Feel free to re-tweet it or send to your Facebook friends. Let's pushback on the talking points.

On tort reform saving money in health care:
http://washingtonindependent.com/55535/tort-r...

RHETORIC: RNC Claimed Health Insurance Reforms Would Tax And Hit Small Business The Hardest. “RNC Jeff: Way to go, Sen. Alexander for calling out the President. Obama claimed CBO said premiums would go down, but they won't, will they, Matt? RNC Matt: Obama's Tax On Health Insurance To Hit Small Business The Hardest. “Small employers would also probably be hit by the taxes — and, again, not because they offer overly generous coverage. Instead, small businesses tend to pay more for their insurance than bigger employers that can negotiate better premiums. And because they do not have large pools of workers to help spread the risk, small employers tend to pay even higher amounts if they have older or sicker workers ...’” (Reed Abelson, “A Proposed Tax On The Cadillac Insurance Plans May Also Hit The Chevys,” The New York Times, 9/20/09)”

REALITY: MOST SMALL BUSINESSES WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED BY MANDATE

President Obama: “About 90 Percent Of All Small Businesses Would Be Exempt From [Employer Insurance Requirement.” President Obama in remarks on small businesses and health reform said, “it is true that when reform becomes law, businesses of a certain size who do not offer their workers health coverage may be required to contribute to the costs. Opponents of reform have tried to use this to mislead small business owners by claiming that you would be subject to this penalty. But the fact is, about 90 percent of all small businesses would be exempt from this requirement – about 90 percent. So, if your business is anything like the vast majority of small businesses out there, this requirement simply won’t apply to you – because I don’t think it’s fair to impose a penalty on small businesses.” [Remarks By President, 10/29/09]

REALITY: SENATE BILL CONTAINS $40 BILLION IN TAX CREDITS SOLELY FOR SMALL BUSINESS

Manager’s Amendment: Small Business Tax Credits Expanded By $13 Billion. “By working together we have added an infusion of about $13 billion to the small business tax credits in the underlying bill to help small businesses struggling to provide their employees with affordable health care. Expanding the tax credits to more small businesses and making the ‘bridge’ credit available immediately will ensure that health insurance is even more accessible for small business owners and workers.” [Sen. Landrieu press release, 12/19/09]

CBO On Senate Bill Included $27 Billion Small Business Tax Credit For Providing Coverage. In its estimate of the Senate reform bill, CBO wrote: “The other main element of the coverage provisions that would increase federal deficits is the tax credit for small employers who offer health insurance, which is estimated to reduce revenues by $27 billion over 10 years.” [Congressional Budget Office, 11/18/09]

REALITY: SMALL BUSINESS NEEDS AND WANTS PROPOSED REFORMS

On Eve Of Reform, Health Insurers Race To Increase Premiums On Small Businesses: Rate Of Increase Has Doubled From Last Year. The New York Times reported that, “[a]s Congress nears votes on legislation that would overhaul the health care system, many small businesses say they are facing the steepest rise in insurance premiums they have seen in recent years. Insurance brokers and benefits consultants say their small business clients are seeing premiums go up an average of about 15 percent for the coming year — double the rate of last year’s increases. That would mean an annual premium that was $4,500 per employee in 2008 and $4,800 this year would rise to $5,500 in 2010…But benefits consultants say there is no doubt that premiums are soaring for many small businesses. Edward Kaplan, a consultant with the Segal Company, said his clients were seeing renewals for coverage at prices 15 to 23 percent higher this year. Last year, he said, they typically faced increases of 7 to 12 percent. The brokers and consultants say the price jumps seem hard to justify. ‘Frankly, I’m mystified by the size of the increases,’ said one broker, Charles J. Newman, who works with small employers in the New York area.” [New York Times, 10/25/09]

Chamber Of Commerce: “The Reality With The Business Community Is That We Want Reform, While Some Republicans Want To Stop This Train And Start Over.” The Wall Street Journal reported on the Chamber Of Commerce’s relatively positive reaction to Chairman Baucus’ health reform proposal: “‘The reality with the business community is that we want reform, while some Republicans want to stop this train and start over,’ said Bruce Josten, the chamber's chief lobbyist. ‘That is just not going to happen.’” [Wall Street Journal, 9/25/09]

Business Roundtable: Without Reform, Health Care Costs Rise To $28,530 Per Employee, 166% Higher; With Reform, Businesses Could Save $3,000 Per Employee. A report from the Business Roundtable concluded that: “If the cost trends of the past 10 years repeat, by 2019, employment-based spending on health care at large employers will be 166% higher than today on a per-employee basis. This equates to an average of $28,530 per employee when employer subsidies, employee contributions, and employee out-of-pocket costs are combined. We estimate that if enacted properly, the right legislative reforms could potentially reduce that trend line by more than $3,000 per employee, to $25,435.” [Business Roundtable – Health Care Reform, 11/12/09]

Study: No Health Insurance Reform Means Small Businesses Will Pay Nearly $2.4 Trillion In Healthcare Costs, Cost 178,000 Jobs. The Small Business Majority study commissioned a study from noted economist from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Jonathan Gruber. The study found that, “without reform, small businesses will pay nearly $2.4 trillion dollars over the next ten years in healthcare costs for their workers. With reform, the study shows that small businesses can save as much as $855 billion, a reduction of 36 percent, money that can be reinvested to grow the economy.” The study also found that without reform, 178,000 small business jobs will be lost in 2018 as a result of healthcare costs, and with reform, up to 128,000 of those jobs could be saved. [The Economist Impact of Healthcare Reform on Small Business, 6/11/09]

Small Business Majority Study: With Reform, Small Business Will Save As Much As $855 Billion Over The Next 10 Years. Small Business Majority Study: “Without reform, small businesses will pay nearly $2.4 trillion dollars over the next ten years in healthcare costs for their workers. With reform, the study shows that small businesses can save as much as $855 billion, a reduction of 36 percent, money that can be reinvested to grow the economy.” [The Economic Impact of Healthcare Reform on Small Business, 6/11/09]

From 1999 To 2008, Premiums For Small Business Increased 113 Percent. Kaiser Family Foundation’s Employee Health Benefits Report for 2008 noted that health insurance premiums for covered workers with family coverage, among firms with 3-199 workers, rose from $5,683 in 1999 to $12,091 in 2008, an increase of 112.7 percent. [Employee Health Benefits Survey, 9/24/08]

Schumer is touting Cantwells proposal to do to doctors what R's propose for teachers, pay them based on results.

Coburn's career take from Health Professionals: $984,889

Health Care Sector is Coburn’s #1 Donor. Sen. Coburn has received at least $1.24 million in campaign contributions from the health care industry since 1994, more than he received from any other sector. Coburn has also received at least $172,358 from the insurance industry. [Opensecrets.org, accessed 2/22/10] Coburn’s #1 Scare Tactic: Claiming People Would “Die Sooner” Under Reform. Discussing health care reform on the Senate floor in December 2009, Coburn said to seniors, “you're gonna die sooner” under the proposed reform bill. Defending his comments, Coburn later wrote, “Every American, not just seniors, should know that the rationing provisions in the Reid bill will not only reduce their quality of life, but their life spans as well.” [Politico, 12/1/09; Wall Street Journal, 12/16/09] Coburn Defended ‘Death Panel’ Claims. According to The Hill, Coburn “said that he disagreed that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's (R) claims about a so-called ‘death panel’ in healthcare reform legislation were ridiculous.” [TheHill.com, 8/13/09] Coburn: “Only 11 Million” Americans Need Help With Health Care. During an interview on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, Sen. Coburn said, “We only have 11 million people who really need our help that aren’t covered.” [MSNBC’s Morning Joe, 8/10/09] Coburn Said We’re “Better Off… Not Passing Things,” Adding “I Love Gridlock.” “I love gridlock,” Coburn said in February 2010. “I think we’re better off when we’re gridlocked because we’re not passing things.”
[McAlester News-Capital, 2/21/10]

Is this a health care summit or a health care payment, ie insurance summit?

RHETORIC: RNC Claimed President Obama Wants A Government Takeover, Cited Editorial Claiming Health Insurance Rate Authority Would Impose “Price Controls.” RNC tweeted “#BetOnIt President Obama Wants A Government Takeover of your #HCR” and then cited a Chicago Tribune editorial that expressed outrage over supposed “price controls,” in fact referring to the Health Insurance Rate Authority. [https://twitter.com/RNCResearch, Chicago Tribune]

REALITY: THERE IS NO GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER ANYWHERE

Politifact: “Obama Health Plan Does Not Call For Government-Run Health Care.” “Obama health plan does not call for government-run health care.” [Politifact, 3/5/09]

Factcheck.org: "President Obama Hasn’t Proposed A Government-Run [Health Care] Plan And, In Fact, Has Rejected The Idea." FactCheck.org: "President Obama hasn’t proposed a government-run [health care] plan and, in fact, has rejected the idea." [FactCheck.org, 5/6/09]

Factcheck.org: President Obama Hasn’t Proposed Government-Run Health Care.
FactCheckorg: "We’ve written before about conservatives claiming that Congress, or Obama, or Washington, or Democrats in general want the U.S. to have a Canadian-style, government-run health care system. The truth of the matter is that the president has repeatedly said he doesn’t." [FactCheck.org, 8/10/09]

http://net.gop.com/LiveResponse/

Might be fun to leave some comments there too!

This summit wasn't even good theatre.

President Obama’s Proposal Contains All Four Republican “Common-Sense Health Reforms.”

In October 2009, House Minority Leader John Boehner announced the congressional Republicans’ health care platform which included “four smart, fiscally-responsible reforms that we can implement today to lower costs and expand access at a price our nation can afford.” All four proposals were incorporated into the House and Senate bills and are included in President Obama’s proposal. [Minority Leader John Boehner press release, 10/30/09; Media Matters, 2/22/10; House Republican Conference, accessed 2/23/10]

Republican Idea: “Let families and business buy health insurance across state lines.”

White House Plan: The health insurance exchange gives families and businesses more choices and makes private insurance companies compete for business based on cost and quality. For the first time ever, Americans who lose their jobs, change jobs, move out of state, get divorced or sick will still have quality, affordable coverage.

Republican Idea: “Allow individuals, small businesses, and trade associations to pool together and acquire health insurance at lower prices.”

ü White House Plan: The proposal creates a new insurance marketplace that lets individuals and families without coverage and small business owners pool their resources to increase their buying power to make insurance coverage more affordable.

Republican Idea: Allow states “to create their own innovative reforms that lower health care costs.”

White House Plan: States will have the option to undertake a number of reforms to improve the quality of how care is delivered.

Republican Idea: “End junk lawsuits that contribute to higher health care costs.”

White House Plan: States will be eligible to receive grants to develop, implement and evaluate innovative medical malpractice reforms.

President’s Plan Incorporates Additional Republican Proposals To Combat Waste, Fraud And Abuse In Government.
President Obama’s plan includes new Republican proposals to combat waste, fraud and abuse in government, including establishing a comprehensive Medicare and Medicaid sanctions database and requiring background checks of billing agencies to eliminate fraud. [White House, “Republican Ideas Included in the President's Proposal,” accessed 2/23/10]

Post Columnist: “If Republicans Are Serious About Waiting To Engage In This Debate, Obama Has Provided A Starting Point.”
The Washington Post’s Eugene Robinson wrote, “If Republicans are serious about wanting to engage in this debate, Obama has provided a starting point. Of course, I don’t believe the Republican leadership really wants to join any process that leads to meaningful health-care legislation, because the party's political strategy to this point -- say no to everything -- has worked quite well.” [Washington Post, 2/23/10]

During The Senate’s Debate On Health Care Reform, HELP Committee Held Nearly 50 Bipartisan Meetings.
In 2008 and 2009, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held 47 bipartisan meetings on health insurance reform: 14 bipartisan roundtables, 13 bipartisan Committee hearings, and 20 bipartisan walkthroughs. [Senate Democratic Caucus press release, 11/21/09]

Of 287 Amendments Considered, 161 Republican Amendments Were Included In Senate Bill.
During the bill markup, the HELP Committee considered 287 amendments and 161 Republican amendments were accepted. [Senate Democratic Caucus press release, 11/21/09]

Senate Finance Committee Held 53 Bipartisan Meetings.
Since November 2008, the Senate Finance Committee held 53 bipartisan meetings on health insurance reform: 13 member meetings and walkthroughs on legislation and 38 meetings and negotiations with at least six members of the committee present. [Senate Democratic Caucus press release, 11/21/09]

Baucus “Laid Real And Substantial Groundwork For Bipartisan Cooperation.”
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus led the “Gang of Six,” a bipartisan group of senators consisting of three Democrats and three Republicans, to work on a compromise reform bill. Sen. Olympia Snowe, one of the Republican members of the group, said Baucus’ bipartisan approach “laid real and substantial groundwork for bipartisan cooperation during this ongoing process.” When a compromise could not be reached, a USA Today editorial stated, “Republican intransigence — ‘Gang of Six’ member Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, circulated a letter that asked for money to ‘defeat Obama-care,’ which is not what you do if you seriously hope to compromise — leaves Democrats little choice but to move ahead on their own to overhaul the nation's capricious and unsustainably costly medical care system.” [Senator Olympia Snowe press release, 9/16/09; USA Today, 9/17/09]

and sit quietly in the corner observing. But I'm still rooting for the good guys. Tell it like it is Nicole.

unless they include a public option that allows real choice and not limit its scope.

nobody is stating the obvious...just because you might be able to afford a premium in no way means you can afford the treatment.

should we keep the thread open and exchange recipes?

"There's $15 BILLION in Medicare waste in NYC alone". Are you on drugs, doctor?

RHETORIC: GOP.gov: Claimed Cutting Wasteful Spending In Medicare Would Hurt Medicare. From Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and House Republican Leader John Boehner: Speaker Says “We Cannot Keep Our Promises On Medicare” Without Passing A Bill That Cuts Nearly $500 Billion Out Of MedicareREP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA): “And I Want To Say, Because Medicare Was Mentioned, Unless We Pass This Legislation, We Cannot Keep Our Promises On Medicare.” (Rep. Pelosi, Health Care Summit, 2/25/10)

DEM HEALTH CARE BILL: NEARLY A HALF TRILLION DOLLARS IN MEDICARE CUTS

“Plan … Largely Embraces The Approach Already Taken By The U.S. Senate.” “President Obama made it clear Monday morning that he intends to make a final push for a comprehensive overhaul of the nation's health care and insurance system, offering a new health care plan that largely embraces the approach already taken by the U.S. Senate.”

Senate Bill: $466.7 Billion In Medicare Cuts
(Senate Finance Committee Minority Staff Review Of JCT And CBO Cost Estimates, 12/19/09)

CBO: Medicare Cuts Could “Reduce Access To Care Or Diminish The Quality Of Care.” [GOP.gov, 2/25/10]

REALITY: MEDICARE BENEFITS WOULD NOT BE CUT, WOULD IMPROVE EFFICIENCY OF PROGRAM AND QUALITY OF CARE AMA Endorsed Senate Health Reform Bill: “This Bill Advances Many Of Our Priority Issues For Achieving The Vision Of A Health System That Works For Patients And Physicians.” “The American Medical Association (AMA) today announced its support for passage of the amended Senate health reform bill (H.R. 3590). Passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act by the Senate will bring our nation close to the finish line on health reform. ‘All Americans deserve affordable, high-quality health coverage so they can get the medical care they need – and this bill advances many of our priority issues for achieving the vision of a health system that works for patients and physicians,’ said AMA President-elect Cecil B. Wilson, M.D.” [American Medical Association, 12/21/09]

Medicare Consumer Groups: If Medicare Savings Were Repealed: “All People With Medicare And The Medicare Program Itself Will Be Harmed.” In a joint statement, the Medicare Rights Center and the Center for Medicare Advocacy said: “Further, people with Medicare will not see the savings or improved health from the bill’s improvements to preventive benefits if the McCain amendment passes and health reform does not. Instead, all people with Medicare and the Medicare program itself will be harmed.” [Joint Statement By Medicare Rights Center, Center For Medicare Advocacy, 12/2/09]

Federation Of American Hospitals: Senate Bill, As Amended, “Would Increase Access To Affordable, Quality Coverage…Members Of FAH Urge All Senators To Vote For This Historic Legislation.” “The FAH is particularly pleased that H.R. 3590, as amended, would increase access to affordable, quality coverage; create market-based exchanges with private coverage and subsidies for lower income Americans; and implement important delivery reforms such as value-based purchasing, a prospective ban on self-referral to physician-owned hospitals, and voluntary pilots to test bundled payments across an episode of care. To be sure, H.R. 3590 as amended would benefit from further improvements in several important areas, especially expanded coverage. In our view, the final health reform legislation should cover more uninsured Americans to ensure the kind of health care security Americans deserve and expect. In addition, the hospital readmissions policy falls short by not sufficiently focusing on those readmissions that are preventable and avoidable. We look forward to continuing our work with Congress and the Administration on such improvements as this legislation heads to completion. In the meantime, the members of FAH urge all Senators to vote for this historic legislation.” [Politico Live Pulse, 12/20/09]

AARP: “This Bill Will Strengthen Medicare By Eliminating Cost Barriers To Preventive Care, Reform Medicare’s Payment…And Reduce Hospital Infections And Preventable Readmissions.” In a letter to Majority Leader Reid, AARP’s Barry Rand praised the Senate health reform bill: “This bill will strengthen Medicare by eliminating cost barriers to preventive care, reform Medicare’s payment and delivery system to promote care coordination, and reduce hospital infections and preventable readmissions. Moreover, through critical insurance market reforms and the establishment of exchanges, this bill will give the uninsured and small businesses access to quality affordable plans. The legislation also includes important provisions to strengthen home and community-based care and to assist individuals in saving to meet future long-term care needs.” [AARP Letter, 12/15/09]

Sen. Roberts (R-KS) Admitted That “It Is Technically Accurate” for Democrats to Claim That “This Bill Doesn’t Cut Medicare Benefits,” But Claimed Providers Would Not Be Able To Survive Cuts. On the Senate floor, Sen. Roberts said: “I keep hearing my colleagues, however, on the other side of the aisle insisting that they're half trillion dollar cut to all Medicare – here's the quote – ‘won't affect the benefits.’ Please stop that. That is the most disingenuous smoke screen in this whole debate. It may be true. It may be true that this bill does not explicitly cut benefits…I want every senior to know that while maybe it is technically accurate again for my friends across the aisle to claim that this bill doesn't cut Medicare benefits there is no way – no way that you can slash a half a trillion dollars from payments to providers without affecting their ability to keep their door open. Especially in rural and small-town America…So, yes, in fact, this bill will effectively cut benefits. Again, get rid of the smoke screen. And this just doesn't apply to the home health care benefit.” [Roberts Floor Speech, 12/4/09]

Hospitals Group Refuted CMS Actuary Report: “Hospitals Always Will Stand By Senior Citizens. This Summer, Hospitals Agreed To Contribute Substantial Medicare Savings Are Part Of Our Shared Sacrifice To Reform Health Care.” Politico Live Pulse reported: “The following statement was released today by Chip Kahn, President of the Federation of American Hospitals: Hospitals’ commitment to our mission of serving the health care needs of seniors in communities across America is steadfast. A memorandum recently issued by the CMS Actuary analyzing the effects of “America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009” (H.R. 3962) concludes that some providers may end their participation in the Medicare program. Hospitals always will stand by senior citizens. This summer, hospitals agreed to contribute substantial Medicare savings as part of our shared sacrifice to reform health care and achieve near universal coverage for all Americans. We are pleased with the legislative progress as well as the movement towards market-based solutions. And we look forward to working with Congress and the Administration to enact legislation that will enable hospitals to continue to provide our patients, including seniors, with ready access to the highest quality health care possible.” [Politico Live Pulse, 11/16/09]

REALITY: REPUBLICANS HAVE ALREADY BEEN TAKEN TO TASK FOR TRYING TO SCARE SENIORS
AARP Warned Seniors Against “Myths and Scare Tactics” In Health Reform Debate, Said “None Of The Health Care Reform Proposals Being Considered By Congress Would Cut Medicare Benefits.” AARP wrote in a myth-vs.-fact health reform website that, “There are special interest groups trying to block progress on health care reform by using myths and scare tactics. Like the notion that health care reform would ration your care, hurt Medicare or be a government takeover. Actually, these are false statements.” AARP concluded about the Medicare claim that, “[n]one of the health care reform proposals being considered by Congress would cut Medicare benefits or increase your out-of-pocket costs for Medicare services.” [AARP, Myths Vs. Facts]

New York Times Editorial: “For All Of The Cynicism And Hypocrisy,” “Medicare Scare-Mongering” Seems To Be Working. “It has been frustrating to watch Republican leaders posture as the vigilant protectors of Medicare against health care reforms designed to make the system better and more equitable. This is the same party that in the past tried to pare back Medicare and has repeatedly denounced the kind of single-payer system that is at the heart of Medicare and its popularity. For all of the cynicism and hypocrisy, it seems to be working. The Republicans have scared many older Americans into believing that their medical treatment will suffer under pending reform bills.” [New York Times, Editorial, 9/27/09]

Palm Beach Post Criticized RNC Chairman Michael Steele’s “Dishonest Attempt To Scare Seniors About Health Care” With Medicare Claims. The Palm Beach Post wrote in an editorial response to the “Seniors’ Health Care Bill of Rights” proposed by RNC chair Michael Steele that “humor is the natural response to Mr. Steele’s dishonest attempt to scare seniors about health care.” The Post wrote, “When Mr. Steele's party controlled Washington for most of this decade, the party’s showcase health care legislation was aimed at seniors. What did they get? A Medicare drug program that left a coverage gap into which many beneficiaries fell. The Democrats propose to end that gap. The Republican program gave hundreds of billions in unneeded subsidies to insurance and drug companies. The Democrats propose ending those subsidies. The Republican program also added $1 trillion to the federal budget over 10 years with no way to pay for it. Democrats are getting criticism for discussing a go-it-alone approach to health care, but if Mr. Steele’s talking points are the best the GOP can do, what help would the party be?” [Palm Beach Post, Editorial, 8/24/09]

REALITY: HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM WOULD IMPROVE AND STRENGTHEN MEDICARE
CMS Report: Senate Bill Will Extend Medicare Solvency By 9 Years. In its estimate of the Senate health reform bill, the CMS actuary Richard Foster wrote: “[w]e estimate that the aggregate net savings to the Part A trust fund under the PPACA would postpone the exhaustion of trust fund assets by 9 years – that is, from 2017 under current law to 2026 under the proposed legislation.” [CMS Actuary analysis, 12/10/09]

AARP CEO: “This Bill Includes Critical Priorities For Seniors…Provides And Strengthens Medicare For Today’s Seniors And Future Generations.” The Hill reported on AARP’s endorsement of House Democratic health reform. AARP CEO A. Barry Rand said, “[t]his bill includes critical priorities for seniors – critical – ensures quality, affordable health coverage options for all Americans, provides and strengthens Medicare for today’s seniors and future generations and puts us on a path to improving our long-term health system.” [The Hill, 11/5/09]

New York Times: Reform Will Enhance Drug Coverage, Reduce Premiums, and Help Keep Medicare Solvent. “Far from harming elderly Americans, the various reform bills now pending should actually make Medicare better for most beneficiaries — by enhancing their drug coverage, reducing the premiums they pay for drugs and medical care, eliminating co-payments for preventive services and helping keep Medicare solvent, among other benefits.” [New York Times, Editorial, 9/27/09]

REALITY: SENATE REPUBLICANS HAVE INTRODUCED LEGISLATION THIS YEAR WITH SIMILAR COST-SAVING MEASURES IN MEDICARE ADVANTAGE
Senate Republicans Introduced an Alternative Health Care Reform Bill that Included Similar Provisions to the Finance Committee Bill to Introduce Competitive Bidding into Medicare Advantage to Eliminate Inefficiencies. Senate Republicans introduced a bill that would include competitive bidding in Medicare Advantage to eliminate inefficiencies and increasing choice. The bill was sponsored by Senator Coburn, and co-sponsored by Senators Alexander, Bunning, Burr, Chambliss, Graham, Inhofe and Isakson. [S. 1099, Introduced 5/20/09, Title V, Subtitle A.]

Politifact: The House Health Care Bill Would Change Benchmarks Set To Payments In Medicare Advantage, Making Them Equal To What The Government Pays For Traditional Medicare Services. "Obama also wants to save money on the Medicare Advantage program, which covers about one-fifth of all Medicare patients. 'We do think that systems like Medicare are very inefficient right now, but it has nothing to do at the moment with issues of benefits,' Obama said in his speech in New Hampshire. 'The inefficiencies all come from things like paying $177 billion to insurance companies in subsidies for something called Medicare Advantage that is not competitively bid, so insurance companies basically get a $177 billion of taxpayer money to provide services that Medicare already provides. And it's no better — it doesn't result in better health care for seniors. It is a giveaway of $177 billion.' Indeed, a June 2009 MedPAC analysis said that the Advantage plan costs taxpayers on average of 14 percent more than the traditional Medicare plan. The House bills propose to change the benchmarks that set the payments, making them equal to what the government pays for traditional Medicare services. According to the Congressional Budget Office, those changes would translate to a savings of $156 billion over 10 years. [Politifact, 8/14/09]

Couldn't this have been a bit more high-tech? After all , it is 2010. How about a large screen display, a bank of researchers, video clips, blogger comments, instant refutations of talking points..etc.

So far, this is just a talkfest. The Dems saying "were closer than you think (to the Retroublicans) and the Repubs saying "were fundamentally different" to the Dumbocrats.

Nicole: FANTASTIC JOB! You should be at the table.

We need to start over.

We want this.

We have that.

We want this.

We have that.

We are against this.

We don't do that.

We have a plan.

This will raise premiums.

This will lower premiums.

What the American people want.

What the American people want.

We are so close.

We need to start over.

Let's have lunch.

He is scheduled to attend a fundraiser at noon today at the BGR Group... it would be interesting if healthcare lobbyists were attending this fundraiser.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ)

Fundraising Lunch at 12pm

Location: BGR Group, 601 Thirteenth St. NW, 11th Floor South, Washington, DC

Hosted By: BGR PAC

Cost: $2,000 per PAC, $1,000 per person

SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ)

Fundraising Lunch at 12pm

Location: BGR Group, 601 Thirteenth St. NW, 11th Floor South, Washington, DC

Hosted By: BGR PAC

Cost: $2,000 per PAC, $1,000 per person

Fundraising Lunch at 12pm

Location: BGR Group, 601 Thirteenth St. NW, 11th Floor South, Washington, DC

Hosted By: BGR PAC

Cost: $2,000 per PAC, $1,000 per person

Location: BGR Group, 601 Thirteenth St. NW, 11th Floor South, Washington, DC

Hosted By: BGR PAC

Cost: $2,000 per PAC, $1,000 per person

Hosted By: BGR PAC

Cost: $2,000 per PAC, $1,000 per person

Cost: $2,000 per PAC, $1,000 per person

it's worth noting that BGR Represents:

AAPPO
ABIOMED
Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care
CareGuide
Clarian Health Partners
Eli Lilly
Fresenius Medical Care
GlaxoSmithKline
Health Data Insights
IMS Health
Pfizer
Wyeth

That Boustany talked forever

Burn the country to the ground....and start over.

This effort seems to be all about the insurance companies. I understand that corporations are persons in your country however to not even have Universal Health Care (single payer IIRC ?) on the table pretty much sums it up viewing this from the outside looking in.

Old, angry and bitter. Good job being a jerkoff McGramps.