Thirty-fourth time’s a charm?



Republicans have been trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act since it was passed. The last time was in July 2012. That was the 33rd attempt.

Today, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann tweeted this:

At noon today, I introduced the first bill of the 113th Congress to repeal Obamacare in its entirety. — Michele Bachmann (@MicheleBachmann) January 3, 2013

After the July vote, CBS News calculated that upwards of 89 hours had been spent tilting at this ridiculous windmill to the tune of something in the area of $50 million.

But, as she has told us time and time again, Bachmann hates her some “Obommakeer”. So, Ms. Fiscal Responsibility is ready spend even more taxpayer money to accomplish absolutely nothing yet again. I’d say she should check with Speaker Boehner on this effort since he has already declared the Affordable Care Act “The Law of the Land” but, heh, heh, it’s not like what he thinks or says about anything that happens in the House matters, right? Heh.

By the way, here are some of the things in the Affordable Care Act that kick in this year (from Healthcare.gov):

Improving Preventive Health Coverage. To expand the number of Americans receiving preventive care, the law provides new funding to state Medicaid programs that choose to cover preventive services for patients at little or no cost. Effective January 1, 2013.

To expand the number of Americans receiving preventive care, the law provides new funding to state Medicaid programs that choose to cover preventive services for patients at little or no cost. Expanding Authority to Bundle Payments. The law establishes a national pilot program to encourage hospitals, doctors, and other providers to work together to improve the coordination and quality of patient care. Under payment “bundling,” hospitals, doctors, and providers are paid a flat rate for an episode of care rather than the current fragmented system where each service or test or bundles of items or services are billed separately to Medicare. For example, instead of a surgical procedure generating multiple claims from multiple providers, the entire team is compensated with a “bundled” payment that provides incentives to deliver health care services more efficiently while maintaining or improving quality of care. It aligns the incentives of those delivering care, and savings are shared between providers and the Medicare program. Effective no later than January 1, 2013.

The law establishes a national pilot program to encourage hospitals, doctors, and other providers to work together to improve the coordination and quality of patient care. Under payment “bundling,” hospitals, doctors, and providers are paid a flat rate for an episode of care rather than the current fragmented system where each service or test or bundles of items or services are billed separately to Medicare. For example, instead of a surgical procedure generating multiple claims from multiple providers, the entire team is compensated with a “bundled” payment that provides incentives to deliver health care services more efficiently while maintaining or improving quality of care. It aligns the incentives of those delivering care, and savings are shared between providers and the Medicare program. Increasing Medicaid Payments for Primary Care Doctors. As Medicaid programs and providers prepare to cover more patients in 2014, the Act requires states to pay primary care physicians no less than 100% of Medicare payment rates in 2013 and 2014 for primary care services. The increase is fully funded by the federal government. Effective January 1, 2013.

As Medicaid programs and providers prepare to cover more patients in 2014, the Act requires states to pay primary care physicians no less than 100% of Medicare payment rates in 2013 and 2014 for primary care services. The increase is fully funded by the federal government. Providing Additional Funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Under the law, states will receive two more years of funding to continue coverage for children not eligible for Medicaid. Effective October 1, 2013.

You have to wonder how a woman who is so cavalier about wasting taxpayer money gets elected every term but, then again, when her constituents are electing someone as stupid as she is, well, I suppose you have your answer. For those of you in Bachmann’s district who don’t support her, please accept my condolences. As a constituent of Tim “The Original Tea Partier” Walberg, I feel your pain.

Acutely.

[Facepalm CC image credit: Alex Proimos | Flickr]