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 The Senate HELP Committee moved a step forward on rationing our health care by voting down an amendment along party lines put forth by Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY) that would have prohibited the development of health care rationing methods. Senators Kyl and McConnell have introduced a bill that would prohibit the federal government from using "comparative effectiveness research" - a common tool used by socialized health-care systems to dictate treatment based on cost rather than effectiveness - to deny coverage of a health-care treatment. (Read CPR's White Paper on this topic.) |
Obama Unyeilding on Public Health Plan -- So Far
Sam Youngman - The Hill
With cost projections soaring and Republicans sensing an opening, President Obama said Tuesday that he has not yet "drawn any lines in the sand" when it comes to his proposed public health insurance plan. Obama, speaking during his fourth press conference from the White House since taking office, defended his plan and sought to shoot down Republican critics who say his plan for a public health insurance option would encourage employers to dump their private plans for cheaper government-run insurance, destroying private insurance. But the president declined to say whether he would sign a bill that does not include such an option. "It's too early to say that," Obama said. "Right now, let me say that it's our position that a public plan makes sense." Obama said the negotiations are "still early in the process," and he has "not drawn lines in the sand" other than to say the legislation has to control costs and offer a way for the uninsured to get the help they need. But Obama seemed to concede for the first time that some employers will opt for public insurance, a major criticism of free-market enthusiasts who see the president's plan as an inevitable step toward government-run healthcare. In trying to clarify his longstanding defense that those who like their plan and their doctor will be able to keep both, the president said it won't be the government that makes that decision for them. He appeared to be saying that, in fact, some employers will make that decision for their employees.
What Does the President's Promise "You'll Be Able to Keep Your Health Care Plan, Period." Really Mean
Jake Tapper - ABC News
Sam Youngman - The Hill
With cost projections soaring and Republicans sensing an opening, President Obama said Tuesday that he has not yet "drawn any lines in the sand" when it comes to his proposed public health insurance plan. Obama, speaking during his fourth press conference from the White House since taking office, defended his plan and sought to shoot down Republican critics who say his plan for a public health insurance option would encourage employers to dump their private plans for cheaper government-run insurance, destroying private insurance. But the president declined to say whether he would sign a bill that does not include such an option. "It's too early to say that," Obama said. "Right now, let me say that it's our position that a public plan makes sense." Obama said the negotiations are "still early in the process," and he has "not drawn lines in the sand" other than to say the legislation has to control costs and offer a way for the uninsured to get the help they need. But Obama seemed to concede for the first time that some employers will opt for public insurance, a major criticism of free-market enthusiasts who see the president's plan as an inevitable step toward government-run healthcare. In trying to clarify his longstanding defense that those who like their plan and their doctor will be able to keep both, the president said it won't be the government that makes that decision for them. He appeared to be saying that, in fact, some employers will make that decision for their employees.
What Does the President's Promise "You'll Be Able to Keep Your Health Care Plan, Period." Really Mean
Jake Tapper - ABC News
"No matter how we reform health care, we will keep this promise to the American people," President Obama told the American Medical Association on June 15. "If you like your doctor, you will be able to keep your doctor, period. If you like your health care plan, you'll be able to keep your health care plan, period. No one will take it away, no matter what." But today the president clarified that promise. It seems he wasn't saying "no one" will take away any American's health insurance - he was saying the government wouldn't. Which is not to say that the government wouldn't create a situation where such a thing would happen. "...Because what's going to happen is, as costs keep on going up, employers are going to start making decisions. We've got to raise premiums on our employees. In some cases, we can't provide health insurance at all. And so there are going to be a whole set of changes out there. That's exactly why health reform is so important"
Obama: Govt-Run Health Care Could Trump Private
Associated Press - Associated Press
President Barack Obama says some employers might choose a government-run health care plan over private insurance, a major fear of the industry. Obama told a news conference Tuesday that he can guarantee Americans won't have to change their insurance providers if the White House gets its way on overhauling health care. But he acknowledged that some employers might choose a government-created option instead of private plans. Obama says that's a byproduct of competition and that, without an overhaul of the system, Americans face a possibility of seeing changes in their health care for the worse. Critics say that's an egregious example of Washington forcing workers away from private insurance plans.
Health Care Critic To Speak At Jacksonville Forum
David Hunt - Jacksonville.com
Health Care Critic To Speak At Jacksonville Forum
David Hunt - Jacksonville.com
Rick Scott has emerged as one of the loudest voices in the growing debate over health care reform. He'll be visiting Jacksonville on Thursday at the invite of the Duval County GOP. His general message: Reform is needed, but keep it in private sector hands and leave taxpayers' money alone. Reform needs to reduce costs and do a better job taking care of the uninsured who are uninsured with a chronic illness. We have a good program for the poor - we could make it better - but there are people who can't get health care because of chronic illness. Politicians want to verify the needs of their constituents. They want to know what their constituents want. So people need to stay active and tell them.
A Conservative Case For Health Care To Be Made Wednesday
Warner Todd Hudson - Red State
This week, Senator Jim DeMint will give his reply to Obamacare and it is sure to be a conservative reply as he is being backed by several stalwartly conservative organizations in the effort. Groups like Americans for Tax Reform, Media Research Center, Americans for Prosperity, Conservatives for Patients' Rights and Tea Party Patriots will all stand behind Senator DeMint's presentation in the Cannon Building in the House Budget Committee Hearing room on the Hill this Wednesday at noon. DeMint claims that [his] ideas will help 22.4 million currently uninsured Americans get healthcare coverage at lower costs. It will be cheaper and faster than the Kennedy plan currently finding such a tough road of it in the Senate. DeMint says this plan will save $310 billion over 5 years with the tax credit voucher proposal. It will certainly be interesting to see where this proposal goes and if the media will give DeMint the attention he deserves. It will also be interesting to see if his Senate colleagues join him in his efforts.
Free Market Response to the ABC News / Obamacare Infomercial
Staff - Politisite
Based upon the tremendous work and the town hall meetings started across the nation by Amy Kremer and Jenny Beth Martin on the issue of health care reform, they have been asked to participate in the Free Market Response to the ABC News / Obamacare Infomercial. The event is scheduled to take place Wednesday, June 24, 12:00 Eastern, in Room 210, of the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C. The event is sponsored by Americans for Tax Reform, Media Research Center and the Health Care Freedom Coalition. The panel will be chaired by Grover Norquist. Panelists include Congressman Tom Price, Senator Jim DeMint, Doug Holtz-Eakin, Ph.D.: Why Government Health Care Is Expensive and CBO Is Correct, Merrill Matthews, Ph.D. (CAHI): Why a Government Plan Is a Bad Idea, Greg Scandlen, (CHCC): Why Mandates Are Bad Ideas, Victor Schwartz, Esq.: Medical Malpractice Reform, Rick Scott (Conservatives for Patients Rights): Grassroots Update, Amy Menefee (Patients United Now): Grassroots Update, Amy Kremer and Jenny Beth Martin (Tea Party Patriots): Grassroots Update. Senate Leaders Face Off On Health Care
David M. Herszenhorn - The New York Times
Harry Reid vs. Mitch McConnell: the Great Health Care Smackdown. Round 1. Ding! Mr. Reid: "This year began with so much hope. When we began the 111th Congress, I hoped the Republicans would leave their partisan games in the 110th. I hoped they would have listened when the American people reviewed their record and said no to the Party of No.... It's clear to anyone following this debate that our Republican friends are not interested in making difficult but necessary decisions to dig our economy out of this ditch and move us farther down the path to recovery and prosperity." Mr. McConnell: "Republicans and Democrats all share the belief that health care reform is needed. The question is what kind of reform it should be. Some have proposed a government-run health care system that would force millions to give up the private health plans they have and like and replace them with a government plan where care is denied, delayed, and rationed. This so-called 'reform' is not the kind of change Americans want. They want health care that's more affordable and accessible, but that preserves the doctor-patient relationship and the quality of care they now enjoy."
Public Health Care Option Takes Center Stage
Carrie Budoff Brown - Politico
Carrie Budoff Brown - Politico
Judging from the advocacy ads released in the past week, there's nothing else to the health care debate but the public insurance option. With the debate now stalled on Capitol Hill, the three mainstays in the health care ad wars -- Health Care for America Now, MoveOn.org and Conservatives for Patients' Rights -- are pressing their cases back in the states. Conservatives for Patients' Rights: Message: A government-run insurance plan would crowd out the private insurance market, leaving Americans without a choice of plans. Reach: The latest in a $1.2 million national ad buy running on Fox News and CNN through June. Tone: The opposition voice. An earnest Rick Scott, head of Conservatives for Patients' Rights, tells the "joke," and a narrator fills in the details about the effects of a public insurance option. Key quotes: "It's an old joke. I'm here from government, and I'm here to help. ... But it could mean taking away your choice." Smell test: The ad challenges an oft-repeated line from Obama and congressional Democrats that their health reform proposal would not disrupt the coverage of Americans who like what they have. But ever since the Lewin study, critics have cited its findings that a public option would put private insurers out of business -- leaving consumers without a choice. Again, the details of the public option -- if one comes about at all -- have yet to be worked out.
Obama Quiety Pushing Back Healthcare Deadline to December?
Warner Todd Huston - Red State
The folks at HealthcareHorseRace.com have discovered an interesting inconsistency with Obama's June 20 statements on his healthcare bill deadline and that posted in the "official" transcript on the White House website. As far as the White House website is concerned, the goal is to have a bill before the president by October. But in verbal statement reported by several media sources, Obama himself has said December and not October. So, what we have here is a hint that Obama might realize his bill is in major trouble and he is quietly trying to push back the expectations on his self-imposed deadline.
Public Plan 'Devastating' In Any Form, Insurers Say
CQ Politics
Obama Quiety Pushing Back Healthcare Deadline to December?
Warner Todd Huston - Red State
The folks at HealthcareHorseRace.com have discovered an interesting inconsistency with Obama's June 20 statements on his healthcare bill deadline and that posted in the "official" transcript on the White House website. As far as the White House website is concerned, the goal is to have a bill before the president by October. But in verbal statement reported by several media sources, Obama himself has said December and not October. So, what we have here is a hint that Obama might realize his bill is in major trouble and he is quietly trying to push back the expectations on his self-imposed deadline.
Public Plan 'Devastating' In Any Form, Insurers Say
CQ Politics
Lobbies representing the insurance industry said in a letter to Sen. Edward M. Kennedy , D-Mass., that a "government plan" option in any form would have "devastating consequences" for current health insurance coverage as well as for the budget deficit and "existing provider systems." Friday's letter from America's Health Insurance Plans and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association of America also expresses concern about insurance exchanges proposed in a plan developed by Kennedy that is being marked up by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
Obama's Press Conference - First Impression
Dan Spencer - Red State
It was simply amazing. The fog the mainstream media's infatuation with President Obama is obviously beginning to wear off. At today's press conference, reporters finally asked Obama some tough questions. Obama was taken aback by the change in tone. As a result, we did not see the smooth articulate teleprompter-reader we normally see. Obama was on the defensive as soon as his opening remarks were done and the questions began. Obama took questions from 13 reporters. Six questions concerned the aftermath of the Iranian election, two concerned health care reform, two concerned the economy and the other three questions concerned Obama's smoking, Latin America and financial regulation reform. Despite Obama's assertions to the contrary, his answers about Iran, were not consistent with what he has said previously. Obama's performance was not terrible, but was clearly his worst effort so far. Next time Obama should do more preparation. The honeymoon is ending.
Healthcare 'Discussion Draft' Raises Concerns over Quality of Care
Zachary Scheidt - Seeking Alpha
So far, it has been difficult to get any sort of comprehensive health plan through both the House and Senate due to the huge expense of such a measure. Originally, Obama had a July 31 deadline for Congress to get a bill to his desk, but it now appears that the president will back off this aggressive time table as a viable plan still has not begun to emerge. As of yet, there is no official word from the Congressional Budget Office as to how much this new proposal would cost, but the pricetag is expected to be above the $1 trillion estimate placed on earlier proposals by Senator Ted Kennedy and Senator Max Baucus. Not to be discouraged, Henry Waxman from California promised that the bill would be paid for through cutting expenses on existing programs and with additional revenues. Of course additional revenues means higher taxes. And higher taxes will certainly be a problem if enacted. The current economic recovery is still in question, so raising taxes to pay for such an expensive program as universal healthcare would be very unpopular and potentially economically dangerous. Unemployment levels continue to trend higher with the expectation now set firmly in double digits for the coming months. There is speculation of additional taxes on soda which seems absolutely ridiculous but may end up helping to pay at least a portion of the costs for such an expansion.
Relying on the Private Market
Robert Carroll - The New York Times
With health care reform, three objectives come to mind: 1) rely to the greatest extent possible on the marketplace to determine how much and what kind of health care to provide; 2) rethink the tax exclusion for employer-sponsored health insurance, a tax subsidy that has contributed to overspending; and 3) put forward set of insurance market reforms to ensure a well-functioning individual market. These objectives readily point to some broad policies, but policies that would likely take us in a different direction than the Obama administration.
'Public Option' May Be Highest Hurdle in Senate
Shailagh Murray - The Washington Post
The "public option" has emerged as the crux of the unfolding debate over health-care reform on Capitol Hill, an ideological flash point that has become perhaps the greatest challenge for the Senate negotiators attempting to reach a compromise that could actually become law. Even as senators make strides in reducing the emerging legislation's overall cost, the notion of disrupting the private insurance market by injecting federal competition has stoked passions on both sides and created the kind of wedge that President Obama and Democratic leaders had sought to avoid in the debate. On the left, the group MoveOn.org is running ads criticizing Sen. Mary Landrieu (La.), a moderate Democrat, for voicing objections to a government-sponsored plan. Former Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean will lead a coalition of advocacy groups to Capitol Hill on Thursday to rally for the cause. On the right, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has delivered at least 10 speeches in recent weeks blasting the idea, and has pledged unified Republican opposition if Democrats proceed. That could spell stalemate for the health-care bill in the Senate, where the minority has numerous options for obstructing bills. Private insurers warned in a letter last week to Senate Health Chairman Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) that expanding the government's role in health care would lead to "devastating consequences," including steep reductions in employer-sponsored health coverage. But in a news conference yesterday, Obama countered that a federal presence in the marketplace is the only way to ensure that all Americans will have access to affordable coverage and that spiraling health-care costs will be contained.
Grassley Seeking 'Bipartisan Support' for Reform
Ed O'Keefe - The Washington Post
Let there be no doubt: Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa) expects Republican colleagues to join him in supporting health care reform. Just how many remains an open question. As colleague Shailagh Murray recently reported, "The activist legislator in Grassley would like to affix his name to what he calls 'the biggest bill of my career,' and most voters in his increasingly Democratic state would presumably applaud him for it." He's seeking a bipartisan compromise on the matter and has emerged as a charter member of the "coalition of the willing," a group of four Republicans and three Democrats seeking common ground in the Senate. In an effort to find that common ground, the Iowa Republican said today he's in the process of holding meetings with colleagues not directly involved in health-care reform negotiations. The goal is to explain the process and take the Senate's political temperature. "For me, bipartisan support is very important," Grassley said at the end of an interview.
Obama Health Care Plan's Overreach
Lawrence Kudlow - The Washington Times
Why do we need President Obama's big-bang health care reform? What's the real agenda here? If it's really to cover the truly uninsured, a much cheaper, targeted, small-ball approach would do the trick. On the other hand, maybe the real goal is a larger, ultraliberal plan aimed at a government takeover of the U.S. health system. In a recent column, Larry Elder points to an ABC News/USA Today/Kaiser Family Foundation survey that shows 89 percent of Americans are satisfied with their health care. That means up to 250 million people could be happy with their plans. So why is it that we need Mr. Obama's big-bang health care overhaul? In a new Pew Research Center poll, just 41 percent of those surveyed said they thought the U.S. health care system needs to be completely rebuilt. In early 1993, when Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton started on health care reform, 55 percent said the system needed a complete overhaul. So something has changed.
The Unhealthy Accounting of Uninsured Americans
Carl Bialik - The Wall Street Journal
Congressional debate over health care hinges on numbers projected a decade forward to make sure the plan can be paid for. But it's hard enough pinning down today's numbers. The Census Bureau estimates that the number of uninsured amounts to 45.7 million people. But the agency might be overcounting by millions due to faulty assumptions. Another problem: That 45.7 million figure includes undocumented immigrants, even though they aren't likely to be covered under new laws.
Obama Open to Health Overhaul Without Public Plan
Laura Meckler and Greg Hitt - The Wall Street Journal
President Barack Obama on Tuesday signaled flexibility on a key health-care issue, suggesting he is open to an overhaul that doesn't include a government-run program to compete with private insurers. At a White House news conference, Mr. Obama said he hasn't laid down any absolutes about what must be included in health-care legislation except that it must control costs and help those without insurance or with inadequate coverage. "We are still early in this process, so, you know, we have not drawn lines in the sand," he said at his fourth White House news conference.
The Unhealthy Accounting of Uninsured Americans
Carl Bialik - The Wall Street Journal
Congressional debate over health care hinges on numbers projected a decade forward to make sure the plan can be paid for. But it's hard enough pinning down today's numbers. The Census Bureau estimates that the number of uninsured amounts to 45.7 million people. But the agency might be overcounting by millions due to faulty assumptions. Another problem: That 45.7 million figure includes undocumented immigrants, even though they aren't likely to be covered under new laws.
Obama Open to Health Overhaul Without Public Plan
Laura Meckler and Greg Hitt - The Wall Street Journal
President Barack Obama on Tuesday signaled flexibility on a key health-care issue, suggesting he is open to an overhaul that doesn't include a government-run program to compete with private insurers. At a White House news conference, Mr. Obama said he hasn't laid down any absolutes about what must be included in health-care legislation except that it must control costs and help those without insurance or with inadequate coverage. "We are still early in this process, so, you know, we have not drawn lines in the sand," he said at his fourth White House news conference.