McCain: Health Care Markup A ‘Waste of Time’
EmailABC News’ Z. Byron Wolf reports: While the Senate Finance Committee continues to work behind closed doors – staffers only, no Senators in the room at the moment – to craft their bipartisan health care reform bill, the public and more partisan process over at the Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee has led to some frustration. This morning, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., called the public markup of the health care reform proposal by HELP Committee Democrats “a waste of time” because it isn’t complete yet. We’re only on day three of the Senate HELP Committee's markup of its sweeping (and not entirely complete) health care reform legislation. This is the formal editing process whereby committee members take the proposal Democrats put forward last week and amend it to their liking. It could take weeks on a bill of this size, especially since Republicans were not involved in the original drafting. Day 1 (Wednesday) was exhausted entirely with opening statements by lawmakers. Day 2 concerned the part of the bill that will try to improve the quality of health care provided in the United States – studying different treatments to find the best ones. The committee considered 23 of the 388 total amendments that have been filed so far. Debate and amendments on that part of the bill continued for several hours today. But Republicans complained this morning that while they have the language for the part of the bill they’re marking up, they still haven’t seen the “guts” of the bill, that is the sections that deal with whether employers should be forced to provide health coverage and whether there should be a public health insurance option. “The time you have wasted is unbelievable to me,” shot Sen. McCain across the table to Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., who is acting as committee chairman in the absence of Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass. “I thought your time was more valuable than that,” McCain said, calling the markup a “charade.” Democrats were supposed to release those guts to Democrats today ahead of a non-partisan cost estimate that is supposed to be released Monday. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projected a $1 trillion price tag over 10 years just for the parts that are already public. Dodd said that Democrats are working hard on the missing parts of the bill and will get them to Republicans as soon as possible. He and McCain talked over each other. “These hours have been a waste of time when we don't know the cost and we don't know the coverage,” said McCain, who thinks that the committee should go back to the drawing board and start over in a more bipartisan way. Sen. Bob Casey, R-Pa., responding to McCain and others, said the committee should continue editing the completed sections of the Democrats’ draft. “The American people want us to get this done,” Casey said. Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., countered Casey, saying that more than just getting it done, “I think the American people want us to get it right.”
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Such a positive leader!
Posted by: Thinking | June 19, 2009, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm
Ok, Sen. McCain, you think this has been a waste of time and has taken too long, but you want to start all over again. Allrighty!
Posted by: Try the truth | June 19, 2009, 2:05 pm 2:05 pm
Senator McCain is in no hurry. His idea of insurance reform is to permit insurance carriers to market insurance plans unregulated across different states. No need for any state mandated coverages. His solution- create a cheap plan with limited coverage con the public with the low premium. Make the public think they got a real bargain!
He’s got no worries; he’s eligible for a first rate government plan.
Posted by: Parity Fanatic | June 19, 2009, 2:27 pm 2:27 pm
Uncle Fester doesn’t care about health care reform. He’s already set up with a sweet government health plan and the rest of us are sol.
Posted by: js45601 | June 19, 2009, 2:54 pm 2:54 pm
McCain has lost it and the voters of his State need a Law Maker who is in touch with reality. McCain would be bombing Iran right now for Israel if he were President. Health Care is needed and McCain is still taking the money from Health Insurance Agencies to stop it from happening. Republicans have to stop Americans from having a choice. Many are paid to make sure the taxpayers money goes to starting up another War for the War Profiteers. Now McCain is saying Obama gave the Auto Company the bailout money and Obama gave the Banks a bailout. If he were President he would not have given them the money. Wake up call to McCain, President Bush did that as Obama was still a Senator. With the help of the Media people will believe the lie. McCain is saying President Reagan stepped in World Crisis and took control and leadership in 1968. Only problem Ronald Reagan was Govenor of California and was the President at the time but we Americans make our US History up to fit what we want. Education isn’t a stonge point in the US because people would rather be told information then read it themselves.
Posted by: Jackie | June 19, 2009, 3:22 pm 3:22 pm
Look, if you give everyone in USA cradle to grave healthcare THEN can we get rid of the massive multitude of programs from free lunch to free daycare to free food to free rent to free college to free re-education to free counceling. When does it end. Maybe it’ll end with free healthcare for all but I sincerely doubt it. As long as there’s Democrats around they’ll wnat to take from the producers and give it to non-producers. There totally about the re-distribution. So what’s the attraction for high acheivers to live in USA.
Posted by: Gregory | June 19, 2009, 3:27 pm 3:27 pm
The Dems are doing the same thing with this bill as they did with the non-stimulus bill. THey’ve left out the main body of bill and expect Repubs to vote on it. Non-stimulus they didn’t let Repubs have any input then threw a hyssy fit to vote before anybody had even read the stupid bloated irresponsible piece of crap pork bill.
Posted by: Gregory | June 19, 2009, 3:34 pm 3:34 pm
“A waste of time” Well, John McCain..my taxes pays for you and yours, Senator. Give it back and “hock” one of your houses for pay for Your own. WHAT THE HECK HAS YOU DONE FOR 28 YEARS?
Posted by: tychisum | June 19, 2009, 5:21 pm 5:21 pm
I say every Senator stop taking “socialized” healthcare, until you pass a Quality Affordable Public Option plan for All.
Posted by: tychisum | June 19, 2009, 5:25 pm 5:25 pm
McCain Health Plan:
1. Tax Health Benefits – you peons get a refund sometime later
2. Deregulate the Insurance Companies -Phil Gramm told me it worked great for the Financial Industry
3. You slackers need to save more to pay for medical emergencies
4. Don’t get sick
5. If you are eligible, enroll in the Congressional Health Plan
Posted by: CenterOne | June 19, 2009, 5:35 pm 5:35 pm
All I say is… a “strong” America is Not possible when it’s sick and unhappy. Imagine the deployment of “sick” soldiers, because America failed to allow for AFFORDABLE Quality Healthcare. Mama, “my head hurts, I’m dizzy.” Ok, baby, I paid the rent and put gas in the car and there’s not any money left…. “We’ll go to the ER. After 5 hours waiting… “your baby needs urgent follow-up, see YOUR Doctor as quick as possible”. Lord, I don’t have a doctor, I am not provided medical care on my job. Makes 9.00 per hour. 2 weeks later, 1,389.00 plus doctors fee 359.00. Sounds familiar, uh. Only in America.
Posted by: tychisum | June 19, 2009, 5:36 pm 5:36 pm
All the the Senators that is “qwaking” like sissies should give me back my taxes that I pay for their medical care… and we will call it even.
Posted by: tychisum | June 19, 2009, 5:42 pm 5:42 pm
Posted by: tychisum | Jun 19, 2009 5:25:44 PM>>>I say to every Senator to stop taking “socialized” health care, until you pass a Quality Affordable Public Option plan for All.
I will second that… Congress members should quit their quality tax payer afforded health care until they have provided for all Americans the right to quality affordable health care including a public option similar to the health care that these Congress men and women currently enjoy…
McCain… Please shut up, your response lets me know that Big headed insurance companies have you and Pence in their pockets…
Posted by: theafalcon200 | June 19, 2009, 6:52 pm 6:52 pm
I have always felt John McCain the Senator is a COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME.
Posted by: Daniel T. | June 19, 2009, 7:02 pm 7:02 pm
John McCain has had a government health insurance plan for his entire life.
Posted by: Daniel T. | June 19, 2009, 7:03 pm 7:03 pm
theafalcon200 – You said “Congress members should quit their quality tax payer afforded health care until they have provided for all Americans the right to quality affordable health care including a public option similar to the health care that these Congress men and women currently enjoy… ”
Do you know what it would cost you to get the same coverage for your family as a member of Congress?
The plans family available for a member of Congress would run you from roughly $425.00 per month to roughly $1300.00 per month. They have several differnt plans from which to choose hence the cost differences.
Are you aware that the members of Congress have no special healthcare plan available just for them, they have the same healthcare choices as any other federal government employee.
If you want the same coverage as Congress then ask Congress to open the plans they use (Federal Employees Health Benefits [FEHB]. This would be a low cost option as the plans are already in place and no additional government spending would be required to establish a new healthcare option.
Posted by: Sandcrab1612 | June 19, 2009, 7:43 pm 7:43 pm
More GOP obstruction, posturing and whining to keep anything significant from getting done and protect the pharmaceutical and insurances industries.
Posted by: iamwomaninMI | June 19, 2009, 8:44 pm 8:44 pm
Whine, whine, whine, take care of me, I don’t feel good. How the hell did we win WWII?
Posted by: mike | June 19, 2009, 9:12 pm 9:12 pm
iamwomaninMI; I think you would be surprised at how many non-GOP members of congress have a vested interest in pharms and insurance.
Posted by: LongT | June 19, 2009, 10:22 pm 10:22 pm
John – if you feel its a waste of time to try to get quality, affordable healthcare for al Americans go back to Arizona and let those who care handle it. I’m not trying to be disrespectful, its just that this is serious for a lot of Americans who are not getting decent care.
Posted by: Mark from atlanta | June 19, 2009, 10:25 pm 10:25 pm
Mark from atlanta – What do you think you should pay as a premium for healthcare?
What level of benefits do you expect to get for your premium?
Posted by: Sandcrab1612 | June 19, 2009, 11:38 pm 11:38 pm
If McCain had his way no one woud be able to have health insurance except for the very wealthy. Thank god for not allowing this clown to be president.
Posted by: con me not | June 19, 2009, 11:46 pm 11:46 pm
ok here are some FACTS everyone needs to know…..one of the few very clear items in the Kennedy rationed soicalized medicine plans is that the members of Congress are EXEMPT from it..do you all get that…we will all eventually lose our healthcare choices and be forced into a 2nd rate rationed program by Congress and obama that they are first and foremost making sure will NOT impact them or their families but will effect us and ours…NICE!!! Second all this heathcare crisis and the 50 million uninsured…let me break it down for you….aprox 10 million are here illegally and are the responibility of another country not the US and it’s citizens..another 10 million are temporality unisured as they move from one job to the next..usually around 30 days..another 5-7 million or so are eligible for govenment programs that would cover them but are not enrolled either because lazy are not informed..and another 5-7 million make enough (75k)but CHOOSE NOT to healthcare…so for a number that is around 5-10 million we ALL are expected to have rationed 2nd rate care and have all our taxes raised aprox 40% and in the long run probably doubled…because free healthcare is VERY expensive and very bad….the socialist in power hate the us and want to control every aspect of our lives …letting them have control of healthcare will do that for them…they are all basically a bunch of thugs..ie obama…don’t give him that kind of control over your life…wake up!!!!!!
Posted by: caseoftehblues | June 20, 2009, 9:47 am 9:47 am
We don’t know if this healthcare idea will work or not. Why we want to spend so much money into it, especially during this time when our government is deeply in debt. There are many ways that Obama can help improve the current systems, such as training more qualified health care workers so we don’t have to hire them from foreign countries, or teaching people how to care their family members. When our government has surplus, then we can experiment some healthcare ideas.
Posted by: Kim | June 20, 2009, 10:24 am 10:24 am
Let me ask Senator McCain and his friends about their own health care. Where do you get your health care insurance? It wouldn’t be a public option government run health plan which is one of the best in the nation, would it? Are you so good that you can’t give ordinary people the chance to buy into the same plan?
Posted by: JAB | June 20, 2009, 12:20 pm 12:20 pm
JAB – You said “Let me ask Senator McCain and his friends about their own health care. Where do you get your health care insurance? It wouldn’t be a public option government run health plan which is one of the best in the nation, would it? Are you so good that you can’t give ordinary people the chance to buy into the same plan?”
Don’t know what Senator McCain has for a health plan but I can say that as a member of Congress he has access to any of the plans used by all Federal Government employees. Since passage of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1983 members of Congress have been required to utilize the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) program for health insurance. If a member of Congress has any health insurance other than that provided through FEHB then they have paid for it out of their own pocket, not the government.
Based on this data we can say that what Senator McCain has for his healthcare is not a public option government run health plan it is access to government negotied group insurance plans. It is insurance provided through one of several insurance palns to choose from. If you desire to see the plans available then just Google FEHB.
If the government were to open these plans to the public the monthly premiums for a family plan would roughly be between $425.00 and $1300.00, for an individual the monthly premium would roughly be between $177.00 and $550.00. To me this would be a viable option as the government would not have to make a large outlay to open these plans to the public and they already negotiate the cost and benefits each year with the plan providers
Posted by: Sandcrab1612 | June 20, 2009, 2:59 pm 2:59 pm
Mr. Mc Cain…listening to you is a waste of time….you are in a time capsul and if people liked your ideas, you would be president. We need a health care program and we need it now.Anyone who has had to deal with insurance companies know well how necessary it is and you and your party have decided not to come on board with any of Obama’s ideas. (i.e. Hannity says the republicans will never work with Obama: week 1 of his administration). I had hoped this was just rhetoric but I see it is not. How American is that?
Posted by: talmag | June 20, 2009, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm
Mr. Mc Cain…we need heath care now. You are wrong just as you are wrong that the president should get more involved in the revolt in Iran. Even your friend Kissinger agrees with Obama. The people over there do not want us to get involved as the last time we did, it was a disaster. They do not want this revolt to be about America but about them and their rights. Obama does care for them as exhibited in his speech in Cairo and I think that speech spurred the young people on to revolt this time. It may not work this time but I believe it will the next time..I pray for them.
Posted by: talmag | June 20, 2009, 5:47 pm 5:47 pm
talmag – You say you want a new healthcare program. So let me ask you some questions.
1. What do you think the monthly premium for a family should be?
2. What do you think you should have to pay out of your pocket when you visit a Doctor?
3. What do you think you should have to pay out of your pocket for a months supply of a generic drug? A brand-name drug?
4. What do you think you should have to pay out of your pocket for a visit to a hospitial?
5. What do you think you should have to pay out of your pocket to have an X-ray performed on your rib cage?
6. What do you think you should have to pay out of your pocket for a dental check-up and cleaning? How many per year should be covered by insurance?
7. What do you think you should have to pay out of your pocket to vist an optromitist for an vision exam? How much do you think the insurance should pay for eyeglasses? How many pair per year? Should they pay for no-line bifocals? Custom tinted lenses?
Posted by: Sandcrab1612 | June 20, 2009, 6:02 pm 6:02 pm
Get Er Done RIGHT!!!!
Posted by: ImamoderateIndependant | June 20, 2009, 10:13 pm 10:13 pm
socialized medicine………….who will pay for it? Only people who have made something of themselves…..
Posted by: will | June 21, 2009, 4:05 am 4:05 am
Mr. McCain..you have said two stupid things this week..one that Obama should speak out and two that we should stop working toward the new health care program. One..Kissinger..your friend agreed with Obama and if you think Obama has had no affect on the Iranian situation, look at the signs the people are holding.”Yes, we can” and “Change”. Obviously, his speech in Cairo gave them the courage they needed. Hisstyle is to wait and think. Two, 72% of the public want health care and are willing to pay for it. The plan will be different from Canada and England as the people will have a “choice”. A fact that the republicans seem to ignore. We need this program and it is time to get past losing and do something worthwhile.
Posted by: talmag | June 21, 2009, 12:39 pm 12:39 pm
Casey is a Democrat not a Republican.
Posted by: jimbo | June 21, 2009, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm
Do you really want to support and insure millions of illegal aliens ? Thats what this “rushed” bill will do. They need to slow down and really analyze this and the costs involved and who will be insured. However, as usual, Saul Alinsky aka Barrry Obama wants to rush everything rthrough before people can analyze it. Create massive frenzy, protect the masses, bring down the system and then recreate it – the OBAMA way. No thanks – we’ve seen what he did not do in Illinois and what his stupid stimulus bill hasn’t done other than drive us to bankruptcy.
Posted by: jimbo | June 21, 2009, 1:31 pm 1:31 pm
Mr. Mc Cain..you are wrong on two points…one the President acted correctly as to Iran in waiting and analyzing…even your friend Mr. Kissinger agrees and we need a health care now. 72% of the public want it and are willing to pay for it. Also,you need to tell them that they will finally have a choice and not be dependent on the insurance companies or the government. They can choose.
Posted by: talmag | June 21, 2009, 5:41 pm 5:41 pm
Sen. McCain is right about one thing. The Democrats need to present the meat to this plan or it really is going nowhere.
Would you buy something without a description of what it does or how much it costs?
Sorry, these people in Congress need to give all of us some specifics. The American people need to hear something that is concrete when they make all these proposals.
Posted by: Jon F | June 22, 2009, 3:12 am 3:12 am
Waste of time, John? Go and cry with the rest of the party of NO. Americans have had it with private health insurance. For decades we’ve seen healthcare get worse and worse and more expensive and complex to boot. So now when a public option if being discussed, the GOP is fighting it tooth and nail. They want to keep the status quo. 1300 choices? More like 1300 unaffordable choices. The party of NO would like to stop the train and get off. Let them get off. America needs to move forward and not spin our wheels anymore.
Posted by: Bob | June 22, 2009, 8:49 am 8:49 am