(Gov.) Schweitzer asks federal government to allow Medicaid prescriptions for all Montanans

[Newsjock]

Source: Missoulian

Gov. Brian Schweitzer asked the federal government Tuesday to approve his proposal for Montana residents to buy prescription drugs through the government program Medicaid, potentially saving millions of dollars a year in drug costs.

"Our citizens will save hundreds of millions of dollars in buying their medicine," he told reporters at a Capitol news conference. "This is good for the citizens of Montana. It's a common-sense Montana solution."

Schweitzer said his administration had just submitted the 25-page request to federal Medicaid officials, but that he has no idea when the federal government might act on the plan.

Medicaid officials in Washington, D.C., couldn't be reached for comment.

The proposal calls for amending the state's Medicaid plan - technically, a "waiver" to the plan - to allow all Montana citizens to sign up for Medicaid to acquire prescription drugs, no matter their income level or health coverage under other plans.

Read more: http://missoulian.com/news/local/article_71c8c94e-f20c-11df-ab99-001cc4c002e0.html

[billlll]

1. NATIONALIZE all 4 corners of healthcare or get ripped off like this Pill Corner does to us

4 corners
-------------

Big Pill - aka Big Pharma

Doctors

Hospitals (includes Nursing homes etc)

Insurance
-------------------
___________________
Nationalize to end their arrogant mistreatment of citizens by rudeness... Not just fees.

We pay more than anyone on planet earth - DOUBLE what the nation below us on the cost list pays.

And they outlive us. We are # 49
in lifespan. We pay with our lives for their greed.

Europe's hospitals are cleaner - less MRSA.

Nationalize the greedheads.

[marions ghost]

5. +++++

:thumbsup:

Our brutal health care system CAUSES so much ill health.

[daleanime]

16. Hell yes....

:bounce:

[midnight]

29. Yes.

[bigdaddycoles66]

30. Amen to that!

You speak the truth and so eloquently. Thank You!

[Dappleganger]

37. You get my vote!!!!

:toast:

[KansDem]

40. Health care is a national-security issue

...and shouldn't be left in the hands of private concerns, who have shown repeatedly they do not care about America.

[area51]

60. +1

Each day, 273 people die due to lack of health care in the U.S.; that's 100,000 deaths per year.

We need single-payer health care, not a welfare bailout for the serial-killer insurance agencies.

We don't need the GingrichCare of mandated, unregulated, for-profit insurance that is still too expensive, only pays parts of medical bills, denies claims, bankrupts and kills people.

Republinazi '93 plan:

"Subtitle F: Universal Coverage - Requires each citizen or lawful permanent resident to be covered under a qualified health plan or equivalent health care program by January 1, 2005."

"We will never have real reform until people's health stops being treated as a financial opportunity for corporations."

"Any proposal that sticks with our current dependence on for-profit private insurers ... will not be sustainable. And the new law will not get us to universal coverage ...." -- T.R. Reid, The Healing of America

[No Elephants]

2. "Medicaid officials in Washington, D.C., couldn't be reached for comment."

Probably just out to lunch.

[AllTooEasy]

51. They probably just found out about it and are weighing their decison

I don't fault them...yet

[Monk06]

3. The Palinistas are not going to like this. I can see a new PAC. "Capitalists for Higher Drug Costs"

Just as the Founding Fathers intended :rofl:

[rfranklin]

24. No, it will be "Citizens for Safe Pharmaceuticals..."

You have to misdirect with something that injects fear yet sounds like a good thing.

[tclambert]

4. Yes, he is a Democrat. So he will be called a socialist by the right.

If he were a Republican, the others would give him a good talking to about how "bad for business" it is to save people money.

[Larkspur]

6. This is why I love Gov. Schweitzer

And I do hope that he becomes our Presidential nominee in 2016. He isn't afraid of and knows how to fight the Right Wing from a Democratic POV.

[zipplewrath]

10. What's he doing in 2012?

I mean, just wondering and all. A guy can dream can't he?

[SammyWinstonJack]

17. +1!

:thumbsup: I'll dream right along with ya.

[Jester Messiah]

36. Yeah, a civil war on the left would be GREAT in 2012.

That would just do wonders for our chances. :eyes:

[SpankMe]

44. You're bad. Bad!! N/t

[wellstone dem]

7. OH! I love Gov. Schweitzer

My daughter lives in Montana. I adopted her from foster care, and because of what she went through in her life she takes medication. Right now she is on my health insurance. Because she is out of state, I end up having to pay for most of her medical visits, but I've been able to cover that. Her medication is covered by my insurance because she can go to a national brand pharmacy. I've been so worried about what she will do when she ages out of my plan. This gives me hope. God bless you Gov. Schweitzer, God bless you.

[drm604]

8. According to the article

the way Medicaid is currently run, the amount of the discount Medicaid gets on prescriptions is hidden from the public. This would blow the lid off of that because everyone would see what the Medicaid prescriptions cost versus non-Medicaid. The Pharmaceutical companies certainly won't want this!

It'll be interesting to see how this plays out. As I understand it, this would be a decision made by Medicaid officials so the House couldn't block it. If Montana succeeds in this I can see other states doing the same. When their citizens see the difference in price they'll demand it!

Here's an idea. Allow insurance companies to also purchase through Medicaid provided they pass the majority of savings onto the consumer via rebates or reduced premiums.

[bread_and_roses]

11. A better idea. Get rid of the insurance companies (n/t)

[CTyankee]

12. This might be a step in that direction...

[drm604]

21. Well obviously.

That goes without saying, but I'm talking about what is possible at the current time.

[bigdaddycoles66]

31. That's what I'm talking about! Dismantle all the insurance companies

euthanize them like unwanted pest. Medicine for profit is a terminal disease in itself.

[Vinca]

9. I hope Schweitzer has bodyguards. Big pharma will be sending out a hit squad.

[earth mom]

46. I was thinking the same thing. Watch out for cliffs Governor!

:scared:

[Divernan]

13. This endruns Big Pharma's agreement with Obama in private negotiations

re the health care "reform" legislation, and I can't see them holding still for this. Because if Montana is allowed to do this, every other state will follow suit.

It absolutely should be done, and is precisely the kind of administration action (not waiting and hoping for legislation) which the Republicans/Bush perfected on behalf of their special interest backers.

What a historic thing it would be to see ordinary American citizens get the same break on prices that all of the other citizens in the world get.

We know Obama's HHS can do waivers, because some 111 entities have received waivers from implementing part of the new law. Obama's administration granted a one year waiver to employers, insurers and union plans, covering about 1 million people, and allowing the groups to maintain minimal coverage below the new law's standards.Among those receiving a waiver is McDonald's. You know, that fast food outfit employing many "hamburger jockeys", as the Enterprise Institute scathingly refers to McDonald's employees.

As of Nov. 14th, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sibelius has approved a whopping 111 waivers for businesses of all sizes, along with more unions and other providers of health insurance, including Darden Resaurants, the parent company of the Olive Garden and Red Lobster and other chains, which employ some 34,000 low-wage and part-time people.

http://www.hhs.gov/ociio/regulations/approved_applications_for_waiver.html.

[liberal N proud]

14. Meanwhile other bonehead Governors are trying to block assistance to their citizens

Bravo Governor Schweitzer

[denverbill]

15. Great idea. Unfortunately, the federal government won't be interested.

After all, the first thing Obama did when elected was make a backroom deal with insurance companies to protect their profits.

I'd be very surprised if they would allow this. Pleasantly surprised though.

[valerief]

18. Now THAT'S a governator!!!!!

:applause:

[saras]

19. Darn right

We don't want those socialists stealing OUR money.

It's OUR medicare, and OUR medicaid, WE paid for it, WE have a right to it.

:sarcasm:

[ZombieHorde]

20. Schweitzer is awesome. nt

[fascisthunter]

22. this should be done state by state

...in fact, in Jamaica Plain, Boston, MA there was a ballot question to gauge how many residents wanted their state reps to start an implementation of a single payer system. I think this is going to be inevitable, because we can't afford private insurance, we know it sucks, so why even pay them... get private interest out of the way so people can take care of themselves.

[rfranklin]

25. That is a true grass roots movement to change health care...

While it is possible, it is much more difficult for the corporations to bribe thousands of local politicians.

[fascisthunter]

26. great point!

we need to do this...

[Vincardog]

32. it is much more difficult for the corporations to bribe thousands of local politicians. Which is why

they buy JUDGES

[Jim Sagle]

39. Yes. States rights takes a hard left turn.

:thumbsup:

[ProudDad]

42. Here in bat-shit crazy Arizona

they've just voted to make this sort of thing unConstitutional... :nuke:

[me b zola]

23. K&R!

:thumbsup:

[gateley]

27. I'm a BIG Schweitzer fan. Good for him! nt

[femrap]

28. Wow.....

so glad to see we have a socialist in Montana. I mean it. I like socialized medicine...or whatever they have in Canada, Germany, France, Denmark, Sweden, etc. I like it and I want it....NOW!

[blondeatlast]

33. Arizona might even get on board with this considering all the retirees here.

This ex-Montanan (and I could consider future as well) says THANK YOU for the guts!

[ProudDad]

43. Nope. Prop 106 was just passed

and makes this sort of thing against the Arizona Constitution...

[blondeatlast]

49. Geez, how quickly I forget. Why, why, why am I here again?

[ProudDad]

57. I'm here for the weather and the music

I'm here for the weather and the music scene...

I'm here for the weather and the music scene...

I'm here for the weather and the music scene...

I'm here for the weather and the music scene...

I'm here for the weather and the music scene...

I'm here for the weather and the music scene...

I'm here for the weather and the music scene...

I'm here for the weather and the music scene...

I'm here for the weather and the music scene...

I'm here for the weather and the music scene...

I'm here for the weather and the music scene...

I'm here for the weather and the music scene...

I'm here for the weather and the music scene...

Gotta remember...

[hulka38]

34. That is leadership. n/t

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

35. Big Brian rules

This guy belongs on a Presidential ticket someday.

[FrancisTreptoe]

54. Agreed.

He has the smarts and guts to win. I envy montana, they actually have a governor that gets it.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

38. This is the type of thing that Democrats SHOULD be doing around the country

Even if their efforts fail, they should be seen as standing for something.

[ProudDad]

41. K&R

[pam4water]

45. Good Idea Maria ;)

[laughingliberal]

47. K & R nt

[supernova]

48. This is how it starts!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[BrklynLiberal]

50. Yessssssssssssss

[newtothegame]

52. Explain how this would work exactly.

Medicaid is affordable to patients only because it reimburses hospitals/pharmacies 50% or less of their costs to provide that service/drug. COSTS, not charges. $.52 on the dollar at my hospital. How exactly would our or any other communitie's health care providers stay open if all patient care was reimbursed like that?? :shrug:

Ed for sp

[ProudDad]

58. Because for-profit quoted "Charges" are after a 1000 percent markup

That insurance companies get "discounted" by 50 percent and rip us off in premiums to pay...

and their ACTUAL "costs" are 1/2 of what they're paid by Medicaid...

The rest is profit...

They are for-profit bullshit artists just like the health insurance mafia and the drug pushers...

Improved and Enhanced, Comprehensive and Complete Medicare for All ... with STRICT cost controls is what we need...

Stop pandering to the for-profit leeches in the Sick Care industry...

[Chemical Bill]

53. Can't they just drive to Canada like Palin did? n/t

[markmyword]

55. Me TOO

Why should Montana be the only state to allow ALL of its
citizens to sign up for Medicaid regardless of their income
level or coverage under other plans?

It's a GREAT idea and the rest of us in the other 49 states
should get to sign up too.

Wake-up Washington, the people want some financial relief and
this is a good start.

[ProudDad]

59. Here in bat-crap crazy Arizona

we CAN'T...

The asswipe, faux-sodden, idiot right-wing Sheeple here just voted in Prop 106 which makes this sort of thing against the Arizona Constitution...

They also voted in Prop 107 -- making Card Check against the Constitution too...

They hate "Guvmint Health Care" and "Unions" here...

They are basically clueless self-haters who vote against their own interests... :grr:

[glinda]

56. K & R