TAPPED: Baucus Gang of Six Holdup? Demands That Private Insurers Be Forbidden to Cover Abortions
By Susie Madrak Tuesday Aug 11, 2009 6:00amWell, I suppose we should have known. Apparently the big holdup with Max Baucus's Finance Committee bill is... abortion. (Yeah, I wondered what the hell that has to do with finance, too.)
But wait, it gets better! The Senate Republicans not only demand that abortions not be paid for with public funds (something already forbidden by the Hyde Amendment), they want to prevent private insurance plans from paying for them, too.
Wow. If the Dems knuckle under to this extortion, it'll be war.
Many supporters of health reform believe that systemic questions, such as whether or not reform will include a public insurance option, should inform the congressional and public debates. But the truth is that Americans, unsurprisingly, seem to be most concerned about coverage specifics. After reform, what procedures will and won’t be covered? Will my array of choices expand or contract?
Those fears have been artfully exploited by the increasingly enthusiastic and radical conservative anti-health reform movement. In response, today the White House launched “Health Insurance Reform Reality Check“, a website modeled after “Fight the Smears,” a campaign season effort to dispel rumors about Barack Obama’s background and positions.
The new site is built around a simplified, eight-point explanation of how consumers will benefit from health reform. Using this messaging, the administration plans a public relations push during the congressional recess, with a focus on drumming up grassroots support via the Obama’s team’s email list and outreach to the liberal blogosphere. But given the intensity of anti-reform protests over the last week, there is little doubt that the president seems to be on the defensive. The continued lack of one, concrete, completed health reform bill means that opponents of reform can grandstand on a number of hypothetical issues. For example, both the House tri-committee bill and the Senate HELP committee bill create an independent council of medical experts to advise HHS on what services will be covered in the new health exchanges. Conservatives have suggested that the council — which, of course, does not yet exist — will prevent terminally ill patients from receiving life support or continuing care, or will mandate abortion coverage.
Both of those outcomes are completely improbable. Neither are on the White House’s agenda. But by kicking some tough choices on coverage down the line, to after reform passes, Democrats have opened the door to this kind of scare-mongering. Uncertainty is uncomfortable, and opponents of reform — along with skeptical moderates — are exploiting that simple truth.
Nowhere is this more apparent than in the abortion debate. None of the health reform proposals in Congress threaten the Hyde Amendment, which currently prevents the federal government from funding abortions. But anti-choice legislators are not satisfied. Many women will receive government subsidies to buy health insurance after reform, and Republicans — including some senators in the all-powerful “Gang of Six” — would like those women to be banned from accessing abortion with those funds, whether they are covered through private insurance plans or a potential public option. This would be a significant curtailing of reproductive rights, since most private insurance plans currently do offer some abortion coverage.
In this case, the current reform proposals actually do maintain the oft-heralded “status quo:” Medicaid won’t cover abortion, but private insurance plans will. It is reform opponents who are pushing to change the way health care is delivered, by curtailing women’s ability to access abortion coverage in the private insurance market. This morning, a senior administration official, speaking on background, told me that some moderate Republicans are choosing to understand health insurance subsidies as tax credits, and thus, from a libertarian point of view, might support a woman’s right to access any health procedure she wishes with that “tax credit,” including abortion. And yet, this official affirmed that abortion is among the issues holding up the Senate Finance Committee — right alongside long term cost containment and debates over whether the federal or state governments will pay to expand Medicaid.
In other words, almost everything about health reform remains up in the air. Stay tuned.
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Of course not otherwise they wouldn't be rich insurance execs.
would be a abdication of their fiduciary responsibilities!
...Do you really believe,"rich insurance execs" have an vested interest in curbing access to abortion? If so, please enlighten me. Thank you Evet
Has turn into a health reform bill right from the demands of the Health Empire..
Why don't the democrats show the health reform details ,,, Soon as they put it into one bill they will pass it without revealing what the h... is in it.. This has become a forest and a bait and switch , just as Obama say about McCain on his campaign trail... Obama is not a fighter and I believe these policies the blue dog and republicans are putting in the bill are the same as Obama really wishes..
Obama is more republican then democrat he is even stopping Bush/Cheney to be prosecuted for their crimes....
By the time this health bill is passed it will be a cut in services and the prices will increase.
They famous statement is ,,,, It would have been much more had they not taken action..
Just where does Obama stand on the democrat issues! Obama says not to attack Baucus and blue dogs for the partnership with republicans ties to the Health Empire to scrap all items which were for the benefit of the people..
When is enough ,,,, enough,,,,,, Are we really that stupid to get on listening to their lies , Deceit and BS.. Not only have they taken a page from the republicans with their selling their votes to Global Corporations , but using lies and BS to get us to except their deceit...
I am tired of all this double talk coming from Obama ,, Emanuel , Baucus , Blue Dogs , Centrists and other democrats... The say what will the progressive democrats do vote republican and laugh... So they are campaigning while excepting money from the Global Empires to receive republican votes on issues they wish...
Where in the h... is the CHANGE and TRANSPARENT government we were promised..
I tell you where they have been scrap along with all the other promises Obama and democrats promised when asking for our votes..
Wait, wait...
So all of a sudden conservatives WANT the government to interfere in the private sector??
Not to mention coming between patient and doctor.
The only thing louder than a neocon declaring what his civil liberties are, is a neocon declaring what other people's civil liberties are.
Flim Flam!
---
See
Trudy Lieberman at CJR here
a republican blue dog.... His actions certainly show that...
We have let our party be taking over with republicans... No matter if you call them blue dogs , centrists or Baucus they are certainly pushing policies for the Global Empire and the h... with the American citizen..
future cannon-fodder.
Anti-choice means more minority and poor for Republican wars.
Well ladies, welcome to the early 20th century.
Cut off their weenies!
I really need mine!
The others guys though...feel free to chop away! LOL!
That way all the youngins will look just like me!
If they do not want women's elective reproductive services covered (morning after pills, abortions etc.), then I say no more coverage for VIAGRA and all their "erectile dysfunction" medication cousins.
If a man can't get it up on his own (figure it out), that's just too fucking (no pun) bad. I call that God's gift to women! Ha!!
Plus think of the mental health dollars that we'd save if especially older men were to be cut off from Medicare/private insurance funded Viagra!
Their poor wives end up in therapy because they can't take the trauma of having their husbands screwing them for hours on end!!!
"Honey! I have this little problem here between my legs and it just won't go away."
Not. Her. Problem.
If guys want to buy Viagra etc., let them pay for it out of pocket!
is products like viagra...
I say impotence is natures form of birth control...we don't need anymore people on this already incredibly overcrowded planet.
And about the women needing therapy, I read somewhere, in Mother Jones or somethin...about that...alot of women were kinda excited about it at first...but then, not so much...because their husbands were diving right in, with little or no foreplay.
I guess that's par for the course with repubs though...
Us libs are excellent in bed.
Oh yeah.
we just start a campaign...
Just say "No" to sex with a republican...
Sadly, intelligence is not a selected trait anymore... so you can expect them to regain the majority...
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2682654/idiocracy_opening_sequence/
I was a private, self-employed, doctor, who really did just say 'NO' to PUKIES, 'cause I'm a specialist in recovery, and they just can't make the grade in the end anyway because it involves taking personal responsibility for one's own actions and the consequences of those actions and be ready to pay back in full those that have been victimized by them.
women who have spontaneous abortions???!!!
Do they go directly to jail
a) for sinning against Congress, or b) for not having the money to pay the hospital bill?
Maybe we ladies should found our very own 'private' insurance company to cover only women and their health care needs...including abortion.
Well obviously these women are cohorts of the devil...
I say we examine them closely for, you know...the "mark of the beast"...heheheheee!
The Rethugs WANT the gummint to come between a patient and their doctor?
Cheesus these freaks can't make a cogent argument. . .
Excellent point!
keep your fuckin god out my govt. GOT IT?
"Keep your theocracy off my democracy"
Me likey!
Another good one is.
" Dear God, save me from your followers."
that said I like your christ , but not your christians
and it's Ghandi, I think...hell I could be wrong too, lol!
Asking out of pure ignorance because I just don't know, do insurance companies pay for abortions now?
I wouldn't know, I don't have health insurance or health care and God forbid I should ever get it.
If the procedure is "coded" a certain way and it then crosses the
"right" desk, then yes insurance would pay for it.
On one hand a baby is a big expense that the insurance co. might be favorably inclined to avoid. On the other hand, coverage for a baby would increase the premiums... Darn these tough moral decisions.
Your employer gets to purchase plans with a variety of options. Abortion is one of those options.
Where do republicans go for their abortions?
but someplace OUT OF TOWN, fer sure.
Private white folks' clinics
make personal decisions for us...
...except for when it comes to the ladies -
Their hormones cause them to be a little uppity at times so
they need the govt to step in and tell 'em what Jeezus wants!
Rapists have rights and feelings too.
BTW, Viagra will be distributed to GOD-fearin' men - free of charge.
They can take my uterus if they want it that bad and shove it up their fucking viagra asses.
I've had it with these assholes.
That sounds awfully messy, but your point is taken.
but I'm goin' giraffe hunting with Newt...
Watch out for women in ditches with infections. Good luck!
I done forgot them infected ditch women.
I guess I'll just hafta hide under the bed again...
it's gettin so bad, every time I go into town.
I am accosted by at least TEN infected ditch women....
used ta was, you'd hear stories about them from the ol' timers...and we thought it was just tall tales....
But now...it's all to real...
Hold me.
and then you buy. At MallWart.
Like it sez in the Buybull.
You thought it was just an old wife's tail? Think again son. Infection is not just for the old wife any longer.
I like cougars, but damn PoP! lol!
they're only doin it because they have your best interest at heart... };)>
http://www.oldamericancentury.org/promos/MENF...
Only because I'm too stupid to think for myself or decide for myself what's best for my body.
You can't be expected to make decisions for yourself silly woman! All you need to think about is makin babies...
Now git in that kitchen and fry me some hawg!
umm...in case you weren't sure...
I am kidding.
Liberal, I'm in the kitchen in my bare feet cookin up you some hawg. Come on over.
Oh, after that I have a small business to run so you'll have to clean up the kitchen.
I'd clean up for some fried hawg, lol!
scrub toilets , wax floors , repair about anything , any chance of some fried chicken , or better yet BBQ chicken and ribs ( prefer beef ) love country style pork ribs too , good god give me some sweet tater pie , thats hawg heaven there yes mam
The things I'm willing to do for home made sweet tater pie would get my comment deleted if I mentioned them.
sweet tater pie indeed
Same goes fer punkin pie.
Pecan pie...and blueberry buckle...hawt-ta-mightay, them's good eatins thar!
mincemeat pie , with a brandy hard sauce
Mincemeat pie is just gross, lol!
i have been called " far out " before , or try rum its good too ! .
I just love me some mincemeat pie
With store brand Cool-Whip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lich59xsjik&fe...
warped and all ,
But i love me some fruitcake , my mom ( a little old texas girl ) made the best fruitcake three or four slices and you were snokered . Have not had anything as good since she passed , RIP mum luv ya .
And I though you was cool!
Sorry to hear about your mom, though...
May she RIP.
My mom makes stollen every christmas, and damn is that stuff awesome...it has the same properties as fruitcake, after awhile anyway...gotta let that fruit fermentate.
you are a sick puppy , and that is just one of your endearing qualities lol
And that's on o' my most favorite episodes too...
It's made with pure maple syrup and it's nice and spicey.
The crust is made with real butter and it melts in your mouth.
A little vanilla Haagen Daaz on top and well.....
Or some REAL whipped cream....
A nice little after pie imbibement....
You get the idea.
But know that you'll be spending an awful lot of time in the kitchen and the bedroom...I just got a years supply of hawg what needs to be fried, and a years supply of viagra!!!
Wooohooo!
But if ya don't wanna get hitched...can I get that recipe?
How about hog snapper and do you want fries with that?
no fries...gimme some tater salad though.
Nope only cole slaw and baked beans with fish.
You suuuure that's a good idea?
I tend to get a bit flatulent whilst eating such fare...
Although...black beans and yellow rice, with marinated grilled or pan seared hog snapper, with a side of fried plantains is friggin awesome!
Dangitalltoheck PoP!!!
Ya done went and made me all hungry!
Admit it. Along with all those life sized photos of Limbaugh and Coulter. Complete with the autographed photos of Malkin and Beck, you like being barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen. When are you due?:)
Bastard! You got me!
I'm expecting a baby keg any day now...I'm hoping for a pilsener, or a lager, but a stout would be just fine.
the govt. will make all the men horny with their little pills but if one of these horn dogs gets the better of you ladies, the abortion is on your tab.
the pills and still shoot blanks .
!
1st they say no public funding of abortion. Now they say if you want healthcare reform private ins has to ban abortion.
Like I said, they're trying to be smart.
After fear-mongering that govt healthcare would put a bureaucrat between you and your healthcare, it turns out the repubs were right. Except they neglected to mention, THEY'D be the bureaucrat.
It cracks me up when you see a Senator or Congressman talking about "how the government is inefficient and can't run anything", they are the government. So if government can't run anything and they are government....perhaps they should be replaced.
Yep, "I'm in charge and I suck. Vote for me."
Actually it's worse, "We the People" are the government.
Typical conservative b.s. - it's the LIBRULS who can't run things. Conservatives are perfect. (Well, except for the occasional gay/lesbian in the family; the occasional bit of pre-marital sex, the divorces for the younger, prettier model; the marital infidelity with Argentinian mistresses; diddling Congressional pages; corruption and bribery ...)
dont you know better than to point out the obvious
lol
Dems - "Money is Energy"
Choose your illusion
I was watching the Ed Show last night and he was talking about how much one of these insurance CEO made (like $100,000.00 per hour) and it made me realize, people really don't buy insurance they buy a policy. They give them a big envelope with a lot of paper (and small print), you get a insurance card that you can keep in your wallet. And you walk around with a little peace of mind thinking "I'm covered". But really you are not. Why can't people see this.
Borrowing money from people then shifting the funds around to "investors" and hoping things "hold up".
A Confidence Game
and they hate the fact that they fear women.
Hence, their need to control and micromanage and brutalize the lives of women.
No matter what happens with this health care bill, Blue Dogs Max Baucus and the rest must be assured that their political careers are over.
It is worse than unforgivable to continue neglecting the health care of millions of Americans. It is criminal negligence. It is... Republican.
Fox is carrying a live town hall meeting that Specter is holding. It's so apparent that most in attendance are some caliber of tea baggers. They aren't there to learn shit, they're just there to try to steal the spotlight and make noise. Each is hoping their question will fluster him so much that they will make the local six o'clock evening news tonight or they'll hit the jackpot and make the Beck show.
A total shitstorm. I'd feel sorry for him but heck, its Specter and as far as I'm concerned he's had this coming for a long time. This is like watching Karma in action.
What pisses me off about these people is they all seem to have coverage and it looks like they don't want anyone else to have what they do because they're afraid they may actually have to pay a little.
I had to stop watching it because it's nothing more than a cheap gotcha game.
That's the same feeling I get
Or is it the kidney stones I can't get fixed? I can't tell any more.
You know what drives me the most crazy about these anti-health reform nuts? When they really pisses me off is when they start off their point by saying "Why should my children have to pay for this health care reform....etc?" Like they really give a damn about their kids. Look at all those town hall meetings: They are mostly comprised of middle-aged or older white people. Almost no minorities and barely anyone younger than 40.
It drives me batty because your children (the ones who are teens and older and who have jobs) are already paying the bill for Medicare--your Medicare--and those kids won't get to use it until they are 65; and ironically, some kids may not even live that long to use it! But if those kids paying for government public option for all people (including themselves and just old people and kids under 18) then at the very least they get to use the benefit of their tax money now.
As a 22 year old I'm being taxed right now for Medicare that I'll never get to use until I'm 65 but I have so many health problems that I may never get to live that long to use it! I also get taxed for Medicaid but I'm not under 18 so I'm too old for that! I'm being taxed to give old guys erections but that's okay; but when my taxed money could benefit me now for some reason that's bad? Deficit spending is bad if it goes toward welfare but totally ok if its for defense spending, even wasteful defense spending is okay as long as its only defense.
What really drives me angry is these old people act like they are speaking for me and the youth when they are only interested in keeping their status quo; I say to them : 'Stop invoking your children's names! It's our, the youth's, future not yours and the youth overwhelming supported Obama during the election! I know what I voted for when I picked Obama, I knew the pros, the cons, the risks, the benefits; I understood that Obama was going to try to make big changes and that some could have unintended consequences and that he may do things I disagree with. But I and my fellow youth knew this but we deemed Obama to be the lesser of two evils.
All I ask of these people is consistency: if you really believe the government cannot do anything right in regards to health care then you should also make it clear that you want Medicare, Medicaid and the VA health system utterly and completely disbanded and be vocal about! But I don't see that happening
... that they believe a wise old white guy can make a better informed decision than you can, than some young whippersnapper who hasn't worked for years, raised a family, or bought a house.
That's a bunch of BS if you seriously mean that. I've made better informed choices about finances than either of parents (both in their 60s): They've had 3 home foreclosures, 7 car repos, and my father has lived off my mother's income, government retirement and my income. So don't give me this BS that just cause I am 22 that that makes me automatically ignorant of the issues or that I somehow am not a hard worker simply because of my age. Age has nothing to do with smart choices and wisdom or work ethic and you know it.
I'm pretty sure that Shadowgm was just teasing you. Personally I just wanted to give you an atta girl for learning quickly from your parents mistakes. Examples are excellent teaching tools. I learned that at a young age too and it helps all through life.
Yeah, I do get over defensive when people question my wisdom or knowledge because of my age. I actually really do value the opinion of those older than me exactly because they have been through it all before; although it doesn't sound like I do in my posts, I really do. I try not to be so pissy and uptight but with the parents I have it ain't easy. All the screwy-ness injured my sense of humor a little about the age and wisdom thing. Homelessness can do that to a child.
I learned at a young age to be very careful with my money. Not that I am perfect, mind you, but at least I try to budget. My poor mom, now seeing what nightmare she and dad created, is trying to fix it. But still my dad refuses to think, well, logically. Still, I consider myself really lucky to have what I do have. I learned to really value the privacy of my own room and a bed.
Any way thanks for the encouragement, patricia.
You are most welcome and I hope it stays with you all through your life.
I had a rough time growing up with an alcoholic father and a mother who refused to leave him. We were always poor and always moving from one place to the next. I too learned to value what little I had and to this day I take amazing care of my "things". I married a man who grew up in similar conditions and together we have managed to live a good life and we are financially secure. That was always our goal and now we have achieved it with time left to enjoy life. Good luck to you but somehow I don't think you are going to need it. You have prepared yourself for success.
is that some of us have paid into SS for 40+ yrs , are we not allowed to have it , we " old " people have paid our dues also , perhaps i misread your post for that forgive me , however having worked twice as long as you are old , how would you say I feel entitled to what little i have coming from the GOV. And if you disgree with that tough ! .
Okay, if they want to make abortions illegal, fine. Just pass a bill that says if a woman wants an abortion and cannot have it, the father must take the baby and raise it himself at his time and expense.
I thought conservatives were against micromanaging businesses.
They don't mind one bit.
the Democrats will save us.
Probably by holding our heads underwater and saying "okay now just stay there until we can get this fixed".
Smells to me like a poisoned pill to add to the bill.
... busy pimping the 'death panel' lie, but they'll put in 'NO ABORTIONS!' - determining who gets covered, on the basis of a potential life - without batting an eyelash.
This needs to be thrown right back at them amid laughter and scorn.
Will we have a choice of death panels. I'd prefer mahogany.
There is no way an comprehensive health-care reform proposal can ignore such a significant issue in the health of a little over half the population. No plan without an abortion coverage provision has any business being signed into law.
But there is no way any bill containing an abortion provision will get through the mono-browed, knuckle-dragging morons in the compulsory child-birth movement...
The ignorant American that listens to Rush and FOX doesn't log on to the WH website. They hate the President. Many are birthers or racists, and GOP at the very least. They believe all the lies and propaganda and anything the WH puts out is not believed anyway. The WH is preaching to the choir with a website. The WH MUST get the message out on the evening news cycle and so far the crazies at the townhalls are trumping them every night. The President needs to be out campaigning for reform and on the news 24/7 making his pitch. He has to call out the liars and naysayers. He also needs to get his own Party in line and forget this bi-partisan garbage. When you are dealing with the GOP, bi-partisanship means only weakness and loss.
The president will hold three or four town hall meetings today and you can watch the first one a one o'clock eastern time.
and cherry picked audiences by Fox News will begin at 1:01.
Well God did pick a thirteen year old virgin to knock-up.
http://www.esquire.com/features/abortion-doct...
You mean the debate isn't about healthcare...but political issues like abortion?!?!
I'm shocked! SHOCKED I tell ya!!!
Dangerously so. It's nice to know that our elected officials are so devious. These people need a wake up call.
Oh the hypocrisy. Why don't they let the market decide? That's their answer for everything else isn't it?
the Good Lord trumps the free market when it comes to penises and vaginas.
Especially vaginas...those gateways to hell that are the root of all sin.
Sex organs are not in the public domain.
If the "good lord" was so omni-powerful . . .
What is up with the foreskins?
While we're at it...what's up with the uni-brow?
And god, ya wanna know what else really grinds my gears?
Women with mustaches! What could have possibly made you think THAT was a good idea!
What is up with the foreskins?
Isn't it obvious. Women's sexual organs are hidden internally.
So...god put male sexual organs in a plain wrapper.
Circumcision is a SIN!! No glans should be seen!! No public funds for circumcision!!!
Folks should treat their faith like their genitalia: You don't stick it in somebody's face who has not asked for a look...
This isn't about health care - it's about greed and power! If people were really concerned about caring for the health and well-being of people in their communities (in this case, the whole nation) they would be supporting single-payer, universal coverage for everyone from cradle to grave!!
The Congress-critters are only concerned about: getting more money, keeping their jobs, and keeping control over the masses.
The right-wing, neo-Xian, looney-toons puppets who are supporting those in Congress who want to keep the status quo, are only concerned about themselves (and maybe their family members). "I've got mine and I don't give a shit what happens to you."
Ain't America great!
Well, there's that "game breaker" that would give private insurance an edge! You'd think those "free market" Republicans would jump at it. Well, guess their obsessions with keeping their fringe element happy wins out again.
"The Senate Republicans not only demand that abortions not be paid for with public funds (something already forbidden by the Hyde Amendment), they want to prevent private insurance plans from paying for them, too."
So much for the talking point about some decisions being between a patient and their doctor. Oh, no, wait--in Wingnuttia, pregnant women aren't patients; the fetus is the patient and the woman is considered a piece of medical equipment.
We can only hope this will be the straw that pushes the mainstream Democrats into the recognition that when the GOP is 100% aligned with the insurance industry, "bipartisanship" is a crock. Get Max Baucus the f-ck out of the road and do the right thing.
We have the best congress money can buy
This is weird - Baucus had a 100% pro-choice record.
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