GOP Senators Equate Public Health Plan With "Government Takeover"

Wall Street Journal:

Republican members of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee criticized proposals to create a public health insurance option to compete with private insurers in a retort to a recent letter by President Barack Obama.

The Republican senators on Monday released their own letter to Obama, which was circulated by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and included the signatures of Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, and Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.

The letter states that the result of a public plan option "would be a federal government takeover of our healthcare system, taking decisions out of the hands of doctors and patients and placing them in the hands of a Washington bureaucracy."

Read the whole story: Wall Street Journal

Comments

[SpiralUp]

I just heard Sen. Grassley on MSNBC talking about why he won't support a public option.

He said that studies show that 117 million people would leave their private insurance company for the public option, leaving only 50 million in private insurance, and that would increase the premiums on those left in the private sector so much as to essentially 'take away the healthcare they are happy with".

He then said that 80% of Americans are happy with their private health insurance.

If that were true, why would they leave for a public option?

[hokulele]

Hey, Repugs, go ahead, say it's a government takeover. It's nothing of the kind. It's just a part of the Big Banks' takeover of our every breath of air

[epiphany1234]

Put "Government Takeover" in the same column with:

Tax and Spend Liberal
Socialized Medicine

- under the column heading "HOGWASH"

It's the same washed up, knee-jerk rhetoric of a handful of tired, old grey haired men who have kept us in the stone age long enough. I'm ready to blow past these losers into a brave new world of universal, affordable health care for ALL citizens.

[CherokeeGirl]

"Oh, the government is taking over our medical care...oh oh...everybody be afraid" More scare tactics?

Is this the best you guys can do? You are going to lose this war, and every war after.

The reason you will lose is because you support lies, greed and hate....plain and simple.

Say bu bye to your stupid and meaninless political careers.

[UsofA]

I sent this to Hatch, Grassley, Baucus, Snowe and Kyl (please join me, cut and paste if you'd like):

I categorically disagree with Republican's stance (and distributed letter to President Obama) opposing a government health insurance option for the middle class. The assertion that it would remove health care insurance options due to failing, out-competed insurance companies is preposterous. It would simply give Americans a viable insurance option, something they do not have now considering the high premiums and exorbitant co-pays of current insurance and pharmaceutical corporations. Side with the people, Sir. Don't deny us a choice.

[Writeapproach]

This is very good. unfortunately it looks like we need to send it to the Democrats too. They are back pedaling on this issue.

My first reaction when I read what is happening with legislators is to say, What's WRONG with these people that they refuse to give the Americans a decent health care system? Then I remember that the insurance companies have bought all of them. Michael Parente was right when he said we have the best government money can buy. How do we get these self serving clowns to do the right thing instead of prostituting themselves to the Johns of insurance?

I'm going to a Social Justice Center of Marin meeting tonight to discuss ways to keep health care for California's needy children, but I always ask why don't we have a system like the UK and Canada--one I use myself when I visit there (I pay out of pocket)--where all our children are covered from birth to age 18?

So frustrating.

[UsofA]

To that end, read the following post
Most Blue dogs come from faily conservative districts, but 16 repersent democratic district which Obama won by 54% or more. Let these 16 congressmen know that their careers are on the line if they fight against a strong public plan. I've set aside donate $25 to any primary challenger to any of these Blue dogs if the reform does not include the public plan. Will anyone join my pledge?

Blue Dog District Precentage Obama
Won By
Scott, David GA-13 72
Baca, Joe CA-43 68
Schiff, Adam CA-29 67
Thompson, Mike CA-01 65
Harman, Jane CA-36 64
Sanchez, Loretta CA-47 60
Costa, Jim CA-20 59
Cardoza, Dennis CA-18 59
Cuellar, Henry TX-28 56
Cooper, Jim TN-05 56
Michaud, Mike ME-02 55
Murphy, Patrick PA-08 54
Barrow, John GA-12 54
Bishop, Sanford GA-02 54
Boswell, Leonard IA-03 54
Donnelly, Joe IN-02 54

[UsofA]

I called every single one of the Congressmen listed, after hours at their Washington offices, and left the following voice mail. I urge others to do the same since, if we want genuine health care reform, we're going to have to fights the moneyed special interests to get it (feel free to use my text if it helps.)

Hello Congressman _________ ,
My name is ________. I am calling as a citizen concerned by your proposed backsliding, in the form of a trigger option, on comprehensive health care reform. I believe, as I"m sure you do, that you were elected to protect and enhance the public good and to vote for your constituent"s best interests. But denying me or any other citizen the choice of a private or public health care insurance provider, by inserting a trigger option, makes one appear as if one is operating at the behest of an influence other- than- their- constituents. I urge you, please to align yourself with our President"s plan for a no-trigger, public health care insurance option. This is a clear choice between the public good or special interests, that are currently fleecing the public.