Community | February 12, 2012 | 63 comments

GOP Senator Introduces Amendmant to Allow Any Employer to Deny Any Medical Coverage

source: http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/02/12/gop-congressman-introduces-amendment-to-allow-any-em...

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GOP Senator Introduces Amendment To Allow Any Employer To Deny Any Medical Coverage
February 12, 2012
By Wendy Gittleson
In response to the Obama administration’s requirement that all healthcare plans provide birth control, Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), in another effort to pander the 1% of the female population who have never used birth control and the men who want them to be barefoot and pregnant, introduced an amendment to the transportation bill (that’s right, transportation bill) that would allow any employer to deny any coverage on any whim. From Think Progress:

(6) RESPECTING RIGHTS OF CONSCIENCE WITH REGARD TO SPECIFIC ITEMS OR SERVICES —

“(A) FOR HEALTH PLANS. — A health plan shall not be considered to have failed to provide the essential health benefits package described in subsection (a) (or preventive health services described in section 2713 of the Public Health Services Act), to fail to be a qualified health plan, or to fail to fulfill any other requirement under this title on the basis that it declines to provide coverage of specific items or services because —



“(i) providing coverage (or, in the case of a sponsor of a group health plan, paying for coverage) of such specific items or services is contrary to the religious beliefs or moral convictions of the sponsor, issuer, or other entity offering the plan; or

“(ii) such coverage (in the case of individual coverage) is contrary to the religious beliefs or moral convictions of the purchaser or beneficiary of the coverage.

Think Progress goes on to say:

Under the measure, an insurer or an employer would be able to claim a moral or religious objection to covering HIV/AIDS screenings, Type 2 Diabetes treatments, cancer tests or anything else they deem inappropriate or the result of an “unhealthy” or “immoral” lifestyle. Similarly, a health plan could refuse to cover mental health care on the grounds that the plan believes that psychiatric problems should be treated with prayer.

Medicine does not have a morals clause. Doctors don’t refuse to treat people because they deem them to lead immoral lives. But for one moment, let’s imagine that Blunt’s amendment to the transportation bill became law. People who work for Jehovah’s Witnesses could be denied blood transfusions. Scientologists are against most medications. Some are religiously opposed to vaccines. In reality, any number of medications, treatments and preventative measures could be not covered because an employer simply doesn’t agree with them.

Just one month ago, Blunt underwent a heart procedure. Thankfully, he has appeared to make a full recovery, but an argument could certainly made that his employer (in this case, the US taxpayers) are morally opposed to the procedure since heart disease can be the result of an immoral lifestyle of gluttony and sloth. A more realistic moral objection could be made on the basis that his procedure, a heart stent, is costly and ineffective. Of course, there’s always the chance that his heart problems are through no fault of his own, just as there’s a damn good chance that birth control pills are being used for many completely non-sexual uses. It’s bad enough that insurance companies are making medical judgments, against our doctors’ wishes. Do we really want our bosses having the ability to deny us treatment as well?

Blunt’s amendment died without debate, thanks to Harry Reid, but not without more grandstanding. From ABC News:

“They won’t allow those of us who are sworn to uphold the U.S. Constitution to even offer an amendment that says we believe in our 1st amendment right to religious freedom,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. “This is a day I was not inclined to think I would ever see. I’ve spent a lot of time in my life defending the 1st amendment, but I never thought I’d see a day when the elected representatives of the people of this country would be blocked by a majority party in Congress to even express their support for it regardless of the ultimate outcome.”

Don’t look for the issue to be over. In an effort to distract voters from the improving economy, more Republicans will be adding useless amendments like Blunt’s, to unrelated and necessary bills…wasting their time and our taxes.

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/02/12/gop-congressman-introduces-amendment-to-...
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63 comments // GOP Senator Introduces Amendmant to Allow Any Employer to Deny Any Medical Coverage

  • bike10
  • SIBob
    • +1
      SIBob  
    • Image

    • If we leave it to the Republicans we will be given only one option when we get sick or old, die. Do they really think that we are all that stupid to stand by and let them get away with it, especially now in the years when many of us still have the wherewithal to fight them on it? Like I said in other comments, they continue to add fuel to the fire. They are so cocky, it's almost like they know something that we don't, (like contingency plans in the Homeland Security set-up to deal with widespread protesting and riots). Maybe they are going to build more detention centers and camps, (with "contracted-out" labor, of course). http://sibob.org/wordpress/

    • 3 months ago
  • hoosierdaddy
    • +1
      hoosierdaddy  

    • I've seen some data recently indicating that fairly historical numbers of Americans are leaving the country. Probably no connection, though, huh?

    • 3 months ago
  • dinm76
    • +2
      dinm76  
    • hoosierdaddy:

      The brain-drain has begun. Is it any surprise? You are 4 MORE TIMES likely to 'get-ahead' in life in Canada then the USA RIGHT NOW. Even higher in other countries. Until the rethugian/conservative/teabagger/fascists are marginalized out of existence and we are able to truly address our problems constructively things will not change.

    • 3 months ago
  • Truthitswhatsfordinner
  • PeteLeS33
    • +2
      PeteLeS33  

    • I think McConnell and Blunt need to reread the first amendment the way it is actually written, NOT the tea bag interpretation of it.

    • 3 months ago
  • LivingPong
    • +2
      LivingPong  

    • This crazy Amendment would allow providers to turn down any claim and make all healthcare plans worthless. What a flaming nut job! So how much did he receive in donations for this knock up job?

    • 3 months ago
  • mii
  • bike10
  • Timebandit
  • EmperorThan
  • cherry5000
    • +4
      cherry5000  

    • I wonder how senator blunt and his republican cronies feel if the taxpayers deny his government health care and his free checkups at bethesda naval medical hospital. I guess he doesn't tell his constituents that his health care is free.

    • 3 months ago
  • Ambill94
    • +8
      Ambill94  

    • “They won’t allow those of us who are sworn to uphold the U.S. Constitution to even offer an amendment that says we believe in our 1st amendment right to religious freedom,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

      But he supports the denial of first ammendment rights to those who disagree with him and his party? What a phony SOB.

    • 3 months ago
  • letsliveinpeace
  • Ambill94
    • +5
      Ambill94  

    • Classic Asshat move...these people are disgusting...we have real problems in this country and they are doing nothing but pandering to their bankster buddies,insurance companies etc etc. I sure hope the people are watching and listening to this crap and show up in huge numbers in spring protests and again in November to vote these incumbent bastards out.

    • 3 months ago
  • letsliveinpeace
  • Anonmaly
    • -10
      Anonmaly  
    • Image

    • Here's what's wrong with typical arm-chair pundits around here, though most won't admit it.... Maybe not exactly, but the same type of hypocrisy...

      This amendment would most likely never make it, and why there isn't a daily protest over; the signing of the NDAA and already using portions of it, the executive order allowing both Obama and the JSOC the privilege of assassinating whoever they see fit without explanation, the targeted drone striking of an American born US (teenage) citizen.... I'll never know...

      And this further dividing us into partisan groups, or perpetuating the idea that their is a difference, or reason to be so divided when both parties are simply extensions of the corporate power structure.... It's bullshit, there is only one party, the "Get rich of the backs of the common man, while making them believe I'm nicer about it than the other guy." party...

      Hey but at least we have illusion of choice, how nice of them, especially when you consider what gets done to someone when they offer real change.....

    • 3 months ago
  • jimstoner
    • +11
      jimstoner  
    • Anonmaly:

      For f##k sakes anonmaly. The Republicans don't give a damn if the things they are saying ever make it into law. They are saying them to get votes in the upcoming election. We all know full well they have been claiming things like they will overturn Roe v. Wade and then do nothing about it when they get there. You keep harping on about things Obama has done as though you think they won't be far worse if you get another Republican in the White House. Don't you think the Democrats will have a better chance at reversing all of this stuff if they hold the White House and the Congress? There has to be a new N.D.A.A. passed into law next year. Do you want Republican hands all over it too? Who the hell do you think passed the N.D.A.A., Obama, or a Republican Congress?

    • 3 months ago
  • joeredford
  • northernexpat
    • +6
      northernexpat  
    • jimstoner:

      Agreed. At least Obama signed an Executive Order when he signed the NDAA saying he would not allow people to be held without due process, as long as he was in office. Now if he could get clean bills without the GOP inserting poison pills into the bills you would see how much better things would be.

    • 3 months ago
  • hammywill
  • Truthitswhatsfordinner
  • northernexpat
  • Truthitswhatsfordinner
    • +1
      Truthitswhatsfordinner  
    • northernexpat:

      Sorry for pointing out what someone else had. I hadn't read the whole thread yet. I am very glad that he will not allow his administration to do this, but I am dismayed that he signed it into law as a future administration may not share his restraint.

    • 3 months ago
  • Truthitswhatsfordinner
  • FoosMaster
  • jimstoner
    • +1
      jimstoner  
    • Truthitswhatsfordinner:

      http://N.D.A.A.int

      And that's the first time I have heard anyone, other than myself, even mention Republican involvement. And do you think the President's Executive Order, or Signing Statement, or whatever you want to call it, forbidding the detention of Americans without due process would have been included by a Republican President? Not a chance. The provision in the Act that has got people so wound up is null and void as long as Obama is President as I understand it. Put a Republican in the White House in January and see how long that lasts. If the Democrats keep the White House, keep the Senate, and take Congress, then they can sign a new N.D.A.A.into law next year.

    • 3 months ago
  • Truthitswhatsfordinner
    • 0
      Truthitswhatsfordinner  
    • jimstoner:

      Signing statements aren't legally valid and whether or not a Republican would sign the bill into law and then promise not to use the tools I do not know. I can't count on political promises, but I have seen the devastation that comes out of a politician's pen. If your solution is put more Dems in office so they can repeal this, I would ask why it passed the Dem controlled Senate to begin with and why so many Dem House members voted for it and why a Dem signed it into law? It's a bipartisan stripping of American rights.

    • 3 months ago
  • MizzErin
    • +6
      MizzErin  

    • Really is AMAZING the lengths GOP will go to just to show what A$$holes they are! They like to complain about health care how it is not fair that everyone should have it... But it is totally fair for my employeer to chose what I have covered and what I dont un real... It is time all these people were kicked out and we restarted the whole MESS!!!!

    • 3 months ago
  • freecrack
  • warman1138
    • +9
      warman1138  

    • All the more reason to remove healthcare from corporate control and nationalize it and free it up for everyone. Medicare for all and f#%& the insurance companies.

    • 3 months ago
  • FoosMaster
  • Truthitswhatsfordinner
  • thedirtman
  • MizzErin
  • ilikeike
    • +4
      ilikeike  

    • jubal:

      The Christian conservatives just pay lip service to the rights of the people, they believe like some other groups i wont mention that they are the chosen ones and their undying faith gives them the right to claim this earth from the unbelievers for the glory of god. They dont feel sympathy with who they see as "others" that are doomed to hellfire for eternity anyway.

      sad but true.

    • 3 months ago
  • jubal
  • jimstoner
    • +8
      jimstoner  

    • Would this mean that employers can refuse coverage to any Conservative so long as they feel being Conservative is living an immoral lifestyle? The bible says a lot more against the Conservative attack on the poor than it says about contraceptives and homosexuality. You have got to get rid of these Republicans and their political party all together or your country has no future.

    • 3 months ago
  • Paratus
    • -6
      Paratus  

    • "...in another effort to pander the 1% of the female population who have never used birth control and the men who want them to be barefoot and pregnant.....". I didn't see anything in the proposed bill that would provide for this. Another lie designed to gin up emotion and detract from the issue.
      This sounds like a pro choice amendment. Religious freedom alone is enough reason to dump Obummers idea in the trash. This bolsters my statement, made often, that liberals are not into freedom but are into government control. There is no authority for Obummer to dictate this.

    • 3 months ago
  • jimstoner
  • LivingPong
  • yodasworld
  • Jpwhoregan
  • Milieu
  • Plue
  • rerushg
    • +3
      rerushg  

    • A political lead balloon and he knows it. Just another transparent attempt by a Repub to demonstrate loyalty to his corporate overlords and cinch a VP slot later with the Koch States of America, Inc.

    • 3 months ago
  • northernexpat
    • +7
      northernexpat  

    • This all out war by the GOP on women's health care has got to stop and stopped now. You will notice that it is men that seem to want to deny birth control. There is a reason why women where giving the privileged of giving birth. We are the stronger sex and can handle much more pain. No man would be able to stand 36 hours of labor. If they were the ones giving birth they would be singing a different song believe me.

    • 3 months ago
  • The_Wanderer_Kansas
    • +5
      The_Wanderer_Kansas  

    • http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/uscongress/a/congresspay.htm

      Those who make more then 5 times the average employee in our country have no right to allow this sort of thought even pass their lips. Those who have their own medical coverage paid for by the people of the nation they represent have no right to allow the denial of medical coverage of those people. Those who follow this sort of thought pattern should spend ten years of their life without coverage and get refused treatment even if they can pay out of pocket for it just so they can get a feel for what REAL people go through!

    • 3 months ago
  • jubal
    • +7
      jubal  

    • Being religious doesn't give you the right to discriminate against people. This is obviously an amendment sponsored by an OXYMORON.

    • 3 months ago
  • ilikeike
    • 0
      ilikeike  
    • jubal:

      The Christian conservatives just pay lip service to the rights of the people, they believe like some other groups i wont mention that they are the chosen ones and their undying faith gives them the right to claim this earth from the unbelievers for the glory of god. They dont feel sympathy with who they see as "others" that are doomed to hellfire for eternity anyway.

      sad but true.

    • 3 months ago
  • Conniepae
  • cmc101
  • scooter3282
    • +8
      scooter3282  

    • It's amazing that pols these days get elected to do one thing on Capital Hill and that is to obstruct any meaningful legislation from passing during the 4 years of an opposing party's administration. These miscreants can't possibly wonder why their approval ratings are as low as they are. But they don't care as long as their pockets are lined with special interest money.

    • 3 months ago
  • Leen61
    • +8
      Leen61  

    • I believe this will not pass, but the GOP has to pander to their nutjob religious base. This Blunt is such an asshole.

    • 3 months ago
  • joeredford
  • ZiggyStrange
  • joeredford
  • Leen61
  • cmc101
  • MSII
  • KB723
  • joeredford
  • KB723
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