Tag: American Health Care Act

Interview: Sen. Sanders on GOP Health Care Reform

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders held two health care rallies yesterday in Covington, Kentucky and Morgantown, West Virginia, telling attendees to put pressure on their state representatives to vote against the GOP health care plans. Kara Lofton spoke with Sanders about his visits and what he thinks the proposed legislation would mean for Appalachia. 

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from the Benedum Foundation, Charleston Area Medical Center and WVU Medicine.

Report: Proposed Changes to Medicaid Threatens West Virginians

Analysis released this week found West Virginia could be one the most negatively impacted states in the country if Congress passes the House health care bill to replace the Affordable Care Act.  The health policy think tank Kaiser Family Foundation reports reductions in Medicaid or block grant financing would be especially harmful to communities in West Virginia and ten other states.

Congress has been debating the legislation to replace the Affordable Care Act for weeks. In May the House passed a bill called the American Health Care Act. This legislation would, among other things, fundamentally change the structure and funding for Medicaid, including Medicaid expansion.

Right now, Medicaid is a shared state/federal program with no caps on spending. The House bill would do away with that open-ended arrangement and cap federal spending to a set amount based on current state spending patterns. This move would reduce federal spending by about $834 billion from 2017-2026, according to the Congressional Budget Office. As a result, most states would have to make budget decisions about which programs to fund and what to cut.

The Kaiser analysis looked at factors such as whether a state expanded Medicaid, demographics like poverty or age, and state revenue choices for replacing federal funding to determine which states would most likely be impacted. They found that while all states could face challenges making up the funding changes, Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, South Carolina, Texas, and West Virginia would likely be most affected.

Supporters of the House health care bill say the change will give states more flexibility to customize state Medicaid programs and better serve local populations. Critics are concerned the move will save the federal government money, but result in lost coverage and decreased access to care.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from the Benedum Foundation, Charleston Area Medical Center and WVU Medicine.

McKinley Explains Vote for American Health Care Act

Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., explained his vote for the American Health Care Act in an interview with West Virginia Public Broadcasting today.

Critics of the House bill say it reduces funding for Medicaid, and makes services like substance abuse treatment optional for states.

But McKinley said the bill contains additional funding to cover drug treatment.

“It’s disingenuous for anyone to suggest that we’re not going to have adequate money for Medicaid for people on drug overdose problems. We’re going to have that,” he said.

You can hear more of our interview with Congressman McKinley above, including info on his work to fight opioid addiction and promoting energy research, or listen to West Virginia Morning, Monday at 7:41 a.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

The Congressional Budget Office did not have time to score this version of the bill, but it said the previous version would increase the number of uninsured Americans by 24 million people.

McKinley is skeptical of that number, and pointed out the CBO says the average premium will cost less under the American Health Care Act.

“They’re already saying premiums are going to drop. That’s very important. But they also went on to say some people could lose their coverage, but that’s iffy, if that takes place,” he said.

“Our point here, primarily, is, get our premiums down. Our people cannot afford these premium increases.”

McKinley also points to billions the House bill directs toward high-risk insurance pools and other areas.

The House bill is now in the Senate, and McKinley says he’s open to whatever changes they may make.

What Trumpcare Means for West Virginia

All three West Virginia Congressmen voted for the American Health Care Act – the bill to repeal Obamacare.

Critics say it would hurt low-income and older people, both of which are found in abundance in West Virginia. Supporters say Obamacare has failed to offer affordable health care options to many. We debate who’s right.

Also, should pets be allowed in the workplace? And if so, under what conditions?

“The Front Porch” is where we tackle the tough issues facing Appalachia the same way you talk with your friends on the porch.

“The Front Porch” is hosted by conservative lawyer and columnist Laurie Lin, WVPB CEO Scott Finn, and our liberal, goat-herding, Greek-loving, Hillbilly-philosophizing, American-Friends-Service-Committee working co-host, Rick Wilson. 

An edited version of “The Front Porch” airs Fridays at 4:50 p.m. on West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s radio network, and the full version is available at wvpublic.org and as a podcast as well.

Share your opinions with us about these issues, and let us know what you’d like us to discuss in the future. Send a tweet to @radiofinn or @wvpublicnews, or e-mail S cott at sfinn @ wvpublic.org

The Front Porch is sponsored by the Charleston Gazette-Mail, using its C-G-M App to deliver the latest news, traffic and weather alerts. Download the C-G-M app at iTunes or Google Play.

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