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Kentucky Senator Rand Paul: ‘Right to health care’ is slavery

Evans Liberal Politics
May 12, 2011

 

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul:
‘Right to health care’ is slavery

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul: ‘Right to health care’ is slavery, The Raw Story, May 11, 2011, by Eric W. Dolan, used with permission, quoted verbatim, photo of Rand Paul courtesy of The Raw Story and Gage Skidmore: Evans Liberal Politics is pleased to partner with The Raw Story to bring you cutting edge news.

Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul said during a Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing Wednesday that those who believe in a right to healthcare actually believe in slavery.

scary photo of Kentucky Senator Rand Paul

“With regard to the idea of whether you have a right to health care, you have realize what that implies,” the senator said. “It’s not an abstraction. I’m a physician. That means you have a right to come to my house and conscript me.”

“It means you believe in slavery,” Paul added. “It means that you’re going to enslave not only me, but the janitor at my hospital, the person who cleans my office, the assistants who work in my office, the nurses.”

His father, Texas Republican Rep. Ron Paul, announced his third presidential bid in April. Both congressmen have strong libertarian views and are popular among the tea party movement.

“Basically, once you imply a belief in a right to someone’s services — do you have a right to plumbing? Do you have a right to water? Do you have right to food? — you’re basically saying you believe in slavery.”

“I’m a physician in your community and you say you have a right to health care,” Paul continued. “You have a right to beat down my door with the police, escort me away and force me to take care of you? That’s ultimately what the right to free health care would be.”

Self-described democratic socialist Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), chairman of the Subcommittee on Retirement and Aging, responded to Paul’s rant by asking witness Dana Kraus, a family physician at a federally qualified health center, if she considered herself “a slave.”

I love my job,” she answered. “I chose to work there. I do not consider myself a slave. Thank you.”

Sanders and Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) introduced federal single payer legislation Tuesday184.168.204.1 that would ensure that states implement Medicare-like systems for all residents.

Read the 188 page "American Health Security Act of 2011," that Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced: Medicare like single payer for all Americans! Of course it has no chance of passing, even in the Senate, but at least it will put them all on record. ~ Paul

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Posted on May 12, 2011 by , Reply

The Individual Mandate in the Health Care Bill: Why We Should Trade Broccoli and Asparagus for Hot Dogs and Apple Pie

Evans Liberal Politics
February 5, 2011

 

The Individual Mandate in the Health Care Bill:
Why We Should Trade Broccoli and Asparagus
for Hot Dogs and Apple Pie

The Individual Mandate in the Health Care Bill: Why We Should Trade Broccoli and Asparagus for Hot Dogs and Apple Pie, Robert Reich.org, February 4, 2011, by Robert Reich, used with permission, quoted verbatim:

The Republican vote to repeal the new health care law is purely symbolic. But there’s one provision of the law that Republicans are likely to try to defund, and they may have the public with them on this. It’s the so-called “individual mandate” – the requirement that everyone purchase health insurance, or pay a fine. According to a recent poll, 60 percent of the public opposes it. They just don’t like the idea of government telling them they have to buy something.

The mandate is also particularly vulnerable to legal challenge. So far, two federal judges, one in Virginia and another in Florida, have struck it down. They say the federal government has no more constitutional authority requiring citizens to buy insurance than requiring them to buy and consume broccoli, or asparagus. The Florida judge referred to broccoli; the Virginia judge to asparagus.

Yet the new system can’t work without the individual mandate. Only if everyone buys insurance can insurers afford to cover people with preexisting conditions, or pay the costs of catastrophic diseases.

The curious thing is Americans don’t mind individual mandates when they come in the form of payroll taxes to buy mandatory public insurance. In fact, that’s the system we call Social Security and Medicare, and both are so popular politicians dare not touch them.

And no federal judge has struck down Social Security or Medicare as being unconstitutional requirements that Americans buy something.

Social Security and Medicare aren’t broccoli or asparagus. They’re as American as hot dogs and apple pie.

So if the individual mandate to buy private health insurance gets struck down by the Supreme Court or killed off by Congress, I’d recommend President Obama immediately propose what he should have proposed in the beginning — universal health care based on Medicare for all, financed by payroll taxes.

Robert Reich was the nation’s 22nd Secretary of Labor under Bill Clinton and is Professor of Public Policy at the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California at Berkeley. He has served in three national administrations. In 2008, Time Magazine named him one of the Ten Most Successful Cabinet Members of the century. He has written eleven books, including “The Work of Nations,” which has been translated into 22 languages. His recent book is “Supercapitalism.” For Professor Reich’s book page for Supercaptialism at Amazon, go here. Reich’s newest book, Aftershock: The Next Economy and America’s Future has been released September 21, and is available for ordering at this link (Amazon.com). The above article is from Reich’s new blog, and can be viewed here.

Robert Reich’s commentaries are available for listening to at Publicradio.com. Watch the video Aftershock: The next economy and America’s future (about his new book). Thanks to Professor Reich for permission to publish his articles on an ongoing basis.

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Posted on February 5, 2011 by , Reply

Public support for health care repeal plummets: AP poll

Evans Liberal Politics
January 18, 2011

 

Public support for health care repeal plummets: AP poll

Public support for health care repeal plummets: AP poll, The Raw Story, January 17, 2010, by Sahil Kapur, used with permission, quoted verbatim: Evans Liberal Politics is pleased to partner with The Raw Story to bring you cutting edge news.

Public support for repealing last year’s sweeping health care reform law has fallen dramatically in the aftermath of a shooting rampage in Arizona that critically injured a Democratic congresswoman. Only one in four Americans said they support full repeal of the reforms, according to a newly-released Associated Press-GfK poll, and 30 percent strongly opposed the law, the lowest figure since September 2009.

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The drop is particularly notable among Republicans. Forty-nine percent said they’re against the law, down considerably from 61 percent after the elections.

A survey by Gallup found that on Jan. 7, one day before the shootings, Americans supported repeal by a margin of 46 to 40 percent.

But the nation remains deeply divided over the law. Overall, 40 percent in the AP-GfK poll said they support it, while 41 percent were less than pleased, some of whom thought it doesn’t go far enough.

The shift in public opinion doesn’t appear likely to sway the outcome of a repeal vote slated for this week. The GOP bill, titled “Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act,” is expected to pass comfortably in the House, where Republicans hold a 241-173 majority.

But it’s likely to hit a brick wall in the Democratic-controlled Senate, and President Barack Obama has threatened to veto it if it passes.

Rolling back the measure, enacted last March after a year of bitter controversy and drama, was a dominant Republican campaign pledge in the November midterm elections.

The Republican repeal measure will add $230 billion to the deficit by 2021, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

The reforms ban insurance companies from discriminating against sick patients and those with pre-existing conditions, and employs federal subsidies and an individual mandate to expand coverage. The CBO projects it will cover 32 million Americans by 2019 and reduce the deficit.

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Posted on January 18, 2011 by , 2 comments

Briefing: Dean Baker on Boosting the Economy by Saving Healthcare

Evans Liberal Politics
January 16, 2011

 

Briefing: Dean Baker on Boosting the Economy
by Saving Healthcare

Evans Liberal Politics, January 17, 2011, by guest columnist Jack Smith:

REALITY!!

( Health Care Budget Deficit Calculator — http://www.cepr.net/calculators/hc/hc-calculator.html )

Briefing: Dean Baker
on Boosting the Economy
by Saving Healthcare

START NOW!

As you all know. Had congress passed a government-run robust Public Option CHOICE! available to everyone on day one, our economy and jobs would have taken off like a rocket. And still will.

The message from the midterm elections is clear. The American people want real healthcare reform. They want that individual mandate requiring them to buy private health insurance abolished. And they want a government-run robust public option CHOICE! available to everyone on day one. And they want it now.

They want Drug re-importation, and abolishment, or strong restrictions on patents for biologic and prescription drugs. And government controlled and negotiated drug and medical cost. They want back control of their healthcare system from the Medical Industrial Complex. And they want it NOW!

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL NOT, AND MUST NOT, ALLOW AN INDIVIDUAL MANDATE TO STAND WITHOUT A STRONG GOVERNMENT-RUN PUBLIC OPTION CHOICE! AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE.

For profit health insurance is extremely unethical, and morally repugnant. It’s as morally repugnant as slavery was. And few if any decent Americans are going to allow them-self to be compelled to support such an unethical and immoral crime against humanity.

This is a matter of National and Global security. There can be NO MORE EXCUSES.

Further, we want that corrupt, undemocratic filibuster abolished. Whats the point of an election if one corrupt member of congress can block the will of the people, and any legislation the majority wants. And do it in secret. Give me a break people.

Also, unemployment healthcare benefits are critically needed. But they should be provided through the Medicare program at cost, less the 65% government premium subsidy provided now to private for profit health insurance.

Congress should stop wasting hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer money on private for profit health insurance subsidies. Subsidies that cost the taxpayer 10x as much or more than Medicare does. Private for profit health insurance plans cost more. But provide dangerous and poorer quality patient care.

Republicans: GET RID OF THE INDIVIDUAL MANDATE.

Democrats: ADD A ROBUST GOVERNMENT-RUN PUBLIC OPTION TO HEALTHCARE REFORM.

an empty wheelchair at the bottom of a flight of stairs, with a shining white light above highlights this important article on health care reform

This is what the American people are shouting at you. Both parties have just enough power now to do what the American people want. GET! IT! DONE! NOW!

If congress does not abolish the individual mandate. And establish a government-run public option CHOICE! before the end of 2011. EVERY! member of congress up for reelection in 2012 will face strong progressive pro public option, and anti-individual mandate replacement candidates.

Strong progressive pro “PUBLIC OPTION” CHOICE! and anti-individual mandate volunteer candidates should begin now. And start the process of replacing any and all members of congress that obstruct, or fail to add a government-run robust PUBLIC OPTION CHOICE! before the end of 2011.

We need two or three very strong progressive volunteer candidates for every member of congress that will be up for reelection in 2012. You should be fully prepared to politically EVISCERATE EVERY INCUMBENT that fails or obstructs “THE PUBLIC OPTION”. And you should be willing to step aside and support the strongest pro “PUBLIC OPTION” candidate if the need arises.

ASSUME CONGRESS WILL FAIL and SELLOUT again. So start preparing now to CUT THEIR POLITICAL THROATS. You can always step aside if they succeed. But only if they succeed. We didn’t have much time to prepare before these midterm elections. So the American people had to use a political shotgun approach. But by 2012 you will have a scalpel.

Congress you could have passed a robust government-run public option during your lame duck session. You knew what the American people wanted. You already had several bills on record. And the House had already passed a public option. Departing members could have left with a truly great accomplishment. And the rest of you could have solidified your job before the 2012 elections.

President Obama, you promised the American people a strong public option available to everyone. And the American people overwhelmingly supported you for it. Maybe it just wasn’t possible before. But it is now.

Knock heads. Threaten people. Or do whatever you have to. We will support you. But get us that robust public option CHOICE! available to everyone on day one before the end of 2011. Or We The People Of The United States will make this midterm election look like a cake walk in 2012. And it will include you.

We still have a healthcare crisis in America. With hundreds of thousands dieing needlessly every year in America. And a for profit medical industrial complex that threatens the security and health of the entire world. They have already attacked the world with H1N1 killing thousands, and injuring millions. And more attacks are planned for profit, and to feed their greed.

Spread the word people.

Progressives, prepare the American peoples scalpels. It’s time to remove some politically diseased tissues.

God Bless You my fellow human beings. I’m proud to be one of you. You did good.

See you on the battle field.

Sincerely, Jack Smith – WorkingClass :)

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Posted on January 16, 2011 by , 8 comments

News Video: Judge with Republican Party Ties Strikes Down Key Healthcare Provision on Insurance Mandates

Evans Liberal Politics
December 14, 2010

 

Judge with Republican Party Ties Strikes Down
Key Healthcare Provision on Insurance Mandates

Posted on December 14, 2010 by , 6 comments

Howard Dean: Individual mandate will disappear

Evans Liberal Politics
August 7, 2010

 

Howard Dean: Individual mandate will disappear

 

Howard Dean: Individual mandate will disappear, The Raw Story, August 6, 2010, by Daniel Tencer, used with permission, quoted verbatim:

The individual mandate requiring people to buy health insurance will disappear before health care reform is fully implemented in 2014, Howard Dean said Friday.

Sierra Club

The former Democratic Party chairman and vocal champion of health care reform told MSNBC that “by the time this thing goes into effect in 2014, I think the mandate will be gone either through the courts or because it’s unpopular.”

But Dean said he didn’t see this as a problem, pointing to his own state’s health care reforms in the 1990s, which did not include an individual mandate.

“The mandate’s not essential to the plan anyway,” Dean said. “It never was essential to the plan. They did it in Massachusetts and had a mandate, but we have universal health care for kids in my state [Vermont] without a mandate.”

Host Savannah Guthrie pointed out that the White House has been arguing the mandate is necessary because, without it, people would only purchase health insurance when they get sick, but Dean rejected the notion.

“There will be two or three percent of the people who cheat,” he said. “That is not enough to bring the system to a halt and people don’t like to be told what to do.”

Dean’s comments come in the wake of a Virginia judge’s decision earlier this week to allow a constitutional challenge to the individual mandate to go ahead. Legislators in at least 38 states have proposed measures to curb the federal health reform law, with many of the proposals focusing on the individual mandate.

But Dean’s argument that the mandate is unnecessary was challenged by Ian Millhiser, a policy analyst at the Center for American Progress. Responding to Dean’s comments, Millhiser said Dean was wrong that the lack of an individual mandate wouldn’t affect insurance premiums.

Quoting MIT economist and CAP contributor Jonathan Gruber, Millhiser argued that not having an individual mandate would mean people who aren’t sick would see buying health care as a “bad deal” and would wait until they got sick. That, in turn would result in fewer people carrying coverage and higher premiums for those who do. Millhiser wrote:

Seven states attempted to ban preexisting conditions discrimination without also requiring everyone to carry a minimum level of coverage, and all of them saw their premiums skyrocket. According to a scholarly study of Vermont’s health plan, Vermont’s premiums shot up after it enacted a ban on preexisting conditions discrimination but no mandate in 1993. Between 1994 and 1996, most of the country only experienced single-digit increases in its insurance costs. In Vermont, however, average premiums increased by 16 percent during this same two year period.

In Massachusetts, the one state to enact a minimum coverage provision along with its ban on discrimination, the numbers are very different. There, individual premiums fell a massive 40 percent in the years after Massachusetts’ minimum coverage law went into effect, while the rest of the nation experienced a 14 percent increase.

Millhiser also argues that the courts may not strike down the individual mandate. If the courts see the issue as being a case of eliminating discrimination against the sick (by forcing insurers to cover them), they could give the government broad leeway to apply the policy in an effective way — including an individual mandate, Millhiser writes.

Howard Dean Criticizes the Individual Mandate:


photo thumbnail of Howard Dean criticizing the individual mandate in US health insurance and noting that in Massachusetts the universal coverage does fine without any mandate "Howard Dean criticizes the individual mandate," noting that Massachusetts does fine in offering universal coverage without any individual mandate. – from MSNBC’s The Daily Rundown — 2:16

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Posted on August 7, 2010 by , 7 comments

Health Care – “Rationing by Inconvenience”

Evans Liberal Politics
August 7, 2010

 

Health Care – “Rationing by Inconvenience”

 

Originally Published As:
Immigrants’ Experience with Publicly Funded
Private Health Insurance

 

Immigrants’ Experience with Publicly Funded Private Health Insurance, New England Journal of Medicine, August 5, 2010, by Ruth Hertzman-Miller M.D., M.P.H., Malgorzata Dawiskiba M.D., Cassie Frank M.D., and Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA, quoted verbatim in the public interest:

On October 31, 2009, Massachusetts involuntarily transferred about 30,000 legal immigrants (mostly “green card” holders) from Commonwealth Care, the state-subsidized insurance program, to a new private insurance plan. CeltiCare, a subsidiary of the out-of-state, for-profit insurer Centene, agreed to take over their care for only $1,300 per person, one third of the state’s previous cost and well below the average cost of adequate care nationally. CeltiCare excluded several hospitals (and their affiliated community health centers) that have traditionally provided safety-net care for immigrants, including Boston Medical Center and Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA), where we work.

an empty wheelchair sitting at the base of a flight of stairs with a white light shining at the top of the stairs is a topical picture in this story in support of public health care for all

We used internal hospital data to determine the characteristics of patients who were transferred to CeltiCare and who had formerly received their primary care at CHA. A total of 1325 patients who had visited a primary care provider at CHA during the past year were moved to CeltiCare. Of these patients, 73% speak a primary language other than English, including Portuguese (24%), Spanish (20%), and Haitian Creole (9%); 19% have hypertension, and 10% have diabetes mellitus. A psychiatric disorder has been diagnosed in at least 9%.

We then evaluated the adequacy of the provider network for these patients. During the second and third months after the switch to CeltiCare, we searched CeltiCare’s Web site for primary care providers within 5 miles of CHA’s ZIP Code. The search returned 326 providers, of whom 217 were nonduplicate adult generalists. Of these providers, 25% could not be reached at the telephone number provided. Of those available by telephone, only 37% were actually accepting new CeltiCare patients, and the average wait for an appointment was 33 days. In all, only 60 providers were accepting new CeltiCare patients, and only 38 could provide service for even one of the three major linguistic minorities.

Given these findings, we believe that patients who were switched from Commonwealth Care to CeltiCare had inadequate access to primary care 3 months into this new program. We fear that such “rationing by inconvenience” shuts patients out of care to the detriment of their health but to the benefit of CeltiCare’s bottom line. Policymakers, in Massachusetts and nationally, should reassess the role of profit-driven insurers in the provision of safety-net care.

Email author Ruth Hertzman-Miller.

Comment by Evans Liberal Politics owner Paul Evans: So the state saves two-thirds on its costs, and IF the patients can now get care, they wait an average of 33 days for an appointment. Ain’t private enterprise great! Doesn’t it make a WHOLE lot of sense to go ahead and privatize everything now? Of COURSE CeltiCare is still making a profit. How? Their patients just don’t get seen. Zero expenses, right? It can be a cruel world if you are on Medicaid, but the people really suffering are the grandmothers who must now come up with the extra $50 or $75 a month to purchase some kind of private insurance even if it has a huge deductable. Or else pay 2 percent of their income in fines. Single Payer Now!

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Posted on August 7, 2010 by , 17 comments
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