Ohio shows why a GOP tax plan tilted toward the wealthy will fail to move the needle on jobs: Caitlin Johnson (Opinion)
CLEVELAND — Congressional Republicans are pushing a tax plan that adds $1.5 trillion to the federal deficit and sets up deep cuts to programs that keep Americans healthy, feed hungry children and help hardworking students afford college. “Trust us,” they say, “this will create jobs and pay for itself!” In Ohio, we know better. Since […]
Wendy Patton: Tax cuts haven’t brought prosperity
The president’s federal tax-overhaul plan, announced Wednesday, lacks detail on many critical points. But we do know that it cuts top income-tax rates by 12 percent on Americans earning more than $418,000, slashes corporate taxes from 35 percent to 20 percent, and eliminates the estate tax. Estimates on how much it will increase the deficit […]
Katherine Fallon: Forget the zombies. Go with the governors on health care
COLUMBUS: Frantic efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) captured the nation’s attention all summer. We breathed a sigh of relief when three Republican senators voted no, driving a stake through the heart of the zombie legislation that wouldn’t die. Now the bill is back and just as dangerous as ever. Our […]
The latest health care bill drama
After a whirlwind day on federal health care yesterday, here’s a quick re-cap on where things stand. With the help of Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) (who flew into Washington after emergency brain cancer surgery) and a tie-breaking vote from Vice President Mike Pence, the GOP narrowly passed a motion to proceed. Despite issuing a statement […]
Letter: Athens County will be hit hard by health care bill
In the increasingly murky national debate on health care, it can be hard to see exactly what effect the Senate health care bill would have in Ohio. Both the Senate’s health care bill and the previously-passed House proposal would make dramatic funding cuts to Medicaid, greatly impacting residents of Athens County. Medicaid pays 1 out […]
Preble County will be hit hard by the Senate Health Care Bill
In the increasingly murky national debate on health care, it can be hard to see exactly what effect the Senate health care bill (which may or may not make it to the Senate floor next week) would have in Ohio. But both the Senate’s health care bill and the previously-passed House proposal would make dramatic […]
Zombie health care bill just won’t die
Having been raised from the dead several times in rapid succession, the GOP health care bill is starting to get a reputation as “zombie legislation.” But the thing to remember about zombies is that even though they’re dead, they can still do a lot of damage. Let’s count the ways the Senate bill has been […]
Senate should vote down Better Care Reconciliation Act: Caitlin Johnson (Opinion)
This month, the U.S. Senate could vote on the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA). The legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) contains tax breaks for corporate interests and the nation’s wealthiest, while addicts, the elderly and health care workers get the shaft. That’s bad news for Ohio – especially Cuyahoga County – where […]
OPINION: Kasich’s right about health care bill and Ohio’s opioid crisis
Gov. John Kasich is right. The $45 billion for opioid treatment over 10 years that Sen. Rob Portman is reportedly considering as part of the Senate health care bill would amount to “spitting in the ocean” when it comes to addressing actual need in Ohio. Opioids have recently become a flashpoint in Washington’s health care […]
Keep up the outreach to Senator Portman!
On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell delayed a Senate health care bill vote until after July 4th recess, amidst widespread backlash against the bill. The criticism is well-earned. This week’s Congressional Budget Office (CBO) score showed the bill will: It will, like the House bill, restructure and de-fund Medicaid in ways that fundamentally threaten […]
Take action to protect our care!
The Senate released a “discussion draft” of its version of the American Healthcare Act (AHCA), which has been negotiated behind closed doors. As in House bill, millions lose coverage, people with pre-existing conditions lose protections, Medicaid is stripped of funding and Medicaid expansion effectively ends. The Senate version leaves allows the states to decide what […]
Guest column/Health care has a lot to lose
By Wendy Patton As jobs keep getting harder to come by in Jefferson County, more and more residents are finding work in hospitals, nursing homes, doctor’s offices and directly in the homes of patients who need care. So much so, that in 2015, 23 percent of Jefferson County’s work force held private health care sector […]