tagged w/ healthcare reform
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President Barack Obama says it's time for Republicans who have attacked his health care proposals from the sidelines to step before the cameras and present their own ideas.
In the first major move to revive his health care agenda after his party's loss of a filibuster-proof Senate majority, Obama on Sunday invited GOP and Democratic leaders to discuss possible compromises in a televised gathering later this month.
It comes amid widespread complaints that Democrats' efforts so far have been too partisan and secretive.
The Feb. 25 meeting's prospects for success are far from clear. GOP leaders demanded Sunday that Democrats start from scratch, and White House aides said Obama had no plans to do so.
"If we are to reach a bipartisan consensus, the White House can start by shelving the current health spending bill," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
But House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said his earlier efforts to reach out to Republicans "did not result in any serious follow through to work together in a bipartisan fashion."
Obama told CBS's Katie Couric that he and the leaders of both parties will "go through systematically all the best ideas that are out there and move it forward."
Asked if he was willing to start from square one, the president said he wants "to look at the Republican ideas that are out there."
"If we can go step by step through a series of these issues and arrive at some agreements," Obama said, "then procedurally, there's no reason why we can't do it a lot faster than the process took last year."
Democratic and Republican leaders in Congress have differed sharply on most major questions in the long-running health care debate. Only one Republican voted for the health care bill that the House approved in December, and no Republicans voted for a similar Senate version.
White House officials said Sunday that Obama does not intend to restart the health care legislative process from scratch.
Many liberal groups and lawmakers want congressional Democrats to use all the parliamentary muscle they have to enact the measure that the Senate passed on Christmas Eve, employing rules that could bypass GOP filibusters to make changes demanded by House Democrats.
The White House has not ruled out such a strategy. But Obama's recent talk of inviting Republican input and extending the debate for several weeks has caused uncertainty about his plans.
A White House statement Sunday said Obama repeatedly has made it clear "that he's adamant about passing comprehensive reform similar to the bills passed by the House and the Senate."
Polls show that many Americans feel Obama and his congressional allies have not sought enough GOP input, although Democrats say Republicans have shown virtually no interest in seeking a realistic agreement.
Obama also is trying to address criticism of Democrats' closed-door negotiations that led to special accommodations for Nebraska and Louisiana senators when their votes on health care were in question. Some Republicans taunted Obama for suggesting earlier that health care negotiations should be aired on C-SPAN, and one GOP senator said health care would be the president's Waterloo.
Obama said the closed-door deal-cutting was not helpful to the process.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said, "we have promoted the pursuit of a bipartisan approach to health reform from day one."President Barack Obama says it's time for Republicans who have attacked his... more
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Palin is spreading lies about Health care reform:
-- Health care reform will include "death panels." No health care reform plans include anything remotely resembling so-called "death panels." Politifact.com called this Sarah Palin claim a "Pants-on-fire lie."
-- Democrats are trying to cut Medicare. AARP calls this claim a scare tactic aimed at America's seniors. Health reform would help save Medicare by cutting waste, fraud and abuse.
-- Democrats have accomplished nothing in Washington. In reality, Democrats have gotten more done for the American people in eleven months than George Bush and his Republican cronies did in eight years, including equal pay for equal work, expanded health coverage for children, investments in energy and education, hate crimes legislation and better consumer protections.
Progressives are sending this letter out:
Your lies won’t work. You aren’t fooling me and you aren’t fooling America. We know that you’ll say anything, make up facts, and deceive the public in order to scare people and win elections.
I’m going to stand up to your deceptions, scare tactics, and fabricated information. I’m going to fight hard in 2010 to make sure the truth prevails and make sure that lies from Republicans that pander to this fringe don’t stop America from moving forward and creating positive change.
Sign it at the linkPalin is spreading lies about Health care reform:
-- Health care reform will... more
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http://gothealthcaremovie.com
New trailer for the 91 minute film that documents the 2009 summer healthcare reform protests in the streets of Los Angeles.http://gothealthcaremovie.com
New trailer for the 91 minute film that documents the... more
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go to: http://www.studenthealthcareaction.org/ to learn more and join the campaign!!!
A Valentine’s Day Break-up
We are all frustrated with the current state of our health care
system. But despite the pressing need for real reform, over the past
year we've had to watch as real opportunities to pass progressive
legislation were squandered and lost. We've been waiting for reform
too long to remain silent, so this Valentine's Day it's time to say
what's on our minds.
No one likes breaking up, but sometimes it has to be done. For
Valentine’s Day the Student Healthcare Action Network asks you to end
your un-healthy relationship with a politician, an organization or an
official who has particularly disappointed you during this past year’s
fight over health care reform. We are asking all of you to make your
own short video about your break-up. We will be collecting everyone's
break-up videos on our website and using them in a special Valentine’s
Day action.
Express your frustration, sadness, feelings of betrayal, AND your
continuing commitment to real reform. Let everyone know that the
health care system is not going to fix itself, that we still need
reform more than ever and we won't settle for anything less.
If you want inspiration for your own videos check out our sample
break-ups at www.studenthealthcareaction.org. Then make your video as
straightforward, dramatic, ridiculous, sarcastic, etc. as you want.
The wider variety of videos we get the more exciting they will be to
watch. When you're done with your video, upload it to YouTube and
email us the link between now and February 14th.
You might have someone in mind that you have been just dying to
break-up with, but in case you don't we have included a list of
suggestions below:
The Democrats (for caving to every interest group, for letting fear of
election losses instead of best solutions shape the legislative
debate, etc.)
The Republicans (for putting political gain ahead of the good of the
country, or for spreading misinformation, etc.)
Your own Senator or Representative (not representing your needs or
opinions, caving to lobbyists, etc.)
President Obama (not putting enough pressure on congress, not giving
congress clear direction, taking too long to attack the lies being
spread, etc.)
After you make your own, ask your friends and families to join in!
This Valentine’s Day be true to universal health care, and say so long
to bad legislation.
Student Healthcare Action Network
http://www.studenthealthcareaction.org/go to: http://www.studenthealthcareaction.org/ to learn more and join the... more
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WZeinN
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2 years ago
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President Obama is still determined to pass a major health care legislation, and on Monday the White House released the $3.8 trillion budget which “includes $150 billion in deficit reduction over 10 years on the presumption that a health care bill will be adopted,” says David M. Herszenhorn from The New York Times.President Obama is still determined to pass a major health care legislation, and on... more
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Kjersten Forseth from The Huffington Post says that in order for our economy to recover, we must reform the nation’s health care system. She reports that, “884,000 families have been forced to file bankruptcy because of medical bills and over 44,000 people have died from lack of coverage all while medical costs continue to rise. Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcies and foreclosures in this country and health care costs account for one-sixth of our nation’s economy.”Kjersten Forseth from The Huffington Post says that in order for our economy to... more
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The California state legislature had two single payer bills vetoed by Schwarzenegger, but that hasn't stopped them from passing a new bill. Now Republicans must be getting worried because they are out in force with false information propaganda campaigns. The legislature seems relentless in getting single payer passed. As time passes more people are getting involved to support the bill and pressure legislators.
The longer this country goes without single payer, the more people will continue to die, the more will be added to the rolls of those without insurance, and the more will continue to be denied care even when they have corporate insurance. People will not stand for this over time. More and more are joining the fight for single payer. It is inevitable that a single payer system will happen. Any of you who work for the corporate health insurance industry better look at changing your careers. Your industry is going down.
http://www.truthout.org/california-senate-approves-single-payer-health-care-bill56521
"Despite a firm veto threat from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the California Senate on Thursday passed a measure along party lines to create a $200 billion state-run, single-payer health care system. The bill—SB 810—now heads to the state Assembly for consideration.
The legislation calls for the creation of the California Health System, which would be financed by using a combination of state and federal funds that California already earmarks for health care along with a payroll tax, the amount of which would be decided later.
The Medicare-for-all system would be extended to all California residents and individuals would have the opportunity to purchase private insurance to cover specific types of services not included in the government-run plan.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), closely mirrors what Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) had envisioned when he introduced an amendment last summer that would have allowed individual states to create a single-payer system."The California state legislature had two single payer bills vetoed by Schwarzenegger,... more
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Drs. Flowers and Paris refused to be marginalized in getting their message to the President at the recent Republican Issues Conference in Baltimore. Watch an official of the conference tell police that 'he doesn't want anyone arrested but they have to get off the property,' which in effect means they must be arrested if they don't move, and so they were.
They remained steadfast in repeatedly stating to the police and the conference and hotel officials that to move away from where they were would be to be marginalized. They insisted that they should be in position to be seen by the President when he arrives, or at least to speak directly with a White House representative to take their letter of concern to the President in person. Their emails and snail mail attempts had gone ignored by the President and so they resorted to this exposure.
They said the President had asked for all people to let him know if there was a better way to take care of healthcare reform. Drs. Flowers and Paris, representing over 100,000 doctors and 65% of the American people (as they cited) agreed that a single payer system (Medicare for all) is the one best solution.
Congress and the President have refused to even consider single payer. They have refuse to send it out for budget scoring. Amendments were written by Congressmen Conyers, Kucinich, and Weiner which were not voted on by the House. Senator Bernie Sanders was pressured with republican threats of filibuster to stop his reading of a single payer amendment in the Senate bill. Pelosi has stated that single payer is "not on the table."
The corporate healthcare insurance industry and Republicans continue their tooth and nail fight against even the slightest consideration (and apparently even Presidential or Congressional acknowledgment) that single payer (or Medicare for all) is even viable. Yet the majority of Americans and especially of healthcare professionals want it.
http://outinthestreetfilms.comDrs. Flowers and Paris refused to be marginalized in getting their message to the... more
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Two centrist senators Tuesday threw up a roadblock to salvaging President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, as Democrats agonized over whether to push forward or shift to idle until political resistance subsides.
Sens. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., and Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark. — both face re-election this year in Republican-leaning states — said they would oppose the strategy Democratic leaders are considering to reconcile the House and Senate bills and put comprehensive legislation on Obama's desk.
That approach involves using a special budget-related procedure to go around Republican opponents in the Senate, a calculated risk sure to inflame critics on the political right.
"There are no easy choices," acknowledged House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md, insisting that the goal remains the same: to pass far-reaching legislation that would expand coverage, reduce costs and improve quality.
Even as Bayh and Lincoln made their concerns known, House Democratic leaders reported progress in trying to get their rank and file to accept a modified version of the Senate bill.
Rep. Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, the No. 3 Democrat, told reporters he believes the House could pass the Senate bill if lawmakers get rid of special Medicaid deals for Louisiana and Nebraska and dial back a tax on high-cost insurance plans opposed by labor unions.
A week after the loss of a Massachusetts Senate seat — their 60th vote — cost Democrats undisputed control of the congressional agenda, leaders have yet to find their way on health care.
"There is no rush," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said after a luncheon meeting of Democrats that focused on jobs and the economy, not health care. Reid said he'll keep talking with House Democrats and White House officials.
More @ linkTwo centrist senators Tuesday threw up a roadblock to salvaging President Barack... more
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Things go better when you got balls. Proud sponsor of healthcare reform.
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WASHINGTON — Reeling from the loss of a long-held Massachusetts Senate seat, Democrats are rethinking the lessons of Barack Obama’s 2008 election, with the GOP cheerfully suggesting they scale back their ambitions and agenda.
Republican Scott Brown’s win in a liberal state will do more than vastly complicate Obama’s bid to overhaul the U.S. health care system. It will send his party into a painful re-examination of voters’ anger and desires ahead of the November elections for Congress, governorships and state legislatures.
Read the Full Story of Scott Browns Victory and His Acceptance Video.....http://ctpatriot1970.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/scott-brown-wins-acceptance-video-massachusetts-election-could-unhinge-obamas-health-care/WASHINGTON — Reeling from the loss of a long-held Massachusetts Senate seat,... more
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The 150,000 member National Nurses United, the nation's largest union and professional organization of registered nurses in the U.S., is criticizing the just passed Senate healthcare bill as being deeply flawed and that it grants too much power to the giant insurers.The 150,000 member National Nurses United, the nation's largest union and... more
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Talk Radio host Rush Limbaugh, considered by some to be the unofficial populist leader of the GOP, was rushed to the hospital yesterday evening while vacationing in Hawaii. Curiously, this is the same state where President Barack Obama and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are staying. I'm sure all parties are screaming "COINCIDENCE!" about this somewhat convenient travel plan between political opposites.
No doubt Limbaugh is receiving the best of care in the Queen's Medical Center after being admitted there complaining of chest pains.
But his plight probably did not have to go through all the complications that my parents and I had to go through.
See more at the following...
http://d2brutallyhonest.blogspot.com/2009/12/special-rant-on-limbaugh.htmlTalk Radio host Rush Limbaugh, considered by some to be the unofficial populist leader... more
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When it comes to health insurance reform, California State University, Northridge economist Glen Whitman emphasizes, "We have to make sure we don't just fix the parts that are broken. We also have to make sure we don't actually break the parts that are working very well. And it turns out that one of the areas that America is really great at is innovation."
Reason.tv's Ted Balaker sat down with Whitman to discuss his new Cato Institute policy analysis, coauthored with Raymond Raad, "Bending the Productivity Curve: Why America Leads the World in Medical Innovation."
Whether it's Nobel laureates in medical fields or the most important recent medical innovations, Whitman and Raad find that the U.S. has contributed more than any other nation, and in some cases, more than all nations combined. Whitman cites some key factors that account for America's innovative ways, and warns that if America adopts a more centrally planned health system we may not only innovate less but we might not know what innovations we're missing.
Interview shot by Alex Manning and Hawk Jensen; it was edited by Manning. Approximately 10 minutes.When it comes to health insurance reform, California State University, Northridge... more
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When it comes to health insurance reform, California State University, Northridge economist Glen Whitman emphasizes, "We have to make sure we don't just fix the parts that are broken. We also have to make sure we don't actually break the parts that are working very well. And it turns out that one of the areas that America is really great at is innovation."
Reason.tv's Ted Balaker sat down with Whitman to discuss his new Cato Institute policy analysis, coauthored with Raymond Raad, "Bending the Productivity Curve: Why America Leads the World in Medical Innovation."
Whether it's Nobel laureates in medical fields or the most important recent medical innovations, Whitman and Raad find that the U.S. has contributed more than any other nation, and in some cases, more than all nations combined. Whitman cites some key factors that account for America's innovative ways, and warns that if America adopts a more centrally planned health system we may not only innovate less but we might not know what innovations we're missing.
Interview shot by Alex Manning and Hawk Jensen; it was edited by Manning. Approximately 10 minutes.When it comes to health insurance reform, California State University, Northridge... more
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POLITICO has learned that Rep. Parker Griffith, a freshman Democrat from Alabama, will announce today that he’s switching parties to become a Republican.
According to two senior GOP aides familiar with the decision, the announcement will take place this afternoon in Griffith's district in northern Alabama.
Griffith’s party switch comes on the eve of a pivotal congressional health care vote and will send a jolt through a Democratic House Caucus that has already been unnerved by the recent retirements of a handful of members who, like Griffith, hail from districts that offer prime pickup opportunities for the GOP in 2010.
The switch represents a coup for the House Republican leadership, which had been courting Griffith since he publicly criticized the Democratic leadership in the wake of raucous town halls during the summer.
Griffith, who captured the seat in a close 2008 open seat contest, will become the first Republican to hold the historically Democratic, Huntsville-based district. A radiation oncologist who founded a cancer treatment center, Griffith plans to blast the Democratic health care bill as a prime reason for his decision to switch parties—and is expected to cite his medical background as his authority on the subject.POLITICO has learned that Rep. Parker Griffith, a freshman Democrat from Alabama, will... more
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UPDATED: Freshman Rep. Parker Griffith (D-Ala.) on Tuesday will announce he is switching parties to become a Republican.
An Alabama Republican Party source confirmed that Griffith, a Blue Dog Democrat, will make the announcement at 1 p.m.
Sources tell The Hill that GOP lawmakers in the Alabama delegation, including Rep. Robert Aderholt, began wooing Griffith several weeks ago.
Griffith occupies one of the most conservative districts held by a Democrat, but he replaced Democratic Rep. Bud Cramer (Ala.) in a seat that has stayed Democratic even as the South has trended Republican in federal elections.
Despite his vulnerable district, Griffith had yet to draw a top-flight GOP challenger. Madison County Commissioner Mo Brooks and businessman Les Phillip each raised modest money for the race, with Phillip self-funding a little bit.
Griffith has bucked his party on nearly all of the items at the top of its legislative agenda.
This month he voted against the Democrats' bills on financial regulatory reform, estate tax, and the omnibus. He was one of four Democrats to oppose healthcare reform, climate change and the stimulus package. The other three were Reps. Bobby Bright (Ala.), Walt Minnick (Idaho) and Gene Taylor (Miss.).
Griffith said in August that he would not back Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for House Speaker again because she is too divisive.
"I would not vote for her. Someone that divisive and that polarizing cannot bring us together," he told the Huntsville Times. "If she doesn't like it, I've got a gift certificate to the mental health center."
Griffith won the open 5th district by a mere 4 percent in 2008; Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) carried the district with 61 percent in the presidential election.
His announcement comes after four House Democrats in recent weeks declared they would retire without seeking higher office, Reps. Dennis Moore (Kan.), Brian Baird (Wash.), John Tanner (Tenn.) and Bart Gordon (Tenn.)
Republicans now view those four seats as pickup opportunities for the 2010 midterm elections.
Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) welcomed Griffith to the Republican conference via Twitter on Tuesday.
"Welcome aboard!" wrote the congressman on his account.UPDATED: Freshman Rep. Parker Griffith (D-Ala.) on Tuesday will announce he is... more
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asherp
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2 years ago
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Senator Sanders was forced to withdraw his single payer amendment after three hours of reading it (which Republicans forced him to read it's entire 700+ pages if submitted). He instead turned his remarks to the reasoning and overwhelming support for a single payer, Medicare for all type of system as opposed to the current system that he surmised only benefits insurance and pharm industry execs.
At around 11:46 in this video, he remarks that 45,000 Americans die every year for lack of health care due to our current for-profit system, a number he notes is 15 times more than the number of Americans killed in 9/11. That's 15 times more every year, he says, which is quite true. This would imply then that the American for-profit health insurance and pharm industries are 15 times worse that Al Qaeda, and this fact repeats itself every year. The Senator did not mention Al Qaeda. But his analogy implies this irrefutable fact.
http://www.c-span.org/Watch/Media/2009/12/16/Health/A/27367/Sen+Bernard+Sanders+IVT+Senate+Floor+Remarks+on+Single+Payer+Amendment.aspx
In a Fox Reality News interview he states he will not vote for the current bill in the Senate:
"Well, I'm struggling with this, and, as of this point, I'm not voting for the bill, and here's why...I am gonna to do my best to make this bill a better bill, a bill that I can vote for, but I have indicated both to the White House and the Democratic leadership that my vote is not secure at this point.
And here's the reason: when the public option was withdrawn, because of Lieberman's action, what I worry about is how do you control escalating health care costs? How do you give competition to the private insurance companies who are raising rates, premium rates outrageously every single year, whose whole function in life is to make as much money as they can? What a strong Medicare-type public option would do is at least provide competition to these private insurance companies and prevent, I believe, these large increases in rates."Senator Sanders was forced to withdraw his single payer amendment after three hours of... more
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The end game at hand, Senate Democrats appeared ready to jettison a proposed Medicare expansion from sweeping health care legislation Monday in a bid to remove the largest remaining obstacle in the way of Christmas-week passage of the measure.
"Democrats aren't going to let the American people down. We all stand shoulder-to-shoulder," Majority Leader Harry Reid said after a closed-door meeting called to discuss last-minute trade-offs in the legislation that President Barack Obama has made a top priority.
Liberals had sought the Medicare expansion as a last-minute substitute for a full-blown, government-run insurance program that moderates insisted be removed from the legislation. But it drew strong opposition from Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., and quieter concerns from a dozen Democrats — all of whom hold votes essential for passage.
Reid did not say flatly that Democrats had decided to drop the proposal for uninsured Americans as young as 55 to purchase coverage under Medicare. But several senators, including Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., said the move is probably necessary to pass the bill.
And with all Democratic senators invited to meet with Obama at the White House complex on Tuesday, that appeared a prime opportunity for him and them to declare their unity.The end game at hand, Senate Democrats appeared ready to jettison a proposed Medicare... more
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