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Just to give New Yorkers a “push” toward the socialized health care being offered by our new Lord and Savior, the Annointed One, the Messiah, Barack…along comes so-called “reporting” from Gannett that New York’s budget is about to crash and burn due to Medicaid. Well duh! I, among many others, have been sounding the alarm for a long time! The truth in this case (that Medicaid in New York is about to break us) is only trotted out by the left when it suits their agenda–that agenda being socialized medicine being forced down the throats of the entire U.S.

A recent article in the Press & Sun-Bulletin by Gannett reporter Brian Tumulty, titled “Reports predict N.Y. financial crisis from health care,” starts this way:

New York’s Medicaid program will experience a financial crisis if Congress doesn’t enact health care legislation, according to two studies released this week.

Ten years from now, state officials could face a 93 percent rise in the cost of providing Medicaid services to adults and related health services to children from low-income families, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Urban Institute predict in one report. That report says the average New Yorker could be spending 55 percent more for health services in 10 years.

“It’s a very dire picture, a very bleak picture without health reform,” said Dr. John Lumpkin, director of the health care group at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in Princeton, N.J. “There’s a lot of discussion in Washington about the various options. What’s not being discussed is that doing nothing is the worst possible option.”

Without our Savior’s health reform plan, all is lost. There is no hope. Woe is me. BUNKUM.

Nowhere in the article does it chronicle how New York has THE most generous Medicaid benefits in the entire country. Most states do not cover every hang nail under Medicaid–but New York does! No where does the article chronicle the cost per capita that New York pays, which in 2006 was $2,316 for every man, woman and child in our entire state (some $44 Billion)! Compare that to California which spent $939 per person and Texas which spent $771 per person on Medicaid in 2006–both of those states have larger populations than New York. Do you see how out of whack New York’s Medicaid program is?

And do you see the shameless shilling the mainstream media performs for the socialist Obama agenda in our country? The media intentionally misleads, leaves out facts and otherwise bends the truth. Shame on Gannett, and shame on the P&SB for running a yellow journalistic article.

Medicaid is bankrupting us–on that no one disagrees. The answer? Decrease Medicaid benefits and the services offered under the program, and do it now. We could freeze Medicaid benefits in New York at half the level we have now without denying basic services or killing anyone, and instantly solve the New York budget crisis with that single act. Who will be “man” enough to do it? Certainly no one in Albany. Don’t fall for the “health care bill will magically solve New York’s Medicaid problem” scare tactics being peddaled by the left.

And may I point out the obvious with regard to the health care plan being offered by His Magnificence? Medicaid IS socialized medicine–it is health care provided to people who don’t pay for it from people (taxpayers) who do. Medicaid is a small preview of what a nationalized system would look like. And Medicaid costs, according to the article mentioned above, are spiraling out of control with no end in sight. What, pray tell, is the difference between what will happen under nationalized/socialized health care and Medicaid? Answer: There is no difference. Conclusion: Either the tax burden will become so extreme in this country we’ll have to repeal certain rights, like free speech (because of concerns of an uprising by the citizens), or health care will be rationed. Perhaps both will happen if this horrible plan is enacted.

Medicaid itself is the best argument against the lunacy Congress is attempting to pass by using parliamentary tricks and deceit. Don’t stand for it. Burn up the lines to your Senators and Congresspeople to let them know WE DON’T WANT OBAMACARE.

Technorati Tags: Medicaid, New York Medicaid, media bias, socialism, Barack Hussein Obama, socialized medicine

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has finally released its Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement for drilling in the Marcellus Shale. Instead of making drilling companies do an environmental impact statement for each well they drill, the DEC decided to do one “generic” environmental impact statement that will apply to all drilling sites throughout the state. You can read the document for yourself here: http://www.dec.ny.gov/energy/58440.html.

I have not yet had a chance to fully digest the 500+ page document. I have reviewed some of it (a lot of it is technical). An article in the Press & Sun-Bulletin purports to cover some of the highlights. Read the P&SB article here: NY regulators propose pre-emptive checks of gas wells in Marcellus Shale. But let me warn you that Tom Wilber, the P&SB writer, shades all of his Marcellus drilling articles with anti-drilling sentiment. For example, he says:

The DEC’s regulatory overhaul began after Southern Tier residents crowded into school auditoriums and town halls to attend public information sessions hosted by the agency in the summer of 2008. Those sessions often became heated, as regulators were unable to satisfactorily answer questions about water consumption, waste disposal, chemical handling and other aspects of large scale Marcellus drilling.

Perhaps so Mr. Wilber. Maybe that’s why New York decided to do a complete review in the first place. But in the interests of being fair and balanced, why didn’t you also mention the rally held just recently (this past summer) in Afton, where thousands of landowners showed up to support drilling? There were more people in one location at one time to support drilling than there ever have been in any location who oppose it.

He also asserts in the article:

DEC officials have watched and learned from developments in Dimock Township, Pa., where Cabot Oil & Gas recently had to shut down some operations after repeated spills and environmental problems. Explosive levels of methane contaminated some drinking water supplies earlier this year. More recently, an 8,000 gallon spill of chemicals used to stimulate well production polluted a creek and wetland.

Yes, Cabot has had problems and they are being appropriately spanked for it by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA’s version of our DEC). The situation is being carefully monitored and handled. But again, the lingering sentiment from the paragraph seems to be that all drilling is unsafe and all drilling companies are out to screw the populace. What about the hundreds (thousands?) of other natural gas wells in PA that are doing just fine with their operations? No spills or contamination of anything. No mention of that.

My very preliminary take on the new DEC proposed regulations: Likely overbearing and restrictive, but at least we’re moving again. After a public comment period until Nov. 30, the DEC will hopefully sew this thing up and drilling can finally begin in New York.

Stay tuned as more will surely come out about the proposed new regulations as people have time to review them in detail.

Technorati Tags: Marcellus Shale Drilling, New York DEC, Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement, shale gas, hydrofacturing, shale drilling

Today I am pleased to announce a first for RSSBinghamton–a guest viewpoint. And it’s from someone who is (cordially) taking me to task over my recent remarks about Medicaid. Long-term readers of this blog will know that I welcome dissenting opinions and views from my own.

Today’s guest viewpoint comes from Leigh Ann Scheider, Executive Assistant to Broome County Executive Barbara Fiala. In the article Medicaid is Bankrupting Broome County and All of New York State I encouraged Ms. Fiala to “show leadership” and “think outside the box.” Those comments prompted Leigh Ann to write me a detailed email about Ms. Fiala’s record to date in showing said leadership. She gently chided me that perhaps I did not share enough facts on the matter. I asked Leigh Ann for her permission to post her email in toto (nothing has been changed), and she agreed. And forthwith:

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By Leigh Ann Scheider

Dear Mr. Willis,

This morning I read your blog post on rssbinghamton.com titled “Medicaid is Bankrupting Broome County and All of New York State”.  While your points are valid and very astute, your continuous chant that Broome County Executive Barbara Fiala has not addressed the Medicaid burden is sorely incorrect. In fact, as an outspoken member of the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC), Executive Fiala has continually called upon state leaders to address this state’s uncontrolled Medicaid costs.

What you seem to have avoided or did not take the time to research is the constant, persistent, identification of the Medicaid burden by Executive Fiala in almost all of her budget addresses. Before and even after the Medicaid cap went into effect, Executive Fiala has drawn attention to the ever increasing Medicaid costs, that as you noted, continue to balloon.

This burden does indeed put local governments and the state in a poor fiscal position. Prior to the Medicaid cap being instituted, counties were negotiating projected Medicaid figures as they would spreads between sports teams (let me be upfront in stating that comparison is purely my own opinion). Factually, it would be better described by any county Budget Director that had to go through the process using empirical data. While the cap has given local governments the ability to more soundly budget for such defined increases, costs continue to rise. As Executive Fiala has said publicly, “Broome County’s Medicaid problem is not fixed”.

In further contrast to your claim that Executive Fiala has not addressed the depicted elephant in the room, her advocacy has gone beyond calling for state leaders to take action. Under her leadership, the State awarded Broome County the ability to conduct an audit of nearly 35 million dollars worth of Medicaid claims. For the news release: Click here. This local action proves Broome County’s commitment to protecting taxpayer dollars and preventing fraudulent practices. More information will be released soon on a large settlement that will more than cover the costs of the audits.

I respect your interest and perception of the Medicaid problem. Provided with the information and public statements made by Executive Fiala, it is my hope you would consider including more factual information within your post. While your post draws attention to a very real problem, it would be more impactful if the information was factual regarding the actions taken by leaders within Broome County.

As with any freelance media, credibility always stirs criticism, however, that is not my intention. Below, I have included remarks from Executive Fiala where she has addressed the Medicaid burden that Broome County taxpayers are faced with. These remarks do not include transcriptions of her comments made to state leaders and or NYSAC. If you have any further questions or comments please feel free to contact me directly through the information provided below. I appreciate your time and willingness to correct information within the contents of your blog.

Best regards,
Leigh Ann Scheider

[County Executive Fiala's previous public comments]

2006 Budget Address

“Some might be wondering that now with the Medicaid Cap, why our taxes are not decreasing? What you have to understand is that the cap is just that. It only caps the amount Medicaid costs would have increased. Do not get me wrong, we are extremely grateful state leaders have finally tackled this tremendous burden that has rested on counties’ shoulders, far too long.

What the state has given us is a formula that allows for an orderly and predictable way to forecast Medicaid expenses instead of the skyrocketing costs we were forced to solely absorb in the past. While we do not know for sure what our Medicaid costs for 2006 will be until the final numbers are certified by New York State on June 30th of 2006, we anticipate our local share of these expenses to rise by $1.2 million dollars.

Medicaid is still the single largest item in the Broome County Budget comprising approximately 11% of the total budget. I will continue to pressure our state lawmakers to better manage Medicaid. Our state by far has the highest Medicaid expenses, including highest total amount, highest per recipient and highest per capita.”

2006 State of the County

“Medicaid is a concern but our Medicaid situation is in much better shape than it was a few years ago, thanks to the state Medicaid cap. But I feel it is important to note that even with the cap in place our costs increased by $1.7 million from 2004 to 2005 and they will continue to increase this year by approximately $1.2 million dollars.

The cap has been a tremendous help in planning for the future but everyone needs to remember this does not make our Medicaid problem disappear. It is still quite a drain on our local resources, comprising about 11 percent of our overall budget or about $34 million dollars a year.

That is why we need to work on continuing to reduce the Medicaid burden that exists for property taxpayers across New York State. This is not to say that those in need will be sacrificed or ignored. I absolutely do not believe that should happen.

However, the system and how it is administered by New York State is broken. It seems there is complete incompetence, fraud or both.

The New York Times reported last year that our Medicaid system which is quote-the most expensive and most generous in the nation-has been misspending billions as a result of fraud, waste and profiteering. This has got to be stopped.

I strongly advocate an aggressive approach to cracking down on fraud. That is why I sought to have Broome County become one of the first counties in New York State to join the Verify New York Program.

This program will enable counties like Broome to flag inefficiencies and billing irregularities. The demonstration project makes counties partners in the effort to detect, investigate and prosecute Medicaid provider fraud.

By participating in this project, we are not assuming there is fraud on the local level, however, if we do nothing, we will never know and I would rather take steps to protect the taxpayers’ dollars than simply hope there is not a problem.

This is not costing Broome County a dime and if any money is recovered as a result of fraud, we will share in those recovered funds.

I want to assure you that Broome County Security Department efforts, to investigate user fraud, will continue as well.”

2007 Budget Address

“In the 2002 resolution, lawmakers resolved that they would review the sales tax distribution formula, “…if within the next 5 years, New York State should assume the County share of Medicaid costs…”

Today I tell you that Broome County Government’s share of Medicaid stands at $33.7 million dollars and climbing. In my opinion, a nearly $34 million dollar Medicaid bill proves that the state has not “assumed the County share of Medicaid costs” and Medicaid remains a huge tax burden.”

2008 Budget Address

“Let me again reiterate, Broome county’s Medicaid problem is not fixed.”

“For anyone to say that the Medicaid is fixed is not only incorrect, it is irresponsible and a dangerous message to send to Albany.”

For full remarks visit: http://www.gobroomecounty.com/files/countyexec/pdfs/2008BudgetFinal.pdf

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Thank you Leigh Ann, for taking the time to write and bring to light Ms. Fiala’s efforts to contain Medicaid costs. As a taxpayer in Broome County, I appreciate her efforts. – Jim

Technorati Tags: Medicaid, Barbara Fiala, Leigh Ann Scheider, Broome County

I live in New York where everything is taxed. So when there was a recent national outcry over the Federal government proposing cow-farting taxes on farmers because the eco-nuts have finally gone berserk…I was unfazed. In our state everything gets taxed sooner or later. Now it’s water. Hey, farting, water, maybe we’ll tax oxygen next, right?

Specifically, New Yorkers are about to be taxed on water in bottles, or if you will, on the bottles themselves. From the Press & Sun-Bulletin in a story titled, “Area stores bracing for flood of bottles“:

Local supermarkets and convenience stores say they’re preparing for a major increase in the number of plastic bottles redeemed when a new state law goes into effect adding a 5-cent deposit to bottled water.

[R]etailers in this region are getting ready for the most significant increase in the flow of redeemable products in years.

More than 3.2 billion water bottles are sold in New York each year, according to the Container Recycling Institute.

Bottled water constitutes about a third of the retail beverage market, though industry studies project huge growth over the next several years.

Some 20-odd years ago when New Yorkers collectively jumped off the cliff (forget slippery slopes) of putting a “deposit fee” on soda cans and bottles, it was supposedly to encourage the behavior of recycling. Guess what, everyone recycles today. No, we don’t always return the cans to the grocery store or redemption center to get our nickles back, but we’ll throw them in the yellow recycling bin on garbage day. That’s just what the politicians want! They want you to pay the deposit fee, and then never redeem it. Why? Because all 80% of the uncollected deposit fees go (where do you think?)… that’s right, to the New York State common treasury.

Politicians LOVE deposit fees–let’s call them what they really are, taxes–because it’s a magical source of new revenue for them to spend. And politicians derive and maintain their power by spending money.

Instead of expanding the bottle tax to 1/3 more of the bottles found in stores (bottles of water), the state should repeal the deposit tax on ALL bottles. Our behavior in recycling has changed–reward that change in behavior by giving people a break! But no…that revenue stream to our state politicians is like a fix for a heroin addict. No way they’re giving it up, man.

Two predictions: (1) After this tax goes into effect, sales of bottled water in New York will decrease. That 3.2 billion bottles of water sold in New York each year is going to go down, not up. Consumers will not appreciate paying an extra $1.20 per package of 24 water bottles you buy in Sam’s Club or Costco. (2) Now that state politicians have successfully expanded this insidious law from soda and flavored drinks to plain water, they will next eye cans and containers of all kinds. “Hey, how about a nickle fee on every can of soup, tin of beans, or box of cereal!” I can hear it already. Politicans will eye the grocery store as the new source of revenue to feed their insatiable appetites.

Word of advice: If you’re visiting New York, be sure to bring your own bottled water.

Technorati Tags: bottle deposit, New York bottle law, bottled water

Each year when Broome County Executive Barbara Fiala releases the proposed budget my blood pressure goes through the roof. Not because of Barb or her proposals per se, but because the real story is so well hidden in the numbers. I believe politicians either do their best to hide from citizens the fact that we are quickly being bankrupted by Medicaid, or they are in denial, hoping the problem will magically go away.

For those not familiar with Medicaid, it is the immoral requirement that some citizens fork over money to pay for their fellow citizens’ health care. That is, the producers of society, those who work hard and contribute, are forcibly made to hand money to non-producers–those who can’t or (in most cases) won’t work, giving non-producers better health care than the producers themselves have. It is unfair.

Try to locate a single line item identifying total Medicaid payments by reading through the latest 526-page proposed budget for yourself: Broome County Budget – Recommended 2010 (PDF, 54MB). It’s not there. In and amongst the line items you will see something called Social Services, under which Medicaid transfer payments are hidden. Social Services is $113 million out of a proposed $353 million budget (or 32%), and that includes Medicaid, foster care, food stamps and other items.

In the proposed budget you’ll see columns for “expenses” and “revenues” for various line items, including Social Services. How can something like Social Services (and by extension Medicaid) actually generate revenue? It can’t. “Revenue” is a misleading label for what is, in most cases, taxpayer money coming from a different pocket. Instead of the money coming from the “county taxpayer pocket,” it may come from the “state taxpayer pocket” or the “federal taxpayer pocket.” If it comes from any pocket other than the county taxpayer pocket, Ms. Fiala labels it as “revenue.” It makes no difference how you label it–the only way for government to issue money (short of fiat printing it, which spikes inflation), is to take it away from some people (taxpayers) and give it to other people (non-taxpayers). It’s really pretty simple to understand, but completely obfuscated in the proposed 2010 Broome County Budget.

Back to Medicaid in Broome…According to a slide show prepared by Barb Fiala (this slideshow being the only way we know how much Medicaid on its own costs), the county will need to raise and pay $36 million in 2010 for Medicaid. Since the county pays 25% of Medicaid costs (or $36 million for 2010), and New York State pays 25% of the cost, and the Federal government pays the other 50%, that means the total cost (to taxpayers, from all of our pockets) for health care to citizens who won’t pay for it for themselves in (just!) Broome County will be $154 million in 2010. This is obscene and immoral in the extreme. Nationalizing health care will not drive costs down–if anything, the costs will go up. People tend to use services more and scrutinize invoices less when they don’t pay for it themselves. Funny how that works. It’s called human nature.

The only solution to continued tax increases is to cut Medicaid benefits dramatically–not only for everyone in the US, but particularly in New York State. I’ve written about this endlessly over the past few years. Medicaid is the elephant in the room that must be dealt with. Not until New York cuts back on benefits (we have the Cadillac version of Medicaid in NY), will we start to reverse the trend of escalating taxes, with the result that people and jobs leave the state.

What can Barb Fiala do in the meantime? It’s time for bold action. Someone needs to challenge New York State and start reducing Medicaid spending. If taxpayers are footing the bill, we should start acting like an insurance company. Set up review committees to approve procedures and control costs in Broome County. Clamp down on charges from doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, etc. Make Medicaid recipients (gasp!) responsible for a co-pay–say $25 per doctor visit. Give them an incentive to NOT run to the doctor for every hang nail. Make them fill out paperwork every few months (like insurance companies force us to do) re-certifying they don’t have insurance of any other kind that will cover part or all of their medical expenses. In short, let them experience the same level of hassle that hard working, taxpaying people experience themselves in order to provide health care for their families. Let’s subtly (or not so subtly) encourage them to get a job and get covered.

Think outside the box Barb, and show leadership on the most important issue facing this county! One thing is for sure, if nothing is done about Medicaid, the elephant in the room will surely bankrupt us within a few years.

Technorati Tags: Medicaid, Broome County, Barbara Fiala, county budget, county taxes

The fall season is without question my favorite time of year weather-wise. Living in upstate New York from early September to mid-October is a joy. Sunny blue skies, moderate temps in the low to mid 60s, soccer games … what could be finer? I caught myself thinking just the other day I wish I could bottle up these fall days and pop them out during the long, insufferable winter that follows. But let’s not dwell on winter just yet!

The reason for this post is to chronicle a simple, yet fun ritual our family looks forward to each year–apple picking. Locally we are blessed with several you-pick-it-yourself apple orchards. Our favorite in Broome County is Fiatos, located a few miles outside of Binghamton just off Pennsylvania Avenue (www.fiatosorchard.com). This past Sunday we headed to Fiatos to pick fresh apples. It was a glorious day–blue skies and 70 degrees. Our youngest went with us to pick (complete with iPod to ensure no bordem could possibly creep in). We picked Jona Macs, Paula Reds, Galas and one I had not heard of before: Honey Crisp. Mmmm, love the taste of Honey Crisp apples!

Fiatos has a gift shop and small bakery, so before we check out, we always grab a few freshly made apple fritters and blueberry scones. Double yum! (Please don’t tell my doctor though.) If you’re so inclined, you can pay a small fee for a hay ride. And the little kiddies will enjoy the farm animals available for petting. Fiatos sits near the top of a hillside with views into the surrounding valley with gorgeous scenery. Like I said, it’s something we look forward to every year. We love the apples (my favorite fruit), but the trip itself and spending family time (the iPod stays in the car while we pick!) is the real reason we go. If you live in Broome County, visit one of our local apple orchards this fall and enjoy your loved ones. And be sure to try those Honey Crisp apples.

Technorati Tags: Broome County, apple orchard, Fiatos, apple picking

It’s one thing when your government forces you to give up your Second Amendment rights. Quite another when you do it willingly. Yet, that’s just what some of our fellow citizens recently did right here in good ole Broome County. The backdrop for my latest observation/rant comes from the Press & Sun-Bulletin (55 guns destroyed in collection program):

With a quick step on a pedal, the large metal jaws collapsed on the gun’s barrel, snapping the piece in two.

In less than a half-hour Friday, 55 handguns that were exchanged in June at the St. James Rectory parking lot in Johnson City for $150 Wegmans gift cards were destroyed at Ben Weitsman & Son in Binghamton.

The Broome County Sheriff’s Department, which has been in possession of the weapons since the St. James Peace and Justice team held the collection, had a deputy and detective stand by as even a World War II German Luger worth thousands of dollars was split.

Broome County Sheriff’s Detective Michael Clapp said the department brought an additional 70 to 80 guns for destruction. They were collected from criminals or were turned in because someone didn’t want them.

So people turned in their handguns–weapons they can use to protect themselves and their private property (yes Virginia, we still have some private property rights in the U.S.). And for what? Gift cards from Wegman’s grocery store. Honestly, I just don’t know what makes some people tick. You can bet your bottom dollar that the 55 people who turned in handguns at St. James were not criminals and the weapons they turned in had never been used illegally. And yet, they willingly disarmed themselves. Go figure. I call it the “easy way” to disarm the citizenry: Get them to do it themselves (idiots).

As for me and my house–well, let’s just say it’s time to take the hunter’s safety course, which I and my 13-year old are about to do this fall so we can go turkey hunting. I may even apply for a pistol permit!

Technorati Tags: Second Amendment, disarming citizens, Broome County, handguns