Feds Force Walker to Expand Family Care Program
Walker lifted the cap on the Family Care Program yesterday after being told to do so by Washington.
Update: State Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine) and Rep. Robin Vos(R-Rochester) both issued statements about the Family Care caps.
Wanggaard applauds the move, saying, "I’ve always said that it was important to not be penny-wise and pound-foolish when it comes to FamilyCare, but I’ve also said that it was important to control costs in light of the audit. It’s important to remember that those affected by the cap weren’t just a number – these were families struggling to find the proper way to care for their loved ones.”
Vos, though, thinks that before any cap is lifted, officials need to find the money. In part, he wrote, "Expanding another unsustainable program is irresponsible. Perhaps before expanding, we should figure out how to make it work under sustainable parameters."
Original Story: Several weeks ago, the Federal government directed Scott Walker's administration to lift the enrollment cap on the state long-term care program. And yesterday, the Governor did just that.
As reported by The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Family Care Program services the elderly and disabled in their homes and 60% of it is federally funded.
Rep. Robin Vos thinks that expanding this program is irresponsible. And many Democrat officials are criticizing Walker for taking such publicized credit for something he was forced to do.
You can read the full story HERE.
Stormy Weather
2:54 pm on Thursday, December 29, 2011
Heather - I was wondering... In your world, has Governor Walker done "Anything" positive for Wisconsin? Yes, we know you swing left, but every once in a while it's good to open your eyes and ears or eventually you will run into a brick wall. Remember how one-sided you were about JoAnne Klopenburg and remember how disappointed you were when she lost? You are digging another hole for yourself with your constant hate towards Governor Walker. For your sake, I hope you won't be too disappointed if your recall flops. For Wisconsin's sake, I hope Governor Walker prevails, and we can finally move forward...
Heather Asiyanbi
3:17 pm on Thursday, December 29, 2011
@Stormy - I've read and reread this story more than a few times to find the bias and I find this story rather straight-forward instead of leaning either way. The truth is that a cap was put in place in the 2011-2013 biennial budget, and the feds directed the state to remove it. Simply reporting that fact does not indicate bias in any direction.
I have updated the story, however, to include both State Sen. Van Wanggaard's and Rep. Robin Vos' statements. When we get Rep. Cory Mason's input, we will include that, too.
Lyle Ruble
6:57 pm on Thursday, December 29, 2011
@Stormy Weather...C'mon now, I don't see that Heather was reporting any of the facts with a bias one way or another. There will be other things the feds will force us to do including denying the $500 million that Walker wants to cut from Medicaid. I am sure that Heather will report things as they are revealed and will leave her bias out of it.
Edward Willing
11:10 pm on Thursday, December 29, 2011
I actually agree that this story was straight forward.
Just for the record. :) It presented only the facts, and did not appear to present thim in a way that would lead someone to one conclusion over the other.
Heather Asiyanbi
9:35 am on Friday, December 30, 2011
@Edward - thanks! I'm sure Heather appreciates the support ... hope all is well in Iowa.
Stormy Weather
9:59 am on Friday, December 30, 2011
I probably should have explained myself better. :) I wasn't just referring to this story. I was referring to all of Heather's stories about Governor Walker. That's why I asked Heather if she thought Governor Walker had done anything positive for Wisconsin. It just seems to me that Heather conveniently forgets to add certain things that might portray Governor Walker in a positive light, but when she gets a chance to stick a knife in, Heather usually likes to give it a little twist - Hence the title... "Feds Force Walker to Expand Family Care Program". This might be the liberal spin, but is it 100 % accurate? Yes, they may have sent a letter, but what Heather forgot to add is this, "Shortly after the budget passed in June, Walker said he hoped to modify or drop the cap this year." Wow, modify or drop the cap this year! And Governor Walker said that in "JUNE" of 2011. That's at least 5 months before he was sent the letter, but the liberal media would like everyone to believe that the only reason Governor Walker lifted the cap is because the Feds, "Forced him" to do it.
Heather also forgot to add this, "Walker said at a news conference that ongoing talks with program providers have identified $80 million in efficiencies that will enable his administration to end the enrollment cap and expand the programs to the 15 counties that currently don’t offer them." Wow $80 million - That's a lot of money!
Heather Asiyanbi
10:28 am on Friday, December 30, 2011
@Stormy - there is spin on both sides, to be sure, but this story deals with a specific situation. I think if we're going to debate what side of the aisle Heather sits on most of the time, we need to keep that discussion to one of her columns, which are clearly labeled as her opinion. This is a news story aggregated to reflect something happening with a statewide program and does not, at all, reflect bias toward one side or the other.
Heather Rayne Geyer
10:11 am on Friday, December 30, 2011
I am not getting into a Walker debate on a news story. This was a summary of the article linked. One I did not even write. And it isn't like that isn't the mutual headline around the entire state - http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/feds-ordered-walker-to-lift-cap-on-family-care/article_df4458ec-323b-11e1-9bf0-001871e3ce6c.html Almost all the articles have similar headlines.
Thanks to you Heather, Lyle and Edward.
Have a good New Years!!
Stormy Weather
12:40 pm on Friday, December 30, 2011
To both Heathers - Yes it is a news story and important facts should be included. Heather G. chose to write a summary and headline that she thinks benefits her liberal views. Otherwise, she could have included this paragraph, "The cap on enrollment, which went into effect July 1, frustrated local officials and advocates for the elderly and the disabled. Shortly after the budget passed in June, Walker said he hoped to modify or drop the cap this year." Like I said before, that would have shown that Governor Walker was looking into modifying or lifting the cap "Before" he received the letter. That was an important part, but it doesn't quite fit with Heather's views!
btw... I don't see a problem with debating anyone's views on a blog, if they write a summary on a news story or an opinion piece with their personal spin on it. Just my opinion... Happy New Year!