Elusive, Owasso (11/27/2009 4:01:40 AM)

I wonder what happens when new people sign up?

FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/27/2009 4:06:04 AM)

If the Health reform bill passes, new enrollees have to buy in. So at that point the program becomes a revenue generator. But if it is defeated, at some point it becomes bankrupt and unsustainable.

Elusive, Owasso (11/27/2009 4:23:30 AM)

People will not be covered for several years FW. How would it be a revenue generator for medicaid now?

FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/27/2009 4:34:37 AM)

It won't. As I mentioned new enrolees will have to buy in. But if their is no Health bill, the whole thing will go under as more and more baby boomer begin to gain eligibility and begin signing up. With no health bill, like Bush said. Medicare is the big elephant in the room not fixing social security. SS is easy to fix. But medicare will cost 10 trillion to fix. And they say we can't afford Health Care reform. Check it out. The numbers project to sustain medicare are out here.

papajohn, henryetta (11/27/2009 6:54:26 AM)

I thought this article was about medicaid not medicare?

jody boy, (11/27/2009 9:59:50 AM)

between this shortfall and the one to the state school systems why should we pay lodging and per- diem to legislators. I don't know why any news group have not picked up on these legislators gave $600,000,000 in tax cuts and that is about the amount we are short. This proves a leadership problem.

kdisrad, (11/27/2009 11:04:55 AM)

If they went through and matched up all the arrested for selling their meds people on Medicaid that would cut the roles by quite abit. Anyone that is dealing their meds and on Medicaid should be cut from the program and made to wait one year before re-entering. Also, UAs should be given to all new recipients. We have to give them for our work purposes. Dirty UA no benefits.

FUTURE WORLD, Tulsa (11/27/2009 2:30:39 PM)

This would be a perfect usage for the rainy day funds. It makes no sense to lose 3.00 to save 1.00.

WoodyWayne, (11/28/2009 9:40:19 AM)

Working to reduce waste in Education should be a priority, and I believe the following example is a way to accomplish that and improve our local economy. Please read below and remember that TPS is probably the 2nd largest employer in Tulsa ..........

Consolidating public schools should be the first step taken to reduce waste in Education. Then, we should assist Education Employees with the cost of their health insurance. This would be a tremendous step in eliminating redundant administrative costs, and stimulating the economy.

When small school districts retire or terminate a superintendent, we should try to consolidate those schools with another district to cut administrative costs statewide. For instance, now would be a good time to consider consolidating Sperry Public Schools with one of the large surrounding public schools. There is no reason to pay another Superintendent to oversee such a small school district, and pay for the additional Administration. The school could still have its identity, keep its same school mascot, but be administered by another Educational Service Center.

The next step should be to provide a better benefit package to Education Employees. Most people don't realize that a teacher must pay 3 times more for their family's exact same insurance, than the secretary working in Sandy Garrett's office at the Dept of Education. That is about $1000 dollars out of the teacher's take home pay, or you could say about a $1000 more in the OKC secretary's pay, and more money spent in OKC. (Notice how OKC area is not having the problem with sales tax revenue. That is because there are many state agency jobs in the OKC area, and those employees don't have an extra $600 to $1000 taken out of their pay for the identical benefits given to Education Employees.)

Just think about the fact that public schools are typically one of the largest employers in their cities and towns, and for that reason this is even more important in eastern Oklahoma, as we don't have the many state agency jobs. Reducing the cost of Education Employees health coverage would give them more money to spend locally, increase sales tax and state income tax.

If we would work on these suggestions, we will stimulate the economy, improve the quality of life for Oklahomans, and reduced wasteful spending in Education. Wow, this just makes too much sense!

I hope Citizens will get organized and help others to understand how this benefits the entire state!

magnumpi28, (11/28/2009 7:12:52 PM)

I disagree woody, Now is NOT the time to be giving more money/benifits to teachers. We are in a recission and people are hurting, they can get by on what they have and just be thankful they have Jobs like the rest of us.