Built in 1797 and known as “Old Ironsides,” the USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship currently afloat. While in service, it played key roles in many battles but today, it’s a floating museum that sees over 600,000 visitors annually. And recently its long history added a new chapter as Billie J. Farrell became the 77th commanding officer of the USS Constitution – and the first woman to hold that position in the ship’s 225-year his
Built in 1797 and known as “Old Ironsides,” the USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship currently afloat. While in service, it played key roles in many battles but today, it’s a floating museum that sees over 600,000 v
Built in 1797 and known as “Old Ironsides,” the USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship currently afloat. While in service, it played key roles in many battles but today, it’s a floating museum that sees over 600,000 visitors annually. And recently its long history added a new chapter as Billie J. Farrell became the 77th commanding officer of the USS Constitution – and the first woman to hold that position in the ship’s 225-year his
When it comes to all discussion of the MA state budget around Medicaid=MassHealth, Jim, Carolee, and everyone else watch out.
The 40% number as the proportion of the State budget in misleading and effectively incorrect.
(See: http://massbudget.org/reports/pdf/NetCost-MassHealth_FINAL.pdf where I quote:
“Unlike in all but a handful of other states, the Massachusetts state
budget for the Medicaid program includes both state and federal spending
combined.” )
Thus, the way Massachusetts has set up its FORMAL accounting, the large Federal contribution to Medicaid is counted in this 40% number that’s tossed about.
But really, in trying understand and manage what the state has to pay out vs what it can take in in revenues from state sources like taxes, you would only look at the spending that comes from state sources like taxes. (They seem to call this “net budget” in the brochure I linked to.)
From the document I linked to, updating the numbers in 2nd pie chart, it seems its about 25%, not 40%, of state-revenue (=”net budget”) that goes to Medicaid=MassHealth.
(See the 1980s book “How to Lie With Statistics”.)
Obviously, people who want to skimp on Medicaid in the state would choose to mislead with the 40% number, as the effect is more dramatic for people who don’t know the details.
Maximum critical thinking skills always, please!