-
State’s benefits decisions hurting the health of the working poor: Jack Bernard and John Palmer March 18, 2015
State’s benefits decisions hurting the health of the working poor: Jack Bernard and John Palmer; Georgia Health News March 18, 2015 Before the ACA (Obamacare) was enacted, one in five Georgians were without insurance, one of the nation’s highest rates. But Gov. Nathan Deal and state legislative leaders have opposed the law, refusing to put…
-
Medicaid denial: hypocrisy or irrationality? AJC; Thursday, March 5, 2015
Medicaid denial: hypocrisy or irrationality? AJC; Thursday, March 5, 2015 When looking at individual states, there is an inverse relationship between religiosity and the expansion of healthcare to the less fortunate among us. In other words, the more religious a state, the less likely it is to expand Medicaid. Here are the details. Gallup has…
-
Jody Hice, Athens’ New Congressman, Only Wants to Create Conflict 11-19-14; Flagpole Magazine
Note- This editorial is only indirectly related to the health reform war. Electing people like Hice lessens the chances that any meaningful revision of the ACA will take place or that more of the uninsured will obtain coverage. Jody Hice, Athens’ New Congressman, Only Wants to Create Conflict 11-19-14; Flagpole Magazine By Jack Bernard Photo Credit: Joshua…
-
Choice clear in 10th District, Athens Banner Herald, Oct. 29, 2014
Note; slightly different from the Gwinnett piece. Opinion, Athens Banner Herald Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014 Bernard: Choice clear in 10th District Do you want to know what is wrong with politics in Georgia and the rest of the United States? Look in the mirror. We are the ones who elected this government, voting for party…
-
Vote for obstructionism and intolerance? Then don’t complain; Gwinnett Forum; 10-28-14
Do you want to know what is wrong with politics in this nation and Georgia? Look in the mirror. We are the ones who elected this government, voting for party affiliation rather than the best candidate for the job. My Congressional district, Georgia’s 10th, is a good example. Jody Hice, the GOP nominee, is…
-
Unkindest Cuts; Columbus Ledger-Enquirer; 10-25-14
Unkindest cuts BY JACK BERNARD AND JOHN PALMER October 25, 2014 Traditionally, there has been an unwritten pact between state and local public employees (teachers included) and government. Salaries did not compare to the private sector, but pooling the resources of teachers and state employees allowed the state to offer excellent benefits. Since the Great…
-
Jody Hice’s Election to Congress Is Not Inevitable;10-8-14; Flagpole (paper)
Note: In the last decade, my County has gone from being represented by a blue dog Democrat, who would at least listen to arguments for single payer, to radical right wingers who care little about patients receiving quality health care unless the patient has private resources or insurance. Jody Hice’s Election to Congress Is Not…
-
Hindering voters can spur turnout- AJC; Oct. 5, 2014
Note- Georgia elections are especially crucial this year, both on the national and state levels. Governor Deal has cut public employee health care benefits dramatically and refused to expand Medicaid for political reasons. Hindering voters can spur turnout AJC; Oct. 5, 2014 It is with dismay that I read Ms. (Rinda) Wilson’s comments (“Elections board…
-
How should we evaluate Obamacare?; Charleston (wv) Gazette, September 28, 2014
Sunday, September 28, 2014 Jack Bernard: How should we evaluate Obamacare? By Jack Bernard I am a Republican. My party has passed legislation in the House over 50 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Obamacare. The ACA was implemented anyway and shows no sign of going away. So, is the ACA working? I…
-
Why the single-payer resistance? September 19, 2014 ,Columbus (GA) Ledger-Enquirer
Jack Bernard: Why the single-payer resistance? September 19, 2014 Ever since Medicare (universal health insurance for old people and the disabled) came out in 1965, congressional efforts to expand it to cover the rest of us have been thwarted. Why has this occurred? There are two basic reasons: • Extensive lobbying by health care providers…