Some states seek flexibility to push health-care overhaul further

Source: WaPo

As far as health-reform boosters go, Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber is among the most stalwart.

“We want to show that health reform is something real, that it actually works,” he said. “Oregon is a place that can actually make it happen.”

His state has aggressively implemented the health overhaul Congress passed last year, taking more than $100 million in federal funding to do so.

But at the same time, the health-care law puts Kitzhaber (D) in a bind. This year, Oregon passed its own plan, which starts with changing how it pays doctors and eventually ends with allowing public employees to enroll in Medicaid, the federal insurance program for low-income Americans. There’s just one big obstacle: What Oregon wants to do would require the Obama administration to waive integral pillars of its signature legislative accomplishment.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/some-states-seeking-flexibility-to-push-health-reforms-further/2011/10/14/gIQALX7VpL_singlePage.html

....having the sort of social welfare state they have in western europe. THe federal govt is only holding the states back.

except an end to "frivolous law suits".

States should be allowed and encouraged to innovate and expand health services and coverage but don't forget folks stuck in republican states.

wait, what's the unemployment rate?

sell your house...
wait, what's the market like right now?

Sounds like a hell of a plan, brownie!

we should continue to fight this battle that can never be won instead of actually doing something practical that can be done.

Better to continue on the same forever instead of actually doing something

meanwhile, over in western europe, all these small nations that resemble....wait for it...AMERICAN STATES....easily did it. Because they are small and united and therefore can more easily beat back the rich and get what they want. Say, why is it I never see anyone on DU ever do any actual analysis of this situation and ask 'why not stronger states rights' in order to get a stronger welfare state?

Been watching this nonsense for many years....

... to create a welfare state. I have never heard a socialist make that statement. I have never heard a communist make that statement (though admittedly, communists and I don't make for a good conversation).

You appear to be one of a kind. Which makes for a very small political party!

it is that americans are braingrown from years of propaganda. The more "politically aware" the american, the more under the control of propaganda. My freedom from GOP-Dem propaganda makes me rare.


In western europe, they are all about the welfare state. Great place to live.

But to address your not so subtle accusation--I am a leftist and not a GOP "troll," much as I hate to use that forumphile word.

But as to what you mean by it, I have gotten into the practice of responding to the comment, "we need more jobs," with the reply, "why?"

A Caterpillar plant in Indiana that used to employ thousands now employees dozens. They produce more today than they did when they employed thousands.

It took our entire family working from sunup to sundown several weeks to plant and then again to harvest our farm. Those jobs are now done in two days by a couple of guys.

In each case there was not a single job lost to lack of demand. Not a single job lost overseas.

Techological advancement should be increasing leisure time. We should be working fewer hours and retiring younger. Instead, we are debating how much longer we need to work so Social Security stays afloat. Not only is the entire setup completely back asswards, even the conversations ignore that reality.

Time for a 30 hour work week, perhaps.

like a baby reaching for the moon. Like a turtle that wants to run like the deer. Just want it and it will come. Right?

You don't even know what tools are necessary to achieve these things.

I have seen NO opposition from the left to VT's single payer plan. And the federal government is NOT holding vermont back on that initiative.

Take your troll elsewhere.

would stronger states rights lead to more Vermonts?

Gee, I wonder why I have not seen that question being asked....

As was made clear when AHCA passed, the states are free to implement any plan that exceeds the standards of the Act. If you think that right-wing hell holes are not implementing SP because of over-regulation, you are in the wrong place. Texas has the fewest regulations, the strictest laws against malpractice suits, and the highest cost and worst health care in the nation

and not to the post your script told you i made

people as the AHCA.