Last night, ABC News aired ‘Questions for the President: Prescription for America‘ designed to be a town hall for doctors, patients and health care experts to ask President Obama challenging questions on his health care proposals. Many Americans protested before the program aired, in self-described “waiting rooms,” to challenge a perceived notion that ABC was simply giving the President one hour of prime time television to sell his program without an opposing view. Conservative Members of Congress gathered on Capitol Hill during the hour to showcase their health reform plans at an event organized by Americans for Tax Reform, including Congressman Tom Price (R-GA), a former physician who said “[i]f the fourth estate continues to be in the tank [for the Obama administration], it would endanger the future of the nation.”
The Heritage Foundation decided to be a part of the discussion and was granted two invites to the event by ABC News. Vice President for Domestic and Economic Studies, Stuart Butler, and Nina Owcharenko, Deputy Director of the Center for Health Policy Studies, were at the White House hoping to engage the President on issues such as his plan for a massive government health care system, or exactly how he was planning on paying for his proposals. According to Stuart Butler, “ABC News promised a tough town hall meeting but delivered a White House infomercial.”
Nina Owcharenko said: “The stage-managed nature of the meeting, and preventing tough follow-up questions, meant President Obama could talk around the issues raised about his proposal, rather than really answering them.” In fact, some of the audience members did have tough questions, including Dr. Orrin Devinsky who led off by asking the President if he would sacrifice the health of his own family by putting them in a government plan.
The President said, “If it’s my family member, it’s my wife, if it’s my children, if it’s my grandmother, I always want them to get the very best care. But here’s the problem that we have in our current health care system, is that there is a whole bunch of care that’s being provided that every study, every bit of evidence that we have indicates may not be making us healthier.” In other words, the Doctor-in-Chief believes that the government could, in fact, make better decisions about health care than you and your doctor. Of course, he evaded answering whether he and his family would ever live under such a public plan.
Later, in the Nightline hour, after most viewers had gone to sleep, ABC finally got around to asking the President about his public plan. Up until a week ago, the President was adamant that anyone who wanted to stay in their current plan could and would. Shortly after Heritage President Ed Feulner delivered an Open Letter debunking this myth, the White House began to walk back this claim, continuing to do so last night.
First, the President told Christopher Bean in the audience “If you’re happy with your plan, as I said, you keep it.” Then he said that a public plan wouldn’t create an unlevel playing field because the plan itself would have to play by the rules it sets. Got that?
Stuart Butler said “President Obama continued to argue that if a public plan does well against private insurers, that’s just what competition is about, but if the government sets up a plan where it can drive down payment to doctors and hospitals, force doctors to join its plan on its terms, have Congress rig the rules of competition to favor its plan, and not have to balance its books – Medicare has $32 trillion in unfunded commitments – then I suppose it can do ‘well’ in a competition with private plans.”
When specifically asked whether millions of people would be dumped into a public plan because their employers were incentivized to drop private coverage, he introduced a new concept: “firewalls.” This is where the government would decide which “large employers” had to pay more into the system, and who could and couldn’t join this great new plan. So, of course, millions would be dumped into government-run health care, but he would design a system to pick winners and losers to slow the drain.
The President argued last night that the “status quo” wasn’t good enough. This is the new talking point of the left. Before, they argued there weren’t any alternatives, but then realized Congressional Republicans were the only ones with a complete proposal in the public domain. Now they argue that if you don’t want massive government intervention, you must be in favor of no change at all. In fact, the Heritage Foundation has been leading the charge for substantive health care reform for decades, and we wish we’d had the opportunity last night to share with him some of our ideas. For now, he’ll just have to visit www.FixHealthCarePolicy.com to learn better ways to provide quality care to all Americans.
QUICK HITS:
- ABC News’ Jake Tapper and Karen Travers said the President “struggled to explain…whether his health care reform proposals would force normal Americans to make sacrifices that wealthier, more powerful people — like the president himself — wouldn’t face.”
- Yesterday, North Korea threatened to wipe the United States off the map, as they prepare to launch a series of missiles in the coming weeks. The Pentagon dismissed such talk as “silliness.”
- In response to North Korea’s threats against Hawaii, the U.S. has deployed missile defense systems to the region, while simultaneously proposing major cuts to the missile defense program.
- Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) has again asked Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to relax recently tightened mortgage loan standards.
- Morning Bell and Foundry Editor Conn Carroll and his wife Wendi celebrated the birth of their daughter Kathryn Emma Carroll yesterday. Congratulations to Conn, Wendi, and big brother Owen.
It is untenable that the ailing people who need to take some rest are forced to keep working, due to the employment-based system with no other choice, and overly high health care prices. It may be one of the reasons that America spends over $2 trillion annually on health care, and today 75 percent of that money goes to chronic disease, there are 133 million Americans with one or more chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, arthritis, hypertension and diabetes.
As seen in the case of swine flu, most of the patients who took some rest and care at early mild stage have got recovery avoiding deadly outcome.
The employment-based system in the U.S. with no other choice and overly high health care prices is similar to an automobile without 'a brake' or 'a safety system', which come at at price, yet is even better than a fatal accident.
Public and private schools across the world help each other, and to date, private insurers have coexisted profitably with Medicare and Medicaid for many years. As we know, public health and education are essential parts of life, in my understanding, health comes first. That is why all of the industrialized countries have public policy in place, I guess.
THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO GET OUT OF THE MORTGAGE BUSINESS. BARNEY FRANK DESTROYED THE US ECONOMY THROUGH HIS CHARIMANSHIP OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. THESE SORRY POLITICIANS HAVE A POLITICAL AGENDA AND DONT MIND DESTROYING OUR ECONOMY WHILE PANDERING FOR A FEW MORE VOTES. SELL FANNIE MAE AND FREDDIE MAC AND LET PROFESSIONAL MORTGAGE COMPANIES RUN OUR ECONOMY. BARNEY FRANK IS A POSTER BOY FOR TERM LIMITS!
There has never been a 'free press'. Nothing is free. ABC and the other main-
stream networks are using and being used by a slick, Chicago politician. I seldom view their news and non-news programming, anyway. What is ironic to me, is that the "over-the-air" networks are driven by the sales department. The only substance lower than a media-salesman, is whale scat on the bottom of the sea. They will get in whatever bed promises them the most return for their diminishing audience, witness the Obama bed. "Open that tunnel cause here comes the train." All of them are common delinquents with a common denominator called 'lying to the public'. Just like the Governor of South Carolina, when they do fall, it will be a hard fall. I can hardly wait for their demise.
Too many people reason and make arguments based on false premises. If this is done ,you end up with false conclusions.
Liberals do this all the time and no one challenges them. People have no true sense of logic.
Obama makes premises like "we have a health crisis" or " the status quo isn't good enough" or, as he does with every issue he wants to control, says "we have a crisis". No one asks: "who says?"
As they have brazenly stated "a crises is something to be exploited". They create the crisis and proceed to exploit it! They must laugh themselves to sleep at night thinking what fools the American people are.
People need to stop being blinded by "Hollywood Obama" and look at his history, his background, his blatant disregard of the Constitution, his dictatorial and arrogant attitude, the disgrace he is making of us before the world, his plunging us into probable irreversible debt, and working towards the demise of our once wonderful Country by bringing about its collapse and replacing it with a Socialist Government.
Wake up America before it is too late, indeed.
It was disappointing to learn you accepted the President's invitation to participate in the Health Care "Infomercial" on ABC. It accomplished nothing and puts "us" in the enemy camp! "Stay away from fire and you won't get burned," is what my Mother always taught! We need to stay as far away as possible from this fiasco, and still get out the correct message.
The long and short of it is that we can't be silent anymore. In Houston many groups joined together and protested ABC. You can read about it here on http://www.politicafe.com.
I really hope that the American public is wise to what's going on. We all know that private industry can't compete with govrnment enterprise. Obama promises that you can keep your health care if you're satisfied with it, but what he doesn't say is that there is no way private insurers can compete with the government insurance so prices will go up employers will opt for the cheaper insurance and before you know it you find yourself on the government plan. You then find yourself standing in long lines or being totally denied care due to cost. Have you ever had to go to a government run clinic? You wait for your turn for hours if you even get seen at all. There are alot of medications that are denied because of cost or the government decides they are not right for you even though your Dr. prescribed them.It is really frightening to think that we may be forced into this abomination. Foreign countries are warning us not to do this as it don't work. Maybe we should listen to the experienced. You think?
The duplicity of Barry Obama on the "health care crisis" is amazing. Yet there are innumerable Americans still hynotized by this man. A friend of mine recently admonished me for circulating an essay criticizing current policies of the administration and the Democrat majority in Congress. She said that we needed to back our "leader" (i.e. Obama) regardless of our opinions. And she suggested that this was the only honorable thing to do. There are too many Americans who share this view. And that truly scares me.
As the Heritage Foundation has consistently argued, there are many ways to improve the health care system without destroying it. But unless those proposals are placed before the public and vociferously argued, the battle may well be lost. It's about time Republicans and Conservatives effectively put differences aside and became loud and vocal advocates for common sense in the health care arena. In a open debate, we can win.
I thought during the campaign Obama promised a health insurance plan just like the one the Congress and Senate enjoy. Where would Ted Kennedy be if EVERYONE was under "Obamacare"….6 feet under. I will not let the government decide what type of treatment I can and cannot receive. It's my life, my body, my decision! As usual this administration is ramming through an important decision WITHOUT ALL the American people's input. This country is turning into a Socialistic government and most Americans don't even realize it. WAKE UP!!!!
obama is a LIAR, he said he wouldn't take away my CHEVY and he destroyed it, now this incompetent wants to be in charge of my HEALTH. NO WAY HOSEA, go to Helen Waite obama she will tell you the same thing. You won't need no foney overpriced solar panels, wind mills or GE mercury filled piggy tailed light bulbs there.
How in the world have we gotten here? I believe that this madness will continue until people truly begin to hurt as a result of this madman's policies.
We don't want obamas' Status quo he is proposing it will BE THE END the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Let me add that if the Government gets into the Health Care Business, they will kill all competition. Private enterprise needs to make a profit to remain viable. The Government need never make a profit! How many Government programs out there are technically insolvent yet continue operating year after year?
I believe that President Obama, is on a clear path to dismantling, our nation piece by piece. Healthcare only a part of a diabolical scheme to destabilize our economy.
This and many more applications presented by his staff, are in my opinion, a direct assault on the Constitution. My concern, if he can be stopped, and if we, have the were with all to fight back.
Richard Cancemi, I concur….Wake up America…before it's too late.!!!!!!!!!
Are we who are members of this august organizatrion the only people in America aware of the socialism that the Empty Suit and his "advisors" want to force on the nation?
I am an astute and erudite student of history and have yet to find even one shred of evidence that socialism or its bastard child- socialized medicine have ever worked. In runs counter intuitive to how humanity actually functions.
As for the Empty Suit not answering any specific questions, what did you expect? He cannot "speak" without his teleprompter..and the arrogant press made such derisivce fun of "W"'s apparent ability(?) to speak so the sophisticated press could understand him.
No doubt about it, we are on a fast track to the Obama plan for Socialist/Fascist government. What other countries disallow dialogue or exclude a faction of the media that may not agree with administrative agenda? It reeks of Iranian politics and that of other nations where a dictator controls the lives of the people. We cannot allow this to happen in the USA.
So, what did people do BEFORE health insurance? It was "pay as you go" and people with compassion cared for those who couldn't pay as humanely as possible. My grandfather was an orthopedic surgeon who discussed the delivery system long before health insurance was around. Simply put, insurance is nothing more than shared cost. Tort reform, tax reform, and getting out of the way will help reduce these costs. Entitlements are NOT the answer. Answer this: name a government entitlement program that once started was discontinued? None that I am able to recall.
Obviously, ABC is completely biased and in collusion with Mr. Obama and his insistence on cramming socialized national health care down our collective throats. It is also obvious that we cannot afford this system despite what anyone says. We are in debt beyond our nation's ability to pay yet the federal government continues to buy, on a regular basis, its own debt (through the purchase of Treasury notes and bills)and spend, spend, spend with abandon. Do we realize what that really means? It means we are bankrupt! States are bankrupt, cities are bankrupt, citizens are bankrupt, companies are bankrupt, our institutions are bankrupt and now the federal government is bankrupt. Specifically, Mr. Obama does not and will not address any of the details of his wildly outrageous health care plan. Just one of the issues that he chooses to avoid is the fact that there aren't enough qualified doctors in the country to work in his system. Doctors are retiring in great number and they are not being replaced by new ones. So who will administer health care to everyone – foreign doctors who Mr. Obama hires as 1099s, PAs, nurses, anyone able to speak in complete sentences and who can write his/her name? If you cannot understand what is really happening in this lose-lose charade, then you are delusional.
I find it better to live my life of Freedom, rather than watch infomercials! The way this Administration and Congress are headed, my time for Freedom may become limited, if any at all. So remember those who watched, the other word for Informercial is call Propoganda!
Hozro
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It seems that americans are beginning to wake up a little late,and I still do not Hear the magic words, " NEVER RE-ELECT AN INCUMBENT"
I don't want to be redundent. The bottom line is the United States was built on Free Enterprize. We had forefathers who were well off to start up business that gave us work. As time passed, the average American who had the Entrepreneuship could create his/hers own business. It has gotten out of control by too many bureaucraces and Greed. Whether you realize it or not,that is the beganning of Socialism. If we allow the people who are in the position of Total Control,then this is where we will end up! Wake up America, or Lose what we have fought so hard to get,Freedom!
I am sick and tired of hearing Obama claiming that he would let "me" keep my doctor and health care plan if I liked it. I have a fundamental problem with that type of assertion. Who in the hell is he to "allow" me anything? Is he the new king? We are facing situation with the Obama crowd in Washington that this country had not faced since 1776 when the Founders declared that it was time to throw out the King. We are at that point now.
It is none of his business to say that he would make a determination about the health care of my elderly mother or father.
Please someone out there ans. the one question that was never asked while I was watching.
Who pays the medical expenses for the uninsured who will stay uninsured , regardly of the Gov't offerings?
I would like to see a bottoms-up investagation for all entitlement programs.
The billions that would be saved from some serious dirt digging on all levels would get my attention.
When stimulus $$$$ is gifted to Speical Interst groups like Acorn, that is when I stopped listening to our President.
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Please ask President Obama…and his fellow congressmen/women…if they would be happy to CHANGE to the NEW Government Edition of Health Plan(s), when offered…and readily give up their CURRENT PLAN of government coverage without a whimper or groan, especially if ALL THE NATION WERE ASKED TO "TIGHTEN THEIR BELTS, AND MEET THE LIMITS OF THE NEW GOVERNMENTS PLAN(s)) AS THEY ARE PUT TO LAW"?
LIKE, THIS IS A "MUST" YES VOTE BEFORE THE BILL IS SUBMITTED TO THE HOUSE AND TO THE SENATE! NO HESITATION: "YES OR NO"?
This is a small thing, but I don't think that it is correct to refer to Tom Price as a "former physician".
The essence of these comments tells me that there
are a lot of very concerned Americans, who firmly
believe, as I do, that Congress and the current
Administration are leading this great nation down
a very treacherous path. I scanned most of the
commentaries. Mr. Seid of Va. & Mr. Cancemi of Tx.
seem to sum it all up the best.
Well we can now began to see what the "chosen one" is all about in the health care business. All that he and the dems want is more controll of this country and its people. The dems will push anything to get this country to be like Europe, socialized medicine is just one of many things they want.
The "guvernment" can not manage itself with out debt, how do we expected the health care plan to do any better????? People we need to wake up and tell Congress that we will not allow this to be done, we simply can not afford it. All the people that think this is the way to go, I ask you to go to the nearest VA Hospital, wak in look around and ask yourself if that is the way you want your loved ones to be cared for??? I agree that the VA is good, but it is manage health care, run by the "guvernment", care is only given according to the budget that is avaliable. The older ones among us are pushed to the back burner, while the ones that are and still can be a part of productive society are sent to the front. The old people of this country are told to wait, we do not have the funds at this time. If you do not believe this ask a older vet, I am one.
I think the evidence is clear through the fact that he put his kids in a private school instead of the DC public school system, that the health care system the gov't designs wouldn't be good enough for his family, but it is good enough for you.
It's my understanding from other sources that President, Congressmen and "powers that be" will be exempt from the new healthcare plan. Also the plan hasn't been read by those who have authority to vote on it and have no idea what is included in it and how much it will actually cost when implemented. Where is the integrity and common sense? Most of these men are old enough to remember the recessions and some of them, the depression of years past. What part of "the past" do they not understand?
The Democrat reputation is that Democrats care about everybody. so cut em a break. This view plus the fact that many children are simply voting like their parents. Then for good measure Democrats get their news from Democrats whether at NBC, ABC or the DNC. So, is it really any surprise that good ole Barn would go to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae?
The Democrat reputation is that Democrats care about everybody. so cut em a break. This view plus the fact that many children are simply voting like their parents. Then for good measure Democrats get their news from Democrats whether at NBC, ABC or the DNC. So, is it really any surprise that good ole Barn would go to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae?
ABC's Health care propaganda.
I did not watch the program because it was a fraud. The setup should have been debate style.
The sadness I have is that everyone has been brainwashed, and think that care will be better.
But if health care is a disaster, "a ticking time bomb" as Obama says, shouldn't we first fix the ticking time bomb before we add another fifty millions to the rolls.(actually it is more like 25 millions, half of those who do not have insurance, can afford it but take the chance that they will be healthy.)
The reality the health care bill, is just pork for special interest groups. what else can we expect from congress, its their modus operandi.
Yes, there will be rationing and no choice, that is one thing I can guarantee.
Doctors are retiring early and cutting hours worked.
One of the reason I went to medical school was to be prepared for this scenario. I feel sorry for all those who are not physicians and Can't take care of their families.
ron hansing md.
6.26.9
What are conservatives so worried about?
The World Health Organization (WHO) did some great research and ranked countries based on their health care systems. The United States ranked 37th, just barely in front of Cuba. How embarrassing. France (single-payer) ranked 1st and they pay much less than we do. We spend more money than any other country, but our health care system does not positively reflect this spending.
It's funny how conservatives are freaking out about the price tag. Truth is, in the end, we'll spend less and have a better system. The only problem is Obama is not willing to offer the single-payer plan.
Like his stimulus plan, Obama has watered down the best solution and may have sabotaged his efforts.
We need Obama to get it right the first time. He should support the single-payer plan.
Spiritof76: I admire your attitude.
B.O. would "allow" me to retain my present medical care arrangements ? How very kind and generous of him ! If this crazy program gets passed, I shall take him at his word and continue to obtain needed medical care in any way I see fit from any provider with whom I can agree upon mutually acceptable terms. Call me a lawbreaker, then. Call me anything you like. Just don't call me late for my doctor's appointment.
It's time we reminded this semi-qualified would-be king that our Constitution is the primary law of the land, and that it guarantees the utterly non-negotiable right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" to each citizen. It's time we asked what could be more basic in this context than the right to chose our medical care without being required to seek our government's approval of the methods and means ?
It is time we also demanded the government cease interference on the provider-side of this equation, if for no other reason than this also curtails our right to obtain the best treatment our knowledge, diligence, and means might afford.
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