Conservative Republican State Senators issued a statement yesterday reiterating their opposition to the Expanded Madicaid program, which effectively installs Obamacare in our state.
Lachance: Medicaid Expander
The expansion Medicaid, which, according to the statement, gives free healthcare to able-bodied adults who are not working full time was set to sunset this December, however a bill sponsored by Manchester State Rep. Joe Lachance and supported by Senate Majority Leader Jeb Bradley would to continue the program for another two years, with total costs exploding from $400 Million annually in reimbursement to hospitals to cover medical services to the uninsured to over $800 Million combined.
Cataldo: Can’t afford what we’re doing now
“At a time when New Hampshire has withheld services to our most needy citizens in the Developmentally Disabled Community, and suggested cuts to programs like Meals on Wheels, we cannot and should not be spending hundreds of millions of dollars a year to excessively over fund “free” government services to able-bodied adults of working age who are presently not working full time,” said Senator Sam Cataldo, Republican from Rochester.
Daniels:
Senator Gary Daniels, Republican form Milford said, quote, “Proponents would like us to believe that hospitals and insurers will pick up the costs left by the reduction in federal funds without any consequences. The fact is that hospitals and insurers are businesses and it would be shortsighted for us to believe those costs would not be passed on to consumers in the form of higher premiums or reduced services, just as the federal government did when it raided Medicare funds to pay for the Affordable Care Act.”
Senator John Reagan Republican from Deerfield asked quote, “Why are people so ready to see the federal government do to health care what the government did to education? The United States spends more money per student than any other country in the world and is satisfied to produce students ranking worse than 25 other countries. Will we now enjoy the burden of the world’s most expensive health care while we watch other countries live longer and healthier lives on many fewer taxpayer dollars?”
Quote “We have to remember that no one in New Hampshire can be denied medical service and our state has been a leader in insuring sick people have access to care when needed, but this program is merely paying hospitals double to do the same job they are doing today,“ said Senator Andy Sanborn, Republican from Bedford. He went on to say, “Part of being a good steward of people’s tax dollars is being able to distinguish between what we can afford and what is an excessive use of taxpayers’ money. I am very concerned that this program will be a disincentive to find ways to lower health care costs for people who pay for their insurance and discourages people to find full time work.”
Senator Kevin Avard (R) Nashua added, “For any legislation that will cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars a year, one would expect that both sides of the discussion would be consulted and efforts would be made to try all alternatives in an effort to protect taxpayers, but this is just the latest example of back room deals where those who advocate a specific policy get together with those who will benefit from it and they try to ram something through. These Washington tactics are not right for New Hampshire.
News from our own backyard continues after this.
The New Hampshire Retail Association named Senator Gary Daniels the 2016 Legislator of the Year. Daniels accepted the award saying quote “It is a distinct honor to be named the 2016 Legislator of the year by the New Hampshire Retail Association… It has been among my top priorities as a Senator to limit restrictions that pose a threat to New Hampshire business’ ability to be successful and protect our retailers and small businesses which employ 96% of our state’s citizens… Thank you to the NH Retail Association for this award and recognition. I will continue to do my part to ensure that Granite State businesses are able to thrive in a growing, competitive statewide economy.”
The eighth and final UMass Lowell/7 News tracking poll didn’t show much change in the standings. Republican Donald Trump’s lead remains 21 points above his closest rival, tough his poll numbers dipped a couple of points, garnering support from thirty four percent of likely G O P voters. Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz were tied at thirteen percent. Governors Jeb Bush and John Kasich finished the poll tied at ten percent.
Senator Bernie Sanders finishes the poll 16 points above Hillary Clinton, fifty six to forty percent. We’ve linked to all the details.
Of course, the polls could already be wrong. On the GOP side of the house, Dixville Notch cast three votes for Ohio Governor John Kasich. Real estate mogul received 2 votes. Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders swept the Democratic vote, winning all four.
As we all know, today is Primary Day in New Hampshire, the only poll that matters.
The Merrimack Police Department is the latest community to announce a temporary traffic pattern around Merrimack High School for today from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. because of the Presidential Primary. Police are requiring that all voter traffic enter from McElwain and Woodbury streets and exit the parking lot onto O’Gara drive to Baboosic Lake Road. Traffic officers and police volunteers will be available to direct voters to available parking spots and to exit from the parking lots. The polls at Merrimack High School will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Be sure to check your local police department or town Web site for traffic advisories before you head off to the polls today.
That’s news from our own backyard, Girard at Large hour ___ is next!
