Newt Gingrich’s Health Group Pretends Health Bill Exempts Members Of Congress From Public Option
Newt Gingrich’s Health Group Pretends Health Bill Exempts Members Of Congress From Public Option
Newt Gingrich’s for-profit Center For Health Transformation is sending around a petition email asking “whether members of Congress writing such legislation would actually enroll themselves in a new government-run healthcare option.” “Please sign below if you agree with Congressman Fleming that members of Congress who vote for a government-run healthcare plan should participate in the plan themselves and you agree with us to broaden this to include congressional staff,” the Center asks:
As health legislation continues to be debated, one has to ask whether members of Congress writing such legislation would actually enroll themselves in a new government-run healthcare option. Current draft healthcare legislation exempts members of Congress from the public plan option, allowing them to keep their existing plans.
Congressman John Fleming (LA-04) is asking this very question noting that public servants should be accountable and responsible for what they are advocating. He has created a resolution calling on members of Congress who support a public option to enroll themselves and encourage their colleagues to do the same. We support this resolution and broaden it to include congressional staff as well.
Of course, the Tri Committee discussion draft in the House does not specifically exempt federal employees — who receive coverage through the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program — from enrolling in the new public plan. Rather, the legislation treats the American government — the largest employer in the country — like any other large employer: it can enroll its employees in the Exchange (where they can choose a public health insurance option) after a period of 2 years.
From a logistical point of view and to those concerned about continuity of care, moving the 160 million Americans who receive employer-sponsored benefits into new plans would be a costly nightmare. The goal is to reduce immediate shifts but still preserve choice. For this reason, the House Tri Committee health care bill phases in participation in the Exchange when it goes into operation in 2013:
– Individuals and employers with 10 or fewer employees in 2013
– Individuals and employers with 20 or fewer employees in 2014
– Individuals and employers with more than 20 employees in 2015
On the whole, this argument is particularly disingenuous. Republicans are arguing that the public option would eliminate employer-sponsored coverage while undermining provisions designed to allow Americans to keep what the have. During mark-up of the HELP Committee’s legislation Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Tom Coburn (R-OK) went so far as to introduce amendments that would require members of Congress (and Congressional staff) to enroll in the public option.
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AMERICA’S NATIONAL HEALTHCARE EMERGENCY!
It’s official. America and the World are now in a GLOBAL PANDEMIC. A World EPIDEMIC with potential catastrophic consequences for ALL of the American people. The first PANDEMIC in 41 years. And WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES will have to face this PANDEMIC with the 37th worst quality of healthcare in the developed World.
STAND READY AMERICA TO SEIZE CONTROL OF YOUR NATIONAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.
We spend over twice as much of our GDP on healthcare as any other country in the World. And Individual American spend about ten times as much out of pocket on healthcare as any other people in the World. All because of GREED! And the PRIVATE FOR PROFIT healthcare system in America.
And while all this is going on, some members of congress seem mostly concern about how to protect the corporate PROFITS! of our GREED DRIVEN, PRIVATE FOR PROFIT NATIONAL DISGRACE. A PRIVATE FOR PROFIT DISGRACE that is in fact, totally valueless to the public health. And a detriment to national security, public safety, and the public health.
Progressive democrats the Tri-Caucus and others should stand firm in their demand for a robust government-run public option for all Americans, with all of the minimum requirements progressive democrats demanded. If congress can not pass a robust public option with at least 51 votes and all robust minimum requirements, congress should immediately move to scrap healthcare reform and request that President Obama declare a state of NATIONAL HEALTHCARE EMERGENCY! Seizing and replacing all PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance plans with the immediate implementation of National Healthcare for all Americans under the provisions of HR676 (A Single-payer National Healthcare Plan For All).
Coverage can begin immediately through our current medicare system. With immediate expansion through recruitment of displaced workers from the canceled private sector insurance industry. Funding can also begin immediately by substitution of payroll deductions for private insurance plans with payroll deductions for the national healthcare plan. This is what the vast majority of the American people want. And this is what all objective experts unanimously agree would be the best, and most cost effective for the American people and our economy.
In Mexico on average people who received medical care for A-H1N1 (Swine Flu) with in 3 days survived. People who did not receive medical care until 7 days or more died. This has been the same results in the US. But 50 million Americans don’t even have any healthcare coverage. And at least 200 million of you with insurance could not get in to see your private insurance plans doctors in 2 or 3 days, even if your life depended on it. WHICH IT DOES!
If President Obama has to declare a NATIONAL STATE OF EMERGENCY to rescue the American people from our healthcare crisis, he will need all the sustained support you can give him. STICK WITH HIM! He’s doing a brilliant job.
THIS IS THE BIG ONE!
THE BATTLE OF GOOD Vs EVIL!
Join the fight.
Contact congress and your representatives NOW! AND SPREAD THE WORD!
God Bless You
Jacksmith – WORKING CLASS
July 10th, 2009 at 8:11 pm