Blue Press Journal

Tag: medcare

  • Federal Judge Blocks Medicaid Cuts for Planned Parenthood

    Blue Press Journal – (Dec 2 ) U.S. Boston federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration from enforcing a law that would cut off Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood and its affiliates in 22 states and the District of Columbia. The provision, part of a major Republican-backed bill, was designed to bar Medicaid funds from going to tax-exempt organizations that perform abortions and had received significant Medicaid funding in the previous fiscal year.

    In her ruling, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani stated that the group of state attorneys general who challenged the law were likely to prove it is unconstitutional. She argued the provision imposes a “retroactive condition” on the states’ participation in the Medicaid program, changing the rules after they had already agreed to them, which violates the U.S. Constitution’s Spending Clause. Judge Talwani also labeled the law “impermissibly ambiguous” and warned that its enforcement would likely reduce patients’ access to birth control and preventive screenings, which would ultimately drive up healthcare costs for the states.

    This decision comes after a separate legal challenge by Planned Parenthood, where Judge Talwani had also blocked the law before a federal appeals court put that ruling on hold. The states involved in the current lawsuit argued that the federal government was overstepping its authority, as states have historically determined which providers qualify for Medicaid funding. A spokesperson for Planned Parenthood praised the judge’s decision, calling the law “unconstitutional and dangerous” and noting that at least 20 of its health centers have already closed since the defunding provision was briefly allowed to take effect. The judge has placed a seven-day hold on her injunction to give the Trump administration an opportunity to appeal the decision. Read more

  • GOP is Looking to Put Medicare on the Chopping Block

    Republicans are contemplating controversial budget cuts that could impact health care for seniors. Is this what you signed up for American MAGA Seniors?

    Amid a struggle to find budget savings to offset their multitrillion-dollar tax breaks for the wealthy, Republicans are making significant changes to social programs. 

    The House recently passed a tax-and-spending bill totaling $5 trillion, which proposes nearly $900 billion in cuts to Medicaid, affecting over 70 million low-income Americans. In addition, some Senate Republicans are advocating for further spending reductions by targeting perceived inefficiencies in Medicare, a program crucial for many seniors across the nation.

    Modifying Medicare, even if only superficially, poses considerable risks and contradicts former President Trump’s prior commitments not to cut the program. However, given his history of misleading statements, it’s hard to trust him or the Republican Party on this issue.

    Recall that George W. Bush’s attempt to privatize Social Security in 2004 led to significant backlash, resulting in Republicans losing the popular vote for two decades.

    In a separate development, billionaire Elon Musk has been vocally critical of the current Republican bill on his social media platform, X. He deems it an “abomination” due to its adverse effects on the federal deficit and urges Trump and the GOP to abandon the proposal and start anew.

    Additionally, some Senate Republicans are looking to alter provisions within the House bill that could inadvertently raise its overall cost, including the repeal of renewable energy tax credits established by the Inflation Reduction Act, changes to the Medicaid “provider tax,” and cuts to federal food assistance programs.

    It seems that Trump and the GOP are far more interested in fattening the wallets of their wealthy donors, like Jeff Bezos, than actually giving a damn about the struggles of the average American.

  • No so fact republicans … you will be held accountable for a shutdown. 

    On Tuesday, the House narrowly approved a continuing resolution to fund the government until the end of September. However, this decision was met with criticism from Senate Democrats who accused Republicans of taking a partisan approach by excluding them from the drafting process.

    With Republicans holding 53 Senate seats and needing 60 votes to defeat a filibuster, the bill’s passage was not guaranteed. The main issue with the bill is that it advances President Trump’s/Musk’s projects without proper oversight from Congress, undermining the power of the purse. Both are in a full destroy programs and agencies the middle class relies on.  

    Senate Democrats are pushing for a one-month bill to allow for further negotiations on a new appropriations agreement. They are also seeking to limit Elon Musk’s powers to dismantle the government without congressional approval.

    The exclusion of Democrats from the process has raised concerns among some senators and aides, who fear setting a dangerous precedent. By supporting the bill, they would essentially be giving House Republicans free rein to dictate government funding without bipartisan input.

    Senator Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico condemned House Republicans for their actions, warning that they would be held responsible for any potential shutdown. Despite Republican control of the House, Senate, and White House, they continue to shift blame onto the minority party.

    In reality, the Republicans are the ones in control, and it is their plan and budget that have led to this mess. It is time for them to take responsibility for the consequences of their actions.