Obama headed to Iowa after The House passes Health Care bill

You may find the following Monday, March 22, 2010 article was published in The Washington Post. titled, "A look at the health care overhaul bill" of interest.

The Public Interest Institute suggests the following on the ideology of reform, read: "Let the Market Work, Government Won't."

President Obama heading to Iowa City to promote Health Care Reform.

Obama To Speak About Health Care In Iowa City‎ - WCCO - Mike Glover
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) ― President Barack Obama will speak about health care Thursday in Iowa City, marking passage of the historic legislation by returning ...

As National Write Your Congressman Reports on Monday, March 22, 2010 ...

Health Care Overhaul Bill: Democratic leaders in the House have promoted legislation designed to remake the nation's health care system. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) posted a preliminary $940 billion cost estimate for the bill. President Obama canceled a planned trip to Asia to help push through the legislation. The House voted and passed the health care package on Sunday, March 21, with floor action to follow in the Senate as early as this week.Republicans were thwarted in a bid to bar Democrats from using a rule that allowed them to clear the Senate-passed health care overhaul and to pass a reconciliation bill after making changes to that measure. (H.R.4872)

Budget Math Hinders Health Care Bill: House Democrats had difficulties crafting a final health care bill that would achieve a five-year deficit reduction of more than $100 billion. The problem delayed what party leaders hope will be a final vote on the measure to Sunday.Under the little-known rules for budget reconciliation, a bill passed through the expedited parliamentary process must produce a greater deficit reduction than the legislation it amends. Since the Senate health care bill would produce $104 billion in deficit savings in its first five years, according to the CBO, the final bill — which will include changes to the Senate bill — must provide more savings. (H.R.3590) (H.R.2847)

Hammering home reform - The Economist
Barack Obama’s health reforms cross the most important threshold

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The Run Away Train that is our Government in America

Our governments at the Local, State and Fedaral levels have certainly lost their way.

An interesting article in 2009 was the article titled Earning, Saving and Giving: Have We Lost Our Way? by Ken Washer, DBA, CFA Associate Professor of Finance at Creighton University.

Further, the Wall Street Journal on Saturday, January 2, 2010 published an article The States and the Stimulus. The story points out how a supposed boon has become a fiscal burden for states. The State of Iowa is certainly a part of that mess, when in 2007-2009 the majority party in both houses, the Democrats, and Governor Chet Culver rode the supposed boon.

Local articles on the local concerns in the State of Iowa ...

12 questions that will shape Siouxland - Sioux City Journal
Facing a likely reduction in funding from the state, district officials will have to get creative. Last year, federal stimulus funds came to the rescue. ...
More budget woes ahead - TheReporter.com - Judy Lin
The stimulus funding and temporary taxes will begin to end at the end of 2010, leaving less revenue for the second half of the fiscal year that will begin ...

The challenges in Sioux City will not be much different for communities like Cedar Rapids and others throughout the State of Iowa. The second article is about the State of California and while the State of Iowa doesn't face the same woes as California, we face the same problem as Wall Street Journal article pointed out.

Unlike Nebraska and the promises given to Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE), how will the State of Iowa fare in Health Care Reform? As a 100% rural state, whether we want to admit it or not, Cedar Rapids by Federal Standards is rural, and would be urban, if over 500,000 people. The impact in the past on Federal programs, including Flood Recovery, has been challenging for rural states.

An article worth a look was supplied by a friend this weekend. It's on Heath Care Reform ...

“VIP” Treatment Under Nationalized Health Care - Hot Air (blog)

Really, the discussion in Washington D.C. is really a topic of National Heath Care Insurance Reform. Is it really Health Care Reform that will push toward encouraging and implementing programs to make all Americans healthier ... nope!

Health care reform – one physician's view - San Diego Union Tribune - Eileen Natuzzi
When the Senate voted for the third time to pass what it calls “sweeping health care reform,” the media splashed it out. ...

Mines dot health bills: Public option among concerns for business - Crain's Detroit Business - Jay Greene
Health care and business leaders in Southeast Michigan have mixed reactions to a 2700-page health care reform bill approved Christmas Eve by ...

"The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has said the $871 billion cost of the bill would reduce the future federal budget deficits by $132 billion between 2010 and 2019." Of course, look at government's expectations in the past with Medicare when it was unveiled and the costs that came about. Further, look at our State Budgets today, when everything was a supposed boon, but it turned about to be a bust.

Prudence is needed today more than ever ...

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As we approach Thanksgiving, what's news around our community in Cedar Rapids and otherwise?

Congratulations to Ms. Running-Marquardt in her victory tonight ...

• In the special election held on November 24Th in State House District 33, first time candidate Kirsten Running-Marquardt has filled the opening left by Dick Taylor retirement in precincts 1-11 in Cedar Rapids. Running-Marquardt beat first time candidate Josh Thurston 78% to 22% in the largely Democrat district.

The City of Cedar Rapids is looking to establish a neighborhood center that will be used by all neighborhood associations? Doesn't that seem a little odd? Why would one location be used by multiple neighborhood assocations in a City the size of 126K?

City Council awards CR Neighborhoods a $100k grant - The Gazette

... the $100,000 grant to establish a neighborhood center to be used by all the neighborhood associations. Half of the grant money will be used for a grant researcher and writer who will work to find funding for the neighborhood center on an ongoing basis.

Will it work to expand mass transit use in the City of Cedar Rapids?

Proposed changes to city bus system could attract more riders - The Gazette

Proposed changes to the Cedar Rapids transit system would streamline the city’s bus routes and make it easier to reach more parts of town directly...

Preferential treatment in City parking ramps for those who drive Green vehicles ...

Efficient cars will get best parking in C.R. parking ramps - The Gazette

Drivers of hybrid, alternative-fuel or zero-emission vehicles will get the best parking spots in the city’s Fourth Avenue and Third Avenue parking ramps.The preferential treatment to encourage the use of energy-efficient vehicles likely will be adopted for other downtown parking ramps as well, said Sandy Pumphrey, a civil engineer in the city’s Public Works Department. Pumphrey said the special parking designation might be just the thing to persuade a family to drive the hybrid car downtown for dinner ...

Time to turn to national issues ...

Is the Federal Government really getting it right on the subject of Health Care Reform?

Morning Bell: The Obamacare Rationing Threat To Your Mammograms - Heritage Foundation

Last week, the United States Preventive Services Task Force issued new
guidelines recommending that women in their 40s no longer have annual
mammograms and that women ages 50 to 74 have them only every other year, instead of annually. The recommendations were highly controversial, and by week’s end most health insurers and the federal Medicare program said they would ignore the panel’s recommendation and continue covering annual mammograms. This is as it should be: the federal government collects information and makes recommendations, and Americans are then free to consult their health care providers, ignoring the government if they so choose. The problem is that Obamacare would forever change this...
relationship...

Critics See Health Care Rationing Behind New Mammography ... ‎ - Fox News
"Is this just a way to start cutting costs for government-run health care?" she asked. Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said the new guidelines may discourage a ...

GOP decries 'rationing' on eve of health vote ‎ - Washington Times
Obamacare: 60 Minutes Propaganda Piece Paving the Way for Health ... ‎ - First Things

The Senate returns the week of Nov. 30Th, after Thanksgiving to hit the Health Care discussion hard. If you are concerned about Health Care Reform, this is the time to let your Senators know your feelings.

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Tough Saturday for Iowans: The Hawkeyes lose first game of season, while later HR 3200 passes U.S. House, ouch!

Iowa 10

Northwestern 17

Final

The Hawkeyes lose four turnovers in the second quarter and QB Ricky Stanzi to injury to eventually fall to the Wildcats 10-17 at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday. The beginning looked good, as Iowa opened up with a 10-0 lead. But, instead of taking what the defense would give, short passes, the Hawkeyes were forced to punt, then turned the ball over, and eventually allowed Northwestern to take full control of the game with ball control, field position and mistakes by the Hawkeyes.

‘Cost us a TD and a QB’ - The Gazette

IOWA CITY — On Ricky Stanzi’s right, Iowa had a tackle, tight end and an H-back. Then, the ball was snapped...

Cidsports: Sadly, the tight end and H-Back may have gave away the play with the
pre-snap conversation!

Northwestern 17, Iowa 10: The Fifth Quarter - DesMoinesRegister.com
Iowa players said after Saturday's 17-10 loss that the redshirt freshman from Keokuk had few to no game reps with the No. 1 offense. On the bright side, ...
Final: Northwestern 17, Iowa 10 - ESPN
Big Ten: Iowa's perfect season ruined by Northwestern - Los Angeles Times
Northwestern topples No. 8 Iowa 17-10 - Chicago Tribune

Later on Saturday, the U.S. House passed a revised H.R. 3200 by a vote of "220 to 215 vote on HR 3962, Affordable Health Care for America Act, was taken late Saturday evening, and fell largely along party lines, although 39 Democrats voted no and one Republican – Rep. Joseph Cao of Louisiana – voted yes, according to C-SPAN."

The country has been hit by a “difficult economic shock” over the last year.
He said huge government spending efforts like the stimulus bill haven't helped,
and said the government was on an “unsustainable” course - Rep. John
Boehner (R-Ohio), the House minority leader

House passes health care reform bill Saturday - Lake County News - Elizabeth Larson
A summary of HR 3962 provided by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce states that HR 3962 would include sliding scale affordability credits, ...

When the smoke cleared last night in the House of Representatives, the score
was Speaker Pelosi 220 and the American People 215 - The Examiner

President lies and Pelosi swears to it. Illegal aliens get benefits in ... - The Examiner
It is also worth noting that in its preliminary score of HR 3200, CBO found that in 2019 there would be “about 17 million nonelderly residents uninsured ...

In its preliminary score of H.R. 3962, the Congressional Budget Office noted
that, in 2019 there would be “about 18 million nonelderly residents uninsured
(nearly one third of whom would be unauthorized immigrants).” Thus, unless the
number of illegal immigrants is projected to be fewer than 6 million individuals
in 2019—nearly half the illegal immigrants currently estimated to be in the
U.S.—the CBO score presumes illegals would have health coverage, raising further
questions as to whether or not said coverage would be taxpayer-funded - The
Examiner

Iowans in the Second District re-elected Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa) in November 2008. He was among the 220 House members who vote for the bill. His opponent in November 2008, Dr. Marrianette Miller-Meeks does not support this type of Health Care Reform. Dr. Miller-Meeks has been busy at Tea Parties and at Health Care Forums discussing how health care reform should be shaped.

Loebsack pleased with vote on health care bill - Burlington Hawk Eye
"A lot of things, we've actually improved since it was (the earlier) HR 3200." Among the improvements are the provisions Loebsack and his fellow Iowa ...

Tough Saturday for Hawkeye fans and those concerned about the direction Health Care Reform is taking in Washington D.C. QB Ricky Stanzi joins RB Adam Robinson and OL Dace Richardson with ankle injuries and likely the rehab room for the rest of the regular season.

The Hawkeyes will face a tough road in Columbus next Saturday for the Big Ten title and the right to represent the Big Ten Conference in the Rose Bowl.

On the Health Care Reform front, taxpayers and Americans will face a tough battle as the Health Care debate moves the U.S. Senate, where hopefully long-term impact and fallout from the House plan will be thoughtfully debated and overturned.

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Happy All Saints' Day: It's November 1, 2009

Per the Gazette, 23% of the public 'Don't know/no answer' who they would vote for on the November 3, 2009 Municipal Election in the City of Cedar Rapids. More on the story titled:
Poll: Corbett leads Fagan in Cedar Rapids mayoral race - The Gazette

The City of Cedar Rapids has an interesting election on Tuesday. Will the voters support candidate Brian Fagan, who is lock, stock and barrel with City Manger Jim Prosser or will they go with a new direction, candidate Ron Corbett? Mr. Prosser is a proponent of the Carver Governance Model, which Fagan has taken too, as well. James Prosser - Lyle, IL - KCRG-TV
Mr. Prosser came from a consultants position to become our City's first city manager and he has been a strong proponent in the use of consultants in the roughly 3-1/3 years he has been in Cedar Rapids.

In the District 3 council race, The Gazette has an article titled Opponents decry McGrane’s District 3 campaign flier. It's certainly interesting to see an incumbent who is At-Large step down and face an incumbent in a District race. That is exactly what is happening as incumbent District 3 council member faces current At-Large council member Pat Shey.

The Shey campaign dropped literature off to District 2 voters on Sunday in Cedar Rapids. Two other candidates are on the ballot in District 3, including Kathy Potts.

Voters in Cedar Rapids and else where in the State of Iowa will conduct municipal elections on Tuesday, November 3, 2009. Polls in Cedar Rapids are open from 7 am to 8 pm.

If elected, he will ask the City Council to put City Manager Jim Prosser under a
90-day assessment “to see how he performs.” - Ron Corbett

Cedar Rapids mayoral candidates debate city manager’s merits - The Gazette

Common ground: Mayoral candidates excelled as young football players - The Gazette

• One candidate was a Division III all-American running back (Ron Corbett)
• One candidate was a third-team all-State defensive lineman (P.T. Larson)
• One candidate was a first-time all-metro selection (Brian Fagan)

Big disparity in mayoral campaign contributions - The Gazette

McGrane leads in council campaign contributions - The Gazette

Hawkeye Labor Council endorses Corbett for mayor - The Gazette

Labor council endorses Corbett for Cedar Rapids mayor - The Gazette

In State of Iowa government news, a special election will be held on November 24, 2009 for House District 33 in Cedar Rapids, which includes SE and SW Cedar Rapids voting precincts.

Running-Marquardt (Dem.) vs. Thurston (Rep.)

Democrats nominate Running-Marquardt in House 33 - The Gazette

Iowa GOP: Chairman Strawn congratulates Republican candidate in House District 33 -IowaPolitics.com (press release) - Danielle Plogmann
... like Josh getting involved to try and change the direction of his community and our state.” Thurston, 27, works at Cargill West in Cedar Rapids and is a ...

Finally, what about Health Care reform and a public option?

Harkin predicts public option will be law - The Gazette

Does the public really want the Federal Government to move more and more into the operations of 1/6Th of the United States economy?

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Did you catch the Heritage Foundation update on Senate Finance Committee Health Care Bill?

This was a note on October 1, 2009 on Facebook from the Heritage Foundation on Obamacare: Day Six In The Senate Finance Committee

The Senate Finance Committee continued its mark-up of the America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009 on Wednesday, September 30, 2009.

President Barack Obama made a couple of very high-profile promises concerning key issues that have emerged during the August recess and in contentious congressional town hall meetings. In his September 9, 2009 address to Congress and the nation in a special session of Congress, the President said that Americans could be assured that in his version of health care reform, there would be no federal funding of abortion nor the use of taxpayer funds to cover illegal immigrants.

In the key policy decisions of the Senate Finance Committee, those promises counted for little.

Protection of the Rights of Conscience (Hatch Amendment C13)

As noted, President Obama told Congress and the nation that, “no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions, and federal conscience laws will remain in place”. In that spirit, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) presented two amendments to remove any uncertainty and reinforce the President’s very public commitment. Sen. Hatch’s first amendment would have protected federal conscience laws; it would have prohibited discrimination against medical professionals who did not want to practice or participate in abortion and protect the right of conscience of physicians and other health care professionals, as well as officials of health care facilities, organizations, and insurance plans. Countering Senate Democrats who declared the amendment unnecessary, Sen. Hatch said the bill’s language was ambiguous, and he sought to erase all doubt in the Committee’s intentions regarding the issue. The Committee voted against Sen. Hatch’s amendment 10-13. Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) voted with Senate Democrats against the amendment, while Senator Kent Conrad (D-ND) voted with Hatch and Senate Republicans for the amendment.

Federal Funding for Abortion (c-14)

Sen. Hatch’s second amendment would have prohibited federal funds from being used for elective abortions or to subsidize insurance plans that cover abortions. Hatch provided that nothing would stop insurers from offering supplemental policies for abortion—but plans funded or subsidized by the federal government could not provide abortion. Sen. Hatch’s amendment also provided exceptions to this law in the cases of rape, incest, or danger to the mother. Hatch’s rationale was to codify official promises made on both sides of the aisle that taxpayer dollars would not fund abortions. Though the Hyde Amendment already provides for such a restriction on the use of taxpayers’ money, it must be passed every year. Sen. Hatch’s amendment would have also written the President’s promise into law. The Hatch amendment failed in the Senate Finance Committee 10-13. Senators Snowe and Conrad also crossed party lines again in their votes.

Using Taxpayers Dollars to Cover Illegal Immigrants (Grassley Amendment C8 )

In his address on health care, President Obama also stated that, “…there are those who claim that our reform efforts would insure illegal immigrants. This, too, is false. The reforms…I’m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally.” This statement ignited South Carolina Representative Joe Wilson’s controversial outburst.

To secure the President’s commitment, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced an amendment that would require proof of citizenship in order to access federal health programs. Sen. Grassley’s amendment would have required proper identification in applying for Medicaid benefits: Medicaid applicants, or the guardian of an applicant under the age of 18, would present government-issued identification at the time of application for Medicaid or CHIP benefits. Sen. Grassley’s amendment failed by a vote of 10-13. It was a party line vote, with Senate Democrats voting against the Grassley amendment.

Increased Consumer Costs. (Enzi Amendment C4, Grassley Amendment F1, and Hatch Amendment F17)

The President has said repeatedly that he would oppose middle class tax increases, and that, as a result of health reform, the typical American family would see a $2500 annual reduction in their health premium costs. Nonetheless, the Senate Finance Committee “mark” contains various taxes, which would be tantamount to middle class tax increases. These include taxes on insurance companies based on their market shares, taxes on drug manufacturers, taxes on medical device manufacturers, and taxes on clinical laboratories. Economists know, of course, that such additional taxes are passed on to consumers through higher insurance premiums and higher costs for drugs and medical devices. Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY), Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) proposed amendments to protect Americans against these proposed tax increases.

Sen. Enzi’s amendment would have required that- before implementing the bill’s new insurance rating rules, each state’s State Insurance Commissioner would have to certify that insurance premiums would not rise for a majority of residents. This amendment failed by a vote of 10-13 along a party line.

Sen. Grassley’s offered an amendment to strike the bill’s additional fees on health insurance plans. Title VI of the Chairman’s mark imposes a fee of $60 billion on insurance providers, which would be apportioned among all health insurance providers based on their market shares. The Grassley amendment was also defeated on a party line vote.

Finally, Sen. Hatch offered up an amendment that would have required the Government Accountability Office to certify that consumers would not pay the higher taxes imposed on health insurers, manufacturers of drugs and medical devices, and clinical laboratories. During the debate , Chairman Baucus expressed the novel belief that such annual fees would be borne by companies, and that they would not be passed onto the consumers. In that spirit, Sen. Hatch’s amendment would have codified the Chairman’s good intentions. The Committee nonetheless voted, along party lines, against the Hatch Amendment by a 10 to 13 vote.

The Senate Finance Committee, once again, has given ordinary Americans another insight into the gap between official Washington’s promises and the reality of the health care legislation being developed in Congress. Based on the President’s clearly stated intentions, on such matters as illegal immigration and taxpayer funding of abortion, it is obvious that the White House Office of Congressional Relations needs to do a better job communicating them to the Senate.

Other links on the Senate Finance Health Care discussion:

A look at the Senate Finance health care bill -The Associated Press
The Senate Finance Committee pushed ahead Wednesday on a comprehensive health care bill. The panel hopes to finish the legislation by week's end. ...
Senate Panel Expects to Finish Thursday on Health-Care Bill - Washington Post
America Wants to See Health Care Bill - FOXNews
US Sen Panel Approves State Health Insurance Plan Measure - Wall Street Journal

Point of Information: Two Paths to a Public Option in Health-Care ... - Washington Post
Two amendments considered, and defeated, Tuesday by the Senate Finance Committee both aimed to get to the same place -- creating a government-sponsored ...
Senate Dems will push public option - Politico
Rockefeller: Time for Insurance Companies to Spend Money on Actual ... - Daily Kos (blog)
An Attempt to Force Insurance Companies to Dedicate More Cash to Care - The Washington Independent

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So, we have 17 candidates for 6 Council positions in Cedar Rapids for November?

Three for Mayor, five for two At-Large positions, choices in District 1 and 3, but District 5 incumbent stands unopposed as Cedar Rapids prepares for 11/3/09 City Election.

17 hopefuls file for 6 C.R. Council seats - The Gazette

http://www.neighborhoodnetworknews.com/ doesn't list all candidates, but interviews are found on Robin Kash's web site. As of today, web site only lists 15 of 17 candidates for City Council.

Cedar Rapids mayoral candidates’ first impression - The Gazette

Who's on the Ballot in Cedar Rapids? - KCRG ‎
Incumbent Kay Halloran is not running for re-election due to health concerns. City Council district 1 is between incumbent Kris Gulick, Ryan Russell, ...
Cedar Rapids Mayoral Candidates' First Impression - KCRG

Other News of Interest ...

Grassley believes Obama distorted his comments on health care - The Gazette

Sen. Chuck Grassley said Thursday President Obama distorted his comments this summer about the Democrats’ health care reform proposals and that he resents it. Grassley, R-Iowa, recalled that he was asked at a town hall meeting in August about the draft bill, including whether it would insert a bureaucrat in place of a physician in advising a patient about end-of-life planning. Grassley said he merely commented that the draft bill should not “determine whether you’re going to pull the plug on grandma.” Then-Gov. ...

Iowa Department of Economic Development Director resigns - The Gazette

The surprise resignation the state’s economic development director apparently stemmed from questions about the use of tax incentives lawmakers approved to stimulate the film industry in Iowa. The resignation of Mike Tramontina as director of the Department of Economic Development (DED) was announced by Gov. Chet Culver’s office late Friday afternoon ...

Republican Party of Iowa: Governor misleads Iowans about state ... - IowaPolitics.com (press release) - Danielle Plogmann
Governor Culver's statement is deceptive and misleading. Due to the receipt and expenditure of one-time federal stimulus money to backfill shortfalls in ...

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One local Senator says Public Option is coming to America

The Monday, September 14, 2009 edition of The Des Moines Register features an article titled, Harkin says Congress will pass health bill with public option. For more on the issue of health-care reform, read the Public Interest Institutes's brief titled Let the Market Work, Government Won't.

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Locally, who will step forward and run in Cedar Rapids? The City Council isn't attracting candidates as the Thursday, 5 p.m. deadline nears.
Where are all the candidates for Cedar Rapids council? - The Gazette

Update on Tax Abatement due to Flood of 2008

Tax abatements not going gangbusters yet - The Gazette

Pro-family group launches effort to undo Iowa same-sex marriage ruling - The Gazette

At-large City Council candidate Nick Duffy endorses project labor agreements for big city building projects; says council majority sided with developers over the public in a home development by Ellis Golf Course - Rick Smith's Gazette Blog

The City of Cedar Rapids will conduct a General Election for six seats on the City Council, including the Mayor, on November 3, 2009. A run-off election will be held, if a majority is not obtained in the General.

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What's up on the Health Care discussion: VA pamblet and Budget Strains

Page 21 is a bit creepy. I'm not defending or complaining at this point. I'm
just saying why are enough people concerned that the VA book was pulled from the .gov website and we're hearing that section is being removed from HR3200? ...I finally found the book online (thanks Deb) - and I kept a copy. - A person on Facebook wrote

Your Life, Your Choices -www.docstoc.com
Your Life Your Choices Planning for Future Medical Decisions: How to Prepare a Personalized Living Will Your Life Your Choices Planning for Future Medical Decisions: How to Prepare a Personalized Living Will Authored ...

The Monday, August 24, 2009 edition of The Wall Street Journal features a story titled, Budget pain spreads to energy-rich states. For more on economic recovery policy ideas, read Institute Brief: The American Option.

In the State of Iowa, newcomer Christian Fong, the Western Iowa native, who is a businessman here in Cedar Rapids, released his first radio advertisement that was critical towards the use of bonds by the current governor. In speaking engagements, Fong often speaks about the dangers of generational debt.

“As governor I would end the use of taxpayer money to fund lobbyists and
veto any budget that is not balanced.” - Christian Fong

Fong begins statewide radio ad campaign; Dems cry ‘foul’ - The Gazette CEDAR RAPIDS – Republican gubernatorial hopeful Christian Fong is on the airwaves with a statewide radio campaign. ...

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Pass the Ketchup and Mustard, but can we please hold and stop the Rationing of Health Care path

"Although administration officials are eager to deny it, rationing health care
is central to President Barack Obama’s health plan. The Obama strategy is to
reduce health costs by rationing the services that we and future generations of
patients will receive." - Martin Feldstein

The Wednesday, August 19, 2009 edition of The Wall Street Journal features a story titled, ObamaCare Is All About Rationing. For more on health care reform, read Institute Brief: A Healthcare Prescription for Iowa.

Ketchup / Catsup History
Original ketchup contained no tomatoes

"But do Americans really want government bureaucrats
dictating access to care based on their perception of one's worth to society?
This question goes to the heart of the problem with rationing: A stranger far
from the scene decides who gets care and who doesn't. The person making these
decisions knows neither the patient nor the health care provider, yet he or she
is charged with the responsibility of allocating scarce resources among a
demanding population rather than providing the best possible care." - Ken
Connor

Ken Connor: Elderly should keep a close eye on health debate - Tallahassee Democrat

A Washington Times editorial on Aug. 18 criticized the claim that private
insurers “ration” care: “There
is no more rationing by private insurance companies than there is rationing at
the grocery store. In a private system, consumers can buy more
expensive health insurance plans if they want better benefits. Similarly, in a
grocery store, if you want more food, you pay more money. There is no rationing
in either case.”

CNN Devotes Six Minutes to Health Care 'Rationing' Proponent -Business Media Institute
At one point in the segment, Roberts asked why rationing is a “dirty word” in the health care debate when it already “goes on all the time in the corporate ...

A key component in a quality health care system is choice. Here are recommendations from the Mayo Clinic Health Policy Center:

• Create Value
  Improve patient health outcomes and satisfaction with U.S. health care. Decrease medical errors, costs and waste. Read details.


• Coordinate Care
  To increase value, patient care services must be coordinated across people, functions, activities, locations and time. Patients must actively participate in this process. Read details.


• Reform the Payment System
  Change the way providers are paid in order to improve health and minimize waste. Read details.


• Provide Health Insurance for All
  Provide guaranteed, portable health insurance for all individuals, giving them choice, control and peace of mind. Read details.

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It's grassroots: Americans are concerned about Washington D.C. Health Care Reform talk

About 60,000 senior citizens have quit AARP since July 1 due to the group's
support for a health care overhaul - AARP spokesperson

The Tuesday, August 18, 2009 edition of USA Today features a story titled, AARP loses members over health care stance. For more on health care reform, read Institute Brief: Deafness is Treatable, If You're Listening.

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Good News ... Obama steps back on Public Option in discussion in Health Care Reform

The Monday, August 17, 2009 edition of The Wall Street Journal features a story titled, Chances Dim for a Public Plan. For more on health care reform, read Institute Brief: More Government Is Not The Answer.

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Enjoying the Dog Days of Summer in Iowa

It's nice to be back, after taking a little over 10 days off our blog.

There is plenty of Health Care talk around the State, with Rotary Clubs, legislative town meetings and other events around the State.
Despite President Barack Obama's retreat away from a public option, there are still concerns for many retirees regarding the pending Federal legislation in Washington D.C. H.R. 3200 needs to be cleaned up.

Providers, academics, medical industry leaders, businesspeople, insurers, political leaders and patients — recommend four areas of focus per the Mayo Clinic Health Policy Center.

• Create Value
  Improve patient health outcomes and satisfaction with U.S. health care. Decrease medical errors, costs and waste. Read details.
• Coordinate Care
  To increase value, patient care services must be coordinated across people, functions, activities, locations and time. Patients must actively participate in this process. Read details.
• Reform the Payment System
  Change the way providers are paid in order to improve health and minimize waste. Read details.
• Provide Health Insurance for All
  Provide guaranteed, portable health insurance for all individuals, giving them choice, control and peace of mind. Read details.
  
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We need to slow down and not rush Health Care Reform

Some want to argue that we have been waiting since Truman for health care reform. But, clearly that is not correct. First, single payer health care is not the only remedy or option for health care reform in the USA. By the way, Medicare in the State of Iowa should be a good indication to voice 'No' for single payer health care ran by the Federal Government.

One size does not fit all when it comes to health care.

"The debate over health care reform is being shaped by an unlikely player -
Sen. Mike Enzi, the media-shy Republican from Wyoming. Although the Democrats control both houses, reporter Greg Hitt says Enzi's support could be a factor
down the road." - The Wall Street Journal

The Thursday, August 6, 2009 edition of The Wall Street Journal features an article titled, Sen. Enzi Won't Rush Into Health-Bill Deal. For more on health-care reform, read the Public Interest Institute Brief: Let the Market Work, Government Won't.

Market driven health care example:

"To those who say that the free-market doesn’t work, I send you to the
cosmetic surgery clinics. Many baby boomers frequent these clinics. Their
insurance doesn’t pay. They choose to look younger. The number of people getting
treatments has increased by 5 or 6 times, while the costs have either gone down
or remained stable. This is also true for elective laser vision surgery. As
recently as 10 years ago, the cost was double what it is today. There is
virtually no wait time and outstanding results.8 The free-market works, if it
has the opportunity." - Deborah Thornton

The concerns with public controlled and driven health care are sustainability, equality, rationing, choice and quality. We encourage to visit the Mayo Clinic Health Policy Center for more information on health care reform.

• Create Value
  Improve patient health outcomes and satisfaction with U.S. health care. Decrease medical errors, costs and waste. Read details.
• Coordinate Care
  To increase value, patient care services must be coordinated across people, functions, activities, locations and time. Patients must actively participate in this process. Read details.
• Reform the Payment System
  Change the way providers are paid in order to improve health and minimize waste. Read details.
• Provide Health Insurance for All
  Provide guaranteed, portable health insurance for all individuals, giving them choice, control and peace of mind. Read details.

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We need Health Care in America that is Sustatinable and Market Driven

“You come in and you’ve got a bad sore throat, or your child has a bad sore
throat or has repeated sore throats. The doctor may look at the reimbursement
system and say to himself, ‘You know what? I make a lot more money if I take
this kid’s tonsils out.'" - President Barack Obama at Wednesday's press
conference

Today's article is from the Monday, July 27, 2009 edition of The Wall Street Journal newspaper features an article titled, Dr. Obama’s Tonsillectomy. For more on health care reform, read the Public Interest Institute's Brief: A Healthcare Prescription for Iowa.

There's a better direction for the U.S. Congress to proceed with Health Care Reform. Reject Pelosi-ObamaCare and embrace ideas like the Mayo Clinic Health Policy Center:

• Create Value
  Improve patient health outcomes and satisfaction with U.S. health care. Decrease medical errors, costs and waste. Read details.
• Coordinate Care
  To increase value, patient care services must be coordinated across people, functions, activities, locations and time. Patients must actively participate in this process. Read details.
• Reform the Payment System
  Change the way providers are paid in order to improve health and minimize waste. Read details.
• Provide Health Insurance for All
  Provide guaranteed, portable health insurance for all individuals, giving them choice, control and peace of mind. Read details.

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How are the nation's Governors responding to Washington DC today?

Today's article is from the Monday, July 20, 2009 edition of The Washington Times. The Times features an article titled, Governors resist footing federal projects' bill. For more on the Administration's Keynesian economic policies read Public Interest Institutes Brief titled: Follow the Constitution rather than Keynes.

"Governor Jindal has seen enough, as a health-care policy expert, he
strongly believes that the House Democrat[ic] plan would be a disaster for the
long-term health of the American people, and the long-term health of the
economy." - Curt Anderson for Governor Bobby Jindal (R-LA)

Morning Fix: Jindal Rises Again -Washington Post ‎
"Governor Jindal has seen enough," said Curt Anderson, a consultant for Jindal. "As a health-care policy expert, he strongly believes that the House ...

The Heritage Foundation reported on Facebook on July 20, 2009: Governors Balk at Obama Health Plan

President Obama just got turned down by America’s governors. Obama wanted governors to endorse his proposed overhaul of health care, but ran into opposition over the runaway costs, as reported by The New York Times. Instead he got this:
Gov. Phil Bredesen of Tennessee, a Democrat, said he feared Congress was about to bestow

“the mother of all unfunded mandates.”
“Medicaid is a poor vehicle for
expanding coverage,’ added Mr. Bredesen, a former health care executive. “It’s a
45-year-old system originally designed for poor women and their children. It’s
not health care reform to dump more money into Medicaid.”
Mr. Bredesen was
far from alone in his concern. “As a governor, my concern is that if we try to
cost-shift to the states we’re not going to be in a position to pick up the
tab,” said Gov. Christine Gregoire of Washington, also a Democrat.
“I’m
personally very concerned about the cost issue, particularly the $1 trillion
figures being batted around,” said Gov. Bill Richardson, the New Mexico Democrat
who served in the Clinton cabinet and ran for president against Mr. Obama.

Governors worry that Obama’s plan for a major expansion of Medicaid not only will break the bank in Washington, but also in the states—since they would be required to kick in part of the costs. That would worsen the multi-billion dollar shortfalls they already must address. Problems with the governors could be enormous for the White House. As The Heritage Foundation’s Dennis Smith wrote:

Congress and the Obama Administration are banking on using Medicaid to provide
coverage to millions of uninsured Americans. As many as one-third of those who
are uninsured could end up on Medicaid if it is expanded to 150 percent of the
federal poverty level. . . . State opposition could be a tremendous blow to
health care reform. Governors can be game-changers if they mobilize before
momentum is built behind specific legislation that expands Medicaid.

National Write Your Congressman web site reports ...

Blue Dogs Stand Firm on Health Care

The fiscally-conservative Blue Dog coalition of lawmakers in the House is not happy about the way health care legislation is moving through Congress. Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR), Chairman of the Blue Dogs’ health care force, said on Monday that “the leadership has misread this…one” when they ignored Blue Dog requests to be included in drafting measures for health care reform.

“I think between the financial crisis, the auto bailout, the omnibus ... the
stimulus bill, the energy bill, I think it’s reached a point where not only the
Blue Dogs are saying, ‘Let’s slow down here.’ The people back home want us to
stop the spending, they want us to have time to read these bills, they want us
to have time to debate and understand these bills, and they don’t see that
happening.” - Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR)

But, the leadership doesn’t get it, said Ross.

“I think they underestimated the Blue Dogs on this … We’re more united than
we’ve ever been, and so it’s not as easy as inviting one member in after the
next and finding out what their pet project is and helping them with their pet
project for their vote. This is much bigger than that.” - Rep. Ross

Ross said the legislation in its current form will not have the support of Blue Dogs. His tough stance against the overhaul bill drew praise from fellow Blue Dogs and other supporters in Congress.

“He’s doing a good job, and he’s right. When you’re right, you get a lot of
support. Mike has told the Speaker he wants health care reform, but there
need to be changes. So far the message isn’t getting through, for whatever
reason. I don’t know where they’re coming from on this.” - Rep. Collin
Peterson (D-MN)

"He’s expressing a huge sentiment shared by many in our Caucus. We’re trying
to save the bill and do what the president says we need, which is to control
costs.” - Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA)

Table of Contents from the nwyc.com:

Blue Dogs Stand Firm on Health Care
Senators Ask House Members for Advice
Exploring an Overhaul of REAL ID
Health Measures Could Weaken Economy
Consumer Financial Protection Authority

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Let's be careful to expand the Federal responsibilty in Health Care

We need to get back to the basics in our American society. Equality, Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness are basic values that our country was founded on.

But, we are moving far from that. Credit Scores, Nanny State, Big Government, a lack of personal responsibility, government health care ...

Health Care Reform appears to be more of the same. More of the same, in what is wrong in Washington DC and what is wrong in our American society today.

"No, Mr. Chairman. In the legislation that has been reported we do not
see the sort of fundamental changes that would be necessary to reduce the
trajectory of federal health spending by a significant amount. And on the
contrary, the legislation significantly expands the federal responsibility for
health care costs." - Doug Elmendorf, Director of CBO

CBO: Democrats Bend Health Care Cost Curve — in the Wrong Direction - CATO

CBO Sees No Net Federal Cost Savings in Dem Health Plans - ABC News

We need to promote personal responsibility and Liberty again.

It will not be found through expanding the role and size of governments, whether it be at the Federal, State or local level. Of course, local government and local control are far better than a large central government.

• We need to get back to traditional mortgages and credit financing.


• We need to encourage personal responsibility again.


• We need to move away from Big Government.


• Limited government is the pathway America was built on.


• Health Care Reform is required, but it should remain market driven with proper government oversight.

Oversight is the right role for our government. As you may recall, there were concerns voiced several years ago regarding the need for greater Federal oversight ahead of the 2008 Financial Crisis. A concern many Europeans have about American society is when private corporations get too closely connected with politicians.

The private sector is where the solution can be found in health care and in how our way of life should play out. It comes with better oversight and public policy. It begins with a return to Equality, Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness. It is found in Limited Government. Those values that make America the country it has been and can be again.

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Local Health Care Reform forums scheduled, while Washington discusses Health co-ops

"I've heard more positives than negatives on co-ops from Republicans, if
it's one and the same (government-run plan), it would be problematic, definitely." - Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME)

The Friday, July 10, 2009 edition of The Wall Street Journal features an article titled, Democrats Open to Idea of Forming Health Co-Op. For more on health care reform, read the Public Interest Institutes's brief titled The Missouri Plan: A Free Market Approach to Health Care.

Consumer-Driven
Health-Care Policy
Public Input Tour
Co-Sponsored by Patients United Now and Public Interest Institute

July 13 - Des Moines

July 14 - Cedar Rapids/Iowa City

July 15 - Davenport/Bettendorf

For more information, click HERE

To RSVP, call 319-385-3462

Read background on
health-care policy issues

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"And if there are going to be limits, who . . . is going to enforce the rules for a system like that?"

"President Obama called it the "right question" -- then failed to answer it.
This was not surprising: The query is emerging as the ultimate challenge in reining in health-care costs that now consume $2.5 trillion per year, or 16 percent of the economy. How will tough decisions be made about what to spend money on? In a country where "rationing" is a dirty word, who will say no?" - The Washington Post

The Wednesday, July 8, 2009 edition of The Washington Post features an article titled, "In Retooled Health-Care System, Who Will Say No?" For more on this issue, read the Public Interest Institutes's brief titled "A Health Care Prescription for Iowa."

We need Health Care Reform, but we can certainly argue what that reform should be and consist of.

Health Care Reform Will Succeed This Time, Say Experts -Talk Radio News Service - Laura Woodhead
Speaking at a discussion on health care reform at the Campus Progress National Convention, the experts argued that the mood within the US makes this year ...

Video: Biden Announces White House Deal With Hospitals - The Associated Press
Health Care vs. Rationing - Washington Post
White House, hospitals reach deal on health care - The Associated Press

CQPolitics.com - Chiropractic Economics

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