The proposed health care bill would shift billions of dollars of unfunded mandates onto state governments. According to the non-partisan think tank The Heritage Foundation, the Senate’s bill would cost state budgets more than $32 billion over 6 years by forcing them to expand Medicaid eligibility. Even scarier, many states estimate the true cost of the bill could be even higher.
There has never been a worse time to impose massive unfunded mandates upon the states. Most state budgets have been greatly reduced as a result of the economy. In fact, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that states will “have dealt with a total budget shortfall of some $375 billion for 2010 and 2011.”
By enacting the flawed health care bill, the federal government would deal a major blow to reforms already under way in the states. For example, Texas and Mississippi have enacted lawsuit liability reform that has curtailed rising insurance costs for doctors. Politico describes the reforms enacted in Indiana as “expanded health insurance and prescription drug access in a market-friendly way.” The reforms taking place at the state level are better for everyone than the bloated federal bill.
The health care proposal is not the only piece of federal legislation that would harm the states. Please check back regularly for updates on other federal proposals that could hurt your state.
Issues
Healthcare Mandates:
The proposed health care bill would shift billions of dollars of unfunded mandates onto state governments. According to the non-partisan think tank The Heritage Foundation, the Senate’s bill would cost state budgets more than $32 billion over 6 years by forcing them to expand Medicaid eligibility. Even scarier, many states estimate the true cost of the bill could be even higher.
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Unaffordable:
There has never been a worse time to impose massive unfunded mandates upon the states. Most state budgets have been greatly reduced as a result of the economy. In fact, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that states will “have dealt with a total budget shortfall of some $375 billion for 2010 and 2011.”
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A Better Way:
By enacting the flawed health care bill, the federal government would deal a major blow to reforms already under way in the states. For example, Texas and Mississippi have enacted lawsuit liability reform that has curtailed rising insurance costs for doctors. Politico describes the reforms enacted in Indiana as “expanded health insurance and prescription drug access in a market-friendly way.” The reforms taking place at the state level are better for everyone than the bloated federal bill.
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The health care proposal is not the only piece of federal legislation that would harm the states. Please check back regularly for updates on other federal proposals that could hurt your state.