Healthcare Updates Week Ending Dec 12th, 2009
Cloture was invoked this morning on the Transportation Appropriations Conference Report (Omnibus) by a vote of 60-34
If you’ve chosen to ignore this beautiful day and instead tune into CSpan, then you have seen the back and forth about further health care votes in the Senate. As of now, we’re still where we were yesterday: nothing scheduled. The amendments still pending on the Health Care Bill are:
• Dorgan #2793 (importation)
• Crapo motion to commit to Finance Committee (ensures families making under $250,000 and individuals making under $200,000 don’t see a tax increase)
Senators have spent the majority of today engaged in the health care debate on the Senate Floor and we expect it to continue for a few more hours.
Friday, December 11th
There was one vote in the Senate today: the motion to waive the Rule XXVIII point of order against the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 3288 (the Omnibus Conference Report) was agreed to 60-36
As mentioned yesterday, Conference Reports are privileged motions in the Senate so the health care debate has been temporarily set aside. However, we have continued to discuss health care both on and off the Senate floor. The amendments currently pending:
• Dorgan #2793 (importation)
• Crapo motion to commit to Finance Committee (ensures families making under $250,000 and individuals making under $200,000 don’t see a tax increase)
(Reminder --- Interesting note: yesterday afternoon Sen. Carper announced he had a hold on the Dorgan importation amendment blocking it from getting a roll call vote.)
There was a great deal of breaking news regarding Reid’s health care bill today and the Senate Republican Communications Center released a number of documents highlighting several hot topics:
1. BREAKING: CMS: Reid Bill Raises Health Care Costs $234 Billion
3. Rapid Response: They Said It: "I'm In The Dark"
5. Rapid Response: Patently False
Thursday, December 10th
Wanted to give up an update on what’s going on in the Senate. They have debated Health Care for the past two days yet have had no votes on amendments.
There are two pending amendments:
· Dorgan #2793 (importation)
· Crapo motion to commit to Finance Committee (ensures families making under $250,000 and individuals making under $200,000 don’t see a tax increase)
Interesting note: this afternoon Sen. Carper announced he had a hold on the Dorgan importation amendment blocking it from getting a roll call vote.
Earlier, Sen. Reid moved to proceed to the Transportation Appropriations Conference Report which passed the House earlier today and the vote to proceed to the conference report was 56-43. The Conference Report includes 6 out of the 7 Appropriations Bills which have not been completed: Transportation/HUD, Commerce Justice Science, Financial Services, Labor HHS, Mil Con/VA and State Foreign Ops.
We expect Sen. Reid will file cloture on the Conference Report today for a vote on Saturday.
3 MORE POLLS: OPPOSITION TO DEM HEALTH BILL GROWS
CNN: 61% Of American’s Oppose; Fox News: 57% Oppose; NYT: 42% Approval Of President’s Handling Of Health Care
CNN: “Do You Generally Favor [The Senate Health Care Bill] Or Generally Oppose It? … Favor 36% Oppose 61%.” “As you may know, the U.S. Senate is considering a bill that would make major changes in the country's health care system. Based on what you have read or heard about that bill, do you generally favor it or generally oppose it? Dec. 2-3 2009 Favor 36% Oppose 61%.” (CNN Opinion Research Poll, 12/10/09)
· “Do You Think The Federal Budget Deficit Would Or Would Not Increase? … Would Happen 79%” “If a bill similar to the one that the Senate is considering becomes law, do you think the federal budget deficit would or would not increase? Dec. 2-3 2009 Would happen 79% Would not happen 19% No opinion 2%” (CNN Opinion Research Poll, 12/10/09)
· “Do You Think Your Taxes Would Or Would Not Increase? … Would Happen 85%” “If a bill similar to the one that the Senate is considering becomes law, do you think your taxes would or would not increase? Dec. 2-3 2009 Would happen 85% Would not happen 14% No opinion 1%” (CNN Opinion Research Poll, 12/10/09)
FOX NEWS POLL: “A Majority -- 57 Percent -- Oppose The Health Care Reform Legislation Being Considered Right Now. About A Third Of Americans -- 34 Percent -- Favor The Reforms.” (“Fox News Poll: Congress Should Hold Off On Health Care,” Fox Business, 12/10/09)
· “Nearly Two-Thirds Of Americans (64 Percent) Think The Reforms Will Cost Them Money, Up From 58 Percent Who Thought So Previously (July 2009). Fewer Than One In Four People -- 23 Percent -- Currently Think The Plan Will Save Them Money.”(“Fox News Poll: Congress Should Hold Off On Health Care,” Fox Business, 12/10/09)
· “By 52 Percent To 28 Percent, Americans Say The Quality Of Health Care Their Family Receives Would Be Worse Under The Proposed Plan.” (“Fox News Poll: Congress Should Hold Off On Health Care,” Fox Business, 12/10/09)
NYT/CBS NEWS POLL: “And 42 Percent Approve Of The Way [President Obama] Is Handling Health Care, Down Five Percentage Points In The Last Few Months.” (“Poll Finds Slim Majority Back More Troops In Afghan War,” The New York Times, 12/10/09)
YESTERDAY’S POLLS: AMERICANS AGAINST DEM BILL
Three Polls Released Wednesday Show Majorities Disapproving Of The Dem Health Care Bill
QUINNIPIAC: “Voters Disapprove 52 - 38 Percent Of The Health Care Reform Proposal Under Consideration In Congress, And They Disapprove 56 - 38 Percent Of President Obama's Handling Of Health Care, down from 53 - 41 percent in a November 19 survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh- pe-ack) University.” (“Obama Approval Falls To New Low, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds,” Quinnipiac University, 12/9/09)
BLOOMBERG: “Sixty-Two Percent Of Americans Say They Are Mostly Pessimistic They Would Benefit From Any Bill.” (“Obama’s War Plan Gains Amid Doubts On Domestic Policy,” Bloomberg, 12/9/09)
PUBLIC POLICY POLLING: “Support For Obama On Health Care Has Hit Another New Low With Just 39% Of Voters Now Expressing Approval Of His Health Care Plans And 52% Opposed.” (“Obama’s December Standing,” Public Policy Polling, 12/9/09)
Details Schmeetails
While Some Democrats Express Concern With Health Care “Deal,” Others Sign On Without Even Reviewing The Bill
SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY): “So What’s Becoming Abundantly Clear Is That The Majority Will Make Any Deal, Agree To Any Terms, Sign Any Dotted Line That Brings Them Closer To Final Passage Of This Terrible Bill. They are, for lack of a better term, winging it on one of the most consequential pieces of domestic legislation in memory.” (Sen. Mitch McConnell, Press Release, 12/8/09)
DEMOCRATS ADMIT THEY DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE SUPPORTING
SEN. MAX BAUCUS (D-MT): “If There's 60 Senators Who Can Reach Agreement, I'm For It.” (“Senate Democrats Satisfied With Deal,” The Washington Post, 12/10/09)
SEN. BOB CASEY (D-PA): “Any Big Agreement Is Progress … Even If We Do Not Know Any Of The Details.” (“Senate Democrats See Room For Hope On Health Care Bill,” The New York Times, 12/10/09)
The Washington Post: Democrats Doing Health Care “On The Fly.” “The only thing more unsettling than watching legislative sausage being made is watching it being made on the fly. The 11th-hour "compromise" on health-care reform and the public option supposedly includes an expansion of Medicare to let people ages 55 to 64 buy into the program.” (Editorial, “Medicare Sausage?” The Washington Post, 12/10/09)
Wednesday, December 9th
| Fact Check: “Consensus” |
|
Democrats Say They “Haven’t Signed On To The Proposal,” “There’s No Specific Compromise,” “I Will Not Vote For It” And Opposition “Remains” SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV): “This Has Been A Long Journey. We Have Confronted Many Hurdles, And Tonight I Believe We Have Overcome Yet Another One. … [We] Have Come To A Consensus.” (Sen. Reid, Press Release, 12/8/09) SEN. BEN NELSON (D-NE): “I Haven’t Signed On To The Proposal.” (“Nelson Still Withholding Cloture Vote,” Lincoln Journal Star, 12/9/09) SEN. MARY LANDRIEU (D-LA): “There’s No Specific Compromise. There Were Discussions.” (“Landrieu, Lincoln: No 'Compromise' Made On Health Bill,” The Hill, 12/9/09) “According To Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Sending The Bill To The CBO Was About All The 10 Senators Agree To Do.” (“Landrieu, Lincoln: No 'Compromise' Made On Health Bill,” The Hill, 12/9/09) SEN. ROLAND BURRIS (D-IL): If “It Does Not Have A Public Option In It, I Will Not Vote For It.” (“Burris Threatens To Filibuster Health Care Without Public Option,” The Huffington Post, 12/9/09) SEN. RUSS FEINGOLD (D-WI): “I Do Not Support Proposals That Would Replace The Public Option.” (Sen. Feingold, Press Release, 12/8/09) SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT): “I Understand That The Leadership Wants To Move This Bill Forward As Quickly As Possible. I Understand That. But In My View, We Have A Lot Of Work In Front Of Us … In My View, The Only Way We Are Going To Provide Comprehensive, Cost-Effective, Universal Care Is Through A Single Payer.” (Sen. Sanders, Congressional Record, S.12698-9, 12/8/09) SEN. JOE LIEBERMAN (ID-CT): “My Opposition To A Government-Run Insurance Option, Including Any Option With A Trigger, Has Been Clear For Months And Remains My Position Today. Regarding the 'Medicare buy-in' proposal that is being discussed, we must remain vigilant about protecting and extending the solvency of the program, which is now in a perilous financial condition.” (Sen. Lieberman, Press Release, 12/9/09)
|
Tuesday, December 8th
There will be no more votes today but the Senate debate continues on the floor tonight. We do expect roll call votes tomorrow.
There are two current pending amendments:
· Dorgan #2793 (importation)
· Crapo motion to commit to Finance Committee (ensures families making under $250,000 and individuals making under $200,000 don’t see a tax increase because of this bill….Remember President Obama promised this.)Senator Boxer (D-CA)offered a motion to table the amendment to protect taxpayers from funding abortion within the health care reform bill. That motion was agreed toby a vote of 54-45
Senator McCain’s amendment to allow seniors in all states (rather than just in Florida, as the current proposal allows) keep their Medicare Advantage benefits failed 42-57
Monday, December 7th
Today the Senate voted on the following two amendments:
1. The Pryor Amendment to require the Secretary to provide information regarding enrollee satisfaction with qualified health plans offered through the Exchange through the Internet portal was agreed to 98-0.
2. The Gregg Amendment to prevent Medicare from being raided for new entitlements and to use Medicare savings to save Medicare failed 43-56
Tomorrow we’ll resume the health care debate and expect roll call votes to occur. Senator McCain has offered a motion to commit the bill to the Finance Committee with instructions to report back with changes that would provide to seniors around the country the same grandfathered Medicare Advantage benefits as are provided to Florida seniors. We expect to consider both that motion and the abortion amendment introduced today by Senators Nelson, Hatch and Casey (#2942). Keep in mind that while the Nelson-Hatch-Casey amendment regarding abortion coverage is likely to be considered tomorrow, though nothing has been locked in. We’ll update you as votes are scheduled.
Was Democrats’ Health Care Strategy Written In Federal Prison?
Afternoon Update: Senators Nelson, Hatch and Casey filed a Stupak-like amendment to be considered during the health care debate. The text of the amendment, along with talking points from Senator Hatch’s office are attached. While Leader Reid has said he’d like to have a vote on this today no vote has been scheduled. We will alert everyone as more details become available.Talking Points on Nelson-Hatch Amendment Prohibit Tax Dollars Financing Elective Abortions December 7, 2009 Click Here
What does the Nelson-Hatch Amendment Do? Click HereMorning Update: We are back at it again this morning on Health Care. The Senate comes into Session at 10:00 to resume debate. Votes are expected today but not before 3:15 pm.
Two amendments are currently pending to the bill:
· Gregg #2942 (to prevent Medicare from being raided for new entitlements and to use Medicare savings to save Medicare)
· Pryor #2939 (creates an “enrollee satisfaction system” for qualified health plans offered through the Exchange)
Other amendments are likely to be offered today as well. Sen. Reid said he’d like to have a vote on a bi-partisan amendment related to abortion funding. However, such an amendment has yet to even be filed and no agreements have been reached regarding that issue. Should that change we will alert everyone.
Health Care will take up the Senate floor all week.
As we look ahead keep in mind the Continuing Resolution expires next Friday, December 18th.
We will keep you posted as things develop this week.
Obama meets Dems without addressing divisive issues
President Barack Obama gave Senate Democrats a "pep talk" on healthcare Sunday, telling them they stood to make history if they passed a bill expanding healthcare coverage to millions of Americans.
Obama, during a rare Sunday Democratic caucus in the Senate, said that the healthcare reform bill, which seeks to provide coverage to more than 30 million uninsured Americans, is "the most important social legislation since Social Security," according to Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.).
The Senate voted twice this afternoon:
1. The Lincoln amendment regarding limited compensation for insurance company executives failed 56-42
2. The Ensign amendment that would cap attorney fees in malpractice cases failed 32-66
There will be no more votes today in the Senate but Leader Reid indicated on the floor prior to the votes that the Senate could consider two, if not more, on Monday:
· Senator Gregg’s amendment to prevent Medicare from being raided for new entitlements and to use Medicare savings to save Medicare;
· Senator Pryor’s amendment to create an “enrollee satisfaction system” for qualified health plans offered through the Exchange;
· Reid has said he’d like to have a vote on a bi-partisan amendment related to abortion funding. However, such an amendment has yet to even be filed and no agreements have been reached regarding that issue. Should that change we will alert everyone.
· Possibly another GOP amendment.
For Immediate Release, Sunday, December 6, 2009
Cutting Medicare is not what Americans want
‘The Democrats are in a tough situation on this bill: they want to expand the government’s reach into health care, but they don’t have the money’
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks (as prepared) on the Senate floor Sunday regarding the cuts to Medicare in the Democrats’ health care bill:
“First, I want to extend a welcome to the President, who’s coming to the Capitol today to meet with Democrats on the care health bill.
“So far, they’ve voted three times to cut Medicare.
“Cuts they previously described as immoral and irresponsible.
“Cuts that make it impossible for the President to keep his pledge that people who like their plans can keep them.
“Cuts that will reduce the quality of home health care.
“Cuts that will reduce benefits for nearly 11 million American seniors on Medicare Advantage.
“Cuts that raid Medicare instead of fixing it.
“Cuts the American people vehemently oppose.
“The Democrats are in a tough situation on this bill: they want to expand the government’s reach into health care, but they don’t have the money.
“And they don’t have the support of the American people.
“So what did they do? They decided to take the money they need out of Medicare.
“And that’s only made their health care plan even less popular with the American people.
“The Gregg Amendment would help reverse the damage of last week’s votes.
“The Gregg Amendment says that Democrats can’t raid Medicare, which is already in serious trouble in order to pay for their $2.5 trillion dollar bill .
“The money going out of Medicare’s Hospital Insurance Trust Fund already exceeds its annual income — it’s already drying up.
“By 2017, the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund won’t be able to pay full benefits — and that’s before our colleagues get their hands on it.
“This program needs to be fixed — not pillaged to create another one.
"So the Gregg Amendment prohibits using money from Medicare to pay for any new government programs, for expanding existing programs, or for subsidies.
“Instead, it directs that any money from Medicare be put back into Medicare to strengthen and preserve it for future generations — so we can keep our promises. This is just common sense.
“Americans don’t want this bill to pass—and they certainly don’t want it to pass at the expense of the roughly 40 million American seniors who depend on Medicare.
“The Gregg Amendment would keep that from happening.
“A vote for the Gregg Amendment is a vote to keep our promises to seniors.
“We’re also likely to have another vote today — the Ensign Amendment.
“This amendment is simple.
“It’s designed to ensure that injured patients — not their lawyers — receive the vast majority of any settlement in a medical malpractice suit.
“It says that since lawsuits should benefit patients, not lawyers, lawyers can’t take more than one-third of the recovery their clients receive.
“These are reasonable limits
“Moreover, they were written by a Democrat and supported in the past by 21 of our current Democrat colleagues, as well as the Vice President.
“And they would drive down costs — the original purpose of reform.
“The independent Congressional Budget Office has said that comprehensive liability reforms would save the taxpayers more than $50 billion.
“The Ensign amendment is a step in that direction.
“And we will offer a better, step-by-step reform to end junk lawsuits against doctors and hospitals later in the consideration of this bill.
“I’m hopeful my Democrat colleagues will support it again, since so many of them supported it in the past.”
Office of the Republican Leader
Senator Mitch McConnellWas Democrats’ Health Care Strategy Written In Federal Prison?
Click Here
Why the Personal Mandate to Buy Health Insurance Is Unprecedented and Unconstitutional
Click Here
These health care bills must not be allowed to pass! Please join your fellow Americans on Tuesday, December 15 in Washington, D.C. at the Capitol to speak out against this bill. In addition, please pick up the phone and call your Senators today. You can be connected through the U.S. Capitol switchboard by dialing (202) 224-3121. Please act now!Health Care Bill Updates Week Ending Dec 5th
Click Here
Last updated by Darla, ADMIN / National Director Dec. 13, 2009.
Getting Started Resources and Action
|
toolbar powered by Conduit
|
Forum
Sheriff Joe's Response to the DOJ Lawsuit Against Him 143 Replies
Started by Admin. II, Dee in Immigration, Illegal Aliens, Amnesty, Border Issues. Last reply by Virginia Gomez 2 minutes ago.
GOP Takes Unprecedented 10-Point Lead on Generic Ballot! 10 Replies
Started by JAMES N. HALL III in General, Uncategorized Town Hall. Last reply by Phyllis Prather 2 minutes ago.
Governor Jan Brewer's Letter to Sec. Clinton re: AZ SB 1070 Hauled Before UN Human Rights Council 399 Replies
Started by Katarina Nevasky in Immigration, Illegal Aliens, Amnesty, Border Issues. Last reply by robert c, kammerdiener 4 minutes ago.
U.S. Hamas fundraisers caught on camera
Started by Kinman Cheng in Terrorism in the US and Abroad 4 minutes ago.
Angry Ron Paul Defends Ground Zero Mosque 1005 Replies
Started by Asst Natl Dir Mellie in Admin Alerts. Last reply by rel find 5 minutes ago.
Obama's 'crimes against liberty'
Started by Kinman Cheng in Obama Admin & the Democratic Majority 8 minutes ago.
Tax Dollars for Muslim Brotherhood Organizations?!? 7 Replies
Started by Sky in Faith in the Public Square. Last reply by Cherry Talsma 16 minutes ago.
Israel Concedes Control of Jerusalem to Palestinians 8 Replies
Started by MomOf3 in General, Uncategorized Town Hall. Last reply by SusieL 26 minutes ago.
U.S. files new suit on Ariz. immigration issue 280 Replies
Started by Asst Natl Dir Mellie in Admin Alerts. Last reply by Robert Bechtel 27 minutes ago.
How to Impeach a President 203 Replies
Started by Darla, ADMIN / National Director in Admin Alerts. Last reply by Dennis Bartlett 36 minutes ago.
Arizona Now Has ‘Whopping 30’ National Guard Troops and 15 Billboard Signs Warning Citizens About Drug Cartels Operating on Public Lands Wednesday, September 01, 2010 By Penny Starr, Senior Staff Writ 243 Replies
Started by Charlie Eaton in General, Uncategorized Town Hall. Last reply by Ron Carey 37 minutes ago.
Never Gonna Stand For This by Teachenor Clark 36 Replies
Started by Admin. II, Dee in General, Uncategorized Town Hall. Last reply by Ron 41 minutes ago.
WHO PLAYED THAT TRUMPET, LAST NIGHT??? 1 Reply
Started by TONY SALAZAR, SC DIST.#5 COORD; in General, Uncategorized Town Hall. Last reply by B. Cote 46 minutes ago.
AL SHARPTON'S REPLY TO GLENN BECK'S 8/28 RALLY IN D.C..... DISGRACEFUL, RACIST, RACE-BAITING , A REAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZER.. 223 Replies
Started by TONY SALAZAR, SC DIST.#5 COORD; in General, Uncategorized Town Hall. Last reply by PATRICIA PAQUETTE 47 minutes ago.
The Death of Conservatism Was Greatly Exaggerated 115 Replies
Started by Admin. II, Dee in Admin Alerts. Last reply by Mary and James Abell, Sr. 50 minutes ago.
From Our Tea Party Store!
By Laura Ingraham
By Pamela Geller, Robert Spencer
This Book is Officially Out!
March DC 9-09-9/11
To Donate to Make this a Successful Event Click Here:
Photos
Videos
Badge
© 2010 Created by Grassfire Nation.
