Steve ottoWichita Peace and Freedom Party Examiner;
State Rep. Jim Ward, a Wichita Democrat, is furious about a move by Governor Sam Brownback to return a federal grant, needed for overhauling the heath care system, when Obamacare goes into practice in 2012. Ward is on the Joint Committee on Health Policy Oversight. According to The Wichita Eagle, he called Brownback's move "unconscionable." The money amounted to $31.5 million.Among the reasons for the money is to help pay for an online exchange system so people can compare health insurance policies and buy one that best fit their needs. This is all part of an integration plan that the Health and Human Services Department will operate in states that don't create their own.
According to the Newsfeed Researcher Ward said;
“When conservative leaders are cutting social services across the state, why would the state turn away money intended to make a more user-friendly health insurance marketplace, he asked? Ward said exchanges have nothing to do with the controversial parts of the federal health care act, such as mandating coverage. It just creates a marketplace similar to what many people use when shopping for a flight online, he said. The state will still have to create an exchange system of its own or let the federal government run it, he said.”
As to Brownback’s reaction Newsfeed Researcher said;
“There is much uncertainty surrounding the ability of the federal government to meet its already budgeted future spending obligations," Brownback said.
Once a grant goes out it does not have to be returned, so Brownback is deliberately trying to sabotage any effort by President Barack Obama to implement the new health care plan. This seems to be in line with the Republican Tea Party mandate of rule or ruin. They would rather lay off more workers and make more budget cuts than except a program that is already the law of the land. Returning the money was a slap in the face to many of the people in Kansas
Picture from Goodhouse keeping.
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