Healthcare Hypocricy?

[Maggie]

Something to consider – Art Laffer writing in the WSJ:

Rather than expanding the role of government in the health-care market, Congress should implement a patient-centered approach to health-care reform. A patient-centered approach focuses on the patient-doctor relationship and empowers the patient and the doctor to make effective and economical choices.

A patient-centered health-care reform begins with individual ownership of insurance policies and leverages Health Savings Accounts, a low-premium, high-deductible alternative to traditional insurance that includes a tax-advantaged savings account. It allows people to purchase insurance policies across state lines and reduces the number of mandated benefits insurers are required to cover. It reallocates the majority of Medicaid spending into a simple voucher for low-income individuals to purchase their own insurance. And it reduces the cost of medical procedures by reforming tort liability laws.

By empowering patients and doctors to manage health-care decisions, a patient-centered health-care reform will control costs, improve health outcomes, and improve the overall efficiency of the health-care system.

Congress needs to focus on reform that promotes what Americans want most: immediate, measurable ways to make health care more accessible and affordable without jeopardizing quality, individual choice, or personalized care.

Because Mr. Obama has incorrectly diagnosed the problems with our health-care system, any reform based on his priorities would worsen the current inefficiencies. Americans would pay even more for lower quality and less access to care. This doesn’t sound like reform we can believe in.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424052970204619004574324361508092006.html

[SubGod22]

Something to consider – Art Laffer writing in the WSJ:

Rather than expanding the role of government in the health-care market, Congress should implement a patient-centered approach to health-care reform. A patient-centered approach focuses on the patient-doctor relationship and empowers the patient and the doctor to make effective and economical choices.

A patient-centered health-care reform begins with individual ownership of insurance policies and leverages Health Savings Accounts, a low-premium, high-deductible alternative to traditional insurance that includes a tax-advantaged savings account. It allows people to purchase insurance policies across state lines and reduces the number of mandated benefits insurers are required to cover. It reallocates the majority of Medicaid spending into a simple voucher for low-income individuals to purchase their own insurance. And it reduces the cost of medical procedures by reforming tort liability laws.

By empowering patients and doctors to manage health-care decisions, a patient-centered health-care reform will control costs, improve health outcomes, and improve the overall efficiency of the health-care system.

Congress needs to focus on reform that promotes what Americans want most: immediate, measurable ways to make health care more accessible and affordable without jeopardizing quality, individual choice, or personalized care.

Because Mr. Obama has incorrectly diagnosed the problems with our health-care system, any reform based on his priorities would worsen the current inefficiencies. Americans would pay even more for lower quality and less access to care. This doesn’t sound like reform we can believe in.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB2000...508092006.html

That just makes too much sense. It'll never happen

[RoyalShock]

It will take too long to draft legislation that will actually improve the entire industry. We don't have that kind of time. People are dying! We must act now! It is our only Hope!

[SubGod22]

It will take too long to draft legislation that will actually improve the entire industry. We don't have that kind of time. People are dying! We must act now! It is our only Hope!

That's essentially what Specter said at his town hall the other day to a cascade of boos.

[RoyalShock]

A health quiz for Barry

At least someone found time to read some of the bill.

On Page 29, I saw what appeared to be an admission that health care will be rationed under this new plan. Can you tell me whether that is a) True or b) False?

On Page 30, I discovered that a government committee will be established to decide what treatments and benefits I get. However, unlike an insurer, I see no evidence that there will be a process to appeal their decisions. Can you tell me whether that is a) True or b) False?

On Page 50, I read some non-discrimination language, which seems to suggest that all non-US citizens, illegal or not, will be provided with free health care services. Can you tell me whether that is a) True or b) False?

On Page 59, I saw some language suggesting that the federal government will have access to all individual bank accounts for health-related electronic funds transfers. Can you tell me whether that is a) True or b) False?

If the answer to some, most or all of these and other questions is true, will someone please defend the idea that this is not, at least, a pre-cursor to a government takeover of healthcare?

- Rationing.
- Making treatment decisions.
- Forcing the contributors to pay for the criminals.
- Direct access to an individual's bank account.

[Maggie]

A health quiz for Barry

At least someone found time to read some of the bill.

On Page 29, I saw what appeared to be an admission that health care will be rationed under this new plan. Can you tell me whether that is a) True or b) False?

On Page 30, I discovered that a government committee will be established to decide what treatments and benefits I get. However, unlike an insurer, I see no evidence that there will be a process to appeal their decisions. Can you tell me whether that is a) True or b) False?

On Page 50, I read some non-discrimination language, which seems to suggest that all non-US citizens, illegal or not, will be provided with free health care services. Can you tell me whether that is a) True or b) False?

On Page 59, I saw some language suggesting that the federal government will have access to all individual bank accounts for health-related electronic funds transfers. Can you tell me whether that is a) True or b) False?

If the answer to some, most or all of these and other questions is true, will someone please defend the idea that this is not, at least, a pre-cursor to a government takeover of healthcare?

- Rationing.
- Making treatment decisions.
- Forcing the contributors to pay for the criminals.
- Direct access to an individual's bank account.

I’ll take a shot. You see, my dear Royal, it is really quite simple. President Obama has said repeatedly and with much conviction: "Nobody is talking about a government takeover of health care. I'm getting tired of hearing that."

Now in addition to what you mention, it might be true that the government may require you to have insurance, it's wants to establish a public plan to “compete” (a calculated and disingenuous use of a largely capitalist term) with private plans and perhaps drive them out of the market (hey, if it happens – it happens – it is certainly not a foreseeable result), it's wants to tell insurance companies what procedures they have to cover, it's wants to put a special tax on people who get "Cadillac" plans (however that is going to be defined), and it's wants to establish a special commission to determine which procedures are not cost-effective and should be dropped from coverage plans.

Of course, none of this counts as a "takeover" of health care because, and I repeat with special emphasis, President Obama has made it very clear that: "Nobody is talking about a government takeover of health care.”

Be gone Royal. The President is “tired of hearing” from people like you.

[RoyalShock]

Oh, what was I thinking!?!?!?

I will go and sin no more.

[Maggie]

Oh, what was I thinking!?!?!?

I will go and sin no more.

Well, I am glad that I helped you see things in a different (by that I mean correct) way. Otherwise, I would have been compelled to report your bizarre and, obviously treasonous, question to the proper authority – who is apparently a Mr. or Miss Flag:

There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. (emphasis added) Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy (emphasis added), send it to flag@whitehouse.gov.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/Facts-Are-Stubborn-Things/

[martymoose]

http://my.barackobama.com/commitaugust

Forward it to your friends. I've gotten at least 20 people to sign up so far.

[SubGod22]

FRED THOMPSON: Phantom pains at The Post

[ISASO]

http://my.barackobama.com/commitaugust

Forward it to your friends. I've gotten at least 20 people to sign up so far.

Moose, who are the supporters and benefactors of this organization? Are they among the most liberal anti-Americans in America?

[ABC]

http://my.barackobama.com/commitaugust

Forward it to your friends. I've gotten at least 20 people to sign up so far.

Do whatever you want, but right now, your friends are getting their asses kicked on the heath care front.

AARP shuts down a meeting b/c they don't like what they hear;

http://www.breitbart.tv/aarp-reps-cancel-listening-session-after-participants-refuse-to-keep-their-comments-quiet/

[ISASO]

August 6, 2009

Obama enters full Big Brother phase

By Sher Zieve

In George Orwell's book "1984" the figurehead character who controlled everything surrounding the members of society was known as "Big Brother." Via technology and the help of his police, Big Brother watched and heard everything you did and said — and eventually knew everything you thought. Dictator Obama seems to agree with these precepts and practices and the additional one that has been implemented by every major tyrant in Earth history — that of requiring citizens turn in their neighbors and family members if any of them express any disagreements to their tyrant's policies. In order to shut down US Citizens' protests against ObamaCare and his other Socio-fascist programs, a blog and email account has been created by the White House to ensure these people are reported to the Obama Thought Police. This is not a bad joke, folks. See the link below. It is happening.

http://www.renewamerica.com/columns/zieve/090806

[ISASO]

http://my.barackobama.com/commitaugust

Forward it to your friends. I've gotten at least 20 people to sign up so far.

Let's follow the money trail:

http://www.resistnet.com/profiles/blogs/george-soros

George Soros Unholy Alliance with ACORN
What if a corrupt far left billionaire got together with a corrupt but effective grassroots group in an effort to radically change America ? That's exactly what's happening between George Soros and ACORN. Think of ACORN as instruments of George Soros grand plan. Soros wants to elect far left candidates, pass universal health care, props up the unions among many liberal ideological goals. Think of ACORN is the tool of implementation of his ideology, or at least a tool. On top of this, every policy which Soros uses ACORN to implement also helps President Obama. That's the stakes in this unholy alliance.

For instance, ACORN has an affiliate named Project VOTE. It's an organization that specializes in GOTV campaigns. Of course, the scam is that this group only goes into areas of the sort of candidate that Soros likes. So, while Project Vote does in fact do voter registration drives they do them almost exclusively in poor, African American neighborhoods. In other words, they would only do voter registration in neighborhoods that would back candidates that Soros would also back. Of course, Soros would never give money to ACORN directly. In fact, here, one of his own affiliates Democracy Alliance, gives money to Project Vote, itself an ACORN affiliate.

Whenever Soros does business it's like this. The reason for this is that the world that both Soros and ACORN inhabit is a maze of tax codes. 501 (C)3, 501 (C)4, and Soros favorite 527 among dozens. Each has its own rule for disclosure. The more tax benefits a non profit organization the more it has to disclose. By both Soros and ACORN creating multiple affiliate organizations it's nearly impossible to track the money. As it moves from one affiliate to another eventually outside folks aren't allowed to see all their records.

This way all sorts of shenanigans can go on without enough of a paper trail to prove it. There are stories that have reported that Soros was behind, what they call a rigged recount and he used ACORN in just such a way to do it in Minnesota for Al Franken. Of course, it goes without saying that Franken accounts for the 60th and filibuster proof vote in the Senate

Another way that Soros uses ACORN is in the area of universal health care. Here, the two form an alliance along with several other far left groups called Health Care for America Now. A Politico story recently characterized HCAN as "the groups that represent the base of the Democratic Party".on the issue of health care. One of the biggest donors in HCAN is the Tides foundation. That's another Soros affiliate. Meanwhile ACORN is one of a group of more than a dozen different organizations that created HCAN. HCAN runs as a 501 (c)4. Here are all the principles involved in creating this organization.


ACORN, AFL-CIO, AFSCME, AFT, Americans United for Change, Campaign for
America’s Future, Center for American Progress Action Fund, Campaign for Community Change, Children’s Defense Fund Action Council, Communications Workers of America, International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace & Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW), MoveOn.org, NAACP, National
Council of La Raza, National Education Association, National Women’s Law
Center, SEIU, UFCW, USAction, Women's Voices, Women's Vote and Working
America.



This group is now organizing advertisement campaigns against wavering Democrats like Mary Landrieu. They hold rallies, organize town halls, and make phone calls among many different other support activities in order to get universal health care passed. (four minutes into this video in front of HCAN, Congress Woman Jan Schakowski admits that the goal of universal health care is single payer)

Meanwhile, the guy that runs the Tides Foundation is a gentleman named Drummond Pike. He's close personal friends with Wade Rathke. Wade Rathke was the long time CEO of ACORN who was removed last summer because he covered up the embezzlement of his brother Dale. When this embezzlement was first made public, Wade turned the embezzlement into a loan and then sold said loan to Pike. As such, ACORN no longer owned the paper on what was owed. It's one of the perks for ACORN of having wealthy and powerful friends. It's no different than the quid pro quo they got from Bruce Ratner, owner of the Nets, to build a new stadium in Brooklyn.

Soros is also a supporter of the unions through his involvement with the SEIU. The SEIU contributes funds to Soros linked organizations, does GOTV activities, and any other grass roots activites for liberal causes. Of course, the local New Orleans 881 Union is run by Wade Rathke. Yes, that's the same Wade Rathke that used to run ACORN. Furthermore, ACORN members often belong to the SEIU as well. The SEIU often uses ACORN to organize Alinsky like demonstrations in order to pressure hospitals, grocery stores, and other places of business to unionize.

Then, there's George Soros' good friends Herb and Marion Sandler. They created the Sub Prime Mortgage Company Golden West. They sold it to Wachovia for $24 billion in 2006. It ultimately lead to the demise of Wachovia. The Sandlers contribute a great deal to an organization called the Center for Responsive Lending. This organization was a champion for Community Reinvestment Act, which championed quotas for bank's mortgage lending an poorer areas. ACORN used this very CRA in order to perpetuate campaigns of intimidation on bankers in order to get them to comply with the CRA. The Center for Responsive Lending funded a lot of ACORN's CRA activities.

There are several things everyone should know. First, at all times their connections are loose and so difficult to track. Second, ironically, all of these connections are made that much easier by McCain/Feingold. In fact, it's not too far a stretch to say that McCain was used as a pawn by George Soros in creating the shadow government that Soros uses. Now, Soros has a community organizing group to advance the agenda of a President, himself a former community organizer. Under no circumstances should we ever underestimate George Soros.

[Maggie]

Not to distract from the creepiness (or fascism, if you like) noted above but this is a solid article by Ramesh Ponnuru in Time on why the health-care debate ultimately stalled in Congress. His conclusion:

The Democrats have apparently concluded that it was tactical blunders that sank Clinton. It wasn't. It was his plan. Like today's plans, it had too many conflicting goals.

Stanley Greenberg, who was polling for Clinton back then, recently reminded Democrats that the insured public in the early '90s just could not be persuaded that the President was going to cut its costs by expanding coverage for others. No amount of clever strategizing is going to make the sales job easier this time. Instead, the President is in a series of double binds. The more he emphasizes how much has to change, for example, the more people are going to doubt his pledge that they can keep their doctor.

Congress may yet pass the health legislation Obama wants. If it does, that success will reflect the Democrats' numbers in Congress and their determination, not public enthusiasm. This time there is no barrage of Harry and Louise ads to blame. It is health-care reform's own contradictions that are causing it to sink.

The entire article is worth your time:

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1914973,00.html