Unusual Business: Movement on health care tests Obama’s ties to his base
EmailABC News’ Rick Klein reports: Let's get this straight… $250 billion doesn't cost a dime. To see President Obama talk tough with Wall Street Tuesday night, it cost more than 300,000 dimes a couple. (That's a lot of mops.) The anti-war candidate is now thinking about escalating a war. But mostly, for now, he's thinking (while Sen. John Kerry serves as de facto secretary of state?). And those doors behind which health care is being hashed out are really wide open — promise. For a hungry left, the question is fast becoming: How many half loaves are going to be enough? As we move closer (or so we're told) to a House vote on health care — it's worth remembering that the most vocal segments of the president's base are a sophisticated audience. They see past floor votes and conference committees (and can't see through closed doors that were promised to be open). It's some politics-as-usual — closed-door meetings, gifts to key constituencies, with the president on the trail — that the president needs to get from here to there. And on Afghanistan — growing public skepticism (just 45 percent support for the president's handling of the war, and 63 percent saying he lacks a clear plan, in the new ABC News/Washington Post poll) — with a run-off election in place. This is the time for a "quiet period" on health care? (Was he just too noisy before?) "As Congressional leaders and White House officials huddle behind closed doors to settle their differences on health care legislation, one of the most powerful voices in the debate — President Obama's — has grown noticeably quieter," Sheryl Gay Stolberg writes in The New York Times. "The idea, aides said, is for the president to take a breather while Democrats resolve their internal conflicts, so he can come back strong with a fresh sales pitch when the legislation moves closer to floor votes." Said David Axelrod: "I think his time is better spent on this particular issue in conversation with members and in talking to his own advisers and instructing them on how to proceed." "We've reached the top, we're headed downhill now, and we want it to stay that way," White House deputy communications director Dan Pfeiffer tells the Los Angeles Times' Peter Nicholas. Where's the president loudest? Raising money, in New York City Tuesday night — and streaming live for Organizing for America members: " 'Yes we can' wasn't just a motto," the president said, per ABC's Sunlen Miller. "That's what we're all about." In the House — no more delaying that day of reckoning, pitting left vs. center: "Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Democrats Tuesday night that she wants to move forward with the more liberal version of a House health reform bill that would peg government-run coverage to Medicare — setting up a clash with moderates in her caucus who oppose the plan," Politico's Patrick O'Connor reports. "Pelosi told her rank-and-file that she has more than 200 votes for a public option tethered to Medicare and that she wants to ‘see if we can find the remaining votes,' one member present said afterward." "The caucus will meet again Wednesday evening to retake the Democratic temperature. If the 218 votes are there, the party will plow forward and go to conference committee negotiations with a strong hand," Ryan Grim reports at Huffington Post.
Life in the Senate for the public option — but not in a version that liberals are going to like: "Senate liberals are seeking to convince [Senate Majority Leader Harry] Reid that the public option has more support than the Finance Committee's votes suggested. And as the majority leader prepares to release a combined bill as soon as Friday, he is canvassing moderate Democrats to determine how much leeway he may have," The Washington Post's Shailagh Murray and Lori Montgomery report. A touch of payback, as Reid, D-Nev., gets tough: "Top Senate Democrats intend to try to strip the health insurance industry of its exemption from federal antitrust laws as part of the debate over health care, according to congressional officials, the latest evidence of a deepening struggle over President Barack Obama's top domestic priority," the AP's David Espo writes. "If enacted, the switch would mean greater federal regulation for an industry that recently has stepped up its criticism of portions of a health care bill moving toward the Senate floor." Reid hears more noise back home: Americans United for Change is going up with $23,000 worth of radio ad buys in Nevada. This one bring sugar: "Luckily the guy whose has been handed the baton to run that last lap – is Nevada's Senator Harry Reid. Luckily… because Harry Reid isn't afraid to fight the insurance companies. He's already gone after their anti-trust exemption…. and he'll keep fighting until we get health care for all Americans — including a public option — this year."
Yet … with the president still in campaign mode (he's in New Jersey Wednesday night to campaign for Gov. Jon Corzine, D-N.J.) — this is hardly a vote of confidence from a candidate he'll be alongside next week: "I don't think the public option is necessary in any plan and I think Virginia — certainly, I would certainly consider, opting out if that were available to Virginia," Creigh Deeds, D-Va., said at Tuesday's gubernatorial debate, per ABC's Teddy Davis. (Underwhelming day for Deeds, despite the star power. Politico's Jonathan Martin and Andy Barr: "It's doubtful that any of the few hundred people who turned up for Democrat Creigh Deeds at a Northern Virginia campaign office needed a reminder that their candidate is trailing badly in his race for governor. They got one anyway — courtesy of the former president and still-current political analyst Bill Clinton, who offered the small-by-late-October-standards crowd an extended discourse on why Deeds's situation is not necessarily as bad as it seems.") Minding the numbers: "House Democrats have cut the cost of their health care bill from more than $1 trillion over 10 years to $871 billion over a decade," the AP's Erica Werner reports. "Getting to $871 billion requires going with a strong government plan to sell insurance in competition with private insurers — something Pelosi and liberals have pushed for." Tending the base: Organizing for America's Mitch Stewart writes an e-mail to supporters on Wednesday, taking a victory lap (it helps when you set your own goals and then exceed them thrice over). "I'm looking at the numbers, and with almost all of the reports now in, the tally wasn't 200,000 calls placed or pledged — it was 315,023. You did it. . . . You set a new OFA record, you caught the national media's attention, and you certainly put Congress on notice. But you know that's not what really matters." Fudging the math: "Medicare is hurtling toward insolvency, but [Sen. Debbie] Stabenow would essentially repeal past cost-cutting efforts," Dana Milbank writes in his Washington Post column. "And even granting that it's a good idea not to cut Medicare payments to doctors, it's a strange interpretation of honesty to separate this $250 billion cost from the health-care bill and then claim that the other bill doesn't raise the deficit." "It's never been something everyone said you had to pay for," Stabenow said Tuesday onABCNews.com's "Top Line." Not so fast: "What seemed like an easy solution last week in the health-care negotiations is now facing uphill battles in both chambers, which is why Democrats are relying on physicians' groups to throw the power of their lobby behind the bill," Time's Jay Newton-Small reports. "The AMA has run $200,000 worth of ads in a dozen states in the past week and has pledged to spend upwards of $1.8 million on more. Likewise the seniors' lobbying organization AARP, which strongly supports the legislation, has run about $2 million in ads in the past two weeks, mostly on this issue." The big messaging picture: "With a series of private meetings and public taunts, the White House has targeted the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the biggest-spending pro-business lobbying group in the country; Rush Limbaugh, the country's most-listened-to conservative commentator; and now, with a new volley of combative rhetoric in recent days, the insurance industry, Wall Street executives and Fox News," Politico's Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen report. "All of the techniques are harnessed to a larger purpose: to marginalize not only the individual person or organization but also some of the most important policy and publicity allies of the national Republican Party," they write. Obama's war: "Barack Obama's ratings for handling the war in Afghanistan have dropped sharply, with Americans by 2-1 saying he lacks a clear plan there. But the public itself is divided on how to proceed, torn between the difficulties of the war and the threat of Taliban or al Qaeda-backed terrorism," ABC polling director Gary Langer writes in his analysis. "Forty-five percent now approve of the president's handling of the situation, down by 10 points in a month, 15 points since August and 18 points from its peak last spring. His approval rating on Afghanistan has fallen farther than on any other issue in ABC News/Washington Post polls this year." The Post's Dan Balz and Jon Cohen: "Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, has recommended the substantial increase in troop strength, and 47 percent of those polled favor the buildup, while 49 percent oppose it. Most on both sides hold their views ‘strongly.' " The pressure builds: "The longer we delay to send the necessary additional troops, the longer it will be that our troops are unnecessarily in danger," Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., told ABC News, in Martha Raddatz's "Good Morning America" report Wednesday. Kerry, D-Mass., is back in Washington Wednesday — and headed to the White Housefor a debrief, at 12:40 pm ET. Man of the many hours: "What began as a routine fact-finding trip to Afghanistan last week turned into a high-profile diplomatic foray for Senator John F. Kerry, who unexpectedly plunged into five days of talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai to resolve a political impasse over disputed elections that threatened to drag the country deeper into crisis," The Boston Globe's Farah Stockman reports. "Hours after he landed in Kabul on Friday, the Massachusetts Democrat was called upon by the US ambassador to negotiate with Karzai, a request that triggered a marathon of detailed meetings — over tea, over dinner, and in private strolls on grounds of the presidential palace. Yesterday, Kerry stood beside Karzai as the Afghan president announced that he had agreed to a runoff election Nov. 7." ABC's Jonathan Karl reports that Karzai wanted to back out at the last minute: "As the afternoon drags on, Kerry takes a walk with Karzai on the presidential compound for another more one-on-one talk. The two men visit a mosque on the presidential compound and then return to the palace. Karzai agrees, once again, to accept the updated election results and the run-off election." Also on the president's schedule: "President Barack Obama will announce initiatives Wednesday aimed at boosting credit to small businesses, as the White House tries to address a complicated issue many believe is dragging on the economy," The Wall Street Journal's Damien Paletta and Deborah Solomon report. "The White House will move to increase the caps on Small Business Administration loans and to make it easier for small banks to access funds from the Troubled Asset Relief Program, an administration official said." Warning to Wall Street: "If there are members of the financial industry in the audience today, I will ask that you join with us in passing what are necessary reforms — don't fight them, join us on it," the president said at a DNC fundraiser Tuesday night, per ABC's Sunlen Miller. Back to health care — casting concerns in a slightly different way: "Americans are increasingly worried about the cost and quality of medical care that could result from President Obama's effort to revamp health care, but a majority still trust him more than Republicans to change the system, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll shows," John Fritze reports for USA Today. "The poll, which comes as Senate leaders are crafting a bill for a critical floor vote, finds that people who fear their costs would increase under the measure jumped 7 percentage points since last month, to 49%. There were similar increases among those who believe that both quality of health care and insurance company red tape will get worse if legislation passes."
Per Gallup: "By 58% to 38%, Americans would generally prefer to see Congress deal with healthcare reform 'on a gradual basis over several years' rather than 'try to pass a comprehensive reform plan this year." Reframing a constant refrain: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell delivers his 50th Senate floor speech of the year on health care, where "he'll talk about the need for reform and argue that Democrat proposals which raise premiums, hike taxes and cut Medicare won't do the job," per a GOP leadership aide. "The simple fact is, every Republican in Congress supports reform," McConnell, R-Ky., writes in a USA Today op-ed. "The dramatic shift between what Americans expected and what they got is the reason so many of them turned out at town hall meetings in August, and it's the reason that an ever increasing percentage of them oppose the health care proposals now taking shape in Congress." A one-two political punch: "Treasury officials have privately informed lawmakers that a vote on the debt limit must occur before Congress leaves in December. Republicans believe that the $900 billion or larger increase will feed into voters' concerns about the price tag of the health bill," Roll Call's Keith Koffler writes. "And Republican Congressional sources talk as if they already have the Virginia gubernatorial contest locked up. They stand ready to use a GOP victory in a moderate state carried by Obama to spook moderate Democrats whose support for health care reform is not a sure bet." From the other side: Look for House floor speeches Wednesday morning "to call out congressional Republicans for their hypocrisy on Medicare, failing to make good on their promises to introduce an official health reform bill and for continuing to try to kill reform," per the Democratic leadership press release. Making Congress look really … grown-up: "Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.) locked Republicans out of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee room to keep them from meeting when Democrats aren't present," The Hill's Susan Crabtree reports. "Towns' action came after repeated public ridicule from the leading Republican on the committee, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), over Towns's failure to launch an investigation into Countrywide Mortgage's reported sweetheart deals to VIPs." Why? "Because they don't know how to behave," Towns said in a statement to Politico's Jake Sherman. Sarah Palin. Oprah. Seriously. "To coincide with the release of her ghost-assisted book, Going Rogue, Palin and her advisers are planning a careful TV and Web rollout in mid November, to be followed by paid speeches to business, civic, and college groups," Newsweek's Howard Fineman reports. "Assembled with the advice of her Washington lawyer, Bob Barnett, and her speech agency, Washington Speakers Bureau, Palin's junket will go light on the free-ranging, traditional hard-news venues and heavy on personality: one major stop will be Oprah."
The Kicker: "I have not been involved in such an open and transparent process as this. I'm very, very proud that we have done it." — Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., before heading back behind closed doors to meet on health care. "You can't afford a fund-raiser involving [First Daughters] Malia and Sasha. I'm cheap." — President Obama, at a DNC event in New York City that cost $30,400 per couple to attend.
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I dont want to be represented by anyone who considers themselves more important than me. If their lives are worth more than mine, thus they have to exempt themselves from this health care plan in favor of something better for themselves, then I want to vote them out of office. If they represent us, let them treat us with respect and take everything they impose on us for themselves as well. You can be sure that while they wont have time to examine the bill before they vote on it, they will be assured that neither they nor their own families are bound by it.
Posted by: FreedomOFpress | October 21, 2009, 9:09 am 9:09 am
“You can be sure that while they wont have time to examine the bill before they vote on it, they will be assured that neither they nor their own families are bound by it.”
FreedomOFpress | Oct 21, 2009 9:09:31 AM
Meanwhile, back in documented reality, the Fiance Committee bill requires that Congress purchase their health plan from the same insurance exchange everyone else would use.
Posted by: jhw539 | October 21, 2009, 9:19 am 9:19 am
Obama….
The constant lying.
The staggering arrogance.
The dangerous narcissism.
The astounding incompetence.
Continuing with healthcare, Obama wants to put as much of the private economy under government control as possible to create his nanny state utopia where he is the boy king.
Let’s continue to stand strong against Obama in every way and get Congress out of the hands of the insane Pelosi and Reid in 2010.
Obama is a smug, smirking con man. Nothing more. Wake up, folks.
Posted by: Jackson | October 21, 2009, 9:29 am 9:29 am
Careful ABC. You may get kicked out of the pool lol. The writing is on the wall and is becoming clearer. Be ready America, freedom loving peoples resolve will be tested in the next year. As one President said “Get in their faces!”
Posted by: dillholedemo | October 21, 2009, 9:35 am 9:35 am
“Meanwhile, back in documented reality, the Fiance Committee bill requires that Congress purchase their health plan from the same insurance exchange everyone else would use.”
jhw539 | Oct 21, 2009 9:19:45 AM
Really? Is that the final legislative language? And where is that posted for all to see?
Posted by: Shane | October 21, 2009, 9:36 am 9:36 am
Meanwhile back in real life, there are 5 bills being combined, and we all understand how this works, smoke and mirror tactics have been obvious, the bill isnt finished, and jhw acts confident they will do the right thing. We know it wont work that way. Congress will exempt themselves as always.AS ALWAYS. Bank on it.
Posted by: FreedomOFpress | October 21, 2009, 9:37 am 9:37 am
Obama’s far left base needs to put down their weed pipes and fresh copies of the communist manifesto for one second, and realize that the marxist America just elected to the presidency is doing everything he can to make gov’t in charge of us all.
His crazy anti-capitalism base needs to calm down and realize that if it wasn’t for the STRONG resistance of the American people to tyranny, he would already passed his marxist agenda.
Posted by: Dave | October 21, 2009, 9:38 am 9:38 am
I wonder if Obama is paying “community organizers” to sit in front of their computers trying to convince people who read this to support a bill that hasnt been written yet and wont be read by the people who are going to vote on it and wont be made available for the public to examine. Would he do that?
Posted by: FreedomOFpress | October 21, 2009, 9:41 am 9:41 am
Let’s keep the torches lit and the pressure on. The sooner Obama is rendered impotent, the better for America and the world.
Here’s some good news out today:
“The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Wednesday shows that 27% of the nation’s voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty percent (40%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -13. That’s just a point above the lowest level ever recorded for this President. It’s also the sixth straight day in negative double digits, matching the longest such streak.”
Obama wants our freedom and tax dollars as his Marxist play things. Let’s push back HARD and ensure that he doesn’t win.
Posted by: Kyle Roget | October 21, 2009, 9:42 am 9:42 am
dillholedemo
“Get in their faces” was said by the man who is always calling for civility, right?
Obama is true student of alinksy, plain and simple. He is also a marxist liar and hyprocrite.
He marched with acorn in chicago and helped create intimidation methods aimed at CEO’s/board of directors of the banks to lower their lending standards- which they ultimately did.
All the while, barry was living in a 2 million dollar mansion that he couldn’t afford without a backalley deal from the convicted felon tony rezko (who was also his biggest campaign organizer for his senate campaign).
Posted by: Dave | October 21, 2009, 9:44 am 9:44 am
A new day. 122 people will die today due to lack of health insurance (45,000 per year)
I agree with GOP that there should be competition in the health insurance industry. I hope the GOP will support the effort to remove the antitrust exemption the health insurance industry has had for over 60 years.
Let us put our money/vote where our mouth is. Right?
Posted by: New Wave | October 21, 2009, 9:50 am 9:50 am
Our money isnt near our mouths, we have none as a nation, we are trillions of dollars in debt. I think New Wave is one of those community organizers posting on these blogs.
Posted by: chip | October 21, 2009, 9:58 am 9:58 am
Kyle Roget
What’s up with the “render Obama impotent” comment? I’m afraid I don’t get the thrust of your argument that hurting the President is good for America. America voted for Obama, America wants what Obama wants: healthcare reform, a smart, winning strategy for dealing with the jihadists, justice and peace.
What do YOU want?
Posted by: Amy in Maine | October 21, 2009, 10:00 am 10:00 am
What America are you living in? The one that hasnt been crippled by Obama’s debt?
Posted by: todd | October 21, 2009, 10:01 am 10:01 am
Rather, I think now Americans are taking a Practical look at how Obama is performing and they did not vote for the circus that has formed under his administration or the debt that he has rang up. Einstein said that the definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over again expecting to get different results. NO MORE STIMULUS!
Posted by: terryHowell | October 21, 2009, 10:05 am 10:05 am
Amy in Maine
By rendering obama impotent, his marxist agenda would be stalled as well. That is what we are hoping for.
You are correct in that America elected obama, but the obama they elected was a bipartisan moderate, remember?
Now EVERYTHING he has done and/or is trying to do is competely one-sided/partisan. obama is not the moderate the obedient media portrayed him to be. He is just as radical as all of the loons that keep popping up around him- Rev Racist, Bill Ayers, father phlager, rashid khalidi, van jones, ron blume, anita dunn.
obama hate America, which is why liberals love him, and the sooner he is kicked out of office, the better off America will be.
Posted by: Dave | October 21, 2009, 10:19 am 10:19 am
I’m actually surprised that ABC is reporting the riff among Democrats on health care. Plenty of balloon boy stuff though.
Posted by: LongT | October 21, 2009, 10:22 am 10:22 am
It’s a simple question. Should those who have been announcing free-market solutions be against removing anti-trust exemptions?
Changing the topic by calling people names does not work anymore.
Posted by: New Wave | October 21, 2009, 10:22 am 10:22 am
terryHowell
The non-partisan CBO says the healthcare reform bill will reduce the federal deficit by 81 billion over just the first ten years.
Why does the rightwing resort to lies, misinformation and personal attacks to “fight” the President, like he is some kind of enemy? I’m all for the importance of opposition, but why can’t rightwingers generate honest debate instead of smear and lie tactics?
Posted by: Amy in Maine | October 21, 2009, 10:22 am 10:22 am
Obama is mentally ill with a severe form of narcissism.
The best thing in the world is to ratchet up the criticism of him. And things like SNL ridiculing him and the Olympic slap in the face are extremely helpful.
Obama will destroy this nation to satisfy his ego. Dems MUST go in 2010 if this nation is to survive the destruction of Obama and the spoiled children, Marxists and anti-American hacks throughout his administration.
Posted by: Oppen Tom | October 21, 2009, 10:30 am 10:30 am
Well, let’s see.
Fox is booming.
The Wall Street Journal now has the largest circulation, taking the lead from left-leaning USA Today.
Conservatism is booming (see Gallop for details).
The hard-left New York Times is laying off another 150 people.
Hard-left CNN viewership is down 30 percent.
Hard-left MSNBC viewership is down 10 percent.
40 percent of Americans now strongly disapprove of Obama versus 27 percent who approve (see today’s Rasmussen).
Keep the faith, Americans. We WILL take his great nation back from the arrogant, incompetent children in the White House.
Posted by: Chelsean | October 21, 2009, 10:33 am 10:33 am
Dave
“obama hate America, which is why liberals love him, and the sooner he is kicked out of office, the better off America will be.”
This is tripe. I choose Obama for President because I recognized his intellectual giftedness, and I agreed with his political positions: expand healthcare insurance coverage, replace incompetence in government with accoutability, improve conditions for the middle class, withdraw troops from Iraq, get smart about dealing with jihadits, improve relations with allies. So far, I see the President doing just that and more: he’s also inspiring African American kids in dysfunctional schools to have hope. The America you seem to want is a depressed, isloated, beleagured, miserable country, kinda where we were headed under Bush. No thanks.
Posted by: Amy in Maine | October 21, 2009, 10:34 am 10:34 am
Obama is playing footsies with the medical profession, pretending to get “concessions”, when in fact he is promoting the “Status Quo”.
No real reform, and certainly no real cost reductions, can occur in health care without eliminating the profiteering, which he is against doing.
Only a National Health Care plan for everyone, can eliminate the profiteering. Plain and simple.
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | October 21, 2009, 10:38 am 10:38 am
Obama continues to dither while troops die in Afghanistan.
Posted by: Beth Y | October 21, 2009, 10:38 am 10:38 am
Thanks to the Baucus quote in The Kicker, I now I have a much better idea what Democrats consider “open and transparent.” All along I thought it meant bipartisan and for all to see. And locking House Republicans out of rooms in case they try to meet without a Democrat snitch? Why doesn’t that apply to all the rooms where only Democrats and White House officials meet behind closed doors to hash out health care reform, business buyouts and stimulus packages. Guess it’s like getting keys to the Executive Restroom to keep everyone out who is not “one of you.” How pathetic and sad.
Posted by: older&wiser | October 21, 2009, 10:38 am 10:38 am
Chelsean
You can’t have my country.
I don’t want Republicans in charge, again.
Is Obama a narcissist? Er, he’s a politician, aren’t they all? At least Obama has real talent to match his ego. Review his interviews and debates on You Tube and tell me this isn’t a bright guy.
A bright guy as President. Who’d have thunk it?
Posted by: Amy in Maine | October 21, 2009, 10:52 am 10:52 am
Funny I was thinking it was my right to voice my opinion! Guess that only matters if I agree with a Liberal. Liberals resort to the Race card, the Sexism card, and the Republicans are fear mongering card for one reason they can not use logic or fact to make a argument to support the positions they hold. Let me say this as Cleary as I can so maybe a Liberal will finally understand it. Just because a Conservative disagrees with Obama and or Pelosi does not make them a Racist or a Sexist, it only proves They disagree with them, They probably also disagree with Harry Reed and Chris Dodd. So what does that make them?
Posted by: batesba74 | October 21, 2009, 10:57 am 10:57 am
Kyle Roget | Oct 21, 2009 9:42:23 AM
You said; …”The Rasmussen Reports daily …” … “Let’s push back HARD and ensure that he doesn’t win.” …
____________
The mere admission that you reference Rasmussen Reports as your Sole Source speaks Loudly of your overall Limited Validation. Participants (in the National Discussion) of your ilk make-up something less than 0.50% of the total Voting Population!
Posted by: bobj72 | October 21, 2009, 10:57 am 10:57 am
“40 percent of Americans now strongly disapprove of Obama versus 27 percent who approve (see today’s Rasmussen).”
No, 40% of “likely voters” now strongly disapprove of Obama versus 27% who approve. Or so says Rasmussen. Compare:
Approve/Disapprove/Spread
55/43/+12 CNN/Opinion Research
50/43/+7 Gallup
47/52/-5 Rasmussen Reports
57/40/+17 ABC News/Wash Post
49/45/+4 FOX News
53/41/+12 Marist
56/34/+22 CBS News
Posted by: Numeros | October 21, 2009, 10:57 am 10:57 am
One of the lefts main points for health reform is that the WHO ranks the US at 37 in health care. Todays Wall Street Journal has some facts the left doesn’t tell us about the WHO rankings. “Among all the numbers bandied about in the health-care debate, this ranking stands out as particularly misleading. It is based on a report released nearly a decade ago by the World Health Organization and relies on statistics that are even older and incomplete. Few people who cite the ranking are aware that some public-health officials were skeptical of the report from the outset. The ranking was faulted because it judges health-care systems for problems — cultural, behavioral, economic — that aren’t controlled by health care.”
Just like all polls and surveys they can be tilted to get the results that are desired to make one side look bad and the other to look good. They also have an article on the antitrust exemption for the insurance companies and go tint the history of the exemption. It dates back to ” the 1945 McCarran-Ferguson Act, which also codified state insurance regulation as national policy. This statute exempts the “business of insurance” from federal antitrust law provided that the activities are (1) regulated by state law and (2) do not involve boycott, coercion or intimidation. Its passage followed a 1944 Supreme Court ruling that insurance was interstate commerce and therefore subject to federal antitrust law—a ruling that cast doubt on states’ exclusive regulatory role, and the legality of then typical agreements among property and casualty insurers to use rates developed jointly by state or regional insurance rating organizations.
Most states responded to McCarran-Ferguson by enacting or modifying laws giving regulators authority over property/casualty insurance rates, including those developed by rating organizations.”
If the goal were to promote robust concentration in private health insurance, Congress would focus on reducing impediments to competition. It could do so by allowing consumers to buy insurance across state lines at terms that do not require them to subsidize other buyers or to buy coverage for state-mandated benefits they are unwilling to pay for. Congress could also eliminate tax and regulatory rules that favor employment-based coverage over individual coverage.
In short, the rationale for repealing the insurance antitrust exemption is—to borrow a word used by Mr. Obama in his radio address—bogus.”
Time for the present bills to be scrapped and only fix what is broke since the money is not there for the pie in the sky plan the left is trying to ram down our throats. The idiots in DC need to review the oath they took when they were elected and read the Constitution, they will become enlightened and discover that they are out of line with the powers given to them by that document which governs our great nation.
Posted by: Sandcrab1612 | October 21, 2009, 10:59 am 10:59 am
Speaking personally, I sure would like to see our representatives (Congress and the Pres) replaced with “common” men and women – those with some education (and not necessarily an elitist education), lots of common sense, and a strong desire to put us back on track as a country. I would like to see donations to those candidates that are “real” donations. How ridiculous does it sound when there is a fundraiser and the “price” to participate is equal to or greater than some people earn in a year’s wages (“You can’t afford a fund-raiser involving [First Daughters] Malia and Sasha. I’m cheap.” — President Obama, at a DNC event in New York City that cost $30,400 per couple to attend.)? Our politics has turned into a contest about who can raise the most money. It is time to get back to our principles.
Posted by: tired of it all | October 21, 2009, 11:07 am 11:07 am
A True American Citizen | Oct 21, 2009 11:04:24 AM That was Awesome!
Posted by: batesba74 | October 21, 2009, 11:09 am 11:09 am
A True American Citizen
Well, as long as you voted Democratic.
I voted Democratic because the Republicans squandered the surplus.
Posted by: Amy in Maine | October 21, 2009, 11:11 am 11:11 am
“Dave” | Oct 21, 2009 10:19:54 AM
You and “Oppen Tom” are singing the same song: …”the sooner he is kicked out of office, the better off America will be.” … and “Oppen Tom”; … “Obama will destroy this nation to satisfy his ego.” …
_____________
You guys are Mostly “Out of touch” with Voting Adults. (CNN 10.21.09) DOES OBAMA HAVE THE QUALITIES YOU ADMIRE IN A PRESIDENT? Yes 66% of Voting Americans
Posted by: bobj72 | October 21, 2009, 11:14 am 11:14 am
As the healthcare “reform” debate continues to flounder and eventually die, keep this Obama Blame List handy and check off the excuses as he mentions them as reasons for his failure.
Bush
Racism
Bush
His white grandmother
Bush
The Cambridge Police
Bush
Joe Wilson
Bush
The vast, right wing conspiracy
Bush
Fox News
Bush
Am I missing anything/anyone for Obama to blame for his continuing inability to accomplish ANYTHING?
Posted by: Tom Cass | October 21, 2009, 11:40 am 11:40 am
Amy: Can’t you tell a gifted public speaker from an “intellectual?” Or a pep rally from a political platform? Sound bites, catch-phrases and slogans got Obama elected, and a whole lot of promises he was not in a position to make because the presidency does not operate in a vacuum. I have to admit he has good writers, but so far he has either abandoned his campaign rhetoric, twisted it to suit his needs or taken up residency on a fence to avoid making tough choices. He is quick to go back on the campaign trail whenever asked because that’s his forte, while his party founders with such far-reaching and complicated issues as health care reform and the environment. He said that Afghanistan is the real war againts terrorism yet he won’t act on the recommendations of his hand-picked General without meetings ad nauseatum, claiming he wants to “get it right.” Every day he delays any decision endangers our troops and emboldens our enemies. It seems pretty simple – bring ‘em home or beef ‘em up. I may not like his ultimate decision, if he ever makes one, but I will respect that he finally goes on the record with something! And what does inspiring black kids in school have to do with anything? It’s almost an apologist’s comment – he gives them hope (if nothing else). Lots of professional and collegiate athletes, as well as religious and cultural leaders, do the same thing. I don’t consider that a qualification for making decisions that affect my life or my country’s future.
Posted by: older&wiser | October 21, 2009, 11:42 am 11:42 am
“tired of it all”|Oct 21, 09 11:07:56 AM
You said; … “I sure would like to see our representatives (Congress and the Pres) replaced with “common” men and women – those with some education (and not necessarily an elitist education), lots of common sense, and a strong desire to put us back on track as a country.” …
_____________
I agree with you TOTALLY! And I would gladly contribute to such an enterprise. Unfortunately, we are so polarized – politically it’s not likely to occur.
If I’m right, I’d assume you would like to have “Your Congress” and “Your President” be BiPartisan and direct their energies to ONLY those efforts that would be in the Best Interest of the American People? While I respect such an idea, I’m not naive enough, to hold out much hope for it.
Posted by: bobj72 | October 21, 2009, 11:44 am 11:44 am
Tom Cass
If Obama’s enemies are Bush, racism, Joe Wilson, and Fox News then I’m with Obama! Those entities are definitely my enemies too!
Posted by: Amy in Maine | October 21, 2009, 11:48 am 11:48 am
I dont want to be represented by anyone who considers themselves more important than me. If their lives are worth more than mine, thus they have to exempt themselves from this health care plan in favor of something better for themselves, then I want to vote them out of office. If they represent us, let them treat us with respect and take everything they impose on us for themselves as well. You can be sure that while they wont have time to examine the bill before they vote on it, they will be assured that neither they nor their own families are bound by it. FreedomOFpress >>>>>>>>>>>
That was very well said and truly a sad statement on the current congress and White House.
Posted by: ChicagoBob | October 21, 2009, 11:50 am 11:50 am
Amy in Maine: Can you please explain the racism? You guys keep brining up the race card but I have no Idea why? Yes there is racism in America and it works both ways, If America is so racist how did he get elected? Voicing disagreement does not make you a racist and being a good public speaker does not make someone an intellectual.
Posted by: batesba74 | October 21, 2009, 12:00 pm 12:00 pm
“Every day he delays any decision endangers our troops and emboldens our enemies.”
We have been in Afghanistan for eight years. NOW you get impatient for more troops? Where were you when Bush fired General Shiniski?
“he gives them hope” Yeah, well, you know, part of the job of the President is to articulate the ideals of the country. It’s why Reagan was considered successful.
It seems to me the basis of all rightwing prejudice is FEAR, and low self esteem. They seem to want to drag the country down so they can feel “normal.” Personally, I want us all to do better. Obama is leading us UP, not down. His economic policies pulled us back from a Depression, we are finally focusing on winning in Afghanistan and healthcare reform is getting tackled. This is the way UP.
Posted by: Amy in Maine | October 21, 2009, 12:05 pm 12:05 pm
Amy in Maine –
Do you really spend all day here debating, debating, debating virtually every post that says anything negative about your man Obama?
Really?
This is more than a school girl crush for you, Amy, but it’s not healthy.
Get some fresh air. The world is much, much bigger than Obama.
Posted by: beth | October 21, 2009, 12:13 pm 12:13 pm
Amy in Maine: Do you listen to yourself? “His economic policies pulled us back from a Depression?” What proof do you have of this? He said if we did nothing unemployment would go above 8% it was what almost 10%. “we are finally focusing on winning in Afghanistan ” doing nothing is focusing on Afghanistan? Saying he wants to know the strategy before making a decision 9 months in? And A healthcare reform bill that the majority of Americans are against? listen to yourself and look at the situation with an open mind and you can come to no other conclusion that his policies are just wrong.
Posted by: batesba74 | October 21, 2009, 12:20 pm 12:20 pm
Well, the decision to go to war with Fox News has really paid dividends for this White House. According to the latest Rasmussen presidential tracking poll, Barack Obama now has a passion index of -13, with only 27% of respondents strongly approving of his performance and 40% strongly disapproving.
Overall, 47% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President’s performance. Fifty-three percent (53%) disapprove.
This polling follows that of other independent pollsters such as Pew and Harris showing eroding support for both Obama and his agenda. Skewed polling, such as that of the WaPo/ABC and NYT/CBS surveys, hint at similar erosion even while wildly oversampling Democrats. Rasmussen uses likely voters, a much more predictive method, which should have Democrats very, very worried about pursuing their radical agenda.
Time for a prime-time press conference! Or another speech to the joint session of Congress, perhaps.
Obama: Sinking (thank God).
Posted by: Derrick OO | October 21, 2009, 12:20 pm 12:20 pm
I’m still waiting to hear one, JUST ONE new suggestion from the GOP and right-wingnuts on how to make the life of Americans better.
All we hear is the President being called all the names they can think of. The right wingnuts can’t help themselves that we elected a smart person as President.
President Obama is doing all the things he campaigned for and which got him the votes to be President. Some may take longer to do and we understand that.
Aren’t you guys tired of complaining? GRAB A MOP and help make America better. BTW..Tax cuts for the rich failed as shown by the present economic situation. NEW IDEAS please!!
GRAB A MOP !!
Posted by: New Wave | October 21, 2009, 12:20 pm 12:20 pm
New Waves cries: “I’m still waiting to hear one, JUST ONE new suggestion from the GOP and right-wingnuts on how to make the life of Americans better.”
___________________
Here’s three, kiddo.
1. Tort reform
2. Allow health insurance companies to sell across state lines everywhere.
3. Impeach Obama
Posted by: Jackie Trevor | October 21, 2009, 12:24 pm 12:24 pm
Funny most if not all experts said the Bush Tax Cuts kept us out of a economic crisis after 9/11. it was not until the Democrats took control of the house and Senate in 2007 that the economy started taking a turn for the worse.
Posted by: batesba74 | October 21, 2009, 12:26 pm 12:26 pm
Have you had your ears and eyes checked lately? Or have you away from radio, television and the internet not to see, hear or read the GOP responses? The rest of America has seen or heard and this is the latest Rasmussen: The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Wednesday shows that 27% of the nation’s voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty percent (40%) Strongly Disapprove
Posted by: deanbob | October 21, 2009, 12:31 pm 12:31 pm
“Funny most if not all experts said the Bush Tax Cuts kept us out of a economic crisis after 9/11″
We were sold that that Bush Tax Cuts would create jobs in America. Are you saying that we gave $1.3 Trillion tax cuts for Temp jobs? What an admission !
“1. Tort reform”
Tort Reform smokescreen – I live in Texas and we had Tort Reform here that capped liability payments BUT we now have some of the highest healthcare costs in the country.
“2. Allow health insurance companies to sell across state lines everywhere.”
We can start by removing the antiturst exemption that Health Insurers have, that will boost competition. Don’t you agree?
Posted by: New Wave | October 21, 2009, 12:36 pm 12:36 pm
beth
If you were smart, you would read my comments and realize why the Republicans aren’t getting back in power for the next 15 years.
You might even realize the harm Limbaugh, Hannity, Coulter and Palin have done to your party. People like me are so turned off by their stupidity and the hate, I can’t tell you.
Yeah, attacks against President Obama make me mad. REAL mad! I guess I do idealize him. And how great to have a Presidnt worthy of my affection!
Posted by: Amy in Maine | October 21, 2009, 12:38 pm 12:38 pm
Obama:
Empty.
Dishonest.
Narcissistic.
Dangerous.
The Obama con continues.
Posted by: Paulo | October 21, 2009, 12:42 pm 12:42 pm
Can’t you separate the poilcy from the man? The attacks are on the policies and such untruths as “not 1 penny of tax if you make less than $250K” and “transparency”. We can not afford any more debt. It will crush us.
Posted by: deanbob | October 21, 2009, 12:47 pm 12:47 pm
Amy in Maine | Oct 21, 2009 12:38:01 PM
Republicans will be closer to power in 2010 and all the way back in 2012.
Posted by: batesba74 | October 21, 2009, 12:48 pm 12:48 pm
“Republicans will be closer to power in 2010 and all the way back in 2012. ”
They can’t do that by being the party of NO. Even a GOP Rep lamented 2 days back that the GOP House leadership prefers to play political games than solving problems.
Please let us know next year how that worked for you.
Posted by: New Wave | October 21, 2009, 12:54 pm 12:54 pm
batesba74
“Republicans will be closer to power in 2010 and all the way back in 2012. ”
I don’t think so. Not as long as they call wonky, old fashioned Republicans like Olympia Snowe “RINOs.”
Republicans seem to think weepy, bullying, hysterical demogagory is a winning strategy. But I tell you, people like me are turned off by that ugliness and stupidity. Try having a Republican governor run a state effectively for awhile, then we’ll talk about letting Republicans back on the national scene.
Posted by: Amy in Maine | October 21, 2009, 12:59 pm 12:59 pm
reid, Polosi are history. Their polls show low numbers and hopfully they will be voted out and fresh blood voted in.
Posted by: Jim Rod | October 21, 2009, 1:06 pm 1:06 pm
We need healthcare reform and we need it now. Just recently in the news we have heard where insurance companies have denied children for being too big or too small, and a mother who couldn’t get coverage if she still wanted children because she would need a “c” section – the only way they would cover her is if she agreed to be sterilized. Come on people! these are just a few of the stories we happen to hear but this is happening to thousands a day… I think you would change your tune if you happen to put in a position like this. I back Obama 100% in Healthcare reform!
Posted by: confidential416 | October 21, 2009, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm
This bill will sink the US, starting with the small businesses. They claim that the employer mandate in the proposals will only impact large business. Baloney! The point that this only impacts “large employers” is nonsense. Is a large employer one like me with 100 $8 per hour employees? Or one with 20 employees that make $100K each? Fact is the way the define it the costs to me will be twice what I make in a year. Say good-bye to business and jobs.
Posted by: chas | October 21, 2009, 1:15 pm 1:15 pm
The boards seem to be overwhelmed with anti-Obama messages being responded to by two lonely Obamabots — Amy and New Wave.
Do you see the tumbleweeds blowing by you guys? Do you hear crickets? Can you see us waving to you as America moves further and further away from Obama and the hard left.
By all means, keep cheerleading. But the stand are getting emptier with each passing day.
Americans are buying the Obama lies.
Posted by: Baxter Five | October 21, 2009, 1:18 pm 1:18 pm
New Wave – You said “We can start by removing the antiturst exemption that Health Insurers have, that will boost competition. Don’t you agree?”
HELL NO!!!!!!
According to Todays Wall Street Journal that would have little effect on health care insurance. You are just blowing more smoke for Obama.
Posted by: Sandcrab1612 | October 21, 2009, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm
“Paulo” | Oct 21, 2009 12:42:15 PM
You’ve got SOMETHING ELSE working here……. And it’s not easy, trying to figure it out!!! I wonder… is it socially pure?
Posted by: bobj72 | October 21, 2009, 1:37 pm 1:37 pm
As one who whole heartedly wanted to believe in the “change” that Obama to be the “people’s” president, unfortunatley his silence when strenth is needed is quite telling. He gives speeches to us on how he thinks its just disgraceful whats going on in the banking, Wall Street and the health industry but doesn’t do jack crap to “forcefully” change things…I beleive they call that; being two-faced. Again,not exactly the change we can believe in and as far as his motto of “yes we can”…um, more like not so much. Yes, I’m PO’d at this guy. Hobknobbing with the Wall Street crooks for campaign money is enough to make us INDEPENDENTS think he’s just another “bought and paid”for government official, along with his slime ball cohorts Geithner and Summers. Bernanke is just as bad…these guys are pathetic.
Posted by: mackiewho | October 21, 2009, 1:38 pm 1:38 pm
SANDCRAB:
I don’t give a rats arse what the Wall Steet journal says about anti-trust not affecting health insurance industy…USE YOUR HEAD AND THE COMMON SENSE GOD GAVE YOU…WHY ARE INSURANCE COMPANIES AND BASEBALL THE ONLY INDUSTRY PROTECTED? DUH. WHY IS THAT SANDCRAB? EVERYONE ELSE NEEDS TO FOLLOW THE ANTI-TRUST LAWS BUT THEY DON’T…COME ON GIVE US A BREAK. TEDDY ROOSEVELT WOULD NOT AGREE WITH THE WALL STREET JOURNAL OR YOU.
Posted by: mackiewho | October 21, 2009, 2:02 pm 2:02 pm
Once upon a time the government had a vast scrap yard in the middle of a desert. Congress said, “Someone may steal from it at night.” So they created a night watchman position and hired a person for the job.
Then Congress said, “How does the watchman do his job without instructions?” So they created a planning department and hired two people, one person to write the instructions, and one person to do time studies.
Then Congress said, “How will we know the night watchman is doing the tasks correctly?” So they created a Quality Control department and hired two people. One to do the studies and one to write the reports.
Then Congress said, “How are these people going to get paid?” So They created the following positions, a time keeper, and a payroll officer, Then hired two people.
Then Congress said, “Who will be accountable for all of these people?”
So they created an administrative section and hired three people, an Administrative Officer, Assistant Administrative Officer, and a Legal Secretary.
Then Congress said, “We have had this command in operation for one Year and we are $18,000 over budget, we must cutback overall cost.”
So they laid off the night watchman.
NOW slowly, let it sink in.
Quietly, we go like sheep to slaughter.
Does anybody remember the reason given for the establishment of the DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY…. during the Carter Administration?
Anybody?
Anything?
No?
Didn’t think so!
Bottom line. We’ve spent several hundred billion dollars in support of an agency…the reason for which not one person who reads this can remember!
Ready??
It was very simple…and at the time, everybody thought it very appropriate.
The Department of Energy was instituted on 8-04-1977.
TO LESSEN OUR DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN OIL.
Hey, pretty efficient, huh???
AND NOW IT’S 2009 — 32 YEARS LATER — AND THE BUDGET FOR THIS “NECESSARY” DEPARTMENT IS AT $24.2 BILLION A YEAR. THEY HAVE 16,000 FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND APPROXIMATELY 100,000 CONTRACT EMPLOYEES; AND LOOK AT THE JOB THEY HAVE DONE! THIS IS WHERE YOU SLAP YOUR FOREHEAD AND SAY, “WHAT WAS I THINKING?”
Ah, yes — good ole bureaucracy.
AND, NOW, WE ARE GOING TO TURN THE BANKING SYSTEM, HEALTH CARE, AND THE AUTO INDUSTRY OVER TO THE SAME GOVERNMENT?
HELLOOO! Anybody Home?
Posted by: brian | October 21, 2009, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm
Is the politically correct word now “sophisticated” in place of “ultra liberal”. Just curious….
Posted by: Survivor61 | October 21, 2009, 2:16 pm 2:16 pm
amyin maine- what bill? The bill coming out of the finance committee is not the bill which will be voted on. No relationship.
Posted by: brian | October 21, 2009, 2:23 pm 2:23 pm
WARNING: someone wants you to believe things like this “The non-partisan CBO says the healthcare reform bill will reduce the federal deficit by 81 billion over just the first ten years.” Are we to believe that someone else is going to pay for our healthcare and give us $81 billion as well? serious? ok, you win, let’s support free money and free healthcare and free housing and free cars and free refrigerators and whatever else comes free from the mighty oz…..er i mean obama.
Posted by: joshuabillings | October 21, 2009, 7:29 pm 7:29 pm
“The Department of Energy was instituted on 8-04-1977.
TO LESSEN OUR DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN OIL.”
What planet do you Republicans live on? The primary mission of the DOE (today and also in 1977) is to run the federal nuclear programs.
Posted by: gary | October 21, 2009, 7:59 pm 7:59 pm
Health care reform would absolutely reduce the federal deficit. A reduction in per capita costs would have a huge impact on Medicare/Medicaid spending, which is almost a quarter of the federal budget.
Posted by: gary | October 21, 2009, 8:02 pm 8:02 pm
WHO WOULD OPT OUT?
If the citizens of a State would allow there Representation to invite the unjustified, unfair and unequal cost of medicine and medical care to continue to raise and continue causing them to go into bankruptcy which is also advocate of foreclosure?
If the citizens of a State are that politically decrepit then they should take the blame of why the free market, capitalism is not working and should consider themselves as the followers of kingdom
Posted by: Roy Goins | October 26, 2009, 10:43 pm 10:43 pm