Posted on 12/05/2009 8:24:47 PM PST by socialismisinsidious
The GOP Health Plan: Ways to make care cost less
NY Post ^ | December 5, 2009 | MATT PATTERSON
Posted on Saturday, December 05, 2009 6:35:12 AM by Scanian
Democrats have done a good job portraying Repub licans as health-care-reform obstructionists. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) gave the party line, for example, when he told Talk Radio News service, "There is no Republican health-care plan out there."
In fact, the GOP has offered several health-reform bills. And on Nov. 3, the party's leaders in the House unveiled a comprehensive reform plan, introduced as a substitute amendment by Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) -- which Democrats defeated 258 to 176 on Nov 7.
The bill, says Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), represents Republicans uniting behind "eight or 10" core principles.
One key aim is to lower health-care costs with, among other measures, medical-liability reform and the creation of an interstate health-insurance market.
Train Wreck in the Making: Obama’s Government-Run Health Care System
OK, WE'RE RIGHT! ^ | December 5, 2009 | Kelly L. Goodridge and Oscar De Los Santos
Posted on Saturday, December 05, 2009 8:20:48 AM by OK Right
It’s official: If the massive government takeover of health care goes through, Medicare spending will shrink. The Democrats are busy building a 60-vote consensus for government-run health care and on Thursday (Dec. 3), the Senate voted to pass its projected $400 billion-dollar cut to Medicare.
Grassfire email: "Healthcare Bill May Go Nuclear"
Grassfire Nation [alert@grassfire.net] ^ | Sat 12/5/2009 | Steve Elliott
Posted on Saturday, December 05, 2009 9:42:26 AM by plsjr
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) is warning that the "nuclear option" is being considered by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to pass ObamaCare...
This means only 50 votes would be needed to pass a healthcare takeover bill that would tax Americans to the tune of $500 billion, while gutting Medicare $464 billion.
Why Dems Are Obsessed by Health Reform
Wall Street Journal ^ | December 4, 2009 | JOHN FUND
Posted on Saturday, December 05, 2009 12:35:21 PM by neverdem
They believe the liberal base expects them to deliver and will punish them if they don't.
Voters are increasingly worried about unemployment, but Democratic leaders in Congress remain obsessed with passing health- care reform. Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin was asked recently if a health-care bill would pass the Senate by the end of this month. "It must," he said. "We have to finish it."
Comcast CEO endorses Senate health bill
http://www.politico.com ^ | December 03, 2009 | Carrie Budoff Brown
Posted on Saturday, December 05, 2009 2:12:49 PM by Maelstorm
The chairman of Comcast endorsed the Senate health care bill in a letter Thursday to President Barack Obama, saying, "We cannot allow perfection to stand in the way of critically needed and very good legislation."
Will Federal Health Legislation Cause the Deficit to Soar?
CATO via The Woodward Report ^ | Daniel J. Mitchell
Posted on Saturday, December 05, 2009 3:22:46 PM by honestabe010
The health care plan approved by the Senate Finance Committee is supposed to reduce budget deficits over 10 years by $81 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Similarly, the House version of health legislation would reduce 10-year deficits by $104 billion, according to the CBO. Supporters of these health care proposals thus argue that the plans are fiscally responsible.
However, enacting a $1 trillion entitlement program would greatly increase the burden of government spending. In addition, promises of lower deficits are a triumph of hope over experience. Government forecasters have a very poor track record of predicting costs. More realistic assumptions suggest that health legislation could easily push up 10-year deficits by $600 billion.
Medicare cuts focus of Senate health care debate
ap ^ | 12/5/09 | ERICA WERNER
Posted on Saturday, December 05, 2009 5:04:50 PM by mdittmar
Senate Republicans forced Democrats to vote in favor of cutting billions from providers of home care for older people as partisan debate flared Saturday during a rare weekend session on President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.
Obama planned to travel to Capitol Hill on Sunday to help Democrats resolve internal disputes that stand in the way of Majority Leader Harry Reid bringing the 10-year, nearly $1 trillion legislation to a vote.
To a Divisive Debate, Now Add Religion [Health Care Bill]
The New York Times ^ | December 5, 2009 | KATHARINE Q. SEELYE
Posted on Saturday, December 05, 2009 9:46:55 PM by delacoert
Should health insurance companies cover prayer as a legitimate medical expense?
The Christian Science church is seeking to insert a measure in the Senate’s health care legislation that would encourage private insurance companies to cover prayer and spiritual treatment of the sick, even though both the House and Senate turned down earlier versions.
Patient needs will be met despite cuts, official says [more socialized medicine]
Calgary Herald ^ | December 2, 2009 | Jodie Sinnema and Trish Audette
Posted on Saturday, December 05, 2009 2:42:29 AM by UAConservative
EDMONTON — Even though Albertans shouldn't expect to see a balanced budget by the new health authority until 2011-12, pinching pennies won't come on the backs of patients, says a top health executive with Alberta's health superboard.
"When they need the health system, our responsibility is to make sure the system is there to meet their needs," said Mike Conroy, executive vice-president of corporate services for Alberta Health Services. He spoke one day after The Journal detailed a presentation he made in B.C. that suggested Alberta could face a projected health deficit between $500 million and $1 billion in 2010-11, in addition to the current $1.3-billion debt.
Do obese people deserve medical treatment? (smokers, drinkers, hang gliders, homosexuals)
Tucson Libertarian Examiner ^ | September 15, 2009 | Adam Maji
Posted on Saturday, December 05, 2009 12:34:32 PM by Still Thinking
Faced with an “obesity epidemic“, that has dramatic consequences for medical costs, pundits have proposed different solutions, ranging from excluding obesity from health insurance, government-run prevention campaigns, higher taxes on junk food, or higher premiums for fat people.
The possibility of greater government involvement in medicine with the passing of ObamaCare puts this debate in a new light. If the government decides who gets money for medical treatment, the question of whether fat people deserve medical treatment will become a political issue.
Blue Cross Blue Patients (Another study predicts higher insurance prices.)
The Wall Street Journal ^ | 12-05-09 | The Wall Street Journal Editorial Staff
Posted on Saturday, December 05, 2009 9:18:00 PM by GOP_Lady
Another day, another study confirming that ObamaCare will increase the price of health insurance. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association has found that premiums in the individual market will rise on average by 54% over the status quo, which translates into an extra $3,341 a year for families and $1,576 for singles. The White House denounced the report as a "sham" before it was even released, which shows how seriously it takes such concerns.
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