Chris Christie U-Turns And Accepts Obamacare – GOP’s Heads Explode

[BadJuju]

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/02...heads-explode/


I wonder if this marks the return of more populist politicians. There is extreme dissatisfaction across the board with both parties. With so much antipathy for politicians and the politics of this nation in general, there is a lot of room out there now for politicians to adopt populist stances.


This could mean that we could start seeing breakaways from party politics as politicians try to tap into populist sentiment. If so, acts like these could be like the first fall of a domino. All it takes is one politician to enjoy major success in something like this before others start trying to emulate the success by appealing more to populism than party lines.


This is just my observance. And whether it pans out will remain to be seen; however, I think it is largely inevitable with the way the country's politics are going. Sooner or later, the disapproval for this country's politics will reach such a fever pitch that the first politician to tap into it while forsaking party politics could experience runaway success. This does not necessarily mean a good thing either, but it would be different. And I don't see how we are going to get anywhere politically without something different for once.

[jpetr48]

Re: Chris Christie U-Turns And Accepts Obamacare – GOP’s Heads Explode

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/02...heads-explode/


I wonder if this marks the return of more populist politicians. There is extreme dissatisfaction across the board with both parties. With so much antipathy for politicians and the politics of this nation in general, there is a lot of room out there now for politicians to adopt populist stances.


This could mean that we could start seeing breakaways from party politics as politicians try to tap into populist sentiment. If so, acts like these could be like the first fall of a domino. All it takes is one politician to enjoy major success in something like this before others start trying to emulate the success by appealing more to populism than party lines.


This is just my observance. And whether it pans out will remain to be seen; however, I think it is largely inevitable with the way the country's politics are going. Sooner or later, the disapproval for this country's politics will reach such a fever pitch that the first politician to tap into it while forsaking party politics could experience runaway success. This does not necessarily mean a good thing either, but it would be different. And I don't see how we are going to get anywhere politically without something different for once.

IMO this is less about populist politics and more about survival. Christie knew back in 2011 he would face Medicaid cuts from the Fed and this program was a huge sinkhole in his budget. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-0...cit-looms.html

Then comes along hurricane sandy. He is cheerleading Obama before the election on his support for NJ. States cant print money. So he is locked in with few choices. http://nj1015.com/is-nj-facing-worst...it-ever-audio/

Perhaps our NJ friends can chime in

[BK]

Re: Chris Christie U-Turns And Accepts Obamacare – GOP’s Heads Explode

Gov Christie is primarily interested in being re-elected (like any politiician). Is there really any difference between a Republican who holds office and a Democrat who holds a political office in NJ.

Consider the impact that Sandy (less sales tax, less lodging taxes), Wall Street layoffs (lower income taxes), falling Real Estate (Real Estate is still falling - although there are special communities that are defying gravity), Fica tax return will impact how much Jersey residents have to spend (reducing sales tax revenue and income tax revenue).

Gov Christie is a bright guy he knows he is going to need all the support he can get!

[DSpencer]

Re: Chris Christie U-Turns And Accepts Obamacare – GOP’s Heads Explode

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/02...heads-explode/


I wonder if this marks the return of more populist politicians. There is extreme dissatisfaction across the board with both parties. With so much antipathy for politicians and the politics of this nation in general, there is a lot of room out there now for politicians to adopt populist stances.


This could mean that we could start seeing breakaways from party politics as politicians try to tap into populist sentiment. If so, acts like these could be like the first fall of a domino. All it takes is one politician to enjoy major success in something like this before others start trying to emulate the success by appealing more to populism than party lines.


This is just my observance. And whether it pans out will remain to be seen; however, I think it is largely inevitable with the way the country's politics are going. Sooner or later, the disapproval for this country's politics will reach such a fever pitch that the first politician to tap into it while forsaking party politics could experience runaway success. This does not necessarily mean a good thing either, but it would be different. And I don't see how we are going to get anywhere politically without something different for once.

Does this line of reasoning assume that Obamacare is a popular program? Is there evidence of this if so?

[wayiwalk]

Re: Chris Christie U-Turns And Accepts Obamacare – GOP’s Heads Explode

I think in general Christie is a plus, I'm a big fan of "straight talking", but despite his speech at the GOP convention where he makes reference to his working class parents, he's still forced to suckle at the teat of FIRE.

I've mentioned on this board (sorry, ad infinitum) that I'm an owner of a home healthcare agency, as well as a full time engineer. Most agencies are smallish businesses that are run by individuals who aren’t making big bucks, but making modest incomes. For the cynical readers, please suspend disbelief for a moment – I can tell you from the other owners and parties I know involved in this business – many choose this vocation because of the satisfaction they get from helping others.
Here is what the Christie Administration has meant for me.

In 2011 NJ rolled out a new process to improve the overall service and cost efficiency for the state medicaid program, including bringing homehealth aide services under the umbrella of the HMOs (it was previously managed by the state). The intention would be to reap economies from having the HMOs responsible for coordinating all services Medicaid patients would receive.

This definitely sounded good on paper.

Only, the roll out was completely botched. Blame the state for setting the schedule milestones and not enforcing (or lacking?) standards, and blame the HMO’s for being unprepared and incredibly disorganized. Poor information, conflicting directions, and unfortunately, for the agencies, going from a clear, understood billing method with a single payer, to all agencies needing to get used to up to 5 different payers (paid through the HMOs, based on which HMO the patient was already assigned or later were assigned to), with different methods and systems.

The first wave of business failures came from those agencies that did not manage their cash well, and weren’t ready for a shift from a 30 day payment cycle to 60+ (when all things went right). I don’t have numbers, but from what I heard I assume something like 5 to 10% of the small agencies were driven out of business due to cash flow issues in the first 6 months.

The next wave of failures came from those agencies that were unable to adapt to the billing methods of 5 agencies, but more so because the HMOs were rejecting invoices for cases inconsistently. To understand, consider that we’re talking about routine assistance in the home – the basis is a medical assessment for needs made by an RN – and agreed to by the state (old system) and now, the HMOs RN/Case Manager (new system). Needs don’t generally change week to week, but somehow, the invoices week to week get rejected inconsistently. Meanwhile, the agencies have already paid their aides for services provided. Those who could not resolve issues quickly, also felt a cash crunch.

At this point, the agencies that are left, “get it”, and have learned how to work with the HMOs. That did not prepare them for what came this past August. First, Horizon, and now, United Healthcare, has cut or announced cuts in reimbursement rates to the care agencies. I think they get paid a lump sum for a portion of the general care for each patient – so they ID’d an area to make cuts that would improve their profitability.

The going rate to pay our aides (at our agency, mostly poorly educated, English as a second language, new immigrants, etc) is between $8.5 and $9 an hour. For anyone who has run a service oriented business (staffing would be a good example) – can you imagine receiving $13.80 an hour from your clients while paying the employee $9? We have a lot of fixed costs related to ongoing training as well as keeping nurses on staff to provide the training and oversight as well, that, in addition to other routine overhead costs, easily eat into that margin.

There are other comments I can make about the HMOs that would fall under rant and rave and conspiracy theories, so I won’t go there.

Long story short – efficiencies by HMOs – aren’t there, the costs are either shifted to another pocket, or services to patients will lose some of their lustre. I wonder how the heck the HMOs stay in business, the errors they make suggest a really high level of incompetence at the “office worker” level. I’ve got to admit, it must be nice to be in the driver’s seat in this industry (It’s good to be the “I” in FIRE). I’m waiting to see how agencies (maybe only the bigger ones will be left by next year, ahem, by design) will be able to survive come 2014, when their profit margins are further eroded by fines for not providing health care for what are usually part time employees, or for added costs for providing it, well, it will be interesting to see how that plays out.

But all this happened under Christie’s administration – he owns it. That he came up with a plan that completely plays to the HMOs organizations, while pushing the small business-agencies aside, well, that only provides support for the continued trend for gov’t to work with FIRE interests to the detriment of all others. The small businesses were almost entirely owned and operated by state residents. Not sure where the HMO’s profits ultimately flow….but my hunch is that this is not a “gain” for state tax revenues.

So, as far as Christie’s tough guy approach based on his working class roots – I don’t buy it. Maybe a step in the right direction or a breath of fresh air, but not much more.

But heck – we can all count our favorite “good politicians” on one hand, can’t we?

[lektrode]

Re: Chris Christie U-Turns And Accepts Obamacare – GOP’s Heads Explode

I think in general Christie is a plus, I'm a big fan of "straight talking", but despite his speech at the GOP convention where he makes reference to his working class parents, he's still forced to suckle at the teat of FIRE

+1

But heck – we can all count our favorite “good politicians” on one hand, can’t we?

oh yeah we can....

[wayiwalk]

Re: Chris Christie U-Turns And Accepts Obamacare – GOP’s Heads Explode

Great photo. Nasty, but great.

[lektrode]

Re: Chris Christie U-Turns And Accepts Obamacare – GOP’s Heads Explode

Great photo. Nasty, but great.

heheh... yep
i happen to really like having instantly accessable 'artwork' at my fingertips to use in the metaphorical sense.
its so much more effective sometimes than the use of mere words to convey ones true feelings...

here's another one of my faves

and nuthin/nobody sez it quite like The Guy From Boston, Baybee (are you awright?)
(CAUTION: over-the-top, VERY UN-pc material, clik at yer own risk ;)

he's what i'd imagine christie's alter-ego would be like (if he didnt have to be so polite/pc)
but sersiously tho, christie is my fave kind of politician, its too bad he hasnt much choice than to kow-tow to the political realities of the blue states.

[don]

Re: Chris Christie U-Turns And Accepts Obamacare – GOP’s Heads Explode

As the real economy continues to unravel expect more populist trappings to emerge, misdirecting the sheeple for a few election cycles. Our "2-party" dog and pony show has infinite permutations.

[lektrode]

Re: Chris Christie U-Turns And Accepts Obamacare – GOP’s Heads Explode

the real problem is the apologists on both sides of the aisle, who allow/enable the political class to get away with the BS that passes for 'governance' - when whats really going on is nothing more than a job security program for all of THEM

and to hell with The Rest of US.

ultimately i blame the editors of the lamestream media, who slant just about everything and it couldnt be clearer who's team most of them are on.

and what THEY want, beyond any shadow of doubt, is ONE PARTY RULE (something that one has to survive to appreciate and understand why its the root of all evil in politix today)

its been heading that way, inexorably over the past 50years or so, one law, one program, one bailout after another and its
THE Party of Special Interests thats driving the entire charade

and until one has had the chance to see/experience how polar opposite philosophies on how the .gov should function, IMHO, one is CLUELESS about the difference

TERM LIMITS FOR CONGRESS, NOW!!!

proudly and defiantly signed,
a small-r type

[DSpencer]

Re: Chris Christie U-Turns And Accepts Obamacare – GOP’s Heads Explode

As the real economy continues to unravel expect more populist trappings to emerge, misdirecting the sheeple for a few election cycles. Our "2-party" dog and pony show has infinite permutations.

I'm not disputing that Obamacare might be perceived as populist, but can someone explain why? It seems like the most typical government program I can imagine:

1. It takes money from the middle class and above to redistribute it to the poor: Low income tax credits, Medicaid expansion
2. It picks out a few special interest groups and provides a benefit for them: Forces high margin healthy people to buy private insurance. Covers indigent care for the hospitals and restricts competition.
3. It adds layers of new regulations, bureaucracy and government workers. This gives politicians new levers to pull for the benefit of their contributors/voting blocs.
4. It does nothing to help with the issues it was supposed to fix: Patient Protection and Affordable Care.

Mission accomplished right? Am I missing anything?

[lektrode]

Re: Chris Christie U-Turns And Accepts Obamacare – GOP’s Heads Explode

I'm not disputing that Obamacare might be perceived as populist, but can someone explain why? It seems like the most typical government program I can imagine:

1. It takes money from the middle class and above to redistribute it to the poor: Low income tax credits, Medicaid expansion
2. It picks out a few special interest groups and provides a benefit for them: Forces high margin healthy people to buy private insurance. Covers indigent care for the hospitals and restricts competition.

3. It adds layers of new regulations, bureaucracy and government workers. This gives politicians new levers to pull for the benefit of their contributors/voting blocs.


4. It does nothing to help with the issues it was supposed to fix: Patient Protection and Affordable Care.

Mission accomplished right? Am I missing anything?

precisely!!!
and then everybody else who was already managing just fine, more or less (mostly less, generally, esp recently) without all of it,
GETS STUCK WITH THE BILL !!!

so if the real goal was to 'cover the indigent' it merely transferred the problem, not solved it - since if 'fixing healthcare' was truly the goal, then the dems plan - AND THEY OWN IT, 100% - is a MISERABLE FAILURE -since whats occurring is those of us who up til recently have been able to afford med insurance, ARE NOW BEING PRICED OUT OF THE MARKET and will have NO CHOICE but to go to the 'exchanges' - and of course even that option is just out of reach, since one has to go naked, with NO COVERAGE for 6mos, before we're 'eligible' for the subsidized coverage???? (read: more corporate welfare for the ins/drug/legal mob)

pure genius, even orwell (not to mention machiavelli) would be proud!

[dcarrigg]

Re: Chris Christie U-Turns And Accepts Obamacare – GOP’s Heads Explode

Did anyone read what Christie actually said?

Let me be clear. I am no fan of the Affordable Care Act. I think it is wrong for New Jersey and for America. I fought against it and believe, in the long run, it will not achieve what it promises. However, it is now the law of the land. I will make all my judgments as governor based on what I believe is best for New Jersey

That's far from a ringing endorsement for the ACA. The fact that he's not willing to pull a Rick Scott and screw his state out of hundreds of millions of federal cash to make a political point doesn't mean he loves the program.

I actually think it just means he's being pragmatic about it. God forbid we get a bit of that pre-2000s pragmatism up in here. It's like we don't even know how to interpret it any more.

EDIT: I take that back. Rick Scott has changed course as of this week: http://www.theamericanconservative.c...at-rick-scott/

[lektrode]

Re: Chris Christie U-Turns And Accepts Obamacare – GOP’s Heads Explode

....I actually think it just means he's being pragmatic about it. God forbid we get a bit of that pre-2000s pragmatism up in here. It's like we don't even know how to interpret it any more.....

+1
as per usual, dc - you keep us in focus - thanks!
its almost too late to 'buck the system'
god - or somebody - help us

[don]

Re: Chris Christie U-Turns And Accepts Obamacare – GOP’s Heads Explode

I'm not disputing that Obamacare might be perceived as populist, but can someone explain why? It seems like the most typical government program I can imagine:

1. It takes money from the middle class and above to redistribute it to the poor: Low income tax credits, Medicaid expansion
2. It picks out a few special interest groups and provides a benefit for them: Forces high margin healthy people to buy private insurance. Covers indigent care for the hospitals and restricts competition.
3. It adds layers of new regulations, bureaucracy and government workers. This gives politicians new levers to pull for the benefit of their contributors/voting blocs.
4. It does nothing to help with the issues it was supposed to fix: Patient Protection and Affordable Care.

Mission accomplished right? Am I missing anything?

I was referring to Christie.