My favorite U.S. Senator, John Cornyn, sent out a very informative email last week. I thought I would pass on some excerpts along with my own comments.
“If you are among the hundreds of millions of Americans who already have health insurance…nothing in this plan will require you or your employer to change the coverage or the doctor you have. Let me repeat this: Nothing in our plan requires you to change what you have.” – President Barack Obama, Joint Address To Congress, Washington, September 9, 2009.
Trick or Treat? Trick!
This plan will cause millions of Americans to lose their current health insurance plan and be forced onto the government-run health care plan. See: Lewin Group Analysis of the July 15 draft of the American Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 (PDF).
Essentially what this study finds is that, by undercutting the allowed payments to doctors and hospitals (by $billions), the “public option” would cut costs for employers and your employer would very likely accept the lower cost in exchange for lower quality of care. If you are covered by your employer’s health insurance, your coverage WILL change.
“These steps will ensure that you — America’s seniors — get the benefits you’ve been promised. They will ensure that Medicare is there for future generations… I will protect Medicare.” – President Barack Obama, Joint Address To Congress, Washington, September 9, 2009.
Trick or Treat? Trick!
This plan guts the already bankrupt Medicare program of nearly a half-trillion dollars. Millions of seniors will see their Medicare benefits reduced. See: CBO Director Douglas Elmendorf, Letter to Sen. Baucus, P.21, 22, 23, 10/7/09 (PDF).
The way I read it, by covering millions more Americans with Medicare, this health care reform would break the back of the already weak Medicare system. In an attempt to band-aid Medicare in the short term, this plan would cut Medicare payments by hundreds of billions of dollars.
“My universal health care plan brings down the cost of health care…and will save the typical family up to $2500 a year on their premiums.” – Then-Candidate Barack Obama, Remarks, Wisconsin, February 13, 2008.
Trick or Treat? Trick!
Every independent analysis of this plan has found it would raise premiums for middle-class families. See: Oliver Wyman, “Insurance Reforms Must Include a Strong Individual Mandate and Other Key Provisions to Ensure Affordability, October 14, 2009 (PDF).
This one’s pretty simple. If you open the doors to people with sever health problems (because this reform bill requires all health insurance companies to cover anyone regardless of health or pre-existing conditions) then all insurance companies will be forced to raise their rates to cover the sudden and dramatic rise in costs. The same is true for everyone who enrolls in the “public option.” Congress’ solution? “Strong mandates and meaningful penalties” for healthy people who don’t want insurance. If you are healthy enough that you’d prefer not to carry insurance (and just pay out of pocket), then you can expect to be seriously penalized (that’s Liberal speak for taxed).
“I will not sign [a bill] if it adds one dime to the deficit, now or in the future, period.” – President Barack Obama, Joint Address To Congress, Washington, September 9, 2009.
Trick or Treat? Trick!
No matter how they spin it or spread it around, there is no way to pass a $1.8 trillion bill without adding a dime to the deficit. In fact, the first vote on health care reform was on a measure that would have added $300 billion to the national debt.
“Under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase.” – Then-Candidate Barack Obama, Remarks, New Hampshire, September 12, 2008.
Trick or Treat? Trick!
This plan increases taxes by more than $400 billion. If you have insurance, you’ll be taxed. If you don’t have insurance, you’ll be taxed. If you use a medical device such as a hearing aid, you’ll be taxed. If you’re a small business and you can’t afford benefits for your employees, you’ll be taxed. If you take prescriptions, you’ll be taxed. See: CBO Director Douglas Elmendorf, Letter To Sen. Baucus, P.5, 10/7/09; “Estimated Revenue Effects Of The Revenue Provisions Contained In Title VI Of The ‘America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009,'” Joint Committee On Taxation, P.2, 10/8/09 (PDF).
According to the document linked, there will be hundreds of billions of dollars in “penalties” for individuals, employers, health care providers, and private insurers. Again, just because Liberals call them “penalties” doesn’t make them anything less than taxes.
“This plan will finally offer you quality, affordable choices.” – President Barack Obama, Joint Address To Congress, Washington, September 9, 2009.
Trick or Treat? Trick!
This plan restricts an additional 14 million Americans to Medicaid – as their only option for health care. At least 40% of doctors in this country won’t even see Medicaid patients and research shows Medicaid patients suffer worse health outcomes compared to those covered by private insurance. See: CBO’s Preliminary Analysis of the Chairman’s Mark for the America’s Healthy Future Act, as Amended, 10/7/09 (PDF).
Personally, I have only one thing to say with regard to this health care reform. Keep yer dang hands off my health care!
