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Rauner gives mostly reasonable response, blasted as “chicken”

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* Yesterday, Gov. Rauner was asked this question by Bernie Schoenburg

Governor, there’s supposed to be a vote in Washington this week by the House on the health care plan that Paul Ryan has crafted with some changes. It clearly would have—I think it block grants Medicaid—at least some state fiscal issues because of it. Are you recommending one way or another for how our delegation should vote on that plan?

* Rauner’s response

I’m very troubled, very worried about the changes coming in Medicaid for the nation. I’m very concerned about the changes to the Affordable Care Act. Now, let me say, the Affordable Care Act is broken and needs to change. Needs big changes. It’s not working. So I applaud them for trying to take on changes. When you look at what’s happened in our exchanges. I mean, insurance companies are dropping off, we don’t have competition. And look at the insurance rates on the exchanges, I mean good grief. I mean they’ve gone through the roof. It’s not working.

What we’re doing, I’m talking to members of our congressional delegation. I’m talking to members of the Trump administration. I’m talking to other governors. I’m trying to take a united stand with other governors. It’s hard, because some states expanded their Medicaid population, others didn’t. It’s a very disparate group. Trying to develop consensus is hard.

My sense is whatever gets voted on will probably change quite a bit in the Senate. And this is the process, I don’t think it’s going to get done quickly, this is my expectation. But we’re talking to people, I’m pretty much talking to people every day about this. What I won’t do - I know you’d like me to, but I won’t - I won’t negotiate in the press about what we’re advocating. I’m saying move slowly, move thoughtfully, we need to transition this in a careful way. We’ve got to minimize the hurt to peoples’ lives while we change the system.

As long as he’s doing what he says he’s doing, then that response is not bad at all for a Republican governor. Plus, he’s right. At the moment, anyway, it’s just a bill. Why start burning DC bridges when he’s already lit most of Illinois’ on fire? Again, if he’s actually working behind the scenes to make sure we don’t get the short end of the stick, then I’m cool with that. We’ll see how the delegation votes, particularly those members who are closest to Rauner’s inner circle (Rodney Davis, for one).

Frankly, I wish he’d incorporate the notions of not negotiating via press conference and not constantly hectoring other political actors about how to do their jobs in his governing style here. Might improve things a bit.

* But other GOP governors have said far more

Four sitting Republican governors have come out against the GOP health care bill.

In a joint letter sent Thursday to the leaders of the House and Senate, the governors of Ohio, Michigan, Nevada and Arkansas argued that the “current version” of the American Health Care Act in the House hurts states.

“It provides almost no new flexibility for states, does not ensure the resources necessary to make sure no one is left out, and shifts significant new costs to the state,” the letter says.

* So, the Democratic Governors Association today added Rauner to its “Chicken Caucus” roster…

Today, the DGA named Governor Bruce Rauner to the inaugural class of the “Chicken Caucus,” 15 gubernatorial candidates who refuse to take a position on the U.S. House health care bill.

The 15 inaugural members include three sitting governors and 12 candidates, from a total of 10 different states up for election in 2017-18.

Democratic and at least 15 Republican governors around the country have raised concerns about the impact of the House health care bill on states. Four Republican governors wrote a joint letter to Congressional leaders last week saying the bill “shifts significant new costs to states.”

While other Republican governors have spoken up for their states, these members of the “Chicken Caucus” have refused to take a stand or even give voters a clear yes-or-no answer on the bill.

Adding… US Rep. Randy Hultgren is not loving the bill

In a letter to Ryan, Hultgren says that, even after some changes, the American Health Care Act “would adversely and unfairly affect the state of Illinois” and jeopardize coverage for many of the 40,000 poor children in his district alone.

“From where I sit, the (proposal) as written would stop funding health care for thousands of children, only to obtain miniscule cost savings, and trigger loss of coverage for kids who lack the resources and experience to get it elsewhere,” Hultgren writes in a letter released by his office.

That’s true because the plan would lock Illinois into a funding scheme that gives it less federal money for Medicaid than other states get—and then cut those levels, Hultgren continues.

“Illinois would be stuck permanently in last place . . . (and) its enrollees would be treated as if their health needs are less important just because of where they live.”

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 1:52 pm

Comments

  1. Hey… he said he could take the arrows. National arrows will be coming more and more as the 2018 General progresses. The Dems are out for blood.

    Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 2:00 pm

  2. “But we’re talking to people, I’m pretty much talking to people every day about this.”

    Rauner’s standard line for whenever he isn’t doing anything, but doesn’t want to be seen as impotent. Unfortunately for him, he has just about shot any credibility he had and I doubt if many are buying this statement.

    Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 2:00 pm

  3. https://twitter.com/RaunerChicken

    Comment by kitty Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 2:01 pm

  4. Too bad all politicians are chicken to directly take on the insurance and pharmaceutical industries.

    Comment by cdog Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 2:30 pm

  5. === I’m saying move slowly, move thoughtfully, we need to transition this in a careful way. We’ve got to minimize the hurt to peoples’ lives while we change the system. ===

    Trumpcare is going to harm people and create extensive budget problems for IL. It’s not unreasonable to expect the governor of the State to share his agencies’ impact analyses of this bill on the state and share his thoughts on improvements. People affected should demand this from the State’s leader.

    As far as the hyperbole from the Dems, Rauner doesn’t seem to have a problem dishing it out. He can handle it. Rauner says he’s a big boy.

    Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 2:37 pm

  6. We know Capt Fax does not like to hear the notion that BigBrain is largely disconnected from the actual operation of the government, but the statement hardly seems like full engagement.

    Hopin’ someone(Bernie et al.) Rapid Rodney, Peoria’s Empty suit, Shimkus, Roskam or any other
    member to see if BigBrain actually called, what he said, how many times, details details details
    His response sounded like the kind of mumbo jumbo he rolls out most days when he has not prepped for the event.

    Comment by Annonin' Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 2:46 pm

  7. “…the Affordable Care Act is broken and needs to change. Needs big changes. It’s not working. I’m just scared they might actually change it.”

    Comment by Excessively Rabid Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 2:48 pm

  8. Can’t really improve on Rabid’s 2:48 observation…

    Comment by ZC Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 3:03 pm

  9. I simply can not wait to see what my downstate Representatives, Shimkus, Bost and Davis, will do with the vote tomorrow.

    All are true “Profiles in Courage” as is BVR.

    And, rest assured, at least one of them will be on KMOX Friday morning to take advantage of the free air time to explain their convoluted and duplicitous reasoning.

    Comment by illini Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 3:15 pm

  10. I just wonder why someone isn’t requiring the insurance companies to be competitive! The insurance companies are a big part of the problem. I guess the politicians are too busy going on trips and outings sponsored by the insurance companies!

    Comment by Confused Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 4:43 pm

  11. If Rauner pulls off the 7 republicans from IL off the bill it goes down–send in Jim Thompson–he wouldn’t let IL lose $40b in federal funds

    Comment by Send in the real big guy Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 6:14 pm

  12. Someone who ran an anti prairie chicken campaign just became one

    Comment by Rabid Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 8:19 pm

  13. Looks like Congressman Hultgren finally grew a pair.

    Comment by Murf Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 9:00 am

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