Texas Insider

11:58 am CST - August 04, 2009

Democrats Walk Careful Line on Healthcare

Many lawmakers head home for their August recess to face constituents skeptical of Congress’ overhaul plans. For Democrats in conservative districts, this could be a tough sell.

By Janet Hook, L.A. Times

Washington,DC — Democratic leaders are arming their rank and file for conversations with constituents. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, met with first- and second-term lawmakers recently to brief them on the issue. His political advice: Define the issue yourself — before your opponents do it for you.

Critics, including some Democrats, fear the government plan could dominate the market and undercut private options. Hospitals in rural areas are especially fearful that a new reimbursement system would not adequately cover their costs.

Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.) is in a tough spot when it comes to overhauling the nation’s healthcare system. Major hospitals in his largely rural district have told him the bill pending in the House would cripple them financially. But Boucher also believes that the need for change is painfully obvious: When a free medical clinic was offered in a remote area of his district, some 2,700 people showed up.

“It put an exclamation point on the fact that we have 47 million uninsured Americans,” said Boucher, who was one of five Democrats to vote against the bill when the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved it Friday night, setting the stage for a House vote in the fall.

“But there are clear practical problems for rural areas. This is not about philosophy. It’s about the survival of hospitals.”

Those political cross-pressures were evident when President Obama visited Boucher’s district last week: There were demonstrators outside the event both supporting and protesting Democrats’ plans to overhaul the nation’s healthcare system.

During the August congressional recess, Democrats from across the country expect to be buffeted by those same cross-currents. Their meetings with constituents are sure to be dominated by the far-reaching healthcare legislation emerging from House and Senate committees.

The bill, which took a big step forward with the Friday committee vote, is designed to expand health coverage for the poor, cut costs, and improve coverage for people who already have insurance. It would also raise taxes on high-income people, mandate that businesses with more than $500,000 a year in revenue provide health insurance for their employees, and establish a government-sponsored health insurance option.

Though Obama owed his 2008 election in part to his pointed critique of the healthcare system — and many congressional Democrats won their seats on his coattails — the issue now is a political live wire, and Democrats are treading gingerly.

“We are getting thousands of phone calls and e-mails, many deeply angry,” said Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.). “Some want to do nothing, others want to do everything. We can’t distinguish between what is just grumbling about change and what is a precursor of an earthquake.”

For some politicians, the choice is simple: In Flint, Mich., unemployment is close to 30%, and Democratic Rep. Dale E. Kildee embraces government efforts to help cover the uninsured.

Republicans and other critics portray Obama’s plan as a federal takeover of medicine, making it a much riskier issue for Democrats in more conservative districts. That includes the many Democrats elected in Republican-leaning districts in the 2006 and 2008 elections and the Blue Dog coalition of fiscal conservatives. That wing of the Democratic Party has bargained hard for concessions to help small businesses and rural areas, and to reduce the overall cost of the bill.

Rep. Allen Boyd, a Blue Dog leader, represents a district in northern Florida that exemplifies the mixed audiences that swing Democrats will play to: It stretches from conservative Panama City to Tallahassee, the more liberal state capital with a big academic community. “I plan to have a lot of town hall meetings,” Boyd said. “The discussions will be spirited.”

Another reason the issue is politically fraught: Healthcare touches virtually every constituent and interest group directly, unlike more abstract issues like global warming. And though 47 million people have no health insurance, most Americans do. Voters may have responded well to the general idea of improving healthcare during the 2008 campaign, but many are less sanguine about the legislation’s effect on them as Congress begins to fill in the details.

A new poll by the Pew Research Center documented both the high level of voter interest and growing reservations about the legislation. Nearly a third of those surveyed said the healthcare debate was the most important story they were following in the news — far more than the 19% who cited the economy.

But more Americans oppose than favor the proposals before Congress, 44% to 38%, the poll found. Opinions break sharply along partisan lines. But among independent voters, the trends are not encouraging for Obama: Independents who said they have heard a lot about the bills in Congress oppose them by 70% to 27%, Pew found.

Many congressional Democrats expect to spend a lot of this recess helping their constituents understand the pending proposals, as well as the current healthcare system, because both are so complex and so little understood.

Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.) says the many senior citizens and military veterans in his district are already enjoying the benefit of federal health programs, but some hardly seem to realize it. He cites an 80-year-old man who told him to “keep the government out of healthcare” — even though Medicare had paid for his successful heart surgery 15 years ago.

Altmire, one of only three Democrats who voted against the healthcare bill in the House Education and Labor Committee, said the cost-cutting changes made last week in negotiations with conservative Blue Dogs would help make it easier for him to sell the legislation in his district, a GOP-leaning region he won from a Republican incumbent in 2006.

15 Comments

CWJensen
1:23 pm CST
August 04, 2009

My healthcare reply from John Cornyn………………I was PLEASANTLY SURPRISED

Thank you for contacting me about efforts to reform our nation’s healthcare system. The American healthcare system faces a myriad of complex challenges: rising medical and prescription drug costs, a lack of stable insurance coverage, and a medical bureaucracy that is increasingly difficult to navigate. I appreciate having the benefit of your comments on this important issue.

I am well acquainted with the frustration of many Americans struggling to meet their healthcare needs within the current cumbersome system, and I understand the urgency to implement sound revisions. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), spending on health care will account for nearly 17 percent of Gross Domestic Product in 2009—totaling as much as $2.6 trillion. Health care costs have more than doubled over the last ten years and far outpaced wage growth, and I believe that meaningful health care reform is very important. However, I believe reform can be achieved by lowering the cost of health care without spending more money and without giving Washington more control over the decisions of doctors and patients.

Health care affects every American and I believe we need to take the time to listen to the patients, providers, families, and small businesses who will be significantly impacted. America has a highly complicated system and it is important to ensure that changes are thoroughly considered and not hastily passed by Congress. It may interest you to learn, that I am helping lead a Senate health reform working group that meets regularly to discuss the most pressing areas for reform in our nation’s healthcare system. It is important that Americans have access to affordable health insurance and therefore, I believe we must reform our healthcare system, emphasizing individual choice and trusting patients, their families, and their doctors—not lawyers or bureaucrats—to make health maintenance and treatment decisions. I am committed to improving access to quality, affordable health care, and you may be certain that I will keep your views in mind as I work my congressional colleagues, as a member of the Senate Finance Committee, to address this critical issue.

As Congress works to reform our healthcare system, I will adamantly oppose the creation of a Washington-run government health insurance plan, which I believe is unequivocally a gateway to a single-payer system. I believe that a new government-run health insurance plan will devastate private insurance markets by acting as a competitor, regulator, and funder. Independent estimates have found that such a plan could result in 118 million Americans losing their current health benefits, and leave 130 million Americans to rely on a government-run health care plan. Additionally, I cannot support punitive health benefit taxes on small businesses, which will hurt wages and jobs.

Successful health care reform will put patients in charge, and improve the insurance system so that providers will compete for their business by delivering high quality care at affordable prices. I appreciate having the opportunity to represent the interests of Texans in the United States Senate. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.

Sincerely,

JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator

SJK
6:04 pm CST
August 04, 2009

Wow! That is another one in Senator’s Cornyn’s favor! I hope he is true to his word—we need someone from Texas with backbone to stand up for us in DC.

Our Republican Representatives and Senators need to know there is something sneaky going on with the House Democrats—it might be going on in the Senate too, but since they have to vote on this healthcare bill in the Houlse first, it is probably in the House. There was some news on the Hannity program yesterday about the House Democrats going ahead and voting on the healthcare bill when they return from vacation and not bringing the Republicans in on that vote. It was reported that they could get this bill passed with 50 votes! So, when they come back they might pull a fast one! All the Republicans need to be told that this could be a possibility! Guess we should start calling the ones that we can get in touch with and see if there is anything to that.

MC Montgomery
6:36 pm CST
August 04, 2009

Bravo Senator Cornyn for standing strong against the Obama/Democrat push to take over more control of this country and every aspect of our lives! I received the same reply from him and greatly appreciated his opposition to this monstrosity that will cost $1.5 trillion we do not have and put the government in control of our health care and our health care decisions. We DO NOT want or need socialized medicine in America. For those of you who are concerned about what this government takeover of our healthcare system will do to you, your loved ones, especially those 65 and over and those with chronic or serious illnesses, then you will have an opportunity to let your voice be heard on Saturday, Aug 22. There will be nationwide “Recess Rally” at the district offices of all the House Representatives at 12:00 Noon. Those opposed are gathering across the country to make their feelings heard and to sign petitions against it. If you are interested in joining others in this effort go to the Official Recess Rally Website – http://www.recessrally.com. Michelle Malkin has joined the coalition along with Smart Girl Politics, American Liberty Alliance, American Majority, the Sam Adams Alliance, Americans for Limited Government, Freedom Works, and RedState.com. And, the coalition is expected to grow in the coming weeks. Remember that silence is consent.

anna Sentari
6:45 pm CST
August 04, 2009

If you notice he says he cannot support a ‘Washington-run’ not ‘government run’. It’s going to be run out of the state governments or outside of the city of Washington DC, but run by government it will – from that letter you can see how he words it carefully to get around the truth and Cornyn will have skirted around the issue to your liking. The only time he says ‘government run’ is when he is talking about the results, but he specifically says he won’t support a ‘Washington-run’ one. Word games.

Why does anyone even listen to this idiot any longer – they say what you want to hear but hope you don’t hear what they are really saying.

CWJensen
8:08 pm CST
August 04, 2009

I take what is said observe what happens and react when it counts……………….Remember Anna he is withus for 5 more years better he represents us during that time.

a dumas
8:35 pm CST
August 04, 2009

We’ve let him hear our opinions, Anna, now let’s see how he votes. I’m of the opinion that you might have read a bit too much into this letter. I received the same response, and a similar one dealing with climate change. I feel confident that Cornyn will do what’s right – for Texas and for America. If it happens to help his (2012) re-election, then so be it. If he crawfishes, we can hit him where it hurts.

Speaking of ‘word games’, notice the Democrats shift to attacking private insurance as evil, rather than promoting more coverage, cost savings and better care. I guess the balance sheet plan wasn’t working so well, since so many of their numbers weren’t adding up. We all know how facts confuse these liberals.

a dumas
8:40 pm CST
August 04, 2009

sorry, that’s 2014 for Cornyn. KBH is up in 2012, but she’s bailing on us early…

JR
12:08 am CST
August 04, 2009

Why do any of us need healthcare anymore? I mean, didn’t we elect a man that in the eyes of the mainstream media and many Americans can walk on water? If he can do that, why have healthcare? If you get sick or injured, all you have to do is call Obama, and he’ll wave his majestic hand or touch you and presto, you’re healed. Think of the money that can be saved not having to pay for healthcare, medicare and medicade. I think the anointed one’s massive ego can handle this.You know, he probably already thinks he CAN do this!!

RMyzer
10:48 am CST
August 04, 2009

You want to kill this ridiculous National Health Care Bill and fast?

Have the Republican Congressional Representatives advertise that they want all Congressional Representatives and White House staff/Executive Staff to be subject to this plan and that they have to give up their current Federal Health Care Plan.

When the Democrats balk at losing their lovely Federal plan, make sure you make it nationwide news that the Democrats think this plan is good enough for you, but not for them.

JimTex
11:51 am CST
August 04, 2009

RMyzer The concresscritters have already voted against a bill that was introduced to have them use the same insurance if they passed this bill. I don’t think it even came to a vote, they shot it down quickly.

CharlieBriggs
12:26 pm CST
August 04, 2009

I agree with RMyzer’s comment 100%.
I also agree with what a retired doctor acquantance told me a couple of days ago……..”Obama’s health care program will be the biggest mess you ever saw if it passes……”
He had a very successful practice in San Diego and gave it up and moved back to his Texas ranch because even now, insurance companies and other interests were defining his practice.
Even though he loved his work, he gave it up because of the b.s. involved.
He says Obama’s system will be overwhelmed.
An increase in people who originally would not seek medical help such as hypocondriacs, illegals, homelless, etc.
Really sick people who actually require help will not get proper treatment because doctors will be spread so thin.
The system will require many more “doctors” and “nurses” who are actually 90 day wonders you may have seen just a few weeks ago flipping burgers at McDonalds…………
Is this our destiny?
I’m 69 and have medicare. I’m healthy as a horse and feel like I’ll be around a lot longer……unless they set an age to begin the euthanization process.
Will that be mandatory or voluntary?

MBlake
2:36 pm CST
August 04, 2009

Everyone, do a web search for Cloward-Piven and read the American Thinker articles. It will scare the be-jesus out of you and hopefully wake a few of you up to what Obama and his drones are up to.

ThomasFTaylor
5:21 am CST
August 04, 2009

Under OBAMACARE WHAT ARE YOU WORTH? and TO WHOM? (bureaucracy?). In my experience over 55 years there are NO people (patients) who are the same. They all present with a different set of symptoms. Now a system is being proposed whereby all people be evaluated and treated the same depending on various factors (age, sex, cost of evaluation and/or treatment) WHAT ARE YOU WORTH? and TO WHOM?
in order to be licensed to practice medicine and surgery in all states, to the best of my knowledge, a person must attend and pass a minimum of 11 years of highly specialized schooling – after finishing high school). At a high expense.
Under Medicare at the present time primary care physicians have had no increase in reimbursement for at least 8 years; however, the cost of doing business has increased so that about 35% of the overhead in directly related to meeting all of the 11 feet of rules and regulations of government and the health insurance industry.
It is interesting that we had a system of slavery in our country 150 years ago, fought a civil war, in part because of slavery, in the 1860s, have progressively fought for rights for all of our people almost ever since then with a great deal of progress; but we are not done yet.
We now have a black president for the first time in history and now isn’t he proposing a health care delivery system which places physicians as “indentured servants” who must rigidlyadhere to rules and regulations and be reimbursed – not for work done (as in a free society) – but as determined only by our government? Aren’t the physicians really going to be slaves?

melissak
9:07 am CST
August 04, 2009

I believe that all these scare tactics about how the cost will skyrocket in 5yrs and fewer and fewer will be covered, I think to myself “would the insurance companys really put themselves out of business”, in the mean time wouldnt change come because people would demand it and Doctors and professionals would want to fill that hole in Health care that would get bigger and bigger. I think an alternative system would occur- isnt that what capitilism creates- people who can see the next wave coming and fill the gap.

This change in healthcare is coming- are we going to allow it to have a natural birth (take its time and develop naturally) or are we going to push this reform or let others push their form of health care on us.

this reminds of the way Peta does things- they pinpoint were a change in consciousness is coming in the society and then they hyjack it as their own idea and put more radical views into it- this makes it seem like it is their idea. This is what Obama and the DEMS seems to be doing.
Melissa Tx

— In Clinton_Dems_Against_Obama@yahoogroups.com, hapi22 wrote:

Here’s the key to why we need “single-payer” or — at the very least — a public option for health insurance.

According to analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), administrative costs in traditional, *government-managed Medicare account for _less than 2 percent_ of expenditures*. In newer, *_private_*-sector Medicare plans, *administrative costs have been _more than 11 percent_*; http://tinyurl.com/mnnt2z

That is from an editorial by the Des Moines [Iowa] Register — hardly a hotbed of socialism.

And, on the topic of “socialism,” I would point out that our police and fire departments represent socialism (we all pay for their protection, and they protect everyone). We do not, each of us, engage a private fire company to put out any fires in our house; but, incidentally, that WAS how it was done in America’s earliest days. People, at one time, DID have to hire their own fire departments … they would nail a sign to the front of their house and if the fire department came to put out a fire but did not see THEIR sign, they would turn around and go back to their firehouse.

That is why we went for socialism in police and fire departments.

We have also made a free public education mandatory and the government pays for that education through high school. But there WAS a time when there was NO free public education — and we might assume there were those who objected when we went to a free public education system.

Right now, if you have private health insurance, there IS someone who gets “between you and your doctor” — the insurance company bean counters.

melissak
9:11 am CST
August 04, 2009

This is what I wrote on another site and i was trying to get this across yesterday here- if the other email comes thru with this info it is a mistake.
melissa tx