Les Phillip – Health Care Reform Town Hall

My notes from last week's Town Hall Meeting with the next Congressman from our district: Les Philip.

The meeting was very refreshing after the one I attended in July. Most of the people in attendance were well behaved, and most asked reasonable questions.

Les' Campaign Manager reminded us that "this a dangerous time for our country" and that "now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country." Les was introduced to us – an immigrant to our country who pursued his dream to be an aviator for the Navy, then joined Industry, and now runs a small business with his wife – the kind of credentials we need in D.C.

Les pointed out that: "These are difficult times…and one of the most important things today is Health Care…and our Representative is out of the country…When I hold this position, you'll know where I'm at when I'm home…"

Les also pointed out that "most of our representatives have not read the bill…and if they need a team of lawyers to read a bill, they need to get a new bill….Health Care will touch every one of us, it is the one thing that touches every single life in the United States."

And then he asked, "Why do we want to get rid of the best system in the world? Who thinks we need to overhaul the entire system?" Apparently only one hand went up from the 150 – 200 people present in the room, so Les graciously gave that gentleman the opportunity to ask the first question.

1. "…people are going bankrupt because of Health Care…people who oppose it are offering NO plan" Les: "Not true that there are no alternative plans. One of areas looking at is competition…Competition equals zero…The federal government can break down barriers to competition, efficiencies/profits will be increased." Les went on to say that the "reason no competition is roadblocks the federal government needs to get out of way." And he pointed out the need for "Health Savings Accounts with catastrophic policy – Young People should at least have = responsibility (prevents bankruptcy and burden on society)…Portability: Insurance policy goes with you; not attached to your job." And "Tort Reform…OB in my family – she pays half a million dollars/year in liability insurance….For the last 100 years incidents at birth have stayed steady (attorneys also know, and will take any case to exploit tragedy)…Risk/Balance Ration is out of whack."
   

Les went on to point out that he was against this Health Care Reform because "It is not in the Constitution" and "It is not the Government's responsibility." (Much applause). Les also mentioned that he has travelled to England extensively…their Nationalized Health Care is causing too long of waits – so they make people wait outside the Emergency Room to reduce official "waiting times". He repeated his conviction that the "Government needs to get rid of roadblocks and increase competition…We as citizens need to get engaged – use our religious institutions and community organizations to help the poor."

1. Because of…doctors…catering to those who can afford this…poor people are dying in Emergency Rooms. Do you have anything to refute that?" Les: "One of the reasons people are dying in Emergency Rooms because we have an illegal alien problem. Dozens of hospitals have closed in California because of illegals…California's debt…because of illegals."
   
2. I missed much of what the next person said, but it seemed to be more a comment to the effect that "I think the American Dream is being destroyed socially and economically…$0.46 of every dollar the Federal Government is spending is borrowed."
   To which Les responded: "I agree 100%. We cannot afford this Health Care bill – costs for it are expected to be between 1 – 1.6 Trillion dollars. He then when on to point out that "other countries are taking our corporations because they charge them less or no taxes: Ireland and Hong Kong, for instance, are good countries for businesses, and Hong Kong is the most prosperous country in the world: When everyone has a job, you don't need social programs." The doctor on the panel then spoke up: "On the issue of people not being taken care of: People come in time and time again that can't afford care – they get it – they are being taken care of. The myth that patients are not being taken care of is nothing but a myth."
   
3. The next question came from a Doctor/immigrant who had worked in England under their socialized medicine. He eventually got to his question for Les, "America is a land of opportunities…not one size fits all…do you support that dream?" Les: "Yes, because that is the American way!"
   
4. "There has been a crackdown on Medicare and Medicaid fraud – how can giving government more to do…help…Do you have any ideas?" Les: "Regular audits of Medicare and Medicaid."
   
5. Next person was a retired military person…He never got to a question. He spoke of poor who can't get coverage and tax incentives for those who give benevolence service…Very few people who can't get medical care in this country…He spoke of a free Medical Clinic – private with volunteers…
   
6. Two questions from the next person. Can you document your earlier statement about the long waiting periods in England? And who will provide for the poor? Les: As far as the first question, personal observation – and you can Google it." And the Doctor spoke up to answer the second question: "Those coming from outside America to work say Americans are the most generous in the world."
   
7. Understand you want to give examples of other countries, but it is a shame that our elderly cannot afford to pay for their medicines and a majority of Americans don't have Health Insurance. What are you… Les: "Most Americans DO have Health Insurance." She then claims that 2/3 don't have appropriate insurance. Les said: "84% have Insurance, and 85% are happy with their insurance…We need competition in the insurance industry. She then said that competition isn't good, that the only thing working is Medicare and Medicaid. Then she added that the majority of us are NOT happy with our insurance, even though we are claiming we are. Les just had Dale go on to the next person at that point…
   
8. This young woman was 23-years-old, married and expecting her 2^nd child. She is uninsured, but did not go to the government aid to get help, her husband is working overtime. She is concerned about page 167 in the bill that says they will tax individuals like her who choose not to have "acceptable coverage". She feels infringed upon with this bill. Les: "The choices you have now will be taken away." The gentleman from question #7 yelled at him "Not true", to which the audience yelled at questioner #7 – "Read the bill".
   
9. A cancer survivor: "Our right to be able to choose…what comfort can you give me?" and "When I was on Medicaid I got punished for working." Les: "One thing I want to say about that – the government's job is to provide opportunity, not equal outcome – that will just bring everyone down."
   
10. "Our representatives are to listen to us…we must stop this bipartisan voting…we have to have a change in attitude in Congress." Les: "Absolutely, right. Elections have consequences…didn't just start 6 months ago…started over 100 years ago when politicians figured out could tax one group to buy votes from another." At this point Les help up a pocket Constitution: " signed a pledge to govern by it…We are human beings, we are imperfect, but we got her because of…constitution…rights come with responsibility…until we elect people who understand what's in this document…It's not 1000 pages..why do we want to go away from this? I do not understand."
    
11. "62,000 people trying to insure with this bill…yet could cover them with one fourth that cost and cover everyone – they really want government control!" Les: "Government is to promote the general welfare, not provide for it and protect us! … Socializing medicine…has failed everywhere else."
    
12. "America is great…and a light in a world full of darkness….Our Health Care system helps many people..how do you persuade those who have private insurance, but can't afford it…how do you persuade them that we need to improve what we have, not completely overhaul?" Les: "Events like this and personal conversations – not media!"
    
13. "Cancer death rates are much higher in Canada and England…How would my 56-year-old family member get help? Les: "Probably wouldn't (if we get this "reform") I was brought up to respect my elders – to take care of the very young and the old…"Type of people we are – we don't ration food and we shouldn't ration health care."
    
14. Another comment, not really a question for Les: "Only one part of medical care that is not controlled by government, and the costs have gone down. Do you know what that is?" (someone in audience answered "Plastic Surgery")
    
15. Will Doctors stand up against AMA and resign from the organization and start their own? The doctor answered: "Many have already left AMA. Medical students have to be part of it, but many doctors drop immediately…and many doctors ARE leaving AMA over this bill."
    
16. "The financial state of U.S….we're close to bankruptcy…if there was nationalized Health Care…What are your feelings about the National Debt? And I'm a third generation Hispanic – my parents came here legally – Are you familiar w/ E-Verify? What is your stand on it? Les: "The National Debt needs to be reduced – government has to reduce its output – need to reduce the corporate tax rate." And "The federal government's job is to protect our borders, but it is so bad now, need to implement E-Verify."
    
17. Question from two teachers: "Our health insurance is currently provided by the state – we are concerned we will lose benefits if Health Care bill passes. Les: A website with this information….One thing we have to realize is we aren't helpless…we have to remember who we are and where we came from."
    
18. How can we get info out there (on these plans) so people can get the truth? Les: "Heritage Foundation is one of the best sources."
    
19. Just an example this time: "My mother-in-law moved back to England when her husband died, but kept her insurance here. She came back to the U.S. had a stress test which found two of her arteries were blocked. 5 years later she is still alive."
    
20. What do you think of the Fair Tax? Les: "For it"
    
21. "Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness..What its all about, not what the government provides….Paul said, "If you don't work, you don't eat. Questions: If they pass this plan, what are our options? And "Problem with Health Savings Accounts – some lose unspent portion at end of each year." Les: "If it passes, your job is to vote the bums out…Reason I want to go to the House because that's where the money is…Health Savings Accounts are not a choice under this plan."
    
22. "Do any of the bills address tort reform or portability?" Les: "No." Back to questioner: "Afraid of public option – false competition – government will undercut private industries, and start rationing care." Les: "Agree."
    
23. Comment: "Believe our Health Care should be reformed…Congress should be forced to follow."
    
24. More comments: "Health Care is distorted by Government…Medicaid and Medicare both pay less than 100% of costs, causing Insurance Companies to pay more…Individuals can't deduct cost of their Health Care, companies can."
    
25. "I'm not an immigrant; I was born here….Blue Cross/Blue Shield lobbies in Montgomery to keep out competition…Why haven't Republicans addressed earlier?" Les: "Get rid of the 50 state Health Commissioners; make it interstate….You hire people who govern by the Constitution, not party."
    
26. "What's going to happen to Senior Citizens?" and "How can we pay for all these illegals?" Les: "Agree with you…foundation of all societies is a family – mother, father, children…Have to go back to the foundations of this country?"
    
27. "…Cost of medicine will become unsustainable in 25 years if limits not put on…cost control…more than 20+ cardio doctors here now and 30+ ortho docors here now (increased consumption) How can we afford unlimited access to medical assets? How will we pay for it? Doctor Ed answers: "At some point, providers, citizens, have to say, can't do everything for everybody…battle in Medical Community. We do Cardiac CTs here than can now reverse heart disease. It costs less than $1,000 to do scan. Blue Cross doesn't want to pay for it – though Heart Attack could cost $100,000 later….We have all sides out here tonight, we didn't shut anyone out here…"
    

    
     

    
     

Les: "Thanks for coming out. Whoever you vote for, make sure they believe our governing document is the Constitution."

And with that, an hour and a half Town Hall Meeting on Health Care ended. I was very impressed with Les Philip's thoughts on the subject, and the way he handled the questions. I was also impressed with the way the majority of the audience behaved themselves.

 

More on the House version of Health Care bill

I'm slowly making my way through this Bill… I wonder how much of it our representatives and their staff have read at this point!?!

Page 125 continues with information on the "Modernized Payment Initiatives and Delivery System Reform: (a) The Secretary may utilize innovative payment mechanisms and policies to determine payments for items and services under the public health insurance option."
(That part doesn't sound so bad, right, but later on the page it continues…) (b) …The Secretary shall design and implement the payment mechanisms and policies under this section in a manner that (1) seeks to improve health outcomes; reduce health disparities (including radical, ethnic, and other disparities); provide efficient and affordable care; address geographic variation in the provision of health services; prevent or manage chronic illness.
(How are they going to accomplish all of that?)

On page 130 the bill makes an interesting comment: "..the Commissioner shall establish effective methods that ensure that individuals with limited English proficiency are able to apply for affordability credits."
I have numerous relatives who immigrated to this country legally from Mexico – they took the responsibility to learn English very seriously. Why does the government need to take that away from them?

Then we get into State Medicaid Agencies: "If the Commissioner determines that a State Medicaid agency has the capacity to make a determination of eligibility…"
So, the Commissioner working for the Federal Government will be determining if State agencies have certain abilities? Does anyone else see a 10th amendment issue here?

On page 132 we get to another interesting part: "Access to Data-In carrying out this subtitle the Commissioner shall request from the Secretary of the Treasury consistent with section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 such information as may be required to carry out this subtitle."
So they'll have access to our financial information? Certainly sounds like it to me.

Section 246, Page 143 clearly spells out that "No Federal Payment for Undocumented Aliens: Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States."
At first I thought this meant that none of the Health Care bill provisions would be going to pay for illegals, and that may still be true, but the 10 pages or so leading up to this have specifically been dealing with "Individual Affordability Credits" (starting on page 128) Those pages are dealing with what income levels people will be getting help with paying for their health care insurance – so that is more likely to be the only portion they are clearly saying here does not apply to illegals.

On page 143, we get started on the Employer's Responsibility. On pages 144 and 145 the details begin: An employer meets the requirements of this section if (1) Offering of coverage… (2) Employer Required Contributions… (3) Provisions of Information… (4) Autoenrollment of Employees… On page 146 the Government informs employers that they will be required to cover at least 72.5% of the premiums for their full time employees and no less than 65% of their spouse and children. My question here is what about employers who cannot afford to pay those amounts, or to employees who cannot afford to pay the remaining amounts? There is an opt-out option for the employee mentioned on
page 148. It looks like employees will have 30-days to opt out of the insurance being offered by their employers…

So what happens to those employers who cannot afford to provide insurance? We start to get the answer on pages 149 and 150, where we see that an employer of a "large" company will have to pay an 8% "contribution" if they are not providing acceptable insurance to all of their full-time employees. Companies with payrolls under $250,000 will not have to pay the "contribution, and it slides up to 2% for up to $300,000 in payrolls, to 4% for up to $350,000 and 6% for up to $400,000.

Page 162 lets us know how serious the government is about this: "The Secretary may assess a civil penalty against the employer of $100 for each day…beginning on the date such failure first occurs and ending on the date such failure is corrected." Now, to be fair, they do go on on pages 163 and 164 to say that "No penalty shall be assessed…if such failure was due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect and such failure is corrected during the 30 day period… But they go on to say: "In the case of failures which are due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect, the penalty assessed…during any failures during any 1-year period shall not exceed the amount equal to the lower of 10% of the aggregate amount paid or incurred by the employer during the preceding taxable year for group health plans or $500,000."

And on page 167 we get to "Tax on Individuals Without Acceptable Health Care Coverage" In the case of any individual who does not meet the requirements…during the taxable year, there is hereby imposed a tax equal to 2.5% of the excess of the the taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income for the taxable year, over the amount of gross income specified in section…"

On Pages 171 - 173 we get the Government's definition of "Acceptable Coverage": "(A) Qualified Health Benefits Plan Coverage… (B) Grandfathered Health Insurance Coverage; Coverage Under Grandfathered Employment-Based Health Plan… (C) Medicare…; (D) Medicaid…; (E) Members of the Armed Forces and Dependents (including Tricare); (F) VA… (G) Other coverage – Such other health benefits coverage as the Secretary, in coordination with the Health Choices Commissioner…"

We start seeing more about how they plan to pay for this starting on page 197, "Surcharge on High Income Individuals: In the case of a taxpayer other than a corporation, there is hereby imposed in addition to any other tax imposed by this subtitle) a tax equal to 1% of so much of the modified adjusted gross income of the taxpayer as exceeds 350,000 but does not exceed $500,000, 1.5% of so much of the modified adjusted gross income of the taxpayer as exceeds $500,000 but does not exceed $1,000,000, and 5.4% of so much of the modified adjusted gross income of the taxpayer as exceeds $1,000,000." (Remember, this is on top of all the other taxes these folks are already paying!)

On page 215 the section on Medicare and Medicaid Improvements begins. This is an oft-touted section for "saving money" in this overall bill, but if it's so easy to safe money in Medicare and Medicaid, without disrupting the benefits, why are they waiting until this 1000 page bill passes to do it? Details that interested me didn't start until pages 228 and 229 when they start discussing Payments to Skilled Nursing Facilities. There is talk of "Change in Payment for non-therapy ancillary (NTA) Services and Therapy Services." Congress has decided that it its necessary to "increase payment by 10% for non-therapy ancillary services" and to "decrease
payment for the therapy case mix component of such rates by 5.5%." I looked up what non-therapy ancillary services include – drugs, medical supplies, oxygen, and those types of things…As a non-medical person, I read these types of things and wonder how we can just arbitrarily make these types of decisions…Are non-therapy services being underpaid? If so, who decided a mere 10% would correct that? Are we paying too much for the therapy portions? Somehow I doubt it! Aren't these the types of legislative decisions that will result in the closings of more Skilled Nursing Facilities?

 

More commentary to come…

My 1st Attempts at Dissecting the Health Care Bill

Everyone is talking about the Health Care Bill these days – but very few are reading it – beginning with those who may soon be voting on it. That seems to me to be about as effective as deciding a trial based solely on hearsay.

I'm not really interested in what ANY of our elected officials have to say about the Bill at this point, especially if they haven't actually read any of it – I want to know what IT says. I have found time to skim over the first 125 pages or so, and hope to work my way through the next set sooner rather than later. (10% down, 90% to go!) I figure at this point I've read more of it than most of those in the House of "Representatives"!

So, for what it's worth, here's my brief look at an incredibly complex bill:

I didn't have to look further than the title of the bill to get concerned about how realistic this idea can be:
"To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes."
The "for other purposes" may be the most honest part of the bill! But, besides that, how can we provide quality affordable health care for all AND reduce the spending – only through rationing! And yet they are all telling us this is not about rationing.

Page 15 Under this bill it seems fairly clear that the government is going to decide what is an acceptable Health Care plan, instead of the Consumers: "A Health Benefits Plan shall not be a qualified Health Benefits Plan under this division unless the plan meets the applicable requirements…relating to affordable coverage…relating to essential benefits…relating to consumer protection."
So apparently, we, the Consumers, are not capable of deciding whether coverage is affordable or what benefits we might consider essential.

Page 16 explains what coverage will be grandfathered in under this plan: "Subject to the succeeding provisions of this section…means individual health insurance coverage that is offered and in force and effect before the first day of Y1 (explained on page 14 to mean 2013, the first year of this bill's effect) if the following conditions are met: In General…the individual health insurance issuer offering such coverage does not enroll any individual in such coverage if the first effective date of coverage is on or after the first day of Y1…shall not affect the subsequent enrollment of an individual who is covered as of such first day." (So yes, if we like it, we can keep it, at least as long as we have it – just don't expect to change to anything except the public option.) And then it goes on, "…the issuer does not change any of its terms or conditions, including benefits and cost-sharing, from those in effect as of the day before the first day of Y1."

Pages 21 and 22 deal with Insurance Rates that will be permitted to be charged, and then with a study that the Health Commissioner will be required to conduct that looks at those who self-insurance. I was most troubled by the parts on page 21 that are telling insurance companies what they will be allowed to charge: "The premium rate charged for an insured qualified health benefits plan may not vary except as follows:" (and there are only 3 exceptions listed). While this sounds "fair" it seems like the first indication that the government will in fact be telling those "big, bad insurance companies" what they can charge us, "the poor, abused consumers". (Expected result: the government will allow insurance companies to continue to exist – until it just prices them out of the market…)

Pages 24 & 25 continue the theme of the Government dictating the prices. (Does anyone know ANY situation where that has worked well?)
Section 116 is entitled "Ensuring Value & Lower Premiums". I'm already nervous. It starts out by telling us that, "A qualified health benefits plan shall meet a medical loss ratio as defined by the Commissioner." Help, what's a "medical loss ratio"?

Pages 27 & 28 list the minimum coverage for these policies and then pages 28 & 29 seem to set the amounts that Consumers will be paying: "Requirements Relating to Cost Sharing and Minimum Actuarial Value" It begins with good news for Consumers but not necessarily for those who will be paying the bills: "No cost sharing for preventative services…"

Let's look at some of the highlights on Section 123 Health Benefits Advisory Committee, which begins on page 30: "There is established a private-public advisory committee which shall be a panel of medical and other experts to be known as the Health Benefits Advisory Committee to recommend covered benefits and essential, enhanced, and premium plans." Let's start there: What's a "private-public advisory committee"? And I don't have to be a legal or a medical expert to read that they just said a panel of "medical and other experts" will be making recommendations on health benefits. Medical and other experts? Now, who exactly might they be – and if they are not medical experts why do they have any say in what health benefits any of us might or might not be receiving? And by the way, most of the members of this committee will be appointed for 3-year terms by the President. Sorry, I don't see that as being the Constitutional right/responsibility of the President – this one or any other.

Pages 31 and 32 spell out requirements for the membership on this critical committee: "The membership of the … Committee shall at least reflect…experts in racial and ethnic disparities
(say what?)…and at least one practicing physician
(oh good, at least one member will be a doctor!)
or other health care professional (nope, spoke too soon, not necessarily even ONE doctor on this committee to make medical decisions!)…"so that no single sector unduly influences the recommendations of such Committee." So, of the up to 26 members of this committee, 1 may or may not be a doctor.
Then we get to one of the roles of the committee: "The Health Benefits Advisory Committee shall recommend to the Secretary of Health and Human Services..benefits standards…and periodic updates to such standards." (Remember this is a committee that may not even contain ONE doctor on it!)

Page 42: "The Commissioner is responsible for carrying out the following functions…The establishment of qualified health benefits plan standards…including the enforcement of such standards…(all this in the hands of an appointed "Health Czar")

Pages 57 & 58 "Goals for financial and administrative transactions…enable the real-time (or near real-time) determination of an individual's financial responsibility at the point of service, and to the extent possible, prior to service, including whether the individual is eligible for a specific service with a specific physician at a specific facility, which may include utilization of a machine-readable health plan beneficiary identification card…I don't even know where to go to comment on that portion, other than to say it makes me really, really nervous! And then it goes on, on Page 59: "…enable electronic fund transfers in order to allow automated reconciliation with the related health care payment and remittance advice…" (So who's going to be transferring money, and from where to where?)

Page 61: "…programs to provide incentives for, and ease the burden of, health care providers who volunteer to participate in the process of setting standards for electronic transactions…an estimate of total funds needed to ensure timely completion of the implementation plan…" (Another nice sounding idea, to set up electronic records – but we don't know yet what it will cost…)

Oh, and I just loved this portion: "There is established within the Health Choices Administration and under the direction of the Commissioner a Health Insurance Exchange in order to facilitate access of individuals and employers, through a transparent process, to a variety of choices of affordable, quality health insurance coverage, including a public health insurance option." Let's see, they promise us a transparent process, a variety of choices of affordable, quality health insurance, and a public health insurance option. Nope, I don't think we're getting any of those with this bill, starting with transparency!

Page 84: The Commissioner shall specify the benefits to be made available under Exchange-participating health benefits plans…" Again, where do we even go with a statement like that? And then
on
Page 85 we start learning about "3 levels of Exchange-participating health benefits plans: basic, enhanced, and premium…" There isn't much more about these 3 levels, at least not in this section.

Page 89: For some reason, the decision has been made here that: "The provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation shall not apply to contracts between the Commissioner and QHBP offering entities for the offering of Exchange-participating health benefits plans under this title." So, I hope the concept of FAR wasn't overly important to anyone!

And pages 89 to 91 explain the Standards to offer an Exchange-Participating Health Benefits Plan, including (1) Licensed…, (2) Data Reporting…(including information necessary to administer the risk pooling mechanism…and information to address disparities in health and health care, (3) Implementing Affordability Credits, (4) Enrollment – The entity shall accept all enrollments…subject to such exceptions (such as capacity limitations)…, (5) Risk Pooling Participation…, (6) Essential Community Providers…(6) Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services & Communications. The entity shall provide for culturally and linguistically appropriate communication and health services. (So apparently translators will be required…)

I guess this is where we start getting into the funding portion of this idea: Pages 109 & 110: "There is created within the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the "Health Insurance Exchange Trust Fund"… "Payments from Trust Fund – The Commissioner shall pay from time to time from the Trust Fund such amounts as the Commissioner determines are necessary to make payments to operate the Health Care Exchange, including payments under subtitle C…Transfers to Trust Fund – Dedicated Payments – There is hereby appropriated to the Trust Fund amounts equivalent to the following: (A) Taxes on Individuals not obtaining acceptable coverage… (B) Employment Taxes on Employers not providing acceptable coverage…(C) Excise Tax on failure to meet certain health coverage requirements…So, am I missing something, or are the taxes mentioned in A, B, and C going to pay for this mandatory Health Insurance? How big are these taxes going to be?!?

Page 111 mentions the role of states in Health Care – and seems to ignore the 10^th amendment: "If a state (or group of States…) applies to the Commissioner for approval of a State-based Health Insurance Exchange to operate in the State (or groups of States); and the Commissioner approves such State-based Health Insurance Exchange…(So states can participate in this game, but only if they play by Commissioner approved rules…)

Page 121 shows how payments will work under this plan: "In general – The Secretary shall establish payment rates for the public health insurance option for services and health care providers consistent with this section…"

Pages 124 & 125 have the disturbing news that: "There shall be no administrative or judicial review of a payment rate or methodology established under this section…." (I guess the Commissioner has the last word on all of this…at least that's the way it sounds to me.)

So, for what it's worth, that's what I have seen in the first 125 pages or so. And it's not that I don't think we could improve our Health Care system – I just don't see the government doing it, particularly through a bill such as this.

If we want to look at ways to improve our Health Care, why don't we start by removing the restrictions that keep Health Insurance from looking more like Car Insurance, that can be purchased across state lines, with less government restrictions? And then we should make Health Care Savings plans more accessible – why can't those be offered by banks, and insurers, and NOT have to be used in the same year? That simple change would make those more useful to the Consumers.

My latest comments on a Health Care blog

Health Care is not the same as Health Insurance even though so many use the terms interchangeably in these discussions. Several of my adult children do not currently have Health Insurance. That is a choice they have made. But they DO have access to Health Care. The fact that millions of people do not have Health Insurance does not mean they are without access to Health Care...

This bill consists of over 1,000 pages - over 1,000 pages that our Congressmen have NOT read (I bet most have not even SEEN it -- BTW, I have a copy of the House version sitting on my counter and I've started going through it) If you want to see it yourself, check it out on govtrack.us.

...This bill would increase the number of abortions in our country, it would increase the rationing of medical care, and it would decrease the care given to our Senior citizens, our handicapped and other weaker members of society. How can anyone think those are good ideas?

Additionally the supporters in Congress don't seem to be concerned about the high costs of this idea...Where is this money supposed to come from? This bill would put our economy into a downward spiral that we would be hard pressed to recover from.

And a final point of clarification: We are a Representative Republic, we are NOT a Democracy. Even if President Obama HAD won by an overwhelming majority - it would not make it proper for him and his liberal buddies in Congress to pass this massive Health Care Legislation.

Call to Action Notes for Tonight’s Mtg

A Call to Action: Pray/Process/Participate/Persevere

Remember: There are FOUR branches of Govt – Legislative, Executive, Judicial, and WE THE PEOPLE!

 

www.hslda.org A homeschool legal group – but great political info available for all, including non-members

 

www.house.gov and www.senate.gov (can get info on your Congressmen/Senators, as well as others)

1-202-224-3121 Capital Switchboard (can contact any Congressmen/Senators through this)

    I have this number on speed dial on my cell phone!

 

http://thomas.loc.gov and www.govtrack.us (can find info on specific bills, track specific congressmen and bills, etc.)

 

http://www.sba-list.org and www.stoptheabortionmandate.com and www.keepabortionoutofhealthcare.com (leading the fight against abortion)

 

www.cspan.org Can see live debates/discussions in Congress and more…

www.youtube.com     (Great place to see speeches various elected officials are giving, from CSPAN, etc.)

 

www.hsvteaparty.com Can sign up for their newsletter email list for local TEA Party info (Taxed Enough Already)

 

http://www.ameripac.org (American Political Action Committee) – good source of conservative information                

 

www.twitter.com (my favorite source of news/info) www.tweetdeck.com (my favorite way to keep up w/twitter)

(Where you can tweet me at: cmmjaime)

Stop Abortion Mandate Webcast

I listened to the Stop Abortion Mandate Webcast, 23 July for almost 2 hours. It was encouraging and discouraging at the same time. I took notes during the webcast, and have included highlights from the speakers. (The emphasized portions are my emphasis.) More information on this vital work can be found at: www.stopabortionmandate.com

I was a couple of minutes late getting on, due to difficulty logging in at the same time as almost 35,000 other concerned Americans. I got in just in time to hear someone explain that the current Health Care Bill could be called the "Planned Parenthood Bailout Bill", and then to point out that "Every American should be concerned…if not outraged…" If this bill passes in anything even resembling the current legislation, taxpayer dollars will be used to fund abortions while other services are being cut…Planned Parenthood is already included in the Senate version of HC bill…

One speaker pointed out that "There is no denying there are problems in the Health Care delivery system…but government takeover is not the answer."

"Phone calls ARE having an effect…Keep the calls, cards, letters coming."

MARJORIE DANNENFELSER, Susan B. Anthony List:

There must be an abortion exclusion in the Bill – or Abortion will be included (and will be funded!) Americans have been continually asked to fund "abortion on demand"

1.    Politically appointed bureaucrats have always filled in the blanks (like Obama's "Health Advisory Committee"), 2008 Candidate Obama made it clear that benefits should include abortions…

2.    4,000 unborn die daily… Why is Obama pushing for increased funding of abortions when more than 70% of Americans oppose. Answer: "He is a true believer"…He equates abortions to having a tonsillectomy…

    DR. JAMES DOBSON, Focus on the Family:

"You've been hearing a lot about Health Care Reform lately…but not hearing about taxpayer funded abortions included in the bill." The Health Care Bill will force taxpayers to pay for abortions…Almost every American will be forced into a plan that pays for abortions…How dare the Congress and the President try to force this legislation on people of conscience?...Many of our elected officials and our President are anxious to make it happen…Call your senators and representatives as soon as possible…Please join me praying that God will intervene…and will have mercy on our Nation and on our pre-born babies."

    DOUGLAS JOHNSON, National Right to Life Committee:

"The pro-abortion forces have been working towards this day for years…This bill would be a platform to extend abortion to all women…Some advocates complain that there are not enough abortions…At least 1 million Americans are alive because of the Hyde amendment…Congress is pushing that every healthcare plan must include 'essential care'…which will include abortions…Do not depend on the Mainstream Media for information…Congressman Tim Ryan of Ohio was allowed to misrepresent the content of the bill and our opposition to it…"

    FR. FRANK PAVONE, Priests for Life:

"If abortion is not specifically excluded in the Health Care bill…this will be the largest expansion of abortion since Roe vs. Wade…How? The fact of the matter is that the Supreme Court has significantly weakened Roe since then, as have some state legislations…One of the goals with this bill is to increase the ease with which abortions are performed and funded…Almost 2/3 of abortion mills have been closed since their height…Abortion being considered an essential health benefit will be funded in a way never been before…AND this will take away rights of providers not to perform them…The Abortion industry is hopeful that Health Care Reform will…this is their last ditch effort…

WENDY WRIGHT, Concerned Women for America:

"…the deceptive language that is already in this bill…we need to be wise as serpents when dealing with the Obama administration…It is NOT their goal to reduce abortions…Obama: 'Let's not get distracted by the abortion debate'…400 activists at the summit…Obama is committed to ensuring the abortion mandate is in the Health Care bill."

The word abortion is not in the bill, but that doesn't mean the bill won't increase funding for them…It is Legislation with deceptive language…It would hand over power to define and decide what will be covered…Who will decide?...Bill proposed this week claims to reduce abortions, will actually increase abortions…One main reason to oppose this bill: It will empower bureaucrats to decide who will get what treatment – who will live and who will die

    TOM MINNERY, Focus on the Family:

"Just after Obama was elected, Planned Parenthood and other groups gave him a wish list of what they want…They will reap the benefits of our tax dollars…Candidate Obama claimed he 'wanted to make abortion very rare'…but whatever is subsidized will expand…So this will cause more abortions…Congressman Mike Pence of Indiana proposed an amendment to ensure that Planned Parenthood shouldn't receive ANY federal money because of this bill. (The amendment failed on Friday, July 24)...34% of Planned Parenthood's income last year was from the government…

    KRISTEN DAY, Democrats for Life:

"This bill must include language which prevents money from going to fund abortions…There are at least 39 Democrats in the House who plan to vote against if bill includes abortion funding…"

CONGRESSMAN CHRIS SMITH, U.S. House of Representatives (from NJ):

"Some in Congress are trying to cobble together a phony compromise about abortion…Don't believe that Obama wants to reduce abortions…Please, Mr. President, give me a break…Pro-life amendment would bar funding for abortions…so far has lost in every committee vote…We will persist in spite of those losses…Both Pro-life amendments are straightforward…Passing airtight language is paramount…The potential for deceit is high, and we must guard against it…This is the big one!...Not since Roe v Wade have our children and our Moms been more at risk!"

Another speaker (I missed the name):

"The goal of the pro-choice movement is to include abortion in this bill…This is the big one!...We've got to do ALL the things mentioned in the handout…We need to confront our Congressmen and Senators during recess…Write a hand-written letter to each of them – put on it "hand-delivered"—and then take to their district offices…NO ABORTION in health care or health insurance funded by our money…"

KRISTAN HAWKINS, Students for Life of America:

"How would these bills ration care…This bill rations care, especially for those with special needs…Obama said in May 'the chronically ill, and those towards the end of their lives are counting for 80% of our health care bills…' Health care will be rationed for people like my son because he is less valued…A nationalized health care system will mean the difference between life and death…shows us the culture of death we have arrived at…Please join us in calling and visiting Congressional members…demanding that Health Care Reform not use federal dollars to…We must speak for those among us who cannot speak for themselves…"

    CONGRESSMAN JOE PITTS, U.S. House of Representatives (Pennsylvania):

"Will force us to subsidize abortions with taxpayer dollars…the biggest fight for life in decades…Two amendments have been proposed to Energy and Commerce (already turned down in 2 committees) – last chance to amend the bill before it hits the House floor…20 Democrats have sent a letter to Pelosi saying they will NOT support the bill unless it excludes Abortion!...we must speak out before it is too late…Abortion is NOT health care…Health Care is about saving life…Want to see an explicit exclusion of Abortion in any health care plan."

PEGGY HARTSHORN, Heartbeat International:

"The research arm of Planned Parenthood says abortions will increase by 30% if funded by government….Pro-life medical folks may have to stop practicing medicine because of the requirements to do or recommend abortions…Fear for women, and men, and babies…Abortion mandate is an assault on human dignity…"

MELINDA DELAHOYDE, Care Net:

"America is becoming more pro-life…Mandated coverage by Medicare would result in at least 30% increase in abortions, probably more…We want to reach abortion-vulnerable and abortion-minded women…If abortions are provided free of charge…what will that do this most at risk population…The lack of protection for right of conscience…When we lose those state laws, and we will lose them under this bill, we will lose a window of opportunity…"

JIM SEDLAK, American Life League / STOPP:

"Planned Parenthood is in a fight for their survival…Operators of largest abortion chain in the nation…They will be on the sidelines if they don't get abortion in this bill…Last Thursday they had a tremendous force meeting in D.C….did get themselves written into the Senate version…Another bill making its way through Congress this week…opportunity to let our representatives know that Planned Parenthood is NOT Wanted!...No money in this bill to be used by PP for any purpose….Up or down vote tomorrow on the House floor…Contact members of House tonight and tomorrow…want them to support Pence amendment (part of Health & Services)…take all $ away from PP (The Pence amendment failed the next day.)

We have to ACT!

DAY GARDNER, National Black Pro-Life Union

"…It is especially important to the black community…1939 "The Negro Project" – "get rid of black people" through abortion and sterilization…Killing centers are still purposely placed in minority areas…Abortion is the number one killer of black people in America!...Why do our taxpayer dollars go to support this racist organization?..."

CARMEN PATE, Point of View Radio Show

Bishop Jackson:

"Abortions will continue to soar…if action is not taken…Hope must be kept alive…Keep hope alive!"

Menendez on Health Insurance Companies

I watched Senator Menendez' Briefing on Health Insurance Companies this evening. I wasn't sure which side of the Health Care "Reform" issue he was on until I started watching the you tube video...It was a pretty good guess right at the beginning that he wanted the government to get involved, when he's standing there with a big chart next to him showing "Health Insurance Profits" from 2000-2007. I guess the chart was showing that they had made a 428% increase during that time, and something about $32.9 billion, though I never heard him address it, or its "facts", specifically.

Senator Menendez starts right out letting us know that "Truman understood the meaning of community...that we have obligations to each other to be part of the solution." Senator Menendez, the government is NOT community. If we have an obligation to each other it is as citizens who are part of that community, not the government interfering with that community.

Then the Senator spoke harshly of Private Insurance Companies and the fact that they "use their 'market power' to boost their bottom line...." ....As if such a thing is such a condemnation...

Then he points out that it is necessary for "insurance companies to be...more responsive to their policy holders." It made me think of our representatives in Congress, and how responsive most of them are NOT!

Senator Menendez then reassured us (or at least tried to) that the "public option is to drive competition" (as opposed to drive out competition...not seeing how that would work out, sorry!)

And he ended by stating that "If you like what you have, you get to keep it." I see. But of course he fails to tell us that page 16 of the 1000+ page bill currently in the House makes it fairly clear that we may be able to keep what we have, if we have it when all this starts, but don't count on getting something new after that, at least not from outside the Government. Did you miss that part, Senator Menendez, or did you not think we needed to know that?