When asked about individual elements of healthcare reform, a majority of people from both parties like many key benefits. Maybe we should just stop calling it “Obamacare.” Because when you ask average Americans — both Democrats and Republicans — they support many of the benefits of healthcare reform. For those who oppose the law, maybe they just don’t like President […]

Volunteers gather to protest Tea Party Republicans’ opposition to healthy legislation. Protesters rallied in support of Medicaid expansion in Michigan on Monday. They met at the GOP Victory Center in Livonia — which, not surprisingly, was closed. But they were undaunted, with three speakers making their voices heard on the importance of Medicaid expansion as a crowd, including two local […]

The conservative Heritage Foundation is campaigning against Obamacare. But their arguments are unsubstantiated lies. Do Republicans really think they can just willfully spread lies about the Affordable Care Act and get away with it? Sure they do, because their rabidly extremist supporters will believe anything they’re told by their spin masters. They’d like you to believe that Obamacare is the […]

During August recess, the answer seems to be ‘not much.’ While the U.S. Congress is on recess in August, most Representatives hold town halls and other public events where constituents can meet with them in their home districts. That doesn’t seem to be the case with Representative Kerry Bentivolio — unless you can afford to buy a ticket to a […]

How much more time can they possibly need? Oh, and didn’t they claim they were working on this while they’re on vacation this month? This is getting ridiculous. After gaveling in and out of session in just 10 seconds earlier this week, Michigan Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville said Senate Republicans are going on a retreat “in a week or […]

This is your weekly reminder. Senate Republicans need to hear from you now. As I wrote here last week, Tea Party groups are asking their members to call their Senators every single day, urging them to vote no on Medicaid expansion. Putting aside my curiosity about how these folks have so much spare time (and, if they don’t work, how […]

Constituents send a message to the Tea Party loyalist: You’re in Washington to represent all of us. While U.S. Congressman Kerry Bentivolio and Speaker John Boehner hobnobbed with supporters at an undoubtedly pricey fundraiser at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham on Friday, constituents from across Rep. Bentivolio’s district banded together outside. And they had plenty to say to their Congressman, […]

Truth is stronger than fiction. It just needs to speak louder than the absurd. Obamacare’s opponents will say anything — no matter how ridiculously untrue — in an effort to sabotage the law. Worse yet, plenty of people believe the lies. The scare tactics aren’t going to stop the law from being implemented. But they may prevent people from signing […]

Accept no substitutes. Only the real thing will help uninsured Michiganders and benefit the state. Sure, the Michigan Senate is in recess. But now that Medicaid expansion — and two “alternative” bills — are headed to the Senate floor later this month, now is the time to tell your Senator you want the real thing. This is simple: House Bill […]

Two days of hearings yield a disappointing lack of action. The Senate Government Operations Committee spent two days hearing testimony on Medicaid expansion and debating three possible paths forward. It voted for all three — which means there will be yet more debate and delay on legislation that could make a life-or-death difference for nearly 500,000 Michiganders. The committee did […]

Government Operations Committee to discuss Medicaid expansion on Tues. and Wed. Speak out in support. There are at least half a million reasons to support Medicaid expansion in Michigan: providing healthcare coverage to nearly 500,000 uninsured Michiganders, largely the working poor, plus bringing more jobs and revenue into the state. The only reason to oppose Medicaid expansion? Trying to sabotage […]