FEDERAL:

After seeing what this bill does, I never want to hear another Republican congressperson say they are “Pro-Life.” You don’t get to claim any moral high ground anymore.

Below is Robert Reich’s take on the Senate version of the “healthcare” bill. It’s basically the House bill with some of the rougher edges scraped off and plastered over with delays, platitudes and tax cuts. Wow. I am shocked.

The Senate version of the repeal (and “replacement”) of the Affordable Care Act — which Mitch McConnell is now sharing with Senate Republicans — eliminates just about all of its extra taxes on the rich by deeply cutting Medicaid and reducing subsidies to the poor. But McConnell figures he can keep moderate Republicans in the fold (he needs almost all their votes) by delaying these provisions and allowing states to reduce insurance coverage.

The plan:

1. Basically retains Obamacare’s insurance subsidies. But starting in 2020 this assistance wouldn’t be available for most of the working-class who now receive them, nor for anyone ineligible for Medicaid. See #2.

2. Cuts Medicaid more deeply than the House version by giving states an amount per person that grows more slowly than the growth in healthcare costs. This provision won’t kick in for 7 years, well past senators’ next reelection battles.

3. Ends the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion in 5 years — gradually reducing the extra federal payments starting in 2021.

4. Continues to protect patients with preexisting conditions, but allows states to reduce insurance coverage to everyone, including people with preexisting conditions.

In other words, all cuts are made through the back door of delays and state waivers. It only looks like a kinder, gentler version of the House repeal of the Affordable Care Act — but 7 to 10 years from now its result would be even crueler.

What do you think?

And further analysis from writer Jim Wright:

 

Call your Senators again today and tell them that this bill is unacceptable. Pick a provision in the bill to talk about. There are so many:

• Defunding Planned Parenthood
• Slashing Medicaid
• Elimination of the mandate
• Some conditions may not be covered, which is no different than denial for preexisting condition
• Older people can be charged 5 times more than younger people
• States can decide what qualifies as an essential health benefits
• Ban on caps doesn’t change, but state can opt out
• Pregnant women ineligible for Medicaid
• Ends requirement for insurance to cover birth control

 

And finally, a short video from Senator Chris Murphy from Connecticut about the bill:

STATE:

I’m old enough to remember during the Bush Administration, when people on the left wanted to exercise caution and not subvert the constitution with things like the Patriot Act or preemptive wars. We were called unpatriotic and unAmerican for it. You want unpatriotic and unAmerican, well here you go. Republicans like to call us lefties all sorts of names, all while accusing us of the very behavior they themselves are engaging in. I, for one, am sick of it. These fools need to be thrown out, onto the trash heap of history.

North Carolina Republicans Are Trying to Strip the Governor of His Power to Challenge Laws – “Now, the state GOP believes it has devised a solution: stop Cooper from filing suit against unconstitutional laws in the first place.”

 

This is a blatant infringement on the separation of powers codified in our Constitutions, both state and federal. This highly cynical move by the NCGOP is indicative of their lust for power and their wanton disregard for the institution they represent. It is no longer about working for the people, it is about consolidating and holding power for as long as they can, in any way they can. Because they refuse to wield it responsibly, they have proven that they don’t deserve the power they have. This has to be stopped, for the sake of our state and our future.

Call our legislative delegation and complain loudly about how this pork-filled travesty of a budget is unacceptable and makes our state seem out of touch and weak.

Call your Representatives: Allen McNeill, Pat Hurley

Call your Senators: Jerry Tillman, Rick Gunn

 

INDIVISIBLE

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SIGN THE 6TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS’ PETITION FOR NON-PARTISAN REDISTRICTING

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Democratic Women Monthly Meeting – June 24, 2017 9:30AM at Democratic Headquarters 803 W. Salisbury St. Asheboro.

Protest Sen. Tillis: Spin the Trumpcare Wheel of Misfortune! –  Tuesday June 27 12:15 – 2:00PM, 310 New Bern Ave, Raleigh – We, as North Carolinians who value quality, affordable health care for all, do not accept the Senate’s cruel health care bill / tax cut for the wealthy. Join concerned citizens as we protest in front of Senator Thom Tillis’s office in Raleigh—and spin the Trumpcare Wheel of Misfortune!

Informational Session from Asheboro Indivisible – Join the folks from Asheboro Indivisible for an informational session and postcard avalanche Thursday July 13, 2017 at 6:30PM in the downstairs meeting room of the Asheboro Library.

NCDP Unity Dinner (Formerly Jefferson-Jackson Dinner) July 15, 2017 – Details TBA