Friday, December 9, 2011
Arkansas Politics Hypocrisy watch: U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin
Posted by Max Brantley on Fri, Dec 9, 2011 at 3:12 PM
U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin is Twittering today about his visit to Arkansas Children's Hospital and the amazing work they do there. Wrapping himself up in sick children today instead of U.S. troops for a change.
Children's IS wonderful.
If only Griffin hadn't voted last summer to gut the Medicaid program without which Arkansas Children's Hospital couldn't exist as we know it. It's almost wholly dependent on federal government money and some state and local tax funds. Under the GOP budget Griffin supported, guaranteed Medicaid coverage would have been over. Medicaid would have become a Band-aid block grant program. It would have been cut by $800 BILLION over 10 years. Said a House Democratic committee report at the time:
Other changes proposed by House Republicans would allow states to eliminate coverage for seniors, individuals with disabilities, children, pregnant women, and others currently enrolled in Medicaid. These changes would have a profound impact on Medicaid’s ability to provide health coverage to millions of Americans.In the 2nd congressional district in Arkansas, which Rep. Tim Griffin represents, these
provisions could:* Reduce coverage for 14,000 dual eligible seniors and individuals with
disabilities who rely on Medicaid to supplement their Medicare coverage or pay
their Medicare cost sharing.
* Jeopardize nursing home care for 2,300 whose expenses are paid by Medicaid.
* Impair the health care of 80,000 children, including 3,300 newborns each year,
who receive coverage under Medicaid.
* Cut payments to hospitals for 24,000 emergency room visits paid for by Medicaid
each year.
* Cut payments to hospitals for 8,200 inpatient visits paid for by Medicaid each year.
* Reduce jobs and hurt economic growth by eliminating $1.6 billion in Medicaid
spending.
In short, admire Children's Hospital now, Congressman Griffin. Because when you're done eviscerating its major source of support, the sight won't be nearly so inspiring.
Speaking of Arkansas Children's Hospital, Tim Griffin
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Comments (9)
Showing 1-9 of 9
Because we can always trust the claims of House Democrats.
Way to let others do your thinking for you, Max.
like
dislike
Many GOP Congress members are notorious for this.
Remember when Boozman showed up for a stimulus-related project and celebrated the jobs it brought while at the same time sending out news blasts that the stimulus was wasteful and ineffective?
Shame.
I missed this event. Actually, I can't think of a time or place where I've seen this "representative." Should I be embarrassed or should he?
I'm sure Scrapper, DBI, and some others in NWA were around several projects when John Boozman showed up to cut ribbons and take credit. Most of the projects Boozman VOTED AGAINST funding.
It's too late now for Boozman but in case Womack gets Boozman Hypocrisy Fever and desires to show up, take credit when he opposed something I'm suggesting to my younger friends they make a twelve foot long banner, two feet high which reads
...............WOMACK VOTED AGAINST THIS PROJECT...............
If the radio station's son is anything like his predecessor then such a banner can be used several times.
.
InPuerileVeritas, if you dispute the posted facts, don't be so GD lazy by not leading us to the True Path to the Truth. Let's see YOUR facts and let everyone decide which rings true.
We're waiting. Put up or shut up time.
My husband is a physician at ACH and I can tell you what Max says is true. Without Federal Medicaid funds, this hospital that we are all so proud of will not be able to serve the children it does today, nor will it be able to attract and retain the specialty-trained doctors it has today. That is a fact.
So, InPueriVeritas, you are denying the GOP spearheaded the cuts to funding or you deny the cuts would have the negative affects?
Friends don't let friends vote Republican. Tattoo that on your ass and may it ever be true. I've never seen such bad people representing Arkansas. Don't we have enough troubles forever being in 48th place without voting in the worst of the worst? This goes for Lincoln, Pryor, Marion Berry, & Mike Ross too.
Pull the next 6 people coming out of the gates at Tucker prison farm, send them to DC and see if you aren't happier with them in the next couple of years. We're gonna have to start slapping the bejesus out of our friends & family & neighbors who plan to vote for a Republican in the next election. Clearly they have zero sense and are zero informed about current events.
Stop being nice to people who are enabling the ruination of this country by voting for Republicans. When we get all the Republicans run out of office then we can take a hickory switch to bad Democrats. We have to start somewhere or just give up, move some geese out of the way and drown ourselves, women and children first, of course! Do Better!
"I'm sure Scrapper, DBI, and some others in NWA were around several projects when John Boozman showed up to cut ribbons and take credit. Most of the projects Boozman VOTED AGAINST funding."
eLwood:
I swore that once my newspaper days were over, I'd never waste another nanosecond of my life listening to a pol's bloviations. So no, I've managed to miss Dr. No's public appearances, but like you, I always note the hypocrisy.
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