Government Coup

[iris lilies]

But when I retired in 2020, not QUITE old enough for medicare, that's exactly what I bought - just not thru the exchange, from an independent broker. So I'm confused about this. I paid about $200 a month, I think? And I got nothing until I'd paid out $20K myself for the year. To me, that seems like catastrophic coverage, although of course it wasn't named that.

what year was that? my understanding is that catastrophic coverage was available only to younger people. But what you describe is exactly the policy I would’ve purchased. It sounds great. I wouldnt expect the ACA exchange to offer this, so maybe I am wrong and it WAS available I just didnt look in the right place.

edited to add: early morning, I just looked into it and you are right! Mea culpa! For sure we would’ve taken one of those Insurance policies and saved thousands. Well, too late now. Instead we paid out Cobra costs for 18 months, ugh!

[catherine]

So, I'm working on my next market research report, and here is a direct quote from a person I spoke with about social determinants of health.

So I grew up with no privilege. I created my own privilege through just educating myself and learning all I could learn. I was very determined to not be a product of where I came from. I tried really hard to elevate myself, which I did. I've worked for General Motors, Hewlett Packard, and it was my cushion. Corporate America was my cushion. It provided me with all the stability, all of the comfort that I needed, but it was not satisfying to my purpose. So I work a full time schedule on a very part time salary. So I don't currently have medical insurance. I this is my first time in life, being without medical insurance, I'm scared...a little nervous. I do have health conditions, but I maintain the best I can by trying to eat healthy.I protected myself with life insurance. I feel like, if you know nothing else, I will be covered on that end.

If this person who is working in a non-profit setting (her choice--but a highly rewarding one for her, and I'm sure beneficial for her community) had access to a national heath system, she wouldn't have to pray she doesn't get an emergency that will put her in the hospital. AND she is willing to work for peanuts to provide value to her community. The country is getting a great deal with her as a dedicated citizen. It would be more of a win-win situation if the country provided her with the same health benefits she got at her soul-sucking corporate job.

[Rogar]

Or the Cock of the Coup.

Good one. I was thinking the quack of the flock.

[iris lilies]

So, I'm working on my next market research report, and here is a direct quote from a person I spoke with about social determinants of health.

So I grew up with no privilege. I created my own privilege through just educating myself and learning all I could learn. I was very determined to not be a product of where I came from. I tried really hard to elevate myself, which I did. I've worked for General Motors, Hewlett Packard, and it was my cushion. Corporate America was my cushion. It provided me with all the stability, all of the comfort that I needed, but it was not satisfying to my purpose. So I work a full time schedule on a very part time salary. So I don't currently have medical insurance. I this is my first time in life, being without medical insurance, I'm scared...a little nervous. I do have health conditions, but I maintain the best I can by trying to eat healthy.I protected myself with life insurance. I feel like, if you know nothing else, I will be covered on that end.

If this person who is working in a non-profit setting (her choice--but a highly rewarding one for her, and I'm sure beneficial for her community) had access to a national heath system, she wouldn't have to pray she doesn't get an emergency that will put her in the hospital. AND she is willing to work for peanuts to provide value to her community. The country is getting a great deal with her as a dedicated citizen. It would be more of a win-win situation if the country provided her with the same health benefits she got at her soul-sucking corporate job.

You are drawing financial conclusions without “showing your work” as our old math teachers would say.

I would like to know how much she makes first of all, where she lives (cost of rent consideration) before I conclude, she cannot afford an ACA policy.

how many people have told you they cannot afford an ACA policy? Whether with today’s current subsidies or before the three year hike in subsidy. Catherine, isn’t this woman telling you she does not now have an ACA policy and that’s with these apparently high subsidies? do I understand her correctly?

I remain skeptical that my friends with three paid for buildings that contain 5-6 rental units plus their paid for Mexican condo can’t afford an ACA policy. That’s what they told me back in the day. ridiculous.

[catherine]

Actually, I'm not trying to lawyer her specific case, it's more an attempt to put a face on the impact of not having a national health plan. You are right, she does not have an ACA policy, as far as I know. That's what she suggests here--that all she has is a life insurance policy.

Franky, it is raising my blood pressure listing to the straight-out lies and deception I'm hearing with DH watching Fox News in the other room right now. UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS DO NOT QUALIFY FOR FEDERAL MEDICAID MONEY. Unless they go to a hospital with a life-threatening condition, the hospital MAY get reimbursed for their care. Medicair funds represent less than 2% of the Federal Medicaid budget. Undocumented workers, however, contribute almost $1B dollars in taxes. https://itep.org/reuters-fact-check-...-do-pay-taxes/

Let's quibble about nickels and dimes, but the fact is, the Republican party is using this ONE talking point in typical Trump fashion to try to convince Americans that these Medicaid cuts are warranted because aliens are stealing millions and millions from American taxpayers. It is driving me crazy. If this Medicaid stuff goes down, Federally Qualified Health Centers will close. People will die. But who cares as long as it's not my kid. Not in my community.

ETA: IL, I'm not "shouting" at you--it's this background noise in my living room I'm reacting to.

[Alan]

Franky, it is raising my blood pressure listing to the straight-out lies and deception I'm hearing with DH watching Fox News in the other room right now. UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS DO NOT QUALIFY FOR FEDERAL MEDICAID MONEY.

But in many cases they do qualify for state Medicaid benefits which are paid using federal Medicaid dollars. https://www.uspresidentialelectionne...oogle_vignette

How States Backdoor Federal Medicaid Money

Some states have restructured their budgets in ways that let them expand coverage to people who should not qualify, while still drawing down federal Medicaid matching funds.

• Provider tax recycling: States like California tax hospitals and insurers, then recycle the money back through Medicaid payments. That inflated spending triggers more federal matching funds, which are then used to expand coverage
• Artificial cost shifting: By reclassifying certain services or administrative costs, states can claim them under Medicaid and pull in a federal match, even when the services go to populations that should be excluded
• Waivers and loopholes: Some states apply for waivers or build state programs that mirror Medicaid, but still manage to intertwine them with the federal match system
• State-funded Medicaid lookalikes: In places like California, Oregon, Washington, Illinois, New York, and New Jersey, these programs provide full health coverage to illegal immigrants. On paper, they are “state programs,” but in practice, they often rely on the same infrastructure and funding flows as Medicaid

The result is that Medicaid dollars, both state and federal, are being used directly and indirectly to pay for illegal immigrant health care.

• California – Full Medicaid-style coverage for all low-income adults regardless of status (Source)
• Oregon – Full Medicaid-style coverage for all ages, regardless of status (Source)
• Washington – Full Medicaid-style coverage for adults regardless of status (Source)
• Illinois – Medicaid-style coverage for undocumented seniors 65+(Source)
• New York – Full Medicaid for undocumented seniors 65+; pregnant women and children also covered regardless of status (Source)
• New Jersey – Coverage for all children under 19, regardless of immigration status (Source)
• Connecticut – Coverage for children up to age 15, regardless of immigration status (Source)
• Rhode Island – Coverage for all children under 18, regardless of immigration status (Source)
• Massachusetts – MassHealth Limited plus Health Safety Net for certain hospital/community health services, regardless of status (Source)
• District of Columbia – DC Health Care Alliance covers undocumented adults (Source)
• Minnesota – MinnesotaCare expansion for undocumented adults (Ended July 2025, Source)
• Colorado – Not Medicaid, but OmniSalud provides subsidized marketplace plans for undocumented residents (Source)

This list is not exhaustive but merely a sample of where illegal aliens can receive taxpayer-funded Medicaid on your dime.

[catherine]

The result is that Medicaid dollars, both state and federal, are being used directly and indirectly to pay for illegal immigrant health care.

• California – Full Medicaid-style coverage for all low-income adults regardless of status (Source)
• Oregon – Full Medicaid-style coverage for all ages, regardless of status (Source)
• Washington – Full Medicaid-style coverage for adults regardless of status (Source)
• Illinois – Medicaid-style coverage for undocumented seniors 65+(Source)
• New York – Full Medicaid for undocumented seniors 65+; pregnant women and children also covered regardless of status (Source)
• New Jersey – Coverage for all children under 19, regardless of immigration status (Source)
• Connecticut – Coverage for children up to age 15, regardless of immigration status (Source)
• Rhode Island – Coverage for all children under 18, regardless of immigration status (Source)
• Massachusetts – MassHealth Limited plus Health Safety Net for certain hospital/community health services, regardless of status (Source)
• District of Columbia – DC Health Care Alliance covers undocumented adults (Source)
• Minnesota – MinnesotaCare expansion for undocumented adults (Ended July 2025, Source)
• Colorado – Not Medicaid, but OmniSalud provides subsidized marketplace plans for undocumented residents (Source)

This list is not exhaustive but merely a sample of where illegal aliens can receive taxpayer-funded Medicaid on your dime.

Interesting information.

In many of these state cases, the direct and indirect funds drawn from the Federal coffers is limited to seniors and children. I would like to see what percentage of the Federal budget these workarounds to cover sick people represent.

It's also a question of priorities. We are not expanding the National debt by trillions of dollars by tightening the Medicare/Medicaid belt. Personally, I would never die on the sword of taking healthcare away from already indigent people... but Trump's soundbite that "Illegal Aliens are siphoning your money and that's why we have to pass this bill." is bunk.

[iris lilies]

Actually, I'm not trying to lawyer her specific case, it's more an attempt to put a face on the impact of not having a national health plan. You are right, she does not have an ACA policy, as far as I know. That's what she suggests here--that all she has is a life insurance policy.

Franky, it is raising my blood pressure listing to the straight-out lies and deception I'm hearing with DH watching Fox News in the other room right now. UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS DO NOT QUALIFY FOR FEDERAL MEDICAID MONEY. Unless they go to a hospital with a life-threatening condition, the hospital MAY get reimbursed for their care. Medicair funds represent less than 2% of the Federal Medicaid budget. Undocumented workers, however, contribute almost $1B dollars in taxes. https://itep.org/reuters-fact-check-...-do-pay-taxes/

Let's quibble about nickels and dimes, but the fact is, the Republican party is using this ONE talking point in typical Trump fashion to try to convince Americans that these Medicaid cuts are warranted because aliens are stealing millions and millions from American taxpayers. It is driving me crazy. If this Medicaid stuff goes down, Federally Qualified Health Centers will close. People will die. But who cares as long as it's not my kid. Not in my community.

ETA: IL, I'm not "shouting" at you--it's this background noise in my living room I'm reacting to.

oh honey, my head would explode if I had to have fox or I suppose any of them on all day but yeah fox for sure on during the day at my house. We don’t DO TV during the day at all and we’ve never ever watched News shows (well, never during the day and we stopped watching any tv delivered news 30 years ago.)

we managed to get our conservative talking points elsewhere.

[Rogar]

Some of the confusion can be resolved with a little searching. I don't really understand complicated exceptions around medicaid, however I take it that there are hospitals and clinics that will not deny treatment for walks ins who are sick. Now, those without health insurance due to affordability will be treated at whose expense? News had at least one of these clinics recently shut down due to the numbers now adding up for continued operations. Others like the big hospitals will need to charge paying customers more to make up the differences, and I assume those cost will be passed along to us in some form or another. It gets complicated, but I doubt the GOP is representing the situations accurately.

https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-an...-and-medicaid/

[iris lilies]

Some of the confusion can be resolved with a little searching. I don't really understand complicated exceptions around medicaid, however I take it that there are hospitals and clinics that will not deny treatment for walks ins who are sick. Now, those without health insurance due to affordability will be treated at whose expense? News had at least one of these clinics recently shut down due to the numbers now adding up for continued operations. Others like the big hospitals will need to charge paying customers more to make up the differences, and I assume those cost will be passed along to us in some form or another. It gets complicated, but I doubt the GOP is representing the situations accurately.

https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-an...-and-medicaid/

Hospitals are required by law to treat ANYONE in a medical emergency. Anyone. That’s federal law. It was enacted during the Reagan years.

Roger’s link is from the “ KFF” which irritatingly changed its name from the Kaiser Family Foundation. I think we all know them as their old name and they are a reputable think tank that does healthcare population research.