111TH CONGRESS Health Care Bill H. R. 3200
Created by CdrBob on 31 Jul 09
This current legislative action is identified as “To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes.”
Health care Never Never Land by Bob Barr as published in The Atlanta Journal Constitution Monday, July 20, 2009 at 9:00 AM
In “Sicko,” iconoclastic filmmaker Michael Moore extols the virtue of health care in such liberal “paradises” as the United Kingdom and Cuba. Leaving his audience to wonder where he would choose to go for treatment if he were facing a life-threatening illness — the People’s Hospital in Havana or the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. — Moore exhibits the same Alice-in-Wonderland delusion that has settled over the Obama administration.
A majority of members of Congress, too, seem to believe that if only enough bureaucracy and taxpayer dollars are thrown at the health care “crisis,” then everyone in the country will have their every medical need met, when they want it, and at much reduced cost. Such a mind set turns Peter Pan’s Never Never Land into a reality show.
For starters, advocates of the House legislation might want to talk to governors of those states, like Massachusetts, that have already implemented “universal” coverage plans. Increasing program costs, coupled with decreased state revenues as a result of the economic downturn, are causing serious fiscal problems and are forcing those states to consider cutbacks in coverage.
However, witnessing the irrational, “gotta-do-this-now” push in our nation’s capitol to pass comprehensive health care “reform” within the next few weeks, it is obvious the proponents of Obama-care are not interested in anyone throwing the cold water of fiscal reality on their parade.
The House version of the legislation, unveiled by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) last week, includes substantial mandates on American businesses (including a severe, 8 percent payroll tax on any business that fails to offer health insurance coverage to its employees). Still, the Pollyannaish Pelosi claimed (with a straight face) it would “lower costs to businesses.” This is government logic at its finest — you lower the cost of doing business by raising taxes on those businesses.
Pelosi’s obvious inability to grasp even the most basic of economic concepts was further displayed when she claimed that the “costs to consumers,” too, would be lowered. Apparently, this would be accomplished by placing a new surtax on those American consumers whose income exceeded the levels deemed worthy by the legislators.
Analysts of the 1,000-plus page legislation calculate its 10-year cost to exceed $1 trillion. Other experts fear such a figure greatly underestimates its true cost. Even the Congressional Budget Office calculates that the government subsidy for health care coverage will amount to some $6,000 per person within the next decade, which figures to more than $1.8 trillion.
Pelosi’s bill would also create a government-run insurance plan to compete with private insurers. Such a scenario, of course, is never a fair “competition,” because the government “owner” can always print money, spend borrowed money indefinitely, operate without regard for cost-benefit analysis, and threaten legal sanctions for those who fail to comply. None of these remedies are available to businesses (except, of course, for the “new” General Motors).
The smoke-and-mirrors approach is evident also in the fact that high-income taxpayers, who would already be taxed in order to pay for the “universal” coverage for their less-well-off compatriots, would face escalating taxes if the government fails in the years ahead to achieve targeted “savings” in Medicaid and Medicare. In other words, the government will set “savings targets,” but if it fails to meet them, it is taxpayers who will pay the penalty, not those members of Congress or federal bureaucrats who decide how much to spend on the entitlement programs.
Other industries, including pharmaceuticals, will face increased taxes as well, in order to pay for this “reform.” The more successful drug makers will pay a higher percentage tax than their smaller, less successful colleagues. Once again, success in the business arena is punished in the government arena.
Truly, this bill is a monstrosity.
Note the author
Bob Barr, an Atlanta attorney, is a former member of Congress and Libertarian presidential candidate.
From: Bob Clements BG USAF ret
I have faxed the attached letter to Congressman Lungren Senator Boxer Senator Feinstein
Pelosi at present is trying to ramrod this through the House befoire the August recess Please write to your members of Congress now My letters were faxed chk6 bob
Robert V. Clements
Brig. General USAF (Retired)
2100 Boyer Drive
Carmichael, California 95608-5522
27 July 2000
Senator Barbara Boxer 112 Hart Senate Office Office Building Washington DC 20510-6701
Dear Senator Boxer:
As a retired Brigadier General United States Air ForceI am writing to express my strong opposition to any healthcare “reform” legislation that inflates the federal deficit and national debt even further, imposes new taxes and mandates on individuals and businesses during this economic recession, and includes a government-run plan that would ultimately crowd out the private insurance market.
With our nation facing a $1.8 trillion deficit this year and a national debt that is expected to nearly double from $11.4 trillion today to almost $21 trillion over the next 10 years, we simply can’t afford a new $1 trillion-plus healthcare program.
What’s more, the higher taxes and costly mandates on individuals and businesses that Congress is proposing to pay for this new program could not come at a worse time with families struggling to make ends meet and the national unemployment rate approaching double digits.
But perhaps worst of all, a government-run option that would expand the federal bureaucracy and compete with private insurance plans will only move this country down the slippery slope of a single-payer, socialized healthcare system. Such a system would restrict my choice of doctors, treatments, and medicines and erode the quality of care that my family and I receive.
A better way to expand coverage for the uninsured while preserving the high quality of healthcare we enjoy as Americans would be to enact meaningful tort reform to curb frivolous medical malpractice lawsuits that drive up costs. There are also numerous free-market proposals, such as providing tax credits for purchasing private insurance coverage, that would reduce the ranks of the uninsured.
Again, I urge you to reject any healthcare legislation that burdens taxpayers and our economy, expands the federal bureaucracy, and restricts my choice of doctors, treatments, and medicines.Very Respectfully,
Robert v Clements
From: “CdrBob”
Hello Art - Here is the text of my emails to Senator Boxer and Senator Feinstein via their official websites.
“Dear Senator Boxer: As an United States citizen, born in Iowa and a California resident since 1967 I’m writing to you because of a concern. I very strongly oppose the current health care legislation that I’m aware of now being considered in Congress. My opposition to it is because of the immense debt burden it entails. This will have a very critical impact never before experienced by succeeding generations.
In addition, I would like you to know I feel it is necessary to maintain Medicare but concentrating on removing fraud. Also I have for a number of years been uncomfortable that yearly the Medical Profession faces reduced compensation which in turn jeopardizes the continued success of the Medicare Program. Most respectfully,
Robert E. Burke”
And the following from RAO Bulletin 1 Aug 09… by Lt. James “EMO” Tichacek, USN (Ret) Director, Retiree Assistance Office, U.S. Embassy Warden & IRS VITA Baguio City RP
Please note - of very, very particular importance to every MOAA member participating in Medicare the last three(3) sentences of the following article need to concern YOU!
HEALTH CARE REFORM Update 02: The absence of details surrounding healthcare reform legislation being considered by Congress has understandably left many military retirees and veterans concerned. Many of these plans are works in progress, and it is unclear how they will affect military beneficiaries and users of VA’s healthcare system. Several lawmakers are working to ensure Tricare beneficiaries and veterans are not adversely affected by the reform effort. They include Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) who on 21 JUL successfully attached an amendment to the House version of the health reform bill (H.R.3200) which passed out of the Education and Labor Committee. According to Rep. Wilson, “The purpose of this amendment is to shield the men and women of our Armed Forces from onerous mandates and possible coverage deterioration as a result of this bill’s complex new health care governing scheme. Specifically, I believe we must exempt Tricare from the “pay or play” employer mandate and other benefit mandates that would place an additional burden on this program that serves military personnel and their families.”
Another representative maneuvering to protect military and healthcare benefits is Rep. Glenn Nye (D-VA), author of a letter to congressional leaders insisting that veterans and military healthcare benefits must not be taxed or reduced to help pay for health care reform. “We’re not going to pay for healthcare reform on the backs of our troops and veterans,” said Congressman Nye. Nye’s bipartisan letter was signed by 40 Members of Congress. One danger lurking within each of the proposals is the potential for sharp cuts in Medicare Physician Reimbursements. Deep cuts in the physician reimbursement rates, would likely cause a number of doctors either to reduce the number of Medicare and Tricare patients or to refuse seeing them altogether. Should that happen, military retirees, particularly Tricare for Life beneficiaries could suddenly find access to care sharply curtailed. [Source: NAUS Weekly Update 24 July 2009
—–Original Message—–
From: Robert Cardenas After you read this make sure that you call your elected officials and
let them know where you stand on this bill and how you would like them
to vote on the BillBob Begin forwarded message: Subject: Want to know what’s in the proposed health care bill? Page 494: Government will cover mental health services: defining,
creating and rationing those services. Pg 22 of the HC Bill MANDATES the Govt will audit books of ALL
EMPLOYERS that self insure!! Pg 30 Sec 123 of HC bill - THERE WILL BE A GOVT COMMITTEE
that
decides what treatments/benefits you get Pg 29 lines 4-16 in the HC bill - YOUR HEALTHCARE IS RATIONED!!! Pg 42 of HC Bill - The Health Choices Commissioner will choose your
HC Benefits for you. You have no choice! PG 50 Section 152 in HC bill - HC will be provided to ALL non US
citizens, illegal or otherwise Pg 58HC Bill - Govt will have real-time access 2 individs finances &
a National ID Healthcard will be issued! Pg 59 HC Bill lines 21-24 Govt will have direct access to you banks PG 65 Sec 164 is a payoff subsidized plan for retirees and their
families in unions & community orgs (ACORN). Pg 72 Lines 8-14 Govt is creating an
HC Exchange to bring private HC plans under Govt control. PG 84 Sec 203 HC bill - Govt mandates ALL benefit packages for
private health care plans in the Exchange PG 85 Line 7 HC Bill - Specs for of Benefit Levels for Plans = The
Govt will ration your Healthcare! PG 91 Lines 4-7 HC Bill - Govt mandates linguistic appropropriate
services. Example - Translationfor illegal aliens Pg 95 HC Bill Lines 8-18 The Govt will use groups i.e., ACORN & PG 85 Line 7 HC Bill - Specs of Benefit Levels for Plans. #AARP
members - your H
ealth care WILL be rationed PG 102 Lines 12-18 HC Bill - Medicaid Eligible Individuals will be pg 124 lines 24-25 HC No company can sue GOVT on price fixing. No pg 127 Lines 1-16 HC Bill - Doctors/ #AMA - The Govt will tell YOU
what you can make. Pg 145 Line 15-17 An Employer MUST automatiocally enroll employees into pubic option plan. NO CHOICE Pg 126 Lines 22-25 Employers MUST pay for health care for part time
employees AND their families. Pg 149 Lines 16-24 ANY Employer with payroll of 400k & above who does
not provide public option. pays 8% tax on all payroll pg 150 Lines 9-13 Business payroll between 251k & 400k who doesn’t Pg 167 Lines 18-23 ANY individual who doesn’t have acceptable
health care according to Govt will be taxed 2.5% of income Pg 170 Lines 1-3 HC Bill Any NON-RESIDENT Alien is exempt from
individual taxes. (Americans will pay for their health care) Pg 195 HC Bill -officers & employees of health care Administration
(GOVT) will have access to ALL Americans financial/personal records PG 203 Line 14-15 HC - “The tax imposed under this20section shall not
be treated as tax” Yes, it says that Pg 239 Line 14-24 HC Bill Govt will reduce physician services for
Medicaid. Seniors, low income, poor affected Pg 241 Line 6-8 HC Bill - Doctors, doesn’t matter what specialty you
have, you’ll all be paid the same PG 253 Line 10-18 Govt sets value of Dr’s time, professional
judgment, etc. Literally value of humans. PG 265 Sec 1131 Govt mandates & controls productivity for private
health care industries PG 268 Sec 1141 Fed Govt regulates rental & purchase of power driven
wheelchairs PG 272 SEC. 1145. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CANCER HOSPITALS - Cancer
patients - welcome to rationing! Page 280 Sec 1151 The Govt will penalize hospitals for what Govt
deems preventable readmissions. Pg 298 Lines 9-11 Drs, treat a patient during initial admission that
results in a re-admission- Govt will penalize you. Pg 317 L 13-20 PROHIBITION on ownership/investmen t. Govt tells Drs.
what/how much they can own. Pg 317-318 lines 21-25,1-3 PROHIBITION on expansion- Govt is
mandating hospitals cannot expand pg 321 2-13 Hospitals have opportunity to apply for exception BUT
community input required. Pg335 L 16-25 Pg 336-339 - Govt mandates establishment of outcome
based measures. Health care the way they want. Rationing Pg 341 Lines203-9 Govt has authority to disqualify Medicare Adv.
Plans, HMOs, etc. Forcing people into Govt plan Pg 354 Sec 1177 - Govt will RESTRICT enrollment of special needs
people! Pg 379 Sec 1191 Govt creates more bureaucracy - Telehealth Advisory PG 425 Lines 4-12 Govt mandates Advance Care Planning Consult. Think
Senior Citizens end of life Pg 425 Lines 17-19 Govt will instruct & consult regarding living
wills, durable powers of attorney. Mandatory! PG 425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines 1-3 Govt provides approved list of end
of life resources, guiding you in death PG 427 Lines 15-24 Govt mandates program for orders for end of life.
The Govt has a say in how your life ends Pg 429 Lines 1-9 An “adv. care planning consult” will be used PG 429 Lines 10-12 “adv. care consultation” may include an ORDER for
end of life plans. AN ORDER from GOV Pg 429 Lines 13-25 The govt will specify which Doctors can write an
end of life order. PG 430 Lines 11-15 The Govt will decide what level of treatment u
will have at end of life Pg 469 - Community Based Home Medical Services=Non profit orgs. Page 472 Lines 14-17 PAYMENT TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORG. 1 monthly
payment to a community-based org. Like ACORN? PG 489 Sec 1308 The Govt will cover Marriage & Family therapy. Which Pg 494-498 Govt will cover Mental Health Services including defining,
creating, rationing those services
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111congbills&docid=f:h3200ih.pdf
benefits for you. You will have no choice. None.
individuals for Government-run Healt
h Care plan.
“judicial review” is permitted against the government monopoly. Put
simply, private insurers will be crushed and everyone will end up on
the government plan eventually.v
(according to the government) will be taxed 2.5% of annual income.
wheelchairs.
accountsts for electronic funds transfer
Americorps to sign up individuals for Govt HC plan
automatically enrolled in Medicaid. No choice
“judicial review” against Govt Monopoly
provide public option pays 2-6% tax on all payroll
Committee. Can you say health care by phone?
frequently as patients health deteriorates
means they will insert Govt into your marriage