North Carolina

octoberlib

(14,971 posts) Fri May 30, 2014, 09:45 AM May 2014

Senate budget would cut elderly, blind and disabled from Medicaid rolls

The Senate budget proposal upends the state Department of Health and Human Services by moving to take away its biggest responsibility, Medicaid. At the same time it would cut thousands of elderly and disabled people, and other beneficiaries with high medical bills, from the government insurance plan.

This appears to be a first step Senate Republicans are proposing to cut Medicaid services and shrink the number of beneficiaries.

The budget includes a provision that would have the state health agency develop proposals by next year for cutting optional Medicaid services for elderly and disabled beneficiaries, limiting coverage to only that required by federal regulations or laws.

North Carolina’s Medicaid program is considered “rich” because it goes far beyond the basics. “Optional” services under Medicaid include prescription drugs, mental health and dental care.The possibility that some elderly and disabled people would be kicked off the Medicaid rolls has the long-term care industry mobilizing to fight it, saying the reduction would threaten the ability of some facilities to stay open.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/05/29/4941376/senate-budget-would-cut-elderly.html#.U4iK7PldWSo#storylink=cpy

5 replies

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Senate budget would cut elderly, blind and disabled from Medicaid rolls (Original Post) octoberlib May 2014 OP

god i hate republicans MFM008 May 2014 #1

More on this disgusting budget Triana May 2014 #2

It's astonishing. WorseBeforeBetter Jun 2014 #3

Where does the state get off octoberlib Jun 2014 #4

Oh, they're sticking it to us, alright... WorseBeforeBetter Jun 2014 #5

MFM008

(19,959 posts)

1. god i hate republicans

Reply to octoberlib (Original post)

Fri May 30, 2014, 02:47 PM

May 2014

and any democrat coward,spineless, sob that would vote for this.

Triana

(22,666 posts)

2. More on this disgusting budget

Reply to octoberlib (Original post)

Sat May 31, 2014, 11:42 AM

May 2014

. . .

Democrats raised objections to the education cuts, the removal of thousands of elderly and disabled residents from Medicaid, and the transfer of the State Bureau of Investigation from the state Attorney General’s office to the Department of Public Safety.

Democrats argued that the high teacher raises the majority Republicans are touting amount to a shell game, but Senate leader Phil Berger said that the 11-percent average increases would catch the eyes of the nation and move the state up from its embarrassing position near the bottom of national averages to the middle.

“Make no mistake about it,” said Berger, an Eden Republican. “You vote against this budget, you vote against a substantial raise for teachers. The centerpiece of that budget is that raise.”

In order to get the raise, teachers must agree to give up their tenure and longevity pay. Teachers who don’t give up their tenure won’t get raises in the budget year that begins July 1.

Senate Minority Leader Dan Blue, a Raleigh Democrat, suggested the raises were “tricks and shenanigans,” and that teachers wouldn’t fall for them.

. . .

http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/05/30/3899653/nc-senates-212-billion-proposal.html?sp=/99/100/&ihp=1

WorseBeforeBetter

(11,441 posts)

3. It's astonishing.

Reply to octoberlib (Original post)

Sun Jun 1, 2014, 01:56 PM

Jun 2014

Meanwhile, a hillbilly Johnston County coworker believes Wake County "has gotten too big for its britches" and is OK with the $62 million shortfall cities and towns will face thanks to the GOP fuckers' budget. I had to walk away from that conversation...

NC Senate, House agree on measure to eliminate local business taxes

RALEIGH — To lower local taxes on businesses, state lawmakers may force cities and towns onto a $62 million fiscal cliff.

The state Senate on Wednesday voted 37-9 to give preliminary approval to a wide-ranging tax bill that includes a provision to revoke the authority of municipalities to levy privilege taxes on businesses beginning July 1, 2015.

It’s a significant step further than the version approved by House lawmakers last week. Their version capped privilege taxes at $100, but House members are expected to agree to the Senate’s changes.

The move could lead to substantial cuts to government services – layoffs, closed parks or potholed roads are possible, critics say – or to higher property taxes. The cut is particularly tough for major cities: Charlotte pulls in $18 million from privilege taxes, Raleigh $7.6 million.

Read more here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/05/28/3893750/senate-house-agree-on-measure.html#storylink=cpy

octoberlib

(14,971 posts)

4. Where does the state get off

Reply to WorseBeforeBetter (Reply #3)

Sun Jun 1, 2014, 02:14 PM

Jun 2014

telling counties and cities what they can charge in taxes? I think they're trying to starve liberal, urban areas of funds.

WorseBeforeBetter

(11,441 posts)

5. Oh, they're sticking it to us, alright...

Reply to octoberlib (Reply #4)

Sun Jun 1, 2014, 02:25 PM

Jun 2014

even though we're holding this f*cking state together. Leave it to the NC GOP to punish SUCCESS.

Can't wait to see how much my property taxes will increase.

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