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12:59 pm CST - March 08, 2010
Posted under On The Record
President Doubling Down on Health Care Reform – You Need to Call His Bluff!
By Rep. Joe Barton
The President recently renewed his efforts to pass his version of health care reform and called on America to “make your voice heard.” Apparently he hasn’t been listening for the past year or just didn’t like what he heard.
From Town Halls to Tea Parties – people all over the nation stood up against the Democrats’ plan for a government take over of health care. And no place were the voices louder than here in the 6th district. You packed auditoriums and church halls and flooded my offices with phone calls and letters – thousands of voices with one message, “hands off our health care!”
We turned that passion into results and the legislation stalled in Congress.
The victory appears to have been short lived.
Despite polls showing that an overwhelming majority of Americans want Congress to ditch the current reform plans and start over with a clean sheet of paper, this week the President began pushing Congress to move forward with his $1,000,000,000,000 (trillion) health care plan.
Democrats are currently cutting deals behind closed doors in the Capitol. Their plan is to abuse the legislative process by skipping regular order to pass this monstrosity by turning to a parliamentary trick called reconciliation. It has been used by both parties in the past, but never on anything as important or far reaching as health care.
To justify the move, the President and his Democratic cronies have flooded the media with half truths and exaggerations, each designed at convincing people this isn’t a government take over of the health care system. But let’s look at the facts:
• It will mandate private citizens purchase health care, whether they need it or want it.
• It will cause millions of employers to cancel the health insurance they currently offer employees and force tens of millions of Americans into a government-run exchange.
• It will create a health care czar to impose price controls on private health insurance that will lead to shortages and force even more people into government-run care.
I don’t doubt the President’s sincerity about the need to change health care in America, but despite his claims of compromise he has just paid lip service to Republican ideas.
There is a more effective and more affordable way to reform health care.
Instead of government intervention, we need to look to the marketplace – free choice, not mandates.
I believe we can improve competition and choices through increased price transparency that empowers providers and patients with the information they need to make the best possible health care decisions. We should look for ways to increase pooling opportunities to encourage more small businesses to offer insurance to their employees. Allowing competition across state lines would also lower premiums and increase choices. I believe we should demand tax equity for the self-employed and those who buy health insurance in the individual market.
These are solutions that don’t cost us a trillion dollars, but will make health insurance more affordable without jeopardizing the current coverage that people like. I will continue to do everything I can to prevent the radicalization of our health care system and fight for true health care reform.
Political pundits have said recently the President is doubling down on health care, well I think it is time to call his bluff.
The Democrats think they can roll over the American people, but I think they have underestimated you. It is time for you to stand up once again. Flood congressional offices with phone calls, attend rallies, stay engaged and let Washington know you won’t sit quietly while Democrats try to take control of your health care.
Together we can stop this bill once and for all.
Rep. Barton represents the 6th District of Texas. He is the highest ranking Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee. You can learn more about him by visiting his website – http://joebarton.house.gov
9 Comments
SJK
2:07 pm CST
March 08, 2010
This healthkill bill is NOT about healthcare…it is about greed, high taxing, government control, and the fulfillment of Obama’s agenda of fundamentally transforming this country and the redistribution of wealth! It is in reality going to enslave us more to this very radical progressive government! None of these fools are listening to us and those that are, are being bullied, bribed, pressured, and threatened into voting for these horrible bills! Is it NOVEMBER yet?
Christian Archer
4:01 pm CST
March 08, 2010
An Indianapolis doctor’s letter to Sen. Bayh about the Bill (Note: Dr. Stephen E. Frazer, MD practices as an anesthesiologist in Indianapolis, IN ) Here is a letter I sent to Senator Bayh.. Feel free to copy it and send it around to all other representatives. — Stephen Fraser
Senator Bayh,
As a practicing physician I have major concerns with the health care bill before Congress. I actually have read the bill and am shocked by the brazenness of the government’s proposed involvement in the patient-physician relationship. The very idea that the government will dictate and ration patient care is dangerous and certainly not helpful in designing a health care system that works for all. Every physician I work with agrees that we need to fix our health care system, but the proposed bills currently making their way through congress will be a disaster if passed.
I ask you respectfully and as a patriotic American to look at the following troubling lines that I have read in the bill. You cannot possibly believe that these proposals are in the best interests of the country and our fellow citizens.
Page 22 of the HC Bill: Mandates that the Govt will audit books of all employers that self-insure!!
Page 30 Sec 123 of HC bill: THERE WILL BE A GOVT COMMITTEE that decides what treatments/benefits you get.
Page 29 lines 4-16 in the HC bill: YOUR HEALTH CARE IS RATIONED!!!
Page 42 of HC Bill: The Health Choices Commissioner will choose your HC benefits for you. You have no choice!
Page 50 Section 152 in HC bill: HC will be provided to ALL non-US citizens, illegal or otherwise.
Page 58 HC Bill: Govt will have real-time access to individuals’ finances & a ‘National ID Health card’ will be issued! (Papers please!)
Page 59 HC Bill lines 21-24: Govt will have direct access to your bank accounts for elective funds transfer. (Time for more cash and carry)
Page 65 Sec 164: Is a payoff subsidized plan for retirees and their families in unions & community organizations: (ACORN).
Page 84 Sec 203 HC bill: Govt mandates ALL benefit packages for private HC plans in the ‘Exchange.’
Page 85 Line 7 HC Bill: Specifications of Benefit Levels for Plans — The Govt will ration your health care!
Page 91 Lines 4-7 HC Bill: Govt mandates linguistic appropriate services. (Translation: illegal aliens.)
Page 95 HC Bill Lines 8-18: The Govt will use groups (i.e. ACORN & Americorps to sign up individuals for Govt HC plan.
Page 85 Line 7 HC Bill: Specifications of Benefit Levels for Plans. (AARP members – your health care WILL be rationed!)
Page 102 Lines 12-18 HC Bill: Medicaid eligible individuals will be automatically enrolled in Medicaid. (No choice.)
Page 12 4 lines 24-25 HC: No company can sue GOVT on price fixing. No “judicial review” against Govt monopoly.
Page 127 Lines 1-16 HC Bill: Doctors/ American Medical Association – The Govt will tell YOU what salary you can make.
Page 145 Line 15-17: An Employer MUST auto-enroll employees into public option plan. (NO choice!)
Page 126 Lines 22-25: Employers MUST pay for HC for part-time employees ANDtheir families. (Employees shouldn’t get excited about this as employers will be forced to reduce its work force, benefits, and wages/salaries to cover such a huge expense.)
Page 149 Lines 16-24: ANY Employer with payroll 401k & above who does not provide public option will pay 8% tax on all payroll! (See the last comment in parenthesis.)
Page 150 Lines 9-13: A business with payroll between $251K & $401K who doesn’t provide public option will pay 2-6% tax on all payroll.
Page 167 Lines 18-23: ANY individual who doesn’t have acceptable HC according to Govt will be taxed 2.5% of income.
Page 170 Lines 1-3 HC Bill: Any NONRESIDENT Alien is exempt from individual taxes. (Americans will pay.) (Like always)
Page 195 HC Bill: Officers & employees of the GOVT HC Admin.. will have access to ALL Americans’ finances and personal records. (I guess so they can ‘deduct’ their fees)
Page 203 Line 14-15 HC: “The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax.” (Yes, it really says that!) ( a ‘fee’ instead)
Page 239 Line 14-24 HC Bill: Govt will reduce physician services for Medicaid Seniors. (Low-income and the poor are affected.)
Page 241 Line 6-8 HC Bill: Doctors: It doesn’t matter what specialty you have trained yourself in — you will all be paid the same! (Just TRY to tell me that’s not Socialism!)
Page 253 Line 10-18: The Govt sets the value of a doctor’s time, profession, judgment, etc. (Literally– the value of humans.)
Page 265 Sec 1131: The Govt mandates and controls productivity for “private” HC industries.
Page 268 Sec 1141: The federal Govt regulates the rental and purchase of power driven wheelchairs.
Page 272 SEC. 1145: TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CANCER HOSPITALS – Cancer patients – welcome to rationing!
Page 280 Sec 1151: The Govt will penalize hospitals for whatever the Govt deems preventable (i.e…re-admissions).
Page 298 Lines 9-11: Doctors: If you treat a patient during initial admission that results in a re-admission — the Govt will penalize you.
Page 317 L 13-20: PROHIBITION on ownership/investment. (The Govt tells doctors what and how much they can own!)
Page 317-318 lines 21-25, 1-3: PROHIBITION on expansion. (The Govt is mandating that hospitals cannot expand.)
Page 321 2-13: Hospitals have the opportunity to apply for exception BUT community input is required. (Can you say ACORN?)
Page 335 L 16-25 Pg 336-339: The Govt mandates establishment of=2 outcome-based measures. (HC the way they want — rationing.)
Page 341 Lines 3-9: The Govt has authority to disqualify Medicare Advance Plans, HMOs, etc. (Forcing people into the Govt plan)
Page 354 Sec 1177: The Govt will RESTRICT enrollment of ’special needs people!’ Unbelievable!
Page 379 Sec 1191: The Govt creates more bureaucracy via a “Tele-Health Advisory Committee.” (Can you say HC by phone?)
Page 425 Lines 4-12: The Govt mandates “Advance-Care Planning Consult.” (Think senior citizens end-of-life patients.)
Page 425 Lines 17-19: The Govt will instruct and consult regarding living wills, durable powers of attorney, etc. (And it’s mandatory!)
Page 425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines 1-3: The Govt provides an “approved” list of end-of-life resources; guiding you in death. (Also called ‘assisted suicide.’)(Sounds like Soylent Green to me.)
Page 427 Lines 15-24: The Govt mandates a program for orders on “end-of-life.” (The Govt has a say in how your life ends!)
Page 429 Lines 1-9: An “advanced-care planning consultant” will be used frequently as a patient’s health deteriorates.
Page 429 Lines 10-12: An “advanced care consultation” may include an ORDER for end-of-life plans.. (AN ORDER TO DIE FROM THE GOVERNMENT?!?)
Page 429 Lines 13-25: The GOVT will specify which doctors can write an end-of-life order.. (I wouldn’t want to stand before God after getting paid for THAT job!)
Page 430 Lines 11-15: The Govt will decide what level of treatment you will have at end-of-life! (Again — no choice!)
Page 469: Community-Based Home Medical Services = Non-Profit Organizations. (Hello? ACORN Medical Services here!?!)
Page 489 Sec 1308: The Govt will cover marriage and family therapy. (Which means Govt will insert itself into your marriage even.)
Page 494-498: Govt will cover Mental Health Services including defining, creating, and rationing those services.
CWJensen
6:39 pm CST
March 08, 2010
I hate to be the bearer of BAD NEWS;
WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY:
Americans For Legal Immigration PAC (ALIPAC) reports that President Obama is meeting with Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer of New York and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina today to push for action from the U.S. Senate on the Comprehensive Immigration Reform AMNESTY legislation.
This bill will grant AMNESTY to over ten million illegal aliens already in America, thus turning them into competitive workers and voters.
Sources in DC tell us that Lindsey Graham is John McCain’s operative and that McCain is staying in the shadows right now asking for delays until August because he is facing a strong political threat from J.D. Hayworth in this year’s GOP primary. McCain knows this legislation and agenda is so unpopular with the American public that he is abandoning his promise to the Democrats to sign the Amnesty bill because he knows J.D. Hayworth will defeat him if he does
Obama and Schumer are asking Republican Lindsey Graham to work with John McCain behind the scenes to help them find another Republican in the U.S. Senate who is dumb enough to sign the Amnesty legislation in McCain’s stead.
Obama and his allies are under immense pressure to deliver because the Council on Foreign Relations and other planners of this takeover of America have indicated 2010 is their “make or break” year to get Amnesty through. Their million dollar plans to mount pressure are going to full force at this moment.
Health Care (or better yet the lack of it) is masking the BIGGEST vote grab in HISTORY.
Watch the pea NOT the empty shells.
CWJensen
9:26 pm CST
March 08, 2010
Here bit STARTS.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703954904575110124037066854.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsThird
CWJensen
9:27 pm CST
March 08, 2010
Now it STARTS
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703954904575110124037066854.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsThird
Lonnie Jones
7:53 am CST
March 08, 2010
What part of NO doesn’t Obama understand?
a dumas
10:02 am CST
March 08, 2010
Thanks, Mr Archer, for posting the good doctor’s letter. The itemized listing by Dr. Frazer is helpful for myself and those who wish to understand more of what’s not to like about Obamacare.
I have read both house and senate versions of this impending disaster. Although most of it is written in legal-eze (ambiguous by design, meant to be open to interpretation), there are portions that can be plainly understood. And the more people know about this bill, the more repuslsive this massive power grab becomes.
I had thought the individual mandate alone would be enough to kill this Obamination, but I underestimated the determination and obsession by the White House to expand government and take control of another slice of our lives.
Stopping Obama’s final cram-down looks grim, but “it ain’t over ’till it’s over.” Has everyone contacted their representative lately?
rcg
11:01 am CST
March 08, 2010
BHusseinO is a narcisistic a-hole that doesn’t give a rats a@s about you, me, or anyone else that is not a member of his elitist gang of muslim loving socialists.
sonny
6:01 pm CST
March 08, 2010
Any Representative who votes for this socialist health care bill knows they will not get re-elected, if they don’t they haven’t been listening to the American people for the past year. The socialist Obama don’t care who he has to throw under the train to get his health care bill passed. He would gladly sacrifice the careers of Democratic politicains to get it passed. Obama, Pelosi and Reid are a disgrace to the American people and should be removed from office, hopefully they will be at election time. If people vote for these socialist liberal thugs they deserve what they get. As for illegal aliens, I have been warning a long time about this, that is also part of Obamas socialist agenda. He can buy himself approximately 10 to 12 million votes with our taxpayer dollars. I don’t believe anyone in government office has the guts to take this issue on. If Obama legalizes illegal aliens you can kiss our country good bye.
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