Medicaid Gap: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

Summary

The script discusses upcoming elections, highlighting the importance of local and state elections over the 2016 presidential race. It focuses on the Medicaid Gap, a healthcare issue affecting millions, especially with states like Texas rejecting Medicaid expansion. The script humorously yet poignantly illustrates the human impact of these political decisions, urging viewers to consider the health implications of gubernatorial races in states like Mississippi, Virginia, and Kentucky.

Takeaways

• 🗳️ There's an important election upcoming, with American voters choosing the next president of the United States.
• 🤔 Questions remain about whether figures like Ben Carson, Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, and Al Gore will participate in the presidential race.
• 📅 The 2016 election will last an entire year, with local and state elections taking place before the presidential election.
• 🐾 Washington State's Initiative 1401 aims to prohibit the trade of parts from endangered species like elephants and pangolins.
• 💔 The 'Medicaid Gap' is a critical issue affecting many Americans who cannot afford insurance and do not qualify for government assistance.
• 🏥 Obamacare was intended to provide insurance for the uninsured, but the Supreme Court's decision left some gaps in coverage.
• 📊 Some states have chosen not to expand Medicaid, leaving millions in the 'Medicaid Gap' and without access to affordable healthcare.
• 👎 States like Texas and Mississippi have declined Medicaid expansion, impacting the health and well-being of their citizens.
• 👍 However, some Republican governors, despite opposing Obamacare, have expanded Medicaid in their states to improve healthcare access.
• 🏛️ Upcoming elections in certain states could determine the fate of Medicaid expansion and affect the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.
• 🐾 The script ends with a humorous note on the pangolin, an animal that looks ridiculous but is relevant to an initiative being voted on.

Q & A

What is the significance of the upcoming elections mentioned in the script?

The elections are significant as they are a year away from when American voters will choose the next president of the United States, and they also include important gubernatorial and legislative elections in four states that could determine the fate of Medicaid expansion.

What is the 'Medicaid Gap' and why is it a concern?

The 'Medicaid Gap' refers to the situation where people do not make enough money to receive government assistance but also cannot afford insurance, leaving them without access to healthcare. It's a concern because it can affect the health and well-being of hundreds of thousands of people.

What is the role of the Supreme Court in the implementation of Obamacare?

The Supreme Court upheld Obamacare in 2012, but it struck down the part of the law that forced states to expand Medicaid, allowing states to choose whether to participate in the expansion, which has led to the Medicaid Gap in some states.

Why did some states choose not to expand Medicaid despite the federal government covering most of the cost?

Some states, like Texas and Mississippi, chose not to expand Medicaid due to political reasons or concerns about the long-term financial burden, even though the federal government offered to cover a significant portion of the cost.

What is the situation with Medicaid expansion in Kentucky?

Kentucky expanded Medicaid and has seen a significant drop in the rate of uninsured residents. However, the gubernatorial candidate Matt Bevin has expressed opposition to the expansion, which could potentially reverse these gains.

Who is Robert Gray and why is he mentioned in the script?

Robert Gray is the Democratic nominee for governor in Mississippi, who was elected with almost no campaign and is not expected to win. His nomination is highlighted as an example of the importance of local elections.

What is the initiative 1401 in Washington State and what does it aim to do?

Initiative 1401 in Washington State is a referendum that aims to prohibit the selling, buying, trading, or distributing of parts of elephants, rhinoceroses, tigers, lions, leopards, and pangolins.

What is the significance of the election in Virginia regarding Medicaid expansion?

The election in Virginia is significant because if Democrats gain two Senate seats, they could potentially push for Medicaid expansion, which has been blocked by the state legislature, including by Senator Dick Black, a leading opponent of expansion.

What is the controversy surrounding Matt Bevin's stance on Medicaid expansion?

Matt Bevin, the gubernatorial candidate in Kentucky, has been accused of wanting to end Medicaid expansion, which he denies. However, there is footage where he expresses a desire to reverse the expansion, creating controversy over his true intentions.

What is the ironic situation with Matt Bevin's family bell-making business and federal assistance?

The irony is that Matt Bevin, who is against government assistance, received a $100,000 state grant to reopen his family's bell-making business after it was damaged by a fire, and he also sought help from federal agencies for the same incident.

Why is the election outcome important for people who do not live in the states holding elections?

The election outcome is important for everyone because the results may affect the health of half a million people through the potential changes in Medicaid policies, highlighting the broader impact of local and state elections.