Answer on Fed's Seizing Our Health Care From Sen Ben Cardin, D MD

Here is the "answer" from Senator Ben Cardin, D MD to my letter expressing opposition to the Federal Government's seizing control of the American health care system. Especially in light of the Baucus' plan will only "help" 11% more people while gutting the health care system in this country.

Dear Mr. Vail:

Thank you for contacting me about the affordability of health care reform.

Earlier this year, several Congressional committees began work on legislation to reduce the overall cost of health care for all Americans and expand coverage to the millions who are uninsured. Our overarching goal is to achieve meaningful reforms that will maintain what works in our health care system and fix what is broken. Although the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over Medicare, Medicaid, and the financing of health reform, has not yet reported a bill, it is expected to do so shortly. Please be assured that I have read the bills that have been reported so far, and I will carefully read the Senate Finance Committee's bill before its provisions are debated on the Senate floor.

Everyday, more than 14,000 Americans lose their health insurance coverage, and the cost of medical care increases in this country, so the cost of inaction is greater than the cost of reform. Ten years ago, the average cost of a family health insurance policy in Maryland was $7,000, it is now more than $12,000, and if we do nothing, it is projected to be $23,000 by 2016. Providing Americans with a guarantee of stable, comprehensive medical coverage, along with strong insurance regulation will bring down the cost of care. A public option can help bring down the cost of health care. With fewer insurance companies offering coverage, competition is eroded and there is less incentive to control costs. This is apparent in Maryland, where only two companies control 71 percent of the private insurance market. A public plan could save money through lower administrative costs and greater efficiencies, which would in turn incentivize private insurers to be more efficient.

As the Senate continues deliberation, I hope we can agree that the only option that should not be on the table is the status quo. We cannot allow the current state of our health care system, which is too expensive and too fragmented, to continue. My objective is to make health care more affordable for American families' budgets and for our nation's budget. In order to achieve balanced federal budgets again, we must get health care costs under control, and in doing so, we will be able to make America more competitive in the global economy.

In addition, there are more than 46 million Americans who lack health insurance, and that number has grown by 20 percent in the past eight years. In Maryland, 760,000 people are uninsured. Underscoring the need for action is the fact that every day, Americans are filing for personal bankruptcy because they can't pay the health care bills they have incurred. In addition, when the uninsured cannot pay, health care providers shift those costs to those who can. It has been estimated that each American family with health insurance pays an additional $1,100 in premiums each year because of those who are unwilling or unable to get coverage.

I support reform that builds on our current system. I am privileged to represent a state that is home to two great medical centers-Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland--and to the National Institutes of Health. Marylanders are justifiably proud of our state's tradition of high quality medical care. We want to maintain the ability to choose the doctors and hospitals where we receive care. I want Marylanders and all other Americans to be able to choose the health care plan in which they participate. For these reasons, we need to build on our current system.

As a member of the Senate Budget Committee, I firmly believe that any reform proposals we enact must be fully paid for, and the budget resolution passed by Congress requires that. I will carefully evaluate all options for financing health reform, keeping in mind the disproportionate effect that some provisions under discussion would have on working families. Health care access is an issue that stretches across all communities and many income levels, and it is not limited to members of one political party.

The President has made health care reform a priority for this Administration, and Congress has been striving to achieve workable solutions that can move our nation forward. I will continue to work in a bipartisan manner for solutions that will truly bring down the cost of health care in this country and expand access to quality care for all.

Again, thank you for letting me know your views on this important issue.

Needless to say...it's the usual BS non-answer of a professional politician who just doesn't really care what his constituents desire.

Pelosi Backing Away from Public Option

Pelosi is backing away from the "public option", yet her office claims the opposite. Yet, there will be a "trigger" embedded in the bill. This trigger will be pegged to what costs of. The "trigger" will implement a government, single payer plan that will in a very short time eliminate private health insurance.

This is the alternative that the far left in the US House has come up with in order to save face for their base. However, the most important aspect of this, is how high, or low, the "trigger" is set.

The only way to make health insurance reform work is to institute tort reform. Eliminate the limit to single states for plans. Make the insurance industry work within the system, not by coercion of the government.

Mrs. Mikulski Responds to Health Care Reform Question

I asked Barbara Mikulski, one of my US Senators, as simple question:

If the proposed bills are good enough for the country, will you and your colleagues in the Senate, House, The Federal Goveremnet employees, and the Executive Branch use the "Public Option" as your dedicated health insurance?

Here is her non-Response:

Dear Dr. Vail:
Thank you for getting in touch with me about health care reform. It's great to hear from you.

Health care is one of the most important issues facing families and our economy. We need to pass comprehensive health reform that:

-reduces costs for families, business and government
-protects people's choice of doctors, hospitals and health plans
-assures affordable, quality health care for all Americans

As a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, I helped write the Affordable Health Choices Act, which was passed by our committee on July 15, 2009. This bill takes a giant step forward in providing health care that is available, undeniable and affordable for all Americans. It allows you to keep what you have if you like your current coverage. It prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage to those with preexisting conditions. It enables people to keep their health insurance if they lose their jobs.

Families and business are facing staggering health care costs. Premiums have doubled over the last 10 years. Without reform, these costs will continue to rise. The HELP bill reduces costs by:

-reducing administrative costs
-reducing medical and medication errors
-preventing hospital readmissions
-better managing chronic diseases
-reducing fraud and abuse in the health care system
-eliminating waste through promoting effective, evidence based medicine

I understand your concerns regarding the creation of public health care option. You should know that the HELP legislation is very clear: if you like the insurance you have today, you can keep it. The creation of the public option simply offers additional choice and competition to the current system. The public option is voluntary for patients and providers, it will be self-supporting, and will compete on a level playing field because it must abide by the same rules as private health insurance plans.

This is a historic moment. Forty years ago, the United States of America landed a man on the moon. I think that's a wonderful achievement. But if we can send people into space and be able to afford to do it, we can also help people get to a doctor and be able to afford to do it.


Thanks once again for writing. Please let me know if I can be of assistance in the future.

Sincerely,
Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator

Just once, I'd love for one of my elected officials to actually answer, directly, in simple terms a member of the "mob" such as myself cold understand. Is that asking too much?

Sarbanes, Again, Dodges the Question

My Congressman, John Sarbanes, (D MD3) once again dodeges the simple question I asked. Here is my reply to his longwinded non-answer:

Mr. Sarbanes,
You have yet again dodged my question. If your health care plan is so good, WHY is Congress, all their employees, all federal employees, and employees of the Executive branch specifically exempted from coverage? If you want to screw around with health care, then YOU MUST ACCEPT FOR YOUR FAMILY THE SAME PLAN YOU ARE FOISTING ON THE REST OF AMERICA.

To do less is to be hypocritical. When you can answer this that you personally will accept this plan for your family, then I will do so for mine.

Sincerely,

Richard A. Vail
Pikesville, MD 21208


“Pray that you will never have to bear all that you are able to endure.”
Jewish Proverb


In a message dated 8/14/2009 9:35:52 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, md03ima@mail.house.gov writes:

August 13, 2009

Dear Dr. Vail:

Thank you for contacting me to express your concerns about the "public option" health plan proposed in health reform legislation being considered in the Congress. As a member of the Health Subcommittee of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I have been fully engaged in this debate since the beginning of the year and I appreciate the opportunity to address this issue.
First, I want to be clear that this proposal is not a radical attempt to eliminate private health insurance in favor of a government run system. If you like your doctor and your current plan, you can absolutely keep them if this proposal becomes law. Members of Congress will receive no special treatment under the bill and will be afforded the opportunity to retain the health plan they share with two million other federal workers if they choose to do so.
For those who do not have health insurance, are looking to change plans, or are worried that they will lose their coverage because of their job, there will be a new framework in place to give you options. The bill creates a health care exchange where individuals can choose from multiple plans and benefit from access to the kind of group rates that only large employers can offer now. This approach will also make health insurance more "portable" and give Americans the assurance that they can continue to receive health care if they change jobs, are laid off, or simply don't like the plan offered through their employer.
Along with the many plans offered in the exchange by familiar private insurers, there will also be a public health plan option that will offer some long-overdue competition for the private health insurance industry that currently has a stranglehold on the system. Enhanced competition in the health care market will reduce cost, promote innovation and provide recourse for those who are currently without coverage. The "public option" makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately, it has been wildly mischaracterized as a "government takeover." This has been flatly refuted by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, which projects that the public plan will draw approximately twelve million participants by 2019. That's large enough to help influence best practices and push private insurers to provide consumers with quality service, but at 4% of the total population of our country, it's about as far from a "government takeover" as you can get.
It is natural to feel anxious about these reform efforts because health care policy touches every American family in a very personal way. That is why this dialogue is important. But I believe we have a good bill. It is a measured approach that will preserve what works about the current system and fix what doesn't.
The proposed reform will ensure that you get what you pay for when you commit your hard earned money to pay premiums every month. For example, the bill will prohibit insurance companies from increasing your rates for pre-existing conditions, gender, or occupation. It will cap annual out of pocket expenses and do away with lifetime limits on how much insurance companies will pay to cover. It guarantees affordable oral, hearing, and vision care for children. And it will do away with co-pays or deductibles for preventive care.
I hope this information is useful to you as the Congress continues to make progress on health care legislation. I believe it is possible to make intelligent reforms to our health care system that expand coverage and improve quality of care. I also believe there are many areas where we can reduce cost by eliminating wasted and making our system more efficient. The status quo is unsustainable for our economy and I am convinced that long term security will be elusive until we find out health care system. If you have access to the Internet and would like additional information about the health care reform bill, please visit the Energy and Commerce website at www.energycommerce.house.gov. If you have specific questions, feel free to contact my office at 410-832-8890.

Sincerely,
John Sarbanes
Member of Congress

As you can see, he just doesn't want to answer. Nor, interestingly enough is he going to hold any town halls. He is only going to hold "virtual" or teleconferences. I guess that he is afraid of actually talking to his constiuents. Imagine that, a public servant who doesn't want to face his voters.

Drudge Report Video Shows Mr Obama's real agenda

Drudge Report has found a video of Mr. Obama at an AFL-CIO meeting, stating unequivacally that he,

“I happen to be a proponent of a single payer universal health care program. I see no reason why the United States of America, the wealthiest country in the history of the world, spending 14 percent of its Gross National Product on health care cannot provide basic health insurance to everybody. And that’s what Jim is talking about when he says everybody in, nobody out. A single payer health care plan, a universal health care plan. And that’s what I’d like to see. But as all of you know, we may not get there immediately. Because first we have to take back the White House, we have to take back the Senate, and we have to take back the House.”

I'd say that pretty much says it all. The Democratic objective is to eliminate private health insurance and burocraatize our health care system. There's a video of Rep. Barney Frank saying pretty much the same thing. When I find it, I'll add the link as well.

10 Questions to ask your Congressman this August

From Hugh Hewitt, 10 questions to ask your congressman this August:

1. Do you guarantee that I get to keep the plan I have and the doctor I have?
2. Will the law require Members of Congress and federal employees to be enrolled in the "government option/public plan," and if not, why not?
3. Will seniors be guaranteed joint replacements, stents, and the chemotherapy they need, or will they be forced to accept less-costly and less-effective alternatives?
4. If seniors will be allowed the expensive but most effective treatments, how will costs be controlled?
5. Will seniors have to wait longer for their treatments than they do now?
6. Will doctors see their payment schedules drop?
7. If their payments fall and they make less money, won't there be fewer doctors practicing medicine?
8. Doesn't Canada have long lines for important surgeries?
9. How will making our system more like Canada's not mean longer lines and longer waits here?
10. Have you read the bill well enough to be interviewed about it on the radio by a conservative talk show host?

Follow the link for Hugh's answers to the questions. I didn't want to steal his entire post, but thought the questions themselves merited replication here. I encourage everyone to ask these of their congressmen and women. I asked mine Question 2, and got a multi-paragraph answer I posted previously.

Health Care Reform

I think that "Health Care Reform" is a complete misnomer. What we should really call this debate is "Health INSURANCE Reform". In my opinion, it's really not about reforming health care, but about a government power grab. It's an attempt to sieze control of yet more sectors of the economy. The financial markets wasn't enough. The auto industry wasn't enough (recent polls show that 49% of American WONT buy GM or Chrysler cars...). Now the socialists want more.

I hope that if it's passed, someone has the sense to sue in Federal District Court, that it's in violation of the 10th Amendment of the US Constitution. No where in the constitution does it state that health care is a reserved to the federal governenment. This being the case, this matter is reserved to the several states.

Amendment 10 - Powers of the States and People. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

So far, only Massachussetts has had the courage to initiate health insurance in their state. That it has been a dismal failure has carefully been concealed by the media. They don't want you to know that Medicare, Medicaid have been riddled with corruption and cost overruns for decades. This is what we the people are about to unleash upon ourselves. Corruption like you've never seen, limits upon what treatments people can receive, will be permitted to receive.

After all, Mr. Obama himself clearly stated that anyone with is elderly should be given "a pain pill" instead of life sustaining treatment. I suspect that if you aren't on the "PC" side, you'll not receive any such treatment. This is the very thing that the NAZI's did prior and during WWII. If you weren't a member of the master race, you didn't get health care. Keep in mind that NAZI = socialist, afterall, they were National Socialists, not conservative.

Health Care Reform: An interesting point

I saw the following point on Real Clear Politics:

"Of the ~ 45 million uninsured, about 1/3 are citizens of other countries (almost all breaking US law by being here), about 1/3 have chosen not to buy insurance, or are already eligible for other programs (Medicaid, etc.) but have chosen not to sign up. This leaves about 15 million charity cases to address. Obama plans to disrupt the current arrangements of about 250 million people to "solve" this problem. Of course the real goal is not health care, but to put 18% of the economy under Government control. As people become aware of this, they are not happy."

Therein lies the dichotomy of the problem. Mr. Obama wants to completely disrupt economy, to merely cover less than 6% of the population. The only way to do something to halt this insanity is to write you congressmen and senators and simply ask them if they will accept the coverage of the public option if they vote affimatively

Health Care Reform: A Question for Congress

I have sent this same basic email to several sites of the past couple of days. I have yet to have a simple basic question answered by anyone. It is a question that I firmly believe is important and fundamental to the health care debate. Here is a copy of a letter I sent to my Congressman, John Sarbanes, D MD. I have yet to receive a reasonable answer.

"Dear Mr. Sarbanes,
I would like you, personally, to answer one simple question:

If HB 3200 is such a good bill for this country, WHY is/are Congress, the President, VP, and all federal employees specifically exempt from the provisions of this bill?

After all, if it is good enough for the rest of us, it SHOULD be good enough for you, your family, Congress, the President and all federal employees.

Richard A. Vail"


I would genuinely, like to get a reasoned answer to this question. It's not one I've seen asked, or answered. Because, I sure can't seem to get one anywhere else. Thank you for your assistance, I just keep hitting a stone wall.