxes and reduce payments previously allocated to the uninsured.

The Missouri border states of Illinois, Kentucky, Nebraska and Iowa have also opted for Medicaid expansion.

Every state that has expanded Medicaid has chosen to keep the program in place – in part due to its positive economic outcomes. In Michigan, for example, the billions of dollars returned to the state from Washington have generated nearly $800 million in new state and local revenues and saved the state more than $1 billion on mental health programs.

Beyond its many individual supporters, nearly 200 organizations have endorsed the Healthcare for Missouri campaign, with many more anticipated to sign on in the coming months.

The right wingnut controlled Missouri General Assembly will find some way to kill it.

Rep. Jason Smith (r): talk, talk, talk

24 Monday Feb 2020

Posted by Michael Bersin in Healthcare, social media

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

8th Congressional District, ACA, chutzpah, gaslighting, health care, Hypocrisy, Jason Smith, missouri, Obamacare, social media, Twitter

Chutzpah, too.

Rep. Jason Smith @RepJasonSmith
For our community, access to care isn’t just a talking point – it’s a matter of life or death. Last week, I continued my fight for rural healthcare and met with Director Carroll of the @ONDCP and @GovParsonMO for a roundtable in Cape Girardeau.
[….]
9:49 AM · Feb 24, 2020

Hypocrisy, they think it’s a good look.

The replies, as always, are priceless:

You have devoted your entire career, both in the Missouri General Assembly and in the Congress, to blocking healthcare for working people in your District. Besides the health effects, your actions have resulted in closed hospitals in your District.

you’ve been active in preventing access.

You want to protect folks with pre-existing conditions — but at a higher price for them. Currently the ACA which you oppose makes it illegal to consider pre-existing conditions in pricing. So you want to repeal the ACA to change that? Why? Keep your filthy hands off the ACA.

How about helping Missouri expand Medicaid to save rural hospitals. It was Gingrich’s and Heritage’s plan. Time to stop being stupid because of Obama. He’s done. You can try thinking with you own brain now. 36 states accept our federal expanded Medicaid dollars. And Gov. Pence.

You voted to kill my insurance.
#shuttheFupyouliar

Yes Jason, it can be life or death, but your voting record tells a different story than this talking point.

Oh please. You voted to take away healthcare from Missourians

Um… @RepJasonSmith voted against ACA – the exact opposite of which you are telling people today. What’s up with that?

Medicaid expansion would automatically cover 200,000 more Missouri residents and save us $100 million! The feds cover 90% of the cost. [….]

At this point you’re just punking us.

Getting scared, bro? Remember when you celebrated voting to repeal the ACA with no replacement? Yeah, I do. Y’all brought beer in to celebrate. You’ve been fighting to TAKE AWAY healthcare, you lying PoS.

Campaign Finance: expansion

28 Thursday Nov 2019

Posted by Michael Bersin in campaign finance, Healthcare

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

campaign finance, Medicaid expansion, missouri, Missouri Ethics Commission

Yesterday at the Missouri Ethics Commission:

C190918 11/27/2019 Missourians for Healthcare Community Treatment Inc 227 Main Street Festus MO 63028 11/25/2019 $12,500.00

C190918 11/27/2019 Missourians for Healthcare Missouri Primary Care Association 3325 Emerald Ln Jefferson City MO 65109 11/27/2019 $50,000.00

C190918 11/27/2019 Missourians for Healthcare Missouri Primary Care Association 3325 Emerald Ln Jefferson City MO 65109 11/27/2019 $25,000.00

[emphasis added]

They’re for Medicaid expansion in Missouri:

Missourians for Healthcare – Active
MECID: C190918
PO Box 144
Jefferson City MO, 65102
Committee Type: Campaign
Established Date: 7/26/2019
[….]
Supported/Opposed Ballot Measurer [sic]
Measure Election Date Subject Political Subdivision Support/Oppose
Medicaid Expansion 11/3/2020 Medicaid expansion Statewide Support

[emphasis added]

Alrighty then.

Previously:

Campaign Finance: The Healthcare (November 16, 2019)

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