Medicaid: The Pac-Man of State Government

A report, released today by the University of Virginia's Miller Center confirms what Republicans have been saying for over a year. Medicaid is out of control.

"Nationally, Medicaid spending accounted for less than 10 percent of state-sourced funds 30 years ago. In fiscal 2013, the share grew to more than 15 percent"

"In Virginia, Medicaid’s share of total state spending was 11 percent in fiscal 2013, while higher education’s share was 14.1 percent. By 2024, higher education’s share is projected to be 13.5 percent and Medicaid would account for 14.3 percent."

"BUT!" cry the Democrats, "WHAT ABOUT IF WE EXPAND MEDICAID BY OBAMACARE?!"

Well, I am glad you asked...

"If Virginia opts in [to Medicaid Expansion], higher-ed’s share of state spending would be 13.5 percent in 2024; Medicaid’s would be 14.9 percent."

Even with the federal government footing part of the bill, Medicaid's cost increases are on a completely different scale. 

Kind of disrupts the whole moustache-twirling villain image that House Democrats would have you believe, doesn't it? 

VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com

Will Tomorrow Be Awkward?

Spring is here, and the General Assembly is now preparing their return to Richmond once more to discuss the Governor's recommendations and vetoes, among them an ethics bill which doesn't meet his newly raised standards on ethics.

The upcoming showdown on ethics may make it a little awkward in the hallway though, as McAuliffe is now going another round with his on-again-off-again scandal, the EB-5/Greentech issue.

We have been aware that investigations were open on a number of fronts involving the Governor, including his involvement in Gulf Coast Funds, investments in Greentech, as well as his *ahem* dubious use of the sell-a-visa program called EB-5. 

"Why don't we talk anymore, Terry?"

What we didn't know was that McAuliffe must have been going for a clean break this time, as he was ignoring the very institution he is accused of harassing on behalf of wealthy foreign investors. You can't make this stuff up...

After finding DHS good enough to berate repeatedly to get his way over the years, Terry McAuliffe, the Governor of a state...ignored a federal Inspector General questioning his own (alleged) wrongdoing! 

VA GOP Caucus

vagopcaucus.blogspot.com