Will Abortion Funding Decide the Fate of Health Care?
Americans have voiced their concern with the federal funding of abortion and maybe now, politicians are finally starting to listen. As House Democrats try to garner enough support to pass their health care reform bill, the issue of abortion funding is standing in the way.
The health care bill passed narrowly in the House when it included language to specifically block funds for abortions. However, the House may vote on the Senate-passed version of the bill, which did not include the same provisions. So, House Democrats who voted with a clear conscience knowing funds would not go to abortion may not have that luxury for the final vote.
Representative Bart Stupak (D-MI), the author of the House amendment that excluded funds for abortions, has said that he and eleven other Democrats will vote against the overhaul bill unless a provision subsidizing abortion is removed...
Dixie dog whistle there, but this time re: abortion instead of re: race. Remember--facts don't matter, when you enter this universe. You live over on the conservative side and you see a wedge issue--you grab it and hold on and hack away until the HRC issue is destroyed. It's not that the reconciliaton scenario drove them there--Stupak and company were already "there" at the abortion issue before we even got to the reconcilation issue. Abortion planks are the self-destruct devices for legislation; it's not a strategy so much as a reflex.
But if you are an evangelical conservative, MB's credentials on the abortion issue are impeccable. Even if they're not; there's video of her telling a live audience she'd theoretically permit abortion in cases of rape or incest. That still counts as "impeccable" though, simply because she's Michele Bachmann and her fans believe that "the virtue is in her," not in any particular position she claims to hold. And that is part of the essence of proto-fascism.
I got a copy of this via email on March 9, 2010. She is going to be featured at another rally, this time on the steps of the state capitol:
WHAT: Minnesota Majority Rally Protesting Planned Vote on ObamaCare
WHEN: Saturday, March 13 Noon - 1:00 p.m.
WHERE:
Upper Mall of Minnesota State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
WHO: Minnesota Congressional Representatives and Advocacy Group Leaders. Speakers include:
Congresswoman Michele Bachmann
Twila Brase, CCHC
Others (to be confirmed)
Even though every major poll clearly shows that a supermajority of the American people oppose the current health care 'reform' bill, Nancy Pelosi is planning to jam the bill through Congress with a vote scheduled for March 18.
...Bring a sign demonstrating your opposition to the bill.
For additional details, visit www.MinnesotaMajority.org.
This communication says it was prepared and paid for by the Republican Party of Minnesota, Tony Sutton, chair. Twila Brase is president of something called the Citizen's Council on Health Care (CCHC), a 501(c)(3) that bills itself as "a free-market resource for designing the future of health care." Ms. Brase likes to publish stuff in the National Review Online, she says:
"Pooling everyone in a government system, as President Obama says, should not be the goal of health-care reform. That's a single-payer system. We're here today in this mess because that's what was done in 1965 with the enactment of Medicare (single-payer for seniors), which is about to go belly up."
Yeah, that Medicare thing back in '65, that's where it all "went wrong," tch, tch. Why didn't Reagan, the Bushes, and the last GOP congress repeal that damn thing--what were they thinking of, backing forty five years of single payer for seniors?
And now it's just "about to go belly up," too--what have we got, about twenty minutes left of Medicare? There's not enough panic in the world, is the National Review's point of view.
Anyway: if Bachmann is there, the TV cameras will be there, documenting her opposition to majority rule in the federal legislature. I expect some fine quotes to be wrung out of this one.
What has happened to the Democratic Party of Paul Wellstone? Where have all of the truly bold and visionary progressives gone? Are they hiding under a rock or does the Party Machine not let their voices be heard via the corporate media lest they piss off the corporate sponsors of the Democratic Party? Yes, that is correct, I said Corporate Sponsors of the Democratic Party. After reading the following article, http://www.salon.com/news/opin... I must say it only reinforces the beliefs I have had for the last 12 months.
The Democrats don't care about their base unless it is 9 months before the next election. Then, on cue, they start up with the populist and "working families" rhetoric. After the election is over and they have won, it is right back to "business as usual". They slide up to the lobbyists and continue to do the work of Big Business all the while giving us patronizing quips, gentle pats on the head, and nice, warm fuzzies.
Take, for example, the recent Al Franken rally in Minneapolis. The room was packed and people were cheering for a bill that FORCES PEOPLE TO BUY A PRODUCT THAT IS SO BAD, THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO FORCE PEOPLE TO BUY IT. Unfortunately, it is sadly ironic and masochistic. I am sure there were quite a few people who were questioning the bill, as am I, but you could tell the MoveOn.org, SEIU, HealthCareForAmericaNOW, TakeActionMN, and OFA people were all boldly and vigorously cheering for not only Al Franken but also the bill that the President and Congress will eventually pass.
How is that possible? Why have we, the people of the Democratic Party, become so gullible and misinformed that we are willing to become slaves to the medical insurance industry. If you question that statement, I ask you; what other option is there in the president's plan? How else do I obtain medical insurance except through a private medical insurance company?
I truly believe that if President Bush was offering this very plan the Democratic faithful would be up in arms and frothing at the mouth. However, since someone from our party is in power and is offering the plan, we sit back quietly and say while nodding our head, they must know better.
Bullshit! They don't know better because the facts show that they have sold us out for the campaign contributions by the medical insurance industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the medical device industry, and almost every other sector of health care. I can't believe I just said that. The Democratic Party has sold out the working people for Big Business. Disgusting and pathetic!
Therefore, I forewarn you with great respect and remorse before this legislation becomes law. KILL THE HEALTHCARE REFORM BILL!! KILL THE BILL!! Otherwise, the Democratic Party will no longer be the party of the People. Instead, they will join with the Republicans and be the party for the Power.
We are told by the US Senate "Leadership" and the White House that, "We don't have enough votes," to pass the public option. What? More Washington speak to cover loss of Congressional integrity.
Translated to human speak, "The insurance industry has purchased enough votes to block public option."
Some 70% of the American people want the public option, which is only a baby step toward what's needed, single payer universal health care. An important baby step.
About 25 senators (including our Al Franken - Amy is thinking about it) have signed the Bennett letter seeking a reconciliation solution. The Republicans are automatic no to anything. That leaves 44 Democrats siding with the insurance thugs.
What price? How many pieces of gold did it take for these 44 elected senators, sworn to uphold the Constitution, to defy the American people? Congress should publish a price list for legislation and forget the idea of democracy.
(We need politicians that stand up and take a strong stand - you know, that show a spine. And Al Franken does just that on a LOT of issues - it's great to see Al leading on this issue, too. - promoted by TwoPuttTommy)
Sunday, February 21, 2010, Minneapolis United Labor Center, Al Franken spoke to hundreds of angry citizens about health care reform. They weren't angry at him; the anger is toward the out of touch Congress and it's employer, the insurance industry. Al relayed his story about meeting with the Tea Partiers at the State Fair and said that they were angry, voices from the audience shouted, " We're angry too!
Video of the faces of health care reform:
Al presented an optimistic face commenting that, We cant let the perfect be the enemy of the very good."
Sadly, the so-called Democratic Congressional leadership today claims, "We don't have the votes for the public option." That's Washington speak for the insurance company payoffs are working. Millions of dollars trumps 65% of the American public. Isn't democracy wonderful?
Adam Green from Bold Progressives reports that Senator Amy Klobuchar has still not signed on with other Senators asking Majority Leader Harry Reid to bring back the Public Option through Reconciliation.
The measure that was started by Senator Michael Bennett of Colorado has been gaining a lot of momentum. Thank you Sen. Al Franken for signing on to it, however Sen. Amy Klobuchar has been a little slower to go after what most Minnesotan's want. A good health care reform bill with a public option. Let's all call Senator Klobuchar's office over the next few days and ask her to support Senator Bennett's letter asking Majority Leader Harry Reid to bring back the vote for the Public Option in the health care reform bill. Amy's toll free number at her Washington office is 1-888-224-9043.
(Reports of the health care reform effort's demise have been greatly exaggerated. - promoted by Joe Bodell)
Over five hundred people -- armed with banners, signs, and stories of health insurance industry abuse -- rallied at the Minneapolis United Labor Center Sunday afternoon to demonstrate that people across the country want Congress to deliver on the change people voted for by finishing comprehensive health care right.
The rally's keynote was delivered by U.S. Senator Al Franken, who earlier this week, had signed on to a letter asking Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to use the budget reconciliation process to pass the public option. Reconciliation would require only fifty Senate votes, plus the Vice-President, and has given many people hope that passage of a public option may still be possible.
In opening remarks, Bill McCarthy, President of the Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, praised Franken for his leadership on federal health care reform and called the Senator "a fighter and champion of Minnesota's working families." McCarthy said "workers across the country are at the mercy of insurance companies' soaring premiums, denied claims and inflated profits. It's time Washington listened to those that elected them, not corporate insurers."
Franken took the stage to thunderous applause midway through the rally. Citing insurance industry profits which continue to rise despite a weak economy, Franken told the packed hall "I think you know why they're fighting us." He warned that people "can't let the perfect be the enemy of the very, very good" referencing tea party protesters who picketed outside the hall. Promising to fight to make sure health care costs are lowered and quality goes up for all Americans, Franken concluded saying "All I can tell you is we're going to get this done."
Rally attendees included members of the Minnesota Health Care for America NOW (HCAN) coalition, Organizing for America (OFA), MoveOn, ISAIAH, labor and progressive organizations. Sunday's attendees were united in the need for Congress to rein in corporate greed, create more jobs, protect workers' rights and achieve comprehensive, affordable health care for all Americans.
The rally was part of a week-long nationwide push insisting Congress act now on health care reform and listen to everyday Americans, and not insurance industry lobbyists who have spent record amounts to block health care reform and protect their profits. Sharon Sund of MoveOn told the crowd "enough is enough. Congress has been debating health care reform for over a year. We voted for change and we want results now."
The Minneapolis event precedes a bi-partisan, televised health reform summit scheduled with President Obama on Thursday.
(Thanks to Holly for capturing some great audio and detail in this report! - promoted by Grace Kelly)
At his last town hall meeting John Kline might have thrown out his back bending over backwards to appease traditional conservatives, Conservative Constitutionalist Party members, and Tea Party members. The new right is calling for an end to social security, an isolationistic foreign policy, and an end to big government which somehow may be too connected with big corporations. No audience member left the February 19th, 2010, town hall feeling at ease.
I've made three calls and sent e-mails to Sen. Amy Klobuchar's office today on behalf of Openleft.com's whip count on using reconciliation to pass health care reform.
Here are the two specific questions:
1)Where does Sen. Klobuchar stand on using reconciliation to forge a deal with the House of Representatives bill, so we can get health care reform finished?
2)Does she support including a public option in that reconciliation process, including signing on to Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) letter asking Harry Reid to include the public option?
Sen. Al Franken has answered yes to both question and signed Sen. Bennet's letter. That makes 11 senators who have signed on in 24 hours. Only 39 left to go!
Franken just won the closest Senate contest in years. Bennet is up for re-election in a swing state. Yet both of them have taken a leadership role on this. So it would be nice to know where Minnesota's senior senator is coming from on this key issue.
So far, no answers from Sen. Klobuchar's office, Maybe a few more calls would help. 1-800-224-9043 or locally 1-612-727-5220.
UPDATE Got the following statement from the Senator's office at little after 5 p.m. today:
Answer to question #1:
I support using reconciliation to pass the health reform bill with changes, such as getting rid of the Nebraska deal. I would want to make sure that the bill contains the Medicare care cost reform measures included in the existing bill. I am also supportive of the President's efforts to forge a bipartisan agreement. We must reduce health care costs for the people of this country.
Answer to question #2.
I support the House bill version of the public option which is based on negotiated rates. I do not support a public option based on Medicare rates because it exacerbates geographic disparities that already hurt Minnesota.
Lynnell again Hmmmm, after four years, I'm still haven't mastered translating Amy's statements, but I'll give it a shot.....I think the above statements means a Yes to reconciliation and a "Sort of, maybe...on #2.
But what do I know? If there's someone out there who's better at parsing Amy on this kind of stuff, please jump in!
But so far, she has not joined Senators Bennet (CO), Sherrod Brown (OH), Roland Burris (IL),Dianne Feinstein (CA) Al Franken (MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) John Kerry (MA), Patrick Leahy (VT) Jeff Merkley (OR, Bernie Sanders (VT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (RI) and signed the letter to Harry Reid, although in fairness, her press person said she's travelling in Minnesota right now/
And yes, I should be a nicer Minnesotan and more forgiving Democrat, but can I just say that any Democratic senator who is still talking about forging bi-partisan agreements on health care with Senate Republicans, especially after watching Senate Republican behavior over the last six months is either
a) dumb
b) disingenuous
c) looking for a reason to do as little reform as possible
d) smoking some extremely good stuff
e) all of the above.
and yes, that includes our lovely president and Rahm Emmanual as well.
Personally, I did not vote for bi-partisanship. I voted for a major change in how this country does business. If the Republicans don't want to cooperate, fine. Let the train pull out of the station without them. Meanwhile I'd like to see Democrats quit whining, waiting, pleading with Repubs and start doing the people's business and GOVERN, dammit.
So word to Sen. Klobuchar: For God's sake, even Dianne Feinstein has signed this letter. Come on, Any! Jump in! The water's fine.
I still urge Minnesotans to give Sen. Klobuchar a call. And while you're at it, call Franken's office too and thank him for taking a stand.
There have been occasional posts at this website by the Minnesota Universal Health Care Coalition, about single-payer legislation currently in the Minnesota legislature.
Here is a link to the MUHCC's website page on bill language, which has a link to the bill's text. But, unless you're perversely fond of perusing the tortuous legalese of actual legislation, you may be better off linking to the feature that has the bill itself shown side-by-side with summaries of its especially important points.
Other states have similar efforts underway, including California and Pennsylvania. The latter's seems to have the best shot, because PA's governor supports it. In CA and MN, we're the elections of Democratic governors away. Of course, the reactionaries will certainly challenge the legislation in our great nation's right-leaning courts. In CA, it would also likely be subjected to a referendum to overturn it, into which the corporatists could well pour literally billions of dollars.
Looks like Gov Pawlenty is following in Sen. John Marty's footsteps by writing a response in today's Washington Post to President Obama's call for ideas. Governor Pawlenty has come up with a five-point plan to reform health care (aka insurance) in the U.S. His plan does not address access to health care, but proposes that by implementing his 'common-sense ways to tackle runaway health-care costs' more people will be able to buy insurance.
(Right on. Legislative leaders, are you listening? - promoted by Joe Bodell)
As the MN legislature races to pass a bonding bill to put Minnesotans back to work, I hope they remember to solve some of the problems behind the anemic economy. A major economic factor is that employers aren't hiring. Why? According to a Healthpartners survey of 180 employers, the number one reason was affordable health care. For most of us, this makes sense. American businesses are forced to compete in a global community where many other countries provide health care for their citizens. By providing health care, this takes a huge operating cost off the backs of business.
"Affordable health care is a challenge and Minnesota businesses, along with businesses around the country, are struggling," said Andrea Walsh, chief marketing officer at HealthPartners, the third-biggest health insurer in Minnesota.
The GOP answer? Market based solutions. How that differs from our current system remains unknown (at least to me) According to Tom Emmer on KFAI, all people need good paying jobs to pay for health care. Seifert, its all about costs, people from all over the world come to the Mayo clinic and we can't have universal care because everyone will move here for the 'free care'. Now, I'm not quoting directly, because I was taking notes, but if you want to hear what they had to say check out KFAI.
My response, well it would be great if everyone had good paying jobs. How about we start reinvesting in Minnesota education and take costs like health insurance out of the job equation so employers can start hiring.
What can bring both conservatives and liberals together? Their mutual dislike for the way congress has tackled the issues. The health care reform movement began and we all had high hopes (probably slightly too high, but dream big right?). Hopes that were quickly challenged by an extremely vocal, occasionally violent and sometimes outright rude group of conservatives that descended upon the town hall meetings over the summer. Then congress was gaveled back into session hoping that some civility would return to the debate, which didn't exactly happen.
NYT
Ron Vaughn, who provides health insurance to his 60 employees at Argonaut Wine andLiquor near the state Capitol, said: "I'm a middle-of-the-road kind of guy. I want the Democrats out of my pocket and Republicans out of my bedroom. The one word I would use for what's going on in Washington is embarrassing. I am embarrassed for Republicans and for Democrats. They started out on the right foot, but it's degenerated.
"Republicans misled people and tried to scare seniors by putting out misinformation about death panels," Mr. Vaughn said. "Then to pass a bill in the Senate, Democrats stooped to bartering for votes. It demeans the whole process."
James W. Noon, who runs a packaging supply business here, said he was irked to see Senate leaders secure votes by promising extra Medicaid money to Nebraska and Louisiana.
"Don't they realize how dumb that looks?" said Mr. Noon, a Republican.
Michael R. Stone, a private investigator who describes himself as a political independent, was bothered by those deals, too.
"President Obama campaigned on a promise to change the way things are done in Washington," Mr. Stone said. "But it seems like business as usual to me."
Again I bring up the question: why do corporations and special interests have more influence than the individual voter?
Here are the FDL Action health care reform highlights for Friday, December 18.
1. Jon Walker is concerned that Ben Nelson could get his way and gut "the single best remaining piece of reform, Medicaid expansion." Walker concludes that "If using reconciliation is the only way to protect the Medicaid expansion, the decision to use it should be a no-brainer for every real Democrat."
2. Jon Walker suggests that "if you are are going to tax 'Cadillac' plans, you need to index it to make sure it only ever taxes actual 'Cadillac' plans." To accomplish this goal, Walker suggests "index[ing] the cap to roughly 165% of the average premium on the Federal employer health benefit (FEHB) exchange."
3. Jane Hamsher points to a new poll indicating that 38% of Americans favor the individual mandate to buy insurance, while 51% oppose it. Hamsher adds, "When it appears in the ads of a Republican challenger who notes that the IRS will act as Aetna's collection agency, I bet those numbers get dramatically worse."
4. Jon Walker calls Ben Nelson's latest idea - to make states "opt in" to health reform - "literally and completely insane." C'mon, tell us how you really fell about Ben Nelon's stupid idea, Jon. :)
5. Jon Walker writes that "Ezra Klein has a new, strange, and incorrect defense of the individual mandate in the Senate bill." Walker argues that "[t]he argument that removing the individual mandate would price unemployed people, like the reader, out of the individual market is not true."
6. Jane Hamsher discusses "the impoverished left/right dialectic that dominates the media coverage of politics, and its inadequacy when it comes to discussing the dynamics of the health care debate." It's a fascinating discussion; here's a sampling. "With unemployment at 10%, the idea that you can pass a bill whose only merit is that 'liberals hate it' just because the media will eat it up and print your talking points in the process is so cynical and short-sighted it's hard to comprehend anyone would pursue it. It reflects a total insensitivity to the rage that is brewing on the popular front, which is manifest in every single poll out there." Good stuff.
7. Jon Walker goes after Ezra Klein again, this time for "[doing] the discussion on health reform a big disservice by making false claims about what could, in fact, start a race to the bottom in the insurance market."
8. Jon Walker argues that the fact there is a "hardship waiver," as well as restrictions on undocumented immigrants to buy insurance on the new exchange ("even if they were willing to pay full price with no tax credits") both "undercut arguments for an individual mandate."
9. Finally, I've got a state blog roundup, including lots of discussion about "Liebercare," "Loserman," and Jane Hamsher taking "a corporate conman to the woodshed."
This was a fascinating, sometimes infuriating, occasionally highly entertaining week in health care reform. Next week promises to be more of the same. Stay tuned!
Here are the FDL Action health care reform highlights for Wednesday, December 16. We'll call this the "Joe must go" edition.
1. Jon Walker writes about the "sad defeat of Dorgan's drug re-importation amendment, which would have saved American consumers billions on their prescription drugs." Walker notes that "[a]llowing Americans to buy cheaper drugs from Canada or Europe was one of Obama's campaign promise on health care," and also that this is a "very popular, bipartisan idea that would actually help 'bend the cost curve' on our health care spending." But now, it looks like it's not going to happen, and that's extremely unfortunate.
2. Jane Hamsher comments on the story that the White House is "very not pleased...with Dr. Dean speaking out about health care reform and this plan." The amazing thing is that the White House isn't upset with Joe Lieberman for all the bad stuff he's been doing, but is upset with Howard Dean for saying that we should scrap the current Senate bill, go to reconciliation and get a much stronger bill with public option, Medicare buy-in, etc. It's surreal.
3. Jane Hamsher reports on remarks by Sen. Russ Feingold, who said, "This bill appears to be legislation that the president wanted in the first place, so I don't think focusing it on Lieberman really hits the truth."
4. Jon Walker demolishes the "great big myth that reconciliation would not work for health care reform." According to Walker, "That is pure nonsense," as "reconciliation would still protect the guts of reform." In addition, "provisions [not related to the budget] will only be removed if they fail to get 60 votes to wave the Byrd rule for those provisions." So why aren't they doing this?
5. Jon Walker argues that the health care "bills could easily be redesigned to increase insurance coverage by roughly 30 million Americans at a fraction of the cost if we drop the massive giveaway to the insurance companies, and the individual mandate." A new, revamped bill would contain "insurance market reforms," "the House's employer mandate and slightly increased small business tax credits," "Medicaid expansion to 150%-200% FPL," "Maintaining or expanding CHIP program," and a "permanent COBRA expansion with subsidies." According to Walker, such a bill, "depending on design, should cover close to 30 million more Americans, and for less than a net cost of $500 billion" - "a fraction of the cost to the government (with a bill done through reconciliation), and without enriching the health insurance companies trying to kill real reform." Again, why aren't they doing this?
7. Michael Whitney comments on "Jello Jay Rockefeller's rant against Howard Dean on MSNBC this afternoon," in which he asked, "So what do I do? do I take my football and run home and sulk?" Whitney's punchline: "No, you're going to kick it!" Heh.
8. Jane Hamsher notes that Robert Gibbs never called Joe Lieberman "irrational," as he essentially did about Howard Dean earlier today.
10. Jon Walker explains "How CBO Director Doug Elmendorf Wrote The Health Care Bill." In brief, Elmendorf put together a memo last May which "basically put the absolute limits on what Democrats would even attempt in health care reform." According to Walker, "There is no real logic to it, he simply decided what he thought was enough regulation to make something part of the budget." Somehow, given where we are right now, ending today's health care update with the words "no real logic" seems highly appropriate.
Here are the 
