Pat Roberts wants 72 hours for health insurance lobbyists

[DrTimWhatley]

Holy shit. THAT'S the point Roberts was ready to throw down with Baucus to make? "Let's give the lobbyists a chance to look at this bill."

Let no one accuse Pat Roberts of not being transparent.

[1911arthur]

CEO's need to be brought up on Federal RICO charges for running a racket.

[runelord37]

@1911arthur congressman and senators with them as well

[Pkr]

The inddustry was obviously ineffective at swaying Dems with their monies.. but republicans are easier to get to apparently. But some like Cunningham in California are still in jail!

[Pkr]

The health Care industry is asking for a "bailout" from the government to make up for all the cash they are giving our legislatures in Congress... this process is costing them a bundle.

[KMAObama]

The Democratic Party still trying to shove bullshit down our throats and the non sensible health bill up our asses. Maybe we can all pitch in and get them some good mental health care.

[vesper2u]

amen

[DillonX]

Don't forget Joe Libermann, the scum of the Earth, who's received a bundle from the health industry Companies, and should be booted out in his next election.

He's totally owned by the Health Ins Companies & so would never vote for The Public Option.

[PatricksTime]

the public option is out...obama failed!

[rakrobn]

Is that why Reid said the public option will be put into the final bill? You really are an idiot if you think the public option is dead.

[PatricksTime]

don' t hold your breathe!!!!!!!!

[twelveangrymen1]

Lobbyists

Democrat: 69%

Republican: 31%

Data from FEC, AUG 09 (opensecrets . org)

[PatricksTime]

in the 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama accepted $19,439,769 in campaign contributions from health care and health insurance interests? Thats over $12 million more than John McCain ($7,393,547).

[PatricksTime]

the 5 Senators who have received the most in campaign contributions from health care and health insurance interests for 2010 are all Democrats: Harry Reid (D-NV) $401,350, Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) $353,400, Charles Schumer (D-NY) $289,650, Arlen Specter (D-PA) $282,010 and Ron Wyden (D-OR) $258,650.

[EnhancementSmoker]

is there any question who this guy works for?

[TylerNutify]

The Republican Party Now Serving Gross Negligence.. Made fresh daily.

[DillonX]

Sen Roberts has received over $200,000 for these health care folks - AND HE WANTS TO MAKE POSITIVE THERE IS NOTHING IN THE BILL THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANIES WOULD OBJECT TO.

Sen Roberts is OWNED - - OWNED!

[PatricksTime]

Top three Senate recipients for insurance industry contributions -all Democrats-Charles Schumer,Chris Dodd,Harry Reid

2,890,631 Max Baucus has accepted over the course of his career.Obama has accepted 20,064,596 in campaign contributions from health care and health insurance interests.

According to statistics maintained by the Center for Responsive Politics,in 2010 mid-term elections, Democrats have drawn 55% of insurance-related contributions, compared with 45% for Republicans

who owns who??

[quizerry]

The best way to cut cost, raise quality is to have a true free market system. Which we don't because Government blocks it. Healthcare dollars need to be in the hands of consumers not 3rd parties. Government is a big part of the high cost for insurance. They have allowed them cartel in each State and mandates that cut choices and raise prices. To let Government take over more of our system will lead to higher cost. NO CHOICE NO COMPETITION

[richardmulroy]

Public Option Now

Support Obama

Fuck Rednecks and Racists

[Weleski]

Translation: We need to let corporate lobbyists remove any parts of the bill that would harm their bottom line and insert provisions that would provide government subsidies. Corporations first!

[bcbock]

Please... If the senators want the lobbyists to be able to read the bill, all they have to do is check their email sent folder. Health Insurance Lobbyists wrote the damned thing. The entire committee ought to be disgraced by their own behavior.

It's impoosible to believe that a senator who took $172,000 from health insurance lobbyists would be able to act in voters best interest. This bill has been bought and paid for.

[quizerry]

Maybe a handful of the 535 work in the best interest of the people.

The government already controls much of our healthcare system. They even set the prices for 1/2 the healthcare sector directly and the other 1/2 indirectly. They have done a lousy job of keeping down cost. They have passed legislation that has severely cut market competition that has benefited the Industry at consumers expense. Now they want more power and we will pay big time for it. Wake up people.

[eightbitgnosis]

We have no time for reading! From now on all bills will be judged on their funny names and instantly voted on!

[sungmee45]

Nothing should be pass, until every congress read the dog gone bill..How in the world can individual vote for something, which they never read!...They up there protecting their little pocket, rather caring for needs of citizens...

[elitebanktyranny]

two enemies - corporations and Washington

either way you lose

(i'd say go with corporations on this one)

[Weleski]

Yes, because they have provided us with an absolute GEM of a healthcare system.

[1958louief]

What kind of DUMB ASS would Vote for this IDOT???

His old ass needs dragged out of there.

Behind a Humana CEOs car, and they both go over a Cliff.

[Justsayin06]

Roberts: "I'ma let you finish your health care bill, but first, I just wanted to say the insurance companies have one of the best health care systems ever!"

[jodale1972]

Kickback? Who knows, maybe. But what is the rush? Why not post the bills online for 72 hours before voting? Why not let every American see the bill for themselves? Why not let every American hold their Representative accountable? They do work for us after all.

I thought this administration was going to ensure transparency? If that was true, this would have been their idea.

[henrykitoy007]

just listening of their ideation that is good

[WONDOCTORJ]

dont worry about the details of the bill-----its FREE --what more do u need to know ????? just pass the Fckin thing and stay STUPID ---fckin MORON LIBRALS

[apupu]

72 hours to negotiate how much kickback they will receive.....

[mstyle183]

translation... we need to give 72 hours for the lobbyist to read the bill and find a good way to kill it..

WOW they no longer represent us.. they represent the insurance companies

[thomasw78]

translation... we need to pass a bill as soon as possible without giving anyone any time to read it because if they actually got a chance to read it they would find out how horrible it actually is

[andrewh23]

Good point except you haven't read it and you're relying on your Fox News talking points to make an argument.

[quizerry]

I have read alot of the two bills they are so confusing and leave the door open for Government to later do just about whatever they want with new agencys, health panels, laws. It is scary.

[thomasw78]

I don't watch Fox. And no, I haven't read the bill. That was the point of this whole conversation. (whether or not people got a chance to read the bill before voting on it)

[Craigbe]

And this is OK with you?

This is a system to defend?

Why do our "reps" need a staff to do their jobs? Is it because they're so busy maintaining their CELEBRITY to do the jobs they're hired to do?

Why are so many of our elected officials, as you say, stupid?

It all boils down to one word,,,,,

Diversity!

[Craigbe]

Gee, I thought the 72 hours was for our ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES to read the bills they pass, since our "lawmakers" don't seem to need to do that anymore. (see the latest five, thousand page bills voted upon UNREAD by our Congress!

Thank God the asshats at the huffpost got here in time to propagandize the story........

[gregkauf1987]

Well... at least he's honest, I guess.

[sirdaveysockrocker]

WOW hes not very good at masking just how much of a bitch he is for the insurance companies.

[johnrussellCD5]

Corporate America IS "The Shadow Government!" J R

[lmn8bush]

I don't think that pat roberts could read it if you gave him twice that amount of time !

[MrBChrisS]

Unbelievable. But I hope those reading this and posting here know that nothing will change unless you DO something. Yes, sign petitions and make phone calls and vote for change, that all good. Better would be to knock on doors for an organization that supports your cause. Better still would be to stage non violent protests such as sit ins at the nearest office of Blue Cross Blue Shield or Aetna. Why better? It will make news, and convey the sense of frustration.

[rflair88]

Wow. Republicans have no shame. Someone tell this guy he works for the people of this state. NOT the insurance companies. Wow. Never thought I would see someone so openly shilling for the Big corporations.

[gareyt17]

No Shame? There is shame in wanting 72 hours to look at a bill prior to voting on it that is going to effect every single person in America and trillions of dollars?

Are you insane?

[deviant24x]

Why doesn't anyone call them out on this kind of crap?

Sen Roberts: When you say "But the thing that Im trying to point out is we would have at least 72 hours for the people that the providers have hired to keep up with all of the legislation that we pass around here"

do you really mean that you have to gain approval from the health insurance and pharmaceutical lobbyists first? Do they translate it in simpler terms for you by finding the "death panels" and "illegal immigrant loopholes"?

[armadilloze]

Well, at least the repubes now they're admitting who comes first - us, or their lobbyist pals. All special consideration for the downtrodden lobbyists, zip for us consumers.

Personally, I don't give a damn what the lobbyists want. They're the problem, not the solution. Unbelievable.

Sanford/Ensign Family Values 12

[stoptherightwing]

okay, once these idiots put together the final bill, please let's make sure to get 72% of the insurance industry to approve it before it's passed? What planet are these idiots living on? I can't believe this sh*t! Who the hell are they working for?

[johnrussellCD5]

These Klowns Are living on the planet that IS our political system. In 2006 a DC lobbyist offered me a deal for contributions as much as I need if "I was willing to Play Ball/Work With the Pharmaceutical Industry!" That IS HOW our system works! We MUST have Campaign Finance and Election Reform. That is the ONLY way to stop this terribly destructive Corporatist paradigm. John Russell, MS/ARNP, MBA Health systems Mgt. 2006-08 Dem Nominee CD5 Florida

[clintatl]

Roberts has received over $172,000 in political contribution from insurance companies over the last five years. Guess that's all you need to know!