How the Rs will campaign on health care "reform"--don't let it happen!

[blondeatlast]

The good guys are WINNING--<;ease don't stop now.[br />
Big Lie Enzi Bill vote pushed back 3 weeks, please call NOW to stop this stinker dressed up in "affordability" for the consumer. If Big Insurance is pushing it, you KNOW who's gonna suffer in the end...

This is how the Repugnants will campaign on health care "reform"--don't let it happen!

Here's a GREAT article outlining what's wrong with the bill:

YOUNGSTOWN — A Republican-backed U.S. Senate bill that's supposed to help small businesses buy affordable health insurance also would disregard current state insurance laws, says U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown of Lorain, D-13th.

That means health providers could discontinue coverage for maternity care, many cancer screenings, kidney dialysis, basic children's health care, mental health treatment and diabetic supplies, Brown said.

http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/322881239489820.php


From Physicians for a National Heath Program (a wonderful advocate for health care for all):

Comment:
By Don McCanne, M.D.

Proposals for Association Health Plans (AHPs) have been criticized partly because they allow circumvention of state mandated benefits. The savings for small businesses would not come from group discounts, but rather from being able to purchase stripped down plans with very low premiums. Such plans would fall far short of the protection that their employees need. Also they would allow employers who currently provide coverage to drop their plans in favor of these cheap alternatives.
(snip)

...Small businesses are potentially a very large market for insurers. Sen. Enzi’s new version pleases the insurers since it would require that benefits be provided through fully-funded plans

The BlueCross BlueShield Association management finds it amazing that their concerns were listened to. S 1995 will protect and enhance their market for their highly profitable, stripped down plans.

So the President and his colleagues in Congress are addressing the concerns of his friends in the insurance industry.

But, Mr. Bush… What about the patients?

http://www.pnhp.org/news/2006/march/ahps_for_the_blues.php

Thank you, DUers.

[caligirl]

1. a less than acceptable response from Feinstein on this bill deserves

some DU attention.April 9, 2006


Dear Mrs. xxxxxx:

Thank you for writing to me regarding the "Health Insurance
Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act of 2005" (S. 1955). I
appreciate hearing from you on this issue and welcome the opportunity
to respond.

Be assured, I am committed to ensuring that all Americans have
access to affordable health care. I appreciate hearing your opposition to
S. 1955 and the effect the bill could have on the coverage of various
health services, such as podiatry and mental healthcare. As you know,
the bill would amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
(ERISA) of 1974 to establish small business health plans, which are
group health plans sponsored by trade and business associations. In
addition, the bill requires the Secretaries of Health and Human Services
and Labor to set forth requirements with regards to regulation of
insurance plans and harmonization of state health insurance laws.

On March 15, 2006, S. 1955, which was introduced by Senators
Michael Enzi (R-WY) and Ben Nelson (D-NE), was reported favorably
out of the Senate Committee on Health, Labor, Education and Pensions.
Should the full Senate take up and consider this legislation, I will keep
your thoughts and concerns in mind.

Again, thank you for writing to me. I hope that you will keep in
touch on issues of concern to you. Should you have any further
questions or comments please feel free to call my Washington, D.C. staff
at [phone]. Best regards.


Sincerely yours,

Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator

http://feinstein.senate.gov

Further information about my position on issues of concern to California and the
Nation are available at my website http://feinstein.senate.gov. You can also
receive electronic e-mail updates by subscribing to my e-mail list at
http://feinstein.senate.gov/issue.html.


You tell me if this letter is less than a reassuraing letter about her objection to the Enzi Bill? The American Diabetes Association heard back from only 8000 of those who received emails warning about this bill. I think thats low, they think its very nice. I hope it goes farther and gets to more people. Thank you to allo the DU'ers who see the threat to American health care that this bill will be if it passes.

Original thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=2519183

[blondeatlast]

3. I'd expect a response like that from my senatorial BushBot, John Kyl, but

not from a Democrat.

As far as I'm concerned, Ms. Feinstein can live with this health "care" bill when she's ill--I'll happily take her cushy plan.

[caligirl]

2. news article on the lesser known Lincoln bill

Lincoln touts small-business health-care proposal
Friday, Apr 7, 2006

By Alison Vekshin
Stephens Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON -- Small-business owners could lower their health-care costs by pooling their purchasing power under legislation Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., touted on Thursday.

Modeled after the health-insurance program offered to federal employees, the bill aims to contain skyrocketing health-care costs for small businesses, she said.

The program "will allow employers to reap the benefit of group purchasing power and streamline administrative costs as well as access more plan choices," Lincoln said at a Senate Finance Committee hearing where several small-business health-care strategies were examined.

In Arkansas, 456,000 people are uninsured, including 20 percent of working-age adults, Lincoln said.

The program she is sponsoring would be open to all employers with up to 100 workers, including the self-employed. Employers who agree to pay at least 60 percent of each employee's health-insurance premium would get a 25 percent tax credit.


http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2006/04/07/WashingtonDCBureau/335442.html

EDIT: COPYRIGHT--PLEASE POST ONLY FOUR OR FIVE PARAGRAPHS
FROM THE COPYRIGHTED NEWS SOURCE PER DU RULES.

[caligirl]

4. Boxer is a sponsor on the Lincoln bill, Feinstein is not. Why not DiFi?

Lincoln Bill and the ADA:
The American Diabetes Association supports this bill, also known as The Small Employers Health Benefits Program Act of 2006 (SEHBP). However, based on our current analysis of this bill and the climate in Congress, we think it is more important to continue to use our full strength to fight S. 1955, which has wide support in the Senate, rather than steer our resources toward supporting S. 2510, which does not.

S. 2510 does offer Senators an opportunity to vote for a less harmful bill. In our estimation, many will not make this choice. Nevertheless, we wanted to ensure that you knew S. 2510 exists. If something changes, we will adjust our strategy and communicate such changes to you.


Barbara Boxer - [phone]
Dianne Feinstein - [phone]

[caligirl]

5. AARP now opposes the Enzi Bill

http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/Business/041206_enzi.html

Just came out for tomorrows issue of The Hill.

[blondeatlast]

6. That's EXCELLENT news! Ds&Rs both will think twice before

crossing AARP.

that definitely gives those of us opposed to S 1955 more formidable clout.