Koch Brothers against Trump?

Politico reports that the Koch Brothers promise to help fund Republicans who vote against AHCA. What does this mean exactly? I don't know.

Republican Healthcare modifications

Three articles: WaPo reports Trump stumped on Capitol Hill for the plan, threatening to "come after" Repubs who oppose the bill . Wow. Just wow. Can you imaging any of the previous presidents doing that? I get it; people wanted different. But don't you think this is a little threatening and authoritarian? Wa Po also reports on some of the budgetary adjustments that are supposed to help Medicaid and older people . This is far from a finished piece of legislation, and it doesn't do all that it is supposed to. I am still just shaking my head about it because it falls far short of the changes that need to be made to go either in a true free market direction or in a single payer direction. NYT has a great graphic on how the Repubs will vote in the HOuse and a NYT Upshot that explains the changes that were made and an article that explains the role of upstate NY in these changes . These changes definitely turn control over to states. Whether that is good or not, ??? Probably not, I don't think.

Work requirement for Medicaid

WaPo reports major changes to Medicaid with the work requirement, not that I am surprised by that. It is worth being informed.

Congress Balks at Trump Budget and What is next for the Budget

Brookings nicely outlined Four Key Points regarding Trump's budget and the struggle is explained in WaPo Explaining how Republicans and Congress are not on board . And in case you forgot who is really hurt by the Trump Budget, read WaPo's analysis on the impact for the poor . I also saw on Twitter where the White House budget guy Mulvaney explained that Meals on Wheels and after school programs are not producing results and should be cut. It is sickening in my opinion. Immoral.

Congress is getting unhappy over Trump claims

NYT reports that members of Congress are stridently rejecting the wiretapping claims  and WaPo reports that they are demanding more cooperation on the Trump Russian connection . It is about time.

Town Halls - What are they good for?

WaPo cited a Joe Barton town hall where he told a constituent to shut up but the tag line ignores that he called on the same guy later First, watch the headlines and actually read the article. I was curious because I am planning on the Sessions Town Hall on Saturday. More to come.

Withholding?? Not the Trump Admin! Or Yes. Or Maybe.

WaPo cites the Senate Judiciary Committee for pushing back against Trump over Russian connections and the wiretap claim. Some of this is insider BS. Some is real S***. In Texas, who knows what is what. But the Trump claim on GOP control is weakening. Email, mail, call you Representative and Senators. It is worth it. I do so roughly every 7-10 days to let them know I watch, read, listen. I created a spreadsheet, form letter, and PDFs of both. I email, I send letters. I am done letting someone else set the agenda. I work, have a family, and created a way to be politically engaged regardless. Whatever you do matter. One email. One letter. Own It. Do It! If you want tips, comment. I will tell you what I do. Most probably gets me on a watch list, but I don't care. #Whateves.

CBO: What is it? What does it say? And why attacks on the CBO matter.

WaPo breaks down the CBO report and then questions why the White House is attacking it.

ACA Revision will leave millions without healthcare which is something I have already posted about.

Notably, the CBO states that defunding Planned Parenthood will lead to more births  which is ironic since the Repubs in Congress and the WH want to cut education and lunches and life expectancy in the US is lower than other developed countries. Huh? What is this about?

Lastly, what is the CBO and why do attacks matter?  It is non partisan and analyzes implications of Congressional policy - put in place in 1975 probably as a response to frustrations with Great Society programs and attempts to streamline those. Dems and Repubs are often at odds with it, and the ACA was targeted as well. (Repubs cited it as a source then!) Why do attacks on it matter? Because in this world of "fake news" there should be some sources we rely on. The Trump Administration wants to demonize any sources except the president and people, that is totalitarianism.

The Sad State of Healthcare in the U.S. and what the Republican plan does to ignore it

The WaPo has an op ed and NYT has 3 articles that are worth reading on the subject.

The first is an op ed that Being an American is Life Threatening . I lead with this because it points out the problem of healthcare in the U.S. It is an op ed though.

Next is a fact check piece by NYT on the Trump Administration's attacks on the ACA . This illustrates that the ACA faces a LOT of misinformation.

NYT also provided hypothetical cases on How the Republican Healthcare Plan will affect you , so if you want examples to visualize what the plan means this is it. It illustrates that the working poor suffer the most.

NYT also provided a CBO analysis with graphics that illustrate the CBO analysis. For more info on the CBO attack, see the CBO post. 😀

Healthcare - Millions will lose coverage

WaPo Trumpcare causes 24 million to lose coverage , Ryan won't repeat Trump's promise

I simply cannot agree with or begin to find a defense of this plan. It is reprehensible.

Politco White House analysis worse than CBO

Russian Intervention is a National Security Issue and State Lawmakers seek to curb it

Brookings Russia's ability to intervene is a National Security Issue

PBS News Hour State Lawmakers seek to curb foreign influence

So isn't this a job for our federal government? Oh wait, they are trying to destroy government (anarchists). The Russia thing needs to be investigated.

It is a Brave New World!

WaPo House Bill to allow employers to conduct genetic testing.

Or their employees will face financial penalties. So let me get this straight - ACA is too much government, but this is okay?? Um, Bill of Rights, 4th Amendment?? It is hypocritical to refuse to provide national healthcare but then allow our employers to genetically test us. This is not about the Constitution, it is about laissez faire (and it is repulsive!). Not to mention the connections to Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. Wow.

Health Insurance - Winners and Losers

This has 3 articles shared. One, from Politico cites Anthem, a major health insurer that backs TrumpCare. Are we really surprised? Huff Po cites: "According to that analysis, which the Joint Committee on Taxation prepared this week and which the New York Times obtained, shows households with incomes of more than $1 million will get tax cuts that, over the next decade, would add up to roughly $157 billion." And finally, WaPo has an article on the poor in W. VA and how the loss of ACA will hurt them. Sadly, many in W. VA want coal jobs that won't come back. It is sad. 

We should be appalled by this. 

Here are the articles:

Politco Major Health Insurers Back Plan

Huff Po Millionaires Will get $157 Million Tax Cut

Wa Po Poor and Sick and Voted for Trump

Republican Healthcare =FAILURE - several links

Brookings Expect the CBO to estimate large coverage losses

Wow. Just Wow. And how is this better. I find this so repulsive.

For another piece of coverage

American Healthcare Act Debate - Austin Channel 7

HuffPo Paul Ryan's Wonk Stick - Yeah, Paul Ryan is a creep

HuffPo HHS Tom Price says "nobody will be financially worse off"  Um, sure Tom. Whatever you say. *eye roll*

HR 899 Eliminate the Dept of Education

A Texas Representative co sponsored the bill to eliminate the DoE

Lovely. Do they even understand what they are doing? I agree that there problems with the heavy handed oversight but there are valuable pieces to the Department. This is dismantling everything. At the very list, we will be shortening the list of people who can be designated survivors!

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/899/cosponsors?pageSort=lastToFirst

Should Men Pay for Maternity Care?

Should men pay for maternity care?

I actually get the logic of the argument but it points to the fact that we as a society must decide what we value. Don't claim to value unborn life and then object prenatal care. So much hypocrisy.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/03/09/is-that-not-correct-male-gop-lawmaker-asks-why-men-should-pay-for-prenatal-coverage/?utm_term=.521a8c4a80e1&wpisrc=nl_most&wpmm=1

You can have guns, but you can't have a place to sleep or treatment services.

Dropping Addiction Services with the Republican Healthcare
Dallas and Collin County lack of Homeless Shelters

Wow. Guns but not mental healthcare. Druggies but not treatment. What kind of world are they creating???  And locally Dallas doesn't have enough emergency housing. Note that most are minorities and have drug issues or mental illness. This is so sad.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/03/09/gop-health-care-bill-would-drop-mental-health-coverage-mandate-covering-1-3-million-americans/?utm_term=.c1b566e6ffb5&wpisrc=nl_rainbow&wpmm=1

http://www.dallasnews.com/news/social-justice-1/2017/03/09/number-homeless-people-living-streets-dallas-collin-counties-drastically-increased-year

Debt Ceiling Hypocrisy

Debt ceiling hyposcrisy

I don't disagree with raising the debt ceiling nor with anything Mnuchin is suggesting but the hypocrisy here is startling. Ugh. Republican Congress.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/03/09/treasury-calls-on-congress-to-raise-debt-limit-begins-steps-to-delay-default/?utm_term=.988e4eb28ea8&wpisrc=nl_rainbow&wpmm=1