Medicaid expansion (and rational thought) dead this year
The SC House Republican majority has passed a budget that does not include Medicaid expansion but provides $80 million for expanding health care services. It appears that the Senate will not include Medicaid expansion in its version of the budget. Senate Democrats have adopted a “maybe next year” position; rational Republicans say they will “wait and see” what their options are.
We thought that Republicans couldn’t turn down the 44,000 jobs and the $1.4 billion a year that the expansion would bring in the next seven years. We were wrong. While opponents of the expansion claim that the state can’t afford to provide health coverage to 350,000 low-income citizens, the legislature just gave Boeing another $120 million for promising another 2,000 jobs. That brings the Boeing subsidies close to $1 billion.
In comparison, expanding Medicaid would bring in an aggregate of around $1.8 billion a year for a cost of around $80 million a year, and would create 6,300 new jobs a year.
Dr. John Ruoff has crunched the numbers the governor is using and came up with a 2014 through 2020 cost to South Carolina of $570 million for accepting nearly $13 billion that the expansion would generate. That’s a cost of about $80 million a year to reap the benefits of expansion. Ruoff points out that other, more reliable studies show a net gain through the many benefits of a healthier population.
One of the “wait and see” elements is the push by Republican governors to get the Medicaid money put into block grants to the states, where it would be used to buy private insurance. This free-market scheme will benefit the insurance industry and greatly reduce actual health care benefits.
The Progressive Network is weighing options for direct action early in the 2014 legislative session. Please let us know your thoughts by sending email to network@scpronet.com.
• MAY CALENDAR •
COLUMBIA
May 4, 7:30-9am: SC Democratic Party Progressive Caucus breakfast, Columbia Convention Center. Individual members of the Progressive Network have hosted a breakfast before the state Democratic Convention for the past 12 years. The Caucus considers itself the “democratic wing of the Democratic Party.” The event this year is co-hosted by the Democratic Women’s Council. Elizabeth Colbert Busch will keynote for the Council, and Gilda Cobb-Hunter will do the honors for the Network. The full breakfast buffet starts at 7:30am ($20). Please RSVP for breakfast at scprogressivecaucus@earthlink.net or 803-808-3384.
May 5, 4-6pm: “I Voted?” Conundrum Music Hall, 626 Meeting St., West Columbia. This non-partisan documentary asks what assurances do we have of accuracy and security in American elections? The answers are both surprising and disturbing. Join filmmaker Jason Smith for a showing of selected clips along with a and A. Read details and see a trailer at www.ivotedmovie.com. Understanding the shortcomings of SC’s current voting machines is important, as we continue the work to replace them with a publicly owned, transparent, voter-verifiable system. The free screening is hosted by the Progressive Network and moderated by Corey Hutchins of Columbia’s Free Times.
May 5, 4:15-5pm: SLED and DNR kill protected geese with taxpayer money; please speak out! SC SLED officials recently had a family of geese and their nest of eggs destroyed outside their building on Broad River Road. This is especially heinous, as the law enforcement organization promoted their relationship with the protected geese only a couple of weeks before in a WLTX story and video, “SLED’s Newest ‘Family’ Members.” The story was even covered by USA Today: Soon after benefiting from the warm and fuzzy publicity generated by the story, SLED appealed to the SC DNR to secure a permit that would sanction the killing of the birds and their babies. DNR staff carried out the “wet work” getting rid of the geese in order to “protect humans.” This information has been confirmed by the DNR. Please join compassionate friends in a peaceful observation to honor the geese, and bring community attention to the blatant hypocrisy of this taxpayer-supported agency and their utter disregard for our protected wildlife. We will gather at 4:15 pm in front of the SLED building on Broad River Road (between Piney Grove and St. Andrews Road). Wear black and bring flowers or another type of eco-friendly remembrance if you wish. Bring an umbrella as there is a chance of rain. RSVP/Share on Facebook.
May 7, 7pm: Columbia Central Labor Council meeting, 2025 Marion St. Columbia area labor organizations and supporters monthly meeting. Call 803-808-3384 or email network@scpronet.com for details.
May 9: Be part of history and participate in the 1st national Give OUT Day for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer community. Give OUT Day is a new national initiative that aims to mobilize thousands of individual donors on a single day across the country to give in support of the LGBTQ nonprofit community. Give OUT Day will be breaking new ground as it adapts a fundraising model that has proven successful for local multi-issue fundraising to a national single-issue focus. Give OUT Day is an online initiative. Three of the four South Carolina groups are Network members: SC Equality, the Harriet Hancock Center and Sean’s Last Wish. Give OUT Day will end with a party at Social Bar and Lounge in Columbia. No cover but donations will be accepted. Hosted by Ms. Nicole Roberts. Featuring live performances by: 2012 SC Pride Talent winner Chase W. Nelson, with special guests Tom Beard and Mandy Applegate, and Transgender Slam Poet Alley Cat. Can’t make it to Columbia? Watch the entertainment LIVE online as part of South Carolina’s first every LGBT Webathon! RSVP/Share on Facebook.
May 9, 6:30pm: Mother’s Day for Peace, Modjeska Simkins House, 2025 Marion St. Dinner and speakers celebrating the origins of Mother’s Day as a peace holiday and the contribution of mothers. Sharing and honoring the legacy of mothers who have worked for change! Tributes invited. Sliding scale donation for dinner. RSVP info@carolinapeace.org or Peaceline (803) 216-1448 (Leave Message) and/or RSVP/Share on Facebook: More on Mother’s Day for Peace: http://bit.ly/18kLyE3.
May 11-12, May 18-19, and May 25-26: Planned Parenthood has canvasses, as well as June 8-9 and 15-16. Anyone interested can email LaTwyla Mathias at latwyla.mathias@pphs.org or call 803-46-1865.
May 11, 10am: Mother’s Day Walk Against Gun Violence, SC Statehouse (Main & Gervais). We are honoring the victims of gun violence and their families the day before Mother’s Day. We will walk and then will read the names of participants who have experienced a loss, and honor their children. The Mother’s Bill of Rights will then be read. Sponsored by Moms Demand Action!-South Carolina. For information, email CONTACT:SC@momsdemandaction.org. RSVP/Share on Facebook.
May 14, 7pm: Midlands Network meeting, 2025 Marion St. Last legislative push on our policy issues. Find out what we’re doing and how you can help at our meeting, which is open to anyone interested in improving life in the Palmetto State. Call 803-808-3384 or email network@scpronet.com for details.
May 28, 6pm: Progressive Movie Night: ” The Dream is Now,” at Conundrum Music Hall, 626 Meeting St., West Columbia (just up the hill from the Gervais St. bridge). As Sen. Lindsey Graham leads Congress in the debate over immigration reform, this timely film and discussion considers the people most affected. The Dream is Now is a new 30-minute documentary by Academy Award-winning director, Davis Guggenheim (Waiting for ‘Superman’, An Inconvenient Truth). The Dream is Now gives voice to and puts a human face on the undocumented children of immigrants who are desperate to earn their citizenship and give back to the only country they’ve ever called “home.” The film also goes beyond the personal. It places these stories in a larger context and explores the consequences of continuing our current policies and maintaining the status quo – consequences not just for these young people today, but for our country’s future. Both moving and thought-provoking, The Dream is Now brings this pressing issue to America’s attention, where we can all debate, discuss, and decide for ourselves what is right, what is fair, and what is best for our nation. See the movie trailer here. Free and open to the public. Snacks and beverages available for purchase.
Wednesdays, 2pm: Midlands Transit Riders Association meets every Wednesday at 2025 Marion St. Bus riders and advocates welcome. For information, call 803-808-3384 or email midlandstransit@gmail.com.
CHARLESTON
May 9, 6:30pm: “I Voted?” Gage Hall. This non-partisan documentary asks what assurances do we have of accuracy and security in American elections? The answers are both surprising and disturbing. Join filmmaker Jason Smith for a showing of selected clips along with a and A. Read details and see a trailer at www.ivotedmovie.com. Understanding the shortcomings of SC’s current voting machines is important, as we continue the work to replace them with a publicly owned, transparent, voter-verifiable system. The free screening is hosted by the Progressive Network. RSVP/Share on Facebook.
May 14, 6:30pm: Health Care for All – SC meeting, Roper Hospital, Hayes Board Room (2nd Floor), 316 Calhoun St. After snacks and informal networking, there will be a discussion of the single-payer, “improved and expanded Medicare for all” grassroots movement in South Carolina. For details, contact Dr. David Keely at dfkeely3@gmail.com.
May 20, 7pm: (Every 3rd Monday) Charleston Progressive Network meeting, ILA Hall on Morrison Drive in the conference room at the north end of the building. For details, contact George Hopkins at hopkinsg@cofc.edu or 843-819-0066.
May 22, 7:30pm: Free screening of “The Dream is Now,” at Carmike James Island 8 Theater. As Sen. Lindsey Graham leads Congress in the debate over immigration reform, this timely film and discussion considers the people most affected. The Dream is Now is a new 30-minute documentary by Academy Award-winning director, Davis Guggenheim (Waiting for ‘Superman’, An Inconvenient Truth). The Dream is Now gives voice to and puts a human face on the undocumented children of immigrants who are desperate to earn their citizenship and give back to the only country they’ve ever called “home.” The film also goes beyond the personal. It places these stories in a larger context and explores the consequences of continuing our current policies and maintaining the status quo – consequences not just for these young people today, but for our country’s future. Both moving and thought-provoking, The Dream is Now brings this pressing issue to America’s attention, where we can all debate, discuss, and decide for ourselves what is right, what is fair, and what is best for our nation. See the movie trailer here. You must reserve your free tickets here: www.tugg.com/events/4203.
Thursdays, 6pm: MUSC CAFÉ meetings, ILA 1422 Hall, 1142 Morrison Dr. MUSC CAFE is an association of employees, patients, and community supporters dedicated to fair treatment for workers and great patient care. The group is affiliated with the Carolina Alliance for Fair Employment. Please join us! Call 843-830-4471 for details, or email: activist1199@gmail.com.
GREENVILLE
May 7, 6:30pm: “I Voted?” Coffee Underground, 1 East Coffee St. (downstairs). This non-partisan documentary asks what assurances do we have of accuracy and security in American elections? The answers are both surprising and disturbing. Join filmmaker Jason Smith for a showing of selected clips along with a and A. Read details and see a trailer at www.ivotedmovie.com. Understanding the shortcomings of SC’s current voting machines is important, as we continue the work to replace them with a publicly owned, transparent, voter-verifiable system. The free screening is hosted by the Progressive Network.
ROCK HILL
May 8, 12:30pm: The Progressive Network in Rock Hill meets for lunch Sila 979 N. Anderson Road and review action items learned at the Progressive Caucus breakfast. We will have updates on Network concerns. Lunch is Thai; appetizers and/or tea also is available. For details, contact Mary Keenan at 803-580-0198 or keenanmsc@gmail.com.
May 8, 11am-1pm: “Day of Action” at Sumter County Courthouse to highlight how the sequester will affect Sumter-area families and the local economy. Organized by the American Federation of Government Employees at Shaw AFB. For details, contact Mark Garman at 803-237-2069 or Mrkgarman@gmail.com.