Mark Meckler’s Take on Medicaid Expansion

Hello all,

The following was a letter from Mark Meckler.  Please review and comment .. . and most importantly, pick out the key points that mean the most to you and immediately send emails and make phone calls to your state legislators!

To Tea Partiers across Florida:

From my perspective it’s very simple.

1.  Tea Partiers put principle before politics.  One of the core principles of tea partiers is fiscal responsibility.  As tea partiers, our job is to stand on principles, not be convinced by the politics of the moment.  Expanding huge, inefficient, bloated, government programs for which our federal government must borrow 43 cents of every dollar spent is hardly fiscally conservative.  In fact, supporting such a program expansion would be the antithesis of what the movement stands for.

2.  The best conservative Governor’s in the nation are opposing the expansion of Medicaid.  Gov. Scott Walker, Gov. Rick Perry, Gov. Bobby Jindal, Gov. Nikki Haley, etc.  When the leading conservative Governors in the nation are rejecting the program, it’s hard to see how tea partiers could think accepting it is a good thing.

3.  Four Important Points about the proposed Medicaid expansion that everyone should know:

Four Important Points About Medicaid Expansion

A.  Support for Medicaid Expansion is Support for Obamacare.  If your tea party group supports the expansion of Medicaid, it is a major statement in support of Obamacare.  One of the major provisions of Obamacare was the expansion of Medicaid, which is intended to dramatically increase the number of people dependent on the federal government.  The rejection of the Medicaid expansion, which states were given the right to do by the Supreme Court in the only conservative victory on Obamacare, is one of the few tools remaining to help prevent Obamacare from swallowing the nation.

B.  The Medicaid Expansion is a Fiscal Nuclear Time Bomb.  Medicaid is a fiscal time bomb; today, states and the federal government jointly fund the program, but over time, Congress is almost certain to curtail its support due to Washington’s fiscal pressures.

C.  The Medicaid Expansion Drives the Cost of Insurance Up for Everyone Else.  Medicaid drives up the cost of insurance for everyone else, because hospitals overcharge people with private insurance to make up for the fact that they’re underpaid by Medicaid.

 

D.  Medicaid is a Broken Program Providing Terrible Health Outcomes.  Medicaid provides the worst health outcomes of any insurance plan in America; in many cases, it’s worse than having no coverage at all.

To me, it’s not even a close call for tea partiers.  If we won’t do our best to hold the line here…we should just fold up our tea party tents and go home.  It is impossible for fiscal conservatives to support the expansion of a bloated, broken federal program that borrows 43% of every dollar spent, and still consider ourselves principled fiscal conservatives.  If we support (or don’t vociferously oppose) the expansion of Medicaid, then the criticism sometimes leveled at us that we are willing to cut, but not when those cuts affect us, is true.  Are we Democrat-lite, or are we true fiscal conservatives who will stand on principle?  In Florida, the time to make that decision is now.

Below you will find a summary of where each state currently stands (as of Feb. 20) on the proposed expansion.

 

Where each state stands on ACA’s Medicaid expansion

A roundup of what each state’s leadership has said about their Medicaid plans

Topics: Health Care Reform, Market Trends, Strategy, Medicaid, Reimbursement, Finance

February 20, 2013

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Text last updated on Feb. 20, 2013, at 5:30 p.m. ET

The Supreme Court’s ruling on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) allowed states to opt out of the law’s Medicaid expansion, leaving each state’s decision to participate in the hands of the nation’s governors and state leaders.

Based on lawmakers’ statements, press releases, and media coverage, the Daily Briefing and American Health Line editorial teams have rounded up where each state currently stands on the expansion.

We will continue to update this map and list as more information becomes available. Send us news, tips, and feedback by commenting below or emailing dailybriefing@advisory.com.

* indicates a state’s participation in the multistate lawsuit against ACA

NOT PARTICIPATING (13 states)

  • Alabama*: Gov. Robert Bentley (R) on Nov. 13 announced that Alabama will not participate in the Medicaid expansion “because we simply cannot afford it” (Gadsden Times, 11/13; Lyman,Montgomery Advertiser, 11/13).
  • Georgia*: Gov. Nathan Deal (R) in an Atlanta Journal-Constitution/Politico/11 Alive interview on Aug. 28 said, “No, I do not have any intentions of expanding Medicaid,” adding, “I think that is something our state cannot afford.” When asked about the insurance exchanges, Deal said “we do have a time frame for making the decision on that I think, especially on the exchanges,” adding that “we have just a few days after the election in order to make a final determination on that” (Wingfield, “Kyle Wingfield,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 8/28).
  • Idaho*: Gov. C.L. Otter (R) in his 2013 State of the State address delivered on Jan. 7 said that while “there is broad agreement that the existing Medicaid program is broken,” the state “face[s] no immediate federal deadline” to address the situation. He added, “We have time to do this right … [s]o I’m seeking no expansion of” the program. Otter said he’s instructed the state Health and Welfare director to “flesh out a plan” that focuses on potential costs, savings and economic impact, which he plans to introduce in 2014 (Ritter Saunders, Boise State Public Radio, 1/7; Young, Huffington Post, 1/7; Petcash, KTVB, 1/7).
  • Louisiana*: Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) in an NBC “Meet the Press” interview on July 1 said, “Every governor’s got two critical decisions to make. One is do we set up these exchanges? And, secondly, do we expand Medicaid? And, no, in Louisiana, we’re not doing either one of those things.” However, state Sen. Karen Carter Peterson (D) and other Democratic leaders after the Nov. 6 election urged Jindal to reconsider his opposition or the state will not be forced to accept a “one-size-fits-all” plan, CBC News “Money Watch” reports (Barrow, New Orleans Times-Picayune, 7/2; “Money Watch,” CBS News, 11/9).
  • Maine*: Gov. Paul LePage (R) on Nov. 16 said that Maine will not participate in the Medicaid expansion. He called the expansion and the state-based insurance exchanges a “degradation of our nation’s premier health care system” (Mistler, Kennebec Journal, 11/16).
  • Mississippi*: Gov. Phil Bryant (R) on Nov. 7 said Mississippi will not participate in the Medicaid expansion, reiterating previous statements that he had made about the ACA provision (Pender/Hall, Jackson Clarion-Ledger, 11/7).
  • North Carolina: Gov. Pat McCrory (R) on Feb. 12 announced that his state will not expand Medicaid or establish its own health insurance marketplace under the Affordable Care Act. McCrory said state officials conducted a comprehensive analysis to determine the advantages and disadvantages of expanding Medicaid and the right type of exchange option in the state, and concluded that it is “abundantly clear that North Carolina is not ready to expand the Medicaid system and that we should utilize a federal exchange.” He said the review included discussions with other governors, White House officials, health care providers, and leaders in the state Legislature (AP/Myrtle Beach Sun News, 2/12; Binker/Burns, “@NCCapitol,” WRAL, 2/12; Cornatzer, Raleigh News & Observer, 2/12).
  • Oklahoma: Gov. Mary Fallin (R) on Nov. 19 said Oklahoma will not participate in the Medicaid expansion. “Oklahoma will not be participating in the Obama Administration’s proposed expansion of Medicaid,” she said in a statement. She noted that the program would cost the state as much as $475 million over the next eight years (Greene, Tulsa World, 11/19).
  • Pennsylvania*: Gov. Tom Corbett (R) on Feb. 5 sent a letter to HHS saying he “cannot recommend a dramatic Medicaid expansion” in Pennsylvania because “it would be financially unsustainable for Pennsylvania taxpayers.” He noted that the expansion would necessitate “a large tax increase on Pennsylvania families” (Tolland, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2/5).
  • South Carolina*: Gov. Nikki Haley (R) on July 1 announced via Facebook that South Carolina “will NOT expand Medicaid, or participate in any health exchanges.” The state Legislature is expected to make a decision on the Medicaid expansion during the 2013 session (Gov. Haley Facebook page, 7/1; Holleman, Columbia State, 11/9).
  • South Dakota: Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R) in his annual budget address on Dec. 4 said he does not plan to participate in the Medicaid expansion. “I really think it would be premature to expand this year,” he said, adding that he hoped for more flexibility for the state program (Montgomery, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 12/4).
  • Texas*: Gov. Rick Perry (R) in a statement on July 9 said, “If anyone was in doubt, we in Texas have no intention to implement so-called state exchanges or to expand Medicaid under ObamaCare.” Perry also sent a letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on July 9 asserting this position. The Dallas Morning News reported that on Nov. 8, Perry reiterated his opposition to the expansion, saying, “Nothing changes from our perspective” (Office of Gov. Perry release, 7/9; Gov. Perry letter, 7/9; Garrett, Dallas Morning News, 11/11).
  • Wisconsin*: Gov. Scott Walker (R) on Feb. 13 announced his rejection of the Medicaid expansion. He proposed an alternative plan that would expand coverage to low-income state residents through private health care exchanges (Spicuzza, Wisconsin State Journal, 2/13).

LEANING TOWARD NOT PARTICIPATING (5 states)

  • Iowa*: Gov. Terry Branstad (R) on July 2 said that he expects to opt out of the expansion. Reiterating the position in an Aug. 22 interview, Branstad spokesperson Tim Albrecht said the governor remains opposed to the expansion. Branstad likely will instead pursue state-based efforts to make health insurance coverage more affordable, Albrecht said (Totland, Washington Times, 7/2; Wiser, Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier, 7/3; AP/Omaha World-Herald, 8/22).
  • Nebraska*: Gov. Dave Heineman (R) in a statement on his website on June 28 said, “As I have said repeatedly, if this unfunded Medicaid expansion is implemented, state aid to education and funding for the University of Nebraska will be cut or taxes will be increased. If some state senators want to increase taxes or cut education funding, I will oppose them.” Heineman on July 11 sent a letter to state lawmakers saying the state could not afford the expansion, but he stopped short of saying that the state will not participate in the expansion, according to Reuters(Office of Gov. Heineman release, 6/28; Wisniewski, Reuters, 7/11).
  • New Jersey: Gov. Chris Christie (R)—in an interview on Fox News’ “Fox and Friends” in July—said, “Medicaid is pretty well expanded in our state already because of the legacy of previous Democratic governors” and noted that he is leaning toward not raising the program’s eligibility limit any further. In April 2011, New Jersey opted to expand Medicaid eligibility ahead of 2014 to nearly 70,000 childless adults through a Section 1115 waiver allowed under the ACA. The Examiner on Nov. 12 reported that New Jersey likely would opt out of the expansion (Defalco,AP/Philadelphia Inquirer, 4/15/2011; “Fox News Insider,” Fox News, 7/3; Livio/Friedman, Newark Star-Ledger, 7/3; Reilly, The Examiner, 11/12).
  • Virginia: Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) on Nov. 8 said he opposes expanding Medicaid, noting that he does not “believe the federal government can possibly deliver its commitment to fully fund the program, and I don’t want to be part of contributing trillions of dollars to the national debt.” However, McDonnell said Virginia could change course at a later date (AP/Modern Healthcare, 11/8).
  • Wyoming*: Gov. Matt Mead (R) on Nov. 30 recommended that Wyoming not participate in the Medicaid expansion, but added that his position could change in the future and urged “everyone to keep an open mind on this.” The state legislature will make the final decision on whether to expand the program, the AP/Jackson Hole Daily reports (Brown, Wyoming Tribune Eagle, 12/1; Graham, AP/Jackson Hole Daily, 12/1).

LEANING TOWARD PARTICIPATING (3 states)

  • Kentucky: Gov. Steve Beshear (D) when asked about the expansion in July said, “If there is a way that we can afford that will get more coverage for more Kentuckians, I’m for it.” However, state lawmakers are putting pressure on Beshear to reject the expansion (Office of Gov. Beshear release, 6/28; AP/Evansville Courier & Press, 6/28; AP/Evansville Courier & Press, 7/17; Autry, WYU, 7/5; Cross, Louisville Courier-Journal, 6/29).
  • New York: Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) in a statement on his website on June 28 said he was “pleased the Supreme Court upheld the [ACA]” and looks forward “to continuing to work together with the Obama administration to ensure accessible, quality care for all New Yorkers.” On July 26, Danielle Holahan—project director for New York’s health insurance exchange planning—said the state “largely meet[s] the federal required Medicaid levels already.” Although Cuomo’s office has not officially announced a decision, the Associated Press reported on Nov. 13 that New York will expand Medicaid (Office Gov. Cuomo release, 6/28; Grant, North Country Public Radio, 7/27; Delli Santi/Mulvihill, AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 11/13).
  • Oregon: Gov. John Kitzhaber (D) said on June 28 that he is confident that the Oregon Legislature will approve a state Medicaid decision. In an interview with the Oregonian just hours after the Supreme Court issued its ruling on the ACA, Kitzhaber said, “We’ll make a decision on whether or not to expand the Medicaid program really based on, I think, the resources we have available in the general fund for that purpose going forward” (Budnick, Oregonian, 6/28).

PARTICIPATING (23 states and the District of Columbia)

  • Arizona*: Gov. Jan Brewer (R) in her 2013 State of the State speech, delivered on Jan. 14, announced that Arizona will participate in the Medicaid expansion, which would extend health care services to an estimated 300,000 more state residents. Brewer noted that the expansion plan will “include a circuit-breaker that automatically” would reduce enrollment if federal reimbursement rates decrease. Brewer was expected to offer further details of the plan in her budget proposal, which is subject to approval by the Republican-controlled Legislature (Christie,AP/Sacramento Bee, 1/14; Sanders/Wingett Sanchez, Arizona Republic, 1/14; Fischer, Sierra Vista Herald, 1/14; Safier, Tucson Citizen, 1/14).
  • Arkansas: Gov. Mike Beebe (D) on Sept. 11 said he planned to participate in the Medicaid expansion, the Associated Press reports. According to the AP, Beebe agreed to participate in the expansion after officials assured him the state could opt out later if it faces a financial crunch. Beebe said, “I’m for it. I think it’s good for our people because it’s helping folks that don’t have insurance now that are working their tails off. They’re not sitting on a couch somewhere asking for something” (Brantley, Arkansas Times, 9/11).
  • California: Gov. Jerry Brown (D) in a statement on June 28 said the Supreme Court’s ruling “removes the last roadblock to fulfilling President Obama’s historic plan to bring health care to millions of uninsured citizens.” California got a head start on expanding its Medicaid program in November 2010 with its “Bridge to Reform” program, which aimed to bring at least two million uninsured Californians into Medicaid (Office of Gov. Brown release, 6/28; DeBord, “KPCC News,” KPCC, 6/28).
  • Colorado*: Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) on Jan. 3 announced that his state will participate in the expansion. In a news release, his office said the move would extend Medicaid coverage to about 160,000 low-income residents and save Colorado an estimated $280 million over 10 years without affecting the state’s general fund (Stokols, KDVR, 1/3; Wyatt, AP/Denver Post, 1/3).
  • Connecticut: Gov. Dannel Malloy (D) was among the first governors to sign up for the Medicaid expansion after the ACA was enacted in March 2010. Soon after the Supreme Court ruling on June 28, Malloy said “it’s great … [and a] very important decision for the people of Connecticut. 500,000 people would have lost coverage if Republicans had their way” (Davis, WTNH, 6/28).
  • Delaware: Gov. Jack Markell (D) in a statement on June 28 said, “The Supreme Court’s ruling enables Delaware to continue to implement provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to provide access to health care benefits for Delawareans.” He added, “On the Medicaid front, Delaware already voluntarily expanded the state’s Medicaid coverage program in 1996 to cover many Delawareans not previously covered” (Office of Gov. Markell release, 6/28).
  • District of Columbia: D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray (D) in a statement on June 28 said, “The District is not at risk of losing any Medicaid funding as a result of this ruling, because District officials have already begun implementation of the ACA’s Medicaid-expansion provisions and will continue to implement the expansion” (Executive Office of the Mayor release, 6/28).
  • Florida*: Gov. Rick Scott (R) on Feb. 20 announced that the state will participate in the ACA’s Medicaid expansion, citing HHS’s conditional support for a waiver to shift most of the state’s Medicaid beneficiaries into a managed-care program. However, Scott said that Florida would only participate in the expansion for three years before reevaluating the decision. Supporters of the ACA heralded Florida’s shift as a major reversal; Scott mounted his successful campaign for governor in 2010, in part, by being one of the nation’s foremost critics of President Obama’s planned health reforms (Kennedy/Fineout, Associated Press, 2/20; Office of Gov. Scott release, 2/20).
  • Hawaii: Gov. Neil Abercrombie (D) in a statement on June 28 welcomed the Supreme Court’s ruling and said the ACA “is our ally” in the effort to “support a health care system that ensures high quality, safety and sustainable costs.” Pat McManaman, director of the state Department of Human Services, said Hawaii’s Medicaid eligibility requirements in July would fall in line with the law’ guidelines, meaning an additional 24,000 people will be eligible for the program by 2014 (Office of Gov. Abercrombie release, 6/28; Garcia, AP/CBS News, 6/29).
  • Illinois: Gov. Pat Quinn (D) on June 28 praised the court’s decision and said he “will continue to work with President Obama to help working families get the healthcare coverage they need,” including expanding Medicaid (Office of the Governor release, 6/28; Thomason, Rock River Times, 7/3; Ehley, Fiscal Times, 8/20).
  • Maryland: Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) in a statement on June 28 said the Supreme Court’s decision “gives considerable momentum to our health care reform efforts here in Maryland,” adding that the state will move forward to implement the overhaul (Office of the Governor release, 6/28).
  • Massachusetts: Gov. Deval Patrick (D) in late June said Massachusetts is “an early expansion state as you know and we’re expecting further resources from the federal government to sustain the experiment here in Massachusetts.” Patrick called the ruling “good news for us” (Walker, YNN, 6/28).
  • Michigan*: Gov. Rick Snyder (R), in a statement released on Feb. 6, announced that his fiscal year 2014 budget proposal includes a plan to expand the state’s Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act. The plan would extend Medicaid benefits to about 320,000 eligible residents. Snyder said the plan contains safeguards that will ensure the financial stability of the program and protect against changes in the government’s financial commitment to the expansion (Office of Gov. Snyder release, 2/6).
  • Minnesota: Gov. Mark Dayton (D) said in a statement on June 28 said, “Today’s ruling will be met with relief by the Minnesotans whose lives have already been improved by this law.” Dayton in 2011 used federal money to expand Medicaid early to 84,000 adults with annual incomes below $8,400 (Lohn, AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 6/28).
  • Missouri: Gov. Jay Nixon (D) on Nov. 29 announced that Missouri will participate in the Medicaid expansion. Nixon said he will include the expansion in the state budget proposal he submits to lawmakers. “We’re not going to let politics get in the way of doing the best thing for our state,” he said (Crisp, “Political Fix,” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 11/29).
  • Montana: Gov.-elect Steve Bullock (D) — who takes office on Jan. 7 — on Jan. 4 announced several changes to outgoing Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s (D) two-year budget recommendations, but retained the proposal to expand Medicaid. During a news conference, Bullock said the Medicaid expansion is part of his “Access Health Montana” plan to increase health care coverage for more Montana families. (Johnson, Billings Gazette, 1/5; Johnson, Montana Standard, 1/5).
  • Nevada*: Gov. Brian Sandoval (R) on Dec. 11 announced that the state will participate in the Medicaid expansion. “Though I have never liked the Affordable Care Act because of the individual mandate it places on citizens, the increased burden on businesses and concerns about access to health care, the law has been upheld by the Supreme Court,” Sandoval said in a statement, adding, “As such, I am forced to accept it as today’s reality and I have decided to expand Nevada’s Medicaid coverage” (Damon, Las Vegas Sun, 12/11).
  • New Hampshire: Gov. Maggie Hassan (D) in her Feb. 14 budget address said that New Hampshire will opt into the ACA’s Medicaid expansion because “it’s a good deal…[that will] allow us to save money in existing state programs, while increasing state revenues.” A state report estimates that the expansion will cost New Hampshire about $85 million through 2020, but will bring in $2.5 billion in federal funds and help reduce the number of uninsured residents from roughly 170,000 to 71,000 (Ramer, AP/Seacoastonline.com, 2/14)
  • New Mexico: Gov. Susana Martinez (R) on Jan. 9 announced that her state will participate in the Medicaid expansion, which potentially could extend health coverage to nearly 170,000 additional low-income uninsured residents. Martinez noted that contingency measures will be established if federal funding for the expansion diminishes, which would mean scaling back the expansion by dropping newly covered beneficiaries from the Medicaid rolls (Massey/Montoya Bryan, AP/Santa Fe New Mexican, 1/9; Schirtzinger, Santa Fe Reporter, 1/9; Reichbach, New Mexico Telegram, 1/9).
  • North Dakota*: Gov. Jack Dalrymple (R) in January said the politics associated with the ACA should not prevent North Dakota from participating in the Medicaid expansion. He is supporting a bill that would allow the state health department to access federal funds allocated through the ACA. Dalrymple also said he will include the expansion in his budget proposal and that members of his staff will testify in favor of the expansion before state lawmakers (Jerke, Grand Forks Herald, 1/12).
  • Ohio*: Gov. John Kasich (R) on Feb. 4 announced that the state will be participating in the Medicaid expansion, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. He made the announcement in his two-year budget announcement, but warned that Ohio would “reverse this decision” if the federal government does not provide the funds it has pledged to the expansion (Tribble, Cleveland Plain Dealer, 2/4).
  • Rhode Island: Gov. Lincoln Chaffee (I) in a statement on his website on June 28 said, “I have fully committed to ensuring Rhode Island is a national leader in implementing health reform whatever the Supreme Court decision, and this just reinforces that commitment.” According to Steven Costantino, the state’s secretary of health and human services, “The expansion is easy to do and makes sense.” Moreover, on July 12, USA Today reported that Chaffee planned to participate in the expansion (Chaffee statement, 6/28; Wolf, USA Today, 7/12; Radnofsky et al.,Wall Street Journal, 7/2).
  • Vermont: Gov. Peter Shumlin (D) on June 28 said Vermont’s Medicaid program already meets the requirements under the health reform law’s Medicaid expansion (Steimle, WCAX, 7/1).
  • Washington*: In an email responding to a query by American Health Line, Karina Shagren—a deputy communications director in Gov. Chris Gregoire’s (D) administration—in early July said “the governor supports the Medicaid expansion—and Washington will move forward.” U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee (D)—who supports the expansion—was elected governor on Nov. 6 (Shagren email, 7/5; Washington Secretary of State website, 11/12).

UNDECIDED/NO COMMENT (8 states)

  • Alaska*: Gov. Sean Parnell (R) on Aug. 8 said he is guarded on the expansion “because our history with the federal government right now is they cut what they promise to fund.” Parnell said he wants to thoroughly understand the costs to the state before making a decision (Bohrer, AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 8/8).
  • Indiana*: Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) in a statement on June 29 said, “Any decision to expand Medicaid in 2014 is entirely the province of the next General Assembly and governor.” U.S. Rep. Mike Pence (R) was elected governor on Nov. 6. In a position statement earlier this year, Pence noted that the Medicaid expansion would double “down on an already broken and unaffordable Medicaid system.” Addressing the Affordable Care Act as a whole, he wrote, “I believe the State of Indiana should take no part in this deeply flawed healthcare bureaucracy” (Office of Gov. Daniels release, 6/29; Pence letter).
  • Kansas*: Gov. Sam Brownback (R), who has been a vocal opponent of the Affordable Care Act, has not stated whether to opt in or out of the Medicaid expansion, the Associated Pressreported on Nov. 9 (AP/NECN, 11/9).
  • Tennessee: Gov. Bill Haslam (R) has not decided whether Tennessee will participate in the Medicaid expansion. However, two lawmakers—Sen. Brian Kelsey (R) and Rep. Jeremy Durham (R)—already have committed to introducing legislation that would block expansion, and the state’s new Republican supermajority in the General Assembly means such a bill could pass (Bohs, “Bohs Column,” The Jackson Sun, 11/9).
  • Utah*: In an email responding to a query by American Health Line, Nate McDonald—public information officer for Gov. Gary Herbert (R), who won re-election in the state’s gubernatorial race in November 2012—said “[n]o official decision” has been made on the Medicaid expansion (McDonald email, 11/9).
  • West Virginia: Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (D) in a statement on his website on June 28 said, “We know what the law is but as I’ve said before, I will continue to do what is best for West Virginia … We’re going to review the Supreme Court’s ruling, and work with our federal delegation on how we move forward.” In the state’s gubernatorial race in November 2012, Tomblin was re-elected (Office of Gov. Tomblin release, 6/28; AP/Marietta Times, 11/7).

Hope this helps you in your work in Florida.

Mark

Mark Meckler, President
Citizens for Self-Governance

February 27, 2013 | Filed Under blog, Core Principles, fiscal responsiblity, free markets, limited government | 3 Comments 

Entitlement Reform in Florida — What is Gov. Scott thinking?

Hello all,

I received this copy of a presentation that Governor Walker gave in Wisconsin on Feb 13, 2013.   2013 Gov Walker Entitlement Reform in Wisconsin

This is an excellent analysis of the entitlement situation in Wisconsin.  As you probably already know, Governor Walker has turned down the Medicaid expansion with ObamaCare based on his concern that the federal government will not meet its commitments and the additional and significant expense burden of an expanded program will fall squarely on the shoulders of his state, taking them once again into the red.

Quite surprisingly our supposedly anti-ObamaCare Governor Scott has made a last minute change of mind and wants to implement the Medicaid expansion in Florida!

Interestingly enough, I’ve not seen such a thorough analysis come from our Governor Scott like what we see here from Governor Walker.  Was Governor Scott’s decision based on data and financial risk analysis . . . or based on his perceived political needs if he is forced to run against former governor, Charlie Crist?  Honestly, I do not know for sure but I think it is the later.

We have one last chance to turn this sinking ship — contact our state legislators and let them know that we do not buy into the need or the intelligence of the decision to trust the federal government and expand Medicaid.  Tell them that Governor Scott is wrong when he thinks that he can just turn it off if the federal government defaults on its promises!  Where is the analysis on which they, too, will base their decision?

Let’s learn from this sequestration fiasco.  Our federal legislators bet that it would never come down to this and let the President Obama force it into legislation.  Not only is it imminent, he has now put the blame on the conservatives!  The same thing will happen when the Medicaid balloon pops!

Yours in hope & action,

Pam

February 26, 2013 | Filed Under blog | Leave a Comment 

Wake up Americans!

How amazingly crazy is this picture!  When are we the uninformed American people going to say enough is enough and hold this sorry excuse for the leader of the free world accountable? 

The insane reporting this morning through various media outlets should have headlines, “Obama blaming Republicans for his own sequestration idea”—but I don’t believe that I have seen this yet.  Obama after his boondogles three day golf extravaganza in Florida this past weekend, has returned to Washington in full campaign mode.  Instead of dealing and working with Congress over the sequestration which again was his idea (and this was not denied but confirmed by Jay Carney), he is in campaign mode and is taking the case to the American people. 

Let me understand this—the sequestration idea was proposed by the White house because during the debt crisis negotiations at the end of the year, the democrats and White house could not and were not willing to deal with a spending problem resulting in our country spending over a trillion dollars more than we are taking in.  It was a tactic that the White House came up with for “kicking the proverbial can down the road.”   It was putting a plan into place that they simply could not come to grips with last year—and now they are blaming the Republicans!  This is craziness. 

Just yesterday, Obama stated “If Congress allows this meat-cleaver approach to take place, it will jeopardize our military readiness; it will eviscerate job creating investments in education and energy and medical research.”  What? Mr. O—this was your plan—why are you blaming the Congress!  American people wake up—call his bluff!  Americans need to understand that he is threatening that if can’t get what he wants, he will inflict pain on everybody else.  Insane!  Furthermore, the sequestration represents only a 2.3% reduction in spending of the now $3.6 trillion that they are spending. 

Are you telling me that our government and it’s wastefulness can’t cut 5% of their budget—my friends—I have been in business for more than 40 years, I have cut my budgets in the past in given years by 10%—again, this rhetoric and logic is simply BS on a plate!  Wake up America—hold this guy responsible!  This is not rocket science stuff—this is very simple—responsible actions that we the people must insist our government take now to reverse this crazy drunken sailor spending agenda of this administration.  Tea Party hold your ground!  Fiscal responsibility is your tenant and we the American people are simply asking our government to be fiscally responsible.

MVW

February 23, 2013 | Filed Under blog | Leave a Comment 

March Wellington Chapter Meeting Featuring Slade O’Brien and Attorney Jeffrey Shapiro

DATE: March 11, 2013

PROGRAM: Our keynote speaker will be featuring Slade O’Brien, the Florida State Director for Americans For Prosperity.  Slade has spoken to our group before, and is always a great hit with our crowd, and his message is destined to become MORE popular, as he is a rising star both as an activist, and as an expert in how to WIN elections.  If more people listened to Slade last year, many of the election results could have come out quite differently.

The meeting will also feature Attorney Jeffrey Scott Shapiro. Attorney Jeffrey Scott Shapiro is a former Washington, DC Prosecutor. He served on the Presidential election legal teams for Senator John F. Kerry, Senator John McCain and recently, Governor Mitt Romney. In addition to his private legal practice in Boynton Beach, Jeffrey is an investigative journalist who has been published in The Globe, Time Magazine, Washington Times, Wall Street Journal and Breitbart. He has also appeared on numerous TV news networks, including Fox News. On January 15th, he had an editorial published in the Wall Street Journal titled, “A Gun Ban That Misfired”. Jeffrey was also a pro bono attorney for Allen West’s reelection campaign.

Mr. Shapiro will speak to the Tea Party about the ineffectiveness of gun control and the inordinate volume of executive orders.

TIME: The buffet dinner begins at 6:00 for $20 and the meeting begins promptly at 7 PM

LOCATION: 
Binks Forest Golf Club
400 Binks Forest Drive, Wellington, Florida 33414
(561)333-5731

DIRECTIONS: to the Binks Forest Golf Club:
Take FL Turnpike to Exit 97 or I-95 to Exit 69 or Military Trail or US-1 onto westbound Southern Blvd (FL-80) past Forest Hill Blvd. to Binks Forest Dr. Left on Binks Forest Dr.0.5 miles to golf club on left.

To RSVP for the event and the buffet, please click on the button below.

February 20, 2013 | Filed Under blog, Chapters, event, Wellington | Leave a Comment 

Jupiter Chapter March Meeting Featuring Slade O’Brien

Join us on Monday, March 4th for another banner Chapter Meeting, featuring Slade O’Brien, the Florida State Director for Americans For Prosperity.  Slade has spoken to our group before, and is always a great hit with our crowd, and his message is destined to become MORE popular, as he is a rising star both as an activist, and as an expert in how to WIN elections.  If more people listened to Slade last year, many of the election results could have come out quite differently.

 Monday, March 4, 2013
5:30pm buffet ($20), 6:30 Program
Abacoa Golf Club
105 Barbados Drive, Jupiter, Florida 33458

Please join us!  Doors open at 5:30pm, with a cash bar.  Dinner begins promptly at 6:00pm, and our meeting begins at 7:00pm.  Slade is always great with our crowd, and will be happy to answer questions after his presentation.  You can attend our meeting at 7:00pm at no cost, but we encourage you to come for the dinner.  For $20, you will enjoy salad, main course, dessert, coffee, and tea, with tax and tip included!  This will be a great evening of like-minded fellowship, and a true sense of deep patriotism permeates the experience– please RSVP on the button below!

February 19, 2013 | Filed Under blog, Chapters, Core Principles, event, fiscal responsiblity, free markets, Jupiter, limited government | 2 Comments 

Boca Raton Chapter Dinner/Speaker Meeting, Tuesday, March 5th!!!

Join us on Tuesday, March 5th for another banner Chapter Meeting, featuring Slade O’Brien, the Florida State Director for Americans For Prosperity.  Slade has spoken to our group before, and is always a great hit with our crowd, and his message is destined to become MORE popular, as he is a rising star both as an activist, and as an expert in how to WIN elections.  If more people listened to Slade last year, many of the election results could have come out quite differently.  One other note: WE ARE BACK at Boca Greens Country Club!

Please join us!  Doors open at 5:30pm, with a cash bar.  Dinner begins promptly at 6:00pm, and our meeting begins at 7:00pm.  We will say the Pledge of Allegiance, and Carlos Manuel Santana will sing our National Anthem.  Announcements will follow, and then Slade O’Brien will be introduced.  He is always great with our crowd, and will be happy to answer questions after his presentation.  You can attend our meeting at 7:00pm at no cost, but we encourage you to come for the dinner.  For $20, you will enjoy salad, main course, dessert, coffee, and tea, with tax and tip included!  This will be a great evening of like-minded fellowship, and a true sense of deep patriotism permeates the experience– please RSVP on the button below!

February 18, 2013 | Filed Under blog, Boca Raton, Chapters, Core Principles, Elections, event, fiscal responsiblity, free markets, limited government | 1 Comment 

Get out and VOTE on March 12th Municipal Elections! Make an Impact!

Patriots!

You may have been disappointed about the 2012 elections, but get over it! You have a chance to make an impact on the municipal elections in your city – if you live in an incorporated area, on March 12. Generally only 7-12% of the voters turn out for a city election and the very few decide for everyone. Your municipality has a huge impact on your taxes, zoning, police, fire, licensing, etc. In turn, you can have a huge impact on the results!

The Supervisor of Elections lists all of the candidates/ballot items by city , however polling places are not listed. In many cases – a sample ballot or additional details can be found on the elections or municipality’s clerk page.

The following cities are having an election. Click on the city name for the City Clerk page or elections page for your city. Find out where the candidates stand on the issues. For example – are any of the candidates for withdrawing from their city’s participation in the IG Funding lawsuit? Cities in the lawsuit have an *. Are there other issues key to your city? Find out and vote!

BOYNTON BEACH
*DELRAY BEACH
GOLF
*HIGHLAND BEACH
*LAKE PARK
LAKE WORTH
LANTANA
LOXAHATCHEE GROVES
*MANALAPAN (no election but referendum question – contact clerk for details)
PAHOKEE
*PALM BEACH GARDENS
*PALM BEACH SHORES
*RIVIERA BEACH
ROYAL PALM BEACH
*WEST PALM BEACH

 

February 18, 2013 | Filed Under Action, blog, Elections, Featured, Local | Leave a Comment 

A testimonial from a young American on Gun control!

This young lady hits the nail on the head, telling a side of the gun control issue that most have never thought about.

Take a couple minutes to listen to what a very bright young black woman has learned…

Forward on because everyone needs to hear this.


February 15, 2013 | Filed Under blog, limited government | 1 Comment 

The Tea Party Response to the State of the Union

Dear Palm Beach County Tea Party,

I hope that your February is going well. I, for one, am thankful that I wasn’t in my native Massachusetts during the most recent blizzard. I can deal with a little rain without any problems!

On Tuesday night, the President gave his State of the Union address. We received the following response to the President’s speech from Tea Party Patriots:

“Tonight, the President said: “The American people don’t expect government to solve every problem.” That’s the difference between the American people and the American government. Our government is growing out of control and overspending out of control and unfortunately, the President believes every problem in America needs a big government and that Washington knows the best solutions. This reasoning is why our country is $16 trillion dollars in debt.

Our country cannot sustain all of these big government programs and rather than offer spending cuts and pulling back in order to balance the budget, the President’s solution is more government.

The American people know Washington cannot solve their problems and will not send their hard earned tax dollars to further his wasteful programs. The state of our union will only be strong when government practices fiscal responsibility and our President makes true strides to stop the overspending.”

As Tea Party Members, as patriots and as Americans we can all agree with this statement. Government is not the solution to our problems; the American people are. The President, and all of our elected officials, need to remember that. We must demand fiscal responsibility from all of them. Those who do not become part of the solution need to be replaced.

Senator Rand Paul also responded:

Your new leadership team and board of directors are working on goals and strategies that will bring us all to the point where we will affect true change in the future. We will be announcing the dates of our next Leadership Meeting next week. I encourage all of you to attend. We will make crucial decisions on the future of the PBCTP together.

Yours in Liberty,
Michael Riordan
 

 

February 15, 2013 | Filed Under blog | Leave a Comment 

President’s Day Town Hall

February 14, 2013 | Filed Under blog, event | Leave a Comment 

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