Consider yourself warned: This week’s cover story is depressing.
Jim Nintzel’s examination of the state’s health-care cuts and the anticipated repercussions clearly shows that the decreases in the state’s AHCCCS rolls will hurt a lot of people—literally. An estimated 200,000 people will wind up not being covered as a direct result of these cuts—and because of a lack of health care, some of these people will die.
See? Depressing.
The piece is also depressing on a whole other level—an economic one.
Not only is the state trimming a half-billion bucks out of health-care spending in the coming year; a billion or so in federal matching funds will also not be coming in as a result, presuming the cuts aren’t overturned in court or blocked by the feds. That means the state’s health-care system could take a $1.5 billion hit, leading to tens of thousands of lost jobs and the possible closure of some hospitals.
Arizona’s economy is already in tenuous shape. And now we’re throwing this $1.5 billion debacle on top of it. Gulp.
Of course, Jim’s cover story is highly recommended reading—even if it may not be the most uplifting article. Also recommended: Contact your state representatives and tell them how you feel (especially if you live in a district represented by any of the Republicans who voted for all of these cuts).
One final recommendation: If you have the means, consider donating your time or some cash to a worthy cause that helps down-on-their-luck people.
As always, thanks for reading.
This article appears in Jul 14-20, 2011.
I’ve just sent Jim’s excellent piece to my legislators — Frank Antenori, who gets his health insurance from the federal government; David Gowan, who I presume gets his from his employment as a legislator; Ted Vogt, whose insurance doubtless comes from one of the other of state or federal government.
Depressing yes, but it is reality. Politicians never envisioned the day they couldn’t raise revenue to pay for all the goodies they promised. We were conned into spending the rainy day fund when we need it most now. I’m weary of all the hurt stories to politicise a basic economic problem. Always the allusion that some where is the pot of gold that hasn’t been tapped. Adding jobs requires increasing demand; demand requires the ability to pay. Household debt is now DOWN to 116% of after-tax income. Where’s the ability to pay more? Jobs of course, but jobs require demand. That’s why every AZ economist predicts we’re few years away from stability. No more cons, no more political sound bites.
Bob Johnson