A scream from the bastion of conservatism; "Live from the Villages"

                 

“We’re not going to implement Obamacare in Florida,” (Florida Governor Rick) Scott told Fox News anchor Greta Van Susteren on Friday night. “We’re not going to expand Medicaid because we’re going to do the right thing. We’re not going to do the exchange.”

Puhleeeze !!! I feel like Roxie Hart: " It's good, Isn't it grand? Isn't it great? Isn't it swell? Isn't it fun? Isn't it, nowadays?"

            To live in Florida where the governor simply decides he doesn't like a law, even if it was upheld by SCOTUS , and therefore simply won't implement it.  If it makes anyone feel better, Rick Perry (the other idiot governor named Rick) has decided likewise.  Scott cites concern over Medicare and Medicaid costs as his reason, citing a $1.9 billion implementation figure that has no known real world derivation. It seems on a quick look that Scott is just being prudent and cautious, but wait!!! Isn't this the same Rick Scott that was the CEO of Columbia/HCA,  a major healthcare provider?  Isn't this the same Rick Scott whose incompetence (collusion?) in supervising his larcenous employees resulted in a fine of $1.8 BILLION for Medicare fraud and his (Scott's) ouster as CEO. I believe it is. So when did Governor Skeletor grow a conscience ? Probably right after it became apparent that increased scrutiny of Medicare and Medicaid fraud might make the kind of larceny at which he and his ilk are so adept harder to perpetuate and to get away with. As a private citizen, Scott formed a Republican organization with a soft and squishy name that sounded like an attempt to actually improve health care in Florida and make it more affordable to  more people. Reality was , it was a cover organization to ensure continued high profits to existing companies like Columbia/HCA, the same groups, coincidentally who have spent many millions lobbying against any meaningful health care reform.

Lest we think it's just Scott, here's a quote from Congressman John Mica, another well of concern for the poor.

"Florida does have a lot of folks that are uninsured," said Congressman John Mica.  "I think what we need to do is repeal Obamacare and I think that will probably be one of  the first orders of business of the next Congress and hopefully a new President."   So "Yes, we have a lot of folks that are uninsured....." so let's overturn the law that would guarantee their insurability in favor of.....???  This is directly analogous to saying, "Yes, Ralph, I know Florida Panthers are endangered, so let's start having an open hunting season on them!"

And please, please, please... it is a law passed by both the House and Senate (435 persons) and agreed to by the President (1 person)  Stop calling it "Obamacare," already. When you do, that pointy  sheet on your head  wiggles.

                                                      Mike Dorman