Reality Check: Congress did not vote to exempt themselves from reform

[hotrod4you2]

((((WOW)))) Congress family members are exempt from having to pay back student loans,they make the rules but don't live by them? YOUR GOV ONLY CARES ABOUT THERESELFS IT SEEmS THIS IS A OUTRAGE

[heatherbell2009]

members of congress only pay $300 a month for full coverage dental and emergency! we will never have that option. if they want universal healthcare why cant we all have such an easy and affordable plan?

[stripmullet]

Linda Douglas,,correction,, congress exempts themselves from most of the legislation they impose on americans... & correction to your statement,,, americans will not have the same options if any. While I or my email will not be able to stop the corruption you so seek & benefit from.. don't think that so many of us don't realize your taci cs If its not good enough for you but enough for me . May you not rest in peace. You are wrong & not strong enough to be ashamed of your self.

[MrBoredatwork]

Sure they can shop around. They make more money. The public option will push out the private option anyway by artificially lowering costs by subsidizing the costs. The main author of the bill said that the public option is the trojan horse to government run health care.

[SuzumiyaHaruhi0]

AYA HIRANO

[NiteSkyLookr]

This is classic double speak. She's right they didn't vote to excempt themselves from reform but did vote against an admendment requiring they enlist in the same plan.

Their coverage is "Tax Payer Funded" and it not with the federal goverment but thru private insurners. Honestly think Ted Kennedy will have the same as the rest of us....are you serious!!

[librophile]

NiteSkyLookr

In the months to come, when the Insurance Exchange is in place, offering Private and Public Options ... the Congress & Federal Employees existing programs, will be MERGE INTO ONE SINGLE SYSTEM to cut back on administrative cost.

[wingnut2lover]

I love the way she skirted around the question she never answered it all she said was congress still have there same health care not the health care they want us to have

[sbmcguire03]

Um Yes they did!

[iLuvAkeys4ever]

Bianca been watching Fox news!

[HerrBismarck]

I don't understand the question. Why would they VOTE on something like that?

"Hey, lets vote on whether we should ALL get in or out of this thing".

Anyway, so what if every congress member and Obama decide to stay in the private sector? They have money to cover themselves. The public option is not about the rich, its about the poor who is uninsured.

[floridagrandpa]

People can answer many of their own questions about health care reform. Remember Google is your friend. You can research Linda's statements in her videos on You Tube as well as other government officials. I am for reform and want people to check it out for them self.

[floridagrandpa]

Test.

[truthforamerica]

They didn't "vote" to exempt themselves. The Democrat leadership prevented it from being allowed to get out of there. This woman is a sick propagandist for the regime, I mean administration. People thought Bush overstepped his powers. Over 40 czars not accountable to Congress should take your breath away.

[pongman]

What I'd like to know is why is there ERISA rules governing private employer health plans and FEHBP rules governing government employee health plans? It seems to me that federal, state and county employees get a better deal when it comes to resolution of denial of care based on medical necessity. Is this unequal justice or am I being paranoid about this?

[redspade04]

oh, so i guess we wont get the same plan as congress. thanks for clearing that up.

[208975]

reality check

you work for us

we dont want it

[underbird]

Linda is fibbing here. Yes its in committee, but the woman was correct.

From U.S. Congressman Dean Heller (R-NV) press release:

"July 16, 2009

(Washington, DC) Today U.S. Congressman Dean Heller (R-NV) offered an amendment to the Americas Affordable Health Choices Act (H.R. 3200) during the House Ways and Means Committee markup that would require members of Congress enroll in the government-run healthcare program. This amendment was defeated by a vote of 21 to 18. "

[trelane227]

Your answer actually lies within your own quote. Assuming your information is correct (I didn't back check it), they voted against being limited to getting their coverage solely through a government run insurance plan.

The reform that's on the table does not force anyone to do this.

The reform being proposed would create a health insurance exchange, in which private insurers would compete, and among them a choice of a public option.

[underbird]

Maybe for the first year you will have choice. Costs will shift to private insurance and soon there will be no insurance companies. The author of the plan among others admits this is the goal: watch?v=ndStT6c93rc

[oolong2]

Even those countries with universal health care: Canada, France, UK, etc. ALL have private unsurers for those that want it or need it.

So basically what you're saying is a lie.

Just like with post office vs UPS, Fed Ex, etc. There is always a private sector to fill the gap.

The health care industry is spending a million dollars A DAY to push these lies through lobbyists and media (CNN, Fox, etc.) in order to protect their huge profits.

Corporatism at it's finest.

[underbird]

The post office does not raise money through taxes and they face a 7 billion dollar loss for this year. This while they have a monopoly on standard mail. But I am sure they will do fine with our health care. GE is pushing for universal health care. Tom Daschle is even on their healthyimagination board. Large companies can stamp down competition when the government runs things. They have the lobbyists. now THATS corporatism. Health insurance companies make a 3.3% profit. Huge? No.

[oolong2]

1. Whoever said a public option would be run on taxes? Also FALSE.

2. Business/Innovation would be NOWHERE if it wasn't for the USPS, Royal Mail, etc.

3. We are in a recession OF COURSE A lot of organizations are in the red FedEx lost nearly a billion LAST QUARTER.

4. Large Companies through lobbyists are ALREADY in bed with the government.

THEY DON'T WANT COMPETITION.

That's why they are spending millions to kill the public option. Do you honestly think they want reform?

[underbird]

When I think of innovation the USPS is not exactly the first thing that jumps to mind. Any process that involves human saliva has been around for a while.

and LISTEN. GE is lobbying FOR universal health care. and they are lobbying FOR cap and trade... You don't see many corporations bigger than them.

[oolong2]

Source please...

It sounds like the typical GE->Obama->MSNBC Glen Beck conspiracy nonsense to me.

Versus we have health care lobbyists with addresses websites, with funding to politicians (including Obama) that you ignore...

Is it a surprise that healthcare insurance stocks shot up when it looked like the democrates where dropping a public option?

GE made 18 billion last year vs the health care is a 2 TRILLION dollar industry.

Gee I wonder who has more influence...

[underbird]

ge. com/ news/ our_viewpoints/ healthcare_reform. html

Didn't Phrma do a deal with the administration that the left is all upset about also?

[oolong2]

So what? Having a webpage about health reform is not the same as lobbying BTW.

Also Universal Coverage is not the same as a public option BTW...

The only thing that page talks about is reforming costs and making sure everyone is covered...

Pharma did make a deal with the administration. THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

The healthcare industry may have bought most republicans but they have also bought many democrats as well....

We need to make this about PEOPLE not PROFITS

[underbird]

Yeah a public option is going to reduce taxes. Where does the money come from?

[oolong2]

Where does the money come from for your insurance or stamps or anything you buy?

No one ever said the public option would be free BTW...

[underbird]

not only is it not free, it costs MORE. Or it costs the same and there is much less to go around. A private company needs to make a profit or at least pay its bills and will become more efficient to do so. The immense drag of bureaucracy in a government system will be less efficient and either cost more or provide less.  Also in a market system I can pay for what I use or what I want. If I want only catastrophic care with a high deductible I can do that.

[oolong2]

Once again you're believing in myths...

The FACT is the top performing healthcare systems in the world are ALL GOVERNMENT RUN. (France, Gernany, Italy, Austria, Iceland, etc.)

The US spends MORE PER CAPITA than any other country in the world!

2 or 3 times more in some cases!

How the F#$! is private industry keeping prices low?

The problem with this country is that we have too many people ignoring FACTS, listening to people like Glen Beck and just believing what's in their "gut".

[underbird]

Its a FACT? Based on what? The WHO study created by a socialist? So I am better off in Italy if I get sick? Please... FACT: If you look at 5 year survival rates for major deseases, the US ranks HIGHEST. Thats a Paper by the Univ of Penns. Not Glen Beck. The problem with this country is that people rely on faith in government or god rather than reason.

[oolong2]

The facts don't agree with you so your answer is to call the WHO socialists? Typical...

The WHO looks at many statistics not just ONE my friend...

YES on average you are better off in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, etc. if you got sick.

20K people DIE in the US every year because of lack of insurance.

Over 60% of bankruptcies in the US are related to medicial bills.

What you don't understand is that even WITH INSURANCE there is no guarantee you will be covered!

[underbird]

No the facts do support the free market. That was my point. The WHO ranked based in large part on their feelings on "access". Survival rates are black and white.  I'd love to read the source of those last two numbers. With insurance I have a contract. I am not subject to the whim of a politician. And if I have a problem, I can make an appeal without contacting a congressman.

Reform should strengthen the free market, not destroy it.

[oolong2]

The WHO ranked based on a many factors. You choose to ignore it because you're an idealogue and facts don't matter.

Google "18000 die lack coverage"

The newer numbers puts it over 20K

Google: "60 percent of U.S. bankruptcies"

You're subject to the whims of corporations yet your mind is too clouded to even realize it....

They make contracts NULL AND VOID at ALL THE TIME!!!

Politicians answer to the PEOPLE Corporations answer to PROFIT.

You think so little of our country...

[underbird]

18000, but nothing on how other socioeconomic factors were excluded. Did you know ice cream consumption is related to the murder rate?

And 60% of bankruptcies is a joke. They used lax criteria like if you lost 2 weeks worth of income in the last two years due to an illness. That study was created by a single payer advocate using money from a single payer promoting fund. Even discounting that, based on the conclusions you cite, we should nationalize the whole system?

[oolong2]

Please underbird... The study was very conservative. At *least* 20K DIE every year from lack of coverage.

Every single industrialized country in the world has a social system EXCEPT the US. Do you think they are all just dumb?

Ask youself, how many people DIE from lack of coverage or go BANKRUPT from medical bills in the UK, France, Italy, etc?

If you knew people who have lived both in the the US and in Europe they will tell you how much they prefer it over our system.

[underbird]

Yeah at least 20K. Even though federal law requires hospitals to treat people with life threatening illness regardless of cost. Ask yourself how many people go bankrupt in those other countries from a high ta burden. Or how many die on waiting lists.

[underbird]

I know people from England and they are opposed to any government in the system here in the US. I also know someone who lived in Canada and also believes the same. That same person serviced MRI equipment in Canada and tells a story about having an open time slot to work on the machine because the person scheduled to have a scan had DIED on the waiting list.

[oolong2]

A close friend of mine in the UK had his newborn son diagnosed with a genetic disease. He was thankful to get all the tests, cheap medicince with little hassel despite the fact that he lost his job months ago due to the recession.

Poll after Poll says OVERWHELMING majority of Canadians perfer what they have over the US system.

Try to support any legislation or run on any platform in Canada that abolishes single payer and you will LOSE handedly.

Once again the facts don't support you.

[underbird]

I know someone who had a stroke and not in a major city. They were stable but still got an MRI immediately. Poll after Poll says an OVERWHELMING majority of Americans prefer their system despite the problems.

Reform should include increased portability. EQUAL tax credits for individuals who buy their own insurance. It should not include turning the system over to a government that cant even handle handing out $4500 checks for old cars. But no we aren't even allowed to debate it.

[oolong2]

That's because ERs must take care of you regardless of insurance, same with most countries.

Cash for Clunkers by any measure has been a HUGE success. New cars on the road, new jobs, companys turning profits.

So what the heck are you talking about?

Everyone is free to debate, but you don't hear ANY honest ideas from the other side only thing just empty rhetoric like "socialsim", "government take over", "death panels", "nazis" etc. That's not a discussion.

Tax credits don't work.

[underbird]

Cash for clunkers is a success? The dealers aren't getting paid, and lower income people have to pay more for used cars. Whats next, burn down your energy inefficient house and get a check?

We are not free to debate, its quite clear no free market ideas are allowed in and any dissent is demonized by the administration. This isn't really about healthcare, its about power.

[oolong2]

Again, no reason, no facts. no acknowledgement that by all measures Cash for Clunkers stimulated the economy and helped the environment.

Other countries are even considering a program of their own.

The unexpected success of the program caused a backlog of paperwork.

Healthcare reform is all about power? LOL... For what reason? For Whom?

The only incentive for power in the US has always been MONEY by colusion with corporations. They are AGAINST reform of any kind.

[underbird]

I forgot to mention that charities are not getting cars donated.

By power I mean the power of the political class. You folks might not mind now that Obama is in, but you sure were upset when Bush was in power. So why would we hand over another 17% of our economy to republicans or democrats. They haven't exactly proven to be very wise with other programs or power. Let the states and people take care of the power not outlined by the constitution. Thats what the 10th amendment says.

[oolong2]

1. Bush violated the 4th amendment of the constitution , waged an illegal war, and expanded executive power more than ANY other presidency. You cannot compare that with democratically proposing a health care reform that NO president has authority over.

2. Who said anything about 17% of our economy to anybody?

You should think before blindy repeating GOP talking points...

Don't give me the BS that "it would lead to this and that". Because there is no factual basis for it AT ALL.

[underbird]

1. I grant you the points on Bush. I don't like the patriot act either. So why then give Washington even more power? What if they decided to spend in ways you disagreed with on abortion or birth control? What if they denied coverage based on past behavior? What if their rationale for distribution conflicts with your ethics? Why give them that power?

2. 17% is the healthcare portion of the economy. I guess it would be less with medicare etc.

[oolong2]

underbird, it's about CHOICE. a public option is a CHOICE. IT is not mandatory.

An individual has the right to decide whether they want the government or a private carrier to finance their health coverage or not. If you are afraid that a lot of people will make that choice, against *your* personal ideals, then you are against free will and democracy.

I'm well aware of the 17%. Claiming that a public option is suddenly going to TAKE OVER that 17% is pure hyperbole.

[underbird]

There wont be a choice. The author of the plan and people like Barney Frank have said this the first step. That is fact. So don't kid yourself into thinking that costs wont be shifted to private carriers which will increase the cost and force employers to just pay the 8% tax. Some choice..  Basically the choice will be if you (sorry your employer) wants to delay going to the public plan slightly. Wow, the invisible hand of capitalism at work. Its comical really.

[MrBoredatwork]

I already answered this but the public option will artificially lower costs by subsidizing the left over costs using taxpayer money. The private option will not be able to compete because they will not have tax payed money to use. The masses will move to the public option because its cheaper and they are already paying for it eventually leading to the masses being on government care. It works the same for employers. Dump private and let the government pick the employees up.

[oolong2]

No one ever said anything about subsidizing the public option.

So here you're just making up facts as you go along.

Bottom line is if it's so bad and people don't like it, then they won't choose it.

If they do like it, then it's just a testament to how bad the insurance industry is.

Why waste billions a year on companies not doing what people want? And why DENY a choice to others?

20K die every year through lack of coverage. I haven't seen ANY other plan try to address them.

[MrBoredatwork]

The subsidizing is already assumed. When the government says its going to cost 1 TRILLION DOLLARS to get this healthcare in place, where do you think the money is coming from? You. Its your money.

Most people get their health insurance through where they work. Their are provision built in that tell will TAX employers is the stay with the private health care. This will basically force business owners off private and into public. Therefore the employees will have no choice. Watch Mike Rogers.

[oolong2]

As far as "Power", insurance companies cover a high percentage of that 17%.

If we had a system like other countries it would be UNDER 10% So we waste 7% of our GDP supporting corporate profits while 20K DIE every year!

Which is why they can afford to spend over a MILLION dollars a day to KILL reform.

Insurance companies deny coverage based on past behavior TODAY.

How do you plan to stop them from doing that? A tax break?

There hasn't been any support for abortions in any bill.

[underbird]

First Insurance companies make about a 3% profit. If they are spending a million dollars a day I am not seeing it. Shouldn't there be more commercials?

With common sense reform and there was more choice and competition and individual with some type of condition which increases their risk would pay more for coverage. If its serious enough it could possibly something similar to flood insurance. That way you dont destroy everyones choice for a handful of people.

[MrBoredatwork]

Damn I answered him and didnt even scroll down far enough to read this. Ha Sorry bird. Didnt mean to step on your toes.

[MrBoredatwork]

1.) Its not a war, its a conflict. Very different. There have been lots of them. Even when your beloved Bill Clinton was in office. Also your beloved democrats mostly voted yes for the authority to use force in Iraq.

2.) 17% is a statistic of the added government control based off of government spending.

3.) We already have stong examples of what happens when the governement spends and grows is other more socialistic countries. Thats the factual basis.

[MrBoredatwork]

They misjudged how much cash for clunckers was going to cost by 66%. So if they say healthcare reform will cost 1 trillion, you can basically say 3 trillion. Not to mention they recently admitted that they were a bit off about the deficit. Whats a bit off you say? From 7 trillion to 9 trillion. A mere 2 trillion. Small numbers. Tiny.

[oolong2]

Cash for Clunkers was so successful that they decided to to refund it to continue the success of the program.

So therefore was a failure?...

Do you realize how little sense that makes?

it's like saying I bought some ice cream yesterday that turned out to be SO tasty that I went back the next day and bought two more pints. So therefore the vendor should stop selling such crappy ice cream.

[underbird]

First off, I am subject to the whims of a corporation, I work for one. Second, corporations, are made up OF the people and are owned BY the people. Thirdly, corporations create wealth, to do that they do have to answer to the people every day. Politicians just need to answer every 4 to 6 yrs. Most technical innovations were created by corporations. On the other hand, most of the great evils in our history were not the deeds of corporations, but rather politicians or organized religion.

[oolong2]

What the heck are you talking about? government is made up OF people as well, did you think they were robots?

Corporations answer to what makes them profit which is NOT always in the publics best interest. (Polution, GMOs, etc.)

Yeah lets just forget about the technical innovation like the INTERNET that you're using right now, or the GPS in your iPhone or the thousands of patents and innovations that came from NASA through the space program....

Your logic doesn't make any sense.

[underbird]

You think the military or Nasa comes up with that themselves? Guess what, they have contractors. Boeing, Grumman, GE, etc etc etc. ALL CORPORATIONS

[oolong2]

And how is that different than SINGLE PAYER?

And how is that any different than a PUBLIC OPTION?

People making a big deal about this readily except these relationships today. 

You don't realize that you're simply being manipulated/controled by corporations spending over a million dollars A DAY to kill any real reform.

[iLuvAkeys4ever]

underbird: You are not dealing with FACTS but an idea. The TRUTH is that private insurance companies want to make as much PROFIT as they can. So they drop people with pre-existing conditions so they will not have to pay out when they get sick. They put up their premiums every month just to make bigger profits, no other reason. The profits for insurance companies have risen 400% in the last decade just by getting rid of people with insurance just before they make a claim!

[underbird]

The insurance companies make a 3.3% profit. Compare that to other industries that make over 20%. They have risen because the population has risen. As a percentage the health insurance industry is 86th.

[librophile]

trelane227...YOU ARE 100% CORRECT.

In the months to come, when the Insurance Exchange is in place, offering Private and Public Options ... the Congress & Federal Employees existing programs, will be MERGE INTO ONE SINGLE SYSTEM to cut back on administrative cost.

It's sure plain common sense.

[MrLetfreedomring]

I think its Obvious that the MAJORITY of Americans want HEALTHCARE REFORM, But what they dont want is OBAMACARES SOCIALISED PARADISE! The GOVT cant run schools, Post office,...cash for Clunkers...how can they run this, or my life? So why if I didnt have the GOVT DEFINITION of "adequate" insurance, would be forced to have the PUBLIC OPTION, if not I would be Fined!! Why? Its my Health not the GOVT!! This such a staged video LMAO, all the LEFTISTS are Laughable!!!

[Tunedup81]

in this country, if you're rich you're an adult, if you're middle class or poor you've got Dad(Federal Govt.) and Mom (State Govt.) holding your hand until you mature enough (become rich) and then they Slap yah with high taxes, no public option-- Cept yah got topay for others, etc... I make less than middle and I want two things.. TO KEEP THE MONEY I EARN! AND BE LEFT ALONE! not handouts. great comment MrLetfreedomring.

[666bushisnazi666]

True Americans (democrats) want health care reform because the Country and the people need it. Don't be swept up into the vortex of the right-wing media slander and lies, they are just there to protect the CEO's and the private insurance companies like the fascist shills they are.

JUST say NO to REPUGLICANS!!

[MrLetfreedomring]

Your an example of what Government programs can do, ie...the public school system, its R E P U B L I C A N S!! not REPUGLICANS!! ...thanks for making my point on why the Government should not run its own healthcare business. This administration cant even run a Cash for Clunkers program, that went belly up today!!! LMAO! Never put Socialists in charge of a Capitalist Country!

[librophile]

All Insurance CEOs HAVE EXCELLENT HEALTH COVERAGE & can afford it. AGREED?

All Senators HAVE EXCELLENT HEALTH COVERAGE & can afford it. AGREED?

All Senators are covered by a PUBLIC OPTION PLAN but SOME dont want YOU to have a PUBLIC OPTION PLAN !!

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE ??

Only in the USA would an uninformed Consumer protest against REFORM & PUBLIC OPTION and in so doing PROTEST AGAINST HIS OWN BEST INTEREST!!

WHO BENEFIT ?  not YOU

WHO BENEFIT ?  INSURANCE CORP!!

[hollywoodartchick]

Word up!

And where were those protesters when NAFTA and CAFTA and a dozen other job-destroying items were being debated? I smell a rat - a rat with money to bus people to meetings and reward them for acting up.

[librophile]

REPUBLICANS opposed a Government-run PUBLIC HEALTH CARE. They said that it wouldnt work.

Democrat ANTHONY WEINER (NY) took the Republicans at their words & introduced a bill to dismantle MEDICARE & VA Government-run PUBLIC HEALTH CARE plans.

He DOUBLE DARED all Republicans to VOTE YES on his bill & prove to the AMERICAN PEOPLE that they truly believe---that Government-run PUBLIC HEALTH CARE plans dont work

IT WAS PUT UP or SHUT TF UP !!

NOT A SINGLE REPUBLICAN VOTED YES ON THAT BILL

[666bushisnazi666]

Great to see ya still kickin ass out here librophile!

[Smartassawhip]

I want a PUBLIC OPTION Mr. President don't back down!

[pauwelasurfer]

Health Care Reform - Public Option... ALL THE WAY!

[Quindal]

they didn't HAVE to vote anyway, they all pretty much agree that they are above the level of mere citizen sheep and should not have to bow down to the authority, so to them it's laughable that they, the elite, should have to partake in such an obvious encroachment on their freedom as nazicare

and the fact that this video does not actually address the question of why they aren't included and only speaks to that they didn't vote, should tell you a lot

[rennnsymbol]

Another Idiot, Bianca Garcia, please don't make any kids idiot. Why did Congress not vote to exempt themselves from reform. Huh , hmm I wonder why? Maybe because the health care that they get now is better than the health care plan reform, however if they wanted to change to the new health care plan it would be cheaper for the tax payers!!!! And please do not make any kids dummy. Dont worry about congress. I have met so many idiots in my life like this that have nothing to do, but ruin o

[AnthonyNews]

health care will get passed folks******

[ForceSmart]

hmm....

H.Res.615 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that Members who vote in favor of the establishment of a public, federal government run health insurance option are urged to forgo their right to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) and agree to enroll under that public option.

Authored by John Fleming (R-LA-4)

None of the co-sponsors are Asses.

Seems like the Democrats don't like socialized medicine for themselves and their families..

[curtishawkley]

This is fascism, please remove this from youtube

[wildwilly1111]

Why is curtishawkley so interested in censoring YouTube?

[curtishawkley]

It's not that curtishawkley wants to take away anyone's freedom of speech. curtishawkley would like to see the real fascists talk instead of having their punk ass bitch Obama do all the dirty work.

[wildwilly1111]

In what universe does this response even remotely meaning anything?

[anchor425]

oh please!....lol

[joshuag5732]

Don't forget to volunteer. Check the website for events in your area.

[voyeurdug]

Another HUGE misconception the general public have about Congresspersons' healthcare is that it's either a freebie, or nearly-totally subsidized by taxpayers. Fact is, it's virtually the same as all Federal employees have. As pointed out here, it's a menu of options that are available in the region that employee lives and works in... and at rates negotiated for them.

The amount of the employer contribution to that varies also, but in no case is it anywhere NEAR being a freebie.

[underbird]

There is no such thing as free. People who think government provided health care will be free are wrong. Someone has to pay.

[Ricine2]

this makes be feel better about the stats