NHDP - NH Republican Candidates Silently Support Republican Plans to Privatize Social Security & Slash Medicare and Medicaid

Republican Congressman Paul Ryan outlines disastrous proposals at NH GOP fundraiser 

Concord - Congressman Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) pitched the reckless Republican plan to slash Medicare and Medicaid, and privatize Social Security in New Hampshire this weekend.  Ryan held a fundraiser for the New Hampshire Republican Party, and a breakfast with young Republicans. 

While Judd Gregg has been a long time supporter of Paul Ryan's, the Republican candidates for Congress haven't been as vocal about Ryan, or any of the extreme Republican proposals he outlined over the weekend.

"Granite Staters know that the Republican plan to privatize Social Security that Ryan outlined this weekend would be a disaster for our state and country," said Derek Richer, press secretary for the New Hampshire Democratic Party.  "Does Kelly Ayotte, Charlie Bass, Frank Guinta, Rich Ashooh and the other Republican candidates agree with Congressman Ryan and national Republicans? Or will they actually side with the people of New Hampshire?"

The irresponsible Republican plan to privatize social security that Congressman Ryan outlined would put the program at the whims of the market.  In the aftermath of the worst recession since the Great Depression, it's clear this idea would be a disaster for New Hampshire's seniors.   

"The Republican plan to slash Medicaid and Medicare is equally disturbing," said Richer.  "These irresponsible Republican plans would be devastating for New Hampshire families who are already struggling during these difficult economic times.  Ayotte, Bass, Guinta, Ashooh, and the other Republican candidates need to stand with the people of the Granite State, not with these disastrous proposals."



NH DHHS - Federal Government Releases Determination in Audit of 2004 Disproportionate Share Hospital Program

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the New Hampshire Department of Justice (DOJ) announced today that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will be releasing a decision affirming the 2004 Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Audit conducted by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). The State has the right to appeal the decision.

The OIG audit, completed in 2007, stated that New Hampshire had claimed $35,325,468 in federal funds in 2004 in unallowable DSH payments and recommended to CMS that the State be issued a letter of disallowance, requiring the State to pay back that amount of money to the federal government. The formal notice of disallowance from CMS is expected to arrive in the next few days.

In the State budget approved in 2005, the State made major changes to the DSH program to address concerns raised by CMS.

“We are disappointed in CMS’s decision,” stated DHHS Commissioner Nicholas Toumpas. “We believe the State has a strong argument as to why CMS’s conclusions are inaccurate.”

Under Section 1923 of the Social Security Act, the states make DSH payments to hospitals to contribute to the costs of their providing services to disproportionately large numbers of low-income patients. The DSH program has been in existence for over a decade and is included in all state Medicaid plans across the country. OIG claimed that NH Medicaid DSH payments for Federal fiscal year 2004 were calculated incorrectly and did not comply with Federal requirements.

However, CMS signed off yearly on the State’s DSH program and the federal reimbursement of DSH costs. When CMS raised concerns in 2004, the State acted promptly to address them with changes that were included in Governor John Lynch’s 2005 proposed budget and enacted in fiscal year 2006.

“New Hampshire will appeal CMS’s decision to the federal HHS Appeals Board,” stated Governor Lynch, “and I will continue to work with state officials in order to protect New Hampshire’s interests.”

“Our office will be carefully reviewing CMS’s letter when it arrives,” said NH Attorney General Michael Delaney, “ and we will work closely with NH DHHS on the appeal.”

Daily Grind: Obama and the Cult of Personality

Obama and the Cult of Personality
America has never succumbed to the cult of personality by surrendering its liberties to any movement based on a pledge of unquestioned devotion and loyalty to the will of a single individual.

Barack Obama's Night of the Living Dead
Thanks to Obama's penchant for picking off the old folks, you just lost seven dollars for every hundred in your Social Security check.

Too Hot Not To Note: Impending Washington Deal on Health Care
From Rasmussen Reports, Tony Blankley comments on the impending health care deal and its possible effects on the nation.

WNO - Congressman Brian Bilbray (R-CA) on Urgency of E-Verify

***"It gives employers instant...legal to work in the United States"***

***"Both Democrats and Republicans Agree it does work" ***

***"It is a big question, why the administration continues to delay implementation" ***

*** "Speaker Pelosi allowed it to be kept out" ***

SOUNDBITE BILLBOARD

Who: Brian Bilbray

What: Exclusive Interview regarding E-Verify and lack of implementation by the Obama White House

When: June 04, 2009

Where: Capitol Hill

For the complete interview please visit our website at: http://washingtonnewsobserver.com/?p=89

Length: 3:07 Minutes

Bilbray quote in-cue: "E-Verify is a computer system that allows employers to check into the Social Security system..."

Bilbray quote out-cue: "There isn't any guarantee at all that taxpayers' funds are not today going to jobs to illegal aliens, and in the future, contracts being let to people who are knowingly hiring illegals so they can low bid contracts against fair competitors."

Click for the Video File: http://washingtonnewsobserver.com/?p=89

According to USCIS.gov, "E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees."

Heritage.org - Are you willing to pay $1,500 more per year in energy costs?

What is The Heritage Foundation Doing?

Our Center for Data Analysis is finishing a study on the economic impacts of the proposed energy tax currently being considered by Congress, aka “Cap and Trade” legislation, and the preliminary results are in:

It would shrink the national economy by $7.4 trillion by 2035.

It would eliminate millions of jobs without replacing them with so-called “green jobs.”

It would increase your electricity bill by 90% and your gasoline prices by 74%, so that the average household energy bill would increase by $1,500 per year.

And, even if you accept all the science from the International Panel on Climate Change, the legislation would only lower the temperature by .1-.2 degrees C by 2100. Put another way, this legislation is all economic pain for NO environmental gain.

The Economic Impact of Waxman-Markey

'Cap and Trade Is A Tax and It's a Great Big One'

Analyzing the Social Security and Medicare Trustees Report:

2009 Social Security Trustees Report Continues to Show the Urgency of Reform

Time to Get Serious (Again) About Medicare Reform

Education:

Does Universal Preschool Improve Learning? Lessons from Georgia and Oklahoma

How Members of the 111th Congress Practice Private School Choice

Health Care:

Coverage Issues in Health Reform

Why a New Public Plan Will Not Improve American Health Care

Tax Policy:

Obama International Tax Plan Would Weaken Global Competitiveness

The Rich Pay More Taxes: Top 20 Percent Pay Record Share of Income Taxes

Budget Chart Book – Visualize the Spending: http://www.heritage.org/research/features/BudgetChartBook/

 

In addition to this research, our analysts post quick hits on our blog, The Foundry.

And, Heritage promotes work across the conservative movement at our Insider Online website.

Would You Like to Host a 33 Minutes Screening?

Heritage has produced its first ever full-length documentary, 33 Minutes, which outlines the need for the U.S. missile defense program. If you are interested in hosting a screening for a local group you are involved with, please visit the website www.33minutes.com today and fill out the online form.

Tea Party Takeaway

Many people have asked “what’s next” after the Tea Parties. Becoming an educated and engaged citizen who will write letters to the editor and call their elected official about important issues is the simplest way to carry the spirit of the Tea Party forward.

You can also volunteer your time and money to an organization or elected official you believe shares your values.

You can join Facebook or Twitter to take part in the online conversation.

Or, maybe you want to do even more. Does anyone report what’s happening at your local city council or county commission meetings from a conservative perspective?

If you are willing to show up at those monthly meetings and write an online article about it, you can start your own blog. If you have a computer and an Internet connection, this will cost you nothing more than your time. Sites like www.wordpress.com and www.blogger.com will host it for free. Just type “how to start blogging” into www.google.com and pick a link to get started. Once you are up and running, then just e-mail your blog link to your friends and family, and you will have an instant audience.

There’s a good chance no one else is doing this in your community. Establishing a local ‘niche’ will bring your audience back, so you can also help educate them about other state and national issues that are important to you.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can ever be of assistance to you.

Mark Kelly
Strategic Policy Outreach Manager
Coalition Relations
The Heritage Foundation
202-608-6051
www.heritage.org
www.twitter.com/markdkelly2
www.tiny.cc/MarkKelly