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House passes health reform bill
November 7th, 2009, 8:22 pm · 70 Comments · posted by Dena Bunis, Washington Bureau Chief
For the first time in Congress’ history, the House of Representatives passed a massive overhaul of the nation’s health care system.
The vote was 220-215 with only one Republican, Joe Cao of New Orleans, the only Vietnamese American congressman, voting yes. Orange County’s only Democrat, Rep. Loretta Sanchez of Santa Ana was wavering all day but in the end voted for the bill.
“Tonight I voted in favor of the Affordable Health Care for America Act – one of the most difficult votes I’ve taken during my congressional tenure,” Sanchez said in a statement after the vote. “ This bill is far from perfect, and I remain greatly concerned about the costs of the measure. I will continue to work diligently to reduce the high costs of the bill between now and final passage of a conference bill.”
A roar went through the chamber as the vote reached the 218 mark. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the vote from the chair. President Barack Obama is with his family at Camp David tonight. The White House is expected to release a statement from him soon. UPDATE: See below for Obama statement.
Pelosi, the committee chairmen and other Democratic leaders just held a victory news conference. Pelosi said the president called them to congratulate them on the passage of the bill.
“Oh what a night,’’ Pelosi said to reporters. “ Wasn’t that something?” She said the president called the bill’s passage “a great victory for the American people.’’
This landmark vote brings health reform closer than ever. But there’s still a tough debate in the Senate to go and then lawmakers from both ends of the Capitol have to get together on a final measure.
But House Democratic leaders weren’t thinking about that tonight. They were celebrating what was a tough road for them despite a 40-vote majority.
Here’s the president’s statement:
“Tonight, in an historic vote, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would finally make real the promise of quality, affordable health care for the American people.
“The Affordable Health Care for America Act is a piece of legislation that will provide stability and security for Americans who have insurance; quality affordable options for those who don’t; and bring down the cost of health care for families, businesses, and the government while strengthening the financial health of Medicare. And it is legislation that is fully paid for and will reduce our long-term federal deficit.
“Thanks to the hard work of the House, we are just two steps away from achieving health insurance reform in America. Now the United States Senate must follow suit and pass its version of the legislation. I am absolutely confident it will, and I look forward to signing comprehensive health insurance reform into law by the end of the year.”
Rep. Ed Royce issued his own statement after the vote.
“The Democrat Leadership served a debilitating blow to the rights of patients and doctors in this country,” Royce , R-Fullerton, said in part. “The passage of this trillion dollar government-run health care bill gives Washington bureaucrats an unprecedented and expansive role in our health care sector. Unfortunately, these aren’t the only provisions the Democrat Leadership allowed with the passage of this bill.”
Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona, also issued a statement.
“Rather than focusing on how to insure those who have been denied coverage and create a compromise bill that makes health care insurance more affordable and accessible, the Pelosi Congress has opted to pass a bill that will lead to a government takeover of our health care system,” said Calvert. “I voted against the bill because I could not in good conscious vote for the first steps toward the creation of a single-payer system. This bill creates over $1 trillion in new government spending, funded with the ‘hope’ that our children will figure out how to pay the bill tomorrow and ’change’ in Medicare that takes $500 billion from a program that covers over 40 million senior citizens.”
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DENA BUNIS, Washington bureau chief, 202-628-6381 or dbunis@ocregister.com
BRIAN JOSEPH, Sacramento correspondent, 916-449-6046 or bjoseph@ocregister.com
JENNIFER MUIR, County government reporter, 714-796-7813 or jmuir@ocregister.com
JOEL WALSH, Washington bureau intern, 202-628-6381 or jwalsh@ocregister.com
MARTIN WISCKOL, Politics reporter, 714-285-2867 or mwisckol@ocregister.com twitter.com/MartinWisckol
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Oh great. So Obama promised us over a dozen times during his campaign that he would give us the same healthcare plan as congress and if we made less than $250k that we would not have to pay an extra nickle to fund it.
Now he and the dems will FORCE middle and lower-middle class citizen to buy health insurance from a private corporation under threat of thousands of dollars in fine in personal surtaxes!!! And if you don’t pay the surtaxes YOU GO TO JAIL!!!!
On top of that ILLEGAL FOREIGNERS will get FREE HEALTH CARE. How can you surtax an illegal foreigner if he doesn’t have a social security number???
SO citizens go to jail if they refuse to pay for health insurance and illegals get it for free compliments of the taxpayer!!!
FASCISM!!!
Is this true? I wouldn’t doubt it.. well, those of us who know how screwed up the democrats are, we are not surprised, hang tight, more to come!
and got got all of this info from? Glen or Rush. stop repeating what you here someone say and give us a though of your own. If you have one or is that to hard.
Thank God it passes— lets get this thing done!
Like millions of americans out there i don’t have health insurance because i can’t afford it, yesterday i sprained my foot and i couldnt find a place to get a x-ray, i ended up payed 250.00 to get an x-ray done, this passing is a blessing to me and millions other who need medial attention but can’t get it
get your life in order. there must be a reason you cannot afford health insurance.
Goldenbear, have you looked into the price of medical insurance? Basically unless you’ve never been to the doctor for ANY reason in the last 10 years the price is astronomical.
People have not been pushing for healthcare reform just to hear the sound of their own voices. They’ve been pushing for it because too many people are uninsured because of the high cost.
I volunteer monthly at a free mobile health clinic run by a local hospital. Part of what I do is intake interviews. About half of the people I talk to are Caucasians who are employed full-time at a job with no medical benefits. It’s heartbreaking.
What a TRAVESTY…Kill the Bill!!
sounds like a klan… oppps, tea bagger
Americans will have a golden opportunity to send the democrats a message in the midterm elections by replacing them with representatives that listen to the voters, the first bill that should be passed by the new congress would literally take away the generous health plans that members of congress enjoy and force them to take the government plan they have just passed for the rest of us.
Absolutely Tom! I bet our great and wonderful congress don’t want ANY part of the health care program they’re shoving down our throats.
WOW, this is just simply stunning. I can’t believe what WE have done to this country. I’ll be very honest here folks, I’m scared really. This country is REALLY going to change a lot in the coming years & not for the better. Canada is looking pretty good….
Canada has socialized medicine…and the love it for the most part.
Thank you, Joe Cao!
Yep. For all intent and purposes they’ve hijacked the nation. Now the gobblement owns the banking industry (or should I say the banking industry owns the gobblement?), the auto industry, the home loan industry, the insurance industry and now the healthcare industry.
Here’s a quiz for you folks: What is the following a definition of???
“Political ideology that imposes strict social and economical measures as a method of empowering the government and stripping citizens of rights”
Clue: Starts with an F and ends with an M.
Learn it well. That’s the direction we’re moving in!
You said it ocobserver.
The banking industry has taken BILLIONS of dollars in TARP money and have started jacking up the interest rates of their clients…along with lowering credit limits. They’ve taken tax payer money and bought up their competition so there will be no one but them to deal with. All of this started with “government intervention” what a joke.
Whatever health insurance you have now, will be stripped next year. The insurers will get there money regardless of what the government does and WE, middle income Americans, will be paying for it.
repeating rush this time.
Yeah, the SAME thing was said when they tried to kill Medicare when it was winning. …another socialized plan, problem is, MOST seniors LIKE their medicare!
When everyone pays, price goes down, just like when products get popular, more get made, and the final price is less.
Lets see…. you want health insurance now, you pay, and the price goes UP because of all the freebies in the ER, eliminate the free ride, then costs go down, premiums go down.
Could be the name calling are those who like the free rides, don’t pay insurance now, then get FREE care in the ER costing everyone else that DOES pay. NICE!!!
This is just a Bill. duh, the Senate will fix what is wrong with it. Go to Canada. Nobody is forcing you to stay in America. Love it or leave it. and BTW, illegal foreigners are already getting free health care, so that is nothing new. There is no force to buy insurance, if you can’t afford to pay, the govt. will subsidize it.
John The Baptist:
Just WHO do you think the “government” IS? When you say “the govt. will subsidize it” You are talking about US…the TAXPAYERS…that’s who “subsidizes” illegals and that’s who will pay for EVERYONE’S health care. The govt. can afford to be generous, it’s NOT THEIR MONEY!
That’s an outright lie, John the Baptist. Either that, or it’s frightfully misinformed of you to make that kind of ridiculous statement.
The Government will only “subsidize it” if you “can’t afford it”, IF YOU’RE POOR.
What about those in the MAJORITY of the income bracket, who make TOO MUCH MONEY to be considered “poor”, but NOT ENOUGH MONEY to pay $1,000+ per month for freakin’ HEALTH INSURANCE.
According to this Bill, any individual making $40,000 per year does NOT qualify for any form of subsidy. Also, if that individual works for a small company, a company with an annual payroll of $500K per year, their employer is not obligated to offer any insurance at all. So the “rich” individual making a whopping $40,000 per year is on their own. No help from their employer. NO help from the Gubmint.
What happens NOW is that they don’t buy health insurance. They pay their mortgage, and grocery and utility bills instead.
If this Obamanation of a Bill passes, they’ll no longer be able to CHOOSE between those items. By FEDERAL LAW, they’ll HAVE to pay for Health Insurance.
They’ll have HEALTH INSURANCE, but they’ll be hungry AND homeless.
Tell me how THAT makes any sense.
This is a sell out to the insurance companies
The bill (HR3962) falls short in 5 crucial ways: cost, access, choice, disparities and quality.
1. Cost - The bill fails to control the unsustainable cost of our health care system. Instead, health care spending for millions of Americans, especially the middle class and state and local governments, will increase. Instead of eliminating or even curtailing the extremely negative role played by private and for-profit health insurance, the bill does the opposite. Federal taxpayer funds will subsidize insurance companies, not care. Nor does the bill change Medicare Part D in order to allow the negotiation of prices with the pharmaceutical industry.
2. Access - not only will the reform leave millions uninsured, but health insurance will remain tied to a job. When you lose your job you will still lose your health insurance.
3. Choice - Choice of doctor and hospital will remain in the hands of the insurance companies for those who get their insurance through an employer. In addition, the “public option” would, by 2019, enroll only 2% of the population, the poorest and sickest members of society, and according to the CBO “would cost more than private plans.”
4. Disparities - the shameful disparities in care in the US, between rich and poor, between rural and urban, between whites and peoples of color, would largely remain intact. More people on Medicaid will not lessen disparities.
5. Quality - the plans to study quality in health care included in the bill do not include the power to implement changes, for example in coverage or in payments. Quality initiatives need resources, not further study.
The first rule of medical care is do no harm. This bill fails this test on many levels. While we understand the desire of some reformers to embrace this proposal since the need to improve our health care system is so great, it would be better for Congress to start over rather than enact changes that will impede real reform for years.
The real beneficiaries of the bill are the private insurance companies who will be getting 50 million new consumers, subsidized by U.S. taxpayers. The government will coerce individuals to purchase a defective product: private health insurance. While millions of Americans will decide to pay a penalty instead of buying insurance, those that do obtain subsidized insurance will still often be unable to obtain the medical services they need due to high deductibles, limited coverage and denials by insurance companies.
Certainly the proposed expansion of eligibility for Medicaid services is important. However, we know from bitter experience that just because a patient has Medicaid, it does not follow that the person will find a caregiver, due to the low level of payments to providers. Major Medicaid expansion will prove unsustainable, for it pushes costs back onto states that now suffer severe budget crises.
This is not what the people wanted. Every politician from Obama on down who supported this should be voted out of office.
to Techie714 :
Have fun in Canada - planes are leaving daily and the I5 leads directly to the border - have a save trip -
It blows me away the ingnorant people STILL think this is free health care for the poor. Not a single person will get FREE health care in this bill! Another lie from Obama and Palosi. Funny how Obamy didn’t mention his “will not exceed $900 BILLION” clause in his statement. Scary how many people will believe well delivered lies.
scary how many people will belive the will delivered lies of fox news.
Poker, Nobody, not Obama, not Pelosi, not anyone said it’s FREE health care.
You call Obama a liar, and then you turn around and lie about what Obama has said.
You are the real LIAR, or you are terribly MISINFORMED!
I’d rather go to jail.
At least in jail you get free healthcare.
And the courts are mandating the state to upgrade healthcare quality.
They get better treatment than you do, DC. And they don’t pay a fricken dime!
DC and OCO, if you think jail is so great and the benefits are so wonderful, there are litterally thousands of ways to get your free ticket.
Odds are, you won’t take that ride….will you?
Why not? I mean, c’mon, y’all just said how you’d rather be there and how great the treatment is.
Go on now, write yourself a fast ticket to the pokey….I’ll still write to ya in there!
Obama lied. Pelosi lied. We will pay for it…..heavily.
birdie buster: why can’t you afford it? are you spenidng too much on other things. every county/parrish in the nation has free general hospitals.
I think you ar fibbing.
Thaddeus, have you looked into the price of medical insurance? Basically unless you’ve never been to the doctor for ANY reason in the last 10 years the price is astronomical. And using a “free general hospital” is not the same as having medical insurance!
People have not been pushing for healthcare reform just to hear the sound of their own voices. They’ve been pushing for it because too many people are uninsured because of the high cost.
I volunteer monthly at a free mobile health clinic run by a local hospital. Part of what I do is intake interviews. About half of the people I talk to are Caucasians who are employed full-time at a job with no medical benefits. It’s heartbreaking.
John the Baptist said:
“if you can’t afford to pay, the govt. will subsidize it.”
Wrong amigo! The Gov’t will subsidize cost AFTER it has reached over 10% of your income BEFORE taxes. Get your head out of the sand and read what’s IN the bill, NOT what they want you to hear. That’s why it’s 2000 pages, to discourage people from reading it and finding out the truth.
this plan really isn’t as radical as conservatives are making it. Let’s a take an independent’s open mind and examine that weighty bill. Yup, it is almost 2,000pgs, but if you are truly concerned, (as you should be health care is a significant issue) you will take the time to read it. The public option is OPTIONAL, not required… essentially establishes an independent agency of the U.S. (like the US Postal Service).
Uh Oh. You’re right… spending of any sort… government involvement through independent agencies… equals… O.O
SOCIALISM!!! COMMUNISM!!! FASCISM!!!
*eye-roll* [signifying lack of amusement at others' shallow, sub par analyses of bills] not that I condemn criticism; I praise it. we need to put this bill (which spends so much money) under intense scrutiny. But those syllogisms to which I alluded above, are NOT intellectual criticism.
not in my America!
to the poster with the sprained ankle: why is it MY fault, or the insurance company’s fault if YOU can’t afford health insurance? get a different job. economy bad? move somewhere where you can afford your lifestyle. moving too expensive or you don’t want to? stop complaining.
Agreed! I think we should also privatize all of those other socialist government programs like law enforcement, fire-rescue services, public schools, public roads, and or freeways, and the military!
It’s not my problem if you are too stupid to live in a high crime neighborhood, and need law enforcement, have a bunch of children that need a public school, or live in a high fire danger area and need firefighters to protect your home! I don’t need any of these ’socialist’ programs, yet I have to pay for them nonetheless!!!!
Oh, and that LAME war in Iraq… let the GOP pay for that one with their own private money and army!!!!
Let’s end ALL Socializem!!!!! Stupid commies!!!
“why is it MY fault, or the insurance company’s fault if YOU can’t afford health insurance?”
Christopher, do you have any idea how much private health insurance costs? Check it out. The costs are exceptionally high. And now that the poster above has sprained an ankle he will be labeled as uninsurable. Once you go to the doctor, that’s it. No private insurer will take you.
Christiopher, nobody said it’s YOUR FAULT or the INS CO fault, but for
God’s sake, this is American, don’t you think people deserve health care? Jesus man, what the hell is wrong with you??
And WHY should people that can’t afford health insurance subsidize people like YOU who obviously do have it????
You want to keep this for profit system that works so well for YOU, but it’s at the cost of others.
What are you afraid of?
Comrades, welcome to the USSA.
Oh God, another Kool Aid drinker…..you do know BBR, that Reagan ran up the largest federal deficit in history at the time of his administration, don’t you? The 2nd runner up was a man named Bush.
Use your brain, Bryan (obviously you didn’t when you voted). This story is about nationalizing 16% of our economy, not about deficits.
Well, ocboserver, you were obviously not among us watching the debate live on C-SPAN. One of the requirements for U.S. residents (native or foreign) to purchase a personal health care insurance policy is a social security number. That’s right… the option to purchase… as in NOT free… social security number… as in a U.S. citizen or a legally documented alien. The only “free” public health care plan supported by this congress is medicaid; because, yes, it is the humane, compassionate thing to do… to ensure the healthcare of those whom we don’t pay enough, for them to cover it themselves. Through a progressive tax structure, we make those who pay them substandard wages, cover it.
If the Obama administrations tax reform plans get proposed, passed, and implemented, then, No, households earning less than 250,000 dollars a year will not pay an extra nickle to fund it. For those skeptical of an increase to tax cap– consider this; from 1950-1963 the top tax bracket (at that time taxable income over $400,000) ranged from 91-92%. And, again, No… taxing the economic elite at that rate, did not, in fact, debilitate economic growth.
I will give you this, ocobserver, one of the most controversial parts of this bill is the requirement to purchase a personal health care insurance policy, under threat of [most likely a monetary] penalty. I myself am not too sure how I feel about it (in particular it’s constitutionality), BUT I can tell you that I am not so ignorant and narrow-minded as to not understand why it has been proposed.
Are you aware of the consequences hospitals (particularly public ones) face after having provided costly medical care for patients that CANNOT pay them? That “free” health care for “illegals” which you mentioned, is probably you confusing the democrats’ proposed H.R. 3200: “America’s Affordable Health Choices Act”, with the currently-in-place “Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act” of 1986. This law only applies to participating hospitals [basically those receiving federal funds], and makes them provide care and ambulatory services to anyone in a medical emergency… regardless of citizenship, legal status of their residency, or their financial status. This was NOT an Obama proposal; that law was passed 23 years ago, under the currently-lauded President Reagan and Republican Majority leader Robert Dole.
Do you know what fascism really is? I don’t. I’m ignorant. Merriam-Webster’s says this:
“1 often capitalized : a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition
2 : a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control ”
To me, Obama doesn’t seem to have enforced dictatorial rule by means of military might. He also doesn’t seem to have forcibly suppressed the opposition. His political opponents were struck down from their previous positions of power by our fellow countrymen… exercising their power to vote as according to our nation’s republican governmental structure. [And the good old Australian ballot system!] But then, this definition may very well be wrong… who’s to say that Merriam-Webster, the “lexicographical heir of Noah Webster” is an authority on the English language, much less political ideology, as absorbed by the masses? Perhaps, they are as ignorant as I am.
Teach us. Please.
Ciara,
Naive people like yourself are easily fooled. They throw a little bait out and you don’t think twice. Based on political ideology you immediately gulp it down - all the way down to your belly - hook and all! hah.
Obama lied to you. He told you over and over again a little over a year ago that he would give you the SAME healthcare plan as congress and if you made less than $250k you would not have to pay an extra dime to fund it. You cannnot argue that FACT. I recorded him saying it. He said it dozens of times. Joe Wilson was right. Obama is a BALD FACED LIAR!
Now Obama supports this Bill which FORCES lower middle class and middle class people to who have no insurance through an employer to BUY a HC policy from a private insurance company. If you’ve checked out the prices just for an individual policy for somebody 40+ at a cheap insurer, like Kaiser, is close to $400. For a family it’s $1200. A MONTH! Now, if the individual cannot afford such a plan due to the household budget and refuses to pay the IRS can collect by garnishing wages, seizing bank accounts, etc… And if the person is creative and hides his assets he is subject to 5 years in jail and a $250000 fine!!! THOSE ARE FACTS. THAT IS IN THE BILL. So being FORCED by a government to BUY a product (health insurance) from a private corporation or GO TO JAIL is tantamount to FASCISM whether you want to admit it or not. FASCISM is controlling the means of production in society. The government already owns the banking system, the insurance companies, the home mortgage business, the auto industry, and now healthcare. That accounts for about 75% of america’s GDP. THAT’S FASCISM. Sorry.
And there is NO ENFORCEMENT PROVISION in the Bill to prohibit illegal foreigners from getting free healthcare WITHOUT a social security number. There is a federal law that says illegal foreigners are not allowed to be in the USA (hence the term ‘illegal’. Yet if they are successful getting pasted the border into the interior USA NOTHING is done to enforce it!!!! It will be the VERY SAME with healthcare. FREE HEALTHCARE FOR ILLEGALS COMPLIMENTS OF THE AMERICAN TAXPAYERS, while american citizens who don’t buy into the program will be threatened with going to jail.
ALL FACTS. I know you don’t like facts, Ciara. But that doesn’t make them any less true. You, my dear, are an anarchist.
I don’t know if the healthcare reform will be better in price.
My family (4 people) have to pay $1236/month (25/10/200) for HMO plan with BlueCross (Anthem). Maximum out of pocket $5000. Will the public option will be cheaper????
Why is the left so fascinated with the government controlling everything?
Healthcare will become the like the VA, I don’t want that. Yes, another beurotcracy to tell me i’m denied. joy.
Maybe this is unconstitutional…..wait, that implies there is such a thing, but that doesn’t exist in this administration. Surely the Supreme Court will rule against these dopes right? Right?
And to the busted ankle person, you obviously didn’t look hard enough for a free clinic….
“you obviously didn’t look hard enough for a free clinic….”
Do you have any idea who pays for the “free” clinics? You do. I do. They are funded with public money — taxes.
That’s part of the current problem. Too many tax dollars are being spent on health care for people who dont have insurance.
LOL….It’s a ridiculous assertion anyway!
What the frack is WRONG with you people!?!?!
Birdiebuster laments the fact that she/he had to pay a whopping $250 for an X-Ray.
Hey, Dearie…..How much do you think you’d have SUNK into a Health Insurance policy which would ALLOW you the privilege of a “free”, “covered” X-Ray - AFTER YOUR $500 - $1,000 ANNUAL DEDUCTIBLE?
How much, genius? $250 PER MONTH? $500 PER MONTH? MORE?
USE YOUR HEADS PEOPLE!
Birdiebuster: It’s now November, and if all you paid for HEALTH CARE all year was $250 for an X-Ray, then be GREATFUL.
Once this bill goes into effect, by this time in the year, you’ll have paid an average of $5,000, WHETHER YOU NEEDED MEDICAL TREATMENT OR NOT!
OCPeople:
Yes it will be cheaper…just don’t get sick and need to use it…you’ll be at the back of a very long line.
This country is going to hell in a handbasket :/
The rich congressmen are suppose to side with their fellow rich men, big companies and their dogs on leash.
A congress sided with the people? This is a very interesting concept.
Which “people” are you referring to, Dan.
Because they sure the *ELL didn’t side with ME. That’s for sure.
This will COST the average working American a FORTUNE.
It is stupefying to read the many comments placed by those to who have been fed fear and misinformation. Most industrialized and civil societies have a public health care system. It acts as an equalizer as it provides the same quality care to everyone irrespective of their perceived social worthiness (income for republicans).
thank. you. I thought I was the only sane person willing to brave the depths of the OCRegister’s comment wall.
Yes, Daniel, but they don’t have Obama saying over and over that he believes in redistribution of wealth. Obviously you’ve never been to a county or VA hospital. But go ahead, the government shall provide. If we’re all to be equal, then we’ll all be brought down to the lowest common denominator. That’s not what this country is (used to be) about. I guess I shouldn’ t have worked so hard for what I have.
do you have a though of you own or will you just keep repeating glen beck
rob (as in let’s rob those who have earned and give it to those who won’t?) - I’m not the only one recognizes this “greedy grab” by the federal government for what it is. What government program is run efficiently and cost-effective? Name one. And don’t say medicare. It is broke. What are your thoughts, rob? Or do you just sit back and take pot shots at those who think for themselves?
To say private and public healthcare systems can’t coexist ignores the fact that state and private universities get along quite well. This is the country that went to the moon, defeated dictators and built the interstate freeway system. We can do this. This irrational fear of a public option is cowardice plain and simple. We need to make this work. It’s time to quit crying about it and roll up our sleeves.
Yes, Canada has socialize healthcare, but Canada also has a fraction of the amount of people they need to cover. I read once that there are less people in the entire country of Canada than we have illegal aliens in this country.
you pay for my health care now. that is efficien and cost-effective. If they pass this I’ll have to pay. So KILL THIS BILL!!!!! I want you to pay for my health care.
GOD i though I went to the OCregister not the glen beck fan club
we should know better… we should know based on those leftist op-eds
a day of infamy 218 flushes
People are overlooking the fact there will be union requirements in this bill. The American people must open their eyes to the fact that the Unions and Specials Interest groups are in control of OUR AMERICA !
Stand up Americaians and fight to save our Country for generations to come !
I hope they don’t pass this in the senate. I hope they leave it just the way it is. I don’t have health ins. I just go to the hospital. get all fixed up and you pay for it. If they pass this I’ll have to pay, even if it’s just a fine. I’ll still have to pay. I want you to pay for my health care not me.
Its never been about making health care better or affordable. ObamaCare is designed to salvage the mother of all liberal entitlements programs, Social Security. Social Security cannot survive the huge incoming surge of baby boomers. But have no fear, for the annointed one, our award-winning muslim Kenya born illegal alien plagiarist president Barry Soetoro has the solution. ObamaCare. Lets look at his numbers. Cost to keep grandma alive under the current system: $99,000. ObamaCare costs for pain killers, hospice, and funeral: $6,500. Cost savings: $92,500. Number of baby boomers: 36,300,000. Total ObamaCare cost savings: $3,335,750,000,000. And how does that impact social security? Average Social Security payment: $1,153. Life expenctancy 85 years old. 20 years(240 months)of lifetime payments=$276,200. Number of boomers receiving Social Security: 36,300,000. ObamaCare induced cost savings: $12,335,370,000,000. And don’t forget the residual benefits for democRATS such as the federal inheritance tax (Death Tax) and the fact that 58% of the elderly are registered Republicans.
Ugly,
this Bill is a transfer of wealth from the lower middle class and middle class to the fat insurance companies and the medical delivery system. they are forcing citizens to buy a healthcare policy using an extortion technique known as an ‘excise tax’ at the end of the year if you don’t comply. And if you fail to pay the ‘excise tax’ you go to jail for up to 5 years.
the government as taken over the banking industry, the auto industry, the home mortgage industry, the insurance (AIG) industry, and now healthcare. When a government controls the means of production in a country and imposes it’s will upon the citizens to buy a product (hc insurance) from a so-called private corporation or go to jail that is the equivalent of ‘fascism’ regardless of what anyone else tells you.
Obame promised us OVER AND OVER AGAIN a little over a year ago that he would give us the SAME healthcare plan as congress and if we made less than $250k that we would not have to pay an extra dime to fund it. Now he supports the current Bill. Joe Wilson was spot-on. Obama is a bald-faced liar. He lied to get elected. He stole the votes of MILLIONS based on lies. In my mind, that should be a crime. It should hold the same penalty as perjury in a courtroom. We have NO democracy if politicians are able to LIE to us to steal our votes with no immediate consequences afterwards. That is no democracy, my friend.
For all the cheering rank and file idelogical Obama/Pelosi lovers who think this is such a swell bill. If you had any private healthcare through your employer or if you work for any type government agency you just lost your healthcare and your liberty to choose whether you want it or not. Go to jail because you don’t buy health insurance! Waht kind of nonsense is that? It’s about you paying for your neighbors healthcare and feeding the beast. all the other If your employer was self insured not any more. They get to buy from Uncle Sam or an insurance company that will cost more. Who is going to pay for that increase? You and me.This bill isn’t just about healthcare. This will turn out to be about the government telling you how to run your life because it will be tied to how much they have to spend on you. You want to be fat? Not anymore. You want to smoke? Not anymore and so it will go. There is no incentive for them to spend a dime on you because it will all be about the money. What they take in and what they spend. Tell me how I’m wrong on where this is headed.
The Dems have a made a deal with the devil and the devil will get his due. Thanks for the change!
Cradle to grave;
Thank goodness someone is going to look out for and care for us.
What would we do if it weren’t for our representatives making these decisions for us?
As far as I know there is NOTHING in the US Constitution that give a lawmaker the authority to FORCE a citizen to buy a product from a private corporation against his will and if he fails to comply to throw him in jail!!!!
What the heck is going on in this country???
If this goes through Constiutional law is dead! Over with! Put a fork in it!
Everytime a bill is passed…alittle of your freedom is taken away.
It’s time to put ‘politically correct people to bed’. And make people responsible for their actions.
I like what Spock said on Star Trek.
When the needs of the many (308 million people in the United States), out weighs the needs of the few (34 million without insurance? “includes Illegals). Oh oooo…that makes it about 18 million of real citizens.
And the majority of the people said…’We Don’t Want It. Get government out of our private lives’.
I voted for Loretta in 2008 because she voted against the TARP bill (H R 1424 - Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008) and I told her I would if she voted against it. Unfortunately, she voted YES for the stimulus bill in Feb 2009, she voted yes for the Cap and Trade in June 2009 (HR 2454), and now she’s voted YES for socializing our health care. THREE STRIKES and YOU’RE OUT LORETTA !!!