Here is the letter I sent to my senators

[festus]

Gentlemen,
It has come to my attention that the health care bill proposed by Nacy Pelosi and Crammed through the House on a last minute Saturday vote has several unconstitutional passages. It will most decidedly have an ill affect on the economy and on the American working man. It also has chilling provisions for abortion, health care rationing to seniors and special needs patients. I was always under the impression that we were to pursue life liberty and happiness. This bill will take life and liberty from us and provide no happiness.

The provisions for imprisoning those who do not want the health care is absolutely insane.

DO NOT PASS THIS BILL!

Sincerely,

[ricbak]

Great, I too have been busy... Sent yesterday..

I have pretty much classified myself as an Independent. I always tried to look at the man(woman) and their resume before pulling the lever at election time. What I saw on CSPAN yesterday was insulting. I have downloaded HR 3962 and started to read it and could not believe anybody would vote in the affirmative for this legislation. This whole package just may be unconsitutional. I do not see any winners here, only that the United States of America losses. So, I have decided to join the Republican Party. I am a laid off engineer. I have the time to talk, put up signs and do what ever it take to get this Democratic Majority fired and restore balance and some old fashioned common sense to both the House and Senate.

[NRA UR2]

Originally Posted by festus

Gentlemen,
It has come to my attention that the health care bill proposed by Nacy Pelosi and Crammed through the House on a last minute Saturday vote has several unconstitutional passages. It will most decidedly have an ill affect on the economy and on the American working man. It also has chilling provisions for abortion, health care rationing to seniors and special needs patients. I was always under the impression that we were to pursue life liberty and happiness. This bill will take life and liberty from us and provide no happiness.

The provisions for imprisoning those who do not want the health care is absolutely insane.

DO NOT PASS THIS BILL!

Sincerely,

The bill is over 1900 pages long and you've just highlighted its best parts. Since we have no discernable leadership in the House, I guess we'll have to hope the Senate scraps that bill and starts over. Its very possible since there alot of senators who think like us that its absolutely ludicrous and does not at all respond to the needs of the people.

[TnRebel]

We had all better be writing our senators and express our view on this bill . and for the ones that haven't read it yet .

What the government will require you to do:

• Sec. 202 (p. 91-92) of the bill requires you to enroll in a "qualified plan." If you get your insurance at work, your employer will have a "grace period" to switch you to a "qualified plan," meaning a plan designed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. If you buy your own insurance, there's no grace period. You'll have to enroll in a qualified plan as soon as any term in your contract changes, such as the co-pay, deductible or benefit.

• Sec. 224 (p. 118) provides that 18 months after the bill becomes law, the Secretary of Health and Human Services will decide what a "qualified plan" covers and how much you'll be legally required to pay for it. That's like a banker telling you to sign the loan agreement now, then filling in the interest rate and repayment terms 18 months later.

On Nov. 2, the Congressional Budget Office estimated what the plans will likely cost. An individual earning $44,000 before taxes who purchases his own insurance will have to pay a $5,300 premium and an estimated $2,000 in out-of-pocket expenses, for a total of $7,300 a year, which is 17% of his pre-tax income. A family earning $102,100 a year before taxes will have to pay a $15,000 premium plus an estimated $5,300 out-of-pocket, for a $20,300 total, or 20% of its pre-tax income. Individuals and families earning less than these amounts will be eligible for subsidies paid directly to their insurer.

• Sec. 303 (pp. 167-168) makes it clear that, although the "qualified plan" is not yet designed, it will be of the "one size fits all" variety. The bill claims to offer choice—basic, enhanced and premium levels—but the benefits are the same. Only the co-pays and deductibles differ. You will have to enroll in the same plan, whether the government is paying for it or you and your employer are footing the bill.

• Sec. 59b (pp. 297-299) says that when you file your taxes, you must include proof that you are in a qualified plan. If not, you will be fined thousands of dollars. Illegal immigrants are exempt from this requirement.

• Sec. 412 (p. 272) says that employers must provide a "qualified plan" for their employees and pay 72.5% of the cost, and a smaller share of family coverage, or incur an 8% payroll tax. Small businesses, with payrolls from $500,000 to $750,000, are fined less.

Eviscerating Medicare:

In addition to reducing future Medicare funding by an estimated $500 billion, the bill fundamentally changes how Medicare pays doctors and hospitals, permitting the government to dictate treatment decisions.

• Sec. 1302 (pp. 672-692) moves Medicare from a fee-for-service payment system, in which patients choose which doctors to see and doctors are paid for each service they provide, toward what's called a "medical home."

The medical home is this decade's version of HMO-restrictions on care. A primary-care provider manages access to costly specialists and diagnostic tests for a flat monthly fee. The bill specifies that patients may have to settle for a nurse practitioner rather than a physician as the primary-care provider. Medical homes begin with demonstration projects, but the HHS secretary is authorized to "disseminate this approach rapidly on a national basis."

A December 2008 Congressional Budget Office report noted that "medical homes" were likely to resemble the unpopular gatekeepers of 20 years ago if cost control was a priority.

• Sec. 1114 (pp. 391-393) replaces physicians with physician assistants in overseeing care for hospice patients.

• Secs. 1158-1160 (pp. 499-520) initiates programs to reduce payments for patient care to what it costs in the lowest cost regions of the country. This will reduce payments for care (and by implication the standard of care) for hospital patients in higher cost areas such as New York and Florida.

• Sec. 1161 (pp. 520-545) cuts payments to Medicare Advantage plans (used by 20% of seniors). Advantage plans have warned this will result in reductions in optional benefits such as vision and dental care.

• Sec. 1402 (p. 756) says that the results of comparative effectiveness research conducted by the government will be delivered to doctors electronically to guide their use of "medical items and services."

Questionable Priorities:

While the bill will slash Medicare funding, it will also direct billions of dollars to numerous inner-city social work and diversity programs with vague standards of accountability.

• Sec. 399V (p. 1422) provides for grants to community "entities" with no required qualifications except having "documented community activity and experience with community healthcare workers" to "educate, guide, and provide experiential learning opportunities" aimed at drug abuse, poor nutrition, smoking and obesity. "Each community health worker program receiving funds under the grant will provide services in the cultural context most appropriate for the individual served by the program."

These programs will "enhance the capacity of individuals to utilize health services and health related social services under Federal, State and local programs by assisting individuals in establishing eligibility . . . and in receiving services and other benefits" including transportation and translation services.

• Sec. 222 (p. 617) provides reimbursement for culturally and linguistically appropriate services. This program will train health-care workers to inform Medicare beneficiaries of their "right" to have an interpreter at all times and with no co-pays for language services.

• Secs. 2521 and 2533 (pp. 1379 and 1437) establishes racial and ethnic preferences in awarding grants for training nurses and creating secondary-school health science programs. For example, grants for nursing schools should "give preference to programs that provide for improving the diversity of new nurse graduates to reflect changes in the demographics of the patient population." And secondary-school grants should go to schools "graduating students from disadvantaged backgrounds including racial and ethnic minorities."

• Sec. 305 (p. 189) Provides for automatic Medicaid enrollment of newborns who do not otherwise have insurance.

For the text of the bill with page numbers, see Defend Your Healthcare.

[Tea For One]

I passed this on to many folks. Thanks Festus!

TFO

[ricbak]

I really don't understand what part of No Health Care this congress does not understand.
Quoted below is the latest reply from Our Michigan Senator....

RE: HR3962
November 13, 2009


Mr. Ricbak


Thank you . . .

. . . for contacting me regarding your opposition to universal health care coverage. I understand your concerns.

When it comes to health care, our families and businesses are in a serious crisis. High health care costs are causing cuts in benefits and increases in premiums, adding to the ranks of the uninsured at alarming rates. But the impact of this problem goes beyond individual families. Skyrocketing health care costs make our businesses less competitive in the global marketplace and cost us good-paying jobs. We are already paying for the uninsured through overuse of the emergency room-the most inefficient and expensive way of providing care.

I believe that health care is a right, not a privilege. There is no doubt that the problems we face are complex, but there are real solutions. We can create a system that is uniquely American and shares the cost between the government, businesses, and individuals in a way that is fair and equitable. Now is the time to show the political will to tackle these issues because there is so much at stake. I am committed to working with both my Democratic and Republican colleagues on the Senate Finance Committee to find solutions to America's health care crisis.

Thank you again for contacting me. Please don't hesitate to do so again if my office can be of assistance to you or your family.

Sincerely,
Debbie Stabenow
United States Senator

[Conservative Wife & Mom]

Originally Posted by ricbak

I really don't understand what part of No Health Care this congress does not understand.
Quoted below is the latest reply from Our Michigan Senator....

Oh, yeah...he really took your wishes into account, didn't he, ricbak? Health care is NOT a right...unless it's in very, very small print, I've never seen it in the Bill of Rights, or the Constitution. Congress seems intent on robbing us of our money and our rights.

[Sheldon]

Originally Posted by ricbak

I really don't understand what part of No Health Care this congress does not understand.
Quoted below is the latest reply from Our Michigan Senator....

AKA I am going to vote my party line and not my constituents wishes...

[HK4U]

Thank you again for contacting me. Please don't hesitate to do so again if my office can be of assistance to you or your family. Although I do not care what you think contact me anyway.

They didn't listen when we said no tax payer bailouts and they are not listening now.

[Scarecrow]

ricbak. I got a response too. but written slightly differently.

thank you for contacting me about whatever it is that you contacted me about. it sure does make me look better to tally up the numbers of form letters I send out. it gives the impression that I actually care about your opinion. the truth is, none of your letters are ever read and if they were it would not make a difference anyway. I am better than you so I will do what I want to do because, well I'm just better than you. I've never read the constitution so when you mention "constitutional rights" I have no idea what you are talking about. thank you again for your letter.

sincerely,
senator crapforbrains

p.s. feel free to contact me with any other concerns. I will do my best to get back to you and kick you in the nuts in a timely manor.