Now There’s A Thought. Or Two…
By Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy on August 5, 2009 at 3:30 PM in Arlen Specter, Armed Services Committee, Auto Industry, Congress (House & Senate), Current Affairs, Democrats, Health Care, Soldiers/Veterans, Stimulus Plan, U.S. Constitution
(bumped up from yesterday early afternoon)
I just happened to catch this Tuesday morning, and thought it raised some interesting questions on the issue of health care reform:
So, why isn’t this man helping to shape policy? He sounds pretty smart to me.
By now, I am sure many of you have seen footage of the Town Hall with Sen. Specter and Secretary Kathleen Sebellius. And while the following video begins with some of that footage, the bigger issue deals with how health care reform would affect veterans and their families. Rep. Elijah Cummings (D) is on the House Armed Services Committee, and addresses this issue:
Feel free to take issue with some of his statements. One that jumped out at me was his comment about the “Cash for Clunkers” program. There have been SO many issues raised about that, someby me, including this: Congress expected the funds to last for four months, and they lasted for four days. This was a $1 Billion dollar program. If they failed to project how quickly the funds would run out for that, why should we trust they will do better with a FAR more expansive program in scope and scale, not to mention COST, like Health care reform?
Here’s the short hand: if they can’t predict how quickly $1 billion will go, how can they accurately predict how over $1 TRILLION will go?
Back to the veterans for just a moment. Good of Rep. Cummings to discuss this issue with his constituents who are veterans. Here is one veteran who has his own take on this issue (H/t to Logistics Monster for this video):
In case you are wondering what Article 1, Section 8 of the US Constitution says, here it is:
Article 1 - The Legislative Branch; Section 8 - Powers of CongressThe Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;
To borrow money on the credit of the United States;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;
To establish Post Offices and Post Roads;
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings; And
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
It is good to see with what the Congress is officially charged under the Constitution that governs this land. For me, at least, it helps to put things into perspective. Kind of like the soldier who spoke up did, cutting through a whole bunch of rhetoric. I think our politicians could learn a lesson from him on that score, too - speak clearly, speak plainly, and base ALL of your decisions with the Constitution as a road map, rather than as a stumbling block.
Better yet, maybe they should all wear bracelets like, “WWJMD?” = “What Would James Madison Do?” Or, “WWJD?” = “What Would Jefferson Do?” Just a thought…
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VERY interesting. Wow–I hadn’t looked at those powers since high school!
Also, regarding Safeway. Promoting good living is great. I bet this would be the best incentive going–gettng paid to lose weight (or said perhaps better, having to pay for not losing weight). I would just like to make sure that they aren’t being biased when it comes to hiring or figuring out how to legally let employees with “bad scores” go. Any info on that?
wonder if Meeeeeeeeeshell and the SG will have to lose weight?
Regarding Safeway - I have no idea what this guy is talking about.
I handle the health insurance for 3 companies. Unlike Safeway there is no Employee/Employer split (I presume he is talking about premiums), because my Employers pay 100% for their employees premiums.
Those premiums stay the same no matter what the lifestyle is of the employee and how much he goes to doctors.
Now, it is possible that Safeway has so much clout it can make a special deal with the Health Insurance companies based on how much the employees use the program and therefore it would be more cost-effective to be healthier. I think putting a dollar sign on behavior and doctor usage is what got us into the mess we are in.
Safeway then would have a vested interest in your personal behavior and would be unhappy if you got sick at all - like have an accident or get cancer.
I don’t want the government in my bedroom and I sure don’t want my employer and the health insurance companies passing on my healthy (or not) behavior or diet due to a dollar consideration.
Universal health care covers everyone everywhere without fear or favor. Go for it U.S.A.!
I take it Safeway “self-insures”. Meaning they hire an insurance company to administer their policy, but they assume all the risks. They pay-out claims and the administrative costs from the premiums collected. If they run into the red- oh well that’s Safeway’s problem, not the insurance companies. If they run a profit, it can go back to Safeway and the employees in reduced premiums and incentives. Most large health care systems, and some goverment entities, unions etc… run “self- insured” programs.
I am not worried about privacy. HIPPA and such cover that. The administering insurance company is still bound to those laws. What I would worry about with “self-insured” programs is their “nest egg”. Their ability to pay out a large number of unforeseen huge claims over a short peroid of time. Health insurance is regulated state by state. State “M” may require a self-insured to have a large sum of dedicated money set aside. State “A” may not. What happens State A if the company turns into an Enron or AIG????
I worked at a private University that “Self Insured”. It meant they bought a large group policy, paid the deductibles for College staff, and then paid out of college funds for any pr5ocedures not covered, or those that cost over and above what the insurance allowed. The person who did the negotiating for a policy annually, and supervised payment of claims was located in the College Personnel Department.
Thank you both for your input.
Self insurance isn’t an option for the small businesses I run and I keep having visions of mandated employee aerobic classes like the morning training clips I have seen from companies in China and Japan.
Somehow I don’t think that would work in the U.S. We can’t even keep P.E. classes in the schools.
Tricia, according to the last survey from Trust for Americas Health, Mississippi is the most Obese state followed closely by Alabama and West Virginia. Mississippi also has the distention of being the poorest state followed closely by Alabama.
I was raised in Mississippi, but now live in Colorado, the leanest state. The poverty in MS is appalling by any standards. Those who live below or at poverty level can’t afford to buy lean meat, fish or fresh fruits and vegetables. The food is MS is usually delicious. Like parts of Louisiana, they have learned to use spices in creative ways, but it is not health food.
Until the poverty can be eradicated and income parity established, it sounds a little smug and self-satisfied to advocate a system which would take away their meager salaries.
Call For Informants: If You Oppose Obamacare, Even in ‘Casual Conversation,’ the White House Wants to Know About It Redstate (hat tip FRH)
If you see anybody publicly opposing President Obama’s plan to implement a government-centric overhaul of the health care system, the White House wants you to report that person (or persons) ASAP.
From the White House website:
There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov.
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2009/08/obama-thug-adminsitration-spy-report-on-your-neighbor-even-their-through-casual-conversations.html
Wait.
Does this mean we can report them to themselves?
More from the land of oz
WH Hits Anti-ObamaCare Groups for ‘Manufacturing’ Anger
http://www.breitbart.tv/wh-anti-obamacare-groups-brag-about-manufacturing-anger/
Cash For Clunkers Protesters Forced Outside at Carnahan Speech
http://www.breitbart.tv/cash-for-clunkers-protesters-forced-outside-at-carnahan-speech/
“Manufacturing”?? Does it NEVER occur to these people that citizens are GENUINELY upset at the state of our country? That we are genuinely angry that our representatives are not listening to us?? I don’t think any of these people - at the Town Halls, at the Tea Parties, or other protests, are genuinely angry?? Oh, wait - if the did acknowledge that, they couldn’t so blithely dismiss their very own constituents…
And how abt that “Cash for Clunkers” program? Want to guess what the top-selling cars have been? I’ll give you a hint - only ONE is an American car, and it’s a Ford.
Thanks for the links, tzada.
It’s just that the”Cash for Clunkers” line appeared simultaneously in so many places so it seems like a Health Insurance talking point. As far as I’m concerned comparing Government Health Care to Cash for Clunkers, or the Post Office or any other non-health program is like comparing apples to oranges.
Compare it to Medicare which is handled pretty well.
Just in the planning/execution, Ellen D. That’s my point. If they so badly missed the mark with this program (”Cash for Clunkers”), how can they possibly oversee a program that covers tens of millions of people (Health care)? Their budget/timelines were WAY off, obviously, thus the comparison. Not so much to the content, but the execution.
I agree that the execution is key, RRRA. But heck, we have Medicare, we have other countries’ programs which have been in place long enough to learn from their mistakes. We are not stupid people. We can do this. Hillary had a plan and I bet she could make hers work.
Cash for Clunkers was a relatively new idea that was a one-off. We’re in the middle of a deep recession (depression) and tons of people are out of work. Who knew there would be such a response?
I’m cheered that that many people still have jobs and aren’t in foreclosure.
It’s a brilliant idea. The insurance industry/right wingers are telling a TON of lies about health care reform and it’s important to battle them. We can’t just expect people to be smart enough to know that they are lies, sadly people buy into their nonsense!
Think about it: The same BS claims the right wingers are making now are the same ones they made about Medicare in the 1960s. How did that turn out? Are they willing to vote against Medicare now? …
We need Single-Payer. The Public Option is a reasonable compromise. Anything less than that is unacceptable.
I agree fully.
So, Nony, why isn’t your hero even rigorously pushing for the watered down ‘public option?’ Now it’s health INSURANCE reform, meaning that getting CARE for Americans isn’t as important to them as making sure the INSURANCE companies continue to run the show. What a waste of ‘political capital.’
It is NOT public option, because it is not open to the entire PUBLIC. And there is some really crappy insurance company giveaways and big pharma giveaways in the rest of the bill.
And feel free to think that everyone in this country except you is stupid and gullible and has not researched this issue. I dare say that most of the people at those town halls have read more of the bill than Obama or their representative has. So who, exactly, is peddling the unresearched lies, and demanding they be swallowed whole without examination? Looks like the guy at the podium, to me, not the voters.
I just sent them, through their email, a scathing response. Everyone who reads this piece of crap needs to let them know in spades what Americans think of their asking Americans to spy on each other.
I hope Beck and the folks at Fox take this one and widely expose it.
I’m outraged.
RRRAmy, Safeway, REI and other companies ARE helping to shape the Congressional debate on health care, at least that is what my congressman told us last week at his townhall on health care, well before this interview on Fox.
Thanks, CG. The CEO didn’t sound like they were involved, unless I misunderstood, but if they are, great! That would be a step in the right direction. Though I still have real concerns abt the gov’t running this, and what the parameters will be (I won’t go on and on abt that now, but a lot of the issues raised, like wait times, quality of care, etc.).
Or maybe your congressman lied!
Just kidding - I couldn’t resist…
Dear Rev.- last night Greta did a story on Cleveland Clinic- a huge health care system that “self insures” their employees. Unbelieveable what they are accomplishing!! Free wellness programs, cash incentives for healthy behaviors, healthy food CHEAP! And the reforms within the hospitals- WOW. Cost saving measures that actually improve patient’s quality of care and make the hospitals run more efficently. What a change huh? Usually patients bear the brunt of any cost saving measures.
Sounds good. Why doesn’t the whole United States self-insure? I think it’s called Universal Healthcare.
By the way, I am looking for an apology too… for bailing out corporations, for the Fed, for invading a country in a war of choice, for setting up military bases in 40 countries around the world, for establishing health insurance for veterans (I approve) and thousands of other things done that are not in Article 1 - The Legislative Branch; Section 8 - Powers of Congress. just saying…
Questions: Oregon has state run medical care that includes Doctor assisted suicide, would the Obama public option cover this? Would it require private insurance to add this? If in the Federal plan would it require assisted suicide in every state?
Good question, waterstradt. I’d like to know the answer to that myself!
I hear ya, CG!! Great point!
Video: Oregon says no to chemotherapy, offers assisted suicide instead
http://hotair.com/archives/2009/08/03/video-oregon-says-no-to-chemotherapy-offers-assisted-suicide-instead/
And what is to say that care will also not be given to premies and other infants born with the need of million dollar NICU care. Rahm’s Emmanuel’s brother who is involved in the healthcare plan published remarks within the last 2 years that care would be on a Life Scale and those at the beginning and end (end beginning at 50) should not be given first preference in care dollars.
Some insight into the
ChicagoWhite HouseFrom Rolling Stone:
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/8091986/the_enforcer/
tzada, that is scary as all getout. Seriously - that is NUTS. And HOW is it that this guy has so much power?? Holy smokes…
dunno…. This site has been a life line, and you are among the best of the best. Thanks for being here for us.
Here are two good articles, I hope everyone will read.
It’s good to see some people in government striking back. We have to put aside race, religion and party and protect this land that has taken in the tired, weak and homeless and given them hope. We have given life and treasure for freedom and we now have an apologist in the WH who demonizes patriots and freedom lovers. Up is down, right is wrong and black or white should just be a color not a card in politics.
The RNC: Obama “In Denial”
http://www.redstate.com/jrichardson/2009/08/05/rnc-obama-in-denial/
Clever RNC Staffer Turns Democrat-Incited Mob Outrage Back on its Source
http://www.redstate.com/jeff_emanuel/2009/08/05/clever-rnc-staffer-turns-democratic-outrage-mob-incitement-back-on-its-source/
You are too kind, tzada - thank you so much. NQ is a lifeline for me, too.
And thank you for all of these great links - wow! You’re a wealth of information!
Sometimes I am embarassed to post so much. Wish there was a link to drop news items in for the writers of this blog to write about them. Researching is time consuming, I know I used to do it. That said I enjoyed it too.
Plus I am passionate about freedom and disgusted with Washington. Actually I am past disgust, fury is more apt.
Some people say, Americans cannot stick together. I say go ahead and underestimate our resolve.
What do you expect from Dr. Chicago’s Caporegime?
Maybe we should demand that all of our leaders take a manditory course in constitutional law. Could it be that Obama won’t release his documents because he happened to fail that course??? LOL!
Can someone help out here: I’m reading the House health care legislation (unlike most of our Representatives) and on p. 16 under “Grandfathered Heath Insurance Coverage” (link below) it seems to say that if I have private employer’s health insurance now (e.g. Aetna) but change jobs after Day 1, Year 1 of the coming into force of said legislation, that I can no longer enroll in a private employer health insurance plan but have to enroll in the State socialist medical plan, er, excuse me, “public option.” Did I just become a citizen of the USSA, United Socialist States of America?
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h3200ih.pdf
That was the point of the Investors Business Daily piece in mid-July. The first “Uh Oh” moment. Later, on a conference call with bloggers, Obama said he wasn’t familiar with that part of the bill. It was not Ozero’s finest hour. Point is Hillarycare was about competition. Obamacare is about control.
Look Here to See What’s in the Health Care Bill: CHILLING! Please pass this to your friends.
http://www.familysecuritymatters.org/publications/id.3815/pub_detail.asp
I spoke to, two different people on the subject of healthcare, one from Canada and one who’s husband is from the UK, two different people same nightmare stories There is this thinking out there that somehow this is all free or that we as citizens who ask questions are somehow Manufacturing Anger (a leftist phrase) Well it seems to me when it trickles down into your own life thats when it wakes you up, how many of those Obama votes are seniors or parents or doctors who will soon see it trickle down into there own life’s now.
Sorry for the OT but:
Jefferson found guilty on 11 of 16 charges.
http://www.wwl.com/pages/4946995.php
Thanks, HARP - that’s huge. Evidently they didn’t buy his claim that he was innocent…What is surprising is that it took them 5 days of deliberation!
So the RNC gave the DNC a taste of its own medicine? Serves them right for trying to squash dissent!
GOP turns tables on Democrats:
The DNC released a Web video early in the morning accusing the GOP of inciting mob activity at town hall meetings.
At the end of the video, the DNC instructs people to call the Republican National Committee to express outrage. Callers who dial the RNC’s main number to voice their concern about the DNC’s charges are told to press 1, which sends them to the DNC’s main switchboard.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/08/05/gop-turns-tables-on-democrats/
Hahahaha. Republicans used to turn my stomach! Now I find them very creative! Gotta love sending the angry calls to the DNC! Crap like that can win my vote and even a donation! These days, though, I’d be willing to vote for the people who actually read the bill and can show page numbers, etc. of the bad parts!
Anyone can write anything on a blog. These anecdotal health care personal disaster stories sound surprisingly similar. Government paid health insurance is not socialized medicine. Its single payer. Mix and match the best of the systems already operational (Japan, Taiwan, Switzerland, UK, Germany). Fashion your optimal model and share it with your elected representatives. At this point, it would appear, we know as much about what could work as they do.
Here is my bottom line requirement for a health care plan I will support: everyone in; no one out. Period.
The “everyone in, no one out: period” model was the basis of the entire health care system in the Soviet Union — you’re going to need a few more criteria than “everyone in, no one out” if you want to avoid having your lawmakers create havoc, or worse.
Here you go Amy, I tried sending you some things on your site. I don’t think they’re going through. I keep getting a refresh webpage/blank webpage when I click on submit after entering my info. If you scroll to the center of his page and enter just your name and email you’ll be added.
House Resolution 615
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Members who vote in favor of the establishment of a public, Federal Government run health insurance option are urged to forgo their right to participate
in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) and agree to enroll under that public option.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JULY 8, 2009
Mr. FLEMING (for himself, Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Mr. BARTLETT, Mr. LINDER, Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey, Mr. BLUNT, Mr. SCALISE, Mr. ALEXANDER, Mr. BONNER, Mr. LAMBORN,
Mr. LUETKEMEYER, Mr. AKIN, Mr. BISHOP of Utah, Ms. FALLIN, Mr. COLE, Mr. GOHMERT, Mr. PENCE, Mr. HENSARLING, Mr. PITTS, Mr. POSEY, Mr. MARCHANT, Mrs. LUMMIS, Mr. BRADY of Texas, Mr. BOOZMAN, Mr. ROGERS of Alabama, Mr. POE of Texas, and Mr. BOUSTANY) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on House Administration
RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Members who vote in favor of the establishment of a public, Federal Government run health insurance option are urged to forgo their right to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) and agree to enroll under that public option.
1 Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep2
resentatives that Members who vote in favor of the establishment of a public, Federal Government run health insurance option are urged to forgo their right to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program FEHBP) and agree to enroll under that public option.
http://fleming.house.gov/index.html
Re: Safeway. He makes no mention of how high the premiums are, how many plans the employees have to choose from, how high the deductibles are and what services the plans offer. So while rewarding good behavior sounds great we have no idea of whether Safeway employees are satisfied with their coverage or not.
> so Safeway does not like to hire overweight people and people who smoke; great lets ban or discourage smoking, I am sure the Republican’s tobacco buddies would approve; and where does it stop. will they not hire people with glasses next.
> what about the 50 mm uninsured; 25 mm under insured and those facing higher and higher costs from premiums every year; doing just what safeway does will not get one single additional person insured;
> preventive care is great and should be encouraged, but it will not solve the healthcare problems of the U.S.
> Safeway strike in California; was about the company eliminating healthcare benefits in the future. I think the real agenda here at Safeway is to eliminate the healthcare benefits of their employees, as they slowly take them away under the guise of supposively making people healther
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/12-04-2003/0002069727&EDATE=