# What is your ongoing opinion of the Affordable Care Act? (Title Edited) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 17, 2013, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ongoing-opinion-of-the-affordable-care-act-title-edited/647561 "2013-01-17T23:21:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 125
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ongoing-opinion-of-the-affordable-care-act-title-edited/647561/2482 "2014-06-09T19:26:04Z")
Virginia has to pony up a percentage of those Medicaid funds after a few years. Typical federal BS, get states dependent then start making them pay for their dependency, giving them less and less control over their own budgets. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ongoing-opinion-of-the-affordable-care-act-title-edited/647561/2483 "2014-06-09T19:28:50Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Virginia has to pony up a percentage of those Medicaid funds after a few years. Typical federal BS, get states dependent then start making them pay for their dependency, giving them less and less control over their own budgets. First couple of doses are free… ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ongoing-opinion-of-the-affordable-care-act-title-edited/647561/2484 "2014-06-09T19:28:58Z")
Yes, 5% in 2017, 10% max after 2020. Max. But the time for a good spite tantrum is _now_. [No matter the human cost.](http://www.virginia-organizing.org/content/study-deadly-toll-opting-out-new-medicaid-expansion) ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ongoing-opinion-of-the-affordable-care-act-title-edited/647561/2485 "2014-06-09T19:31:41Z")
That’s not nothing. And since most states have balanced budget amendments, that means they have to cut other spending or raise taxes. And let’s not forget that Democrats tried to use state dependency in an unconstitutional fashion, to make states toe the line. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ongoing-opinion-of-the-affordable-care-act-title-edited/647561/2486 "2014-06-09T19:33:06Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > That’s not nothing. And since most states have balanced budget amendments, that means they have to cut other spending or raise taxes. > > And let’s not forget that Democrats tried to use state dependency in an unconstitutional fashion, to make states toe the line. Care to explain that last line? I’m not following. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ongoing-opinion-of-the-affordable-care-act-title-edited/647561/2487 "2014-06-09T19:33:23Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > That’s not nothing. Neither is the death count. > [@](#): > > And since most states have balanced budget amendments, that means they have to cut other spending or raise taxes. Raise taxes! Gasp! Horrors! > [@](#): > > And let’s not forget that Democrats tried to use state dependency in an unconstitutional fashion, to make states toe the line. The relevance of that statement being what? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ongoing-opinion-of-the-affordable-care-act-title-edited/647561/2488 "2014-06-09T19:34:13Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Yes, 5% in 2017, 10% max after 2020. Max. And the rest is free. Free lunch. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ongoing-opinion-of-the-affordable-care-act-title-edited/647561/2489 "2014-06-09T19:35:46Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Care to explain that last line? I’m not following. ACA required states to expand Medicaid or else lose all Medicaid funding. The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that this was unconstitutional. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ongoing-opinion-of-the-affordable-care-act-title-edited/647561/2490 "2014-06-09T19:44:26Z")
You were asked about its relevance to the discussion. Still waiting. **Terr** , the death count continues as long as care is left unavailable. Simple math. Up to you to decide if that’s as important as feeling like you’re “getting” Obama for something. But, if you can \*joke \*about “thinking about the children”, that’s not to be expected, is it? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ongoing-opinion-of-the-affordable-care-act-title-edited/647561/2491 "2014-06-09T19:52:32Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > **Terr** , the death count continues as long as care is left unavailable. Simple math. Simple math for simple minds. Republicans are killing your gramma. And children, of course. Won’t someone think of the children! ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ongoing-opinion-of-the-affordable-care-act-title-edited/647561/2492 "2014-06-09T19:53:27Z")
[Who _didn’t_ see this coming the moment they first read the Puckett story?](http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/amid-firestorm-of-criticism-virginia-democrats-resignation-becomes-official/2014/06/09/b04d6760-efd3-11e3-914c-1fbd0614e2d4_story.html) > [@The Washington Post](#): > > Amid a firestorm of criticism regarding his resignation from the Virginia Senate, Democrat Phillip P. Puckett is withdrawing his name from consideration for a job with the state tobacco commission, according to two people with knowledge of the decision. > > Puckett (D-Russell) formally resigned his seat Monday and was expected to be appointed deputy director of the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission at a meeting, possibly as soon as this week. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ongoing-opinion-of-the-affordable-care-act-title-edited/647561/2493 "2014-06-09T19:56:04Z")
Sadly, yes, **Terr** , obviously you \*do \*think it’s all a damn joke. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ongoing-opinion-of-the-affordable-care-act-title-edited/647561/2494 "2014-06-09T20:00:28Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Sadly, yes, **Terr** , obviously you \*do \*think it’s all a damn joke. Sadly, you think that costs should not be a consideration at all with social programs. Who cares how much it costs, as long as you’re so caring about everyone. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ongoing-opinion-of-the-affordable-care-act-title-edited/647561/2495 "2014-06-09T20:02:47Z")
Elvis also ignores the studies that show that Medicaid is no better than having no insurance at all. [http://www.washingtonpolicy.org/publications/legislative/being-medicaid-better-having-no-insurance-all](http://www.washingtonpolicy.org/publications/legislative/being-medicaid-better-having-no-insurance-all) But results don’t matter to liberals either. Moral preening is what they get off on. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ongoing-opinion-of-the-affordable-care-act-title-edited/647561/2496 "2014-06-09T20:04:06Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Sadly, you think that costs should not be a consideration at all with social programs. No. There are costs, but they’re small, and a foolish way to economize in a state or federal budget given their benefits. Meanwhile, you aren’t willing to consider benefits at all, are you? And you aren’t even aware what the costs _are_; what matters to you is defeating Obamacare by any means necessary, a piece at a time if that’s what’s available to you. “Win-win” my pasty white ass. > [@](#): > > Who cares how much it costs, as long as you’re so caring about everyone. Translation: “Yeah, fuck 'em.” ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ongoing-opinion-of-the-affordable-care-act-title-edited/647561/2497 "2014-06-09T20:09:18Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Elvis also ignores the studies that show that Medicaid is no better than having no insurance at all. > > [Page Not Found » Search » Washington Policy Center](http://www.washingtonpolicy.org/publications/legislative/being-medicaid-better-having-no-insurance-all) Already showed you otherwise, and you counter with something from a front organization promoting “free market solutions”. Well, it does tell you what you want to hear, doesn’t it? Yes, availability of medical care doesn’t really help your health, does it? Wow. > [@](#): > > But results don’t matter to liberals either. Moral preening is what they get off on. The results are what \*permit \*moral preening. Obviously you prefer whatever the hell you call the thing you do instead. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ongoing-opinion-of-the-affordable-care-act-title-edited/647561/2498 "2014-06-09T20:15:12Z")
Actually, that could prove to be a telling point. Rural hospitals very much need Medicaid expansion in order to provide service for rural people. These are the very people the Pubbies claim to love so dear, and represent a pretty important constituency when it comes to gerrymandering districts to dilute the power of urban centers. The pressure is already building. Look at McConnel, trying to pretend that Kentucky’s version of Medicaid is somehow totally different from Obamacare, that Obamacare can be ripped out “root and branch”, and everything in Kentucky will be peachy-keen. Its a bald lie, and a pretty stupid one. But what else does he have? At the two minute warning, Team Obamacare is up by twenty four points. The game isn’t over, but the fans are heading for the parking lot and the commentators are reading off the credits. Team Repeal has six quarterbacks, no playbook, and no receivers. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ongoing-opinion-of-the-affordable-care-act-title-edited/647561/2499 "2014-06-09T20:17:21Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > No. There are costs, but they’re small, and a foolish way to economize in a state or federal budget given their benefits. Of course. $431 billion. Small costs indeed. 22% of each state’s budget, on average. Peanuts. And that’s in 2012 - before the huge expansion of Medicaid in Obamacare. I see that it is estimated Obamacare will expand Medicaid by [$465 billion](http://obamacarefacts.com/medicaid-expansion-kkf.pdf). That more than doubles it. Tiny, small costs. But hey - you care! That’s what’s important. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ongoing-opinion-of-the-affordable-care-act-title-edited/647561/2500 "2014-06-09T20:24:35Z")
Liberals will make a better world, and they’ll take every penny you have to make it happen. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2014, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ongoing-opinion-of-the-affordable-care-act-title-edited/647561/2501 "2014-06-09T20:29:25Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Liberals will make a better world, and they’ll take every penny you have to make it happen. We could try, but since incomes rise when Democrats are in power, it’s hard to keep ahead. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ongoing-opinion-of-the-affordable-care-act-title-edited/647561.md?page=124) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-ongoing-opinion-of-the-affordable-care-act-title-edited/647561.md?page=126)