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Health Care Reform>
NEW HEALTH CARE REFORM BILL
EaglesVoice
22 posts
Mar 15, 2010
10:52 PM
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FLEMING HEALTH CARE REFORM UPDATE
Guess how many taxes are in this bill??!!
March 13, 2010
As a citizen concerned about our nation’s health care system, I thought you’d like to know that the health care bill being rammed through the House contains 10 years worth of tax increases to pay for only 6 years worth of benefits. These taxes total $500 billion dollars over 10 years. Many of these taxes will affect Americans earning less than $200,000 a year, despite the President’s promise to avoid such taxes.
Here are just a few of the taxes contained in the bill:
$750 penalty per worker charged to employers who fail to provide government-sanctioned health insurance
Tax on brand name drugs—totaling $2.3 billion
Increased penalty for early withdrawal from your HSA (from 10% to 20%)
Tax on medical devices—totaling $19.2 billion
10% tax on indoor tanning services
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU: Some of these taxes may affect you directly. Others, like the employer mandate, will cost our economy desperately needed jobs. Others will have ripple effects through the system that will raise prices for everyone.
THE DOCTOR'S DIAGNOSIS: America needs common sense health reform, not job-killing taxes. Future Congresses will be under pressure to raise taxes even further to pay for future years of an expanded government-administered health care system.
As this process unfolds, I will continue to work to represent you, bring common-sense to this debate, expose abuses of power and do all I can to prevent bad policy from becoming law.
Sincerely,
JOHN FLEMING, M.D.
Member of Congress
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Marigold1
1 post
Mar 16, 2010
5:00 PM
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Phillip, I heard word today that Baucus also has a 'Sweetheart Deal' for Libby. Have you heard of this?
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EaglesVoice
32 posts
Mar 19, 2010
4:43 PM
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No I don't think so! What?
Last Edited on 19-Mar-2010 6:17 PM
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EaglesVoice
34 posts
Mar 19, 2010
5:18 PM
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-----Original Message-----
From: Phillip Erquiaga [mailto:perquiaga@eaglesvoice.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 3:39 PM
To: max@baucus.senate.gov
Subject: RE: Reply from Senator Baucus
Honorable Senator Baucus,
I appreciate all the work you and everyone in Washington have put forward to accomplish Health Care Reform.
However, I CAN NOT support any bill or offer future support for any elected official unless certain root issues are addressed in the bill. The problems I, as well as many others, envision are these bills do not address the root of the problem. The enormous cost of healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and health Insurance.
1st - As I've read them, neither the House or Senate bills consider Torte Reform as it applies to health care. Doctors, and all medical professionals, must be covered by excessively high priced Malpractice Insurance to protect themselves from lawsuits, more particularly; frivolous lawsuits. This is of course passed on to the consumer.
2nd - The excessive cost of medical services and the associated Price Gouging is not considered. i.e.; Why should hospitals be allowed to charge $10 to $20 for a single Tylenol when that same Tylenol can be purchased at the grocery store for less than $10 for a bottle of 100. This is a common practice across the board that drives up the cost of healthcare. There needs to be laws preventing this type of price gouging and controlling to charges by providers.
3rd - The excessive cost of prescriptions and associated Price Gouging is not considered. i.e.; A little over two years ago Anna was given prescription for Prilosec. The cost was over $300 at the hospital, the insurance wouldn't pay but $20. We went to three pharmacists, the price varied a little but the cheapest was about $260. The last pharmacist we visited explained that we could get the same exact drug, Prilosec OTC, over the counter for $24. We were cautious about this so I did my research and discovered that the Pharmacist was correct; Prilosec and Prilosec OTC are EXACTLY the same. There needs to be laws preventing this type of price gouging and to control the charges drug companies and/or pharmacies are allowed to charge.
4th - Health Insurance costs are out of hand as are the Insurance Companies Carte Blanche attitudes towards their client. I believe your bill does some to help the latter. However, as I see it the "accept everyone", "no cancellation", etc... regulations in these bill will only increase cost to the consumer without price controls incorporated.
I could respond with a book on your Senate bill and the House bill, but it is clear that these bills will not and can not work until the root issues, including those noted above, are addressed. I CAN NOT support any bill or offer future support for any elected official unless these root issues are addressed in the bill.
Sincerely,
Phillip Erquiaga
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-----Original Message-----
From: max@baucus.senate.gov [mailto:max@baucus.senate.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 2:20 PM
To: perquiaga@eaglesvoice.com
Subject: Reply from Senator Baucus
November 10, 2009
Mr. Phillip Erquiaga
408 W Flower St
Libby, Montana 59923-2613
Dear Phillip:
Thank you for contacting me about health care reform. I appreciate hearing from you on this very important issue.
After more than two years of preparation and months of negotiations, I recently released my plan to improve our nation's healthcare system. The plan, America's Healthy Future Act of 2009, will make health care more affordable, increase quality and expand access while not adding one dime to the deficit.
My bill accomplishes these goals by putting the American healthcare system back on the right track. Right now, America spends more on healthcare than any other nation, but we're not getting any healthier. If left alone, these health costs would spiral out of control and cripple our economy. That's why now is the time for decisive action.
America's Healthy Future Act will provide tax credits to help working families and small businesses afford health coverage, and it also protects existing plans so that if you like the coverage you have, you can keep it. This Act will improve insurance coverage by prohibiting discrimination based on health status or pre-existing conditions. It promotes wellness and prevention, and it gives physicians incentives to provide high quality care rather than a high quantity of care.
America's Healthy Future Act makes an investment in our health care system to ensure that it will work for future generations. My plan will help Americans stay healthier, and since better health means less money spent on health care, costs will begin to level off. This Act guarantees that all Americans will finally have access to quality, affordable care.
Thanks again for getting in touch. Please don't hesitate to contact me in the future with any additional comments or concerns.
Sincerely,
Last Edited on 19-Mar-2010 5:20 PM
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EaglesVoice
35 posts
Mar 19, 2010
5:19 PM
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From: Phillip Erquiaga [mailto:perquiaga@eaglesvoice.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 7:26 PM
To: rjt@tester.senate.gov; max@baucus.senate.gov
Subject: Declaration of Opposition to the Health Care Reform Bill
Honorable Senator Max Baucus and Honorable Senator Jon Tester;
With the vote on Health Care Reform nearing, I thought I should reiterate my position on this bill.
I am OPPOSED to the Health Care Reform Bill in it's current state!
I previously sent both of you emails and letters discussing the elements of Health Care Reform that would be most valuable to the people of Montana and of our great country. It appears that NONE of those elements exist in the bill that is currently being formed for the planned Sunday vote. Furthermore, by voting on a bill that has not allowed for a thorough explanation to the people, and review and comment period by the people whom it will effect, an injustice is being perpetrated on the people.
It is time that those in Washington that wish to FORCE an UNWANTED Health Care Reform Bill down the backs of the people of Montana and our nation step back and look at reality! With due respect, the reality is that if the Senators of Montana vote in favor of this bill, I see no chance that bids for re-elections will be won, furthermore I see little chance that any Democrat in Montana seeking an seat in Washington will be successful.
My suggestion would be to end this debate before the vote, end a year of wasted tax payers dollars on debating and voting on a bill that the majority of Montanans and Americans are opposed to. Sit down in bipartisanship and create a truly sweeping Health Care Reform Bill that will, in fact, Reform Health Care. The people want Health Care Reform, just not the reform Washington is forcing on us.
With Regards,
Phillip Erquiaga
82 Cedar Street Extension
Libby, Montana 59923
406-293-2393
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EaglesVoice
36 posts
Mar 19, 2010
6:18 PM
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"Phillip, I heard word today that Baucus also has a 'Sweetheart Deal' for Libby. Have you heard of this?"
Tell Me! Tell Me! ????
Last Edited on 19-Mar-2010 6:19 PM
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Marigold1
3 posts
Mar 20, 2010
3:37 PM
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Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) Scores Extra Medicare Benefits for Montana Residents. The Associated Press reports: “Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Finance Committee and a key architect of the legislation, put in a provision to help the 2,900 residents of Libby, Mont., many of whom have asbestos-related illnesses from a now-defunct mineral mine. Under Baucus' provision, which never mentions Libby by name, sickened residents could sign up for Medicare benefits.”
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EaglesVoice
37 posts
Mar 20, 2010
7:19 PM
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My question is do you believe that this justifies passage of the Health Care Reform Bill? What are the chances of this making to the final bill that hits Obama's desk? And it is my understanding that Medicare cannot be used for ARD's since the passage of the PHE (Public Health Emergency)! I could be wrong on this however! There are a number of Gov't programs in Libby the help with ARD's. If this item in the bill gets through, do we need it?o you have more insight on these issues, for our readers?
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EaglesVoice
39 posts
Mar 21, 2010
1:55 PM
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Breaking News:
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Health reform holdout Rep. Bart Stupak of Michigan announced Sunday that he and fellow anti-abortion Democrats have reached an agreement with the White House to defuse the controversy over abortion in the health care bill and will now vote “yes” on it – appearing to give Democrats enough votes to pass the sweeping overhaul by day’s end. The move came just after the White House announced that President Barack Obama will sign an executive order reaffirming a ban on federal funding of abortions.
For more information...http://www.politico.com
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EaglesVoice
40 posts
Mar 21, 2010
4:35 PM
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As the House nears a vote on the health care bill tonight, here's the current count, which shows Democrats appear to have enough votes for passage:
Democrats:
YES: 217
NO: 30
UNDECIDED: 6
Republicans:
NO: 178
It takes 216 votes to pass the bill.
Here is a list of the Democrats voting planning to vote against the bill:
1. Rep. Jim Marshall (D-Ga.)
2. Rep. Artur Davis (D-Ala.)
3. Rep. Bobby Bright (D-Ala.)
4. Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.)
5. Rep. Dan Boren (D-Okla.)
6. Rep. Ben Chandler (D-K.Y.)
7. Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-S.D.)
8. Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.)
9. Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Tex.)
10. Rep. Gene Taylor (D-Miss.)
11. Rep. Tim Holden (D-Pa.)
12. Rep. Larry Kissell (D-N.C.)
13. Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-Md.)
14. Rep. Mike McMahon (D-N.Y.)
15. Rep. Walt Minnick (D-Idaho)
16. Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.) - Voted yes on the House Bill in November
17. Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.)
18. Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.)
19. Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.) - Voted yes on the House Bill in November
20. Rep. Michael Arcuri (D-N.Y.) - Voted yes on the House Bill in November
21. Rep. Charles Melancon (D-La.)
22. Rep. Travis Childers(D-Miss.)
23. Rep. John Adler (D-N.J.)
24. Rep. Jason Altmire (D-Pa.)
25. Rep. Harry Teague (D-N.M.)
26. Rep. John Barrow (D-Ga.)
27. Rep. Zack Space (D-Ohio)
28. Rep. Jim Matheson (D-Utah)
29. Rep. Glenn Nye (D-Va.)
30. Rep. John Tanner (D-Tenn.)
Here is a list of undecided Democrats:
1. Rep. Marion Berry (D-Ark.) -- Voted yes on the House bill
2. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) -- Voted yes on the House bill
3. Rep. Jerry Costello (D-Ill) -- Voted yes on the House bill
4. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) -- Voted yes on the House bill
5. Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-Tenn.) -- Voted no on the House bill
6. Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.) -- Voted no on the House bill
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EaglesVoice
41 posts
Mar 21, 2010
4:40 PM
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See the debate and the vote LIVE on CBS at this URL:
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=1n&tag=nl.e879
On C-Span:
http://www.c-span.org/Watch/C-SPAN.aspx
Last Edited on 21-Mar-2010 5:49 PM
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EaglesVoice
43 posts
Mar 21, 2010
8:11 PM
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Tonight the house passed the Health Care Reform Bill, HR 3590, 219 Yea to 212 Nay. 34 Democrats voted against the bill! Those 34 Democrats KNOW that a Yes vote would be against the wish of the Majority of Americans (I commend those Democrats).
It is a sad day for America when 219 elected Democrats (or any other elected official) places themselves Above the desires of the people who put them in office.
It would seem that the only solution will be for people to stand up against the government that no longer considers the people in their decision process.
Last Edited on 21-Mar-2010 8:12 PM
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EaglesVoice
44 posts
Mar 21, 2010
8:34 PM
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Motion to Recommit:
Democrats: 21 Yea / 232 Nay
Republicans: 178 Yea / 0 Nay
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Total: 199 Yea / 232 Nay
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Marigold1
4 posts
Mar 21, 2010
8:41 PM
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You are right ... a very sad day for Americans!
Here is the latest from the web regarding Baucus and Libby.
http://www.dailyinterlake.com/news/local_montana/article_dd0d11ca-2d71-11df-9881-001cc4c03286.html
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EaglesVoice
45 posts
Mar 21, 2010
9:09 PM
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Still one last chance - Tuesday (but possibly Monday) the Senate will vote before the bill goes to the white house. Call and or email Baucus AND Tester!!!
rjt@tester.senate.gov
Virginia_Sloan@tester.senate.gov
max@baucus.senate.gov
Kirby_Campbell-Rierson@baucus.senate.gov
Feel free to cut and paste, use, change, and or modify my letter above. (Mar 19, 2010)
PS: Thank you Marigold1
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EaglesVoice
46 posts
Mar 21, 2010
9:12 PM
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Posted: Friday, March 12, 2010 2:00 am | Updated: 10:09 pm, Sat Mar 13, 2010.
LYNNETTE HINTZE/Daily Inter Lake | 12 comments
Responding to a purported move to omit asbestos-related Medicare assistance for Libby residents from the final health-care reform bill, Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont. on Thursday said the provision he fought to include is about “stepping up to fulfill a promise” made long ago.
According to Politico.com, President Barack Obama is pushing Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to strip the final health-care bill of the “narrow deals aimed at appeasing specific senators.”
That includes Baucus’ provision that the bill include Medicare assistance for people exposed to asbestos from the Libby vermiculite mine.
Although the language in the bill applies to victims of any government-declared public health emergency, Libby was the first community ever to receive the emergency declaration in 2009.
“In 1980, Congress went through a comprehensive and transparent process to pass a law on the federal response to environmental disasters,” Baucus said in a statement.
“That law said that the federal government has a responsibility to clean up those disasters, and in the worst cases, the federal government has a responsibility to provide screening and medical care to the victims.”
Baucus said the provision meets the responsibility that was established 30 years ago.
“I can’t understand why anyone would want to make it impossible to meet our obligation to deal with this tragedy,” he said. “More than 290 people have died from asbestos-related disease in Libby. This type of tragedy could happen to any town, anywhere across the country, and it breaks my heart that it happened in Montana, to Montanans.”
The public health emergency provision is not a special deal, Baucus insisted.
“For 30 years, the law has been clear that when a public health emergency is declared, screening and medical care services are to be provided to the people who were exposed,” he said. “And for 30 years, no public health emergencies were declared, so the federal government was not obligated to determine the best way to provide that care.”
Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com
Link to Article: http://www.dailyinterlake.com/news/local_montana/article_dd0d11ca-2d71-11df-9881-001cc4c03286.html
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