Ben Nelson: No Health Care if No Change in Public Option and Abortion Funding

We should just take all of Congress off of their current health coverage & force them to buy private insurance from an agent like me. Then, the discussion might be a bit more realistic. I make at least one call per day now to tell someone that they are literally uninsurable unless they can find a job with benefits. In addition, I’ve had companies actually DENY healthy people policies because they hadn’t had a recent preventative screening, like a colonoscopy. Those tests are over $1000 each. How can we mandate a test that is not paid for by insurance? So, if you don’t have a $1000 handy, you just get declined? I can’t believe what’s beginning to happen with insurance and it will only get worse. We have not addressed the underlying problems with the cost of care and the drugs that are being overprescribed (that also make my prospective clients uninsurable – too many medications). Someone needs to come out here & see what it’s really like. I’m sick of the talking heads on Capitol Hill . . . .

George,
I watch your Sunday morning show religious. We think you give overall views from both the dems and Reps.
We watched you show this morning 11/22/2009 and the House Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz is the most overbearing and ruddiest individual we have seen on your show. When she spoke she did not want to be interrupted. But, she would then interrupt and interject her dumb beliefs on everyone else trying to convey their point(s). OVERBEARING …… Please remind m? Schultz the word is “SURE” and not “SHORE”. Guess she has spent too much time listening to obama. The other individual that you have on your show is Sam Donaldson which is NOT a value added to the program.
Thanks,
Keep up the good work, George.

Nice job letting the anti-reform folks filibuster the discussion. 3 opposed and 1 for? What is that about?

The republican panel members on todays shows just laugh on television about how wealthy the insurance lobbyist have become over the years on the backs of less economically successful americans. I want to get this new health law passed with public option. The American people need this.

George,
When I first turned on your show this morning I heard them most hateful, shrill, angry baritone voice ever to come from your studio. When I first heard it I thought “why is Rachael Maddow on This Week?”
Then I saw it was the hyper-partisan & hyper-hateful Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz! This woman is by far one of the most radical and partisan people in Washington DC. Her presence really took away from the civility of the show.
Great show George, but in the future, please try to have serious and mature guests on that are willing to disucss the issues in a rational & civil manner. No more Debbie Wasserman Schultz types please! Thanks!

Those who are already used to grabbing ankles for the other guy might as well stay in that position for the health care bill. Reid’s big-letter poster says the health care reform is already paid for, reduces short- and long-term debts, and promotes competition. These lies exceed any I’ve ever known in history. Thank you, America-who-voted-this-Obamanation, for voting in your destruction.

Amazing! They get to vote about continuing to talk about it.

If this goes down in flames, which is looking more likely all the time, the Democrats can kiss 2010 goodbye.

$300 million for a single democratic vote. Isn’t our political system great!

George showed his bias by allowing Debbie W. S. to interrupt the other lady -WHO READ THE BILL!!!!) and try to shout her down. What a disgraceful display of bias by both George S. & the loud-mouthed Debbie S. This is how Democrats operate – talk, talk, interrupt, interrupt, and never allow someone else to talk. George S. was happy to go along with this!!! People who post approval of this bill are selfish in that the do not mind putting huge bills on their children for paying for all of this huge spending just like all the other Obama spending.

If you want the same insurance as those august lawmakers, just join the military or the post office. The military insurance is somewhat different, but the Federal Health Fund covers all government employees, and it is excellent insurance. If the public option is going to look at all like that, count me in. My HMO only works well if I don’t get very sick. I pay almost $3500 a year, and my copayments are ridiculous. Plus, freedom? I have to choose from a list of doctors, and even tests or x-rays that a “list” doctor prescribes are often not covered.
There’s a reason why we are ranked 37th in the world when it comes to health care. Only thing we are first in is the cost. And those uninsured Americans? Who do you think actually pays for their health care? We have to have auto insurance to drive, why not health insurance?

Odd how Bush-haters NOW are NOT worried about passing along debts to our children, HA,HA. Of course Obama has wasted more money in 10 months on political kick-backs than Bush spent in 8 years protecting & defending this country.

It appeared George’s guest on “This Week” had read and understood the health care bill except for Debbie Wasserman Shultz. George did a great job correcting Shultz’s distortion of the truth and then she looked foolish back peddling to cover up her prevarications. Representative Schultz may not have been a breast cancer survivor had the health care plan she is touting had been in effect.

I was very disappointed with George today as the program moderator. He allowed the Dem. Rep. Debbie Schultz to continuously over-speak and interrupting the other panel members. Her despicable, sophomoric behavior toward the other panel members is also an affront to her constituents. Fortunately, your other panel members had the maturity and sophistication to ignore her egregious behavior. Perhaps by George just raising his open palm to her “might” have awakened something in her to shut-up, or, he could smacked her!!! Fortunately, the round table with Geo Will, and other professionals allowed me to settle down.
I look forward to sharing my Sunday mornings with you and rarely miss a program. Keep up the interest tete-a-tete. Good luck.
Bill

The legislature has been eroding the rights of the public for many years under the auspice of helping and protecting the poor. The ideas in and of themselves are commendable. Often whenever the legislature makes social legislation many americans become criminals for disagreeing with the legislation. Our government needs to look for ways to benefit society in ways that do not impede the freedom of all individuals.
The Health Insurance Legislation cannot guarantee that individuals and families will recieve better health care, that health care costs will go down, and cannot guarantee that health care quality will even stay the same or go up.
It is not the responsibility of government to tell me to get health insurance, it is also not the responsibility of government to make sure I get health insurance, If I want health insurance I will get it by finding a policy on my own or getting it through an employer plan. Government know how to put it fingers into things it know nothing about, and ruin the mix. As I look for work I have come across many jobs that I have interviewed for and then have been told that they were sorry but they had another candidate in mind and thank you for applying. This requirement of government in the hiring process has not only cost me money, the company money, but also the consumer. good intentions by government are very expensive. Government needs to review the legislation already in place, remove antiquated legislation, reduce government size, and look for ways to increase the freedoms while reducing threats.
The socialist agenda of Obama’s adminstration and the democratic legislature need to change or this country will continue to loose the greatness it has held for many years.

I don’t think the churchs have the right to make political decsions (“My kingdom is not of this world” John 18:36). But I’ve no problem with states being able to opt out of certain provisions. People who want freedom from religion-in-government can then work on changes at the state level or move to a safer state.

a simple solution to this problem…. Democrats should propose that we shut down MEDICARE/MEDICAID…. shut it off… turn of the spicket. It was a program introduced by the Democratic party anyway…. Republicans would be happy… all republicans, including those that currently rely on the programs or those that are coming to the age of benefiting from MEDICARE. I’m all for it. Who else is? Voice your opinion here.

“Ben Nelson: No Health Care if No Change in Public Option and Abortion Funding”
========================================
Dear Ben, I’ve applauded your great decision against for Health Care Bill because of Public Option and Abortion Funding from bottom my heart. HELLOW,
OBAMA, PELOSI AND HARRY !!!!!!!!! IT’S
ENOUGH AND ENOUGH SO FAR THAT AMERICIAN
PRECIOUS BABIES OF 43,000,000 HAVE BEEN KILLED BY THE HORRIBLE ABORTION SINCE ROE VS WADE IN 1973.

Each one of these dems is going to create a show now….cause they watched the rep from Louisianna blackmail the senate into millions more for her state. So – if every vote is needed, the thing to do is each one grandstand and make sure the get their ‘extra’ from this bill.
This Bill makes me ill….and my insurance will disappear – so I’ll be ill and ignored.

So, I guess Senator Nelson is now a shill for the insurance and health care industry….and a man who knows how to control a woman’s body better than a woman. He needs to grovel to the RNC and stop pretending he’s for America.

Have kids and never have a moment of peace? Just wanted to take a bubble bath or even go pee? How about slavery? Didn’t they at least have a moment they could breathe fresh aire? Were you ready to have your every move monitored with a healthcare bill passing…your freedoms are at stake more than you ever thought possible.

The Republican Taliban should stay out of women’s bodies! It’s unconstitutional and these neanderthals have not darn right to dictate to the women of this nation!
Nor do the red robed guys with sexual issues, permanent residents of vatican who reached a deal with the Hopey Changey Prez of Wall Street.
Bush/Obama — not much change for Women’s Rights. Shame on these bunch of hooligans.

Well, I doubt we will ever see universal health care in our lifetimes. But these Democrats are really getting annoying. They are almost ready to “do the deed”, and clowns like Sen Nelson declare they will not vote for the bill because it isn’t exactly what they wanted. What a petty minded, self serving, bag of wind! Abortion rights doesn’t even belong in this bill. If the opt-out of public option stands – he’d rather trash the whole thing. What a jerk! Now where is our “commander in chief” and his leadership at a time when we need him? He may very well be doing things behind the scenes. But we need someone up front and close to lead the American people. He needs to get in the fray and tell people like Nelson to shut their mouths.

Let it fail. We throw more republicans out of office and get rid of couple of republicrats. Then we go single payer in 2011. People know about it now and that’s the way were going. They took the poll down on this site. People were going about 2 to 1 in favor of reworking the medical system. Nelson is done. Personally I would like to see an investigation into his finances.

Ben Nelson voted for 2 WARS, tax cuts to the top 1%, an Insurance Driven
REWARD to Insurance Companies via Advantage on Medicare Plans…..AND NONE OF THESE WERE PAID FOR….WHEN WILL THESE IDIOTS IN WASHINGTON LEARN THAT IT’S NOT THAT MONEY ISN’T BEEN SPENT, BUT WHAT IT IS SPENT ON. SO LOOKING AT THE DEFICITS THAT THE IDIOTS ARE SCREAMING ABOUT NOW….THAT BUSH RAN UP, AND OBAMA HAS TO RUN UP IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE MESS, WHILE SPENDING IT FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR COUNTRY…YES THE COUNTRY…I’LL BE SATISFIED WITH HEALTHCARE, BETTER SCHOOLS, JOBS STAYING IN AMERICA, VETERAN PAY RAISES, ETC. FOR MY TAXES! BY THE WAY………I THOUGHT OIL WOULD PAY FOR THE WARS!!!!

Ben Nelson, Landrieu, Lieberman and Lincoln are holding up the public option. Now – why is that? I’m sure there are enough poor people in Mississippi, Arkansas, Nebraska and Connecticut that need an option besides the private insurance companies. Why don’t these senators realize that there will be a considerable segment of their constituency that will go without healthcare if the public option is not available. Let’s face it – people can’t afford the premiums put out by private insurance and they can’t afford to be fined not to have insurance either. Here it is in the 21st century and the Congress is still fighting what should be a right for all Americans. I realize that this is a horrible time for everyone but it’s past time for America to come up to speed with the rest of the world on this urgent human need. The GOP will go down as placing obstacles in the path of reform only to try and save some money for the rich and corporations.

I say how about No more Ben Nelson – much easier than hurting million for one stupid man.

Insurancegirl
————-
Congress already has their choice of private plans, from which they choose and pay for out of their salary (at least partially, the taxpayer pays the rest). What you and every American should be demanding is that they enable you to have the same choice that they do and the benefits they incur by being offered such a wide choice, the ability to negotiate terms and lower fees due to the huge number of govt. employees. Congress already has something that works, and works well, a less regulated free market with choice and the buying power to force the free market to negotiate on their terms, not the insurance companies. This just proves that this is not about health or care in the least, if Congress already has a system which works for them they know what works, they also know that it would not cost the taxpayer 3 trillion dollars, and would take only regulatory reforms to enact. This is also why congress is unwilling to give it up because it works and it works well.

HUHSHEEPLE@@abortion is not a real issue. Abortion is a belief many Americans firmly hold onto. Nowhere in the Constitution does it say abortions are illegal. My reason for pointing out this very important point is because a Dr. Tiller was killed because he performed late term abortions. There are laws under the Constitution prohibiting murder. Thou shalt not kill is a big one in the ten commandments.
Taking a life because you are pro life makes no sense what so ever. Isn’t committing murder a anti life act?
Abortion is not a religious issue. What it is is a group of people trying to impose their beliefs onto a country where many do not share their attitudes towards abortion. Abortion is a wedge issue politicians use to secure votes. And a power play by pro lifers. Attempting to force their convictions on others. You can’t make Joe Lieberman eat pork. You can’t get the Pope to agree to abortion. It’s a power play between different minded Americans. Abortions are not EVIL. Killing a doctor who performs abortions is an act of pure EVIL.
SECREG_756

Latest Rasmussen Poll= 56% against the healthcare bill. The Dems are in trouble. The best way is to get rid of a public option, a huge costly beauracracy, that like all entitlement programs will explode the deficit. It could lead to a single payer system as anyone without company insurance would have no choice but to sign up with he public option. And any single payer system in the world suffers from low doctor pay and hospitals losing money. THat will affect innovation, research, new drugs development, with no promise of lower costs.

secreg- but Frank and Obama are on tape saying they want a single payer system. Their playbook is out of Daschles book which applauds the single payer system. SO there is enough evidence to indicate this is a govt power grab to take over healthcare.

The REPUBLIARCONS CREDO, SLIPPERY SLOPE, WHAT IF. NO facts, just what ifs. No plans or ideas. Just what ifs. If your aunt had bolls, would she be your uncle. What if tree’s could fly, or plants could speak. WHAT IF, the REPUBLIARCONS favorite statement, SLIPPERY SLOPE ST.
SECREG_756

secreg-i don’t trust the COngress of the future or the present. They will use the public option and keep lower subsribers fees to win votes. Companies make the decision to terminate their insurance plans if the penalties are lower than their costs. That would push more people on to the public option. Lower subscriber costs would make it hard for pricate insurers to compete. All congress has to do is lower the fees to evolve a single payer system. It will a bloated beauracratic entilement like all the others, SS and Medicare, which are in deep trouble now. It always cost more for these programs than they say. We don’t need the public option to provide better healthcare.

Nelson and some others are worried because, as the bill now stands, (1) everyone will be required to carry health insurance, just as everyone must now carry auto insurance. (2) Those that can’t afford it will receive government help in financing it. (3) Some of those will buy private plans that cover abortion. (4) Therefore, government money will be going to people who will use some of it for abortions.
By this logic, anyone who receives financial help from the government should not be getting it because it may be used for an abortion.
Take cash for clunkers. If a consumer saves a thousand dollars of taxpayer money, what’s to prevent him from using it to pay for an abortion?
Or how about pensions for retired military personnel? Suppose a retired general pays for his grandaughter’s abortion?
The Hyde Amendment, now in place, prevents the direct use of government funds for abortion — that is, for abortions for the people who need it most.
The health-care reform bill will change none of that.
Nelson and the rest see a slight opening in the door that permits another attack on right-to-life. Next up, Roe vs. Wade.

jschmidt you posted this earlier in the day@@@@@@@@@@@Latest Rasmussen Poll-56% of those polled do not want this healthcare bill.@@@@@@@@@same answer Gallup poll shows Americans favoring health care 41% to 40% to 15% no change to 4% uncertain@@@@@polls can be found to support any point you wish to choose. Contrariwise you found a poll suggesting a substantial differential@@@@@slippery slope stuff@@@all polls change based on the questions and how they are framed. For example; How would you vote if an option included frderal funding of abortions; v How would you feel if an option completed excluded using any Federal funds for abortion@@that old slippery slope game you like to play.
Until the bill is written aqnd signed by our president Barrack Hussein Obamma, it’s all slippery slope stff.
SECREG_756
Posted by: jschmidt | Nov 23, 2009 4:26:10 PM

I conducted my own research from Center for Responsive Politics. And here’s the information I found on Ben Nelson
Of the top 20 industries that contribute to Ben Nelson’s political campaigns, the insurance industry takes 2nd place; 3rd place securities and investments; 4th place lobbyists; 5th place health professionals; and 7th place pharmaceuticals and health products. Over his political career, Ben Nelson has received $610,000 from the health sector and $ 739,000 from lobbyists.
Ben Nelson’s top 20 individual contributors include Amgen, Aetna, Healthsouth, Inc. IN addition, Nelson gets contributions from Altria, the nation’s tobacco company, and his top political contributor is NelNet, which finances student loans.
These are the BIG reasons that Ben Nelson is blocking a public option. Every time you buy a private insurance policy, you are making a political campaign contribution to Ben Nelson. The same applies to students who are paying off student loans.
Basically Ben Nelson is a political prostitute. If the people of Nebraska had any sense of decency, they’d fire this scumbag immediately.

secreg- and Obama and Frank are on tape as saying they want the single payer system. So it stands to reason they will try everything they can in the future to create it.

He’s done. He won’t be re elected.

A Nonny Mouse wrote: “Americans pay almost twice per capita for healthcare what Canadians do. The American “healthcare system” is antiquated and barbaric.”
Great message. You might add that if America switched to the Canadian system, the average American would have an extra $100 per WEEK in his/her paycheck.
So, instead of polls asking Americans if they prefer our system to Canada’s, the polls should ask: “Would you prefer to keep our American health system or switch to Canada’s PLUS take home an extra $100 per week in your paycheck?”
In this “Me! Me! Me First!” society that took a tax break in a good economy while passing the costs of our wars on to future generations, you can bet that 95% of the population would love that extra money – which would have an incredible stimulus effect to the economy!

The Hyde Amendment states that no federal funds will be used to pay for abortions. The White House wants to preserve that status quo.
The health-care reform bill now shaping up will require everyone to have health insurance, just as states now require auto insurance. If the poor can’t afford the full premiums for health insurance, the government will subsidize their payments. Some of these recipients will buy private insurance programs that include the coverage of abortion.
Stupak’s intention is to prevent subsidized clients from buying any such insurance policy because they MAY use part of that subsidy to pay for an abortion.
By an extension of the same logic, any government payments to any employee or retiree could be stopped.
Take cash for clunkers. If somebody trades in an old car for a new energy-efficient one and saves, say, a thousand dollars due to government help. That savings represents federal money. Might she not spend that thousand dollars to pay for an abortion?
How about a retired general? He’s receiving a government pension. Might he not use some of his pension to pay for his granddaughter’s abortion?
How about the lawmakers themselves, the Senators and Congressmen with their Cadillac policies, especially those who are foes of abortion? Can we be sure they’re not using their salaries to pay for someone’s abortion?
The Stupak Amendment doesn’t represent the status quo. It is an attack on the pro-life position and the first step towards the overthrowing of Roe vs. Wade.

Typical haves not wanting the same for the have nots they are blind to the insurance companies and the tyranical way they run the usa health care industry with denials of service and high premiums with astronomical co-pays
almost like not having any at all. So im supposed to worrry about all the union workers losing their golden insurance on the backs of all the ones who dont have any. Well who do you think pays for them golden goodies they get ..we do everytime we buy overpriced goods and services.

The House and Senate have “talked me to death”!

Speaking of special interests and lobbyists … it is blatantly evident that Obama’s Administration and Democrats are quite accomodating to AARP, AMA, SEIU and many other special interests that intend to make huge windfalls from Obamacare. Liberals can blame Bush for it all they want, this is Obama’s baby, he is pregnant with it and so are Pelosi, Reid and the rest of the lifetime democrat political robots, they will be facing the consequences in 2010.

colinalcarz: Bravo! Well stated.

So tired of these politicians complaining about the bill when the ALL HAVE healthcare provided by the government. I just think it’s funny how “America” complains about this recession and spending money when you people went and spent 150 mil on Twilight this weekend just in America and spend trillions on dropping bombs over Iraq and Afghanistan. Those two things could easily pay for the healthcare bill. I dont want to hear anything about how expensive it is when the majority of you support twilight. get your priorities in line. All you older people who dont want it need to realize its for tomorrows youth. Quit leaving these debts for your kids and grand kids to take over. Provide them with healthcare that is actually affordable.

I agree abortion funding should go. NO abortion funding. But the opt-out public option needs to stay. It is an excellent compromise between the two sides. States which do not want the public option can arrange to opt out and people in those states will remain on private insurance forever. It’s a no-brainer.
It cracks me up that people call Obama an expander of federal government when in fact he’s giving the STATES the individual power to opt out. HELLO? Anybody on the extreme right wing fringe listening? This is your nirvana. You, as citizens of a state, get to choose your own destiny.

To A Nonny Mouse: Unfortunately, too many of my countrypeople (many of them on the right) lack any brains when it comes to this issue. They speak before they think.

Hi, just wanted to mention, I enjoyed this article. It was inspiring. Keep on posting!