by Mark Silva
A full-bore fight is on to the finish:
With a frontal assault on the insurance industry for sponsoring "misleading'' information, President Barack Obama today calls the passage of health-insurance reform "the great test'' of the "change'' that Americans demanded in the election.
With Democratic congressional leaders now moving beyond the question of whether there will be a health-care overhaul this year, and on to the question of what it will look like, Obama is warning that critics will fight to "score political points'' and insurers will fight to "protect their profits'' with "smoke and mirror'' tactics.
The president today accuses the insurance industry of "paying for misleading studies'' -- one released this week warned that the price of premiums will rise with the bill that cleared the Senate Finance Committee by 14-9, with one Republican vote. Senate leaders denounced the work as "bogus.'' The industry, the president says, is "flooding'' Capitol Hill with lobbyists and the airwaves with misleading ads.
"Of course, like clockwork, we've seen folks on cable television who know better, waving these industry-funded studies in the air. We've seen industry insiders - and their apologists - citing these studies as proof of claims that just aren't true,'' Obama says in his weekly radio and Internet address today.
"It's smoke and mirrors. It's bogus. And it's all too familiar,'' Obama says. "Every time we get close to passing reform, the insurance companies produce these phony studies as a prescription and say, "Take one of these, and call us in a decade." Well, not this time.''
"Let's get real,'' Rep. Kevin Brady, a seventh-term Republican from Texas and lead House Republican on the Joint Economic Committee, maintains in ihis party's weekly address today.
The insurance legislation, he maintains, is simply part of another plan by Democrats to spend more, tax more and drive the deficits higher -- though the Congressional Budget Office has scored the $829 billion Senate Finance plan as a deficit-cutter over 10 years. With the White House claiming this week that one million jobs have been created or saved by what's been spent so far of the $787-billion economic stimulus enacted in February, the Republicans point to more than 3 million jobs lost since then and reject the White House's argument that the insurance bill will help the economy.
"The truth is: no jobs. No recovery,'' Brady says in his party's address today. "Let's finally admit America's recovery can't be built on the unsteady Democratic doctrine of spending more, borrowing more and higher taxes. It's failing our families.
"The second myth, that government-run health care will make it more affordable?'' Brady adds. "Americans inherently know government interference drives costs up, not down. The massive health care plans being crafted behind closed doors in Washington as we speak will ultimately allow the government to decide what doctors we can see, what treatments the government thinks you deserve and what medicines you can receive.
"The Democrats' plans are loaded with new federal mandates and higher taxes on insurance plans, treatments and equipment - all of which will be passed down to patients.''
See the president's address above, the Republican address below and read the texts of both below the fold, here in the Swamp:
This is the test of President Barack Obama weekly address:
Over the better part of the past year, a great debate has taken place in Washington and across America, about how to reform our health care system to provide security for people with insurance, coverage for those without insurance, and lower costs for everyone. From the halls of Congress to the homes of ordinary Americans, this debate has helped us to forge consensus and find common ground. That's a good thing. That's what America is all about.
Now, as the debate draws to a close, we can point to a broad and growing coalition of doctors and nurses, workers and businesses, hospitals and even drug companies - folks who represent different parties and perspectives, including leading Democrats and many leading Republicans - who recognize the urgency of action. Just this week, the Senate Finance Committee approved a reform proposal that has both Democratic and Republican support. For the first time ever, all five committees in Congress responsible for health reform have passed a version of legislation. As I speak to you today, we are closer to reforming the health care system than we have ever been in history.
But this is not the time to pat ourselves on the back. This is not the time to grow complacent. There are still significant details and disagreements to be worked out in the coming weeks. And there are still those who would try to kill reform at any cost. The history is clear: for decades rising health care costs have unleashed havoc on families, businesses, and the economy. And for decades, whenever we have tried to reform the system, the insurance companies have done everything in their considerable power to stop us.
We know that this inaction has carried a terrible toll. In the past decade, premiums have doubled. Over the past few years, total out of pocket costs for people with insurance rose by a third. And we know that if we do not reform the system, this will only be a preview of coming attractions. A new report for the Business Roundtable - a non-partisan group that represents the CEOs of major companies - found that without significant reform, health care costs for these employers and their employees will well more than double again over the next decade. The cost per person for health insurance will rise by almost $18,000. That's a huge amount of money. That's going to mean lower salaries and higher unemployment, lower profits and higher rolls of uninsured. It is no exaggeration to say, that unless we act, these costs will devastate the US economy.
This is the unsustainable path we're on, and it's the path the insurers want to keep us on. In fact, the insurance industry is rolling out the big guns and breaking open their massive war chest - to marshal their forces for one last fight to save the status quo. They're filling the airwaves with deceptive and dishonest ads. They're flooding Capitol Hill with lobbyists and campaign contributions. And they're funding studies designed to mislead the American people.
Of course, like clockwork, we've seen folks on cable television who know better, waving these industry-funded studies in the air. We've seen industry insiders - and their apologists - citing these studies as proof of claims that just aren't true. They'll claim that premiums will go up under reform; but they know that the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office found that reforms will lower premiums in a new insurance exchange while offering consumer protections that will limit out-of-pocket costs and prevent discrimination based on pre-existing conditions. They'll claim that you'll have to pay more out of pocket; but they know that this is based on a study that willfully ignores whole sections of the bill, including tax credits and cost savings that will greatly benefit middle class families. Even the authors of one of these studies have now admitted publicly that the insurance companies actually asked them to do an incomplete job.
It's smoke and mirrors. It's bogus. And it's all too familiar. Every time we get close to passing reform, the insurance companies produce these phony studies as a prescription and say, "Take one of these, and call us in a decade." Well, not this time. The fact is, the insurance industry is making this last-ditch effort to stop reform even as costs continue to rise and our health care dollars continue to be poured into their profits, bonuses, and administrative costs that do nothing to make us healthy - that often actually go toward figuring out how to avoid covering people. And they're earning these profits and bonuses while enjoying a privileged exception from our anti-trust laws, a matter that Congress is rightfully reviewing.
Now, I welcome a good debate. I welcome the chance to defend our proposals and to test our ideas in the fires of this democracy. But what I will not abide are those who would bend the truth - or break it - to score political points and stop our progress as a country. And what we all must oppose are the same old cynical Washington games that have been played for decades even as our problems have grown and our challenges have mounted.
Last November, the American people went to the polls in historic numbers and demanded change. They wanted a change in our policies; but they also sought a change in our politics: a politics that too often has fallen prey to the lobbyists and the special interests; that has fostered division and sustained the status quo. Passing health insurance reform is a great test of this proposition. Yes, it will make a profound and positive difference in the lives of the American people. But it also now represents something more: whether or not we as a nation are capable of tackling our toughest challenges, if we can serve the national interest despite the unrelenting efforts of the special interests; if we can still do big things in America.
I believe we can. I believe we will. And I urge every member of Congress to stand against the power plays and political ploys - and to stand up on behalf the American people who sent us to Washington to do their business.
Thank you.
This is the fotext of Rep. Brady's address:
"Hi, I'm Congressman Kevin Brady. I'm proud to represent southeast Texas in Congress, and serve as the lead House Republican on the Joint Economic Committee, which keeps tabs on America's economic health.
"There are three big myths hurtling around Washington these days: no jobs equals an economic recovery, government-run health care will make it more affordable, and deficits don't matter.
"The American public - to their credit - isn't buying any of these.
"Start with the economy. We're all pleased to see the stock market go up, but middle class America knows hundreds of thousands of jobs are disappearing each month. Many of them may never reappear.
"As families in my communities and across the country watch the national unemployment rate close to topping double digits -- with few real signs of relief ahead -- they have one question for the White House: 'Mr. President, where are the jobs?'
"Last January, the White House promised us all that if Congress passed the massive trillion-dollar 'stimulus' bill, jobs would be created immediately and the unemployment rate would stay under eight percent.
"Since then, nearly 3 million more Americans have lost their private sector jobs. Over 2 million have simply quit looking for work because they are so discouraged and that's frightening. And over 9 million Americans are working part time because they can't find a full time job. And those who do worry if they'll be the next person standing in the unemployment line.
"The truth is: no jobs. No recovery. Let's finally admit America's recovery can't be built on the unsteady Democratic doctrine of spending more, borrowing more and higher taxes. It's failing our families.
"The second myth, that government-run health care will make it more affordable? Americans inherently know government interference drives costs up, not down. The massive health care plans being crafted behind closed doors in Washington as we speak will ultimately allow the government to decide what doctors we can see, what treatments the government thinks you deserve and what medicines you can receive.
"The Democrats' plans are loaded with new federal mandates and higher taxes on insurance plans, treatments and equipment - all of which will be passed down to patients. New taxes on professionals and small businesses will drive jobs out of our economy and push more families into a government-run plan. At a time when families and workers want more choices and more options, Democrats in Washington are bent on creating a one-size fits all plan that Americans just take or leave. By the way, these same Democratic members of Congress are making sure they and their families aren't included in the plan. That should tell you something.
"The third myth: deficits don't matter? Tell that to your kids and grandkids and see what they have to say thirty years down the road.
"Whether its wasteful stimulus spending, a cap and trade national energy tax that will put millions more out of work or the trillion dollar health care experiment Democrats in Washington are boring new holes to our economic ship at a time when employers throughout America need a life preserver to help them stay afloat.
"Liberal policies that will keep people out of work longer will only make the deficit worse. Americans know that deficits matter to our dollar, to our economy, to our future. The federal budget deficit tripled to a record 1-point-4 trillion this fiscal year. The government spent 199-billion dollars on interest on the debt in 2009 -- or almost 10 times the entire budget for NASA.
"Under the Obama Administration's budget, our country is set to rack up 6.7 trillion dollars in debt over the next decade -- almost equal to all the federal debt accumulated in our nation's history. Democrats in Washington continue to pursue costly policies that tax too much, spend too much and borrow too much all of which are discouraging small businesses from job creation and innovation while launching our national debt into the stratosphere.
"Make no mistake, our children and grandchildren will end up buried under a mountain of debt if we continue down this dangerous path of taxing, spending and borrowing.
"Let's set aside the myths. Let's get real.
"Real economic growth starts when the people who have taken the hardest hit in this recession -- our small businesses -- get back to creating jobs. It's what these businesses that employ more than half our nation's workforce do best. Republicans want to give them new tax relief tools and get out of their way.
"Republicans remain hopeful that this deep and painful recession will soon run its course, but Americans deserve better than a jobless recovery, which is no real recovery at all for American workers and their families. Americans deserve affordable health care. And they deserve a nation that can pay its debts and live within its means.
"That's what Republicans believe. That's what will create the jobs that will grow our economy and put our nation back on the path to long-term prosperity.
"This is Congressman Kevin Brady. Thank you for listening."
Comments
Brady? OR ERNST STARVO BLOFELD!
And to think that is a posed, 'good' picture of the man.
As far as the substance of his statements; Talking points only.
We have known for a long time that exploding healthcare costs will eat us alive under the current system.
What is needed under this reform is a strong public option. Short of single payer it's the only thing that will tame the greed of the insurance syndicates.
Posted by: C.Morris | October 17, 2009 9:44 AM
Even CNN notes that the latest White House attempt to defend its "stimulus" plan is riddled with factual errors.
"Gaffes in federal reports this week about stimulus have called into question the government’s ability to accurately track how many jobs are being created by the massive $787 billion Recovery Act.
The data in Thursday’s reports were filled with mistakes, including an error that made it look like a French vaccine maker received the largest stimulus contract, $1.4 billion, when in fact it has gotten an award one-100th the size.
Government research organization OMB Watch said its assessment of the reports revealed many inconsistencies in the job data.
“The data is rife with mistakes,” said Craig Jennings, senior federal fiscal policy analyst at OMB Watch. “When you put out data that hasn’t yet been checked, it undermines transparency, because you are putting out wrong information.”
…A mistake in the very first contract listed on the site prompted doubts about the reliability of the reports."
Posted by: Regime Change in 2012 | October 17, 2009 10:02 AM
No, it's Obama the socialist versus the free market! We are born equal, but do not evolve in an equal manner. Heck, some of you do not evolve at all, but than again those in that category would not be reading this. Where is the incentive to achieve in life with you libbys? Next, you will all be saying that everyone deserves to drive the same late model Porsche as I do! He,he,he!!!
Posted by: Libby Stomper | October 17, 2009 11:03 AM
Obama is nothing more than Hugo Chavez in sheep's clothng. This badministration does nothing but demonize hard-working, middle American citizens, the elderly, news outlets it does not like, and major businesses and industries. Under this shaministration, the insurance industry and companies have been under assault, so too the energy industry, the auto industry, doctors and hospitals, banking, investment, food, and small businesses. It is time to remove this corrupt, totalitarian and anti-American shaministration NOW!
Posted by: John D | October 17, 2009 11:05 AM
I cannot understand how the government accounts for it's spending!
It appears to me that whatever they do always costs more than they initially stated.
The politicians love to give things away but then they cannot articlulate how they are going to pay for it.
The deficit figures released yesterday are scaring me badly and Obama is still playing to spend more with no plan on how to pay for it.
It is time for the politicians to act as reasonable people and not like "drunken sailors" in port for the first time in six months.
Posted by: Pat H | October 17, 2009 11:09 AM
"Don't get mad, get even," wise, patient men say.
The Insurance industry deserves all this and worse for the "surprise" report dropped on the day before the Senate Finance Committee vote.
It's not healthcare reform, it's health insurance reform.
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | October 17, 2009 11:18 AM
Typical liberal response - - attack the person, not the viewpoint. With the failure of the stimulus plan and TARP, why does the left suddenly believe another massive spending plan proposed by our government will live up to its promises? Furthermore, why does the left just plain refuse to criticize the Democrats and Obama? Obama wants more troops to send to war. Guantanamo is not closed. Obama continues most of Bush's policies regarding the war and homeland security. The jobless numbers are even worse then when Bush's economy was called a "jobless recovery." Why does the left suddenly stop its complaints when their guy is in office? Stick to your guns, I say, and hold this administration responsible for it's failure to accomplish anything. Look how well it worked with the last administration.
Posted by: no name | October 17, 2009 11:20 AM
Brady's solution: let's sit on our thumbs and wait for the economy to heal itself. It's the same formula followed by Bush, who got us into this mess.
Posted by: Jeff | October 17, 2009 11:27 AM
John D,
Speaking of Chavez, who picked your sour grapes?
Not that it's worth arguing with a fool, but even Murdoch has said that Fox's profits are up in the duel with the administration. None of the industries you cite qualify as victims. You, on the other hand, are a victim of too much teabagging.
Just for laughs, got a constructive idea? Neither did Congressman Brady.
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | October 17, 2009 11:41 AM
No, it's Obama the socialist versus the free market! We are born equal, but do not evolve in an equal manner. Heck, some of you do not evolve at all, but than again those in that category would not be reading this. Where is the incentive to achieve in life with you libbys? Next, you will all be saying that everyone deserves to drive the same late model Porsche as I do! He,he,he!!!
Posted by: Libby Stomper | October 17, 2009 11:03 AM
Free market any day, don't want any one telling me what brand of aspirin to take
Posted by: inky | October 17, 2009 11:41 AM
Boo hoo. Those poor insurance companies. We can't let insurance companies go broke. Hey, while we're at it, lets make sure to not interfere with child prostitution. We don't want that industry to go broke either, even if it is disgustingly crooked by nature.
Posted by: Q-tip | October 17, 2009 11:55 AM
More bad poll numbers for Obama--this time, from the Harris Poll:
"President Obama may have won the Nobel Peace Prize, but unfortunately, he is not winning accolades from the American public as his job approval rating continues its downward slide. In September, U.S. adults were split almost evenly on the job the President has been doing – 49% gave him positive ratings and 51% gave him negative ratings. This month, the number giving him positive ratings drops to 45% while over half of Americans (55%) give him negative ratings. ….
The approval ratings of the president by Democrats and Republicans are as one would expect with 77% of Democrats giving President Obama positive ratings compared to 14% of Republicans. Independents, however, are more down on the president as 60% give him negative ratings while 40% give him positive marks on his overall job performance."
Yet another poll result that the White House's reporter buddies will try to hide....
Posted by: Bruce | October 17, 2009 12:58 PM
You can all be cynical about Republicans or the insurance industry, and that's fine. But you are ignoring the problem that is staring you in the face. In particular: How are all the health care reform bills floating around Congress going to work with the health care insurance industry committing mutiny? Most, if not all of these bills, depend on the cooperation of health care insurance companies for cost savings and effectiveness. Now we see that the insurance companies have conspired with one another to oppose Congress’ efforts. That doesn’t bode well for any of the congressional plans.
Posted by: John W. | October 17, 2009 2:08 PM
"misleading studies" - That's rich coming from the democrats. Their misleading bill that came from the Finance Committee, that had ten years of taxes and seven of expenditures. Also, the bill said their will be a 21% cut in payments to doctors - we all know when oush comes to shove the democrats won't do that. The democrats didn't even apply the COLA provisions for ScoSec this year - had to try and pay them off with a $250 lump sum payment. The statement that this health bill is deficit enutral s/b saved to sping, given to farmers, and applied on the fields.
Posted by: Terry | October 17, 2009 2:54 PM
Yo, Kenny Bunkport, I have no sour grapes, I just am tired of government demonizing businesses all the time. Government is suppose to be the savior? Governments up to their eyeballs in debt? Govenments with corruption running amok? Here in Illinois? New Jersey? New York? Massachusetts? And, yes, corruption gets committed on both sides of the aisle. There is corruption in business too, but usually those folks get caught and get booted. Rarely does that apply to government. Chuck Rangel, anyone?
I'll keep my money with the free market, capitalist, democratic system thank you. Keep the Hugo Chavez and Vladimir Putin crap in Venezuela and Russia.
Posted by: John D | October 17, 2009 8:20 PM
"Most, if not all of these bills, depend on the cooperation of health care insurance companies for cost savings and effectiveness. "
JW,
Perfect reason for single payer or a robust public option.
Those are the only two 'reforms' that would neuter the privateers in the insurance industry.
Problem is, the Republicans and the Blue Dog Dems are more concerned for their welfare than the greater good of the American people.
Myself; I expect some sort of 'October/December Surprise' re. reform. (And it won't be good.)
Posted by: C.Morris | October 17, 2009 8:34 PM
John D,
No, government is supposed to do it's regulatory job to protect us, among other responsibilities. The last administration failed to do so on all levels (yeah Inky, I know we weren't attacked again). In fact, federal agencies were brought before the Supreme Court to do their jobs.
There's no quick fix for the damage done. And there are no constructive ideas coming from your side of the aisle.
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | October 17, 2009 9:06 PM
Insurance was willing to cooperate long enough to get this bill off the basement to the first floor, hoping to meet up with it on the second floor inorder to profit.
Posted by: bubbles | October 17, 2009 9:10 PM
This is us Versus Them, class warfare, envy and all the same old leftist manipulations that have poisoned politics. Someone please explain to me how it is moral to manipulate the peons, yes we are just peons to this government, by constantly using the most base (that means lowdown for the swamp things) human emotions of jealousy and envy?
Posted by: Gary | October 17, 2009 10:36 PM
CM, Blofeld was better looking than this guy.
All the Replican spokesters on the health bill look like they have a foot in the grave and the other one on a banana peel.
They also seem to be from Texas or Georgia.
Posted by: ornery | October 17, 2009 10:36 PM
Kenny, there are plenty of good ideas coming from the right side of thing. The problem is you folks on the Left are not interested in them. Health care, for instance, needs SOME fixing, not an overhaul in which the government takes over 1/6 of the economy. How about things like tort reform, selling insurance across state lines to create more competition, expanded use of medical savings accounts? How about getting the medical professionals involved to help fix whatever may ail the health care industry? Instead we have politicians and bureaucrats deciding what to do with NO input from the true experts.
SOME government regulation is necessary. Very few on the right are saying otherwise. Too much government regulation and intrusion, though, ends up doing more harm than good.
Posted by: John D | October 18, 2009 12:29 AM
KB,
I don't blame you for not knowing about the GOP proposal since the MSM never mentions it, but here it is.
Much better and will not bust the deficit or cut medicare
http://www.gop.gov/solutions/healthcare
Posted by: Terry | October 18, 2009 8:04 AM
T & John D,
"Plenty of god ideas?" Not if Michael Steele is an indicator. O has met with the experts (in public forums, NOT under Executive Privilege), who have signed on and provided input.
A media conspiracy of omission? C'mon, whose playbook is that stolen from?
GOP. gov? That should be GOP.com for sure as it doesn't go far enough and barely scratches the itch. Gee, why wouldn't they want to truly change the insurance industry?
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | October 18, 2009 8:41 AM
The AP reports the disaster that is Obamanomics in Illinois:
"CHICAGO — The jobless rate in Illinois increased to 10.5 percent in September after a slight dip to 10 percent in August, according to figures released Friday.
The three-month unemployment average rose 0.1 percent to 10.3 percent, its highest level since December 1983, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
The state’s unemployment rate at this time last year was 6.7 percent.
...
Things might also be worse than the state figures indicate because officials only count people who are actively seeking work and don’t include those who have gotten discouraged and stopped looking, said Geoffrey Hemings, director of the Regional Economics Applications Laboratory at the University of Illinois.
When those people are counted, the unemployment rate for August was 12.6 percent, more than 2.5 percent above the state’s count for the month, Hemings said.
Illinois lost 14,200 non-farm jobs in September..."
Obama's weekly 2-Minute Hatefest can't conceal reality.
Posted by: Regime Change in 2012 | October 18, 2009 8:48 AM
There is no doubt that the engagement is underway in America: The People vs The Corporations. President Obama is right to take, head-on, the Corporations. Their greed, particularly in the last 25 years has been vicious, mind-numbing and thorough. What does that tell the world, when your most " productive ", most profitable, and most duplicitous Corporations, in America, are those related to the Healthcare Industry !!? Feeding on people's weaknesses, their vulnerabilities, their illness is America's new growth industry and if nobody's stomach is turned by such developments, than we are, indeed, a mind-numbed nation !! Does nobody stop to think what that implies? Does nobody stop to think what innocent, decent American men, women and children are suffering at the hands of this predatory capitalism, these bottom feeders ? Is your disgust that virulent towards a man of good will, President Obama, that you can condone by your acquiescence to this diabolical, capitalist economic strategy: Feeding off of peoples misfortune, their illnesses, their vulnerability !!? America has betrayed her trust with this economic strategy, as she did during the onslaught of the Weasels of Wall Street, on our economy !! Will America recover her senses ? Will she concern herself again, with her people, instead of the bottom-line !! We are running out of time, America can not sustain this rapacious capitalism, for another day, another hour. Come America, let your voices be heard, shout out, against the tyranny of Corporate Greed. We can't take much more of it !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | October 18, 2009 8:52 AM
I don't think anyone - including insurance companies - argue the fact that the costs of insurance are hurting us. The fact is, insurance companies know that if the costs of insurance could be reduced then more people would buy more insurance. Hence, more people covered, more profits for insurance companies, (btw, there's nothing evil in making a profit. The company you work makes a profit orthey wouldn't be in business and you wouldn't have a job) and everyone would be happier with the whole shebang. The insurance industry has become the poplar scapegoat of certain politicians and their short-sighted constituents. But insurance companies are not to blame for the rise in health care costs, only insurance costs. And as health care costs go up so do insurance costs by necessity. The whole "health care debate" has concentrated on bringing down the cost of insurance, not health care. But, you can't cure the disease by treating the symptom.
Posted by: health insurance, healthcare, lifestyle | October 18, 2009 2:13 PM
Good grief, Kenny Bunkport, but the folks Obama has met with to hammer out health care reforms are nothing but Obama presidency donors. Just like the doctors who visited the White House a couple of weeks ago and given white lab coats to wear. Most of them were Obama supporters. Sorry, but he has not met with the folks who can provide answers. He has demonized them. He has demonsized doctors, hospitals and caregivers in addition to the insurance companies.
Posted by: John D | October 18, 2009 2:36 PM
* * * * *
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, IL | October 18, 2009 8:52 AM
.
Don,
.
You are raving again,
.
President Obama is not taking on the insurance companies “head on,” and it’s unlikely that he’s going to do so any time in the near future. To the contrary, the health care bills working their way through Congress favor all those corporate insurance devils. In fact they all have provisions to force the American public into the arms of the very Corporate monsters you hate. In which case, Obama either approves, or is standing idly by, while Congress is working to make ALL OF US victims of greedy corporations all over again. (Just go ask C.Morris if I’m wrong.)
.
In short, Don, your image of President Obama as a dragon slayer among corporate monsters is delusional and mythical. Maybe your name is Don Quixote of La Mancha, and what you see out there are windmills.
Posted by: John W. | October 18, 2009 4:24 PM
Geographically Stupid Little Johnnie D repeats the talking point that we need tort reform to bring down the cost of health insurance. Well, the fact is that Republican Rick Perry and the Republican legislature of Texas passed tort reform several years ago. Did it reduce the cost of insurance in the state? NOPE. Did it increase the number of doctors in the state? NOPE. Did it do anything besides put pac money into the pockets of Republican politicians? NOPE.
Posted by: BC | October 18, 2009 5:18 PM
KB,
You stated there were no constructive ideas from the conservatives - I showed you where they were. They have been presented and never made it out of committee.
As far as in bed with the insurance companies - the insurance companies do not want individuals to cross state lines to buy insurance, the GOP wants to open it up.
Posted by: Terry | October 18, 2009 5:26 PM
John D,
All have gone without browbeating from O (Speaker Pelosi, on the other hand, has had a few things to say about the insurance companies) as they've agreed that something needs to be done. Now the insurance companies have changed their tune -- which is the subject of my initial post here.
T,
Opening up insurance across state lines is not a GOP idea, nor does the site you provided do much of anything new -- no wonder its budget impact is so limited.
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | October 18, 2009 6:12 PM
* * * * *
Posted by: BC | October 18, 2009 5:18 PM
.
And the State of Mississippi also passed tort reform. Did it reduce the cost of insurance? Yes. Did it increase the number of doctors in the State? Yes. Did it make health care more accessible? Yes.
.
Prior to tort reform in Mississippi, doctors were fleeing or retiring in great numbers. They simply couldn't afford to practice medicine due to their malpractice premiums. The only growth industry in the state seemed to be malpractice PI cases. Insurance companies were leaving too. In some places, a person had to travel 100 miles to find a doctor - because it had gotten that bad. The tort reform initiatives there brought back the doctors and insurance companies, and the cost of practicing medicine went through the floor. That, in turn, made access to health care more affordable. In which case, you can't simply waive off tort reform as a non-issue.
Posted by: John W. | October 18, 2009 7:45 PM
Opening up across state lines would up up the 1300 health insurance providers to all Americans; therefore competition. Also, the GOP provsion would have tort reform; which would save the doctors in malpractice premiums; thus lower costs.
Funny, that the democrats never try to tackle tort reform in these bills.
Posted by: Terry | October 18, 2009 8:20 PM
Dems are in big trouble. The public sees right through Nancy Pelosi, keep talkin' Nancy, grab that socialist mop. Last time around we got welfare reform; maybe the next congress we can extinguish socialism altogether.
http://abcnews.go.com/PollingUnit/Politics/story?id=8373563
"Health care reform overall, a political sand trap when last attempted in 1993, looks much the same in 2009. In a cautionary note for proponents of reform in marginal congressional districts, more people say they'd be inclined to vote against a candidate who supported reform than to vote for one. That may conjure memories of the Democratic rout of 1994."
Posted by: Gary | October 19, 2009 3:42 AM
T,
We can agree that there's alot missing in the current Baucus bill, including a public option. Sparks will fly during mark-up of the bill. As for tort reform, it will be interesting to see how willing they'll be to open that can of worms.
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | October 19, 2009 9:05 AM
KB,
Thank God the public option is missing - that would turn this country into a permanent debtor and entitlement nation.
Tort reform? The dems aren't going to bite the hand that feeds them.
Posted by: Terry | October 19, 2009 10:01 AM
Gary,
So what would you do -- nothing?!
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | October 19, 2009 10:41 AM
Terry, John W and Gary are right: the victims of medical malpractice are to blame for all ou healthcare problems. They should be thr ones to bear the brunt of the fix. We simply cannot allow our jury system to compensate these people. In the name of freedom, we must crack down on juries and victims in order to protect incompetant doctors and insurance companies from the consequences of their actions. The jury system has failed, government mandate is clearly the appropriate small government, libertarian answer. Stand up for the incompetent doctor, and his insurance company against the greey grapsing victim of malpractice and our failded jury system, as out founders clearly would have wanted.
Posted by: Blame the victims! Make them pay! | October 19, 2009 11:44 AM
To all the "tort reform" supporters: If you believe that payments to the victims of malpractice and their Attorneys should be capped by government mandate, would you also support government mandates on the compensation of doctors, and a cap on how much the attorneys defending malpractice case can make for each case? Wouldn't that bring down healthcare and insurance costs as well?
Posted by: Kent | October 19, 2009 11:49 AM
Terry,
Your bias is getting the best of you -- tort reform is radioactive to many on both sides of the aisle.
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | October 19, 2009 12:05 PM
Obama is playing a game. If it was really Obama v the insurance industry, he would be pushing for a public option and not kissing the great and nothing Snowy behind. Obama is merely mouthing another 'sternly worded letter' and doing nothing else. Seems that he is protecting the insurance industry and all of their billions going to both parties. Why isn't the insurance industry taken to court for bribery? Why aren't those crafting law taken to court for accepting bribes? This is beyond a conflict of interest. This literally and figuratively makes us ill. It's time for Obama to push for the public option and get some real insurance and health reform. Or else, it's time for Obama to shut up, have no bill passed under his name and allow Americans to die in peace, rather than be handed a boquet of BS while in the process of getting screwed while dying. I really hate being lied to, and I hate politicians thinking I will roll over for their lies, their smoke, and all their pretend partyline disagreements. It boils down to a corporately owned president, chief of staff, House and Senate--or not.
Posted by: Vivian | October 19, 2009 1:12 PM
KB,
The GOP has nothing to loose going after the trial lawyers, the trial lawyers contribute a small % to their campaigns as compared to the dems.
Howard Dean said it best:
http://blog.heritage.org/2009/08/28/honesty-from-howard-dean-on-trial-lawyers-and-health-care/
Posted by: Terry | October 19, 2009 1:19 PM
John w tell us more abvout how we beom slaves when a poor child is fed by food purchased with food stamps. Tell us about the tyranny of having the healthcare of the working poor paid for by SCHIP and Medicaid. Tell us all how we can only be free when that child goes without food, and that family goes without healthcare. Tell us john abpout the horrible oppression you live wiith every day because your tax dollars go to those causes. Tell us again what a tragic victim you are suffering under the unspeakable tyranny nof the United States.
Posted by: Libertarians only care for themselves. | October 19, 2009 1:56 PM
From Business, Science & Health....."health reform will not restrict insurers' ability to deny procedures for their customers.....insurers will likely turn down more claims...there are going to be a lot of denials. " Current "lawmakers" need to heed this warning and write some provisions into the "reform" bill that denials will not increase per percentage of those insured. Otherwise, it will be another big 'screw you' to all of us forced at gunpoint to "accept" another "reform" like TARP--that raped America, or else like credit card "reform" that did more financial harm than good to the average American citizen. We need more intelligent legislators to write and pass a current health care reform bill than those lame legislators who wrote and passed TARP and credit card "reform".
Posted by: Vivian | October 19, 2009 2:12 PM
T,
Howard Dean via the Heritage Fdn? I don't think so.
V,
I yield to your knowledge of snowy behinds.
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | October 19, 2009 2:21 PM
Hi Kenny B--funny--however, it's not funny that Obama will push for a right of center bill without a public option in order to get one Snowy Pug vote for his 'prop up the insurance companies' bill. If you ask an overwhelming majority of elderly SS recipients how the votes broke down for SS in 1935, they will answer, I don't know, or I don't care as long as I'm getting SS. Obama going for one Pug vote in order to call it bipartisan is a bit laughable. Again, calling us all stupid. Real bipartisanship would be a solid group, not one or two Pug outliers. Forget bipartisanship in this case. Don't even try for it. Don't sell the farm from under The People by scaling back for one or two Pug outliers. We need the best bill passed supporting American citizens--while not screwing us in the long run.
Obama---"no more taxes at all on families making less than $250,000 per year". Seems like he wants to tax the hell out of the middle class by forcing us to buy from private, for-profit insurance companies. A health insurance policy is not an X-Ray. A policy is not an MRI. A policy is something giving shareholders and CEOs $$$$$$$$$. Single-payer pays for the X-Ray and MRI only. It cuts out the insurance corps hand outs. Stupid, costly Obama and legislators.
Posted by: Vivian | October 19, 2009 3:58 PM
For your reading pleasure, from the Libertarian Party platform on Welfare and Poverty:
"We should eliminate the entire social welfare system. This includes eliminating AFDC, food stamps, subsidized housing, and all the rest. Individuals who are unable to fully support themselves and their families through the job market must, once again, learn to rely on supportive family, church, community, or private charity to bridge the gap."
In short their solution to poverty is to have the poor beg. Those who aren't successful at begging can die. That is the sum total of their compassion, meager and heartless.
They also demand the end to the minimum wage and all regulatiions on employers, so that ther will be more working poor, more people injured at work, more need fighting for the same private resources.
"Almost everyone agrees that a job is better than any welfare program. Yet for years this country has pursued tax and regulatory policies that seem perversely designed to discourage economic growth and reduce entrepreneurial opportunities. Someone starting a business today needs a battery of lawyers just to comply with the myriad of government regulations from a virtual alphabet soup of government agencies: OSHA, EPA, FTC, CPSC, etc. Zoning and occupational licensing laws are particularly damaging to the type of small businesses that may help people work their way out of poverty.
In addition, government regulations such as minimum wage laws and mandated benefits drive up the cost of employing additional workers. We call for the repeal of government regulations and taxes that are steadily cutting the bottom rungs off the economic ladder."
No minimum wage, no maximum work week, no worman's comp, no workplace safety rules, no required benefits. It's clear who's side the Liberatraians are on, and it's certainly NOT the worker, the poor or the common person. Don't listen to thosew who would pretend that the Liberatarians care anything for the poor or the average worker. Their own words prove they clearly do not.
Posted by: Libertarians care only for themselves | October 19, 2009 4:59 PM
KB,
Here you go Doubting Thomas,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaMj-WUC-aE
Posted by: Terry | October 19, 2009 7:15 PM
T,
Thanks for that. So what you're saying is that with the $$$ flowing onto Capitol Hill to both parties from different sources and for different reasons, that nothing is likely to happen. That's fine as long as on April 15th you explain to the IRS that I owe nothing. Deal?
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | October 19, 2009 8:37 PM
KB,
Sure I'll do you taxes, but how much crediablity do you think I would have with the BO IRS?
With amount of money the trial lawyers pour into their wholly owned subisidary, the democratic party, nothing will happen as far as tort reform.l
Posted by: Terry | October 19, 2009 10:36 PM
T,
Thanks, but given your consistently narrow field of vision, I'm afraid some deductions would be missed or my charitable contributions would go to causes like the Cheney Center for Bunker Design, the Palin Taxidermy Institute, or the Bush Encyclopedia of Leadership Errors.
Besides, I want to stay out of the pokey where www service, and therefore access to the Swamp, might be limited.
C'mon, who else is going to show you the error of your ways?
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | October 20, 2009 2:28 PM
KB,
But doing your taxes would be easy. Don't you believe in giving everything to the gov't, since they know better than the individual on how to spend money?
Posted by: Terry | October 20, 2009 7:33 PM