'Win One for Teddy,' Say Dems Pushing for Health Reform
Teddy Davis
Democrats are hoping that the memory of Sen. Ted Kennedy will revive the Democratic Party's flagging push for health care reform.

Democrats are hoping that Kennedy's influence in death may be even stronger than it was when he was alive as they push for President Obama's top domestic priority. Democratic officials hope that invoking Kennedy's passion for the issue will counter slippage in support for heatlh care reform.
Full Story... 'Obamacare' Supporters Plan Overhaul Push to Counter Opposition
Carl Cameron
Supporters of President Obama's plan to overhaul the health system, in an acknowledged attempt to reverse growing opposition to the plan, are planning a fusillade of rallies and bus tours starting this week.

Health Care for America Now, an umbrella organization of groups supporting Obama's plan, is coordinating its efforts with Organizing for America, the Obama campaign organization now melded into the national Democratic Party, which reputedly has an e-mail list of up to 13 million names.

Together, they plan 1,000 events before the congressional recess ends September 8. The title for the blitz: "Health insurance reform now, let's get it done."

This would seem to be directly at odds with the general complaint among Democrats that some opposition to health care reform at town halls this summer has appeared to be organized. The attempted smear is they are not grassroots but "astroturf" -- a term that suggests that it was manufactured.
Full Story... Most red ink ever: $9 trillion over next decade
Jim Kuhnhenn
In a chilling forecast, the White House is predicting a 10-year federal deficit of $9 trillion-more than the sum of all previous deficits since America's founding. And it says by the next decade's end the national debt will equal three-quarters of the entire U.S. economy.

But before President Barack Obama can do much about it, he'll have to weather recession aftershocks including unemployment that his advisers said Tuesday is still heading for 10 percent.

The deficit numbers also could complicate Obama's drive to persuade Congress to enact a major overhaul of the health care system-one that could cost $1 trillion or more over 10 years. Obama has said he doesn't want the measure to add to the deficit, but lawmakers have been unable to agree on revenues that would cover the cost.
Full Story... Socialist Health Care On Display
Jenny Hope and Nick Mcdermott
Thousands of British women are having to give birth outside maternity wards because of a lack of midwives and hospital beds. The lives of mothers and babies are being put at risk as births in locations ranging from lifts to toilets - even a caravan - went up 15 per cent last year to almost 4,000.

Health chiefs admit a lack of maternity beds is partly to blame for the crisis, with hundreds of women in labour being turned away from hospitals because they are full.

Additionally, overstretched maternity units shut their doors to any more women in labour on 553 occasions last year.
Full Story... SHOCK: Liberal Radio Condemns Obama As "Charming Liar", Fascist
Allahpundit
Are even die hard liberals catching on that this health care plan is our country's worst nightmare? In this audio clip from Air America, part of Obama's back door corruption with the drug companies is aired. The host calls him a liar, and the guest states "Maybe those town hall protesters are right- maybe this is a fascist nightmare".
Full Story... AP sources: $2 trillion higher deficit projected
Jim Kuhnhenn
The Obama administration expects the federal deficit over the next decade to be $2 trillion bigger than previously estimated, White House officials said Friday, a setback for a president already facing a Congress and public wary over spending.

Ten-year forecasts are volatile figures subject to change over time. But the higher number will likely create political difficulties for President Barack Obama in Congress and could create anxiety with foreign buyers of U.S. debt.

Still that number, together with the 10-year projection, represents a huge obstacle for an administration trying to undertake massive policy overhauls in health care and the environment.
Full Story... Pelosi Says House Health Measure Needs Public Option
Kristin Jensen and Catherine Dodge
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said legislation to revamp the U.S. health-care system won’t get through her chamber unless it creates a government-run insurance program to compete with the private industry.

"The government-run plan would turn into a bureaucratic nightmare," Senator Mike Enzi, a Wyoming Republican, wrote in a USA Today opinion piece on Aug. 19. "In the finance committee, six of us leading the negotiations are working from the premise that there will not be a government-run plan."
Full Story... Firms with Obama ties profit from health push
Sharon Theimer
President Barack Obama's push for a national health care overhaul is providing a financial windfall in the election offseason to Democratic consulting firms that are closely connected to the president and two top advisers.

Coalitions of interest groups running at least $24 million in pro-overhaul ads hired GMMB, which worked for Obama's 2008 campaign and whose partners include a top Obama campaign strategist. They also hired AKPD Message and Media, which was founded by David Axelrod, a top adviser to Obama's campaign and now to the White House. AKPD did work for Obama's campaign, and Axelrod's son Michael and Obama's campaign manager David Plouffe work there.
Full Story... Firms with Obama ties profit from health push
Sharon Theimer
President Barack Obama's push for a national health care overhaul is providing a financial windfall in the election offseason to Democratic consulting firms that are closely connected to the president and two top advisers.

Coalitions of interest groups running at least $24 million in pro-overhaul ads hired GMMB, which worked for Obama's 2008 campaign and whose partners include a top Obama campaign strategist. They also hired AKPD Message and Media, which was founded by David Axelrod, a top adviser to Obama's campaign and now to the White House. AKPD did work for Obama's campaign, and Axelrod's son Michael and Obama's campaign manager David Plouffe work there.
Full Story... Democrats prepare to push health care without GOP
Charles Babington
Publicly, President Barack Obama is still calling for a bipartisan bill to overhaul the nation's health care system. Privately, Democrats are preparing a one-party push, which they feel is all but inevitable.

The administration said it still hopes for a bipartisan breakthrough on its goals of expanding health coverage, controlling costs and increasing competition among insurers. In private, however, top Democrats said a bipartisan accord seems less likely than ever when Congress reconvenes next month.
Full Story... Activists say poor nations' access to affordable drugs stymied
Tom Hamburger
Activists in the U.S., as well as Thailand and other developing countries, have accused the Obama administration of blocking greater access to affordable drugs in a bid to win the pharmaceutical companies' support for its healthcare overhaul.
Full Story... Outbursts at Frank's Town Hall
Ted Daniel
Rep. Barney Frank lashed out at protester who held a poster depicting President Barack Obama with a Hitler-style mustache during a heated town hall meeting on federal health care reform.

"Ma'am, trying to have a conversation with you would be like trying to argue with a dining room table. I have no interest in doing it," Frank replied.
Full Story... Overhauling health-care system tops agenda at annual meeting of Canada's doctors
Jennifer Graham
The incoming president of the Canadian Medical Association says this country's health-care system is sick and doctors need to develop a plan to cure it.

"We all agree that the system is imploding, we all agree that things are more precarious than perhaps Canadians realize," Doing said in an interview with The Canadian Press.

His thoughts on the issue are already clear. Ouellet has been saying since his return that "a health-care revolution has passed us by," that it's possible to make wait lists disappear while maintaining universal coverage and "that competition should be welcomed, not feared."

In other words, Ouellet believes there could be a role for private health-care delivery within the public system.
Full Story... Health care concession riles left; right unmoved
David Espo
President Barack Obama's weekend concession on a health care "government option" drew complaints from liberals and scarce interest from Republicans and other critics on Monday, a fresh sign of the daunting challenge in finding middle ground in an increasingly partisan political struggle.

The White House insisted there had been no shift in position, adding the president still favors a federal option for the sale of health insurance. "The bottom line is this: Nothing has changed," said a memo containing suggested answers for administration allies to use if asked about the issue.
Full Story... No Public Insurance, No Bill, Say Liberals
FOXNews
"Let's be clear: A health care bill without a public option is D.O.A. in the House. Period. To pass any bill in the House they need at least 218 votes but 64 House Democrats have stood up and said they will not vote for a bill without a public option."
Full Story... A promise Obama knows he won't keep
PowerLine
President Obama has repeatedly asserted that if the health care reform he supports is enacted, everyone will be able to keep their current coverage.

Obama is not telling the truth, though, as the Washington Post demonstates in a feature called "truth squading health care reform."
Full Story... AUDIO: Ronald Reagan Speaks Out Against Socialized Medicine - in 1961
wyattmcintyre
Though this clip is from 1961, you would swear that it was taken from today's headlines. Mr. Reagan's predictions about the financial catastrophe have proven to be eerily correct. But it is perhaps his statements about our loss of basic freedoms that we should perhaps pay the most attention to.

At the time this was recorded, Mr. Reagan was still a private citizen.
Full Story... Big Business Goes Big for Health Care Reform
John Stossel
"What disturbs Americans of all ideological persuasions is the fear that almost everything, not just government, is fixed or manipulated by some powerful hidden hand," Frank Rich wrote in Sunday's New York Times.

Although the activists criticize Big Pharma, "The drug industry has already contributed millions of dollars to advertising campaigns for the health care overhaul through the advocacy groups like Healthy Economies Now and Families USA. It has spent about $1 million on similar advertisements under its own name," the Times reports.

Big Pharma and Big Insurance want Obama-style health care reform?

It's not so hard to understand. "The drug makers stand to gain millions of new customers," the Times said.
Full Story... Obama Defends Health Care Plan to Town Hall Skeptic
FOXNews
President Obama on Friday finally had to face a challenge at a town-hall-style meeting about the bottom line of his health care plan.

A Montana man asserted that Obama would have to raise Americans' taxes to pay for his plan to overhaul the health care system, estimated to cost as much as $1 trillion over 10 years.

"You can't tell us how you're going to pay for this," said the man, who identified himself as Randy from Ekalaka. "The only way you're going to get that money is to raise our taxes. You said you wouldn't. ... But that's the only way you can do that."
Full Story... White House Reviews Names of Recipients of Unsolicited E-Mail on Health Care
Major Garrett
The White House is apparently spamming Americans with health care propaganda. Some of the citizens have complained to the media. When asked by a reporter about the emails, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs claimed ignorance.

However Mr. Gibbs says they will investigate the issue- if the reporter will name the names involved.

FOX News obtained permission from some of the emailers who sent their concerns to FOX News and forwarded them to the White House. No explanation has yet been received.
Full Story... Write Your Congressional Representatives
Free Marketers
Have you written your representatives today? Write them DAILY (at least).

To easily write your Representative, click here. It will help you quickly find and send an email to your representative.

To easily write your Senator, click here. It will help you quickly find and send an email to BOTH of your senators.
Full Story... E-mails from public overload House Web site
Anne Flaherty
Amid a boisterous debate on health care reform, people flooded members of Congress on Thursday with so many e-mails that they overloaded the House's primary Web site.

"It is clearly health care reform," Ventura said. "There's no doubt about it."
Full Story... White House deal with drug firms draws flak
Tom Hamburger
Many big money firms are now spending hundreds of millions of dollars to promote the Congressional Health Care bill in television and radio advertising. To help promote this, the White House has apparently made a back door deal with huge drug companies promising not to negotiate prices with them. Oddly, despite President Obama's previous statements that he would resist lobbying, he is happy to enlist the millions of these corporations for his own agenda. The corporations of course are excited over the vast government expansion in health care dollars.

However, some cracks are beginning to emerge in their secret love affair.
Full Story... Are Democrats losing August?
Lisa Lerer
After an intimate White House lunch last week, Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley said he was confident President Barack Obama was working toward a truly bipartisan health care reform bill.

But then he went home to Iowa, and the message changed. In a series of tough town halls, he fueled fears of death panels and benefits for illegal immigrants. He suggested the White House would push a purely partisan bill. And he proclaimed himself an outsider in health care negotiations.

"I'm not walking away from the table; I'm being pushed away from the table," Grassley said in Afton, Iowa, warning that Democrats might go it alone on health care.
Full Story... Senators exclude end-of-life provision from bill
Associated Press
Key senators are excluding a provision on end-of-life care from health overhaul legislation after language in a House bill caused a furor.

A health care bill passed by three House committees allows Medicare to reimburse doctors for voluntary counseling sessions about end-of-life decisions. But critics have claimed the provision could lead to death panels and euthanasia for seniors.
Full Story... Video: Obama Creates Fake Town Hall
Powerline
After grumbling that the Town Hall uprising is not genuine, President Obama holds a fake Town Hall with a 100% supportive audience that he bussed in to show us what real Americans think.
Full Story... The Health Care Bill: What HR 3200, "America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009," Says
John David Lewis
A Duke University professor (Philosophy, Politics and Economics Program) has put together one of the most clear cut and simple breakdowns of the health care bill (HR3200). He poses and answers 9 basic questions, and documents for others where to find the relevant parts of the bill.
Full Story... The Debt and Health Care Reform
Jake Tapper
The federal deficit increased by $180 billion in July alone.

Rising to a record $1.27 trillion already, the deficit is heading towards $2 trillion by the end of the fiscal year.

The current total U.S. national debt is $11,666,485,985,008.

Your share is $37,982.

Increasingly, citizens at town hall meetings are expressing concern over the government's ability to pay for health care reform without adding to the deficit.
Full Story... Obama Claim of AARP Endorsement 'Inaccurate'
Associated Press
A group usually seen as one of Barack Obama's allies in the health care debate -- AARP -- says the president went too far Tuesday when he said the seniors lobby had endorsed the legislation pending in Congress.

Obama said, "We have the AARP onboard because they know this is a good deal for our seniors." But Tom Nelson, AARP's chief operating officer, said, "Indications that we have endorsed any of the major health care reform bills currently under consideration in Congress are inaccurate."

AARP is sensitive to the issue because polls show that Medicare beneficiaries are worried their health care program will be cut to subsidize coverage for the uninsured.
Full Story... Lawmakers face angry crowds on health care
Associated Press
Jeers and taunts drowned out Democrats calling for a health care overhaul at town halls Tuesday, and one lawmaker said a swastika was spray-painted at his office as debate turned to noisy confrontation over President Barack Obama's plan. The president himself was treated more respectfully.

"If they don't let us vent our frustrations out, they will have a revolution," Mary Ann Fieser of Hillsboro, Mo., told Sen. Claire McCaskill at her Missouri health care forum.
Full Story... Sen. Specter Shouted Down Over Health Care
Real Clear Politics
Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) was shouted down at a health care town hall meeting. The man accused Specter of having his pockets stuffed with money from lobbyists.

"One day God is going to stand before you and he's going to judge you and the rest of your damn cronies up on the Hill and then you will get your just deserts," the man said.

Ours kudos and appreciation go to Sen. Specter, however, as being one of the few Democratic congressman to actually respect his constituents enough to talk to them directly even when the questions get tough and emotions run high.
Full Story... Congressman Rothman's First Health Care Town Hall
Thomas Franklin
Congressman Rothman encounters his enthusiast constituents in a display of American democracy.
Full Story... Craigslist ads recruiting 'Obamacare' lobbyists
Chelsea Schilling
Amid accusations of insurance companies and the Republican Party deploying "Astroturf mobs" of health reform opponents, help wanted ads are appearing on Craigslist that offer to pay citizens between $9 and $16 an hour to lobby for the passage of Obama's health care.

The ads are being posted by the Fund for the Public Interest, which describes itself as "a national nonprofit organization working to increase the visibility, membership and political power of the nation's leading environmental and progressive groups."
Full Story... Video: Another ObamaCare Lie- Transparency
Allahpundit
In return for the feds agreeing not to try to negotiate lower drug prices once ObamaCare is in effect, pharma's going to go all out to the tune of $150 million in advertising to get the bill passed and hand The One the political victory he's desperate for. Won't that mean much higher costs for the program than it might otherwise have had? Sure, but so what? The point here is getting Obama reelected, not designing the most efficient possible health-care program.

The true mother of all Obama lies is his pledge not to raise taxes on the middle class. In fact, this isn't even the biggest lie he's told about ObamaCare; that would be his promise to somehow make the program deficit-neutral. What this may be is the biggest lie he's told about "changing the culture in Washington," a key element of the Hopenchange mythos that's rapidly disintegrated as he's made waiver after waiver for the lobbyists he claimed would never work for his administration and ignored the five-day waiting period for public debate he swore would precede his signature on bills passed by Congress.
Full Story... Video: Democrat who yelled at constituent can't stop whining about health-care question
Allahpundit
The clip is long but worthwhile just in watching Rep. Scott's incredibly incorrect answers to the doctor's very simple and common sense questions.

CNN is pledging to cover Rep. Scott's upcoming healthcare forum.
Full Story... Insurance Is No Answer
John Stossel
Health care "reformers" keep talking about getting us more health insurance. Then they talk about cutting costs. This is contradictory nonsense.
Full Story... Obama: Canadian health system wouldn't fly in US
Associated Press
President Barack Obama says Canada's government-run health care system works for Canada, but wouldn't work for the U.S.

He warned Canadians that they will probably continue to get dragged into the debate over health care changes in the U.S. by those who oppose his proposals.
Full Story... Father of Handicapped Son Received Threats After Confrontation With Rep. Dingell
Breitbart
"We've had a visit from them in the middle of the night."
Full Story... Video: Citizen journalist stomped by mob of terroristy un-Americans
Crowder
This is a light hearted look at a typical terrifying angry mob of citizens confronting their representatives with health care concerns.
Full Story... Sen. Cardin Booed, Jeered at Health Town Hall
Associated Press
Cardin was booed and jeered repeatedly throughout his 25-minute presentation and the question-and-answer period.

Cardin said how to pay for the bill has not yet been worked out, a comment that prompted even more derision from the audience. Some shouted, "Taxes!" and others shouted, "Spend, Ben, spend!"
Full Story... Drug Industry Helping Obama Overhaul Health Care
Associated Press
The nation's drugmakers stand ready to spend $150 million to help President Barack Obama overhaul health care this fall, according to numerous officials, a staggering sum that could dwarf attempts to derail Obama's top domestic priority.

The campaign, now in its early stages, includes television advertising under PhRMA's own name and commercials aired in conjunction with the liberal group, Families USA.
Full Story... Rep. Kirkpatrick's Townhall Bailout
JD Hayworth
VIDEO: Kirkpatrick flees rather than talk to constituents

Full Story... Health-care outbursts foreshadow a hot August
Associated Press
Loud outbursts, hot tempers and pleas for civility at town hall meetings around the country Saturday foreshadowed a long, hot August as Democratic lawmakers returning home faced resistance to proposals to reform the nation's costly health care system.

At a meeting in Des Moines, Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa, was interrupted several times by people in the audience shouting criticism and questions, even though he said he didn't expect Iowans to take part in what he called "scare tactics, misinformation and obstruction."
Full Story... Town hall tension: Meeting turns ugly over health care
Linda Moore
Hundreds of people crowded into the BRIDGES building in Downtown Memphis on Saturday for a congressional town hall meeting that quickly deviated into a raucous shouting free-for-all, requiring extra law enforcement officers to watch over the scene.

Most people in the crowd of close to 500 were in loud opposition, although Cohen supporters held their own, waving signs that read "Health Care Now."
Full Story... Angry Americans Being Heard
VIDEO: Union thugs in Tampa
Rep. John Dingell, Michigan
Rep. Bob Inglis, South Carolina

Rep. David Scott Screams At His Constituents For Asking Health Care Question
Allahpundit
VIDEO: Scott Throws Temper Tantrum

Full Story... White House Program to Collect Info On Dissenters Is Likely Illegal
FoxNews
The White House strategy of turning supporters into snitches when they see "fishy" information about the health care debate may run afoul of the law, legal experts say.

"The White House is in bit of a conundrum because of this privacy statute that prohibits the White House from collecting data and storing it on people who disagree with it," says Judge Andrew Napolitano.
Full Story... Rep. Brian Baird Cancels Events Out Of Fear Of Constituents
Michael Andersen
"What we're seeing right now is close to Brown Shirt tactics," Baird, D-Vancouver, said in a phone interview. "I mean that very seriously."

Baird is using the term Brown Shirts to compare his unhappy constituents with Nazi Germany stormtroopers, who were the original Brown Shirts.

Baird instead will selectively call constituents, and offer to talk with them only if they agree to ask questions that he would like to answer (yes, seriously).
Full Story... Sen. Claire McCaskills Cancels Her Events Out Of Fear Of Constituents
Jake Wagman
There is no word on whether McCaskill will find a new venue or keep a second town hall forum scheduled for later the same day in Jefferson County.

Either way, its hard not to notch the decision as a signal of the growing influence of the Tea Party coalition, who had succeeded at heckling Carnahan at two earlier meetings.
Full Story... Obama the Uniter?
Allahpundit
President Obama says he's heard enough out of those who disagree with him. He says the ones that disagree are the ones who created a health care mess.

But in the same speech he says he also wants to hear and respect both sides. Confused?

VIDEO: Obama Confuses

Full Story... Physicians speak out on healthcare bill
Cindy Horswell
Physicians jammed a town hall meeting in The Woodlands on Thursday, expressing fears about the cost and effectiveness of a health care reform bill that could come up for a vote in Congress as early as September.

"The bottom line is that doctors don't want socialized medicine - another flawed health care system like Medicare. They don't believe it will lower the costs or improve quality,"
Full Story... Pelosi's visit to Denver a lightning rod
John Ingold
U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, visiting a Denver clinic for the homeless Thursday, insisted that Democrats are united in backing health care reform and brushed off a question of whether raucous, conservative-led protests against reform have hurt the effort.

When one person in the crowd shouted, "Health care can't wait," a rival responded, "We have health care now."
Full Story... Violence Erupts At Rep. Castor's Town Hall In Tampa
Citizens
Videos show citizens being closed off from a public townhall meeting in Tampa. Violence briefly breaks out as liberal union members force opponents of the healthcare plan out of the room and close the door.

At least one man is lightly injured.
Full Story... Six People Arrested At Rep. Carnahan's Missouri Meeting
Leah Thorsen
St. Louis County police say six people were arrested. Two of those were arrested on suspicion of assault, one of resisting arrest and three on suspicion of committing peace disturbances. Carnahan was gone when the ruckus started.

Kenneth Gladney, a 38-year-old conservative activist from St. Louis, said he was attacked by some of those arrested as he handed out yellow flags with "Don't tread on me" printed on them. He spoke to the Post-Dispatch from the emergency room of the St. John's Mercy Medical Center, where he said he was waiting to be treated for injuries to his knee, back, elbow, shoulder and face that he suffered in the attack. Gladney, who is black, said one of his attackers, also a black man, used a racial slur against him before the attack started.

"It just seems there's no freedom of speech without being attacked." he said.
Full Story... St. Louis Town Hall Turmoil: Were Protesters Barred as Union Members Entered?
Breitbart
Citizens were blocked from a town hall as the Carnahan staff was sneaking SEIU (union) members in the side door marked "handicapped."
Full Story... Protesters Confront U.S. Representative At Simsbury Supermarket Meeting
Daniela Altimari
Chanting "Dump Chris Dodd" and "No national health care," scores of angry constituents confronted U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy at a meet-and-greet outside the Super Stop & Shop Wednesday afternoon.

The scene in Simsbury is being replayed throughout the nation this week as congressional Democrats convene town hall forums and other public get-togethers to win support for the Obama administration's plan to overhaul the health care system.
Full Story... AARP Ignores And Then Walks Out On Its Members
Breitbart
AARP cancels a 'listening session' after participants refuse to 'keep their comments quiet'. A dictatorial and apparently confused AARP attempts to shut down their members, who in the end simply continue a peaceful meeting where they voice their health care concerns.

Bizarrely, an AARP representative also comes back in to state that AARP does not endorse the President's health care plan, although they have publicly done so and are touted by the President's team.
Full Story... Unions Join Fray in Health-Care Overhaul
Katharine Q. Seelye
The nation's biggest labor unions are bringing their muscle to bear to the raucous health-care debates that have erupted over the last week in Congressional town hall meetings across the country.

John Sweeney, president of the AFL-CIO, sent out a call to arms Thursday for rank-and-file members to counteract what he called the "right-wing 'Tea Party Patriots' " who have been disrupting the meetings.
Full Story... White House to Democrats: 'Punch back twice as hard'
Breitbart
Top White House aides gave Senate Democrats a recess battle plan on Thursday, arming the lawmakers with tips for avoiding disastrous town hall meetings while showing them polling on popular aspects of the reform effort.

"If you get hit, we will punch back twice as hard," Messina said, according to an official who attended the meeting.
Full Story... White House Encroaching on First Amendment
ABC News / Rick Klein
Are you daring to question white house policies? Perhaps you are saying things that do not agree with the Administration's stance? The government has set up a special reporting queue to track you- "flag@whitehouse.gov". Anyone that notices anything you say or write that "sounds fishy" is encouraged to report you directly to this queue at the White House.
Full Story... Man Calls House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer A Liar
Real Clear Politics
"You're lying to me" said Don Jeror as he loudly interrupted Hoyer. "Just because I don't have sophisticated language, I can recognize a liar when I see one."

"Why would you guys try to stuff a health care bill down our throats in three to four weeks, when the President took six months to pick a dog for his kids?!"
Full Story... Barbara Boxer Says Protesters Are Too Neatly Dressed
YouTube
Barbara Boxer claims rising levels of protests are staged- she can tell because the protesters are too neatly attired.

That's because they are the backbone of this country, Senator Boxer. They have jobs. They are real people, unlike the paid Acorn protesters you are used to organizing.
Full Story... DNC Web Ad Attacks Protesters At Dem Town Halls
Real Clear Politics
In response to a rising tide of anger confronting congress, the Democratic National Committee has begun running attack ads against people attending town hall meetings. They claim the "unruly mobs" are GOP and industry plants, and urge you to blame the GOP.

Those of us attending these town halls know better, of course. These people are real. The anger is real. This movement is real.
Full Story... Pelosi: Town Hall Protesters Are "Carrying Swastikas"
Real Clear Politics
Pelosi denounces demonstrators as "astroturf".
Full Story... Health Care: Does Canada Do It Better?
John Stossel
President Obama said that the government is going to 'fix what is broken about healthcare in America.' It sounds like a great idea, but often what sounds good has unintended consequences.

When the government takes over, many critics say that you may not get the care and breakthroughs you need to save your life.

Dr. David Gratzer, a Canadian doctor, thought Canada's government healthcare system was great - until he started treating patients.

"People line up for care. Some of them die. That's what happens," Dr. David Gratzer says of Canada's healthcare system.
Full Story... Factcheck.org Finds "False And Questionable Statements" In Obama's News Conference
Newsweek
President Obama tried to sell his health care overhaul in prime time, mangling some facts in the process. He also strained to make the job sound easier to pay for than experts predict.

Obama claimed his budget "reduced federal spending over the next 10 years by $2.2 trillion" compared with where it was headed before. Not true. Even figures from his own budget experts don't support that. The Congressional Budget Office projects a $2.7 trillion increase, not a $2.2 trillion cut.
Full Story... Obama (Uncut): I'd Like to See a 'Single Payer Health Care Plan'
Breitbart
"I happen to be a proponent of a single payer universal health care program. I see no reason why the United States of America, the wealthiest country in the history of the world, spending 14 percent of its Gross National Product on health care cannot provide basic health insurance to everybody. And that's what Jim is talking about when he says everybody in, nobody out. A single payer health care plan, a universal health care plan. And that's what I'd like to see. But as all of you know, we may not get there immediately."
Full Story... America Gets Fed Up: Hear Them Roar
VIDEO: Tim Bishop protest, New York
VIDEO: Lloyd Doggett meeting, Austin
VIDEO: Arlen Specter, Philadelphia

Are you active yet? Now is the time that we MUST act. Do NOT put this off. Make yourself heard about this bill. This is the fight that matters.
Uncovered Video: Obama Explains How His Health Care Plan Will 'Eliminate' Private Insurance
Breitbart
"I don't think we're going to be able to eliminate employer coverage immediately. There's going to be potentially some transition process..."
Full Story...

THEY WILL DETERMINE WHETHER YOU LIVE OR DIE
Contributed By grayhair
(1) if there is a significant
change in the health condition of the individual, including
diagnosis of a chronic, progressive, life-limiting disease, a
life-threatening or terminal diagnosis or life-threatening
injury, or upon admission to a skilled nursing facility, a
long-term care facility (as defined by the Secretary), or
a hospice program.

(4) A consultation under this subsection may include
the formulation of an order regarding life sustaining
treatment or a similar order.
More... This is government rationing, pure, simple, and straight up.
Contributed By john.lewis
WILL THE PLAN RATION MEDICAL CARE?

This is what the bill says, pages 284-288, SEC. 1151. REDUCING POTENTIALLY PREVENTABLE HOSPITAL READMISSIONS:

'(ii) EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN READMISSIONS.-For purposes of clause (i), with respect to a hospital, excess readmissions shall not include readmissions for an applicable condition for which there are fewer than a minimum number (as determined by the Secretary) of discharges for such applicable condition for the applicable period and such hospital.


and, under "Definitions":



"‘(A) APPLICABLE CONDITION.-The term 'applicable condition' means, subject to subparagraph (B), a condition or procedure selected by the Secretary . . .


and:

"‘(E) READMISSION.-The term 'readmission' means, ...
More... 27 People Will Essentially decide whether your health problem will be "Covered"
Contributed By leifrafesamlily
The Surgeon General, 9 members appointed by the President that do not need any kind of qualification, 9 members appointed by the Comptroller essentially the same type of people in charge of medicare, and no more than 8 members that are government employees will decide what plan you will have and what benefits will be covered. Basically, the board will consist of a bunch of people who essentially do not know you or your family and who rely on statistics to determine if you or your child deserve treatment!!!!
More... THIS BILL WILL FORCE PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE OUT OF BUSINESS
Contributed By john.lewis
Will the PLAN destroy private health insurance?

Here is what it requires, for businesses with payrolls greater than $400,000 per year. (The bill uses "contribution" to refer to mandatory payments to the government plan.) Pages 149-150, SEC. 313, EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS IN LIEU OF COVERAGE

(a) IN GENERAL.-A contribution is made in accordance with this section with respect to an employee if such contribution is equal to an amount equal to 8 percent of the average wages paid by the employer during the period of enrollment (determined by taking into account all employees of the employer and in such manner as ...
More... Madatory 8% tax on small companies not providing health insurance
Contributed By sgrant39
Section 412 is perhaps the single most onorous and chilling section of the bill. It commands the IRS to levy a mandatory tax on all small employers who do not provide health insurance. This tax starts at 2% for total partolls as low as $250,000 and quickly rises to 8% for total payrolls above $400,000.

For a sole proprietor who employs a few family members and 4 or 5 empkoyees at
relatively low wages($45,000 a year or three times minimum wage), this tax is a back-breaker (read job-killer). It imposes a marginal tax increase of 8%, or $32,000, on each $400,000 of ...
More... THE PLAN exempts federal OFFICIALS from COURT REVIEW
Contributed By john.lewis
What it says, page 124, Section 223, PAYMENT RATES FOR ITEMS AND SERVICES:

(f) LIMITATIONS ON REVIEW.—There shall be no administrative or judicial review of a payment rate or methodology established under this section or under section 224.

And, page 256, SEC. 1123. PAYMENTS FOR EFFICIENT AREAS.

"(C) LIMITATION ON REVIEW.—There shall be no administrative or judicial review under section 1869, 1878, or otherwise, respecting-

"(i) the identification of a county or other area under subparagraph (A); or
"(ii) the assignment of a postal ZIP Code to a county or other area under subparagraph (B).

EVALUATION OF THE PASSAGES:
1. Sec. ...
More... The government's authority to set payments is basically unlimited.
Contributed By john.lewis
Does THE PLAN ALLOW THE GOVERNMENT TO set FEES FOR SERVICES?

What it says, page 124, Sec. 223, PAYMENT RATES FOR ITEMS AND SERVICES:

(d) CONSTRUCTION.-Nothing in this subtitle shall be construed as limiting the Secretary’s authority to correct for payments that are excessive or deficient, taking into account the provisions of section 221(a) and the amounts paid for similar health care providers and services under other Exchange-participating health benefits plans.

(e) CONSTRUCTION.-Nothing in this subtitle shall be construed as affecting the authority of the Secretary to establish payment rates, including payments to provide for the more efficient delivery of services, such as ...
More... Automatically enrolls Americans in the GOVERNMENT plan - No action at all required!
Contributed By john.lewis
Outreach and enrollment of Exchange-eligible individuals and employers in Exchange-participating health benefits plan:

(3) AUTOMATIC ENROLLMENT OF MEDICAID ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS INTO MEDICAID.-The Commissioner shall provide for a process under which an individual who is described in section 202(d)(3) and has not elected to enroll in an Exchange-participating health benefits plan is automatically enrolled under Medicaid.

And, page 145, section 312:

(4) AUTOENROLLMENT OF EMPLOYEES.-The employer provides for autoenrollment of the employee in accordance with subsection (c).

EVALUATION OF THE PASSAGES:
1. Do nothing and you are in.
2. Employers are responsible for automatically enrolling people ...
More... Tax the rich, tax the poor, tax EVERYONE, TAX, TAX, TAX!
Contributed By nonplussed
This basically says, We will TAX you!
If you do not have the plan We say is "right for you", We will tax you!
If you are rich, We will Tax you!
If you are a business, big or small, We will tax you!
I don't believe this bill will lower our health care costs,
but I do believe it will raise our taxes!
More... THE GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE FULL CONTROL OVER ALL HEALTH PLANS FOR INDIVIDUAL
Contributed By unafraid
Private health plans that want to sell to individuals will have to sell through the Exchange. This is mandated.

And the only way for a plan to be listed in the Exchange is if it conforms to all the government rules for a health plan (mandated in 203).

And the government's 27 appointees determine what those rules are.

SO YOU WILL HAVE NO PRIVATE CHOICE IF YOU ARE AN INDIVIDUAL (non group). YOU CAN ONLY CHOOSE PLANS FROM THE EXCHANGE- AND THOSE PLANS FEATURES ARE ENTIRELY DETERMINED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
More... Employers forced to give employees a massive raise
Contributed By dlluskin
Section 312(b)(1)(a) and (b) state: The employers must contribute "in case of individual coverage, not less than 72.5 percent of the applicable premium" and "in the case of family coverage which includes coverage of such spouse and children,
not less 65 percent of such applicable premium..."

In other words, employers are mandated to pay a large part of the cost of an employee's health insurance. In other words, to give their employees a valuable benefit. HOWEVER...

Section 312(b)(4) states: "...any contribution on behalf of an employee with respect to which there is a corresponding reduction in the compensation of the employee ...
More... Greatly increases the power of government officials to SCRUTINIZE our private affairs
Contributed By john.lewis
What it says, pages 195-196, SEC. 431. DISCLOSURES TO CARRY OUT HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGE SUBSIDIES.

"(A) IN GENERAL.-The Secretary, upon written request from the Health Choices Commissioner or the head of a State-based health insurance exchange approved for operation under section 208 of the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, shall disclose to officers and employees of the Health Choices Administration or such State-based health insurance exchange, as the case may be, return information of any taxpayer whose income is relevant in determining any affordability credit described in subtitle C of title II of the America’s Affordable Health Choices ...
More... No company can sue the government for price-fixing. No "judicial review" is permitted agai
Contributed By unafraid
(f) LIMITATIONS ON REVIEW.—There shall be no administrative or judicial review of a payment rate or methodology established under this section or under section 224.

Well I think that “judicial review” means courts and since the Government states there cannot be a review of a payment rate then that leaves the door wide open for the Government to fix prices.
More... TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CANCER HOSPITALS – Cancer patients – welcome to rationing!
Contributed By mchavez
Page 272

The Secretary shall conduct
11 a study to determine if, under the system under
12 this subsection, costs incurred by hospitals de
13 scribed in section 1886(d)(1)(B)(v) with respect
14 to ambulatory payment classification groups ex
15 ceed those costs incurred by other hospitals fur
16 nishing services under this subsection (as deter
17 mined appropriate by the Secretary).
More... If you don't get the right coverage, they are going to fine you, and also penalize employers
Contributed By beltway
This section creates the funding account in the Treasury for the plan, and then further states where some of the money is going to come from:

1) Penalize/fine/tax ANY individuals who don't get an "acceptable" level of health insurance coverage. More on this under Treasury 59B. It looks like the fine will generally be about 2.5% of your full gross income.

2) Penalize/fine/tax ANY companies that don't provide an "acceptable" level of health insurance coverage for their employees (there is more about this under section 3111).

3) Some new "excise tax" for other failures to get "acceptable" coverage as defined ...
More... PROOF that Govt will ration HC by mandating waiting periods for readmission.
Contributed By mchavez
Page 287 Line 14-25

14 (E) READMISSION.—The term 'readmis
15 sion' means, in the case of an individual who is
16 discharged from an applicable hospital, the ad
17 mission of the individual to the same or another
18 applicable hospital within a time period speci
19 fied by the Secretary from the date of such dis
20 charge. Insofar as the discharge relates to an
21 applicable condition for which there is an en
22 dorsed measure described in subparagraph
23 (A)(ii)(I), such time period (such as 30 days)
24 shall be consistent with the time period speci
25 fied for such measure.
More... Individuals without mandatory coverage taxed 2.5% of their gross income.
Contributed By pdroach
Section 401 shows that this bill is not simply a "public option", but rather a mandate that requires, by penalty of law, individuals to have healthcare insurance (exempting some for religious reasons with approval). Any individual whose coverage lapses at any time during the year may be subject to a 2.5% gross income tax penalty (not to exceed the amount of an annual premium (amount?). Pardons can be made at the discretion of the secretary.
More... An Employer MUST auto enroll employees into pub opt plan. NO CHOICE.
Contributed By unafraid
(4) AUTOENROLLMENT OF EMPLOYEES.—The
employer provides for autoenrollment of the employee in accordance with subsection (c).
More... The Govt will MANDATE Post Acute Care svcs(what), how Drs. get paid, etc.
Contributed By mchavez
Page 300 Line 1-18

1 (3) POST ACUTE SERVICES.—For purposes of
2 this section, the term ‘‘post acute services’’ means
3 services for which payment may be made under the
4 Medicare program that are furnished by skilled
5 nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation facilities,
6 long term care hospitals, hospital based outpatient
7 rehabilitation facilities and home health agencies to
8 an individual after discharge of such individual from
9 a hospital, and such other services determined ap
10 propriate by the Secretary.
More... Tax the small businesses owners and/or wealthy to help pay for this mess - starts at $175k
Contributed By sunnyday
Adds up to 5.4% higher taxes anyone with higher income people. I swear they tried to word this to make it look like the taxes didn't hit til much higher.

For married people filing separate returns, this can start at $175k. If you file jointly that raises it to $350k.

For single filers, this kicks in at $280k, so apparently they really want to penalize married people that file separately a lot more than single people.

It starts at 1% and ramps up to 5.4% as your income rises.

Oh- but don't worry small business owners- they say they'll lower the charge ...
More... Govt will impose a fee on ALL private health ins. plans incl. self insured to pay for Trust Fund!
Contributed By saveus
Pg 829-833

"In the case of any applicable self-insured health plan for each plan year, there is
hereby imposed a fee equal to the fair share per capita
amount determined under section 9511(c)(1) multiplied by
the average number of lives covered under the plan."
More... The AMA sold doctors out: the government will set wages.
Contributed By unafraid
pg 127 Lines 1-24 HC Bill – Doctors – The Govt will tell YOU what u can make.

(A) PREFERRED PHYSICIANS.—Those physicians who agree to accept the payment rate established under section 223 (without regard
to cost-sharing) as the payment in full.
(B) PARTICIPATING, NON-PREFERRED
PHYSICIANS.—Those physicians who agree not
to impose charges (in relation to the payment
rate described in section 223 for such physicians) that exceed the ratio permitted under
section 1848(g)(2)(C) of the Social Security
Act.
(2) OTHER PROVIDERS.—The Secretary shall
provide for the participation (on an annual or other
basis specified by the Secretary) of health care providers
(other ...
More... Taxpayers subsidize all union retiree & community organizer health plans (read: SEIU, UAW, ACORN
Contributed By unafraid
PG 65 Sec 164 is a payoff subsidized plan 4 retirees and their families in Unions & community orgs (ACORN). I believe that GM’s employer based insurance program is for their UAW employees. I believe that SEIU’s union members have employer based insurance programs as well. I also believe that ACORN is covered as well too as a vlountary association. But let’s take a look again directly at the text in this section -

“The term ‘‘eligible employment-based plan’’ means a group health benefits plan that—is maintained by one or more employers, former employers or employee associations, or a voluntary ...
More... The Govt will estab Preventative & Wellness Trust fund- intial cost of $30,800,000,000-Billion
Contributed By justin
Pg 932

(A) for fiscal year 2010, $2,400,000,000;
(B) for fiscal year 2011, $2,800,000,000;
(C) for fiscal year 2012, $3,100,000,000;
(D) for fiscal year 2013, $3,400,000,000;
(E) for fiscal year 2014, $3,500,000,000;
(F) for fiscal year 2015, $3,600,000,000;
(G) for fiscal year 2016, $3,700,000,000;
(H) for fiscal year 2017, $3,900,000,000;
(I) for fiscal year 2018, $4,300,000,000;
and
(J) for fiscal year 2019, $4,600,000,000.
More... Anyone caught without acceptable coverage and not in the government plan will pay special tax.
Contributed By john.lewis
Will the plan punish Americans who try to opt out?

What the bill says, pages 167-168, section 401, TAX ON INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT ACCEPTABLE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE:

"(a) TAX IMPOSED.—In the case of any individual who does not meet the requirements of subsection (d) at any time during the taxable year, there is hereby imposed a tax equal to 2.5 percent of the excess of-

(1) the taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income for the taxable year, over

(2) the amount of gross income specified in section 6012(a)(1) with respect to the taxpayer...."

EVALUATION OF THE PASSAGE:


1. This section ...
More... BIG ONE HERE: Expedited Data Collection - Chapter 35 of Title 44 of USC SHALL NOT APPLY
Contributed By mchavez
Folks this gives the govt the right to access your data any way they see fit.

Here is link to the chapter: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode44/usc_sec_44_00003501----000-.html

Look at number 8 - THE GOVT IS SAYING THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS!!!

(8) ensure that the creation, collection, maintenance, use, dissemination, and disposition of information by or for the Federal Government is consistent with applicable laws, including laws relating to—
(A) privacy and confidentiality, including section 552a of title 5;
(B) security of information, including section 11332 of title 40 [1] ; and
(C) access to information, including section 552 of title 5;
More... OMG!! PROHIBITION on ownership/investment. Govt tells Drs. what/how much they can own
Contributed By mchavez
Page 317 L 13-20

The "health plan" actually spells out how much of hospitals doctors are allowed to own or invest in. Unbelievable. Can you say Socialism?
More... What coverage must I have to avoid being punished?
Contributed By john.lewis
What constitutes "acceptable" coverage?

Here is what the bill says, pages 26-30, SEC. 122, ESSENTIAL BENEFITS PACKAGE DEFINED:

(a) IN GENERAL.—In this division, the term "essential benefits package" means health benefits coverage, consistent with standards adopted under section 124 to ensure the provision of quality health care and financial security ....

(b) MINIMUM SERVICES TO BE COVERED.—The items and services described in this subsection are the following:

(1) Hospitalization.

(2) Outpatient hospital and outpatient clinic services ...

(3) Professional services of physicians and other health professionals.

(4) Such services, equipment, and supplies incident to the services of a physician’s or a health professional’s delivery ...
More... PROHIBITION on expansion- Govt is mandating hospitals cannot expand.
Contributed By mchavez
Page 317-318 lines 21-25,1-3

The government is going to determine how big your locals hospitals or clinics are allowed to become. Need to add beds? Gotta get approval from the federal government first!
More... OMG! This Home Visitation Prog. includes Govt coming into your house & telling you how to parent
Contributed By saveus
pg 844

"(i) adhere to clear evidence-based
models of home visitation that have demonstrated
positive effects on important program-determined
child and parenting outcomes, such as reducing
abuse and neglect and improving child health and development;"
More... Limits profits of any health insurance company - ABSOLUTE SOCIALISM
Contributed By concerned
This section sets limits, determined annually by the "Secretary" on how much private health insurance companies are allowed to make.

If for any given year the company makes more than the "Secretary" says is fair, then they have to issue refunds!

THIS IS SOCIALISM!
More... A disturbing section: it wants to control growth rates by type of health issue by controlling $
Contributed By flypaper
This is a disturbing section. Much of it is devoted to the desire to analyze and break down medical services by category so that they can delineate growth rates in various categories, like, say, breast cancer.

But the scary part is that they then want to have control of those growth rates, to make sure they are "sustainable". They talk about controlling payments going out to providers based on this analysis.

They even want to steer healthcare providers to understand what their ratio needs to be in certain categories.

In other words, they aren't going to allow for an increase in ...
More... Does it penalize small business? Does the plan TAX successful Americans more THAN OTHERS?
Contributed By john.lewis
Here is what the bill says, pages 197-198, SEC. 441. SURCHARGE ON HIGH INCOME INDIVIDUALS

"SEC. 59C. SURCHARGE ON HIGH INCOME INDIVIDUALS.

"(a) GENERAL RULE.-In the case of a taxpayer other than a corporation, there is hereby imposed (in addition to any other tax imposed by this subtitle) a tax equal to-

"(1) 1 percent of so much of the modified adjusted gross income of the taxpayer as exceeds $350,000 but does not exceed $500,000,

"(2) 1.5 percent of so much of the modified adjusted gross income of the taxpayer as exceeds $500,000 but does not exceed $1,000,000, and

"(3) 5.4 percent of so much ...
More... The public opt will be subsidized. Credits= Ur tax dollars. Redistribution of wealth.
Contributed By unafraid
pg 129

They call them "Affordability Credits". It's a welfare handout.
More... Guess what: Your nurse is going to investigate your child's schooling, your job skills, your....
Contributed By notsilent
"Reducing the incidence of child abuse, neglect,
and injury, improving family stability (including reduction
in the incidence of intimate partner violence), or
reducing maternal and child involvement
in the criminal justice system.
(3) Increasing economic self-sufficiency, employment advancement,
school-readiness, and educational achievement, or reducing dependence on
public assistance."

I'm sorry, I thought they were NURSE'S. Not My MOTHER. Or my KEEPER.

I thought this was about HEALTH CARE, NOT TOTAL CONTROL.

What a nightmare.
More...

John Stossel
Competition Charles Krauthammer
The Truth About Death Counseling Heritage Foundation
The Public Health Insurance Option: Unfair Competition on a Tilting Field Ann Coulter
LIBERAL LIES ABOUT NATIONAL HEALTH CARE: SECOND IN A SERIES (COLLECT ALL 10!) Rush Limbaugh
Dems Will Do Whatever It Takes to Ram Obamacare Down Our Throats Dick Morris
JOE'S CRITIQUE MAY TURN TIDE Michelle Malkin
Fake hate crime alert: Leftists vandalize Denver Democrat HQ; Dems smeared Obamacare foes Peggy Noonan
Pull the Plug on ObamaCare William Tate
Health care reform that actually works! Lee Cary
The People's Genie Is out of the Bottle Newt Gingrich
Citizens just want the truth: 2 + 2 = 4 flecksoflife
The Daily Kos and the Shadows that Lurk Within Wesley Pruden
Recycling the contempt Jonah Goldberg
Dems' Fear Is Showing on Health Care Camille Paglia
Obama's healthcare horror Mitch Albom
It's Not Polite, But It's Democracy Michael Barone
Obama Would Stifle Military and Medical Creativity Linda Chavez
The cure that's worse than the disease Mike Huckabee
Why Government-Run Health Care Is a Bad Idea Hugh Hewitt
Desperate Democrats need new game plan David Limbaugh
Conservatives, Shut Up and Step Aside Pat Buchanan
Angry White Men Cal Thomas
What lies beneath Kevin Jackson
SEIU Protest in St. Louis Mark Steyn
Conformity is now the new dissent Theodore Dalrymple
Man vs. Mutt Endre Balogh
ObamaCare: Facts are Stubborn Things Phyllis Schlafly
Reading the Fine Print in the Health Care Bill Thomas Sowell
Care Versus Control Larry Elder
'45 Million Americans' - Who Are Those Guys? George Will
A health 'reform' to regret