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* From a Sun-Times editorial a few days ago…
Republican governors Charlie Baker of Massachusetts, John Kasich of Ohio and Brian Sandoval of Nevada last month sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., saying the plan would hurt their states. Arizona’s Republican Gov. Doug Ducey said last week the bill “needs a lot of work.”
At the nation’s meeting of governors this month in Providence, Rhode Island, Democratic governors spoke out as well. Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo said the bill would almost certainly cause job losses at her state’s hospitals and other health care facilities.
In March, Rauner said he was worried Illinois won’t do very well under a health care plan that later passed the U.S. House. But Rauner is far from the front lines in this battle, which has huge implications for our state. […]
We need to hear Rauner’s voice among those of governors who are passionately and publicly trying to protect their states.
* Rauner took a question on his silence yesterday…
* Transcript…
Um, boy. Um, Craig [Dellimore], you know my comments. I’ve expressed my concern about the changes being proposed to the Affordable Care Act and their negative impact on our most vulnerable residents, both in the expanded Medicaid population in Illinois, it’s like about 650,000, as well as the many hundreds of thousands in the standard Medicaid program. I’m very concerned about it and I’ve expressed that these changes could be very damaging and I’ve said it publicly and I’ve expressed those concerns to various members of Congress as well as to the administration.
* The DGA was not amused…
While signing Charlie’s law [yesterday], Bruce Rauner was asked about his near complete silence on Republican efforts to pass Trumpcare. In response, Rauner claimed he spoke up about Medicaid provisions – “These changes can be very damaging and I’ve said it publicly, and I’ve expressed those concerns to Members of Congress, as well as to the Administration.”
To which there is only one proper follow-up – seriously?
Faced with the politically inconvenient prospect of speaking out forcefully about legislation coming from his own party, Bruce Rauner has literally hid from reporters’ questions on Trumpcare. Here’s a smattering of newspaper clips since the last time Rauner spoke about the efforts:
Crain’s Chicago Headline: “We Deserve To Know What Rauner’s Doing On AHCA.”
Crain’s Chicago’s Greg Hinz: “I’ve now tried for a good two months to get the Rauner folks to detail the economic impact to the budget of what’s being discussed. No answer. I’ve asked them if, like Walker, he’s open to some of those waivers on pre-existing conditions and other matters. No answer. I’ve asked them what the governor wants and doesn’t want in the legislation. No answer.”
Chicago Sun-Times: “The Senate bill is as mean-spirited as the House bill. Illinois would get hammered even harder. And Gov. Bruce Rauner is still AWOL.”
Chicago Sun-Time’s Lynn Sweet: “People should know: What are Rauner’s guiding health care insurance principles?”
The LAST time Rauner spoke on Trumpcare, he mentioned that he would work with Governors while the bill moved into the Senate. Well, in the past few months, two letters from a bipartisan group of Governors were made public expressing their opposition the Senate’s actions on health care. Rauner’s name was not on those letters. And four letters were sent by Illinois’ Senators asking for guidance from Rauner. He responded to none.
And Rauner has not answered the easiest question of all – “Do you support the measure?”
“Bruce Rauner has totally and completely abdicated his responsibilities to the residents of Illinois by hiding during the Trumpcare debate,” said DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “While governors from both parties have spoken out against Trumpcare, Rauner’s been silent the whole time. Bruce Rauner’s failed leadership is putting the health and prosperity of middle-class families at risk to avoid taking a politically difficult position.”
…Adding… Pritzker campaign…
After Trumpcare appeared all but dead yesterday, Bruce Rauner decided it was finally time to show “leadership” and comment on the bill. In response, JB Pritzker released the following statement:
“While Republican and Democratic governors have joined forces to fight against Trumpcare, Bruce Rauner has cowardly sat on the sidelines and left the healthcare of millions of Illinoisans unprotected,” said JB Pritzker. “For Rauner to speak out now is an insult to Illinois families and community leaders across the state who have worked tirelessly to oppose this bill, which would have a detrimental impact on our state. Rauner’s ‘concerns’ are too little much too late and evidence of a politician who cares more about playing politics than governing. This isn’t leadership, this is cowardice.”
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 2:03 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Maybe I’m wrong, but these superintendents don’t sound cowed to me
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Let’s face it the failure of TrumpCare really stands as GovJunk’s greatest triumph
Next up? Spending the tax hike money he vetoed on schools so he can screw Chicago kids.
Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 2:07 pm
“Bruce Rauner’s failed leadership…”
Bruce Rauner failed.
Governors own.
Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 2:08 pm
The reason why Rauner won’t answer is because the Illinois Policy Institute hasn’t given him their response yet.
Comment by Chicago 20 Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 2:11 pm
All part of Bruce Rauner’s long-term strategy of vaulting into national politics so that he can blame Mike Madigan for the country’s woes.
Comment by Blue Bayou Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 2:14 pm
It’s good to at least see the Press calling him out even if it’s
Meekly
Comment by Porgy Tirebiter Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 2:19 pm
===I’ve expressed those concerns to various members of Congress as well as to the administration.===
I’m sure all the Trump voters Rauner needs will be interested to learn that Trump is against Trump on this.
I guess Rauner can’t say “Trump Administration” just administration.
When did Rauner have that talk with… “the Administration”?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 2:19 pm
Don’t forget our two senators and numerous representatives sent Rauner a letter last month calling on him to explain his position on health care. https://robinkelly.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-kelly-illinois-democrats-urge-gov-rauner-to-stand-up-for
Comment by Ted Slowik Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 2:20 pm
Conservatives like to say, it is about character. Mrs. Rauner should dedicate herself to spreading it to all those poor kids who just need an ounce of character development. If only they could be more like her Brucie.
Comment by HistProf Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 2:20 pm
Ironic how much time Rauner spends lecturing everyone else about how they need to get a spine.
Comment by Free Set of Steak Knives Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 2:26 pm
With the Senate not moving on an ACA repeal or replace, this doesn’t matter anymore. Rauner was smart not to wade into it.
Comment by In a Minute Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 2:29 pm
Sounds like there needs to be a FOIA asking for all correspondence with the administration and the IL congressional delegation on repeal of ACA.
Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 2:32 pm
Is he trying to set a record for most lies and half truths uttered by a governor in one week? I’m sure Blago thought his legacy was safe.
Comment by Roman Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 2:32 pm
Life is easier if you just ignore stuff that’s inconvenient, like letters from the congressional delegation, Attorney General FOIA opinions, constitutional duties, and contracts.
Comment by Moderate Condor Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 2:32 pm
This falls into the same category as Rauner talking to Democrats who support his turnaround agenda and school superintendents who are afraid to buck Madigan, that is, voices in his.
Comment by Sir Reel Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 3:24 pm
Head.
Comment by Sir Reel Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 3:25 pm
Perhaps someone could drop a dime on Kathy Lydon and schedule an exit interview on the fierce lobbyin’ campaign waged by GovJunk against TrumpCare
Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 3:30 pm
=== I’ve expressed those concerns to various members of Congress as well as to the administration. ===
Yep, Rauner has failed again. Either he is fibbing about expressing those concerns or the GOP congressmen didn’t care what he said.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 3:47 pm
===Um, boy. Um, Craig [Dellimore], you know my comments===
No.. we don’t. That’s exactly the point. You won’t even utter the President’s name.
Comment by Boone's is Back Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 3:59 pm
= I’m sure all the Trump voters Rauner needs will be interested to learn that Trump is against Trump on this. =
Although I think OW meant to say “Rauner is against Trump on this”, his statement is still accurate!
Comment by cover Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 4:18 pm
===We need to hear Rauner’s voice among those of governors who are passionately and publicly trying to protect their states.===
And you would, if he were, but he’s not, so you won’t.
Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 4:22 pm
===Although I think OW meant to say “Rauner is against Trump on this”, his statement is still accurate===
My bad, apologies
I get Rauner and Trump confused quite a bit these days.
That’s on me.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 4:32 pm
**With the Senate not moving on an ACA repeal or replace, this doesn’t matter anymore. Rauner was smart not to wade into it.**
One - dont be so sure that Congress is done with repeal and/or replace.
Two - if you think that Congressional Republicans are not going to continue to come after Medicaid, you should use the google.
Comment by JoeMaddon Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 5:04 pm
One of his new comms people, Meghan Keenan, sure doesn’t like Obamacare. She called for repeal back in 2012:
http://illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2012/07/chief-justices-motives-in-upholding-affordable-care-act-are-questioned.html
Comment by Moist von Lipwig Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 5:10 pm
Given Rauner’s great fear of even saying Trump’s name, I wonder if the new mischief-makers on the scene have something mind in regards to that dynamic.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 5:22 pm
Seriously, though, did Rauner attend even one day of the recent Governors’ conference in Rhode Island last week?
Comment by G'Kar Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 9:44 pm
Here is a question each of the gubernatorial candidates should be asked.
do you support the implementation of the cadillac plan tax to pay for Obamacare?
Comment by blue dog dem Wednesday, Jul 19, 17 @ 9:47 pm