Bleak outlook for Sen. Dodd

As further proof the Government Run Health Care bill is a big mistake, let's look at Sen. Dodd's current outlook for re-election.

In a current Quinnipiac University poll, Sen. Dodd is losing to Frmr Republican congressman Rob Simmons... 49% to 38%

Former WWE exec Linda McMahon is also leading Dodd, 43% to 41%.

And since supporting the Government Run Health Care bill... Dodd's disapproval rating is 54% to 40% approval.

So, they lost VA, they lost NJ, they almost lost (and still could possibly lose) NY-23...

now it looks like Dodd could be out of a job.

of course Dodd's camp says this is bunk and that his work for Health Care has done nothing but strengthen his campaign...

but we all know THAT is what's bunk.

Perhaps the Dems should not celebrate yet.

The democrats claimed the race in VA and NJ didn't matter, that they were just "local races"... yet they celebrated the win in NY-23 like it was vindication for Obama.

Here's how they are delusional.

1. in VA, they were so impressed with the Obama mania that they went from red to blue in one election.

However, after everything that's been oing on... Private businesses being taken over, Job loss at a 20 year high, Government health care being forced down our throat with the threat of jail if we don't assimulate...

They went back to red in a Republican sweep a few weeks ago. Over a third of VA's polled said they were "sending a message to the white house". What message do you think that is? Electing all republicans and outsing the democrats?

2. In NJ they expected to win, especially since NJ is so liberal, and has been run by a democrat for as far back as one can remember.

They lost to a republican. Yet, the democrats don't seem to see that "message".

3. The one race they're celebrating that actually matters to them... NY-23... two reasons they shouldn't celebrate just yet.

a. They expected to sweep the race with double digits... they expected to completely shove the conservative's face in the dirt... yet the race was actually only a 3 point spread. Enough to ask for a recount.

b. the count for the race continues... and the Dem's lead narrows. Now there is only a 3,000 vote difference between him and the conservative nominee, with 10,000 absentee balots to count.

while the Dem may still come out on top, it will be by an even narrower margin, which means... they couldn't even easily win an election that should have been a no brainer for them.

that spells trouble whether they want to see the writing on the wall or not.

they better think long and hard about that in the senate cause this Health care bill could put them in line with all the unemployed waiting for benefits.

They lost VA who were Obamanuts during the 2008 elections... they lost NJ who is usually so liberal... they almost (and could still) lose NY-23 in an election that should have been an easy win.

Instead of saying how wonderful it was to win NY-23, you should see how close the race was, and how much closer its getting as the absentee balots are being counted... and say to yourselves "Wow, we need to think about this before the white house goes red in 2010."

What's in the HC bill

The health bill that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi brought to a vote, and passed on Saturday (H.R. 3962) is 1,990 pages. Here are some of the details you need to know.

What the government will require you to do:


• Sec. 202 (p. 91-92) of the bill requires you to enroll in a "qualified plan." If you get your insurance at work, your employer will have a "grace period" to switch you to a "qualified plan," meaning a plan designed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. If you buy your own insurance, there's no grace period. You'll have to enroll in a qualified plan as soon as any term in your contract changes, such as the co-pay, deductible or benefit.


• Sec. 224 (p. 118) provides that 18 months after the bill becomes law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services will decide what a "qualified plan" covers and how much you'll be legally required to pay for it. That's like a banker telling you to sign the loan agreement now, then filling in the interest rate and repayment terms 18 months later.


On Nov. 2, the Congressional Budget Office estimated what the plans will likely cost. An individual earning $44,000 before taxes who purchases his own insurance will have to pay a $5,300 premium and an estimated $2,000 in out-of-pocket expenses, for a total of $7,300 a year, which is 17% of his pre-tax income. A family earning $102,100 a year before taxes will have to pay a $15,000 premium plus an estimated $5,300 out-of-pocket, for a $20,300 total, or 20% of its pre-tax income. Individuals and families earning less than these amounts will be eligible for subsidies paid directly to their insurer.


• Sec. 303 (pp. 167-168) makes it clear that, although the "qualified plan" is not yet designed, it will be of the "one size fits all" variety. The bill claims to offer choice—basic, enhanced and premium levels—but the benefits are the same. Only the co-pays and deductibles differ. You will have to enroll in the same plan, whether the government is paying for it or you and your employer are footing the bill.


• Sec. 59b (pp. 297-299) says that when you file your taxes, you must include proof that you are in a qualified plan. If not, you will be fined thousands of dollars. Illegal immigrants are exempt from this requirement. (What do you think this means?????)


• Sec. 412 (p. 272) says that employers must provide a "qualified plan" for their employees and pay 72.5% of the cost, and a smaller share of family coverage, or incur an 8% payroll tax. Small businesses, with payrolls from $500,000 to $750,000, are fined less. (What do you think will happen as a result of this provision???????)


Eviscerating Medicare:


In addition to reducing future Medicare funding by an estimated $500 billion, the bill fundamentally changes how Medicare pays doctors and hospitals, permitting the government to dictate treatment decisions.


• Sec. 1302 (pp. 672-692) moves Medicare from a fee-for-service payment system, in which patients choose which doctors to see and doctors are paid for each service they provide, toward what's called a "medical home."


The medical home is this decade's version of HMO-restrictions on care. A primary-care provider manages access to costly specialists and diagnostic tests for a flat monthly fee. The bill specifies that patients may have to settle for a nurse practitioner rather than a physician as the primary-care provider. Medical homes begin with demonstration projects, but the HHS secretary is authorized to "disseminate this approach rapidly on a national basis."


A December 2008 Congressional Budget Office report noted that "medical homes" were likely to resemble the unpopular gatekeepers of 20 years ago if cost control was a priority.


• Sec. 1114 (pp. 391-393) replaces physicians with physician assistants in overseeing care for hospice patients.


• Secs. 1158-1160 (pp. 499-520) initiates programs to reduce payments for patient care to what it costs in the lowest cost regions of the country. This will reduce payments for care (and by implication the standard of care) for hospital patients in higher cost areas such as New York and Florida.


• Sec. 1161 (pp. 520-545) cuts payments to Medicare Advantage plans (used by 20% of seniors). Advantage plans have warned this will result in reductions in optional benefits such as vision and dental care.


• Sec. 1402 (p. 756) says that the results of comparative effectiveness research conducted by the government will be delivered to doctors electronically to guide their use of "medical items and services."


Questionable Priorities:


While the bill will slash Medicare funding, it will also direct billions of dollars to numerous inner-city social work and diversity programs with vague standards of accountability.


• Sec. 399V (p. 1422) provides for grants to community "entities" with no required qualifications except having "documented community activity and experience with community healthcare workers" to "educate, guide, and provide experiential learning opportunities" aimed at drug abuse, poor nutrition, smoking and obesity. "Each community health worker program receiving funds under the grant will provide services in the cultural context most appropriate for the individual served by the program."


These programs will "enhance the capacity of individuals to utilize health services and health related social services under Federal, State and local programs by assisting individuals in establishing eligibility . . . and in receiving services and other benefits" including transportation and translation services.


• Sec. 222 (p. 617) provides reimbursement for culturally and linguistically appropriate services. This program will train health-care workers to inform Medicare beneficiaries of their "right" to have an interpreter at all times and with no co-pays for language services.


• Secs. 2521 and 2533 (pp. 1379 and 1437) establishes racial and ethnic preferences in awarding grants for training nurses and creating secondary-school health science programs. For example, grants for nursing schools should "give preference to programs that provide for improving the diversity of new nurse graduates to reflect changes in the demographics of the patient population." And secondary-school grants should go to schools "graduating students from disadvantaged backgrounds including racial and ethnic minorities."


• Sec. 305 (p. 189) Provides for automatic Medicaid enrollment of newborns who do not otherwise have insurance.


For the text of the bill with page numbers, see www.defendyourhealthcare.us.

Bottom line, if enacted, YOU WILL UNQUESTIONABLY PAY MORE for health insurance be it on the government program, or through an employer, and it is hard not to believe that the QUALITY OF CARE won't suffer dramatically.

Folks, this DISASTER has gone to the Senate. THIS MUST BE STOPPED. I suspect that what will happen is that the Senate will try pass "something", it will go to conference, and then it will be re-introduced using the "rules of reconciliation" in which case, it can pass without debate and a simply majority vote in both chambers.

Contact your Senators, and contact ANY Senator with a "D" by their name as well as Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, and even John McCain while you are at it. (Repubs)

Parts of this blog taken from: http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424052748704795604574519671055918380-lMyQjAxMDA5MDAwOTEwNDkyWj.html

Thanks to "adoseoftruth" for this info

A word of advice for pro-HC bill democrats

Before you democratic senators vote on this HC bill remember a few things.

1. Most of people who can make or break your career... are against this bill.

2. VA who was so pro-Obama that then went from red to blue... was retaken by republicans this past week. a third of voters said their vote was to 'send a message to the White house'

3. NJ who is fairly democrat and has been led by democrats for decades, went republican... and not by as small as a margin as dems predicted. (In fact, dems predicted THEY would win.)

4. NY wasn't that big of a win for you. The predictions were for the democratic nominee to win by double digits. This was a too close for democrat's comfort 3 point win. It was so tight that there is a message there for Dems. You even had a hard time winning a 'sure thing'.

5. 2010 is a big election for ya'all. if this hc bill goes through, I see many voters taking the VA route, and voting to 'send a message to the White house'... and you'll be the ones paying for it.

You will be joining the 10.2% of unemployed.

Just food for thought.

Jobs saved and created... Belony

DOOM GLOOM... 'if you don't pass my TRILLION dollar stimulus plan NOW' DOOM GLOOM 'we have to pass it now' RUSH RUSH HURRY HURRY 'if we pass the stimulus plan now, we WON'T see an increase of unemployment past 8%.' DOOM GLOOM

So Obama Got his way and the stimulus was passed before anyone had any idea what was in it. (Like millions of dollars going to pay off teacher unions, and millions of dollars going to pay off ACORN, and hundreds of thousands of dollars being spent on studying radioactive rabbit poop)

It was suppose to be the miracle. it was suppose to be our savior... it was suppose to create thousands upon thousands of jobs and save countless others.

Yet here we sit at 10.2%... the biggest job loss rate since the 80s.

Yet Obama can sit there and look the American public in the eye and tell us he's created so many jobs and saved so many others... despite the fact people are still getting laid off from their jobs... and remain unable to find employment.

So how can the government claim they created all these jobs? Here's how. This was recently discovered.

In Ohio... 6 (TEMPORARY mind you) construction jobs were created for this one project.

There were 5 construction workers, and one site manager.

They looked at the number of hours worked each day... and multiplied that by the number of days/months the job was going to take.

Lets say these 6 worked 14 hours a day, and it will take 3 months (which is about 91 days)

Instead of saying these 6 people have a solid 1200 HOURS of work... they're saying they created 1200 JOBS.

it is suspected that, this is why the number of jobs "created" is going up, while the number of gainfully employed continues to decrease.

Another thing they are not saying about these "jobs created" is that the MAJORITY of them are only temporary, and once the jobs are over, the workers will once again be unemployed.

As for jobs saved... that's just plain stupidity and anyone who buys into it are just plain dumb.

Do you really think the government goes from job to job to job and asks "If but for the stimulus, were you going to lay workers off?"

And I guarantee you no business would offer that information unless asked, so how can they truly and accurately account for jobs saved? They can't.

HC Reform passed the house, God help us all

I'm one of the few on the web who is against this health care bill.

Did anyone really pay attention, or do you just follow as you're told by Obama and Pelosi?

I've declared my official independance from either party a while ago since I think the republicans are a bunch of Rhinos like that "republican" from NY who dropped out of the governor's race... she was pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, and fiscally liberal. Putting an (R) behind her name doesn't make her a true republican... The republicans have become a party of (insert female anatomy here. I'll accept boobs, and even the P and C words.)

Republican use to stand for conservative core values... Now they're just a tad right to liberal. (There are a few good'ins in the bunch like Wis. Representative Paul Ryan...) but those good'ins should break away and start a strong third party or throw out the Rhinos from the republican party.

I'll say this for most Dems, I don't agree with anything they stand for (the stimulus, pro-choice, the healthcare bill), at least they stand for something, unlike Snowe who claims to be a Republican but then supports democratic legislations that the majority of her constituants does NOT want...

But I digress...


and I think Liberals are just off base on many accounts to the detrament of the people... as seen by this stimulus that just put us a trillion more dollars in debt without having any positive effects on our jobless rate.

I don't like the republican party, I don't like the democratic party. So I don't believe either one when it comes to anything unless I do my own research.

In the early stages, parts of the HC bill were accessible to the general public. Because people started reading it, Pelosi passed a measure that stated NO parts of the bill will be accessible to the public. (Transparency for you.)

However, I got to read parts of the original bill before it was pulled. I also listened to what people had to say about the bill on both sides, including what President Obama himself had to say.

As early as today... the HC bill passed the house and is moving onto the senate.

what is in the bill?

By the democrat's OWN ADMISSION... they stated that the health care bill will cover 98% of Americans without health care. (BTW, it's not as cheap as ya'all think it's gonna be. For a trillion dollar bill to pass, it's going to hit in the pocket books of every american.)

For small businesses that can not afford to offer healthcare, or choose not to, there is a hefty fine.

for private citizens who can not get into a health care program due to costs or pre-existing conditions, but refuse to sign up for the government run option... there is a hefty fine. (past what someone in my situation could afford.) Can't pay the fine? You'll have to do the time (jail)

the original bill mentioned a tax increase of 2.8% on citizens who HAVE insurance they are happy with... but if it is not Obama approved... they will be taxed. So in otherwords, you can keep your doctors and insurance if you're happy with it... but we'll politely tax you into reconsidering.

This isn't made up... this is from the mouths of the democrats themselves.
There are many references to end of life care in the Obama bill. Obama has made reference to the fact that a doctor should have the right to tell a patient that a surgery is not going to work, and give the patient pain pills and end of life counceling.

here's an example of that http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-dQfb8WQvo

the woman's mother needed a pace maker, she was 100 years old.. she had a joy for life, but one doctor said she was too old and the surgery would be detramental. A second opinion got her that pace maker... AND SHE LIVED. She's now 105 years old.

Obama told her basically doctors have a right to say no and put you on pain killers instead of giving you potentially life saving treatement.

this is not the first time he has said things like this.

Furthermore...

Does anyone know the story of the woman from Oregon? Barbara Wagner had terminal cancer... and she was denied 3x for treatment she desparately needed to extend her life. She wanted to live, she pleaded for help with news orginizations to help her get the help she needed to live.

She was offered only 'comfort care' (end of life councelling) and phsysician aided suicide. (The suicide pill is actually less expensive than the cancer treatment, thus a way to cut cost.)

big bad pharmacuticals who want to steal our money and charge us horrible prices for our medicine, heard her story on the news, and gave her the cancer treatments FOR FREE.

She passed away shortly after however, because she spent so much time waiting to be approved by the state run healthcare (Which is VERY VERY similar to the health care being forced upon us...) that it was too late for her.

Hawaii, Obama's homestate, implemented a similar governement run health care plan in their state which is similiar to the one Obama dreams of passing for all the US.

It failed so bad, they ended the plan after 7 months.

Why do you think many of those with government run health care plans in their countries, come to America for treatment? Because costs have been cut so much to keep costs down... they are unable to buy the diagnostic equipment we have, they are unablet to afford the treatments available here in the US.

People need to understand... our system is very flawed and something needs to be done... and making sure everyone has health care sounds like a great idea...

but at what cost? Do you realize what cost you have put upon someone like my 95 year old great aunt? Like my diabetic grandmother? Like my cousin who currently does not have insurance and is happy the way things are? (he ended up in the emergency room with broken ribs... he had MRI's, X-Rays, CT Scans... the bill was well over $12,000. because he had no insurance and was laid off of work (so much for the stimulus plan saving jobs)... they had him sign up for a customer care program that would relieve some of the bill.

Normally they'd offer a payment plan on the discounted price... but because of his jobless situation... they erased his debt completely. $12,000 gone.

With the new HC plan... that kind of kindness will not be possible.

Now my best friend has a health care plan he's happy with that covers his wife and kids as well. It's expensive as all heck, but it's a good plan. Above all the taxes he and his wife already pays... they're going to be docked another 2.8% if the government decideds they do not like the plan they're under??

He expressed to me how he can't afford 2.8% more taxes. That seems like a small number... but if you only make so much money... it's almost like saying, 1000%...

also... I am ashamed to admit, I'm one of the 10.2% of unemployed. Do you think I can afford the fine that would be thrashed down upon me for not signing up to put my life in the government's hands??

And what will happen if my 95 year old aunt needs Chemo should she develop cancer? She's a spry old thing, she is sharper than I am, and I'm in my early 30's. She walks every day, she eats the right foods and she has a love of life. Her dream is to be the first in our family to make it to 100.

Obama's going to tell her to take a pain pill if her doctors (most of whom will be government appointed and know they have to cut costs) tell her chemo won't help?

Also...

if this bill is so spectacular... why haven't we been allowed to see the latest incarnation? Why has a bill been passed saying it is not accessible to the general public?

Did you know they held CLOSED DOOR MEETINGS about the HC bills...they wouldn't let the republicans in on the meeting... they wouldn't let the public know what was going on... so much for transparency and reaching across the isles.

When one republican senator came up with a good idea on HC, they basically told him to butt out. They always say "Where are the republicans and their ideas to reform HC?" When the republicans say "We have an idea" they say "We don't want it."

Did you know the majority of senators haven't even read the almost bible sized bill through? or that they had others read it for them and just summerize?

And

for all of you supporters of the bill... Do you ever think something has to be up when the MAJORITY of Americans do NOT want Governement run health care? We're not talking just about Republicans. We're talking moderates, republicans, conservatives, democrats, independants... If so many from EVERY party has reservations... somethings a miss.

There are 30 house democrats who are still against this bill.

We are at the highest record number of unemployment in 20 years... Obama's stimulus PROMISED that if we rushed it through like YESTERDAY... we wouldn't see passed 8%.

no matter what they say... the 10% jobless rate... and the fact I just got laid off as well as 10 others in my department due to cutbacks... is proof it's NOT WORKING.

We're suppose to trust a government who spent more money than we have available, knowing we were already in a recession caused by the previous government... and it was to our detrament.

I can talk about the "Jobs saved/created" lie, and how they turned 6 temporary jobs actually created into the fabricated 100,000 jobs... but that's for another time. This is about health care.

but now, we're suppose to trust our government who royally misjudged the economy and their TRILLION dollar stimulus plan.... with our LIVES? With a TRILLION dollar health care plan?

Do you supporters of Health Care reform REALLY understand what just got passed, and how it's going to effect those you want to help?

Finally

Did you know that over 40% of doctors are of the age where they can retire or take an early retirement... the majority of them have expressed that if this bill passes and becomes law... they will retire. 40% is almost 80,000 doctors. Can we really afford to lose that many?