151 Congressional Members on Medicare: Oppose Public Option, Bravo Rep Weiner

Am quoting form Congressman Andrew Weiner website. YOU HAVE TO READ THIS:

10.22.09


NEWS: New Weiner Study Shows 151 Members of House and Senate Get the “Public Option” Now

Weiner Calls on GOP Opponents of the Public Option to Give Up Their Medicare

WaSHINGTON, DC—A new study by Representative Anthony Weiner (D – Queens & Brooklyn), member of the Health Subcommittee and Co-Chair of the Caucus on the Middle Class, revealed that 151 members of the House and Senate currently receive government-funded; government-administered single-payer health care - Medicare.


On the list of recipients are 55 Republicans who have steadfastly opposed other Americans getting the public option, like the one they have chosen.

Weiner said, “Even in a town known for hypocrisy, this list of 55 Members of Congress deserve some sort of prize. They apparently think the public option is ok for them, but not anyone else.”
The list of congressional recipients of Medicare who also oppose the public option is below:
Rep. Ralph M. Hall

Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett

Rep. Sam Johnson

Rep. C.W. Bill Young

Rep. Howard Coble

Sen. Jim Bunning

Sen. Richard G. Lugar

Rep. Don Young

Sen. Charles E. Grassley

Sen. Robert F. Bennett

Rep. Vernon J. Ehlers

Sen. Orrin G. Hatch

Sen. Richard C. Shelby

Rep. Jerry Lewis

Sen. James M. Inhofe

Rep. Ron Paul

Rep. Henry E. Brown

Sen. Pat Roberts

Sen. George V. Voinovich

Sen. John McCain

Rep. Judy Biggert

Sen. Thad Cochran

Rep. Harold Rogers

Rep. Dan Burton

Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon

Rep. Frank R. Wolf

Sen. Christopher S. Bond

Rep. Michael N. Castle

Rep. Joe Pitts

Rep. Tom Petri

Sen. Lamar Alexander

Rep. Doc Hastings

Rep. Cliff Stearns

Rep. Sue Myrick

Rep. John Carter

Sen. Mitch McConnell

Sen. Jon Kyl

Rep. Phil Gingrey

Rep. Nathan Deal

Rep. John Linder

Rep. Kay Granger

Rep. John L. Mica

Rep. Walter B. Jones

Sen. Jim Risch

Rep. Ed Whitfield

Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner

Rep. Virginia Foxx

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison

Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite

Sen. Saxby Chambliss

Sen. Michael B. Enzi

Rep. Elton Gallegly

Rep. Donald Manzullo

Rep. Peter T. King

Rep. Ander Crenshaw



###

Who Does Congress Really Represent?

While I heard some encouraging news from a conference call several bloggers and myself had on Friday with Senator Reid's staff, I am still left wondering: who does Congress really represent?

The good news? Staffers reported that Congress really is taking note of what their constituents are saying (let's hope they actually confirm a healthcare reform bill based on what their constituents want). So, that part is up to you and while I am sure you are sick of reading that here...if you truly care about the future of healthcare and how coverage plays out, you MUST make your voice heard. Here is link to contact information: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

The Baucus Bill has no public option even though recent polls showed over 67% of the US voters want it. This week and ongoing, the Congress will try to reconcile the Baucus bill with other bills that do have a Public Option. Ronni Bennett of Time Goes By does a much better job of describing this on her blog:http://www.timegoesby.net/weblog/

What Ronni reminded me of last week was that it only took 11 months for Medicare to be implemented. And while not perfect, Medicare works. If it were revised and streamlined, its infrastucture could be used for the Public Option. More then that, this merging could finally remove the age factor in health care. Health coverage is a freedom...a liberty. We are the only large nation that does not have a public option for its citizens and our health care is viewed as one of the worst in the world. The Baucus Bill does not go into effect until 2012 or later. Really? More people will die...thousands...I find that appalling but then I find a family wanting publicity and willing to have their children lie..also appalliing (balloon boy)...what are we coming too? Did they learn that publicity is more about negatives, fear, possible death and negative outcomes? then doing good? I have my own thoughts on that and won't bore you with those.

The truth is, we cannot count on the Media to help push a public option through even though that is based on need and facts; we cannot count on the Senate to push a public option through based on current history; we could CHANGE outcomes if we believe and take 5 minutes out of our day to contact CONGRESS NOW and let your voice be heard. CLICK HERE

I could go on and on about the money factor: the greed and perceived buying of votes based on profits and huge salaries, rather then need (and it's more then my opinion). Frankly, it is exhausting to repeat this crap again. Right wing Democrats and Republicans have tried, and often succeeded, to rule the lives of all Americans. This country was based on the freedom for all principle; not just the few.

So my question to you today is do you want your health care coverage decided by a few? based on profits? or based on need?

more to come

Grey Day...Grey Me, Pun Intended

I have a full time job looking for a job. I have learned a lot in this process. It's a game....I hate games. I hate playing the game to get someone's attention but I do it because there is no other option.

Now you have to have "keywords" in your resume as most employer HR departments use technology to scan the over 100-200 resumes they get for each advertised job. I would be happy to review resumes for any company looking to fill a position. But I guess I would cost more then technology.

I have a different resume for each job applied for. Next week I am going to a job placement agency that offers retraining. Who knew? But it's all good.

I started signing up for online surveys. Mostly with Greenfield and Nielsen, two companies I trust that do not charge and do alot of online surveys. The surveys take from 3-20minutes. Sometimes you get paid a whopping $2 and sometimes you get your name placed in a sweepstakes to win up to $1000. I have never won anything so am not counting on this. But I did "make" $6 so far this week. And I also got rejected from about 100 surveys because of age or profession. Wow, a symbolic reflection of my life now?

I refuse to make more of this then it is but today is rainy and grey so rejection fits my mood and the color of my hair. But, like Scarlett O'Hara, there is always tomorrow...when I am getting my hair colored just in case....and tonight will play the Mega Millions....there is good news: Senator Reid's office is doing another conference call with some bloggers (me included) to discuss the outcome of the Senate Finance Committee's passing of a health reform bill. They may regret my participation as I am NOT happy about no public option inclusion in this bill.

And my Twittering has gotten me some contacts with media and more...and my grandkids give me more joy than anything else...so onward and upward..

more to come....................

Life, Liberty, the pursuit of Happiness, Part 5 I think

First, update on healthcare refom: Senate finance committee passed bill with No public options; taxing of those who do not get health insurance, etc. Not perfect, not even good frankly. We need public option. Am part of conference call (with several bloggers) with Senator Reid staff tomorrow. Will let you all know.

But it is very important that ALL human beings have the freedom of health care coverage. Please, please let your voice be heard and contact your Congressional reps and tell them you want PUBLIC OPTION.

Ok, moving on.....to the flight from reality to reality shows and more. Top Chef was great last night, as usual. Can't wait to see Project Runway tonight as Nina Garcia is BACK!!! Sorry Drop Dead Diva is finished for their season. Really enjoyed the show.

Noticed Today Show today (pun intended) has some feel good stories. One inspiring story about a kid with one leg who is a sports player with no use of prosthesis.
See this:



And they did some other feel good stories. Hurray for Today! I actually feel pumped after this. I think I will promote the good stuff that I see. We all need some great stuff to inspire us to move on in life and do good for others. When you give, you get.

Heard any feel good stories? Feel free to post them here. Oh, and did you visit Emma Wallace on youtube yet? See post I did on her recently.

More to come.................

Updates to this morning HCR Call, and blog below

Just when I was feeling so discouraged after our morning conference call (see blog below) change has already started to take place. Not because of our call this morning, though I hope that will have an impact but because of comments the public has been making to Congress.


I just found out from the team on the call this morning two things:
An ammendment has been addes that would improve beneficiary access to primary and preventive care by adding a modified version of the Medicare Fracture Prevention and Osteoporosis Testing Act (S.769). This policy would improve beneficiary access to bone density tests. This policy was submitted by Senator Lincoln as amendment D2.

And more ammendments are coming in to change the bill that addressed our concerns. Here are links to original Baucus Plan and updated plan for your viewing pleasure:
the original Chairman’s mark released last week in case you still need it: http://finance.senate.gov/sitepages/leg/LEG%202009/091609%20Americas_Healthy_Future_Act.pdf

Here are the modifications to the Chairman’s mark – proposed by Baucus – that the Committee will consider: http://finance.senate.gov/press/Bpress/2009press/prb092209a.pdf



This is why it is so important to contact Congress.

To see more from people who are talking, go here

Conference Call with Senator Reid Team; Health Care Reform

Ronni Bennett of TimeGoesBy blog organized a bloggers outreach on Health Care Reform that motivated me to blog, ad nauseum to some, about my thoughts on this very important matter. As a result of that, Ronni  spoke with Senator Reid's team yesterday and then today 4 other bloggers, myself included, we invited to speak this morning with a team from Senator Reid's office, health policy people and staff, related to Senator Baucas plan. Ronni will be blogging on more specifics on the Medicare aspects of reform; the actual process involved in getting this bill through, and more tomorrow at http://www.timegoesby.net/. My post is my view point on the general topic of getting health care reform bill passed. Some facts, a lot of opinion, and pure emotion.

I spent most of last night and this morning reading Senator Baucas plan that the team graciously supplied to all of us on the call. I am now officially brain dead. This bill is, in my opinion, awful. There is NO public option plan. It is a lesson in how politicians keep their jobs and give buraucracy a lousy name.

What I learned from the call that is positive:

Medicare will cover prevention testing free to subscribers

Medicare will cover free annual check ups(instead of just ONE when you sign up)

If you are in the donut hole on Medicare, you will get a 50% reduction discount on brand name drugs but get credit of 100% toward coming out of the donut hole

There will be a .5% increase in reimbursement to doctors and NOT the 21% reduction. This will keep doctors on the roll of providing medical care for seniors.

What is negative:

no public option plan

574 ammendments submitted as of yesterday

still no coverage of bone density scans as prevention for osteoporosis which has increased health care costs related to this disease to a whopping $19 billion!

No agreement between Repubs and Dems on bills and ammendments

What is hopeful:

House bill does have public option plan

HELP has public option plan (HELP is the anacronym for the Senate's Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Finance)

The call: the staff were very nice, helpful and listened to our concerns and explained the process.  For me, someone who has been in health care in one way or another for more years than I care to count, I do not understand why Congress continues to make something so simple, so difficult.

My question: Medicare is in place. It is not perfect but provides good health care coverage for over 40 million seniors. You do pay a premium for Medicare that is managable to most. If you cannot afford it, and are eligible for Medicaid, Medicaid will pay for Medicare. This is called dual eligibility.

Medicare has an infrastucture in place. True it has some bureacracy but what health insurer doesn't? So, very simply, why  not make Medicare the PUBLIC OPTION plan for the uninsured? tada! Simple. Easy, Fast.

Frustrating...some of congressional staff/members actually suggested this but its not going anywhere. Don't ask me why.

The good: Congress is getting calls, emails, phone calls on Health care reform. So if you have a view point, make it known. Or suffer the consequences of non action.

I know the President's bill and others make certain conditions a necessity in changing the managed care insurers but they forgot to eliminate the term MCO love: Medical necessity which is used to deny coverage for "anything" the plan deems too expensive.

I loved the staff today who were very helpful and honest. More than that, they were willing to listen. Tell everyone you know to call, email, blog about health care reform. Congress is listening. And that is the best news I can offer.

Frankly, I am drained from frustration related to what I perceive as the mind boggling reticence on the part of Congress to make a simple, easy to use health care system possible. Health care coverage is a liberty. I thought liberty for all was part of our US Consitution. Remember when Patrick Henry  said: "give me liberty or give me death"? It is evident today that he was also including health care coverage.....pun intended.

More to come.....

Add Your Name; the Myth of 60

The Senate only needs 50 senators and Vice-President Biden to pass -- by majority vote -- healthcare reform including a public option in a budget bill this year. there are  50 senators on record ready to vote for real reform.


The budget process can start as soon as October 15. Need to hit the critical mass of at least 250,000 signers by then to make sure our call to action has an impact on every member of Congress nationwide.  If we work together, I think we can double it and gather 50,000 signatures by Monday.


As the President said in his speech to Congress last week, this is the season for action. The majority of Americans want the choice of a public option and majority votes in Congress will pass it. Join me in calling on Congress to get the job done this year.



ADD YOUR NAME RIGHT NOW http://americacantwait.com/dfaemail2



The myth of 60 is pushed by those who want to kill reform.



But the foundation of American democracy is based on majority votes and the United States Congress is no exception. While Senate rules allow a procedural tactic known as the filibuster to block most bills without the support of 60 senators, there are exceptions -- because Senate rules also ban the use of a filibuster to block budget reconciliation bills. That means, if the Senate can't pass healthcare reform including the choice of a public option with 60 votes, they can still pass it in the budget bill this year by majority vote.



The question is do they have the political will to fight back against right-wing fear mongering and misinformation to deliver real reform?



It's up to us to demand action. Let's work hard to get 50,000 signers by Monday.



ADD YOUR NAME -- THEN PASS IT ON
http://americacantwait.com/dfaemail2

I added my name. Will you add yours?

HCR act now; repubs sit on their brains...cause that's where they are

President Obama was brilliant. Called out the liars; spelled out the plan. Everything remains as is if that's the way you want it. NO DEATH SQUADS; will force no more pre-exising conditions; no more use of medially unncessary; insurers must pay for members health care.

Public option available to those who have NO OTHER OPTION FOR HEALTH CARE COVERAGE. YEAH. It will be non-profit

Will cut waste and fraud. Mediare and Medicaid remain: with better options.

Repubs sat like little children. Some did join in but most sat on that part of the anatomy not usually thought of to house brains, but in their case, it was where their brains are. I hope someone knows the names of the repub hecklers. I hope they all are replaced in Congress.

Time for change is NOW.  Make your voice heard.

Time is Now; WSJ reports Prez endorse Public Option Plan

Twitter alive and well with healthcare reform updates BUT conservative right wing-nuts are more prevalent; news reports they raised $20mm to destroy what they call: ObamaCare. They almost destroyed free speech by the President yesterday and actually blocked some schools from listening to a president who wanted to show and talk about the importance of school, commitment and responsibility. Is this who you want speaking for you? And, they are out to kill healthcare reform with such a vengence, it blows me away.

Contact the white house today and let the President know you want a public option health plan. this plan is NOT mandatory if you want to continue with the health plan you have. It is a CHOICE. 202-456-1414. FAX: 202-456-2461 are the White House numbers. I hope they are jammed with people letting the President know we support health care reform

Done.

A Matter of Life or Death: Are you ready to choose?

I said I was taking a break from the political and media pundits giving voice to the minority who want to control the USA and destroy the Presidency. Those who know me, know that is difficult for me to step back. So, motivated by a true story that is recent, I had to post this:

A young woman, mother, wife, in her late 30's, suffered a cardiac event: ventricular fibrillation (this is not conducive with life). Rushed to the Emergency Room, the doctors there initiated immediate cardiac surgery to correct the problem. They were successful. She did very well after the surgery and has returned to living a fairly normal productive life.

2 Weeks after her surgery, she received the hospital and physician bill totaling almost 100,000 dollars because HER MANAGED CARE HEALTH INSURER DENIED THE CLAIM as UNECESSARY MEDICAL EXPENDITURE. She is fighting it. I hope she wins. And if I knew the name of the insurer, I would name them here. But I don't want to affect her case.

In the NEW health reform public option plan, there would be no such incident or denial. And I believe, once a public option is in, managed care insurers will have to compete and denials as ridiculous as this one, will go away.

So it's a matter of life or death. Which do you choose? If you are currently insured with one of the managed care health insurers, this story could be about you.

Make a difference. Make your voice heard. CALL your congressional representatives, senators, and tell them you support the public option health plan. Here is the phone number, just ask for your representative: Congressional Switchboard: (202) 224-3121

Support those in Congress supporting a public option health plan, sign up now

Sign your support of the health heroes who are backing a public option health plan.....do it now

From Democracy for America:
This week, we kicked off September reminding Congress that passing the choice of a public health insurance option is about people -- not politics.



Organized by our partners at MoveOn, DFA members joined in holding over 350 "Can't Afford To Wait" vigils nationwide. Local papers covered many of the events whether there were 15 people attending or several hundred. And members of Congress were reminded that real people have real stories and are depending on them to pass real reform.


Over 60,000 Americans have signed on to thank the House Healthcare Heroes for committing to not vote for a bill if it doesn't include a public option. We will deliver all the signatures next week. Can you help us get to 75,000 signatures by Tuesday night?


SIGN UP NOW TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE 64 Democrats who have stood up to draw a line in the sand (AND SUPPORT THE PUBLIC OPTION PLAN) need to know we have their backs. They need to know that no matter what happens we're depending on them to not back down. Here is the link:http://www.democracyforamerica.com/activities/181