Republicans get immoral bill through S.C. House

I need not say how appalled I am, but I'll go ahead for the record. I am appalled at South Carolina Republicans for cutting Medicaid payments to doctors who are doing their job - serving the ill.

From one side of the spectrum, we have Republicans who care so much about life before it gets here and the other side where they make it easier for people to drop dead once they get here.

The bill, which would enact a 3 percent across-the-board cut for doctors when they see Medicaid patients, would allow the state's deficit-running Medicaid agency, the Department of Health and Human Services, to save about $70,000 a day between its implementation and June 30.

And why is it running a deficit? Gee, it couldn't because of the ever growing population in this state, the more sick people become and the biggest fact of them all, the state cuts more than brings in to properly maintain the social service.

"We're talking about laying off (hospital workers.) We're talking about making poor people drive 30, 40 miles for emergency care," said state Rep. Bakari Sellers, D-Bamberg, whose district includes Bamberg County Hospital, which is already running a deficit. "It's immoral."

Well, Rep. Sellers? What are people to do? I believe they realize the consequences of their voting now. However, people suffer from so much pain - from being unemployed, sick, homeless, in debt - and basically do not have the tools to cope or fight back.

Rather than lecture to them, I hope the more truth shared will empower them. They aren't alone. I went through almost two years unemployed. With God's help, I made it through. We need to empower people and tell them we'll get through this.

But, those people have to see the truth. We have to help them see it. It is immoral what the Republicans are doing and we have to remind them it can get better with a simple decision - do not vote for the people in power currently.

House Democratic Leader Harry Ott, D-Calhoun, argued the bill has a hidden cost because about $3 in federal funding is lost for each dollar the state does not spend on Medicaid.

With the most respect, Leader Ott, I believe Republicans couldn't care less. Their job is to kill government while saving their paychecks from government.

"No one is going to be denied medical services because of cuts," said state Rep. B.R. Skelton, R-Pickens.

Um, yes, they could be. If a doctor doesn't accept Medicaid and the patient only has Medicaid, then that limits who the patient can see already. Furthermore, you can't expect every sick person to run to the ER. That's not fiscal, is it Republican supporters?