KNOW THE FACTS, READ THE BILL....

[Henry Hawk]

Okay, read it or don't read it..........This is a very interesting article by Newt Gingrich, that very articulatly explains the concerns of this bill.



1. Know the Facts 2. Read the Bill 3. Vote
by Newt Gingrich


As of Wednesday, October 14, there are some things we know, and some things we don't know.

We know that the most recent economic projections forecast 10.3 percent unemployment as of next June and 8.5 percent unemployment through 2013.

And we know that cost increases to businesses and families could make these numbers even worse. They will slow down the recovery and kill job creation.

Now for what we don't know: As of Monday, we can no longer have confidence that we know what the true cost of the Left's health reform will be. A late-breaking report said that the bill passed yesterday by the Senate Finance Committee will increase the health care costs of the average American family by $4,000.

This specific figure may or may not prove to be the case.

The point is, we don't know. And we can't pass a law that remakes our economy and directly impacts the health of all Americans until we do.

$4,000 More in Cost to Families, $1,500 More in Costs to Individuals

The new report, prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers and paid for by the insurance industry, contains some disturbing estimates of how much the Senate Finance Committee bill will cost Americans.

For the average family of four, health insurance costs about $12,300 today. The report found that, if we do nothing, that cost will rise to $21,900 in 2019. But under the Finance Committee bill, the average family will see its health care costs rise to $25,900 in 2019 – a full $4,000 more than if we do nothing.

For the average single American, the cost of health care insurance today is about $4,600. The report found that this cost will rise to $8,200 in 2019 without the bill just passed by the Senate committee, but to $9,700 with it – creating an additional cost to single Americans of $1,500.

This report comes on the heels of a CBO estimate last month that said the Senate Finance Committee bill will increase premium costs for both employers and individuals who purchase insurance on their own: "Premiums in the new insurance exchanges would tend to be higher than the average premiums in the current-law individual market..."

Some Analysts Believe the Study Underestimates the Cost of Liberal Health Reforms

This new report may or may not be an accurate estimate of the costs Americans will bear under liberal health care reform. Some, including Ron Bachman, a health care analyst at the Georgia Public Policy Foundation and the Center for Health Transformation, believe the PwC study underestimates the cost of liberal reforms.

Bachman believes that when the Finance Committee bill is merged with the legislation passed by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, the costs of private health insurance will be even higher than under the Finance bill.

Right now, three Senators – the chairmen of the Finance and HELP committees and Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NAV) – are meeting in secret to produce a bill for the full Senate to vote on. According to Bachman, the HELP bill is so loaded with pork barrel spending (he calls it the "Mother of all Slush Funds") that the final Senate bill will cost even more than the Finance Committee legislation alone.

Consumers Bear the Cost of New Health Care Taxes Through Higher Premiums

Although we can't yet know if the PwC numbers will reflect the exact costs of the Senate's health plan, we can make some logical inferences that liberal health care reform will increase prices to American families and businesses.

The Senate Finance Committee bill, for instance, raises taxes on employers and insurers by more than $200,000,000,000.

The bill also taxes drug companies and medical device manufacturers, which will raise the cost of these items. And because insurers cover drugs and devices through insurance policies, consumers will ultimately bear the cost of these taxes through higher premiums.

Furthermore, the Senate Finance bill would destroy the very nature of "insurance," which is for everyone— young and old, sick and healthy —to pay into the same system so that the medical care for those who need it is paid for by the insurance premiums of those who do not. The Finance bill may end up leaving mainly the sick in the system by requiring health plans to cover everyone, but allowing people to wait until they are sick to purchase a policy. 

Sure, individuals would be fined as little as $200 a year if they don't buy insurance, but why would someone want to buy a product today, knowing that they can buy it later at the same price when they actually need it?  John Lott has a good column that compares this to buying auto insurance after you crash your car. 

At the end of the day, health insurance premiums are a reflection of the health care delivery system. Because the Finance Committee bill will directly raise premiums through higher taxes but does little to actually reform delivery, it's the worst of both worlds.

For ideas on how we can reform our health care delivery system and truly bring down costs to families and businesses, visit healthtransformation.net. 

Congress Should Insist on Three Independent Studies Before it Votes

Americans can be forgiven for not knowing who to believe right now. And the Obama Administration's response to the new study – to demonize the messenger rather than engage on the facts – doesn't help clarify things.

Before it votes to transform one-sixth of our economy and every American's health care, Congress should know the facts.

Congress should commission three independent studies of the cost of proposed health care reform by three professionally respected analytical firms.

Then Congress should post these studies online, so that all members and the American people can read them.

And then – and only then – Congress should vote.

As I mentioned in a column last week, some members of Congress are getting careless about reading legislation before they vote on it.

So for those members and others who need a refresher course on American democracy, here's how it should go:

First: Know the Facts

Second: Read the Bill.

Third: Vote.
Newt Gingrich

[Bo D]

some things we don't know....

economic projections forecast

could make 

we don't know

This specific figure may or may not prove to be the case.

we don't know.

This new report may or may not be an accurate estimate

Bachman believes

we can't yet know

"forecast, could make, we don't know, may or may not prove to be the case, we don't know, may or may not be an accurate estimate, Bachman believes, we can't yet know"

Know the facts, indeed! How many facts can you find?

Plus, there are several links to the Center for Health Transformation website whose members include:

    * Alegent Health
    * Allscripts
    * Amedisys
    * BlueCross BlueShield Association
    * Emdeon
    * GE Healthcare
    * GlaxoSmithKline
    * Guidon Performance Solutions
    * NextGen
    * VSP Vision Care
    * AstraZeneca
    * Healthways
    * Jackson Healthcare
    * MeadWestvaco
    * MedImpact Healthcare Systems, Inc.
    * Novo Nordisk
    * Sanford Health
    * Sutter Health
    * UnitedHealth Group
    * WellPoint, Inc


The very companies who stand to profit most from spiraling health costs.

Sorta like asking the fox to improve the hen house, don't you think?

[Henry Hawk]

Olias,

All very good points, and I applaud your research (as always  )

But, does that make the points, and figures any less revelant?.... I think these are ALL valid, despite WHO or WHERE the "facts" came from....THIS is the type of debate that NEEDS to happen....

Congress only WANT's us to believe everything THEY say.....and there are compelling points and challenges that are being brought forth.........can Congress support everything THEY say is going to happen?

I guarantee you, you will hear just as many..."could make", "we don't know", "may or may not's" from our legislators IF, they were to give us honest answers...

All Newt is saying is ... Know the facts....Read the bill........he is pointing out REAL possibilities....and those insurance companies have every right in the world to defend themselves against congress....

I think it is a great piece by Newt.

[Henry Hawk]

I also like this part of what newt had to say,

Before it votes to transform one-sixth of our economy and every American's health care, Congress should know the facts.

Congress should commission three independent studies of the cost of proposed health care reform by three professionally respected analytical firms.

Then Congress should post these studies online, so that all members and the American people can read them.

And then – and only then – Congress should vote.

[Exterminator]

But, does that make the points, and figures any less revelant?....

Yes, absolutely.

Congress only WANT's us to believe everything THEY say.....and there are compelling points and challenges that are being brought forth.........can Congress support everything THEY say is going to happen?

You silly, naive child.  You claim that Congress only wants us to believe everything they say when they really don't benefit if health care reform becomes a reality at the same time you quote a report prepared at the direction of those who do benefit if it doesn't.   

[Henry Hawk]

Congress only wants us to believe everything they say when they really don't benefit if health care reform becomes a reality

Then WHAT does congress actually BENEFIT from then?....the obvious answer to me is.........POWER

I cannot believe that folks like Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are doing ANYTHING for honorable reasons.....other than to sink MORE power and to drive MORE socialism in this country.....

[Exterminator]

Then WHAT does congress actually BENEFIT from then?....the obvious answer to me is.........POWER

Power to do what?

I cannot believe that folks like Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are doing ANYTHING for honorable reasons.....other than to sink MORE power and to drive MORE socialism in this country.....

Really?  Is that all you've got?  You really expect anyone to believe that these people wake up every morning and try to think of ways to make the country socialist?  Why?  Are you really so cynical and jaded that it's impossible for you to fathom that perhaps these people actually see it as a great injustice that anyone in arguably the richest country in the world should have to go without medical care?

On the other hand, you fully support the insurance industry, some of whose members just got bailed out with our tax dollars?  WTF?

[Henry Hawk]

Power to do what?

Really?  Is that all you've got?  You really expect anyone to believe that these people wake up every morning and try to think of ways to make the country socialist?  Why?  Are you really so cynical and jaded that it's impossible for you to fathom that perhaps these people actually see it as a great injustice that anyone in arguably the richest country in the world should have to go without medical care?

On the other hand, you fully support the insurance industry, some of whose members just got bailed out with our tax dollars?  WTF?

I never said I fully support the insurance industy, are you making crap up or what?........

I'm not going to be side tracked nor this thread should be.......I do not trust a large portion of our congress...THEY have an agenda that differs from what our forefather would want....and providing it's citizens with EVERYTHING that THEY can't afford is not what they wanted..............we should provide the opportunity for every citizen to be able to achieve health and happiness.
I think, the Center for Heath Transformation is working towards that goal.

[Exterminator]

I think you're ridiculous.   

[Henry Hawk]

Power to do what?

to have control of American lives....to force americans to HAVE to HAVE Congress keep making laws to protect them and take care of them.

[Henry Hawk]

I think you're ridiculous.   

WOW...there is a news flash....  

[Bo D]

I think, the Center for Heath Transformation is working towards that goal.

I don't trust insurance companies. Did you read that post about the insurance company that refused care for a baby? ....

"We do it because everybody else in the industry does it," says Dr. Doug Speedie, medical director at Rocky Mountain Health Plans, the company that turned down Alex."

And the only goal the Center for Heath Transformation has is padding the pockets of their members.

[awol]

love to discuss it with ya hank.  first, ya gotta watch "sicko" tho.

[Henry Hawk]

love to discuss it with ya hank.  first, ya gotta watch "sicko" tho.

YOU are asking for quite a bit there.... ....did YOU watch it, and if ya did, what did you think?

[awol]

yes i did.  quite a bit of food for thought.