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The Problems with ObamaCare
We have rocket scientists running Congress. According to Ace of Spades, Congress has voted to terminate their own health insurance and will not receive a replacement until 2014. This session of Congress has certainly brought out who’s who among the morons and it also goes to show that they did not read the bill fully to comprehend what they were going to do to the American public and even themselves.
In a recent New York Times article, the Congressional Research Service says there will be consequences to not just the coverage received by members of Congress, but to their staffers as well.
For example, it says, the law may “remove members of Congress and Congressional staff” from their current coverage, in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, before any alternatives are available.
The confusion raises the inevitable question: If they did not know exactly what they were doing to themselves, did lawmakers who wrote and passed the bill fully grasp the details of how it would influence the lives of other Americans?
The law promises that people can keep coverage they like, largely unchanged. For members of Congress and their aides, the federal employees health program offers much to like. But, the report says, the men and women who wrote the law may find that the guarantee of stability does not apply to them.
“It is unclear whether members of Congress and Congressional staff who are currently participating in F.E.H.B.P. may be able to retain this coverage,” the research service said in an 8,100-word memorandum.
…
The law apparently bars members of Congress from the federal employees health program, on the assumption that lawmakers should join many of their constituents in getting coverage through new state-based markets known as insurance exchanges.
But the research service found that this provision was written in an imprecise, confusing way, so it is not clear when it takes effect.
The new exchanges do not have to be in operation until 2014. But because of a possible “drafting error,” the report says, Congress did not specify an effective date for the section excluding lawmakers from the existing program.
Perhaps, members of Congress should lose their cadillac plans, as it will help them to realize the impact of their votes for government-run health care on the American people. In the meantime, we can only laugh at their stupidity.
Potential Haymarket Hospital Site Poses Traffic Problems
At a public hearing last night in Haymarket, the Health Services Agency of Northern Virginia (HSANV) listened to two different proposals for building a hospital in Western Prince William County. Both Prince William Hospital System (which merged with Novant Health) and Sentara introduced their building proposals to the agency, and the public chimed in for their support on either site. The need for a hospital facility has increased over the years due to increased population growth (the senior population is also growing exponentially as well) in the Haymarket/Gainesville area. Currently, it takes anywhere between 30-45 minutes to get to Prince William Hospital in Manassas, which also adds to the urgency of this facility.
The proposals are based at different sites. Prince William Hospital System plans to build a hospital on the site of the Heathcote Medical Center, which is at the intersections of Routes 15 and 66. It is a site that has already been approved for zoning by Prince William County. This hospital is proposed to have 60 private rooms, 24-hour Emergency Department, Surgical Operating Rooms, ICU, and will bring 400 new jobs to the area.
Sentara Healthcare, a non-profit hospital company based in the Tidewater area, recently acquired Potomac Hospital in 2009, is planning to build their hospital right across the street from Jiffy Lube Live. The site would be located off of Wellington Road. The site has not been approved for zoning by Prince William County, as a previous housing development (Brookfield Homes) was going to build on the site, previously owned by Atlantic Research Corporation. This site was deemed unsafe due to the toxic chemicals left behind on the site by the Environmental Protection Agency. The costs for Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) remediation will exceed millions of dollars before zoning could be approved.
Aside from the environmental problems, there would be increased traffic issues. Being across the street from Jiffy Lube Live would pose many transportation woes, as traffic is often at a stand still due to concerts being held six months out of the year. Noise from the concerts will also pose problems, as the proposed site is planned to be built facing the loudest side of the concert venue. This would pose obstacles for surgeons focusing on procedures, in addition to detracting from the patient’s quality of care.
While both hospitals introduced their proposals to the committee, one thing did stick out. Sentara seemed ill prepared to answer the questions on why they selected the site. When asked how they would address the issues posed by the facility, the questions were left unanswered.
HSANV heard testimonies from community leaders, such as Del. Jackson Miller (R-50), Prince William County Sheriff Glendell Hill, Gainesville District Supervisor, John Stirrup, and Manassas Mayor Harry Parrish II. All of these leaders spoke in favor of the Prince William Hospital System site, as there is a great need for the expansion of a hospital that has committed itself to the Prince William County community for 45 years.
In an interview with CCC, Miller mentioned the quality services and commitment of Prince William Hospital System in the Haymarket community. Miller represents the 50th House District, which includes Prince William Hospital System’s main campus in Manassas.
When asked about the problems posed by the Sentara site, Miller mentioned three key issues that stand as a barrier in their site. First, with the close proximity of the Jiffy Lube Live site and a railroad line, traffic would be extremely problematic. The second issue is the noise pollution. As mentioned, the hospital site is on the loudest side of the venue, along with a nearby railroad line, would make noise levels almost unbearable. Prince William County Police receive numerous complaints from residents miles away from the venue due to the excessive noise. Lastly, the environmental quality in the area poses problems for the site. Miller mentioned that Sentara’s site has not been approved for zoning, and it is uncertain how much remediation would need to be done for the site to meet DEQ standards. It could cost millions of dollars.
When asked if the General Assembly plans to intervene if the Sentara site is approved, Miller mentioned that he has no interest in intervening with the commission’s approval process.
Miller reiterated his support for the Prince William Health System/Novant Health site, as it is located on a better site approved for zoning. Miller talked about Prince William Health System’s commitment to the Western Prince William County community, and it’s commitment to advancing quality services in the Haymarket area.
There will be future posts focusing on the developments of a future hospital site in Haymarket. While both Prince William/Novant and Sentara Healthcare offer the promises of new employment opportunities and providing quality health services, Prince William holds the advantage over the Hampton Roads-based Sentara. In the meantime, Alan Moore at Bearing Drift has another interesting perspective to add to the proposed hospital.
Public Option will be back…
Public option legislation will be introduced, and it might be as soon as next year. This is according to Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.). This strikes me as interesting, especially since there was a public uprising against this component of the health care legislation. I guess I should not be surprised, since the Democrats in Congress will not stop at anything until the federal government gets complete control over health care.
H/T to West Virginia Watchdog
The Wrong Prescription for America
Guest Post by Congressman Bob Goodlatte
Just days ago President Obama signed into law sweeping health care reform legislation pushed by Congressional Democrats that will dramatically impact every family, taxpayer and small business in America. As I have said time and time again, this monstrosity, which I voted against, amounts to a big government takeover of our health care system – one that will lead to fewer choices, higher prices and rationed care. Furthermore, the bill creates more than 159 new government agencies and programs at a cost of well over $2.5 trillion.
Almost immediately after the misguided legislation was passed by the Congress, states Attorneys General began filing lawsuits against the federal government. The health care reform law includes $17 billion in new taxes on Americans who do not purchase health insurance. So far over a dozen states, including Virginia, have filed suit claiming that this individual insurance mandate is unconstitutional. Never before in the history of our country has a tax been levied on individual Americans by their government with the purpose of forcing them to do something the government wants them to do. I applaud these states for taking action and I have cosponsored legislation which would prohibit funding for the implementation or enforcement of the individual health insurance mandate. All Americans should be worried anytime the federal government tries to trample on or ignore our Constitution and in fact a recent CBS news poll shows that 62 percent of Americans believe that lawmakers should continue to challenge the government takeover of health care.
In addition to mandating that folks have health insurance, the government-run plan included in the law, will force millions out of the coverage they currently have. In fact, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated that 8-9 million people will be dumped from their employer sponsored coverage. In addition, the legislation imposes new taxes on medical devices, such as wheelchairs, and on health insurance plans, which will be passed directly on to patients in the form of higher health care costs.
To pay for this massive new government expansion, the legislation contains a total of $569 billion in devastating new tax increases imposed on individuals and small businesses. This will result in millions of lost jobs as small businesses are forced to take money from salaries to pay new taxes. In addition, the legislation would cut Medicare for our nation’s seniors by over $500 billion.
These are some of the most troubling provisions of the new health care reform law and that is why I have cosponsored several bills that would repeal this new law in its entirety. Rather than dictating medical decisions from Washington, we should be concentrating our efforts on making premiums more affordable for all Americans and giving them the freedom to choose the plan that best fits their needs. While we can all agree that our current health care system needs to be reformed, the new health care law was not the right way to do it which is why we must repeal it and replace it with commonsense measures that expands access and choices while lowering costs.
To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.
Schoolhouse Rock on the Legislative Process
Unfortunately, it is time for Schoolhouse Rock to revise their song, “I’m Just a Bill,” especially after last weekend.
Humor: The Best Medicine to Survive ObamaCare
Since the recent passage of President Obama’s health care legislation, one can only imagine the great upheaval surrounding its passage and signing into law. Things have only begun to get serious with various threats to our elected officials, which are unnecessary, unacceptable and should be condemned.
Despite all of this, can we at least find our sense of humor with the President and Congress’s health care plan? After all, the late night comedians are having a field day with Obama and Congress for passing this monstrosity. Now, here for your laugh of the day. MAD Magazine has two front covers for laugh value. One cover shows how most Obama supporters are feeling.
The other cover allows for another laugh…how Obama has been coping in the Oval Office.
H/T The Politico
I don’t know about you, but can we at least laugh while we can…you never know when there will be a ban against our right to laugh.
Governor McDonnell Signs Virginia Health Care Freedom Act Legislation
Governor Bob McDonnell signed Virginia’s health care freedom act today, joined by Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and members of the General Assembly. This legislation will allow Virginians to choose whether or not to have health care coverage and will challenge President Obama’s health care laws. Below are McDonnell’s statements about the legislation:
Speaking about the Virginia Healthcare Freedom Act, Governor McDonnell noted, “We all agree that we must expand access to quality health care and reduce costs for all Virginians. However, that should not be accomplished through an unprecedented federal mandate on individuals that we believe violates the U.S. Constitution. The Virginia Healthcare Freedom Act sets as the policy of the Commonwealth that no individual, with several specific exceptions, can be required to purchase health insurance coverage. The Act was passed with bipartisan support, in sharp contrast to the narrow straight line partisan vote that enacted the federal health care bill on Sunday night. Virginia’s Healthcare Freedom Act received the votes of leading Democratic Senators, as well as the Democratic House Minority Leader. It was an important step to sign this bipartisan legislation today.”
The Governor continued, “The states have long been leaders in identifying and implementing innovative policies to expand access to, and improve the affordability of, healthcare coverage. Virginia will continue to play that important role. We will do this through promoting incentives for the purchase of long term care and individual medical savings accounts, focusing on preventative health and combating obesity, studying our medical delivery systems with the objective of reforming them to work better for our citizens, expanding free clinics and aggressively finding new ways to reduce the cost of our Medicaid system, which has already grown 1600% in the past 25 years. There are fiscally responsible ways by which we can reform healthcare and expand quality coverage that do not involve the forcing of unfunded and unprecedented mandates onto individuals and states, and the unsustainable growing of our national debt.”
Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who was present at the event said:
“Virginians spoke loudly and clearly in rallies, in town halls, and at the ballot box about their opposition to the new federal health care law. The governor and both Democrats and Republicans in the General Assembly heard them, and as a result, the Virginia Health Care Freedom Act is being signed today.”
The Attorney General added, “The traditional role of the attorney general is to defend Virginia’s laws. It is now my job to vigorously defend this law from the federal government’s overreach of the Constitution and its attempted encroachment on the rights of Virginians. That is my mandate, and that is my promise to our citizens.”
McDonnell signed four health care freedom bills into law: HB 10, SB 417, SB 283, and SB 311.
Health Care Aftermath
Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed health care reform legislation (219-212) that will dramatically impact Americans, especially those receiving public assistance in Virginia. Aside from Congress’s actions to rob the American people of their liberty to choose whether or not to be enrolled in a health insurance plan, there is no doubt that negative ramifications and aftershocks will occur in the days ahead, particularly if President Obama signs the bill into law.
Let’s take some insight into what the health care reform proposals will entail. Brian over at Too Conservative has a great post detailing what the new health care legislation will do over time, while The Wall Street Journal offers a glimpse into each of the proposals that were at one point on the table.
Meanwhile, others have weighed on the health care legislation. Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) released the following statement:
“For nearly a year now the American people have rejected the Democrats’ health care proposals. They have sent letters and e-mails, made phone calls, attended town hall meetings and come to Washington to rally at the Capitol. Their message has been simple and consistent: We don’t want a government takeover of our health care system.
With complete and total disregard for the will of the American people, House Democrats pushed through their health care legislation, which is defined by federal regulations, mandates, a myriad of new big government programs, and a significant increase in federal spending and debt at a cost to our country too high to bear. This legislation, which I voted against, gives Washington bureaucrats ultimate control over what is best for you and your family – deciding when and what treatment you can receive.
I know Americans are frustrated by rising health care costs, and that is why we in Congress must work in a bipartisan way to cut health insurance costs and make health care better, more available, and more affordable for all Americans. Unfortunately, the only thing bipartisan about the health care bill that passed the House tonight is the strong bipartisan opposition to the bill. It raises taxes, raises health care costs, adds to our national debt, and hurts America’s seniors, families and small businesses.
Specifically, the Democrats’ health care bill includes $569 billion in new taxes and over a trillion dollars in new government spending. This includes $52 billion in new taxes on employers, including small businesses, that cannot afford to provide health coverage or that don’t offer coverage. The effect of this type of tax, similar to a payroll tax increase, would ultimately fall squarely on workers in the form of lower wages or reduced employment. Additionally, the legislation includes $17 billion in new taxes on Americans who do not comply with the individual insurance mandate which is sure to further stifle economic growth.
Additionally, the Democrats’ health care bill includes $523 billion in Medicare cuts, including $200 billion in cuts to the popular Medicare Advantage program which will hurt millions of seniors.
It’s your job to make health care decisions for your family. The government’s job is to ensure you have access to affordable alternatives and then get out of the way. That is why I strongly support the Republican alternative that would empower patients with choices, make high quality coverage more affordable, and protect and preserve the doctor-patient relationship. Unlike the Democrats’ plan, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has confirmed that the plan offered by House Republicans will lower premiums by up to 10 percent and reduce the deficit by $68 billion over 10 years, all without imposing tax increases on families and small businesses and while improving the quality of your health care. It allows for the purchase of health insurance across state lines, allows individuals and small businesses to join large pools to get more competitive rates, provides tort reform to cut down the high cost of defensive medicine, allows full tax deductibility of health insurance premiums, portability of health insurance and protection against pre-existing condition exclusions. This legislation, that I support, focuses on strategies that help Americans obtain the best quality health care at the least cost, and ensures that the government fosters increased access to quality care based on individual choice, not by taking away choices from people on the grounds that government knows best.”
RPV Chairman Pat Mullins released the following statement in response to the House Health Care vote:
“Let me be perfectly clear. The action taken in Congress tonight will forever alter the size and scope of our Federal government. The legislation that the Obama/Pelosi Democrats forced on the American people tonight will bury our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in mountains of debt,” Mullins said. “Bureaucrats in Washington D.C. will now know better than you and your doctor what medical treatments you need. And our federal government will become more entwined with our daily lives than our founding fathers could have ever imagined.”
“Ultimately, Congressmen Gerry Connolly and Tom Perriello cast the deciding votes on this legislation. They had the opportunity not once, but twice, to stand up and listen to their constituents, but each time they choose to stand with their party bosses,” he said. “They had the power to stop this monstrosity, but they chose not to act.”
“While Congressmen Connolly and Perriello may have cast tonight’s decisive votes to allow for the federal takeover of our healthcare system, it was Senators Mark Warner and Jim Webb who cast the deciding votes in the Senate in the dead of night on Christmas Eve that made today’s legislative fiasco possible. Had either Senators Warner or Webb listened to the people of Virginia, we wouldn’t be here tonight. They too will ultimately be held responsible for the actions that took place in Congress today.”
“In one fell swoop, Congressmen Connolly and Perriello, along with Senators Warner and Webb have:
• Put Virginia taxpayers on the hook for sweetheart deals in Nebraska, Louisiana, Florida, Hawaii and others.
• Raised taxes by nearly $1 trillion on individuals and businesses, including the first ever tax on simply being alive.
• Turned the IRS into the national health insurance police.
• Levied a huge unfunded mandate onto Virginia and other states that will either require tax increases or cuts to core services like education and public safety.
• Made it highly likely that dozens of states will pull out of the federal Medicaid program.
• Set the stage for either crippling levels of deficit spending, or the collapse of Medicare as we know it.“Thousands of Virginians called their member of Congress, Senator Warner, and Senator Webb, emailed them, faxed them, attended town hall meetings, met privately with them, traveled to Washington D.C. and voiced their opposition to this legislation,” he said. “Despite all of their efforts, they could not force Congressmen Connolly and Perriello and Senators Warner and Webb to vote for the will of the people.”
“Unfortunately, Congressmen Connolly and Perriello, Senators Warner and Webb have made their choice and the people of Virginia will have to deal with the consequences,” he said. “While the people of Virginia may not have been heard tonight, I can guarantee you that they will be heard this November when Congressmen Connolly and Perriello become one-term Members of Congress.”
Lastly, Governor Bob McDonnell released a statement on the House Health Care vote:
“Expanding access to reasonably priced quality healthcare is a bipartisan goal. We all agree that we must make it easier for Americans to purchase and retain health insurance.
However, this massive and complex piece of legislation allows the federal government to exercise control over one-sixth of the United States economy. The continued intrusion of this Congress into the free enterprise system, and the placing of new mandates on states, is shocking to the American system of federalism. Most disconcerting is the provision mandating that every American must purchase health insurance or face a monetary penalty. This is an unprecedented expansion of federal power. It is hard to imagine our Founder’s agreeing that the United States Constitution permits Congress to mandate the purchase of a good or service under penalty of law. Just a few days ago I approved a bill, passed on a bipartisan basis, which prohibits mandatory insurance purchases for Virginians. Virginia’s Attorney General has rightly chosen to challenge the constitutionality of the federal mandate. I anticipate that he will be joined by a number of other states. The issues raised by Attorney General Cuccinelli require a full and prompt review by the judicial branch.
While individuals face a mandate in this legislation, so too do the states. The proposed expansion of Medicaid is an historic unfunded federal mandate on the states. This expansion will put at least 400,000 more individuals on Virginia’s Medicaid rolls. The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services has estimated that it will cost the Commonwealth an additional $1.1 billion by 2022. Virginia, and the other 49 states, will bear the financial burden of one of the biggest unfunded mandates in the history of our nation. This will have a significant and unavoidable impact on the bottom line of our state budget, and the general fiscal welfare of Virginia. We simply cannot afford this expansion.
The bill will cut over $500 billion from Medicare, and may reduce the quality of the care our seniors depend upon. The Medicare system is already underfunded and overburdened. This legislation only exacerbates the problems facing the system.
This legislation will raise taxes on individuals and businesses. Our small business owners, who generate nearly 98% of the new jobs in Virginia, will see their taxes go up. This will occur at the same time that federal tax cuts from the early part of last decade expire. We will face significantly higher federal taxes at a time when we need to be keeping taxes low and freeing capital for job creation and economic development. It can also be anticipated that Virginians’ insurance premiums will increase in the years ahead after passage of this legislation.
I am further disappointed that a bill so massive in size is so limited in its approach. Congressional Republicans were right to call for allowing the purchase of health insurance across state lines, and this provision should have been included in the bill.
States have long been leaders in the effort to identify and implement innovative healthcare solutions. Regardless of the future of this legislation, we must continue to play that important role in our federal system. In Virginia we will promote incentives for the purchase of long term care, and promote individual medical savings accounts. We will focus on preventative health and combating obesity. We will study our medical delivery systems with the objective of reforming them to work better for our citizens. Free clinics are an important piece of the coverage equation, and I will look for ways by which the Commonwealth can help with the expansion of these important facilities. We will be aggressive in finding every way by which we can reduce the cost of our Medicaid system, which has already grown 1600% in the past 25 years. It is unsustainable.
Every American should have the opportunity to purchase good quality healthcare coverage. But we will not improve our healthcare system by implementing a massive one-size fits all federal policy that dramatically increases the deficit, puts unprecedented mandates on states and individuals, and jeopardizes the good coverage most citizens already have. I am disappointed in the passage of this bill, and I thank the bipartisan majority of Virginia’s congressional delegation for voting against it.”
The aftermath is far from over. If this is signed into law, there will be several challenges in the judicial system in regards to the unconstitutional nature of the legislation. Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli is one who is prepared to file the case that very day. Right now, it is a wait and see period to see if the U.S. Senate will follow suit in passing this detrimental legislation that violates the liberty to choose health care (a privilege…not a guarantee) coverage.
