The Morally Ill Sen. John Thrasher
Will Weatherford, the legislator who says Medicaid was a plausible "safety net" for his family in their time of need, but not for anyone else now won't say whether he's willing to walk away from providing the same for those in need in Florida. Such a brave man.
However, others are proudly wearing their "compassionate conservatism" on their sleeves by basically saying they're happy to leave those in need of medical care and insurance to fend for themselves as they let $5 billion in federal funds for Medicaid slip away.
“It’s not something you put together in a week,’’ said Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, chairman of the Senate Rules Committee and a close advisor to Senate President Don Gaetz. “It’s a very big, complicated issue and these issues take some time.”
Well, no, it's actually not complicated at all. But that's because you're turning away the easy solution, Sen. Thrasher. You don't get to whine while putting this in in the "it's too hard and would take too long" category. This is a self-made problem. Never mind that it's been much, much longer than a week that the Florida legislature has done nothing to improve Medicaid or health care in Florida. It's been years.
But I digress, let's see what else he has to say:
He said he does not expect there would be any political repercussions if the Republican-led Legislature waits another year, even though it would mean forgoing for one year at least the estimated $5 billion in federal funds that could be drawn down under the plan to implement Medicaid expansion.
“There is no fallout,’’ Thrasher told the Herald/Times. “Anytime you walk away from something, there is going to be someone who is not happy. On something like this, however, it needs to be done right.”
Actually, no, according to people who actually know about such things. Wrong, and wrong again. But aside from the financial and political technicalities, Thrasher sees no "political repercussions" and "no fallout." There is bound to be "someone who is not happy?" Yes, the poor and uninsured, just for starters.
I wonder how those who may now suffer or die without medical care and insurance will feel about that. I would venture to say they'll have repercussions and fallout aplenty. Many people who saw the promise of both suddenly snatched away at the hands of the soulless members of the Florida legislature can't afford the "repercussions" if the Republicans in the legislature walk away and let things wait another year.
But no, this is really all about political fallout for the Republicans. Those who will become sicker for it, and perhaps die don't really fit into the Republican game-plan after all, do they?
We can only hope you've miscalulated, and there will be plenty of political fallout for you. If so, it will be a sight to behold come the next election.
In the meantime, congratulations GOP! You've managed to out-monster even your "but I was never actually charged with Medicare fraud" pain-profiteer leader, Rick Scott.
Well done you!
