Posted on 03/24/2013 12:23:55 AM PDT by Kaslin
It has been federal for three years. It has brought chaos to the labor markets. It has cost people their livelihoods and it is more unpopular than ever.
So why does Obamacare (officially known as the Affordable Care Act) remain so irresistible for so many of our fellow Americans? Because at its core Obamacare is not about health care, so much as it is about the redistribution of wealth, and for those who are on the receiving end of the redistribution the agenda is completely irresistible.
When the federal government doles-out cash, its difficult to say no. Thats why many of our nations top business consulting firms are cashing-in, as state government officials hire the consulting firms to figure out how to set up the new federal health care bureaucracies, complete with their own state-specific websites and call centers.
How difficult and costly could it be, do you suppose, to set up a website and a call center for the residents of one individual state? In the world of private enterprise, most small to midsize companies doing business within a specific region of the U.S. would be foolish to spend much more than a hundred thousand dollars for their customer service website and the infrastructure for a call center, and in many cases the project could be completed for much less.
But with Obamacare, the customer service element has become more of a corporate welfare element. Companies, careers, and personal fortunes are being made by people who are the states, as firms bill the individual states millions of taxpayer dollars for the website and call center set-ups (and the Obama administration frequently offers to reimburse the states for the set-up costs).
Take for example a company called Leavitt Partners, LLC. Founded by the former Republican Governor of Utah (and former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services) Michael Leavitt, the company describes itself as a healthcare intelligence business, and is focused solely on state-by-state Obamacare compliance (they have already completed Utahs insurance exchange start-up).
Were talking here about Michael Leavitt, the former Utah Governor who last year endorsed and campaigned on behalf of Mitt Romney, the presidential candidate who pledged to end Obamacare. Yes, that Michael Leavitt is making millions advising the states on how to comply with the monstrosity that his pal Mitt wanted to eliminate.
How much money is in play for these companies? Consider that last fall representatives from Leavitts company traveled north and proposed to build an exchange for their tiny nieghboring state of Idaho, a state with a population of less than 1.7 million people. Once the Leavitt representatives unveiled their proposed price tag to build an exchange - $70 million-an incredulous member of Idahos state insurance task force asked does Governor Leavitt really believe that this is a good idea?
Company associate Brett Graham replied with the nuanced explanation that Governor Leavitt doesnt like the feds dictating to the states, however, the Governor also believes that the states should stand inside the circle with the feds rather than stand outside of it- which was an artful way of saying yes, Governor Leavitt likes this and wants to get paid to show you how to do it.
Leavitts proposal was not the most expensive that the sparsely populated Idaho received. The global accounting and consulting firm KPMG weighed-in with a price tag of $77 million, and when a state official asked what the residents of Idaho would get in return for such a large expenditure, KPMG representative Andrew Gottschalk was vague: Its hard to explain exactly what you get Its hardware, its software, theres infrastructure, theres people and staffing he stated. There would likely be a call center. Its all kinds of things theres a lot of stuff .but its hard to be specific.
States spending millions of taxpayer dollars, and receiving all kinds of things and a lot of stuff in return. Thats our present-day reality with Obamacare. Along with Leavitt Partners and KPMG, global consulting firms Maximus and Mercer are also cashing-in. These firms employ well educated, highly skilled professionals with JDs, MBAs, and advanced degrees in information systems and healthcare management, most of whom would undoubtedly reject the idea that they are welfare recipients. As the Maximus corporate website states, we leverage our extensive experience and strong commitment to ethics to provide high quality services and solutions.
Along with the Obamacare cash thats flowing in to private consultants accounts, theres the money thats being handed-out to state and county governments under the auspice of Medicaid expansion. A key component of Obamacare was to have mandated that the individual states reduce eligibility requirements for Medicaid, and expand the number of participants in their respective programs. However, the United States Supreme Court overturned that component of the Obamacare law, so expansion of Medicaid is an elective choice for each of the states.
But not to worry, the President has made the expansion of the federal Medicaid welfare program irresistible, as the Administration is offering to pay 100% of the expansion costs for the first three years, for states that agree to the expansion this year. Thats why, for example, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who has refused to allow an Obamacare insurance exchange in his state, nonetheless agreed to the Medicaid expansion when you can get the feds to pay for peoples free healthcare, that alleviates the state and county agencies from paying for it. It creates an addiction to federal spending, but if youre in charge of a state or federal agency, it makes sense on some level.
This is the reality of Obamacare. Its wildly unpopular for the masses, but irresistible for those on the receiving end of the money grab.
Do you mean the one that is advertised on TV?
Yes, advertised on TV, Newsmax, and radio....not sure who wrote it, but Morris is pushing it hard. I’ve not read it, so I may be wrong, but it strikes me that it is a compliance book, of sorts, which I think is 180 degrees the wrong way to go.
Now, if I’m wrong on this...I’d be happy to know that...
That’s right on. When people get into an uproar about privatizing SS I point out to them that if you die early, the gov’t pockets your money and you can’t leave it to your heirs. This statistically affects black men more too.
The primary beneficiary of a socialist program is the socialist politicans. SS was made so Congress could spend more. Period.
If we could have a law that would prevent people, who work for government or are receivers of government largess, from voting.
Then implement the Simple Tax - a yearly tax of 10 to 20 percent for EVERYONE (rich or poor) with no deductions, tax credits, or other loopholes.
Brilliant post.
“Doctors and patients being the decisionmakers is fine - it fact, its the only way to fly.”
One more element must be added....payment terms are between the doctor and patient as well.
With that, you have a way to fix the system.
Frankly I think completely eliminating SS, medicare, and medicaid - COMPLETELY is the way to go. That’s the only hope - though some will see it as contradictory, especially those on SS, medicare and medicaid.
.....those that sup with the devil need a long spoon....
“When people get into an uproar about privatizing SS I point out to them that if you die early, the govt pockets your money and you cant leave it to your heirs.”
Better yet, just eliminate it completely. If there is any money left over (and let’s be honest, there isn’t) then it is returned proportionally to those who paid it.
We then have a charity problem. This is a challenge that without government interference can be more easily solved than trying to sustain the existing system of benefits of all kinds.
I remember when my hometown had a good law. If you received welfare from the town, you could not vote. We need that law nationwide.
Should be discussed more on FR.
Isn’t KPMG the proud sponsor of Phil “I’m paying too much in taxes” Mickleson?
One way or the other it won’t last long. Obamacare is the definition of unsustainable. It will collapse everything.
All this means is that Americans are no smarter than the Russians, Chinese & Cubans etc. Socialism/communism sounds good and fair to the masses. Re-distribute wealth so you will get your fair share never fails to seduce.
After 40 years or so, the masses wake up because their lives are even worse. Then they begin the reversion to capitalism.
Who would have predicted 40 years ago China will have ONE MILLION new millionaires? And Russia now has a flat rate income tax and lots and lots of Billionaires. Cuba is still suffering under iron fisted dictatorship.
Well; when yer robbin' Peter to pay Paul; you can ALWAYS count on Paul's support!
Almost...
...the gummint sure had no CLUE that it would be legal to murder future American's before they drew their first breath.
55,000,000 paying INTO the system would sure help with the bills!!!
Social Security was a transfer the wealth Ponzi scheme from day one. It is a tax which the government takes from you and gives to someone else. You are not owed a single penny and never have been. The money has not be stolen or misused. The system has and continues to work just as it was intended which is: causing it recipients to become dependents of the US Federal Government.
Social Security = Welfare.
I am totally opposed to abortion. It is truly “death penalty for the pre-born”.
Having said that, if you examine the demographics of those aborted, I seriously doubt their survival would be a net positive for the SocSec system.
So if you and your spouse make $60,000 a year and are age 60, you pay about $475/month and the govt. pays about $1250. Sounds good, right? Except if you make $62,500 or more, you pay the whole $1725/month, because that $2500 extra per year means you’re suddenly rich!
Kathleen Sebelius and her entire crew of idiots should be taken out and shot!
Do I hear an “I’m thirsty!” from the Tree of Liberty??
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