S. 1955 will be devastating for millions of people with diabetes across th

[caligirl]

Dear DU friends,
Some of you know I have a child with juvenile diabetes(type 1) The republicans are threatening the lives of diabetics by passing the following legislation. It got through the HELP committee and is now going to the floor. Please make a call to stop this. don't let this go even if no one in your family has diabetes. Many children with type 1 have no family history of this. Information as follows:

This Is It.

S. 1955 will be devastating for millions of people with diabetes across the country.

With your help, we have passed laws requiring insurers to cover diabetes education, equipment, and supplies in small business health policies in 46 states. To date, you have helped protect those 46 state laws from being rolled back by opposing misguided bills in your state legislature or by opposing AHP legislation in Congress.

Without question, these 46 state laws face their gravest threat yet from a bill in the US Senate.

S. 1955, also known as the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act, would not only allow the creation of AHPs that can skirt the 46 state laws for small business health plans, it would also allow all state-regulated health insurance policies to bypass those laws. This means that in addition to small business health plans, all state-regulated health insurance -- like individual policies, for example -- would also lose their guarantee of required coverage of lifesaving diabetes items.

Supporters of this bill believe they are helping more Americans get health insurance coverage. However, coverage under these policies either covers diabetes needs inadequately or prices them out of reach of many Americans if it covers those needs at all. In short, S. 1955 will be devastating for millions of people with diabetes across the country.

Despite a strong effort by Advocates from the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee members' states, S. 1955 passed in that Committee by a vote of 11-9 on Tuesday. Now this bill will go to the Senate floor for a vote. If there was ever a time for you to take action -- emailing your Senators, calling them, or visiting them -- this is it.

We strongly urge you to send an email and fax to your Senators at minimum (below). If you understand the seriousness of this situation and want to put up our best fight to preserve insurance coverage for people with diabetes, here's how you can help further:

Call your Senators: http://senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

http://main.diabetes.org/site/TellAFriend?msgId=53302.0&devId=19841&JServSessionIdr010=vf763o5ru1.app28b


:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

[berni_mccoy]

1. UNBELIEVABLE!!!

I too have a child with type-1. I will enlist everyone I know to fight this.

[caligirl]

3. Thank you thank you, thats what I was hoping for.

:grouphug:

[MH1]

46. Democratic alternative to AHP's - S.2382

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:s.02382:

From Kerry/SBC press release (http://sbc.senate.gov/democrat/record.cfm?id=252698):

(snip)
The Small Employers Health Benefits Program Act (S. 2382), introduced by Senators Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) and Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), is modeled after ideas Kerry put forward in 2004 to provide Americans the same affordable health care coverage members of Congress have. That system, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, provides health insurance to more than eight million federal employees, retirees, families, including members of Congress.

“If members of Congress have access to affordable health care, so should all Americans, including those who work in our small businesses -- our entrepreneurs. When I talk with small business owners, one of their top concerns is always health care, but Washington’s been silent until now,” said Kerry. “I believe the Democratic alternative to the Enzi bill is a better approach to solving the issues small businesses face in providing health care for their employees. We must not wait any longer while skyrocketing health care costs stand in the way of economic growth or prevent employers from providing coverage to hardworking people.”

(snip)

The number of small firms with less than 200 employees offering health coverage has declined from 68 percent in 2005 to 59 percent in 2005, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey. In addition, only 59 percent of small businesses offer their employees health insurance, compared to 98 percent of large firms, according to the same study.


The Small Employers Health Benefits Program Act:


Allows small businesses to pool their purchasing clout to negotiate lower rates and reduce administrative costs
Recognizes that shared responsibility is the best way to make health coverage affordable with employers, employees, and government all contributing to costs. Employers who pay at least 60 percent of each employee’s health insurance premium would be eligible for a tax credit.
Gives small business employees a wider array of affordable health care plan options, including the same kinds of health plans available to members of Congress.
Sets reasonable rules on what insurers can charge, giving insurers some flexibility for premium charges, but prevents extreme variations that would make coverage unaffordable for those who need it most.
Maintains state consumer protections. The bill requires participating health plans to be licensed in every state in which they operate and to abide by state consumer protection laws. State insurance commissioners would continue to regulate solvency, reviews, and other state requirements.

About the Enzi bill (emphasis added):

(snip)

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee passed legislation this morning on a party-line vote sponsored by Chairman Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) that would allow trade associations to sell group health plans to small businesses. The Enzi bill is controversial because it targets its assistance only to members of Associations and preempts important state benefit mandates without giving states the choice of opting out, among other provisions.

(snip)

(So, no Dems voted Enzi's bill out of Committee. That's good.)

So for you folks who know more about this, what about the Dem bill? Is it good, or does it have problems, too? (It has to be better than the rethug bill. But it may still have problems. Any thoughtful analysis is appreciated.)

[berni_mccoy]

59. Isn't Ben Nelson a Democrat? He's a co-sponsor of Enzi's bill...

Or is he not on the committee?

[caligirl]

62. He is one of 3 sponsors see my post at 1:18pm

[MH1]

71. Nelson is not on the Committee

http://help.senate.gov/About.html

Dem members: Kennedy (ranking), Dodd, Harkin, Mikulski, Bingaman, Murray, Reed, Clinton; also Jeffords (I).

[caligirl]

84. I wonder why he would be sonsoring this unless its say

for a 'friend'.

[MH1]

86. Nelson's statement, from his website

http://bennelson.senate.gov/news/details.cfm?id=252648&&

I was curious, and lo and behold, he did have a statement on it.

He co-wrote the bill. He is touting how it will reduce costs for small businesses. However, see Kerry's statement that I linked above. As usual Kerry (a real Democrat) has a somewhat better idea. IMO. (You have to thread a policy needle to make it affordable for small business and not create a situation where people lose coverage. Kerry is relentless in finding ways to thread a needle like that.)

[MadMaddie]

2. Why are they going after diabetics.....?

What the hell is wrong with these Repug criminals?

More money out of individual pocket books because insurance won't cover the needed items..

Where has our country gone?

[berni_mccoy]

4. A DEMOCRAT IS A SPONSOR OF THIS!

Senator Ben Nelson from Nebraska.

The other two sponsors are Sen. Enzi from Wyoming and Sen. Burns from Montana, both REPUKES.

[caligirl]

7. Ben Nelson is a repug in disguise, very conservative state.

[Rainscents]

10. Is there true Democrat running against this baster?

He need to go!!! I bet, real Dem will win over this baster!

[berni_mccoy]

5. Here is a LINK to the BILL:

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN01955:@@@L&summ2=m&

edited: fixed link

[file83]

11. For some reason, that link took me to the sight, but the "bill" never

loaded. I found it, but apparently their links don't work. Must be scripting or some other technical issue. :argh:

This one should work:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN01955:@@@L&summ2=m&

[berni_mccoy]

20. Thank you for catching that.

[bluethruandthru]

6. I'm also the parent of a Type 1 diabetic child

and have been blasting my reps about how devastating this will be! Let's keep up the pressure!

[caligirl]

93. thanks you, its hard enough with a diabetic child, but we have so many

battles that keep popping up. school districts to name one. Mine is being sued by the ADA right now, as is our state ED for 504 violations so egregous they asked for a jury trial, the state and school districts(2)are in mediation with them now.

[file83]

8. KICK. This bill is example number 348,322 of how sadistic these

rich people are. They are only doing it so they can pad their resumes "I made health insurance available to more Americans!" When the truth it's "I made health insurance either useless or unaffordable for the people that need it most: diabetics. Millions of them."

:kick:

[Rainscents]

9. First, Corporate went after smokers...

Now, they're going after diabetes. Who's next? Corporate don't want to insure anyone who is liable to them. I hate these fuckers!

[file83]

13. America has the greatest health insurance in the World!! (if your healthy)

But if you are suffering from some sort of medical ailment (you know, the people that NEED medical help) then you are just lowering profits for the insurance companies.

Not to mention sick people just raise the health insurance rates for healthy people (you know, the ones that don't need medical help).

High medical costs have NOTHING to do with CRIPPLING malpractice insurance costs nor OVERPRICED costs for all medical equipment.:sarcasm:

Wow, there is the source of the costs again: insurance companies. Hmmm.... Can anyone say SCAM?

[caligirl]

16. Please call, I am devasted right now and need you to call. Please.

[file83]

24. I just called Wyden-(D OR) office - told him to vote NO!!!

:kick:

[caligirl]

28. Thank you. I don't feel quit so alone in this.

[Left Turn]

100. If you live in Oregon

You should definitely call Gordon Smith, who I believe has not taken a position on this legislation yet. I've found he can sometimes be reasonable on legislation like this, and hopefully he can be persuaded that eliminating protections for mental health, diabetes and maternity care coverage is not good for the state of Oregon.

[caligirl]

23. My son would prefer not to be a diabetic, given the choice.

[Roland99]

12. Kill off the weak, sick, poor, old, etc. and what's left?

Fodder for the military.

[file83]

15. Profit!

:banghead:

[kurth]

14. Pure, unadulterated EVIL

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing...

[meti57b]

17. Deplorable!

My husband has diabetes. I think almost everyone has someone in their family with diabetes.

[caligirl]

21. Please call and tell people. I really am hoping everyone here will do

one thing to stop this.

[caligirl]

18. Until this I have held it together believing we could change things

But now I really am falling apart on this one. Its my wonderful child. They want to kill our kids or ruin their lives.

Not one republican will ever get away with this shit again. My repug parents in BAY COUNTY Florida, repug sister in Bay Village Ohio and Repug mother in law in Idaho can rot in hell for supporting the single most evil group of people to walk the face of this earth. DAMN them to HELL for this. I want to scream about this. How can they be so inhumane? This is my beautiful child they are going after.

[Coastie for Truth]

19. Past Censure, Past Impeachment

<>
<>
<>
Who is that dude? Judah Phillip Benjamin - Born of English parents, Judah P. Benjamin entered Yale at age fourteen and studied law in New Orleans, where he was admitted to the Bar in 1832. After a successful career in private practice, he was elected to the United States Senate in 1852 as a Whig candidate from Louisiana, but by the end of the decade he had become a Democrat and a strong supporter of James Buchanan. After Abraham Lincoln's election, he became one of the first to call for the secession of the southern states. A close friend of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Benjamin held several important cabinet posts in the Confederacy, including secretary of war and secretary of state. At the collapse of the Confederacy, Benjamin fled to England, where he practiced law with great success.

<http://data2.itc.nps.gov/parkphotos/fosu%2Ejpg>

[file83]

25. Huh? Is this "Judah Phillip Benjamin" appreciation week or somethin'?

:shrug: What's your point of bringing this trivia up and what does it have to do with bill S.1955? :shrug:

[Coastie for Truth]

27. He is above the picture of Ft Sumter

What is the symbolism of the boolean "ANDed"
(1) title (Past Censure, Past Impeachment),
(2) the Cascadian Flags (a gag secessionist movement),
(3) a pic of a non-slaveholding Confederate cabinet member, and
(4) an aerial view of Fort Sumter.

In the face of a Bill that is MY DEATH SENTENCE ? I am going to go down fighting,

[caligirl]

29. thanks for clearing this up, fight on. I am.

[file83]

33. Sorry - those first 2 pictures didn't load - they were just red 'x'.

All I saw was Judah and an explanation of who he was. I get your sentiments now.

[Coastie for Truth]

39. The two "X" are the "Republic of Cascadia" logo and flag

That is, roughly, a "Fraternity prank" or "tourism booster club" level secessionist movement in the Pacific Northwest.

[file83]

42. I just moved to Bend, OR - I'll have to look them up!

:toast:

[populistdriven]

56. Congratulations on the move to OR, I hope to move there soon

[caligirl]

26. plese dont' waste out time with this, there are children at risk

because of the inhumane coingressman who sposored and voted for this. Please call your congressman. My childas kkfuture and other childrens futures are at high risk right now. Please help with this.

[phusion]

22. My dad has Type I

fortunately he's fully covered by the VA because he got it while he was serving in the Navy. How long though before they start doing this type of shit to veterans? Privatizing VA healthcare?

[caligirl]

30. In away they have been. Raising the cost of VA health benefits

to all veterans. This year they will pay more. Republicans love the troops don't they.

[brokensymmetry]

31. K&R n/t

.

[C_U_L8R]

32. Republican Sponsored Deathcamps

without even bothering with the camp.

Assholes.

[file83]

34. De-populate. De-popluate. De-populate......PROFIT! n/t

[Iowa]

35. K&R - An interesting story about this....

I had never heard of AHPs until last November. Out of the blue I received a letter from Senator Harkin. He was replying to MY letter to him in which I encouraged him to support AHPs. Problem is, I never wrote to him! I had never even heard of AHPs and had no clue what the term meant. So someone fraudulently wrote to him using my name and address. Then I started getting more - from my other reps. Anyway... I wrote to Harkin to report what I believe to be "political identity theft". Here's my letter to him:

Senator, I need your help. Someone has written to you using my name and address. In fact, they wrote to all of my representatives. In a sense, this is political identity theft. They wrote to you about Association Health Plans (AHPs), and they used my identity without my knowledge or my consent. I'm concerned that this is a threat to our Democracy. If some person/organization can write to you using the identity of a constituent, you will have no way of knowing what your constituents believe. I saved the emails. Can someone on your staff determine who wrote them? Thank you.

I heard back from his system administrator, Eric Jones, who promised to examine the email and determine its origin. I never heard back.

The crooks who are pushing this will lie, cheat, and steal to get it done. We should all fight like hell.

[csorman]

36. Can anyone tell me who voted

which way on the committee? I can't seem to find this at the moment. And when do we think they'll take it to the senate floor for a vote?

My husband and I are both Type 1 diabetics and I am furious. We will always have good insurance through his job as an attorney, but there are MILLIONS out there who can DIE as a direct result of this bill. This is completely unbelievable.

This will literally kill people. Fucking terrorists, they are.

[caligirl]

37. I spoke to Clintons staff, we may be looking at at least

a couple of weeks. Senate is in recess next week. So right now it has 3 sponsors and they are looking for more. I am on hold at Kennedy's office. kBut here are his comments in a pdf file

http://help.senate.gov/Min_press/2006_03_08_a.pdf


Senator Enzi's comments, all pro business, this is a bill to cut costs for business without any concern for the health care of people. National Healthcare.
http://help.senate.gov/Maj_press/2006_03_08_c.pdf

[frankly_fedup2]

88. That is when they try to sneak this BS into bills. When everyone is in

a hurry to get away for the holiday.

Another Holiday? Easter isn't until April 15th. How long is their spring break?

Geez, they complain about making (I think) $140,000.00 a year, having to keep up two homes, blah, blah, blah. I've heard up to four will rent a condo and break down the costs while they are in Washington.

Of course, they claim when they go home, they have to see the people there as well so it is really not a vacation.

They have guaranteed retirement and if they die, their spouse will receive it. Social Security Retirement doesn't work that way for us common folk. Also, they have pretty cheap health care WE PAY FOR. They don't have to pay for gas while they are in Washington. Most don't drive their own cars as transportation is provided for them.

I'm sorry, with what the neocons are getting away with regarding our children's health, education, safety . . . I could care less if they had to budget their income.

We have got to get the leadership back on the left. I never dreamed the amount of time the right has been in control that they would be able to actually cause so much damage to our Country, how the World views us now, and put our young men and women in harm's way for profiteering. Evil incarnate.

[MH1]

85. Party-line vote, i.e. all Dems voted against, alll Repubs for,

according to this release from Kerry:

http://sbc.senate.gov/democrat/record.cfm?id=252698

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee passed legislation this morning on a party-line vote sponsored by Chairman Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) that would allow trade associations to sell group health plans to small businesses. The Enzi bill is controversial because it targets its assistance only to members of Associations and preempts important state benefit mandates without giving states the choice of opting out, among other provisions.

Kerry is not on that committee, but he is ranking member of the Small Business Committee. AHP's are very relevant to small business, and of course Kerry has also been very involved in health care issues even though he isn't on the committee (I guess one Senator can only be on so many committees). So it is natural that he would put out a press release on this. The main focus of the release is the Democrat's alternative bill, S. 2382. Follow the link or see my post upthread for more info on S. 2382.

And as mentioned upthread, Nelson, a D (nominally) who cosponsored the rethug bill, is not on the committee.

[caligirl]

38. Link to Senator Kennedy 3/15 press release, effects are wide ranging

http://kennedy.senathttp://help.senate.gov/Maj_press/2006_03_08_c.pdfe.gov/~kennedy/statements/06/03/2006315443.html


Washington, DC: Today, the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee continued its negotiations of a Republican plan that would raise the premiums and lower the benefits for millions of Americans who already have health coverage today. Although the bill has been presented as legislation for small businesses, the effects of this bill go far beyond the "small business plans" and would sweep away important protections for patients in every state-regulated insurance market. Senator Kennedy opposes the plan and will offer amendments to improve it, including one that would strike the language relating to state benefits. Kennedy and his colleagues have offered an alternative bill to give small business real help and assistance to provide meaningful health coverage. "Unfortunately, the bill before us includes damaging provisions to repeal existing laws that make healthcare coverage more affordable for millions of Americans. It sets up the barest of bare bones standards for benefits -- sweeping aside requirements to cover cancer screening, well baby care, immunization, access to specialists and many other needed services." Senator Kennedy said. "In the name of helping small businesses afford health insurance for their workers, the Republican plan is a blank check for the insurance industry and a bad deal for patients, resulting in higher premiums and lower benefits for millions of Americans with reliable health coverage today." Kennedy offered amendments to help solve the health care crisis in this country such as fixing Medicare Part D, offering Medicare for all Americans, and allowing small businesses to buy drugs at the same price that the Veterans Administration does. He also offered an amendment that would strike the preemption language in the bill and allow states to choose whether or not to adopt the rating rules, benefit package, and harmonization standards promulgated under the Act. Below is a summary of the Republican plan, Senator Kennedy's statement on state choice, and summaries of his mental health parity amendment, his Medicare for All amendment, his Part D Fix amendment and his VA drug prices amendment.

Also attached is the lengthy list of groups that oppose the Republican bill.

[Gelliebeans]

40. FWIW I sent off

a huge email blaster regarding S 1955. Here is hoping we can raise enough awareness about this blatent attempt to further dump on those who can't defend themselves. :hug:

[NoAmericanTaliban]

43. Can you post your email you wrote? - maybe we can use it...

[Gelliebeans]

50. Here is the copy

Another assault from our government on the people that least deserve it. Twenty one million Americans suffer with Diabetes in the United States and in forty-six states there are protections in place from people being discriminated by insurance companies. These protections are in place so that people with Diabetes can continue to maintain their health without the worry of being denied insurance or sever ly restricted access to medication or supplies. S.1955 will disregard those state laws.

S.1955 will jeopardize protection for Diabetics from being covered for education, equipment and supplies. This type of legislation does nothing but add to the problems millions of Americans face with disease. This legislation is nothing but another kick-back for the insurance companies which by the way were one of the only industries to post massive profits in a very shaky economy. Why is that? The answer lies on the backs of Americans that least deserve cuts in funding, the disabled and seniors. No one will talk about it but everyone should. What will it take? In fact the 21 million is up from 18.2 people diagnosed and with obesity on the rise the amount of people being diagnosed with Diabetes will rise also.

This is another attempt to coddle the insurance industry and the American people would be disgusted if they knew. The trouble is that we need to know and the media should be covering this.

xxx xxx
California

*edited to add media blaster


http://www.democraticunderground.com/cu/cu.php?az=blaster <--- thought I would add DU's media blaster (I didn't use this one as I have one compiled in my address book so I don't know how up to date some of the media emails are but why not use what is at our fingertips eh?)

[caligirl]

44. Thank you for that.

[Gelliebeans]

52. no problem glad to do it

I have Crohns disease and it has been an uphill fight trying to even get the government to allow Crohns in on some of the research they were giving to digestive disorders at NIH. We spent three years in committee and this bill required very little in the way of money, it was just recognition. So I hear ya loud and clear and I hope that our little screams are heard by those who need to hear it. :hug:

[caligirl]

53. My son's also have Celiac sprue, sorry to hear this on Chrohn's

[NoAmericanTaliban]

41. Thanks Caligirl for bringing up this issue - I have diabetes & this will

directly affect me. I have type 2 but it could affect the medication & blood sugar testing devices I need. This sounds like an insurance business written bill & is part of the GOP plan to privatize profits & make the cost public. Diabetes is on the rise in the US & is a major contributor to health costs & it will only get worse. The insurance companies are reacting to this. It will let the insurance companies dump all these costly diabetics on the street where they can die or get gov't aid if available. This bill definitely needs to be opposed. I will call my senators, but being from Georgia I have two fascist representatives, but maybe they will listen. If the AARP & the ADA get behind the movement to kill this bill, they will have to listen.

We could save a lot of money in salary & campaigning by dissolving congress & just have some business executives write the laws for us. Why bother with the middle man. We can give these execs a rubber stamp as our symbolic representative. :sarcasm:

:mad:

[windy252]

45. What the hell is wrong with people?

Have they no conscience? Well, I know the answer to that. It just seems nastier than usual, even for Republicans. Who are the 11 that voted for this?

[roguevalley]

47. social darwinism. I blasted nelson. I wish Nebraska would grow

some balls and shit can him in the next election.

[caligirl]

48. Contact Senator Enzi as well. links to other threads on this.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2519461

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x687313

[caligirl]

49. sponsors so far are

Sen Burns, Conrad R. - 11/2/2005
Sen Burr, Richard - 3/7/2006
Sen Nelson, E. Benjamin - 11/2/2005

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:s1955:

[caligirl]

51. Members on the committee are listed here.

http://help.senate.gov/About.html

[Gelliebeans]

54. here is another K&R

:kick:

[caligirl]

55. Thanks. BD( a blood sugar testing supply company) is working against

this bill as well. They see the danger too. This needs to get more public attention. Another embarrassment to the GOP.

[Gelliebeans]

58. Are there any Senators

with Diabetes? Just wondering :shrug: We could get them on board perhaps?

*edited to add
I know Susan Collins did something regarding Diabetes in 2003 (sorry I can't remember exactly what she did), I didn't check where she stood regarding S 1955???

I know I am blathering but I am trying to help.

[berni_mccoy]

64. There are some who are affected by Diabetes

From: http://www.angelarose.com/FamousDiabetics/Fam-Political.htm

Newt Gingrich's Mother

George R. Nethercutt, Jr, a Republican whose daughter has type-1 and is an outspoken advocate for people with Diabetes who left Congress last year

Former Senator Strom Thurmond has a daughter with type-1

Representative Curt Weldon was just diagnosed with diabetes.

That's all that is on that site... I'll do some more digging.

[Gelliebeans]

65. Thanks for the post

I did see your post in greatest too and I feel for all of you that have family with Diabetes.

I'll keep digging too. :hug:

[caligirl]

82. great info to target. I'll cc them on my letter to Enzi

[blm]

57. This is a huge issue - please man the phones - this is a priority for

MILLIONS of people and their families.

[caligirl]

60. thank you. Sen Enzi and repubs need to get their ears burned

with phone and letters deploring this bill. Embarrass them. As farr as I am concerened they are targeting my child, they don't value his life and want him dead by virtue of this legislation. Anyone living with diabetes ( particularly type1) know what an extremely high risk disease this is. They have lows blood sugar often and are always at risk for loosing consciousness and dying duye to severe lows. Its a daily risk they learn to live with. Insufficient or non existent testing is a death sentence for them.

[dogfacedboy]

61. Could someone 'dumb this down' for me?

I looked at the Bill Summary at Thomas.com, but I'm just not clear on what this Bill will do. Please help. Thanks.

[caligirl]

63. This explains it all, it would effect many more than just diabetics

http://kennedy.senate.gov/~kennedy/statements/06/03/2006315443.html

In Part, but it reads best if you start at the beginning.>>>>>>>>
The Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization Act is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Its effects go far beyond the small business market, and reach into every State and every area of health care coverage. In the guise of providing help to small businesses with the skyrocketing costs of health care, the bill:

$ Sweeps away essential State patient protections guaranteeing access to services such as well baby care, immunization, cancer screening, access to specialists, and many other important services.

$ Nullifies State laws that guarantee affordable health insurance premiums for millions of Americans.

$ Allows insurance companies to cherry pick businesses with the healthiest workers while red-lining those whose workers have health care needs.

$ Gives insurance companies unprecedented powers to sue to protect their profits B but fails to give consumers the right to defend their rights in court.

$ Undermines the basic legal tools that state insurance commissioners use to ensure that consumers are not harmed by fraudulent or discriminatory actions by insurance companies.

The bill is so skewed to benefit industry over consumers that it does not even limit its impact to the new "small business health plans" B nor does it improve the affordability of coverage for the self-employed. It effects will be devastating B millions will pay more for the health insurance, while major corporations will line up for the lucrative business of providing skimpy coverage to those who need little health care.

GROUPS THAT OPPOSE S,1955 National Association of Insurance Commissioners American Academy of Pediatrics American Association of People with Disabilities American Diabetes Association American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees American Federation of Teachers American Nurses Association American Psychological Association Families USA National Disability Rights Network National Mental Health Association National Spinal Cord Injury Association National Partnership for Women & Families California Insurance Commissioner, John Garamendi Nevada Insurance Commissioner, Alice Molasky-Arman Mental Health Liaison Group American Cancer Society AARP Lance Armstrong Foundation National Conference of Insurance Legislators American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry American Academy of Physician Assistants American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees American Chiropractic Association American Pediatric Society American Podiatric Medical Association Arc of the United States Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law Brain Injury Association of America Communications Workers of America Guttmacher Institute International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers International Longshore & Warehouse Union International Union of Painters and Allied Trades National Association of Social Workers National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association National Women's Law Center Planned Parenthood Federation of America Small Business Majority Society for Pediatric Research United Cerebral Palsy United Steelworkers International Union (USW) STATEMENT OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY STATE CHOICE AMENDMENT SMALL BUSINESS HEALTH INSURANCE MARKUP MARCH 15, 2006 This bill includes damaging provisions to repeal existing laws that make health care coverage more affordable for millions of Americans. The bill says that it is fine to charge one group of

[Iris]

67. My, God. This is their answer to the health care problem in this country?

WHEN WILL PEOPLE WAKE THE FUCK UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Zookeeper]

66. Hey, Caligirl...

We may have spoken before re: stem cell research.

I, also, have a child with Type 1 diabetes (diagnosed at four, now thirteen). I didn't know anything about this bill, so I really appreciate your heads up.

I just e-mailed AND called my two Senators. An aide from Senator Coleman's office had the courtesy to return my call, which I did appreciate. Coleman is supporting the bill. To make a long conversation short, Coleman is a supporter of JDF, doesn't think this bill will endanger diabetics since they can purchase a second health plan based on "one of the state employee health plans from one of the five most populous states." I pointed out that state employee health plans can be changed by state legislatures and that I don't find that particularly reassuring. I'll probably save repeating the rest of the conversation for the Minnesota forum.

He also claimed that "special interest groups," like the ADA are mis-informed.

[berni_mccoy]

69. HORSESHIT! He's voted for Bush's BUDGET CUTS that have cut funding

TO DIABETES RESEARCH. ASK HIM ABOUT THAT! If he supports the JDRF, why isn't he working his ass off to get those budget cuts removed and to get REAL stem-cell research bill passed!!! I. AM. SO. PISSED!

[Zookeeper]

73. His aide claimed that Senator Spector's bill....

re: stem cell research had absolutely no chance of passing, so Coleman is working on his own bill that would allow about 200 more stem cell lines to be used for research.

Please don't think I am in agreement with Coleman on anything. I'm simply repeating the conversation.

I pointed out that Republicans put profits before people, and he was quite offended by that and said it isn't true of Coleman. When I pointed out that it is true of BushCo and that Coleman always supports him, the aide cited Coleman's recent "tin ear" criticism of the administration.

This guy was a very passionate supporter of his boss. But, I will give him credit for taking the time to have a debate with me on these issues.

[berni_mccoy]

77. Sorry, my anger is not directed at you... only your repuke Congressman

[Zookeeper]

78. Well, I didn't think it was directed at me, but....

I have been seeing more flaming than usual lately on DU and thought I should make myself clear. :hi:

[caligirl]

83. I wonder if a call to jdrf might help this.

[caligirl]

74. thank you, I am not surprised by this. LTTE in his home state to embarrass

the idiots might be a good use of time. As long as they think they can brush this off as the ADA being misinformed they won't look at dem ideas for this. They have to know the public won't take the erosion in health care this creates.

[OzarkDem]

68. No coverage for mammograms or breast reconstruction

in many states. In fact, quite a few kinds of cancer screening would no longer have to be covered under these plans.

[blondeatlast]

70. K&R from a IDD (akaType 1) survivor of 40 years.

This legislation is devastating.

[NoAmericanTaliban]

72. Here is the letter I wrote to the committee & to Johnny Isakson

who is my senator from Georgia. I will also post this in general to give this issue more exposure. I am really getting tired of these fascist bastards running our country. :mad:

Dear Senators,

I have type 2 diabetes & this bill will affect the medication & blood sugar testing devices I need. This is not an easy thing for me to discuss & is in fact the first time I have come out in public with my disease. This is not a form letter but a personal plea for help in defeating this bill. S. 1955 sounds like a health insurance business written bill & is part of the industry's plan to privatize profits & make the costs public. Diabetes is on the rise in the USA & is a major contributor to health costs & it will only get worse. This is an attempt by the health insurance industry to offset these costs by dumping all these costly diabetics on the street where they can die or get government aid if available & thereby becoming burdens to taxpayers. It's going to be hard for you Senators to get elected if diabetics in your state aren't covered by insurance. Remember dead people cannot vote (at least in most states) and their surviving family members will certainly not vote for you. This bill definitely needs to be opposed. The American Diabetes Association is opposing this bill & for very good reasons. I believe the AARP opposes this as well. Instead of being footstools for the health insurance industry you need to remember that you represent all citizens not just those who donate the most cash to your campaigns. There are over 20 million diabetics and counting in this nation. That is a very large voting block & one you do not want to make angry. Above all, it is an immoral and un-Christian act to deny health services to the needy. This goes against all of Jesus' beliefs and he would never do a sinful act thing like this. Satan yes, but Jesus no. Tell me you are not Satan by voting against this bill. Most Democrats oppose this bill and this represents a good opportunity for the compassionate Republicans among you to demonstrate this compassion by defeating this bill. If you really want to help the diabetics in this county support stem cell research, increase the funding for diabetes prevention, oppose Medicaid cuts, & work against discrimination against diabetics.


Sincerely,


US Citizen and Voter

[caligirl]

76. Great letter, I have been assured that they really read these things too.

I hope you will consider sending it to a newspaper. But thanks for writing.

[Rainscents]

80. caligirl... I want you to know, I made many calls regarding this issues!

I had also emailed all my friends and told them to email all their friends too! This need to be spread wide and fast! I also try to call into Thom Hartmann and Ed Schultz this morning to get this info out there over the radio, however, I couldn't get through.

[caligirl]

81. Thank you, I will be writing a detailed letter to Senator Enzi tonight.

We have to get to him on this as well as be a burr under tha saddle to all repugs on this. I made many calls and Kennedy's office said its basically in Enzi's hands now. Thank you. :grouphug:

[Gelliebeans]

75. Cross post

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x689517

[Kansas Wyatt]

79. That's it, our alleged "elected" representatives in the Gov't

Who want this shit, need to have all of their health insurance coverage yanked away immediately.

Same goes for their pensions and all their fucking fringe benefits they enjoy, while they represent Corporate America at our expense.

Piss on them, they have not earned a Goddamn thing from 'We The People,' and only want to lick the balls of their slimy lobbyists.

[frankly_fedup2]

87. Those Idiots. They think that everyone should have a private health

account that they put money into throughout the year to take care of their health needs. They have found that people with Medicade and/or Medicare tend to go to the ER on a whim; however, if they have to pay for the health care themselves, they tend not to go. People also will take better care of themselves as well. Just think, if those diabetics would just watch what they eat, then they could probably get rid of that diabetes. :sarcasm: No kidding, some people believe this about ALL diabetics.

I'm so with you Caligirl. I'm going to copy this and send it to my sister as she is a diabetic. She has suffered with it most of her life. She is a Type I diabetic as well. My sister became an IDD when she was in college at the age of 20. About five years ago, she got the insulin pump with a trocan inserted in her abdomen permanently. She is 51 now. She seems to have done better with the pump then all of those years injecting herself 3-4 times a day. She was always either close to a diabetic coma or having insulin shock where she had taken too much insulin with her BS being around 40. Her whole life, seven days a week, she has had to get up twice a night to check her BS.

She has had some trouble with her kidneys with infections lately. I hope they don't go out on her. If they do, I will try my best to help her and donate one of mine if at all possible. Her ankles and lower calves are turning a blackish blue color. Nothing with an infection or anything. It has to do with circulation, overweight most of her life, and having to stand up most of the time at her job. She has always been really careful about her feet and legs. The ones we have lost on my dad's side of the family started out with foot ulcers and they would amputate. Then it would be part of their leg. On and on until we lost them.

I've been very lucky as we have a strong family hisotry of diabetes. We also have a strong family history of hypothyroidism. I have that and it can make you feel like crap as well as cause heart disease, hardening of the arteries, and many other problems with your bones and joints. I get that checked every six months myself and it took us forever to get my thyroid in a normal range of function.

My sister has had diabetic retinopathy and it is amazing what they can do now if it is caught in time. A diabetic does not have to be blind anymore as long as they keep getting their eyes checked. She lives in Lynchburg, VA, however, she has to go to UVA in Charlottesville to see the ophthalmologist up there every three months. She had to have the laser surgery on one of her eyes due to the thousands of little vessels getting ready to hemorrhage. Once the retina hemorrhages, then there is nothing they can do and a person is blind in that eye. I know you know this but maybe others that read this don't.

She said the doc kept telling her to remember before they went in to do the laser surgery, "You may have to lose something in order to keep something. She didn't know what he meant until after the surgery. She was really in pain and had to keep the patch over her eye for a week or before seeing the doc again. When the doc finally did she had lost 70% of her sight. I remember her being so upset and crying. There was no comforting her except with medication. Then the doctor told her to remember what he had said about she may have to give up something to keep something. she said to him, "What have I kept?" He asked her if she could make out colors and she could. He asked her if she could make out when she came to a doorway or when something was in front of her and she could but everything was really blurry like she had a thick film on her eye. He told her it might get somewhat better. She understood what he was talking about then. Back before the laser surgery, there was nothing they could do for diabetic retinopathy. Now, at least, some of your sight can be saved. God forbid, but if this happens to her other eye, she will not be able to work or drive anymore; however, she will be able to make out shapes and colors.

She is a teacher and my brother in law is the CEO of the Lynchburg Training Center for the mentally ill and retarded. My brother in law is pretty healthy; however, my sister and my nephew's medicine a month costs them over $700 and that is with a prescription card. My nephew has severe asthma and allergies. They have gotten better over the years; however, he still has to give himself nebulizer treatments and has to carry his nebulizer, but he is not in the hospital every year with pneumonia so that is a plus. They also have to pay almost $500.00 a month for their health insurance alone.

You would think the state would do a little better for their employees? I live in a smaller town in VA and a friend of mines husband works for the town and they pay $700 for their family monthly. I have two cousins who are deputy sheriffs, and they have to buy their own uniforms, wash them, iron them, plus they have to buy their own bullet proof jacket. They make about $24,000 a year and one of them has been with the department for 15 years and is a Sargent. The department doesn't pay anything toward their insurance either.

The Federal Government isn't going to do anything to try to save money (our money) except for tax cuts for the rich. Limpballs was complaining about how OUTRAGEOUS his real estate tax was the other day. Like do we give a rat's behind? Also, he claims he doesn't have any insurance. When he goes to the doctor, he pays for it. If he has to get meds, he pays for them (yeah, we remember his OxyContin cash. I wish I knew what county the SOB lived in. Somebody down there needs to bring his ass in front of a judge just like everyone else. I know that a defense lawyer will come up with any and everything to keep from going in front of a judge. He must have a good one because how long has it been now . . . three years?

With the corporate welfare (how dare they bring those oil executives in again in front of congress when the gas prices go up. Did they have to take an oath this time?), tax cuts for the rich, this very, very profitable war for those that would sell their own mothers to have two bucks, the cut in the entitlement programs (including this one), Medicare so confusing that some of the elderly are having to take classes. Oh yeah, remember AARP backing this new drug plan with Medicare? Well guess what? They are the ones making an awful lot of money from it. They are subsidizing the Medicare Prescription Drug Program for a fee of course that will help the elderly so much. Bullshit!

They have their priorities alright. Nepotism, cronyism, plan in our face conflict of interest at every turn that would not be allowed in a court in the U.S. (well, maybe the supreme court now).

I think Bush has accomplished everything he needed to for all of his "base." Really more of "Cheney's, Rumsfield, Wolfowitz, daddy Bush, and others greedy SOB's that support this administration, and let me just say all those idiots on CSPAN every morning who continue to worship this lower than scum piece of crap at his alter of greed, oil, and power.

Sorry, got a little out of hand.

:rant: :hi:

[caligirl]

94. thanks , you said this so well. Today was the worst day in 5years

:loveya: :loveya: :loveya: For me, I seem to spend all my time planning on how to keep my son safe, how to make sure even in his older years I will still be able to help him, to protect him from all this stuff. And money is the name of the game, enough to pay for everything, enough to sue politicians and companies for their conduct, enough to buy off politicians, and enough to get the latest medical care.

[Clara T]

89. These people just don't let up

I swear the Bush syndicate is some slithering group of necrophiliacs who relish the thought of killing off as many humans as possible and get particular pleasure from watching needy people suffer and squirm.

[IDemo]

90. 45 years with Type 1 this June

I have seen various sources stating that the costs associated with diabetes: insulin, syringes, blood-glucose monitoring supplies, physician/endrocrinologist visits, etc., may account for 10% of the total annual medical expenses of Americans. That is one very huge dime out of the staggering US Dollar total of yearly medical costs.

For the US Senate to argue that the long-term effect of a bill such as this will result in money savings by the government, the insured public, or the insurance/medical industry, is fatuous. The cascade of health disaster resultant from poor or no control of a serious chronic health problem, because of the inability of those affected to pay for BG test strips, insulin, and proper medical care, will be devastating.

[caligirl]

92. And yet the cost of diabetes benefit protections on health insurance

premiums has been studied by numerous states and has been proven to have an insignificant effect on the cost of monthly premiums. In Lousiana its .006% of monthly premiums. And in Orin Hatch's state of Utah, they strengthened thse protections by doing away with a sunset clause that would have abolished protections for diabetes requirements if they found the cost to burdensome.

Source: American Diabetes Association.

[InsultComicDog]

91. Those fuckwads

I and many others worked hard to try to get the bill passed in PA that they are fucking with. Screw those bastards.

[bliss_eternal]

95. kick

:kick:

[blondeatlast]

96. Kick for the bleary-eyed. This affects many, many DUers directly. nt

[Coastie for Truth]

97. Did the GOP "outsmart" themselves

and will we Dems be able to turn HEALTH CARE, and more particularly SINGLE PAYER UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE into our winning issue for 2006 and 2008 - especially as employer paid health insurance just becomes a dim memory of our collective youth?

Check out and the original source

This could be a winner -- or if we fumble this ball - it could be eight years of Jebbie and Dr. Frist.

[SuperWonk]

98. THE GOP

has lost their minds. Typical, this bill seems good initially saying it will help small businesses afford health insurance, instead result in bare bones health coverage for small business employees. Under this bill it would not only hurt diabetes patients but cancer patients as well. Here is another article from the LA Times that discusses this bill, this is definitely NOT in Americans best interests.

Senate Bill Would Override State Health Coverage Rules
GOP backers see the legislation as a way for insurers to offer more affordable plans. Critics say it would undermine treatment protections.
By Ronald Brownstein, Times Staff Writer
March 16, 2006

WASHINGTON — The battle over healthcare moved to a new front Wednesday as Senate Republicans advanced a bill that would change the way health insurance was sold nationwide.

On a party-line vote, a Senate committee approved a bill that would preempt state laws that require insurance policies to cover specific services, such as maternity care and supplies for diabetics.

ADVERTISEMENT
California, which mandates that insurers cover 23 specific treatments and procedures — including mammograms and second opinions — would be one of the states most affected by the legislation.

Sponsors of the bill said overriding state coverage rules, as well as state laws regulating insurance pricing, would allow insurers to offer less-expensive plans. They say it would prompt more small businesses to purchase insurance for workers.

"Today's vote is the first major step in 15 years to get affordable health insurance for small businesses and working families," said the bill's sponsor, Sen. Michael B. Enzi (R-Wyo.).

Enzi heads the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which approved the bill, 11 to 9.

Critics, including the panel's Democratic members, charged that the legislation would undermine state protections meant to guarantee that insurance policies provide adequate health coverage at affordable prices.

California Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi warned that the bill would lead to "an ever-increasing number of people who are uninsured … and for those with insurance, the benefit package is certain to be dramatically reduced."

The dispute mirrors the partisan divide on an array of healthcare issues, including restructuring Medicaid and the health savings accounts proposed by President Bush.

In each case, Republicans and their allies promote ideas they say would save money and increase efficiency by offering consumers more choice. Democrats and other critics say the GOP plans would shift risk and cost toward patients, especially those who are older and sicker.

Wednesday's committee vote marked the first time the Senate had taken a step to preempt state requirements for health coverage. The measure will probably face significant opposition in the full Senate, but supporters say the committee vote may pave the way for its passage.

The bill represents one response to an erosion in the number of Americans receiving healthcare coverage at work. Although most large employers provide coverage, the share of small businesses offering it has dropped from 68% in 2000 to 59% today, according to annual surveys by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Small-business groups blame the decline on rising insurance premiums. Those costs, they say, are increasing because of state requirements for so many specific benefits.

Martyn B. Hopper, the California director for the National Federation of Independent Business, said, "Every time the Legislature adds a mandate, it adds tremendously to the cost of insurance, and that means small-business owners can't afford to pay for it."

For years, the federation and similar groups have pushed for legislation that would allow small businesses to band together to buy health insurance across state lines in what are known as association health plans. The House has passed bills creating such plans eight times, most recently in July. The plans would be exempt from requirements for specific services.

The idea consistently has stalled in the Senate. Democrats, consumer groups and some state regulators have opposed the preemption of state laws. Traditional health insurance companies have complained that the association health plans would have unfair advantages in selling to small businesses.

Enzi's bill would allow all insurers to sell policies that would be exempt from state coverage requirements. It would also let insurers sell those policies to large businesses and individuals.

In return, insurers would have to sell a more comprehensive policy in each state that provided benefits equivalent to those offered to state employees in the five largest states. Employers would not be required to offer the more comprehensive plan to their workers.

The bill's backers contend that the availability of lower-cost, less-comprehensive policies would encourage small employers to purchase insurance.

Critics say that allowing insurers to sell the limited plans would disrupt insurance markets. One concern is that to save money, employers now offering more comprehensive coverage will switch to bare-bones packages with minimal benefits.

The broader fear is that younger and healthier workers will gravitate to the lower-cost plans. If that happens, plans offering more comprehensive benefits would be left caring for a disproportionate share of older and sicker Americans. That could unravel the concept of collective risk-sharing between the healthy and the sick, and raise premiums for more comprehensive plans to unaffordable levels.

Opponents contend that another provision of the legislation could compound that risk. The section would override laws in California and other states limiting how much insurers could vary the premiums charged to small businesses based on the health of workers.

Under the California law, for instance, the most expensive policies for small businesses can cost only about 22% more than the least expensive, according to figures from Garamendi's office. But his office has calculated that under Enzi's bill, insurers would be permitted to vary their prices by five times as much as that.

Supporters say insurers need flexibility to create lower-cost plans that would attract employers who don't offer coverage.

Critics say ending the state rate-setting authority would penalize firms whose workers have higher medical costs — and change hiring practices.

"This will create a very powerful pressure not to hire people who could be expensive" because of their healthcare needs, Garamendi said.

[SuperWonk]

99. Sorry

Double Posted.

[Diabetic Blogger]

101. Thanks for Writing about this Scary Legislation

Thanks for writing about the scary legislation. I am Type II diabetic, got the betes @ 34, but haven't had the volatility that younger Type I's often do.

I created a blog to support http://diabetesadvocacy.blogspot.com. It is crucial that the 20.8 million diabetics in the US band together to stop S. 1955.

If others want to write their Senators, they can do so @

https://secure2.convio.net/adap/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=792&AddInterest=2401

This is the site that the American Diabetes Association created to make it super easy to email or fax your Senator.

Keep fighting the good fight!

[ncrainbowgrrl]

102. Welcome to DU, Diabetic Blogger!!

:hi:

[caligirl]

103. Thanks and welcome. I haven't seen any updates on this, have you?