Below are some reactions to Obama's really big health care speech.
The President's Health Care Plan: Selling Myth as Reality
by Richard Brownell
President Barack Obama has finally outlined his plan for "reforming" America's health care system. This comes several months after he first announced the epic initiative and allowed his loyal liberal colleagues in Congress to create a legislative plan that has brought staunch and growing opposition from the American public. True to form, now that Obama's plan is on the table, he has declared the debate over and called upon Democrats and Republicans to act upon his proposals. But the debate is far from over. In fact, it is time to start the battle anew.
Obama's speech to a joint session of Congress was his last opportunity to regain the high ground in the health care debate. It will likely be remembered more for the real reform proposals that were not included rather than for the fiction that was paraded before Congress and the American people.
____________
From Senator John McCain:
My Friend,
Thank you,
|
Last night, during his speech to a joint session of Congress and the nation, President Obama outlined his new proposal for health care reform. While I respect the President's point of view, and hope for an eventual compromise, I believe his proposal amounts to an egregiously expensive and expansive form of government-run health care.
After a month of hosting and attending town hall meetings wit h my constituents in Arizona and around the country, I know that Americans want health care reform. But what is so very clear to me is that Americans want to reform health care in the right way. I am more convinced than ever that we must fix what is wrong with our health care system while doing no harm to the parts that work well.
This means we need to have malpractice reform, we must emphasize wellness and fitness, give people the option to get the health insurance of their choice and bring the cost of health care under control.
If you agree, that we need to reform health care reform the right way, then I ask you to sign my health care reform petition today by following this link.
I am very troubled by the potential cost of the President's outlined plans. I know that you are very concerned with the national debt and a projected $9 trillion deficit. The prospective co st of the President's plan could reach $2 trillion, and frankly, our country simply cannot afford this price tag.
I will not support heath care reform that adds to the out-of-control spending spree the Democrats in Congress have gone on this year. And I ask you to join me in rejecting the addition of $2 trillion of debt by signing this petition right away.
Government-run health care is something we simply cannot afford, and I know that the majority of Americans agree with me that it is not the quality of health care that needs reforming, but the cost. But, I need to know you stand with me. Will you follow this link to sign my petition?
As you know, the Democrats in Washington are doing everything in their power to push through their proposed reform full of political gimmicks. Your action today will send a clear message to them; we don' t want government-run health care. Thank you, my friend, for your support and involvement on this very important national issue.
Thank you,
John McCain
______________________
Please call your two Senators and your Representative today and tell them you OPPOSE the government-run plan. Tell them to abandon the 1,000-plus page monstrosity of a bill and start over with a free market approach that respects the unborn and preserves our liberties!
Again, the next few hours are absolutely crucial. What the President is attempting is a last-ditch effort to move public opinion... or at least to convince legislators that there is public support for his plan.
This is high-stakes politics, and the President is using the rhetoric of a religious mandate to push his socialistic agenda through. If there was ever a time to make your voice heard, this is it!
Thank you for joining me in taking a resolute stand, and may God bless you and yours in this pivotal hour.
Sen. Warner 202-224-2023
Sen. Webb 202-224-4024
Rep. Cantor 202-225-2815
This is high-stakes politics, and the President is using the rhetoric of a religious mandate to push his socialistic agenda through. If there was ever a time to make your voice heard, this is it!
Thank you for joining me in taking a resolute stand, and may God bless you and yours in this pivotal hour.
Mathew Staver
Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel
____________
President Obama exposed himself last night... and I'm wondering if I was the only one who saw what happened!
Right near the end of the speech...
When the President tried to make it sound as if government-run health care is something that every past great American would have demanded!
Obama talked about...
"...the perils of too little" government...
"...the leavening hand of wise [government] policy"...
"...carefully crafted...[government] efforts to help people
in need."
And here's the kicker...
He expressed empathy with those who are having trouble believing that "government is looking out for them."
Well, Mr. President, I OBJECT!
I don't think the crisis we are facing today in America in any way resembles the "perils of too little" government, and I flatly reject the premise that "government is looking out for" me!
And so did our Founding Fathers!
Despite all the pomp and circumstance from last night's address, nothing has changed. This is the same Barack Obama who believes government is the answer... that government is wiser... that government is looking out for you... and that we have a "moral obligation" to pass ObamaCare!
Right near the end of the speech...
When the President tried to make it sound as if government-run health care is something that every past great American would have demanded!
Obama talked about...
"...the perils of too little" government...
"...the leavening hand of wise [government] policy"...
"...carefully crafted...[government] efforts to help people
in need."
And here's the kicker...
He expressed empathy with those who are having trouble believing that "government is looking out for them."
Well, Mr. President, I OBJECT!
I don't think the crisis we are facing today in America in any way resembles the "perils of too little" government, and I flatly reject the premise that "government is looking out for" me!
And so did our Founding Fathers!
Despite all the pomp and circumstance from last night's address, nothing has changed. This is the same Barack Obama who believes government is the answer... that government is wiser... that government is looking out for you... and that we have a "moral obligation" to pass ObamaCare!
Steve Elliott
President, Grassfire.org Alliance
____________
As I listened to the President’s speech last night, I thought he missed the opportunity to talk about real reforms to lower our health care costs immediately like enacting lawsuit reform, allowing competition across state lines in the health insurance industry and emphasizing preventative care.
In Oklahoma, we’ve seen many doctors leave the state (in rural areas especially) because it costs too much to practice medicine. As Governor, I would fight for tougher lawsuit reforms that address this problem and in turn lower everyone’s health insurance costs.
If we can go online or call an 800 number to purchase car insurance from a company in Texas, Kansas or Arkansas, why can’t we do the same to purchase health insurance? As Governor, I will push to create state exchanges where Oklahomans can purchase health insurance plans from out-of-state providers.
Finally, we must emphasize preventative care. We spend far too much money in Oklahoma to treat preventable illnesses like heart disease, Type II diabetes, cancer, stroke and chronic lung diseases. We don’t need a huge bureaucracy or new program to address these epidemics right now. I would use the Governor’s office as a platform to encourage Oklahomans to eat healthier, exercise more and take better care of themselves!
The rising costs of health care are a burden on our state budget and your family’s budget. As Governor, I will work to lower the costs of health insurance, providing immediate relief to those working families with insurance and providing an opportunity to those who are uninsured to purchase health care coverage.
Thanks and God Bless,
Mary Fallin
In Oklahoma, we’ve seen many doctors leave the state (in rural areas especially) because it costs too much to practice medicine. As Governor, I would fight for tougher lawsuit reforms that address this problem and in turn lower everyone’s health insurance costs.
If we can go online or call an 800 number to purchase car insurance from a company in Texas, Kansas or Arkansas, why can’t we do the same to purchase health insurance? As Governor, I will push to create state exchanges where Oklahomans can purchase health insurance plans from out-of-state providers.
Finally, we must emphasize preventative care. We spend far too much money in Oklahoma to treat preventable illnesses like heart disease, Type II diabetes, cancer, stroke and chronic lung diseases. We don’t need a huge bureaucracy or new program to address these epidemics right now. I would use the Governor’s office as a platform to encourage Oklahomans to eat healthier, exercise more and take better care of themselves!
The rising costs of health care are a burden on our state budget and your family’s budget. As Governor, I will work to lower the costs of health insurance, providing immediate relief to those working families with insurance and providing an opportunity to those who are uninsured to purchase health care coverage.
Thanks and God Bless,
Mary Fallin
____________
Obama’s Fairy Tale
The president must have thought he was still speaking to second graders during last night’s speech to the American people and a joint session of Congress. How else can one explain the untruths, misrepresentations and contradictions that were centerpieces of the speech? He described a fantasyland where everyone gets more benefits, nobody loses anything and the deficit magically doesn’t increase. I will point out a few of the distortions below.
But first I want to point out what most of Big Media is ignoring this morning. Republicans are being bashed for inappropriate partisanship because there was a sprinkling of boos and a frustrated Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina accused the president of lying. Big Media is in shock about that outburst, but it appears to have forgotten that President Bush was booed in 2005, and that Harry Reid called President Bush “a loser” and “a liar.” In addition, many are ignoring the bitter partisan tone of the president’s speech.
He accused talk radio (Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, etc.), cable news (Fox News) and Republican leaders (Sarah Palin) of lying. He attacked the Bush Administration – AGAIN. And he said nothing about the “attack dogs” of the Left, including members of Congress who have labeled those of us who disagree with socialized medicine as “un-American” and “evil mongers.”
How partisan was his speech? Senator Lindsey Graham, who goes out of his way (too far in my opinion) to “make nice” with liberals in Congress, had this to say: “I was incredibly disappointed in the tone of his speech. …I found his tone to be overly combative and believe he behaved in a manner beneath the dignity of the office. I fear his speech tonight has made it more difficult — not less — to find common ground.” Even Larry Sabato, a liberal political analyst, called Obama’s remarks, “…a tough, partisan speech.” They are right. The speech sounded like something a community organizer would deliver – not a president.
Now, let’s look at specifics. I’ll quote the president and then give you the facts.
Obama’s fantasy: “I will not sign a plan that adds one dime to our deficits either now or in the future -- period.”
The Truth: Not even one Democrat version of the legislation is deficit neutral. The House version, according to the Congressional Budget Office, adds $220 billion to the deficit over the next decade. The Senate bill is changing by the hour, so it is harder to estimate costs, but common sense tells you it is nearly impossible to cover 30 million more people, not cut any services and do it all without more deficit spending.
Obama’s Claim: “Don’t pay attention to those scary stories about how your benefits will be cut… That will never happen on my watch.”
The Truth: His plan proposes $500 billion in “savings” in Medicare by cutting “waste, fraud and abuse.” This is a sleight of hand as old as Washington, D.C., and it is one reason why our deficit is out of control. There is no budget line for “waste, fraud and abuse.” If there are $500 billion that can be saved, prove it now. Cut that “waste, fraud and abuse” now, and save the money now!
Obama’s Deception: “…the reforms I’m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally.”
The Reality: Is there an American alive who doesn’t know the fiasco of our immigration policies? Countless benefits go to illegal immigrants for one simple reason: There are no strong verification systems to prevent it. Illegals can’t vote, but we know some are voting because liberals oppose photo IDs and proof of citizenship on Election Day. Conservatives in Congress have repeatedly tried to add citizenship verification provisions to the socialized medicine bill, and Obama’s allies have voted them down every time. Voting down citizenship verification is how Obama’s allies ensure that the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and groups like La Raza support the legislation.
A recent Rasmussen poll found that 83% of Americans say people should be required to prove their citizenship before receiving government healthcare benefits. But the Congressional Research Service admits that there is no verification mechanism in the bill. No wonder Rep. Joe Wilson yelled, “You lie!” at this point in the speech. And don’t forget: Obama intends to provide an amnesty to illegals anyway, making them eligible for all federal programs.
By the way, I insist that President Obama call Rush Limbaugh, Fox News and Sarah Palin and apologize for calling them liars.
Obama’s Deceit: “…under our plan, no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions…”
The Facts: Every attempt by pro-life congressmen to add specific language ensuring that your tax dollars won’t be used to subsidize abortions has been defeated by pro-abortion liberals in committee. The legislation requires that everyone receiving a federal subsidy (your tax money) under the proposed law be able to buy insurance that covers abortion. Even the Associated Press and Time Magazine admit that.
And did you notice that when President Obama said it wouldn’t cover abortion there were no cries of outrage from the dozens of pro-abortion extremists in Congress? They know the fix is in and that abortion coverage will be included.
Obama’s Sleight of Hand: Last night, Obama told Americans who already have insurance that they have nothing to worry about. He said: “Let me repeat this: nothing in our plan requires you to change what you have.”
But this statement is different from what he has said in previous speeches on healthcare. Previously, he claimed: “If you like your health care plan, you’ll be able to keep your health care plan, period.”
Details are important. Why did Obama go from saying “you’ll be able to keep your health care plan, period” to “nothing in our plan requires you to change what you have”? The answer is simple. Most Americans get their health insurance from their employer and they generally like it. But once a government-run health insurance company (the public option) is established, many businesses, no one knows how many, will opt to pay a fine and stop providing coverage if the government is going to assume that responsibility. Millions of Americans will lose the coverage they have and like, even though the legislation doesn’t “require” it. But the legislation just makes that outcome very predictable.
Obama’s False Promise: “Now is when we must bring the best ideas of both parties together…”
The Reality: Conservatives have introduced 40 pieces of legislation to reform healthcare. None have been let out of committee by the Democrat majority. In the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi hasn’t included Republicans in negotiations for months. Obama has “locked” the White House doors since April – not inviting the congressional minority even once since then to negotiate. When Obama says he wants bi-partisanship, he means conservatives have to embrace his unacceptable Big Government, high cost, deficit-inducing ideas.
I could write a dozen pages, but you get my drift. It was a partisan speech long on distortions and short on facts. One more observation to close: President Obama expressed the same disdain for dissent and energetic debate that is quickly becoming a leftwing theme. He referred to the lively debate this summer at the grassroots as a “spectacle” and “bickering,” and added, “The time for games has passed.”
This is no game. Your freedom is at stake. If this bill passes, Congress will be creating another huge entitlement program. Big Government will be taking on an even bigger responsibility for your welfare and with that a greater demand on your income and standard of living.
But the president needs to be reminded that in America, in contrast to Hugo Chavez’s Venezuela and Ahmadinejad’s Iran, vocal, robust dissent is not only our right, it is our obligation when government and politicians go too far. Brave men and women have died for our right to speak-up and no one, including the president, gets to decide when the debate is over.
My friends, I must ask you once again, and especially given what we witnessed last night, to please step up to the plate and support our work, particularly if you have not done so yet this year. Click here to make your gift to Campaign for Working Families right now.
It is clear that we will not win this battle until we take back Congress and free Capitol Hill from the Obama/Pelosi/Reid axis of liberalism. Please support CWF today, so that we can elect more pro-family, pro-life, pro-free enterprise conservatives to Congress.
The stakes are great and the Left is energized. Since last night’s speech, the liberal challenger to Rep. Wilson has raised $50,000 from leftwing activists all over the country. Rep. Wilson has a 97% pro-family score with CWF, and the Left is more determined than ever to take him out! Are they more committed to this fight than you are? I certainly hope not.
This is your country too! Fight for it. Working together we can Stop Obama’s Socialism. Click here to get the bumper sticker!
The president must have thought he was still speaking to second graders during last night’s speech to the American people and a joint session of Congress. How else can one explain the untruths, misrepresentations and contradictions that were centerpieces of the speech? He described a fantasyland where everyone gets more benefits, nobody loses anything and the deficit magically doesn’t increase. I will point out a few of the distortions below.
But first I want to point out what most of Big Media is ignoring this morning. Republicans are being bashed for inappropriate partisanship because there was a sprinkling of boos and a frustrated Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina accused the president of lying. Big Media is in shock about that outburst, but it appears to have forgotten that President Bush was booed in 2005, and that Harry Reid called President Bush “a loser” and “a liar.” In addition, many are ignoring the bitter partisan tone of the president’s speech.
He accused talk radio (Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, etc.), cable news (Fox News) and Republican leaders (Sarah Palin) of lying. He attacked the Bush Administration – AGAIN. And he said nothing about the “attack dogs” of the Left, including members of Congress who have labeled those of us who disagree with socialized medicine as “un-American” and “evil mongers.”
How partisan was his speech? Senator Lindsey Graham, who goes out of his way (too far in my opinion) to “make nice” with liberals in Congress, had this to say: “I was incredibly disappointed in the tone of his speech. …I found his tone to be overly combative and believe he behaved in a manner beneath the dignity of the office. I fear his speech tonight has made it more difficult — not less — to find common ground.” Even Larry Sabato, a liberal political analyst, called Obama’s remarks, “…a tough, partisan speech.” They are right. The speech sounded like something a community organizer would deliver – not a president.
Now, let’s look at specifics. I’ll quote the president and then give you the facts.
Obama’s fantasy: “I will not sign a plan that adds one dime to our deficits either now or in the future -- period.”
The Truth: Not even one Democrat version of the legislation is deficit neutral. The House version, according to the Congressional Budget Office, adds $220 billion to the deficit over the next decade. The Senate bill is changing by the hour, so it is harder to estimate costs, but common sense tells you it is nearly impossible to cover 30 million more people, not cut any services and do it all without more deficit spending.
Obama’s Claim: “Don’t pay attention to those scary stories about how your benefits will be cut… That will never happen on my watch.”
The Truth: His plan proposes $500 billion in “savings” in Medicare by cutting “waste, fraud and abuse.” This is a sleight of hand as old as Washington, D.C., and it is one reason why our deficit is out of control. There is no budget line for “waste, fraud and abuse.” If there are $500 billion that can be saved, prove it now. Cut that “waste, fraud and abuse” now, and save the money now!
Obama’s Deception: “…the reforms I’m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally.”
The Reality: Is there an American alive who doesn’t know the fiasco of our immigration policies? Countless benefits go to illegal immigrants for one simple reason: There are no strong verification systems to prevent it. Illegals can’t vote, but we know some are voting because liberals oppose photo IDs and proof of citizenship on Election Day. Conservatives in Congress have repeatedly tried to add citizenship verification provisions to the socialized medicine bill, and Obama’s allies have voted them down every time. Voting down citizenship verification is how Obama’s allies ensure that the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and groups like La Raza support the legislation.
A recent Rasmussen poll found that 83% of Americans say people should be required to prove their citizenship before receiving government healthcare benefits. But the Congressional Research Service admits that there is no verification mechanism in the bill. No wonder Rep. Joe Wilson yelled, “You lie!” at this point in the speech. And don’t forget: Obama intends to provide an amnesty to illegals anyway, making them eligible for all federal programs.
By the way, I insist that President Obama call Rush Limbaugh, Fox News and Sarah Palin and apologize for calling them liars.
Obama’s Deceit: “…under our plan, no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions…”
The Facts: Every attempt by pro-life congressmen to add specific language ensuring that your tax dollars won’t be used to subsidize abortions has been defeated by pro-abortion liberals in committee. The legislation requires that everyone receiving a federal subsidy (your tax money) under the proposed law be able to buy insurance that covers abortion. Even the Associated Press and Time Magazine admit that.
And did you notice that when President Obama said it wouldn’t cover abortion there were no cries of outrage from the dozens of pro-abortion extremists in Congress? They know the fix is in and that abortion coverage will be included.
Obama’s Sleight of Hand: Last night, Obama told Americans who already have insurance that they have nothing to worry about. He said: “Let me repeat this: nothing in our plan requires you to change what you have.”
But this statement is different from what he has said in previous speeches on healthcare. Previously, he claimed: “If you like your health care plan, you’ll be able to keep your health care plan, period.”
Details are important. Why did Obama go from saying “you’ll be able to keep your health care plan, period” to “nothing in our plan requires you to change what you have”? The answer is simple. Most Americans get their health insurance from their employer and they generally like it. But once a government-run health insurance company (the public option) is established, many businesses, no one knows how many, will opt to pay a fine and stop providing coverage if the government is going to assume that responsibility. Millions of Americans will lose the coverage they have and like, even though the legislation doesn’t “require” it. But the legislation just makes that outcome very predictable.
Obama’s False Promise: “Now is when we must bring the best ideas of both parties together…”
The Reality: Conservatives have introduced 40 pieces of legislation to reform healthcare. None have been let out of committee by the Democrat majority. In the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi hasn’t included Republicans in negotiations for months. Obama has “locked” the White House doors since April – not inviting the congressional minority even once since then to negotiate. When Obama says he wants bi-partisanship, he means conservatives have to embrace his unacceptable Big Government, high cost, deficit-inducing ideas.
I could write a dozen pages, but you get my drift. It was a partisan speech long on distortions and short on facts. One more observation to close: President Obama expressed the same disdain for dissent and energetic debate that is quickly becoming a leftwing theme. He referred to the lively debate this summer at the grassroots as a “spectacle” and “bickering,” and added, “The time for games has passed.”
This is no game. Your freedom is at stake. If this bill passes, Congress will be creating another huge entitlement program. Big Government will be taking on an even bigger responsibility for your welfare and with that a greater demand on your income and standard of living.
But the president needs to be reminded that in America, in contrast to Hugo Chavez’s Venezuela and Ahmadinejad’s Iran, vocal, robust dissent is not only our right, it is our obligation when government and politicians go too far. Brave men and women have died for our right to speak-up and no one, including the president, gets to decide when the debate is over.
My friends, I must ask you once again, and especially given what we witnessed last night, to please step up to the plate and support our work, particularly if you have not done so yet this year. Click here to make your gift to Campaign for Working Families right now.
It is clear that we will not win this battle until we take back Congress and free Capitol Hill from the Obama/Pelosi/Reid axis of liberalism. Please support CWF today, so that we can elect more pro-family, pro-life, pro-free enterprise conservatives to Congress.
The stakes are great and the Left is energized. Since last night’s speech, the liberal challenger to Rep. Wilson has raised $50,000 from leftwing activists all over the country. Rep. Wilson has a 97% pro-family score with CWF, and the Left is more determined than ever to take him out! Are they more committed to this fight than you are? I certainly hope not.
This is your country too! Fight for it. Working together we can Stop Obama’s Socialism. Click here to get the bumper sticker!
Gary Bauer
____________
President Obama attempted to put lipstick on his socialist health care pig last night, and the leftist media were predictably smitten with both Obama and the pig.
He continues to repeat the same far-left talking points he’s been using for months—many of which have already been refuted by non-partisan analysis.
- The health care plan will be deficit-neutral
- Abortions will not be covered
- Illegal immigrants will not get health insurance under the plan
- People can keep their current insurance plan and doctors
- Medicare benefits will not be cut
CNSNews.com, MRC’s news division, dissected each of these bogus claims on their website yesterday.Click here to read the full story.
++ The Media Love Story Continues …
Blinded by love and adoration, the media time and time again missed ample opportunities to refute Obama’s lies and distortions. MRC founder Brent Bozell issued a statement on this today. Click here to read it.
Instead of dealing with the substance of Obama’s health care takeover plans, the adoring media merely gushed over what a great speech he gave. MRC’s NewsBusters blog gathered a few of the more pathetic fawning comments from the “news” media last night:
- MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann hailed it as “a broad and forward thinking speech” with “a touch of greatness.”
- ABC’s George Stephanopoulos called it “a pretty remarkable speech.”
- Chuck Todd, on NBC, insisted the address was “about re-branding the President himself as a centrist and a pragmatist.”
- CNN’s Gloria Borger trumpeted how “there was something in there for everybody.”
… and the blathering went on and on and on and on.
Martha, this is another frightening example of the leftist media choosing not to do their jobs and failing to tell the American people the truth about Obama’s plan to take over one-sixth of the U.S. economy. They failed again to shine a light on Obama’s plan to put Washington bureaucrats in charge of making critical life and death decisions for us.
You can fight back!
Despite Obama using the media to peddle the same statist plan … despite ignoring the American people who have loudly spoken out against ObamaCare and more government intrusion into our lives, this is not the time to give in!
On the contrary!
This is the time to dig in and stand against a plan that would literally tear down the foundation of our great country!
If Obama’s speech did anything last night, it should motivate EVERY freedom-loving citizen to take immediate action against his socialist ideals!
That’s why we’re asking all who have already signed our petition demanding the media tell the truth about ObamaCare, to help us reach out to those who are motivated to action but don’t know where to go.
Sign our petition, and visit ObamaCareTruth.org daily to keep up with the health care stories that can’t be found in the liberal media.
David Martin, Executive Vice President
____________
The president's speech has changed nothing.
President Obama changed nothing about his plan. His speech did not move Congress any closer to reforms that would put patients first. Instead, he vowed to "call out" people he deems as "misrepresenting" his plan.
The American people have called out the president and congressional leaders for trying to force their version of health care reform on a public that doesn't want it. That's what the overwhelming response was at those town hall meetings and rallies over the last two months.
Accusing his critics of "scare tactics," he told the American people that if we don't get behind his plan - which he calls doing "nothing" - "more will die as a result."
He finally acknowledged the need for medical liability lawsuit reform, but instead of vowing to push for it in health care legislation, he said he would put Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, in charge of that. Interesting choice, since Sebelius used to be a lobbyist for trial lawyers.
Americans are tired of hearing doublespeak from the president. In the same speech, he declared he doesn't want "to defer reform one more year, or one more election, or one more term." But that was right after telling us his plan for the federally regulated health insurance exchange "will take effect in four years."
Tonight's speech rehashed the same plan - including a public, government-controlled health insurance plan; a new federal definition of acceptable health insurance; an individual mandate that everyone purchase that insurance or face a tax; and an employer mandate increasing the burden on the engine of jobs. The president mocked the concerns of Americans who don't want to see these job-killing, tax-raising policies enacted.
The president said his "door is always open" to discuss alternatives to his plan. So far, however, we have seen little consideration given to the types of reforms we support - such as buying health insurance across state lines, tax credits for Americans of all incomes, and real tort reform. These are real reforms that would work for real people.
Unfortunately, Wednesday's speech promised more things Washington can't deliver with its current proposals - promising everyone can keep their current health plan and that reform as Obama imagines it would not add to our deficit. If the president and Congress continue on the course they have charted, these promises will be broken in short order.
Please spread the word and recruit others to the cause of real reform. Ask five friends to sign the Patients First petition right now by clicking here. Thank you again for standing with us.
Amy Menefee
Patients First, a Project of Americans for Prosperity
President Obama changed nothing about his plan. His speech did not move Congress any closer to reforms that would put patients first. Instead, he vowed to "call out" people he deems as "misrepresenting" his plan.
The American people have called out the president and congressional leaders for trying to force their version of health care reform on a public that doesn't want it. That's what the overwhelming response was at those town hall meetings and rallies over the last two months.
Accusing his critics of "scare tactics," he told the American people that if we don't get behind his plan - which he calls doing "nothing" - "more will die as a result."
He finally acknowledged the need for medical liability lawsuit reform, but instead of vowing to push for it in health care legislation, he said he would put Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, in charge of that. Interesting choice, since Sebelius used to be a lobbyist for trial lawyers.
Americans are tired of hearing doublespeak from the president. In the same speech, he declared he doesn't want "to defer reform one more year, or one more election, or one more term." But that was right after telling us his plan for the federally regulated health insurance exchange "will take effect in four years."
Tonight's speech rehashed the same plan - including a public, government-controlled health insurance plan; a new federal definition of acceptable health insurance; an individual mandate that everyone purchase that insurance or face a tax; and an employer mandate increasing the burden on the engine of jobs. The president mocked the concerns of Americans who don't want to see these job-killing, tax-raising policies enacted.
The president said his "door is always open" to discuss alternatives to his plan. So far, however, we have seen little consideration given to the types of reforms we support - such as buying health insurance across state lines, tax credits for Americans of all incomes, and real tort reform. These are real reforms that would work for real people.
Unfortunately, Wednesday's speech promised more things Washington can't deliver with its current proposals - promising everyone can keep their current health plan and that reform as Obama imagines it would not add to our deficit. If the president and Congress continue on the course they have charted, these promises will be broken in short order.
Please spread the word and recruit others to the cause of real reform. Ask five friends to sign the Patients First petition right now by clicking here. Thank you again for standing with us.
Amy Menefee
Patients First, a Project of Americans for Prosperity
____________
Aside from offering no new detailed proposals in his address, the President also seemed misinformed about several key components of Democrats' reform proposals:
- The public option does not increase competition, it kills it off. It would crowd competitors out of the marketplace with the unfair advantage of acting as both the payer and the regulator.
- Many doctors, hospitals, and medical groups are NOT in favor of this government takeover, including the well-respected Mayo Clinic. A national group of hospital executives has also issued a statement that Obama has "overstated" their commitment.
- With an estimated 88 million Americans set to lose their existing coverage under the Democrats' plan, the public option clearly does not provide "security and stability."
____________
And finally, from Governor Mike Huckabee
President Obama tried a reboot last night.… He attempted to apply CPR to the flat-lining health care reform bill with a dramatic speech to both houses of Congress. He tried to bring back his campaign-era bipartisan tone, saying he wanted to incorporate ideas from all sides.
His new buzzwords were “market exchange,” “competition” “rugged individualism” and “tax credits.” He hammered on things, like requiring insurers to cover preventative care, or doing away with pre-existing condition limits. He even called for letting states do pilot projects to reduce frivolous malpractice lawsuits. He does however want to mandate that everyone carry health insurance, but he promised that 95 percent of small businesses would be exempt. And he swore that the public option wouldn’t require anyone to give up their current plan…although notice that isn’t a promise that your plan will still exist after the bill takes effect.
His promise that this plan will actually reduce the deficit was harder to swallow than a horse pill. Does anyone except for the Obama White House and Nancy Pelosi really believe that a new government health care program will be so efficient that it can be paid for just with all the waste and fraud we can wring out of another government health care program, Medicare?
Still, the President has a bigger problem than that. I’ll tell you what it is.
President Obama’s biggest problem is that last night, he made many clearly-stated promises that sound great – health care for all, lower costs, free colonoscopies – but that’s not what Congress is about to vote on. He talked as if the process is just starting, but there’s already a bill before Congress, and it’s a murky, 1,018-page monstrosity, and nobody can explain for certain what it says.
So here is my suggestion, if the President really wants to create a bipartisan, market-based health reform bill, the best way to start is not with a rebooted speech, but by booting the current bill and starting over from scratch.
His new buzzwords were “market exchange,” “competition” “rugged individualism” and “tax credits.” He hammered on things, like requiring insurers to cover preventative care, or doing away with pre-existing condition limits. He even called for letting states do pilot projects to reduce frivolous malpractice lawsuits. He does however want to mandate that everyone carry health insurance, but he promised that 95 percent of small businesses would be exempt. And he swore that the public option wouldn’t require anyone to give up their current plan…although notice that isn’t a promise that your plan will still exist after the bill takes effect.
His promise that this plan will actually reduce the deficit was harder to swallow than a horse pill. Does anyone except for the Obama White House and Nancy Pelosi really believe that a new government health care program will be so efficient that it can be paid for just with all the waste and fraud we can wring out of another government health care program, Medicare?
Still, the President has a bigger problem than that. I’ll tell you what it is.
President Obama’s biggest problem is that last night, he made many clearly-stated promises that sound great – health care for all, lower costs, free colonoscopies – but that’s not what Congress is about to vote on. He talked as if the process is just starting, but there’s already a bill before Congress, and it’s a murky, 1,018-page monstrosity, and nobody can explain for certain what it says.
So here is my suggestion, if the President really wants to create a bipartisan, market-based health reform bill, the best way to start is not with a rebooted speech, but by booting the current bill and starting over from scratch.
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 | Heritage health policy expert Bob Moffit responds to the President's health care speech. |
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