James DeBoy, Ph.D., believes that President Obama will ultimately defeat the courts.
Prez May Outfox Courts on Medicaid
By Don Flynn
WASHINGTON--The Obama Administration is expected to have the final say over the future of Medicaid even if the U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of controversial lawsuits from states seeking repeal or massive overhaul and greater control of the government insurance program for millions of America's poor, elderly and disabled.
Even if the Affordable Care Act that expanded Medicaid is repealed or declared unconstitutional, “the outcome of the lawsuits would have no impact on Medicare or Medicaid,” said Neil Buchanan, Professor of Law at George Washington University.
“Even if the states win, Medicare and Medicaid would be unaffected by that outcome,” he told The Spiritual Herald.
However, a ruling by the High Court supporting the states could throw Medicaid into a state of disarray and ultimate chaos that would make the program watered-down and practically ineffective.
Privatization, waivers, turning it over to TennCare-like insurance companies and HMOs, cutting specialties, scaling down children's care and eligibility, and driving away doctors and hospitals with poor reimbursement could end it as a true Entitlement.
Critics say that Republicans and tea partiers are pushing such reforms daily to sabotage it, although Obama has just declared he is phasing out waivers.
The titanic battle over the Affordable Care Act is before Federal appeals courts and heading for a showdown before the Supreme Court.
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The late actress Susan Hayward’s performance in “David and Bathsheba” was worthy of reality T.V.
HOLLYWOOD--Some television critics wonder if the series will be called “Surviving the Bible” and others ponder what of the great book’s episodes will be soap opera-ish.
The announcement that Mark Burnett, creator of TV’s runaway reality hit, “Survivor,” is going to take on the Bible in 10 one-hour installments for the History Channel has raised eyebrows--is creating fodder not only for television critics, but for late-night comedians and even religious observers.
Burnett, who is producer of “The Apprentice” and “The...Read More
Charles Rangel, the dethroned chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, was once the most powerful House member. He is a Catholic.
WASHINGTON--Twelve powerful Catholic committee chairmen rule the U.S. Congress while only one Unitarian, one Lutheran, one Episcopalian, one member of the United Church of Christ and one Antiochian Orthodox Christian are at the bottom of the rung among America’s most influential politicians.
According to Congressional records, there are only three women and one Asian chairperson. There are no African Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Atheists or Agnostics out of a total of 36 chairpersons of powerful committees.
Until recently, the most...Read More
