News Articles
Pima County Republican Party opposes Medicaid expansion
2/27/2013
Resolution of the Pima County Republican Party
in opposition to
the Governor’s expansion of Medicaid (AHCCCS) in support of Obamacare.
Preface: Governor Jan Brewer met with the Republican Party leadership from across Arizona, including County and LD Chairmen, to explain her plan to expand Medicaid (AHCCCS). Her plan would implement provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) to raise Medicaid eligibility to 133% of the Federal poverty level with Arizona ultimately paying at least 10-20% of the cost. She proposes to finance Arizona’s cost by an "assessment" on hospitals. Having heard the Governor's proposal, and given serious consideration to her position, the Executive Committee of the Pima County Republican Party, including the Pima County GOP Chairman and the Chairman and representatives of each of the Legislative Districts therein, voted unanimously to oppose the Governor's plans to expand Medicaid in support of ObamaCare.
Whereas, The Voters of Arizona clearly expressed their will to reject implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) when they voted to amend the Arizona Constitution via Proposition 106 in 2010. The State of Arizona cannot afford to be saddled with the costs of implementing this federal program, AND the People of Arizona do not support Obamacare, assisting in the implementation of Obamacare, or subsidizing the Federal Government's implementation Obamacare with State funds.
Whereas, The "assessment" on hospitals is in reality just a tax - and worse yet a hidden tax - that will ultimately be passed on to all hospital patients in higher costs. A tax increase requires super-majority approval in the legislature, and labeling it as an "assessment" is a disingenuous attempt to skirt that requirement.
Whereas, No government entitlement program has ever effectively been scaled back, or eliminated, or held within its initial cost projections. The long term and evolving costs of the Obamacare Medicaid Expansion will surely bankrupt Arizona just as surely as Obamacare will bankrupt the USA..
Whereas, The US Supreme Court explicitly ruled that each State is free to reject implementation of the Obamacare Medicaid Expansion and Insurance Exchanges. These two programs are the cornerstone of the Affordable Care Act. Without implementation of these programs Obamacare collapses as a practical functioning program. The Federal government is incapable of implementing these programs by 2014 or even 2016 without the local organization, legwork, and financial subsidies by the States. Thus the fastest and most efficient means to end Obamacare is simply for each State to refuse to do the Federal Government’s job for them and allow them to fail.
Whereas, Governor Brewer touts AHCCCS as the conservative model for Medicaid and encourages us to expand the program to show the other states how to do it right. We believe There is no such thing as a conservative model for expanding Socialism. Supporting the big government takeover of our health care system, even for a short term gift of federal funds, does NOT reflect the values of the Republican Party or the interests of the taxpayers of Arizona.
Therefore it is Resolved:
We, the Executive Committee of the Pima County Republican Party, Officers, Members at Large, Chairmen and representatives of LD 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 14, unanimously affirm and declare our opposition to the Governor's plan to expand Medicaid in support of Obamacare.
In Conclusion:
While we applaud Governor Brewer's decision to stand firm against the Exchanges, we oppose her support for the Medicaid expansion. We urge Governor Brewer, and all Republican legislators, to hold the line against enabling the socialist takeover of our health care system and insurance industry by rejecting the Medicaid expansion. Do not sell out our Republican principles and our birthright of Liberty for a bowl of lentils and the promise of 3 years funding that will benefit a few special interests at the cost of our State sovereignty and our core Republican values. We will adamantly oppose those who compromise our core values for short term political expediency. Governor Brewer is correct that "elections have consequences". She is wrong in believing that it means that we must roll over and forsake our core values as the Arizona Republican Party whenever Republicans lose a national race.
"Stand your ground. Don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here."
John Parker, Battle of Lexington, 1775.
Pima County Republican Party Executive Committee:
Chairman: Carolyn Cox
1st vice chairman: Tyler Mott
2nd vice chairman: Alan Beuerlein
3rd vice chairman: Bob Moss
4th vice chairman: John Lesko
Treasurer: Ed Miller
Secretary: Shellie Simler
Members at large:
Linda Barber
Parralee Schneider
Pat Sexton
Bob Westerman
LD2 Chairman: Phil Opdenbrouw
LD3 Chairman: Harold Hough
LD4 Representative: Richard Gaydosh
LD9 Chairman: Donna Alu
LD10 Chairman: Paul Diggins
LD11 Chairman: Richard Brinkley
LD14 Representative: Sean Collins
