Hutchison Urges Perry to Reconsider Health Program
U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison broke ranks from her party on Thursday to urge Gov. Rick Perry — her opponent in the 2010 Texas governor's race — to re-negotiate with the Obama administration to keep federal funding for the Medicaid Women's Health Program.
In an appearance on MSNBC's The Daily Rundown with Chuck Todd, Hutchison said Texas "can't keep turning back federal funds that every state gets and then try to find money in our budget which is already being cut in key areas like education."
"I do think that the governor needs to sit down with ...
Comments (23)
Jim Batchelor via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Kay has been there too long.
Joe Wilson via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Just another woman's voice that Perry can ignore. Time to send Anita and wives of other Republicans a copy of Aristophanes "Lysistrata!"
Martha Dunkelberger via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I think she was cowardly to vote for the Blunt amendment and to come out to support the women of Texas AFTER she's announced her retirement, but I still think she deserves to be thanked. The far right has given her nothing but vitriol about this on her facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/kaybaileyhutchison
Vicke Caldwell via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Jim, maybe long enough to speak honestly?
Luisa Inez Newton via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Probably the first time I've agreed with Senator Hutchison about anything.
Renée Greene Mathew via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Impressive for the Senator to speak out on this issue. Now, if only Perry would stop his demagogue against women 's health.
Ron Blancarte via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I wish I could give kudos to KBH on this, her speaking her mind, being honest, etc.
But it is really hard to, because I know this is because she is leaving office. She can step out of the GOP ranks and speak her mind, because she doesn't have to worry about reelection. She doesn't have to worry about pandering to her base. She can be honest.
Great, but disappointing.
Mo Ratel via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I almost feel off my chair just now
Mo Ratel via Texas Tribune on Facebook
fell
Karen Bice via Texas Tribune on Facebook
I appreciate her standing up for WHP although I don't agree with her statement that the ACA contraceptive coverage is only an issue of religious freedom, that the Dems have manufactured the GOP War on Women. uh no, the GOP along with religious leaders manufactured the war on women when they they made an issue of contraception into a moral issue for all women. They drew the line in the sand on this one.
Glenda Hawthorne via Texas Tribune on Facebook
FINALLY! She says something favorable to the people. Of course, since she's "retiring" she now has nothing to lose.
Sarah Kitchell
Good for Kay, she doesnt have to worry about the radical right to get reelected and is thinking like a woman who understands the importance of Planned Parenthood. Rick is in the pocket of the radical right and could care less about Texas......
Alicia Butler via Texas Tribune on Facebook
That is possibly the first thing I have ever heard of Sen. Hutchinson doing that I actually agree with...though I too agree that religious freedom is not the issue and the Dems did not start this crap.
Suzy Hagar via Texas Tribune on Facebook
When you aren't running for office you can be very honest. Go Kay Go!!! Perhaps we could limit everyone to one term in a specific office. Good- bye Rick and Anita. This is one Texan who is very glad for you to go.
Rita Lucido via Texas Tribune on Facebook
And she didn't turn onto a pillar of salt or anything. Wow
Sam Davis via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Go Kay!
Chris Jonsson
Too little too late Kay. You threw women under the bus years ago.
Bye bye
homas
KBH is the only semi-reasonable Republican in Texas. The response from Rickie's spokeswoman amply illustrates where the rest of this right wing cabal stands.
Republicans love the super rich and war....and hate women
Mimi Purnell via Texas Tribune on Facebook
Kay Bailey has had ample opportunity to lead the mo
Mimi Purnell via Texas Tribune on Facebook
re moderate Rs, to give them a little courage, but alas KB has failed to stand up for women from the day she took office! Guess she thought it would help her in the Rep. Primary, it didn't.
Rudy Gonzales
Sadly, Kay Bailey is facing the Texas Turkey's running the state of Texas! Texas has been run into the ground at the expense of it's residents. The TEA party has grabbed hold of local and state offices resulting in confrontations with the federal authorities repeatedly. Sadly Kay Bailey is right! It is the Terrifying Errant Activist(TEA) party that has controlled the state, and by controlling the Legislature, the can fight federal law with these kind of actions. By controlling the Legislature and local government they control monies, infrastructure non-improvements, cutting off school funding and Medicaid monies and how they are used. And those running the state agencies receive great benefits and perks from Rick Perry and his henchmen in the Legislature. The Terroristic Economic Antagonist(TEA) party do not want to negotiate at the expense of women and the general population. They have started a war against Texas women and sadly women follow blindly. Catherine Frazier quickly changed the subject to Obamacare. Here's the really great part:
President Obama wins again! And so do the insured! Here's a synopsis of what I like:Here's what TEA-GOP-Republican are fighting, backing the mega-insurers against the American public:
Ready for another round of stimulus? This time, it's courtesy of the insurance industry -- though Uncle Sam is forcing the payouts.
Millions of Americans stand to receive insurance company rebates by the end of the summer, as a result of a new requirement in the federal health care overhaul that strictly governs how insurers spend their cash.
The insurance industry, along with a slew of state officials, have been fighting the policy. Based on rules that were issued at the end of last year, Washington will require insurers to spend between 80 and 85 percent of premium dollars on medical care. Insurance companies that violate the rule will be required to effectively refund their customers.
Here's how the new system works: Starting in 2011, insurers were supposed to abide by the new rules. They require insurers in the individual and small group market to keep administrative costs to 20 percent, and to just 15 percent in the large group market. If they don't, they're supposed to send out a round of rebates by Aug. 1 of this year. That rebate could take the form of a check or credit card payment, or a reduction in premiums -- the rebates will either be distributed to individuals or employers depending on the plan.
Foremost, they say the sudden implementation could force some health plans out of the market. Plus, because the Obama administration requires companies to hold down administrative costs, advisers who act as policy brokers to help connect plans with customers could be cut out of the system. Zirkelbach said the new rules could also force insurers to cut down on fraud prevention activities and prevent them investing money in innovation. If you didn't vote in 2010, you allowed the Tactical Evangelical activist(TEA) party to gain control of the Texas Legislature. Get registered! Then get out and vote! Then get the vote out.
Jean Kelly Warneke via Texas Tribune on Facebook
too late and too litttle Kay.
Steven Hernandez
Hold on a tick, isn't this the same senior senator from Texas who VOTED FOR THE BLUNT/RUBIO AMENDMENT? Exactly how is this republinut any better than the other republinut?