2011 Governor's State of the State speeches: on Health Care
Robert Bentley:
Federal takeover of our health care system will kill jobs
I will work to provide health care that is affordable. But it does not need to be forced upon us by the federal government. There is no doubt the federal takeover of our health care system will kill jobs in the U.S. and further cripple our economy.
We will fight oppressive mandates on businesses and we will fight rationing of health care. Send me legislation that will offer tax incentives to employers who provide health insurance to their employees. I will sign your bill.
Source: 2011 State of the State speech to Alabama legislature
Mar 1, 2011
Pat Quinn:
Comprehensive Medicaid reform: save taxpayers $550M
Last month, we passed comprehensive Medicaid reform, which will save us millions of dollars. But it will also improve health outcomes for
Medicaid patients--decreasing ineffective reliance on emergency rooms by providing patients with a medical home, and focusing on preventive care to keep people from getting sick in the first place.
We need to keep investing in essential, necessary services while cutting programs that don't work. This means continued support for cost-effective programs that do work, such as: homecare for those with disabilities, childcare for working families, and
community care for our seniors. We are reducing the Medicaid reimbursement rate for hospitals, nursing homes, saving taxpayers $550 million dollars this year alone.
Source: Illinois 2011 State of the State Budget Address
Feb 16, 2011
Paul LePage:
MaineCare recipients contribute to statewide health coverage
Based on ability to pay, we ask MaineCare recipients to contribute to the cost of the state-sponsored health care coverage. Unfortunately, we are limited in the reforms we can offer in MaineCare because of the Affordable Care Act out of Washington.
Maine's generosity is being penalized by the federal government. There are additional savings to be had in MaineCare but federal mandates force us to look elsewhere.
Source: Maine 2011 State of the State Address
Feb 10, 2011
Rick Perry:
Repeal ObamaCare; simple message to Washington: "Enough"
it's time to repeal ObamaCare, with its mandates that will cripple our healthcare system, and a price tag that will bust our budget. Our Medicaid population and accompanying financial burden are growing as we speak, and, in 2014, ObamaCare will cause
them to explode. This Washington-centric healthcare plan puts many states on a collision course with bankruptcy.Instead of oppressive mandates, we need solutions like block grants, and the freedom to improve health care delivery, with innovation,
flexibility and local input from leaders like Senator Jane Nelson. We most definitely do not need Washington encroaching even further on our individual liberties. I hope you'll support Representative Creighton's legislation stating the simple truth--
upheld by at least two federal courts, that it's unconstitutional & wrong for the government to force someone to buy health insurance. In this and other areas of overreach, we must be united in sending one clear and simple message to Washington: "Enough.
Source: 2011 Texas State of the State Address
Feb 8, 2011
Mary Fallin:
Certified Healthy program; & website for health insurer info
Two years ago [the legislature] passed legislation authorizing the creation of a website where every health insurance plan in the state could be compared side by side. In the coming years, we'll take that idea and build on it, allowing Oklahoma consumers
to actually purchase health insurance through an Oklahoma exchange, knowing that the plan they've chosen has the right benefits at the right price. Ultimately, the choice to live healthier and be healthier is just that: a choice.But I'm happy to say
that [we] introduced innovative public-private initiatives like the Certified Healthy Businesses program to encourage healthy living and eating. Currently, over 900 private businesses have become "certified." And I'm excited to see our healthy living
initiatives grow to include the Certified Healthy Schools and Certified Healthy Communities programs. By asking our citizens to take responsibility for their own health, we're building a healthier, more prosperous state.
Source: 2011 Oklahoma State of the State Address
Feb 7, 2011
Gary Herbert:
Sue on unconstitutionality of ObamaCare
If we as a state fail to vigorously fight to protect and defend our rights under the Constitution, those rights will invariably be seized and usurped by the federal government. I remind Washington, we are a state, not a colony, and I assure you, on my
watch, Utah will not stand idly by.In fact, we and 26 other states are asserting our right and our obligation to say no to an unconstitutional federal health care program. Over the past three years we have worked closely with you in the
Legislature to create solutions to reform Utah's health care system. We are also taking the lead to rein in outrageous cost increases in federally mandated entitlement programs, before those costs further impair our ability to fund education and
other vital state services. In the election last November, the people sent a message that federal domination must give way to mutual collaboration. Unfortunately, that message was promptly ignored.
Source: 2011 Utah State of the State Address
Jan 26, 2011
Nikki Haley:
Let Medicaid buy generics for AIDS, cancer, & mental health
The majority of prescription drugs issued by Medicaid are generic, with three large exceptions: AIDS, cancer, and mental health. We propose that we remove the proviso prohibiting the use of generic medications to treat those three afflictions.
I realize that this may sting pharmaceutical companies, and some lobbyists, but it is an option that will allow us to realize real savings without compromising the quality of care for our patients.
I ask that we strike the proviso prohibiting the HHS Director from setting rates paid to providers through Medicaid.
South Carolina is the only state in the nation that doesn't give our Medicaid director that flexibility, and with all due respect, we can't be the only state that has it right.
Source: 2011 South Carolina State of the State Address
Jan 19, 2011
Rick Snyder:
Improve cost, quality and access with wellness & prevention
We will vigorously pursue improvements in our health care system in terms of cost, quality and access. We must emphasize wellness and preventative care. All of our citizens need access to preventative care from primary care providers. It's critical to
prevent routine ailments from becoming severe conditions requiring emergency room treatments. We will look to build a system that encourages all of us to have an annual physical to reduce obesity and encourage a healthier, active lifestyle in our state.
Source: 2011 Michigan State of the State Address
Jan 19, 2011
Earl Ray Tomblin:
WV Connect: access for 10,000 working uninsured & spouses
Regardless of the debate over the federal health care bill, we need to continue to improve our health care system. One focal point of my administration will be to find ways to foster the creation of health insurance for our working uninsured.
WV Connect provides access to health care for 10,000 working, uninsured West Virginians and their spouses. This pilot program will reduce emergency room visits and avoidable hospitalizations, resulting in a healthier workforce.
Source: 2011 W.V. State of the State Address
Jan 12, 2011
Matt Mead:
Establish litigation fund to join lawsuit against ObamaCare
The federal health care bill may be the best Congress could do--it is not the best we can do. Therefore, I support legislation that would establish a litigation fund related to the federal health care law.As you no doubt know, I have taken steps to
join the Florida lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act. I understand the criticism in doing so--some because they like the Act, some because of the cost associated with the lawsuit.
I do not like the Act--in my view it is bad policy and too costly.
This law will significantly increase our Medicaid rolls. Mississippi, for example, forecasts the overall cost to implement the Affordable Care Act in that state will be $1.7 billion over ten years, including $443 million in year 10 alone.
I am willing to fully test the legality of the law because it has implications beyond health care. It is not enough to say "no". We should continue to seek state solutions even as we fight the federal law.
Source: 2011 Wyoming State of the State Address
Jan 12, 2011
Nathan Deal:
ObamaCare will cost Georgia $2.5B over next ten years
The overreaching federal health care legislation will greatly add to the burden that we face. In fact, it will add approximately 650,000 Georgians to the Medicaid rolls. This mandated expansion of service will cost Georgia Medicaid an additional
$2.5 billion in State funds alone over the next ten years. The Obama Administration has placed onerous Maintenance of Effort requirements as well, which have severely tied our hands with respect to managing our state Medicaid program.
Source: 2011 Georgia State of the State Address
Jan 12, 2011
Christine Gregoire:
10-year goal: Save $26B and increase quality of care
In the past decade our health care costs doubled to more than $5 billion. Every dollar we spend on health care means we have one fewer dollar to educate our children.I am proposing we partner with the Center of Innovation at the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services to provide real health care reform as a state. We should set a goal: Keep inflation at 4 percent over the next 10 years. We can save $26 billion while increasing the quality of care.
Source: 2011 Washington State of the State Address
Jan 11, 2011
Jack Dalrymple:
Large funding increases for nursing homes & home-based care
It has been said that a society is best measured by the way it treats its most vulnerable. We have made that commitment in North Dakota for many years. Recently the legislature has rebased our formula and passed large funding increases for
nursing homes and home-based care. We have made great progress in the treatment of the mentally ill and developmentally disabled. We have increased substantially our support of children's health care.
Source: 2011 State of the State speech to North Dakota legislature
Jan 4, 2011
Page last updated: Dec 04, 2018