OBAMACARE NOT ALL CRACKED UP THAT IS WAS TO BE- DOES NOT LOWER PREMIUMS

With Rising Premiums, The Obama Administration Finally Admits That ObamaCare Will Not Bring Lower Premiums

“The Obama Administration Acknowledged Tuesday That Some People Could See Their Premiums Rise Under The Health Care Reform Law.” (Elise Viebeck, “Premiums Could Rise Under Health Care law, Sebelius Concedes,” The Hill’s Health Watch, 3/27/13)

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY KATHLEEN SEBELIUS SAID HEALTH CARE PREMIUMS WILL RISE

Health And Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Told Reporters That Health Care Premiums Will Rise. “Some people purchasing new insurance policies for themselves this fall could see premiums rise because of requirements in the health-care law, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told reporters Tuesday.” (Louise Radnofsky, “Sebelius: Some Could See Insurance Premiums,” The Wall Street Journal, 3/26/13)

·        Secretary Kathleen Sebelius: “These Folks Will Be Moving Into A Really Fully Insured Product For The First Time, And So There May Be A Higher Cost Associated With Getting Into That Market.” “‘These folks will be moving into a really fully insured product for the first time, and so there may be a higher cost associated with getting into that market,’ she said.” (Louise Radnofsky, “Sebelius: Some Could See Insurance Premiums,” The Wall Street Journal, 3/26/13)

·        “Men And Younger Customers Could See Their Rates Increase” According To HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “She also said that some men and younger customers could see their rates increase while women and older customers could see their rates drop because the law restricts insurers’ ability to set rates based on age and gender.” (Louise Radnofsky, “Sebelius: Some Could See Insurance Premiums,” The Wall Street Journal, 3/26/13)

Sebelius’s Comments Are Among The First From The Obama Administration That ObamaCare Will Raise Premiums

“The Comment Was Among The First From The Obama Administration To Reveal A Degree Of Uncertainty About The Impact Of The Law On Insurance Premiums.” (Elise Viebeck, “Premiums Could Rise Under Health Care law, Sebelius Concedes,” The Hill’s Health Watch, 3/27/13)

·        Sebelius Noted That “Americans Could Face Higher Premiums For Plans That Are More Generous.” “The secretary’s remarks are among the first direct statements from federal officials that people who have skimpy health plans right now could face higher premiums for plans that are more generous. She noted that the law requires plans to provide better benefits and treat all customers equally regardless of their medical claims.” (Louise Radnofsky, “Sebelius: Some Could See Insurance Premiums,” The Wall Street Journal, 3/26/13)

The Hill’s Headline: “White House On Defense After Sebelius Remark On Health Law,” (Justin Sink, “White House On Defense After Sebelius Remark On Health Law,” The Hill’s Health Watch, 3/27/13)

·        White House Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest Was Unable To Provide A Clear Answer On HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’s Comments That ObamaCare Will Increase Premiums. JOSH EARNEST: “I didn’t see those comments. What I did see was actually a blog post from the Chairman of the President’s Council on Economic Advisors, he said each year since 2009 to 2011, national health expenditure data shows that the real rate of annual growth in overall health spending is between 3 and 3.1 percent. That’s actually the lowest rate of growth since reporting began in 1960.” CNN’S BRIANNA KEILAR: “Do you see that for some people purchasing insurance? Do you concede that what Kathleen Sebelius reported it as? EARNEST: “What I would point you to, the results that we have already seen from the Affordable Care Act. A savings of $2.1 billion and the analysis from the CBO that says we are going to see rates lower for higher benefits. I didn’t see her comments.” (White House Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest, Press Briefing, Washington, D.C., 3/27/13)

·        Click Here To Watch

IT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE OBAMA WILL FULFILL HIS OBAMACARE PREMIUMS PROMISE

Obama’s Promise To Americans That ObamaCare Will Bring Down Health Premiums “Seems A Stretch Now.” “Obama has promised that the new law will bring costs down. That seems a stretch now. While the nation has been enjoying a lull in health care inflation the past few years, even some former administration advisers say a new round of cost-curbing legislation will be needed.” (Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, “Study: Health Overhaul To Raise Claims Cost 32 Percent,” The Associated Press, 3/26/13)

·        As A Candidate, Obama Promised His Plan Would “Bring Down Premiums By $2,500 For The Typical Family.” OBAMA: “And if you already have health insurance and you want to keep that health insurance, we will bring down premiums by $2,500 for the typical family. And we will prevent insurance companies from discriminating against those who need care the most.” (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks At Campaign Event, Raleigh, NC, 6/9/08)

·        Obama: “This Law Will Lower Premiums.” (President Obama, Remarks At The 2011 Families USA Health Action Conference, Washington, D.C., 1/28/11)

Nonpartisan Study Finds That ObamaCare Will Cause Health Insurance Premiums To Increase

The Nonpartisan Society Of Actuaries Has Found That ObamaCare Will Increase Health Insurance Costs “By An Average Of 32 Percent Per Person.” “The Society of Actuaries, a nonpartisan professional association, has issued a new report warning that the cost of medical claims in the new individual-insurance market could rise by an average of 32% per person over the first few years the law is in place, as more people with higher medical needs get coverage, and that the impact will be very different depending on the state. Medical bills are another key factor in determining premiums.” (Louise Radnofsky, “Sebelius: Some Could See Insurance Premiums,” The Wall Street Journal, 3/26/13)

·        The Premium Increases Come From ObamaCare’s Affect On “Medical Claims Costs -- The Biggest Driver Of Health Insurance Premiums.” “Medical claims costs — the biggest driver of health insurance premiums — will jump an average 32 percent for Americans' individual policies under President Barack Obama's overhaul, according to a study by the nation's leading group of financial risk analysts.” (Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, “Study: Health Overhaul To Raise Claims Cost 32 Percent,” The Associated Press, 3/26/13)

An “Overwhelming Majority” Of States Will Face Double-Digit Increases. “While some states will see medical claims costs per person decline, the report concluded the overwhelming majority will see double-digit increases in their individual health insurance markets, where people purchase coverage directly from insurers.” (Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, “Study: Health Overhaul To Raise Claims Cost 32 Percent,” The Associated Press, 3/26/13)

Former Medicare Chief Actuary Called The Actuaries’ Findings And Estimations As “Credible.” “But a prominent national expert, recently retired Medicare chief actuary Rick Foster, said the report does ‘a credible job’ of estimating potential enrollment and costs under the law, ‘without trying to tilt the answers in any particular direction.’” (Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, “Study: Health Overhaul To Raise Claims Cost 32 Percent,” The Associated Press, 3/26/13)

Recent Survey Found That ObamaCare Will Make Health Care Premiums For Americans Worse

Kaiser Family Foundation Poll Found That 49 Percent Of Americans Responded That ObamaCare Will Increase Their Families’ Health Care Costs, Leaving Them Worse Off. (Kaiser Family Foundation Poll, 1,204 A, MoE 3%, 3/5-10/13)

·        26 Percent Of Democrats Responded That ObamaCare Will Make Their Family Health Care Costs Worse, While 46 Percent Said They Would Stay The Same. (Kaiser Family Foundation Poll, 1,204 A, MoE 3%, 3/5-10/13) 

                                     O-Not-As-Advertised-Care

No Surprise, Americans Finding Out ObamaCare Isn’t What They Were Told

Before ObamaCare Passed, Rep. Nancy Pelosi Said: “We Have To Pass The Bill So That You Can Find Out What Is In It.” (Rep. Pelosi, Remarks To The National Association of Counties 2010 Legislative Conference, 3/9/10)

The Families -Won’t-Be-Able-To-Afford-Coverage “Glitch”

A New “Glitch” In ObamaCare Would Leave Families Without Access To Health Insurance. “A major provision of the health care reform law designed to prevent businesses from dropping coverage for their workers could inadvertently leave families without access to subsidized health insurance. The problem is a huge headache for the Obama administration and congressional Democrats, because it could leave families unable to buy affordable health insurance when the health care law requires that everyone be insured starting in 2014.” (Julian Pecquet, “Health Care Law Could Leave Families With High Insurance Costs,” The Hill’s “Health Watch,” 7/21/11)

“Glitch” Doesn’t Consider Family Coverage When Setting Affordability Thresholds. “At issue is a so-called ‘firewall’ in the law that denies subsidies to workers whose employers offer quality, affordable coverage. The firewall applies to plans with premiums that cost less than 9.5 percent of a worker’s income, for example, the worker and his or her family should be eligible for subsidies.” (Julian Pecquet, “Health Care Law Could Leave Families With High Insurance Costs,” The Hill’s “Health Watch,” 7/21/11)

“Glitch” Means That Costs To Employees Will Be “Too High To Afford For Many Working Families.” “Initially, advocates thought that the threshold also applied to family coverage. If premium costs paid to cover a worker’s family cost 20 percent of a worker’s income, for example, the worker and his or her family should be eligible for subsidies. But in calculating the bill’s cost last year, Congress’s Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) took the law to mean that employers and their families aren’t eligible for subsidies as long as the individual plan is affordable – regardless of the price of the family plan. This means the costs to an employee of covering his or her family could be too high to afford for many working families.” (Julian Pecquet, “Health Care Law Could Leave Families With High Insurance Costs,” The Hill’s “Health Watch,” 7/21/11)

Study Finds That Fixing The “Glitch” Could Cost Taxpayers $50 Billion, Leaving The “Glitch” As Is Will Leave Millions Of Families Without Affordable Health Care Coverage. “One new study, by the Employment Policies Institute, estimates that changing the policy could cost taxpayers $50 billion a year. But if the administration leaves the policy as is ‘millions of families will be stuck in a no-man’s-land without affordable coverage through their employer or exchange.’” (Julian Pecquet, “Health Care Law Could Leave Families With High Insurance Costs,” The Hill’s “Health Watch,” 7/21/11)

“Glitch” Causing Heartburn For Health Advocates. “The glitch is causing heartburn for advocates who worry that it could leave thousands of children and spouses uninsured and subject to penalties for not having insurance.” (Julian Pecquet, “Health Care Law Could Leave Families With High Insurance Costs,” The Hill’s “Health Watch,” 7/21/11)

The $450 Billion “Glitch”

“Discovered Only After The Complex Bill Was Signed” ObamaCare Will Allow Millions Of Middle Class People To Receive Free Medicaid. “President Barack Obama's health care law would let several million middle-class people get nearly free insurance meant for the poor, a twist government number crunchers say they discovered only after the complex bill was signed.” (Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, “Medicaid For The Middle Class?” The Associated Press, 6/21/11)

Up To Three Million Middle-Class Americans Could Qualify For Medicaid Entitlement Intended Only For Those Below The Poverty Line. “Up to 3 million people could qualify for Medicaid in 2014 as a result of the anomaly. That's because, in a major change from today, most of their Social Security benefits would no longer be counted as income for determining eligibility.” (Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, “Medicaid For The Middle Class?” The Associated Press, 6/21/11)

The “Glitch” Could Cost Hundreds Of Billions Of Dollars. “If we do a back-of-the-envelope calculation, in which the average annual Medicaid expenditure per early retiree is $15,000 per year, the ten-year cost of this glitch could be as high as $450 billion.” (Avik Roy, “The 450 Billion Glitch: 3 Million Extra Middle-Class Americans Eligible For Medicaid Benefits,” Forbes, 6/21/11)

Even Medicare’s Chief Actuary Says The Policy “Just Doesn’t Make Sense.” “Medicare chief actuary Richard Foster says the situation keeps him up at night. ‘I don’t generally comment on the pros or cons of policy, but that just doesn’t make sense,’ Foster said during a question-and-answer session at a recent professional society meeting.” (Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, “Medicaid For The Middle Class?”The Associated Press, 6/21/11)

Congress Must Intervene To Fix ObamaCare’s $450 Billion “Glitch.” “Congressional budget referees say fixing a glitch in President Barack Obama's health care law would save taxpayers $13 billion without adding to the number of uninsured people. Lawmakers introduced legislation Monday to fix the problem, a glitch that would have allowed middle-class early retirees to get health insurance at virtually no cost by qualifying for Medicaid coverage.” (Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, “Health Care Reform Glitch Fix Would Save $13 Billion,” The Associated Press, 7/18/11)

POP QUIZ FOR SENIORS

HEALTH CARE POP QUIZ   ARE THE FOLLOWING HEADLINES FROM TOMORROW, 15 YEARS AGO, OR BOTH? "2 Bills In Congress Backed Back Associated Of Retirees." "AARP Endorsement Of Reform May Be Financially Motivated." "Members Lash Out At AARP's Support For Health Plans."  "A Toxic Dose Of Health Care Reforms For Seniors" "Health Reform Support Peeves AARP Members They Wanted To Be Consulted First" "AARP Support For Health Bills Riles Seniors" "AARP Backs Democrats' Health Plan; Hundreds Call To Voice Their Opinions" "AARP'S Choice On Health Plan Hatches Hubbub" "Retired Group Blasted For Ok On Health Bills" "Triad Seniors Balk At Health Stance Say They Were Misrepresented" THEY'RE ACTUALLY FROM 1994 "2 Bills In Congress Backed Back Associated Of Retirees." (Robert Pear, The New York Times, 8/11/94) "AARP Endorsement Of Reform May Be Financially Motivated." (Jack Anderson And Michael Binstein, The Deseret News, 8/26/94) "Members Lash Out At AARP's Support For Health Plans." (Elizabeth Shogren, The Los Angeles Times, 8/12/94) "A Toxic Dose Of Health Care Reforms For Seniors" (Suzanne Fields, Op-Ed, The Washington Times, 8/22/94) "Health Reform Support Peeves AARP Members They Wanted To Be Consulted First" (Jodi Enda, Detroit Free Press, 8/12/94) "AARP Support For Health Bills Riles Seniors" (Ann Wlazelek, [Allentown, PA] Morning Call, 8/23/94) "AARP Backs Democrats' Health Plan; Hundreds Call To Voice Their Opinions" (Dan Wascoe Jr., [Minneapolis, MN] Star Tribune, 8/12/94) "AARP'S Choice On Health Plan Hatches Hubbub" (Roger Signor and Theresa Tighe, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 8/12/94) "Retired Group Blasted For Ok On Health Bills" (Joseph A. Kirby, The Chicago Tribune, 8/12/94) "Triad Seniors Balk At Health Stance Say They Were Misrepresented" (John A. Nag, News & Record, 8/12/94) BUT HEADLINES COULD BE FROM TOMORROW AS AARP PLANS TO SUPPORT OBAMA-PELOSI VERSION OF GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE ... "AARP To Endorse House Health Care Bill." "Officials are telling The Associated Press that AARP - the seniors' lobby - will endorse the health care overhaul bill that House Democrats are preparing to take to the floor. Officials with knowledge of the group's decision told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the senior's lobby has decided to give the $1.2 trillion measure its seal of approval." (Erica Werner and Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, "AP Sources: AARP To Endorse House Health Care Bill," The Associated Press, 11/4/09) AN EXPERIMENT THAT WILL HARM AARP'S MEMBERS, REDUCE SENIORS' BENEFITS House Dems' Bill Cuts $456 Billion From Medicare And Medicaid. (House Committees On Ways & Means, Energy & Commerce, And Education & Labor, "Detailed Summary Of Affordable Health Care For America Act," Fact Sheet, 10/29/09) Cuts House Dems Have Already Admitted Would Force Doctors To Decline Medicare Patients. "Rep. Eric Massa said tightening provider payments could lead to access problems for patients. 'We will force doctors to decline Medicare patients,' he said after a raucous town-hall meeting in Upstate New York. 'If we believe these savings are there, let's test the concept. But we can't hinge the entire funding of this bill on these not-yet-seen savings.'"  (House Committees On Ways & Means, Energy & Commerce, And Education & Labor, "Detailed Summary Of Affordable Health Care For America Act," Fact Sheet, 10/29/09; Ceci Connolly, "Seniors Remain Wary of Health-Care Reform," The Washington Post, 8/9/09) Could "Threaten Access" To Heart Treatments Seniors Need. "Medicare officials recently proposed changes that could increase payments for some primary care services but reduce payments to many specialists. Cardiologists would be especially hard hit, with cuts of more than 20 percent in payments for electrocardiograms and 12 percent for heart stent procedures. 'Cuts of this magnitude could cripple cardiology practices and threaten access to services for millions of patients,' said Dr. John C. Lewin, chief executive of the American College of Cardiology." (Robert Pear, "A Basis Is Seen For Some Health Plan Fears Among The Elderly," The New York Times, 8/20/09) And Stifle Innovation That Could Produce New Treatments. "Even small reductions to the future growth of Medicare spending - called 'cuts' in Washington parlance - unfairly burden the elderly, along with the doctors and hospitals that serve them and the manufacturers of health products, lest the pace of technical innovation be impaired." (Uwe Reinhardt, "A 'Common Sense' American Health Reform Plan," The New York Times' "Economix" Blog, 7/31/09) CBO Director Says Obama's Cuts To Medicare Advantage Would Mean Seniors Seeing Benefits Cut In Half. SEN. MIKE CRAPO (R-ID): "So approximately half of the additional benefit would be lost to those current Medicare Advantage policy holders." ELMENDORF: "Those who would be enrolled otherwise under current law, yes..." SEN. CRAPO: "So the current plan holders would recognize about half the benefits that they see under today under the current law." ELMENDORF: "Yes, that's right." (Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) And CBO Director Douglas W. Elmendorf, Senate Finance Committee Markup Hearing, 9/22/09) Benefits That Provide Better Care At No Cost To Seniors. "Engleman, who came to Washington last month to press lawmakers on the issue, is enrolled in a Southern California medical group called Desert Oasis Healthcare. The group, he said, uses case managers who check on patients to coordinate care and reduce hospital readmissions. Robert Zirkelbach, a spokesman for America's Health Insurance Plans, the insurance trade group, said seniors in the plans receive checkups and vision and drug coverage not offered in traditional Medicare. Some get free gym memberships. Cuts could lead to a 'reduction in benefits and higher premiums,' he said." (John Fritze, "Seniors Defend Medicare Plan Obama Calls 'Wasteful,'" USA Today, 8/5/09) With "Vision, Dental And Hearing" Coverage That's Not Available From Medicare. "The plan provides additional benefits, such as vision, dental and hearing, to seniors and helps coordinate health care for those with chronic conditions, says Robert Zirkelbach at the trade association, America's Health Insurance Plans." (Kathy Kiely, "Some Of Obama's Assertions Debatable, USA Today, 8/12/09) View This Research Briefing At GOP.com

DON'T BE FOOLED!!!!

Don't be Fooled....The Government Takeover of Health Care –
On October 29, 2009, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and congressional Democrats released their latest version of a government takeover of America's health care system. Despite the claim that H.R. 3962 incorporates "moderate" Democrat ideas, don't be fooled. A closer look reveals that the Democrats are making dubious claims in a number of areas:

Fisical Restraint

      Don't be fooled… the Democrats claim that the cost of their government takeover is $894 billion.

      In reality… according to CBO, the "cost of coverage" (not including various other provisions) is $1.055 trillion. The total cost of the bill (as yet to be calculated by CBO) is closer to $1.5 trillion, including the cost to states for mandated Medicaid expansion ($34 billion), the "Doc Fix" ($245 billion), and authorized discretionary spending for grants, public programs, changes and funding for a variety of agencies that would be responsible for implementing H.R. 3962.

Medical Liability Reform

      Don't be fooled… the Democrats claim they have fulfilled President Obama's wish to include medical liability reforms by providing grants to states to implement "alternate" reforms.

      In reality… the bill protects trial lawyers. The bill gives money (authorized at "such sums") to states that enact "certificate of merit" (a document signed by a medical professional that says there is a probability that the standard of care was violated) and / or a certificate of "early offer" (an early, confidential apology) laws, as long as the states
don't limit attorneys' fees or
impose caps on damages.
Purchasing Across State Lines

      Don't be fooled… the Democrats claim that their bill allows for the sale of health insurance across state lines.

      In reality… this bill would only provide for regional compacts that states can enter into if their state legislatures approve it. However, these compacts can only exist after the federal government has established stringent national rules for minimum benefits and what constitutes a "qualified plan," virtually eliminated the individual market, and created a national exchange, causing many to wonder how this would even be possible.
Health Insurance Cooperatives

      Don't be fooled… the Democrats claim that they will establish a Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan Program (CO-OP) that will increase competition and choice.

      In reality… the Commissioner shall establish a "CO-OP Program" to help organizations and fund ($5 billion for FY 2010-2014) the creation of even more not-for-profit insurance companies alongside the government-run plan. The CO-OPs would only have to pay back the loans or grants plus interest if they violate the terms of the program. Otherwise they, like the government-run insurance plan, are financed on the back of the taxpayer with no prohibition on the CO-OP from receiving a bail-out if it fails.
Anti-Trust Repeal

      Don't be fooled… the Democrats claim they are the repealing anti-trust exemption, which they claim currently allows for price fixing or carving up markets by health insurers or malpractice carriers.

      In reality… the bill partially repeals the insurance anti-trust exemption for only health insurance and medical malpractice insurance to prohibit "price fixing, market allocation, or monopolization," which is already regulated by states. This appears to be a political move to intimidate insurers. The repeal may in fact have a negative effect on competition by prohibiting smaller insurance businesses from gaining access to enough information to accurately trend, forecast, or rate and by potentially keeping new entrants to the market from being able to accurately rate or price.

Medical Liability Reform

      Don't be fooled… the Democrats claim they have fulfilled President Obama's wish to include medical liability reforms by providing grants to states to implement "alternate" reforms.

      In reality… the bill protects trial lawyers. The bill gives money (authorized at "such sums") to states that enact "certificate of merit" (a document signed by a medical professional that says there is a probability that the standard of care was violated) and / or a certificate of "early offer" (an early, confidential apology) laws, as long as the states
don't limit attorneys' fees or
impose caps on damages.
Purchasing Across State Lines

      Don't be fooled… the Democrats claim that their bill allows for the sale of health insurance across state lines.

      In reality… this bill would only provide for regional compacts that states can enter into if their state legislatures approve it. However, these compacts can only exist after the federal government has established stringent national rules for minimum benefits and what constitutes a "qualified plan," virtually eliminated the individual market, and created a national exchange, causing many to wonder how this would even be possible.
Health Insurance Cooperatives

      Don't be fooled… the Democrats claim that they will establish a Consumer Operated and Oriented Plan Program (CO-OP) that will increase competition and choice.

      In reality… the Commissioner shall establish a "CO-OP Program" to help organizations and fund ($5 billion for FY 2010-2014) the creation of even more not-for-profit insurance companies alongside the government-run plan. The CO-OPs would only have to pay back the loans or grants plus interest if they violate the terms of the program. Otherwise they, like the government-run insurance plan, are financed on the back of the taxpayer with no prohibition on the CO-OP from receiving a bail-out if it fails.
Anti-Trust Repeal

      Don't be fooled… the Democrats claim they are the repealing anti-trust exemption, which they claim currently allows for price fixing or carving up markets by health insurers or malpractice carriers.

      In reality… the bill partially repeals the insurance anti-trust exemption for only health insurance and medical malpractice insurance to prohibit "price fixing, market allocation, or monopolization," which is already regulated by states. This appears to be a political move to intimidate insurers. The repeal may in fact have a negative effect on competition by prohibiting smaller insurance businesses from gaining access to enough information to accurately trend, forecast, or rate and by potentially keeping new entrants to the market from being able to accurately rate or price. REPUBLICAN STUDY COMMMITTEE: http://www.gop.com/

AMERICAN FREEDOM CHAOS XXIII:

CHAOS XXIII:

MOTION IS NOT PROGRESS

Activity On Government-Run Health Care Just Masking Enormous Disarray Among Democrats

 OBAMA EXCITED ABOUT SEN. MAX BAUCUS'S VERSION OF HEALTH CARE EXPERIMENT:. "[T]he fifth and final committee responsible for health care reform has passed a proposal ... This effort was made possible by the tireless efforts of Chairman Max Baucus and the other members of the Senate Finance Committee ... this bill goes a long way towards offering security to those who have insurance and affordable options for those who don't ..."
(President Barack Obama, Remarks On The Senate Finance Committee's Vote To Approve Health Insurance Reform, The White House, 10/13/09)

BUT DEMS, UNIONS, LEFT-WING GROUPS START TO LAUNCH ATTACKS ON BAUCUS ...

Former DNC Chair Howard Dean Said Baucus Bill "Not Health Care Reform" And Would Have Voted Against It. JOE SCARBOROUGH: "[I]f you would have been on the finance committee yesterday or the day before, you would have voted against the Baucus bill?" HOWARD DEAN: "I would have. From a procedural point of view, it makes sense to move the bill along. It gives several billion dollars of the taxpayers' money to the insurance industry. This is not health care reform." (MSNBC's "Morning Joe," 10/15/09)

Dean: "This Bill Is A Step Forward Procedurally And It Scored Well But It Is Not Reform, And It Will Not Help The Democrats In 2010."
(Howard Dean, "This Bill Is Not Reform," The Washington Post's "Health Care Rx" Blog, 10/13/09)

Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) Says Baucus Bill "Fell Short," Insists His "Yes Vote Is Not An Endorsement Of This Bill As It Stands." "It is regrettable to say so, but I believe the bill fell short of what people need and expect from us. I have made no secret of the fact that I think we could have dug deeper, gotten more creative and worked together much better. ... But let me be crystal clear - this yes vote is not an endorsement of this bill as it stands today." (Sen. Jay Rockefeller, "Statement: Sen. Rockefeller On Finance Vote," Press Release, 10/13/09)

157 House Dems Oppose Baucus's Health Insurance Tax. "As Congress continues to consider revenue sources for America's Affordable Health Choices Act and other health insurance reform proposals, we strongly encourage you to reject imposing an excise tax on so called high cost insurance plans.  Such a tax would impact regions with high health care costs in the short-term, and, in the long-term, inevitably extend to more and more middle-income Americans across the country." (Rep. Joe Courtney et. al., Letter To Speaker Pelosi, 10/7/09)

27 Unions Launched Ad Campaign Against Baucus Bill. "Unions had largely supported President Obama's effort to revamp the nation's $2.6 trillion health care system, but 27 labor groups have launched a campaign against key provisions in the bill passed this week by the Senate Finance Committee. ... Unions want Reid to include a government-run insurance program in the merged bill and remove a tax on high-priced insurance policies. Gerald McEntee, head of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), estimates half of its 1.6 million members would be affected by the tax." (John Fritze, "Labor Unions Turn Against Parts Of Health Bill," USA Today, 10/15/09)
AFSCME Head McEntee:
"We Worked For All These People. We Worked For Obama... What Do We Get For It? We Not Only Don't Get Anything For It, We Get A Slap In The Face." (John Fritze, "Labor Unions Turn Against Parts Of Health Bill," USA Today, 10/15/09)
 That's Why They Ignored Obama's Chief Of Staff Rahm Emanuel's Request Not To Run The Ad. "'Our union and other unions worked like hell to elect Democrats to the House, Senate and White House,' said American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees President Gerald W. McEntee, explaining why the labor groups defied a request from White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel not to run the ad." (Noam Levey, "Healthcare Triumph Gives Way To Heightened Battle," The Los Angeles Times, 10/15/09)

HCAN Launched Ads Attacking Baucus's Health Insurance Taxes. "Health Care for America Now (HCAN) - the nation's largest health care campaign - launched a new print and television advertising campaign today saying there is a right way and a wrong way to pay for health care reform. HCAN says rather than taxing the health care benefits of middle-income families, we should ask those making more than $250,000 a year to pay their fair share ..." ("New Television And Print Ads: Taxing Health Plans Is Wrong Way To Pay For Health Care Reform," HealthCareForAmericaNow.org, 10/15/09)

MoveOn.org Also Using Ads To Attack Baucus Bill. "Off Capitol Hill, MoveOn.org continued airing TV ads on cable blasting the Finance Committee bill, and organized labor is running a full-page newspaper ad this week criticizing the measure for failing to include a public option or require employers to provide their workers with health care." (Patrick O'Connor and Chris Frates, "No Snowementum: Centrist Democrats Still Not Sold On Health Care," Politico, 10/14/09)

AND DEMS SPLIT ON HOW TO MOVE FORWARD

Rep. Jim Marshall (D-GA) Says Dems Rushing Plans That "Don't Fix The Fundamental Problem We Have With Health Care." "Rep. Jim Marshall (D-Ga.) lamented the rush to pass health reform legislation during a speech before the Liberty Council Democratic Committee on Saturday, according the the Liberty County Coastal Courier. 'It is truly unfortunate that we are at a point where our party is going to try and push a bill through,' he said at a party banquet. 'I'm afraid those bills don't fix the fundamental problem we have with health care in this country.'" (Michael O'Brien, "House Dem Says Health Bills Won't Fix Broken System," The Hill's "Briefing Room" Blog, 10/14/09)

Vulnerable Dems Afraid Of Voting For Public Option. "The public option is a fault line, with a majority of House Democrats and senators including Rockefeller and New York's Chuck Schumer lined up on one side and Democrats from Republican-leaning states, such as Senators Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Kent Conrad of North Dakota, on the other." (Kristin Jensen And Laura Litvan, "Senate Has 'Miles to Go' on Health Care After Vote," Bloomberg, 10/14/09)

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) Knows Differences Between Different Senate Bills Will Create Problems. "'I know this isn't going to be easy.' ... Dodd said that he wouldn't discuss what was said in the meeting, but he did illuminate the central tension between the Finance and Health Committee bills." (Patrick O'Connor & Chris Frates, "No Snowementum: Centrist Democrats Still Not Sold On Health Care," Politico, 10/14/09)

Some House Dems "On A Collision Course" With Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) appears to be on a collision course with moderates over the long-term costs of the health care overhaul she is shepherding through the chamber." (Tory Newmyer and Steven T. Dennis, "House Heads For Showdown," Roll Call, 10/8/09)

Because After 60-Plus Hours Of Meetings In September, Taxes Most Divisive Issue Among House Dems. "Throughout September, House leaders held more than 60 hours worth of caucus meetings with rank and file Democrats. ... But the tax question could be even more divisive within the Democratic Caucus, pitting union allies against business-minded centrists who believe that a tax-the-rich strategy will backfire by hitting small business." (Mike Soraghan, "House Leaders Set To Wrestle With Taxes To Pay For Healthcare," The Hill, 10/3/09)

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: "We're Pretty Much Committed To The Surtax... I Mean, That's In The Bill."
(Patrick O'Connor, "Pelosi: Surtax 'In The Bill,'" The Hill, 10/3/09)Politico's "Live Pulse" Blog, 10/6/09)

But Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA) And Over 30 Fellow Dems Oppose Any Tax Increases. "More recently, Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.), a member of the Blue Dog and New Democrat coalitions, collected 32 Democratic signatures in a letter making the case that a healthcare overhaul could be done with no tax increase whatsoever. Altmire says the cost of the health plan should be limited to the savings that can be found in Medicare." (Mike Soraghan, "House Leaders Set To Wrestle With Taxes To Pay For Healthcare,"

Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) And 20 Fellow Dems Expressed Opposition To Surtax From The Start. "As soon as the surtax plan was unveiled in July, Rep. Jared Polis (D-Colo.), a New Democrat from a wealthy district, led the charge against the tax. He circulated a letter with the signatures of 20 fellow freshman protesting the burden it would place on small businesses." (Mike Soraghan, "House Leaders Set To Wrestle With Taxes To Pay For Healthcare," The Hill, 10/3/09) RNC Research http://gop.com

 

 

 

AMERICAN FREEDOM

WHEN HARRY MET JOEY

Harry Reid Writing Obama's Government-Run Health Care Experiment As Biden Raises Money For Him In Nevada
BIDEN HAS SAID HE DOESN'T DO HEALTH CARE

 
Vice President Joe Biden:
"I Do Foreign Policy, I Don't Do Health Care."
(Vice President Joe Biden, Remarks At Brookings Institution, Washington, DC, 9/9/09)

 
Biden Says Foreign Policy "A Lot Less Complicated" Than Health Care, "And That's Not A Joke." Biden: "I'm often introduced as, in the past, as senator as an expert in foreign policy, and I say, well you know an expert is anyone from out of town with a briefcase. I don't have a briefcase and secondly, the reason I choose foreign policy, it's a lot easier than health care. A lot less complicated, and that's not a joke."
(Vice President Joe Biden, Remarks At Brookings Institution, 9/9/09)

 BUT THINGS WERE GOING SO POORLY THAT OBAMA WAS DESPERATE TO TRY ANYTHING

In Late September, Support For Government-Run Health Care Was Cratering. "Just 41% of voters nationwide now favor the health care reform proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats. That's down two points from a week ago and the lowest level of support yet measured. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% are opposed to the plan." ("Support For Health Care Plan Hits New Low," Rasmussen Reports, 9/28/09)

 So Vice President Joe Biden Stepped Up To The Plate. "Fresh off his trip to Iraq, Vice President Biden will wade deep into the health-care debate next week, according to administration sources. Biden is slated to give his 'first major health policy address' Tuesday to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and on Wednesday visits the Leisure World retirement community in Silver Spring... 'Health car e has not been a signature issue for him. The expertise he brings to bear are his relationships in the Senate,' said one staffer. 'He is somebody who can have really candid conversations with members about what they need. He has their trust and if he says, "We'll push this for you," they can take his word to the bank.'"
(Ceci Connolly, "Biden Plans Move To Health Care Frontlines Next Week," The Washington Post's "44" Blog, 9/18/09)

BUT DEPLOYING BIDEN DIDN'T WORK

New Poll Shows Half Of Americans Still Opposed To Obama's Government-Run Health Care Experiment. "Forty-four percent (44%) of voters nationwide now favor the health care reform plan proposed by President Obama and congressional Democrats. That's little changed from a week ago. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 50% are opposed to the plan. The numbers have been remarkably stable th roughout the debate. ("Health Care Reform," Rasmussen Reports, 10/12/09)

SO CAN BIDEN REALLY HELP REID TURN HIS NUMBERS AROUND?

Biden Headlining $2,400 Per Person Fundraiser For Reid. "Vice President Joe Biden is making his first trip to Reno since last year's election campaign to help U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., raise money for his re-election effort ... [H]e's attending a $2,400 per person fundraiser for Reid at the Grand Sierra Resort." (Anjeanette Damon, "Vice President Biden To Visit Ren o To Help Harry Reid Raise Money," Reno Gazette-Journal, 10/14/09)

Reid Hoping Biden Visit Will Show Off His Prestige, Persuade Voters His Leadership Position Is Valuable. "Reid is hoping that his seniority and leadership post, as well as the resources to air ads emphasizing those traits early and often, will compensate for the lack of warmth that voters feel for him." (Emily Cadel, "Reid To Begin Airing First Campaign Ads," Roll Call, 10/15/09)

But That Doesn't Change Fact That He's In Serious Trouble. "But recent polls show that Reid's problem is not that he is not well-known, but that what Nevada residents know of the four-term incumbent, a majority of them don't like. A Mason-Dixon Polling & Research/Las Vegas Review-Journal poll released over the weekend showed that half of the voters polled said they held a negative opinion of their senior Senator, compared with 38 percent who viewed him favorably. And Reid continues to trail two relatively unknown Republican candidates ... in hypothetical general election matchups." (Emily Cadel, "Reid To Begin Airing First Campaign Ads," Roll Call, 10/15/09)

NOT IF REID STAYS HIDDEN IN HIS CHAMBER OF SECRETS WRITING DEMS' GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE PLAN

Obama Aides, Small Group Of Dems Join Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) To Write Final Bill Behind Closed Doors. "It's the invite that every senator with an opinion on health care wants to get: a reserved seat at the conference table where Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) will merge two competing reform bills. But most of them won't get in. Reid's guest list will be an exclusive one. Reid has decided to keep the group intimate, limiting entree to Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.); Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), who ushered the bill through the Senate health committee ... The merger, which will unfold across Reid's suite of offices, should take a week, sources said. White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, White House Director of Health Reform Nancy-Ann DeParle and perhaps budget director Peter Orszag will represent the president, sources said." (Carrie Budoff Brown, "Members Jockey For Seat At Reid's Table," Politico, 10/7/09) RNC Research http://gop.com

 

 

Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) Speaks After Weekly GOP Conference Meeting

Cantor on Baucus Bill, Jobs
"... 81 percent of Americans feel that the Obama Administration needs to do more about the unemployment affecting everyone in this country. That 81 percent of Americans feel it is about jobs."– House Republican Whip Eric Cantor
Rep. Eric Cantor: “Good morning. Well the Baucus bill has passed. We’ve got groups this morning, Members on both sides of the aisle in the other body, groups such as the unions running full-page ads against the bill, warning Americans that this bill will add to their health care costs. The 84 percent or so of Americans that have insurance will experience a significant increase in cost in their health care if this Baucus bill were to pass and be signed into law. Employers who provide so many Americans with coverage will also be struck with increased costs and penalties and taxes under the Baucus bill. This, ultimately, will mean less money to the bottom line for our small businesses which means lower wages for Americans.

"While we in Washington continue to talk about health care, the rest of this country is focused on the economy. There was a poll out last week by a gentleman named Garin that indicated 81 percent of Americans – that’s eight in ten – 81 percent of Americans feel that the Obama Administration needs to do more about the unemployment affecting everyone in this country. That 81 percent of Americans feel it is about jobs.

"That’s why this week I will be reconvening the Economic Recovery Working Group, that the Leader has appointed, and we will be looking at, number one, responding to the White House indirect communications to us that they intend to embark upon another stimulus effort. Folks in the Administration have floated the idea of a job creation tax credit. We don’t think that’s the right way to go about putting small businesses back into the game of investing and creating jobs. We will come up with alternatives, as we have since January, in terms of how we best believe we can put Americans back to work. We look forward to having a full and open discussion with the White House and our colleagues across the aisle so that we can get America back to work.”

Voices of House Doctors

REPUBLICANS NEED A SEAT AT THE TABLE ---------------
“Republicans Introduce: The Improving Health Care for All Americans Act” “RSC Unveils A Solution
For Affordable, Quality Health Care” (Republican Study Committee, Press Release, 7/30/09)
“House GOP Solutions Group Outlines Health Care Plan to Increase Affordability, Accessibility, Availability Commonsense Health Care Reform to Lower Costs and Increase Access And Quality At A Price Our Country Can Afford” (Rep. Roy Blunt, Press Release, 6/17/09)
“GOP Offers Constructive Options To Improve Access To Health Care” (Reps. Roy Blunt, Sam Graves, and Lynn Jenkins, Kansas City Star, 6/10/09)
“To GOP, Reform Is About Wider Access, Lower Prices, Not Government Control” (Rep. Roy Blunt, Op-Ed, The Hill, 6/10/09)
“An Alternative to Obamacare” (Sens. Tom Coburn and Richard Burr and Reps. Paul Ryan and David Nunes, Op-Ed, Real Clear Politics, “GOP Offers Constructive Options To Improve Access To Health Care” (Reps. Roy Blunt, Sam Graves, and Lynn Jenkins, Kansas City Star, 6/10/09)
“To GOP, Reform Is About Wider Access, Lower Prices, Not Government Control” (Rep. Roy Blunt, Op-Ed, The Hill, 6/10/09)
President Obama’s health care plan will cost trillions of dollars, raise every American’s taxes and worsen already staggering federal deficits.
To pay for their health care reform plan, President Obama and the Democrats in Congress propose raising taxes on businesses, eliminating existing tax breaks for businesses that provide health care for their employees now, eliminating existing tax breaks for medical savings accounts and creating new taxes on alcohol, sodas, sports drinks, energy drinks and iced tea.
“Democrats are eyeing a cornucopia of new taxes — some of which would violate Obama’s $250,000 vow… House Democrats are considering numerous tax hikes ranging from a national ‘value-add tax’ on consumer goods, higher income taxes on people making more than $250,000 a year, an increase in the Medicare payroll tax and new taxes on sugary soft drinks and alcohol. Any broad-based tax on consumer goods would apply to people below Obama’s $250,000 threshold.” (Jeffrey Young, “Dems To Show How They Will Find $1 Trillion”, The Hill, 7/6/09) research www.gop.com

AMERICAN FREEDOM

WASHINGTON –
The Senate Finance Committee has approved a sweeping remake of the country's health care system,..................
Jesus had Judas:
The Republicans and the People of Maine have Snowe.
The Hill reported this morning that "Snowe's policy concerns include weighing how the bill, which imposes a heavy tax on high-cost insurance plans, would affect her home state, where healthcare coverage ranks among the most expensive in the country. She also has to determine whether the bill does enough to subsidize the healthcare costs of Americans who would be required under the bill to buy insurance, a concern she has repeatedly raised. And she must determine whether the cost estimate provided by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) can be trusted."------Snow must not be to concerned about the state of Maine to pay for the $829B plan that would require most Americans to purchase insurance.
Congress is considering an array of tax increases, fees and penalties. In the legislative endgame, House and Senate bargainers will strike a deal on the exact mix of revenue raisers. Here are some of the principal proposals.
To pay for expanding insurance coverage, Congress is considering an array of tax increases, fees and penalties. In the legislative endgame, House and Senate bargainers will strike a deal on the exact mix of revenue raisers. Here are some of the principal proposals. To pay for expanding insurance coverage, Congress is considering an array of tax increases, fees and penalties. In the legislative endgame, House and Senate bargainers will strike a deal on the exact mix of revenue raisers. Here are some of the principal proposals. {msnbc} 10-13-09
Snowe joined the committee's Democrats to vote in favor of Chairman Max Baucus's (D-Mont.) health reform proposal, characterizing her vote as a move to support moving forward with landmark healthcare reform.
"The mark before us today produces bipartisan, landmark reforms," said Snowe. "The consequences of inaction dictate the urgency of moving a healthcare reform bill.
"I happen to think the consequences of inaction dictate the urgency of Congress," she added.  "There are many, many miles to go in this legislative journey ... At the same time, they want us to continue."The Maine centrist maintained in her remarks that she remains opposed to a public (or "government-run") option in health reform, an element absent within the Finance bill but which serves as a centerpiece of the health bill reported out of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) will be charged with merging the two bills in the coming days and weeks, and Snowe insisted her support is conditional, based on changes that could be made as the Senate Democratic leadership moves the bill forward and it is amended on the Senate floor. Snowe insist that "My vote today doesn't forecast what my vote will be tomorrow." {msnbc} 10-13-09
Like Judas who sold out Jesus for 40 pieces of silver, Snowe has sold out the voters Maine and the Republican Party". Is Snowe getting the equilivant of 40 pieces of silver from the Democrats in the way of a special consideration? Judas committed suicide. Has Snowe committed political suicide?
Reports estimates that premiums for the average household would rise to $17,200 a year by 2013 under the proposals compared with $15,500 without the reforms. Today's average annual premium is $12,300.
Reports also estimate that proposed taxes on the "Cadillac plans" – the more expensive health insurance plans, amounting to more than $8,000 a year for individuals and $21,000 a year for families. Also there are planned more than $ 400 Billion in cuts to Medicare putting the senior program at risk.. The reported cut to Medicare would be to pay for the expanding cost of healthcare,
McConnell Statement on Finance Committee Proposal
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
'The fact is, this proposal will never come before the Senate'
"Sen. Snowe called me this morning to let me know that while she continues to have serious, substantive policy reservations with this proposal, she wanted to keep the process moving. I share her concerns about the direction of this bill once it leaves the committee, and her call for transparency before we vote to proceed to any bill on the floor.
"The fact is, this proposal will never come before the Senate. But what we do know is that the bill written behind closed doors here in the Capitol will be another 1,000-page, trillion-dollar Washington takeover. We know it will slash a half-trillion dollars from seniors' Medicare, add new taxes and raise premiums. That's not reform." From the Office of Senator Mitch McConnell
In the best interest of the American people, hope and pray that Senator McConnell is correct.