Is GOP bipolar in opposition to Dem health reform?
EmailABC’s Z. Byron Wolf reports:
Even as Democrats start the difficult task of rallying support in their own party for Sen. Max Baucus' health reform plan, Republicans are lining up against it. Their opposition is a bit bipolar, complaining that the plan would lead to a government takeover of health care in the US, but also raising alarm bells that the plan would cut benefits for seniors, who already have government run health care in Medicare.
Here is the official thumbs down on the Baucus plan from the Republican leader in the Senate, Sen. Mitch McConnell, where he complains both that the Baucus plan will cut Medicare (a government run health care plan for seniors) and set up government run health care for others:
"This partisan proposal cuts Medicare by nearly a half-trillion dollars, and puts massive new tax burdens on families and small businesses, to create yet another thousand-page, trillion-dollar government program. Only in Washington would anyone think that makes sense, especially in this economy," he said in a paper statement.
Republicans are making a talking point of all the "thousand-page" bills Democrats want to pass – the other health care bills, the stimulus. The Baucus bill, as written, is only 223, but will get longer when its translated into legal language. McConnell also complains that it's another "trillion dollar" bill although the Baucus bill is only $856 billion. Finally, the Medicare cuts he refers to are Medicare savings the bill assumes will be realized with greater efficiency.
Mitt Romney's Full Speech at CPAC 2012 
Romney Makes His Case to Conservatives at CPAC
If you mean ‘bipolar’ as ‘does not make any sense’ then yes, GOP opposition is that. The lies are just outrageous.
http://www.political-buzz.com
Posted by: Matt | September 16, 2009, 11:32 am 11:32 am
Somehow the word “only” just doesn’t seem to fit next to $856,000,000,000. To paraphrase Rep. Barney Frank, on what planet does reporter Z. Byron Wolf live on where $856,000,000,000 is a relatively inconsequential amount of money? I see a whole lot of bias and not much reporting here.
Posted by: bkm | September 16, 2009, 11:33 am 11:33 am
When are the Democrats and the People going to wake up and Realize that no matter what the Democrats bring to the table the Republicans will be against it, say no, lie, fear monger, but meanwhile none of them Bring any Ideas why? BECAUSE THEY ARE IN BED WITH THE LOBBISIT AND INSURANCE COMPANY THEY LIKE THE STATUS QUO They are looking out for them! and could care less about us
Posted by: Angie in Pa | September 16, 2009, 11:38 am 11:38 am
“Finally, the Medicare cuts he refers to are Medicare savings the bill assumes will be realized with greater efficiency.”
When has any government program changed and began running with greater efficiency to the tune of $500,000,000?????
Posted by: Eric | September 16, 2009, 11:45 am 11:45 am
I like how when there is opposition from Republicans – it is termed “Bi-polar”. However, when the democrats essentially stonewalled ALL the judicial nominees of the Bush administration, it was termed “Spirited defense” or “…the loyal opposition”.
PLEASE – does ABC have to wonder why ratings are down, and ad revenue is drying up? Why print media is suffering like never before? The populace doesnt like spin in the news – every time I see it, it makes me sick. Thank goodness I am not the only one…but seriously, maybe Mr. Wolf should go back to journalism school – either that, or just outright join the Obama administration!
Posted by: Alan | September 16, 2009, 12:22 pm 12:22 pm
Health reform will not be passed with rebub support so why are we wasting our time with them? The party of no have done nothing but slow the process down to a crawl. They want to kill reform. We need to get this done WITH the public option!!!
Posted by: zee | September 16, 2009, 12:35 pm 12:35 pm
Wow. So if I oppose cuts to Medicare on the grounds that it will cause undue suffering to seniors with no viable alternatives, but also oppose any move toward setting up a government health insurance monopoly, I’m mentally ill. Interesting. Get out much?
So now monopolies are good… thanks for the heads-up. Let’s not kid ourself by crowing about the government plan being more effective because it’s “non-profit”. If you stood Medicare or the VA up against any true non-profit, how would it rank in terms of the percentage of each dollar funding going to the the stated cause?
Posted by: Mack | September 16, 2009, 12:48 pm 12:48 pm
Wow, actual, factual reporting by a journalist. Keep it up, Z. Byron, maybe rationality will break out across the country.
Posted by: Amy in Maine | September 16, 2009, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm
The Medicare recipient of today and of tomorrrow will not have lower coverage. They will get more benfits because the government will not pay the insurance companies a jacked up price for the Advantage Supplement. Rather, they will offer it directly and cut out the costly middleman. No co-pays for preventative care, try that on for size.
Posted by: jjb313 | September 16, 2009, 1:44 pm 1:44 pm
No, they aren’t bipolar. In Republican minds it is very simple…If it is proposed by a Democrat it is bad…What Republicans are hoping for is to delay any legislation as long as they can to make it an issue in the election….They are not interested in bipartisanship, health care, or any of that nonsense…They simply see it as a way to embarrass the president and do nothing and hope they are rewarded for it…The Republican party is a sham right now….More interested in gaining advantage than seeking a solution….Meanwhile, insurance rates will continue rise and more people will become uninsured causing more burden for the rest of us…
Posted by: indy_voter | September 16, 2009, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm
Byron, can you specifically identify the $500 billion savings from Medicare? Please identify it by line item and the amount saved. President Obama claims 2/3 of the public option will be funded by Medicare savings and abuse. I would be convinced if those savings and abuses are identified and a price tag on each that comes to a totals to $500 billions. Until that’s done, please don’t just spin because you haven’t done your research. Remember, medicare is broke, medicaid is broke, social security is broke. Even if President Obama can eliminate waste and abuse from Medicare, at best it will keep it solvent. It will surely be broke if reducing it by $500 billion. Do the math.
Posted by: Jason Ng | September 16, 2009, 3:17 pm 3:17 pm
Jason Ng
I know 17 billion of it would be saved by not paying for Medicare Advatage, which is a useless program whereby the federal government pays extra to have private insurance agencies manage certain Medicare policies. (Don’t ask me the details on that, I’ve read about it, but I don’t understand it)
Posted by: Amy in Maine | September 16, 2009, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm
Actually, Medicare can save a lot just by investigating those companies that advertize on TV: diabetes, electric wheelchairs, etc. Also imediately investigate any home health company paying for nurses to give insulin to enormous numbers of patients. Pay more for gerontologists and internists, rather than specialists.
Posted by: peanut | September 16, 2009, 7:41 pm 7:41 pm
This ObamaCare Plan B is a dreadful bill, almost as bad as the Waxman debacle that would have permanently destroyed healthcare freedom in America.
Mandates, higher taxes, cost squeezes, screwing around with granny’s care … what’s not to like for a Democrat? … oh, not ENOUGH of that Government takeover stuff.
Posted by: Travis Monitor | September 17, 2009, 2:30 am 2:30 am
I think the reporter and most of the respondents here need to get their facts in order. The Baucus bill as it stands includes a 35% surtax on “premium” (i.e.: typical large organization sponsored HC plan)policies which will doubtless be passed on to the employee. That includes teachers, police and coal miners (why Jay Rockefeller won’t sign on to the plan). This will be used to pay part of the tab for those without coverage now. This is what McConnell means by adding new taxes to working families.
So, a word of advice to the commenters: Get your info straight and stop the finger-pointing and name calling. The Republican leader is making a good point, but you are too blinded in your mindless allegiance to liberalism to see it.
Posted by: Rich | September 17, 2009, 11:48 am 11:48 am