1.1. HEALTH CARE COSTS
Without regulation, the insurance companies will stick the government with all of the "risky" people. David Certner: AARP is driven by its members best interests, as it is with every debate. We have both those who are on Medicare, and who are looking to strengthen the program, including looking to lower their costs, keep their doctors, and get better drug coverage. As you note, we have members who are not yet eligible for Medicare, who either want to keep the insurance they have, or who are desperately trying to find insurance in the individual market. About 1 of every 4 60-year-olds can't even get insurance because of a pre-existing medical condition -- and we agree with you that this must change. Dime Box Texas 77853: Why doesn't AARP poll members to find out how many of do not support Obama Health Care plan? You will lose a lot more than 60,000 members over this issue by saying that your members are in support if you don't show proof. [1] Most of the major health care players, including hospitals, health insurers and pharmaceutical companies, are likely to benefit - some handsomely - over the long term. While hospitals and drugmakers have made deals with President Barack Obama and the Senate Finance Committee to help finance the overhaul, in the end their profits could soar as more people have insurance coverage. [2]
WASHINGTON ??? President Barack Obama Wednesday tried hard to create momentum for his ailing health care overhaul plan, offering a lengthy, methodical ??? and at times defensive ??? explanation of why Americans should embrace his changes. Obama, whose plan has been stymied by moderate Democrats who worry about higher taxes and Republicans who paint the effort as a big government takeover of health care, told the nation in a prime time news conference that the initiative is "central" to his effort to rebuild the economy "stronger than before." Obama's latest health care push came as his popularity has been slipping. In a July 9-13 Ipsos-McClatchy poll, 57 percent said they approved of the job Obama was doing, a 7-point drop from early June and the lowest of his presidency. [2] WASHINGTON ??? President Barack Obama participated in a scripted online discussion of his health care overhaul with a friendly audience of religious voters and pastors Wednesday. It ended with him bemoaning those who bear "false witness" against his plans ??? and then making a claim of his own that's been widely shown to be false. [2]
WASHINGTON ??? Relentless attacks on President Barack Obama's health care overhaul effort, coupled with continued questions about how to pay for it, are prompting analysts to suggest that Democrats will have to scale back the cost and scope of the legislation to get anything through Congress this year. Analysts say it would be disastrous politically for Obama and his party to emerge emptyhanded from this year's heated battle over health care legislation. [2]
Several people wanted to know how the government would pay for the reforms without worsening a growing federal budget deficit. At least two dozen protesters gathered in small groups outside, handing out pamphlets and holding signs criticizing the overhaul, Obama and Frank. Some of the posters read: "It's the economy stupid, stop the spending" and "Healthcare reform yes, government takeover, no. Audrey Steele, 82, from New Bedford, said she does not want the government to get involved with health care because "they just make a mess of everything," referring to the $700 billion bailout of financial institutions that was used to pay for lavish conferences and hefty executive compensation. Others at Tuesday's meeting were more supportive of reform. Sheila Leavitt of Newton, who said she gave up practicing as a physician in 1983, said she hoped for changes that would support primary care physicians who aren't paid as much as specialists. She said some of the rowdy critics at Tuesday's meeting appeared to be using the same "talking points" as those who showed up at similar meetings around the country. [3] DARTMOUTH, Mass. -- Rep. Barney Frank lashed out at protester who held a poster depicting President Barack Obama with a Hitler-style mustache during a heated town hall meeting on federal health care reform. "On what planet do you spend most of your time?" Frank asked the woman, who had stepped up to the podium at a southeastern Massachusetts senior center to ask why Frank supports what she called a Nazi policy. [3]
David Certner: My name is David Certner, the Legislative Policy Director for AARP. We hope to have a lively and informative discussion about issues related to health care reform. Scottsdale, Ariz.: Mr. Certner: Do your loyalties lie with seniors' best interests or with AARP's insurance sales? I had a very bad experience with United Healthcare in 2000 when they kicked out individual policy holders. (7,500 of us in Arizona alone!) As a breast cancer survivor, I could not buy health insurance at any price. [1] David Certner: I would like to thank everyone for a hopefully informative chat on the key issues for health care reform. [1] David Certner: Medicare already provides a choice of traditional Medicare or private options -- although most choose traditional Medicare and as you note, are quite happy with it. Those under age 65 would like to also have access to affordable health care choices, and we believe that should be a key goal of any health care reform bill. [1]
Half said it will probably result in taxpayers paying for abortions and nearly that many expected the government will end up with the power to decide when treatment should stop for old people. THE POLL: 45 percent said it's likely the government will decide when to stop care for the elderly; 50 percent said it's not likely. THE FACTS: Nothing being debated in Washington would give the government such authority. Critics have twisted a provision in a House bill that would direct Medicare to pay for counseling sessions about end-of-life care, living wills, hospices and the like if a patient wants such consultations with a doctor. They have said, incorrectly, that the elderly would be required to have these sessions. House Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio said such counseling "may start us down a treacherous path toward government-encouraged euthanasia." [2] Joseph Coletti (pictured), the think tank???s fiscal and health care policy analyst, spoke to about 50 people who attended. He gave his reasons why consumer products, namely health savings accounts, are a better approach than many of the provisions called for in the current health reform bills that expand government intervention. [4]
Health care demonstrators gather at the president's event in Phoenix, Ariz. This Sunday, Team Obama attempted to allay Americans' fears, but also backed away from whether a final health care reform bill had to include a "public option", which has become a sticking point in bipartisan cooperation over health reform. President Obama has stressed the need for a public option, envisioned as a government-run health insurance system that would provide affordable health insurance to almost 50 million uninsured Americans, and cause private insurers to lower their costs in order to compete. [5] No bill would provide for euthanasia -- an outrageous idea that we would reject. It is also important that we take smart steps to hold down health care costs across the board, including in Medicare. We would oppose any cuts to Medicare benefits, and pending bills would not cut any benefits -- indeed, some benefits, such as the Rx benefit, would improve. [1] AARP will continue to fight to strengthen Medicare, reduce health care costs, and ensure affordable care. [1] We have volunteer leaders who are all over the country that provide us feedback from every state. We continue to fight for health care changes that our members tell us they care about, such as holding down costs, strengthening Medicare, access to the doctor of your choice, affordable health insurance, and lower cost drugs. [1]
We cannot continue to afford the current trend of ever increasing health care costs. Baltimore, Md.: How do you help educate your members, a segment of the population that seems to be easily susceptible to outlandish misinformation, both in this debate as well as in general (scams, etc), as evidenced by the 60K members who have left. This number just leaves me speechless. [1]
Through our experience working on health-care-reform efforts in California and Washington (one of us worked for President George W. Bush's Council of Economic Advisers), we have seen how concern over employer costs can be a sticking point in the health care debate, even in the absence of persuasive evidence that increased costs would seriously harm businesses. San Francisco's example should put some of those fears to rest. Many businesses there had to raise their health spending substantially to meet the new requirements, but so far the plan has not hurt jobs. [6]
"There's been a lot of misinformation," Obama said, complaining about people who are "bearing false witness." He said the first thing he wanted to correct was the idea that the proposed overhaul would force some people into different health care plans. "If you like your health care plan, you can keep your health care plan," he said, repeating one of his stock lines. [2] President Obama???s health care strategy forum with several people from the area in attendance is expected to start soon and be streamed online at 2:30 p.m. Read the details here. [4]
Today, almost all residents in the city have affordable access to a comprehensive health care delivery system through the Healthy San Francisco program. Covered services include the use of a so-called "medical home" that coordinates care at approved clinics and hospitals within San Francisco, with both public and private facilities. [6] San Francisco and Massachusetts now offer the only near-universal health care programs in the United States. [6]
San Francisco put an ambitious health care plan into effect last year, and the early results are in. [6] Answers might be found in San Francisco, where ambitious health care legislation went into effect early last year. [6]
Most respondents said the effort is likely to lead to a "government takeover of the health care system" and to public insurance for illegal immigrants. [2]
WASHINGTON ??? Two independent organizations that are widely respected for objective fact-checking on topics of political controversy are FactCheck.org, a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, and Politifact, a Pulitzer-prize winning project of the St. Petersburg Times. Their research into critiques of the health care legislation pending before Congress was cited Tuesday in a memo from staff to two Democrats who are helping to shape the legislation ??? Reps. [2]
In 1994, the Clinton administration's high-profile failure to pass a national health care program set the stage for a Republican revival in congressional elections that fall. "I absolutely think they'll have to have a fallback position," said Ross K. Baker, a political science professor and expert on Congress at Rutgers University. "They'll have to accept something considerably less comprehensive, less federal government-centered, and simply use it as a place holder. for something to come along later." [2] David Certner: We think lively debate over health care reform is important. [1] TWO burning questions are at the center of America's health care debate. [6]
When Congress and the White House began talking about a health care overhaul, the industries that profit from the $2.5 trillion system were understandably nervous. [2] Whether the anger expressed at town halls is real, manufactured or, as Sen. Arlen Specter said today on ABC's "This Week," "not really representative of America," it is clear that many Americans are apprehensive about what a health care overhaul means for them. [5]
We will continue our work to fight for a better health care system on behalf of our members. [1] We do believe -- and our members who have had experience with the health care system generally agree -- that health care is delivered inefficiently today, with too many wasted tests and procedures that not only do not improve health, but often harm it. [1]
Later tonight, the Americans for Prosperity group will hold another Patients First ??? Hands Off My Health Care event in Wilmington. [4]
Unfortunately, some have chosen to simply attempt to scare people with non-existent myths. This is unfortunate, as it takes away from the real debate we should be having over improving care and lowering costs. Doniphan, Neb.: Who will decide which tests, procedures, and medications are wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary? In my opinion, these decisions must be made by the physician and patient. [1]
RANKED RECOMMENDED SOURCES
(6 source documents numbered in order of appearance in text)
1. Health-Care Reform: The AARP Perspective - washingtonpost.com
2. FACT CHECK: Health overhaul myths taking root - Nation AP - MiamiHerald.com
6. Op-Ed Contributors - A Public Option That Works - NYTimes.com
4. HEALTH PULSE: Are health savings accounts the answer? - Health Pulse - Wilmington Star News - Wilmington, NC - Archive
3. Rep. Frank lashes out at protester for Nazi remark
5. Health Care Reform: Dems Could be Losing Battle Over Public Option - ABC News
1. Health-Care Reform: The AARP Perspective - washingtonpost.com
2. FACT CHECK: Health overhaul myths taking root - Nation AP - MiamiHerald.com
6. Op-Ed Contributors - A Public Option That Works - NYTimes.com
4. HEALTH PULSE: Are health savings accounts the answer? - Health Pulse - Wilmington Star News - Wilmington, NC - Archive
3. Rep. Frank lashes out at protester for Nazi remark
5. Health Care Reform: Dems Could be Losing Battle Over Public Option - ABC News
1.2. HEALTH INSURANCE
Although not formally insurance, the program is tantamount to a public option of comprehensive health insurance, with the caveat that services are covered only in the city of San Francisco. Enrollees with incomes under 300 percent of the federal poverty level have heavily subsidized access, and those with higher incomes may buy into the public program at rates substantially lower than what they would pay for an individual policy in the private-insurance market. To pay for this, San Francisco put into effect an employer-health-spending requirement, akin to the "pay or play" employer insurance mandates being considered in Congress. [1] David Certner: Hopefully by now the myth of "death panels" is, pardon the pun, dead. Our age 50+ AARP members not yet eligible for Medicare who cannot get health insurance already know a bit about "rationed" care when no one will sell them an insurance policy because of a pre-existing medical condition. [2]
David Certner, legislative policy director at AARP, was online Wednesday, Aug. 19, at Noon ET to discuss health-care, the lobbying group's support of President Obama's agenda and recent reports that approximately 60,000 senior citizens have canceled their membership because they fear Medicare benefits will be reduced in order to support health-care overhaul. [2] There should be no interference from the government nor an insurance company. Brookeville, Md.: Why isn't AARP out there trying to kill this bill? It contains a half a trillion dollars in cuts to Medicare. That is part of the "bending the curve" options, including incentive payments to physicians to give euthanasia advice. This is atrocious government policy, and it is clear to me the idea is to gut Medicare to pay for the younger generation of uninsured. [2] David Certner: We completely agree that decisions should be made by the patient and the doctor -- without the interference of government or your insurance company. Rationing is not a part of these bills, and if it were, AARP would reject it. [2]
David Certner: For those under 65, as you know, some disabled persons are eligible for Medicare. This will not change, and we support the current coverage. For those not eligible for Medicare, we strongly support doing away with insurance company practices that prevent those with a existing medical condition from getting insurance. For those with high drug costs, we strongly support closing the so-called doughnut hole (or coverage gap in part D) -- that is a provision now included in the House bills. [2] Ridgefield, Conn.: Why is AARP supporting a program that MUST take from Medicare to provide insurance for other groups? AARP is a lobby group for seniors, period! AARP should be making sure seniors are protected from the absurd rules in the proposed House bill. [2] AARP opposes any cuts to Medicare benefits. We do support savings in the Medicare program that will help lower costs, such as those changes that will weed out waste and inefficiency in the program. [2]
Bellevue, Wash: Good afternoon. Is the AARP in favor of doing away with Medicare Advantage plans? My congressman has told seniors in his district that the savings the President hopes to glean from Medicare, including getting rid of Medicare Advantage plans, would mean that Medicare would no longer have coverage for durable medical equipment. [2] Medicare Q: My employer pays 85% of private insurance coverage for retirees who have worked here 15 years at retirement. [2] Some of the costs may be passed on to employees in the form of smaller pay raises, which could help ward off the possibility of job losses. Over the longer term, if more widespread coverage allows people to choose jobs based on their skills and not out of fear of losing health insurance from one specific employer, increased productivity will help pay for some of the costs of the mandate. [1] How have employers adjusted to the higher costs, if not by cutting jobs? More than 25 percent of restaurants, for example, have instituted a "surcharge" - about 4 percent of the bill for most establishments - to pay for the additional costs. Local service businesses can add this surcharge (or raise prices) without risking their competitive position, since their competitors will be required to take similar measures. [1]
To be sure, presenting Congress and the country with the nuts and bolts of a revamped system of health insurance is no guarantee of success for a president - just ask Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Their famous flop was demonized, too. [3]
Attention has focused for the past week on the prospects of the Finance Committee negotiators' talks, after the senior Republican member, Sen. Charles E. Grassley (Iowa), infuriated some Democrats by refusing to debunk a false rumor that the House's health-care bill would spawn "death panels," empowered to decide whether the sick and the old get to live or die. Other leading Republicans -- including Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl (Ariz.) and House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (Ohio) -- seemed to press the attack, asserting that no Republican would ever vote for many of the key features of President Obama's health-care overhaul. [4]
Mackey, who often positions himself as a free-market libertarian and is strongly anti-union, chose to criticise the healthcare reforms currently being promoted by President Obama. It proved too much for many loyal Whole Food customers, who in particular objected to his belief that "healthcare is a service that we all need, but just like food and shelter it is best provided through voluntary and mutually beneficial market exchanges". He also went on to say that "unfortunately, many of our health-care problems are self-inflicted: two-thirds of Americans are now overweight and one-third are obese." [5]
John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods, speaks while surrounded by Whole Foods employees during a news conference on Capitol Hill. Earlier this year, John Mackey, the CEO and co-founder of the US-based Whole Foods retail chain, was asked to name his perfect summer meal. He began by explaining that he had recently given up all refined oils, including olive oil, as part of his new health kick, before revealing that he now likes nothing better than to sit down to a salad of sweet potato, cooked greens and mung beans, with a dressing of miso, tahini, rice vineger and yeast. If you were looking to construct a stereotype of the typical Whole Foods customer, you'd be hard pressed to match this one. [5]
1.3. HEALTH-CARE REFORM, PRIVATE INSURANCE
The public option has also passed the market test, while not crowding out private options. The positive changes in San Francisco provide a glimpse of what the future might look like if Washington passes substantial health reform this year. [1] "The president has thus far sided with the notion that can best be done through a public option," Gibbs said, but added, "The bottom line again is, do individuals looking for health insurance in the private market have choice and competition? If we have that, the president will be satisfied." Both Gibbs and Sebelius left the door open for an alternative to a public option. [6] Press Secretary Robert Gibbs deflected when asked whether a public option was a "deal-breaker" for the president. "What the president has always talked about is that we inject some choice and competition into the private insurance market," he said on CBS's "Face the Nation". [6] Businesses can meet the requirement by paying for private insurance, by paying into medical-reimbursement accounts or by paying into the city's Healthy San Francisco public option. There has been great demand for this plan. [1]
It???s a busy day for health care in the Port City. I???m at the Hilton downtown right now, listening to presentations about how health savings accounts/high deductible health plans work and why for some families they save more money than traditional health plans. The accounts are one tool being talked about at this luncheon organized by the Raleigh-based John Locke Foundation to discuss consumer-driven health care. [7] President Barack Obama's lack of a detailed plan for overhauling health care is letting critics fill in the blanks in the public's mind. [3]
Critics say it would lead to a government takeover of health care, undercut the private insurance market, and lead to government rationing of health care. [6] THE POLL: 54 percent said the overhaul will lead to a government takeover of health care; 39 percent disagree. [3]
Jesus didn't go around telling people that healing the sick was a moral or theological issue; he treated all people who were sick and expected his followers to do likewise. That's what all decent people need to do right now -- make sure everybody gets health care. [8] The debate about health care is already contentious enough without bringing God into it, at least the way we usually do so. I mean, we have people calling each other Nazis and Brownshirts because they happen to disagree with each other about this issue. [8]
As a Jew, rooted in a system which is far more concerned with obligations than it is with rights, but always aware of both, I want to see a real conversation about the balance between health care as a human right and the obligations that should be born by all people who get that care. In Judaism, even those things which we consider God-given rights are accompanied by real obligations. [8] Frank, who chairs the House Financial Services Committee, sought to assure more than 500 people attending the rowdy meeting that the average taxpayer wouldn't be hurt by plans currently under consideration in Congress. Some of those attending the meeting organized by the Democratic Town Committee of Dartmouth shouted and booed as Frank and others addressed the crowd. [9]
Congressional Democrats said the finance panel will be allowed to keep trying to hash out a deal for at least several more weeks. In a radio interview broadcast from the White House Thursday afternoon, Obama reasserted his commitment to working with Republicans on health reform, saying: "My attitude has always been, let's see if we can get this done with some consensus. I would love to have more Republicans engaged and involved in this process." Obama said he believes some Republicans have decided, " 'Let's not give them a victory and maybe we can have a replay of 1993-94.'. [4] THE FACTS: Obama is not proposing a single-payer system in which the government covers everyone, like in Canada or some European countries. He says that direction is not right for the U.S. The proposals being negotiated do not go there. [3] WASHINGTON -- The judgment is harsh in a new poll that finds Americans worried about the government taking over health insurance, cutting off treatment to the elderly and giving coverage to illegal immigrants. [3] Interestingly, in a recent survey of the city's businesses, very few (less than 5 percent) of the employers who chose the public option are thinking about dropping existing (private market) insurance coverage. [1] For several years I had to be without insurance -- SCARY! Needless to say, I'm extremely thankful for Medicare and I am hoping that we will pass STRINGENT regulations against discriminating for previous disease AND that we will have a public option. [2]
Today, rhetoric in favor of a public option gave way to the importance of "choice" and "competition." "That is not the essential element," Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said on CNN's "State of the Union" when asked about a public option. [6] I'm the health reporter at the StarNews and cover everything from the way the local hospitals run to area residents coping with illness to public health concerns that affect everyone in the community. [7] As one of the world's leading retailers of organic and health foods, it has been at the brunt of the economic downturn, with customers becoming increasingly price sensitive. [5]
William H. Dow, who was a senior economist for President George W. Bush? s Council of Economic Advisers, is a professor of health economics at the University of California, Berkeley, where Arindrajit Dube is an economist at the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment and Carrie Hoverman Colla is a doctoral student in health economics. Next Article in Opinion (4 of 26) » A version of this article appeared in print on August 22, 2009, on page A17 of the New York edition. [1] Before heading out of town on vacation, the president planned to meet Friday with former Senate majority leader Tom Daschle, a consummate legislative strategist who had been the president's first choice to lead the administration's drive for health reform. [4]
Note: If this is your first time using our NEW commenting system, you will have to LOG OUT and then LOG BACK IN. The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. [3]
The consensus, one participant said, was "to take your time to get it right." In a written statement released after the approximately 90-minute teleconference, Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.), chairman of the finance panel, said the group had "a productive conversation" and that they "remain committed to continuing our path toward a bipartisan health-care reform bill." "Our discussion included an increased emphasis on affordability and reducing costs, and our efforts moving forward will reflect that focus," he said. [4]
Thursday's discussions focused on driving that cost lower, the sources said. The senators also shared tales from their home states, where some lawmakers have been besieged by protesters angry about a potential government takeover of the nation's health-care system. [4] We should give it to everyone. It is so much more efficient than private insurance, it will cost us no more than what we are now paying. [2]
Do we really need to invoke God, whose name when invoked in public policy debate, generally adds more heat than light to any issue?. [8] Perriello is one of three dozen Democratic Freshmen that have been thrown into the center of one of the most contentious policy debates in years. [3]
Arizona: Mr Certner, I can understand that the administration has to take the high road in the current debate over health-care reform. [2] I cannot speak for the other religious leaders who are organizing for real health-care reform, but I can speak for myself. [8] Each week, more than 50 figures from the world of faith engage in a conversation about an aspect of religion. This week's question: Health-care reform is an economic, political and medical issue. On Faith panelist and evangelical leader Jim Wallis says it's also a "deeply theological issue, a biblical issue and a moral issue." [8]
We agree 100% that older Americans must be protected in any reform bill, and we are working to ensure we get an improved Medicare program. [2] Grassley has since denied trying to undermine the reform effort, and his Democratic colleagues said there was no partisan rancor in Thursday night's conference call. [4]
Washington is not working on "death panels" or nationalization of health care. [3] Constituents of Congressman Tom Perriello, D-Va., holds signs as they listen to the congressman during a town hall meeting on Health Care at the Fluvanna Middle School in Fork Union, Va., Monday, Aug. 17, 2009. [3] Health care already accounts for over 1 out of every 6 dollars in the economy and is ever growing. [2] Businesses with 100 or more employees must spend $1.85 an hour toward health care for each employee. [1]
David Certner: Last question. We believe we do need a better system to both benefit patients that have been harmed, and fix the system errors that led to malpractice in the first place. [2] As a Christian, I believe the biblical truth of the matter is that if you don't take care of the sick and the poor, you are rejecting Jesus himself. [8]
Javascript is not enabled on your browser. Please enable javascript to use the community features on this page. [6]
RANKED RECOMMENDED SOURCES
(9 source documents numbered in order of appearance in text)
2. Health-Care Reform: The AARP Perspective - washingtonpost.com
3. FACT CHECK: Health overhaul myths taking root - Nation AP - MiamiHerald.com
1. Op-Ed Contributors - A Public Option That Works - NYTimes.com
8. Does Theology Belong in Health-Care Debate? - washingtonpost.com
4. Key Senators Discuss Trimming Health Bill - washingtonpost.com
6. Health Care Reform: Dems Could be Losing Battle Over Public Option - ABC News
5. Customers call for boycott after Whole Foods chief executive criticises US healthcare reform | Business | The Guardian
7. HEALTH PULSE: Are health savings accounts the answer? - Health Pulse - Wilmington Star News - Wilmington, NC - Archive
9. Rep. Frank lashes out at protester for Nazi remark
2. Health-Care Reform: The AARP Perspective - washingtonpost.com
3. FACT CHECK: Health overhaul myths taking root - Nation AP - MiamiHerald.com
1. Op-Ed Contributors - A Public Option That Works - NYTimes.com
8. Does Theology Belong in Health-Care Debate? - washingtonpost.com
4. Key Senators Discuss Trimming Health Bill - washingtonpost.com
6. Health Care Reform: Dems Could be Losing Battle Over Public Option - ABC News
5. Customers call for boycott after Whole Foods chief executive criticises US healthcare reform | Business | The Guardian
7. HEALTH PULSE: Are health savings accounts the answer? - Health Pulse - Wilmington Star News - Wilmington, NC - Archive
9. Rep. Frank lashes out at protester for Nazi remark