Name:   wix - Subject:   Archy-sweetheart Date:   8/30/2015 8:12:44 PM

It's so easy for bleeding heart liberals to advocate for just opening the nation's wallet and help all these leeches on gubment cash, but you really have no clue as to the real healthcare problem created by o-BAMAcare, Congress, Medicaid, and Blue Cross of AL.  I'm well aware that I'm considered an idiot by you forum liberals, but you really are showing your ignorance.  Small hospitals are indeed in big trouble but it's not because smart states refused to take o-BAMA's short term freebie.  Years ago Congress dictated that all Hill-Burton hospitals must treat every patient who walks thru the doors, this was later expanded to include all hospitals who receive Fed Money (Medicare), but Congress did not plan for illegals who crowd out ERs all day, everyday.  Add to that Medicaid payments to doctors and hospitals is a loser, those payments don't even come close to covering costs of care. Add to that Blue Cross of AL controls over 80% of insurance in AL, and they force hospitals to accept what THEY want to pay, Via contracts.  The editorial written by AL Hosp Assoc is a plea to get something, anything to help stop the bleeding.  Will it help?  NO.  More Medicaid will lead to more loses for hospitals long term, not a quick fix.  What small hospitals are saying is.....send mo money and we'll last a few more months, but we'll still go broke.  Problem is free health dictated for everyone by congress years ago, compounded by BC low priced contracts, compounded by Medicaid payments that do not cover  costs.

I'm sure you wizards of liberalism have a five cent answer, but I can assure you that more Medicaid is not the answer.  BTW, you've all told everyone that I'm just a stupid redneck, but I will advise you that I have about 40 years experience in the healthcare industry....and I wasn't the janitor.

Oh, I almost forgot, 75% of all nursing home patients in Alabama are on Medicaid at a cost of about $63,000/ea/yr.  A large % of all Medicaid funds.