From Rep. John Boccieri (D-Ohio): “I wonder what my life would have been like if my Mom didn’t have health insurance.” Would he have been able to go to college? Would his mother be alive today if they couldn’t afford treatment? What is happening right now to the 39,000 people in his district that don’t have health insurance?
On March 19, 2010,
in Health Care,
by Mary Mancini
On March 18, 2010,
in Health Care, National Politics,
by Mary Mancini
Contrary to the opinion of a certain insurance company, cancer is a catastrophic illness.
Call Congress now.
On March 18, 2010,
in Health Care, Media,
by Mary Mancini
FYI, despite what you are hearing (has it reached CNN yet?) the New England Journal of Medicine did not publish or produce the health care “survey” that right-wing talk radio and cable TV are citing as proof that doctors are not fond of the health insurance reform bill.
On November 11, 2009,
in Liberate Your Radio from The Right,
by Mary Mancini
Yesterday, via linking to a post by Goldni, I asked Congressman Jim Cooper (D-TN, the Fightin’ 5th!) to explain his vote for the Stupak Amendment. Last night, I received his answer:
“Health reform would simply not have passed without the Stupak Amendment. The Speaker of the House made this deal, and she is one of the strongest Pro-Choice members of the House. I think this just underscores how important this issue was to the passage of the bill. The health care bill only passed by two votes. Going forward, we need to better define the status quo regarding the Hyde Amendment because that is what most members support.
The reform bill does contain the most important health improvements for women in history, including bringing more women into a heath care system that includes reproductive health benefits. I continue to support affordable birth control and a woman’s freedom to choose, and I hope that we can make progress on these issues in the future with the Senate version of health reform.”
Thanks, Coop (He lets us call him that. OK, no he doesn’t.) for both your “Yes” vote for H.R. 3962, the health insurance reform legislation, and for the explanation of your Stupak Amendment vote.
Now, I’m satisfied with Congressman Cooper’s answers regarding his Stupak Amendment vote. I understand, however, that some are not. I understand that some still take issue with the way in which this vote went down.
Not me.
Instead, I take issue with those who were on the front line of this debate decades ago – when the term “pro-life” was first used – for scrambling to find a different term to describe their position instead of standing up and screaming, “How dare you! The definition of ‘pro-life’ doesn’t begin and end where you say it does, buster. I’m ‘pro-life.’ You’re ‘pro-life.’ We’re ALL ‘pro-life.’ Now stop being a dumbass and let’s work on ways in which we can eliminate the underlying reasons why women seek to have abortions in the first place. Hello? Lack of age-appropriate public school sex education? Hello? Lack of affordable contraception? Hello? Poverty? Hello? Lack of affordable child-care options? Hello? Hello? Hello?”
The Stupak Amendment and the strangle-hold it had over the health insurance reform debate is a direct result of elected officials giving up the practical moral high-ground on this issue a long, long, LONG time ago. We reap what we sow.
On November 9, 2009,
in Liberate Your Radio from The Right,
by Mary Mancini
One question remains...
Eloquently worded below by Goldni is the question for Congressman Jim Cooper that’s on everyone’s lips. So, when you call to thank him today for his “yes” vote on the health insurance reform bill (Nashville Office: 736-5295 DC Office: 202-225-4311), you also might want to ask him,”Why yes on the Stupak Amendment?”
Congressman, I know you’re very smart and have an excellent command of legislative history. I know that you know about the Hyde Amendment of 1976, which forbids federal funding of abortion, and which is the established law in this country. I know you know that there was already a provision in the bill specifically stating that nothing in the bill could be construed as mandating or allowing for federal funding for abortion. I know you know that the Stupak amendment was unnecessary, and that even if you wanted it passed so that a few more people would vote for the final bill, your vote was not needed to make that happen. I know that you know that the whole thing would ultimately be unenforceable and would almost certainly get tangled up in legal challenges. And I know you’re generally not a fan of telling insurance companies what they can or cannot offer.
So why vote to tell them they can’t offer this one thing, especially when 85% of them offer it now with no issues and when it wouldn’t cost the government any money to allow them to continue to do so?
It’s not because you have some great love for fetuses. Your record is mostly pro-choice, but you have never demonstrated that you even particularly care about it all that much as an issue. The budgetary issues are much more salient with you, obviously. But it’s for that reason that I know that your vote for the final bill was not contingent upon this amendment passing. It wouldn’t have mattered to you one way or the other.
Are you trying to build up some “pro-life”* (a ridiculous term, I don’t know of anyone who is anti-life) credentials for your re-election bid next year in the Fifth District? That might work in Lincoln Davis’ district. I personally think that Lincoln Davis is a great representative for his district. But that’s not you anymore, and you need to remember that.
Is there a budget issue in here that I’m missing? This does not amount to taxpayer money going to fund abortion, it would still be private insurance companies offering coverage at their expense, and private individuals purchasing insurance through the exchange would still be using their own money. However, at this time I’d like to renew my objection to the provision in the Senate bill that DOES allow for federal funding for Christian Science prayer treatments.
So, why?
And, might I add, the Stupak Amendment will do absolutely nothing to reduce the number of abortions in the United States. It will, however, take away a potential life-saving treatment for more than half the population of the country. If legislators truly wanted to curtail the number of abortions in the US, they would work on curtailing the number of unintended pregnancies by increasing federal funding for comprehensive, age-appropriate sex education in the classroom and through public and private health agencies.
*We’re all pro-life.
UPDATE from the comments: Ruth Marcus writing in the Washington Post:
Going into Saturday’s debate on the House health-care bill, the measure included provisions designed to maintain the status quo against federal funding for most abortions. It took steps to ensure that federal subsidies to purchase insurance wouldn’t be used to pay for abortion coverage. It required that every exchange include one plan that did not cover abortions, so that no one would be forced to subscribe to a plan that violated anti-abortion beliefs. That wasn’t enough for the anti-abortion crowd, including the Catholic bishops. So House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was backed into a corner, facing the loss of anti-abortion Democrats unless she acceded to an amendment offered by Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) that effectively prevents insurance companies participating in the new insurance exchanges from covering abortions. It passed, 240 to 197, with 64 Democrats voting in favor.
Under the Stupak amendment, no plan that accepts people eligible for federal subsidies is permitted to cover abortions. It’s hard to imagine a plan participating in the exchange that refuses to accept people with subsidies, since the vast majority of people in the exchanges will receive subsidies. Therefore, no abortion coverage in the exchange — except to save the life of the mother or in cases of rape or incest. If you are a woman whose health is endangered by a pregnancy, you’ll have to pay for an abortion out of pocket. Same if you are carrying a fetus with severe birth defects.
Stupak supporters argue that women will still be able to obtain abortion coverage by purchasing a separate rider to the policies. As if people plan ahead to have abortions. As if insurance companies will go to the trouble — and risk the controversy — of providing such riders.
According to Cooper’s office, and confirmed by Marcus’s analysis, it was either the Stupak amendment or no passage of the bill. Cooper’s choice is understandable. What’s sad – and what I most hate about this game – is that he was forced to make it.
On November 9, 2009,
in Liberate Your Radio from The Right,
by Mary Mancini
Does your health insurance cover exploding craniums due to maddening and unexplained selfishness?
So we’ve been talking a lot about how the Republicans leading the charge against health security for all Americans already have health care coverage. Good health care coverage. It’s the classic, “I got mine, screw you guys” scenario.
But this weekend we learned, when several of the tea party protesters were treated during an event in D.C., that while some of us are languishing in a system designed to screw us out of everything we’ve ever worked for, members of Congress not only have solid health care coverage – they also have a backup. A BACKUP!
Yep. Members of Congress have affordable health care coverage. Twice.
From Joe Powell:
As a few thousand folks lined up to hear the Republican congressmen (most of whom were absent from actual committee votes on public policy) last week, some of those anti-healthcare bill protesters needed some emergency medical help from – gasp!! – government operated medicine providers.
One person suffered a heart attack and several others also needed medical care — all of it provided by government medical personnel. Other protesters denouncing government-run healthcare likewise benefited from a service they despise, though none refused medical assistance from the Office of Attending Physicians [OAP] who are always on hand to treat elected officials.
And how does the OAP work?
Members of Congress do not pay for the individual services they receive at the OAP, nor do they submit claims through their federal employee health insurance policies. Instead, members pay a flat, annual fee of $503 for all the care they receive. The rest of the cost of their care, sources said, is subsidized by taxpayers.
Last year, Congress appropriated more than $3 million to reimburse the Navy for staff salaries at the office. Next year’s budget allocates $3.8 million for the office, including more than half a million dollars to upgrade the Office’s radiology suite. Sources said additional money to operate the office is included in the Navy’s annual budget.
In 2008, 240 members paid the annual fee, though some sources say congressmen who didn’t pay the fee were rarely prevented from using OAP services.
The arguments against affordable health insurance from Bachman, Pence, King et. al. wouldn’t be so gag-worthy if they would just give up their health insurance. And the backup plan.
On November 9, 2009,
in Liberate Your Radio from The Right,
by Mary Mancini
Actor/comedian Andy Cobb used to star in ads for Blue Cross in Florida. Not so much now.
On November 6, 2009,
in Liberate Your Radio from The Right,
by Mary Mancini
Cooperators are standing by.
The House of Representatives is voting on the health care bill tomorrow. Jim Cooper must be called. And so must your Congressman.
Here’s the plea from Writer/Filmmaker/Speaker Molly Secours, who just came back from meetings with representatives in Washington:
Just got back from D.C. with a group of self-employed and small business owners to talk with representatives about the bill coming up for a vote. The stories from small business owners across the country were startling and devastating….
Taking time out to meet us in the hallway Rep. Cooper listened to the doctor and the man who may have to close his business because of exorbitant healthcare costs. The man reiterated that reform must stimulate competition and allow everyone access to insurance and, most importantly, needs to happen now–not next year. Patients are dying, employees are leaving or being layed off.
Rep. Cooper listened intently and assured them he was committed to working with others that are determined to make healthcare reform a reality–including a public option.
With Cooper there were no shiny smiles, slaps on the back, donuts or biscuits and gravy, just some good old fashion respect and humility. Cooper doesn’t feign to have all the answers and he has taken alot of hits on both sides of the political aisle.
Today the AARP and AMA (American Medical Association) backed HR3962 (The Affordable Health Care For America Act) being voted on this Saturday. TN Rep. Jim cooper is a heavy hitter in this game…and NEEDS to hear from as many people as possible with just 3 words:
Robust Public Option.
Tell him you are one of the 61% who support it. Under 2 minutes folks. Call (202)-225-4311 or (615) 736-5295.
After meeting with him I’m convinced he wants to vote yes, but like all politicians needs support. I promised I would help flood his office with calls between 8am-5pm tomorrow.
Jim Cooper must be Called. Now. (202) 225-4311 or (615) 736-5295.
Or, find your Congressperson and make your call.
On October 20, 2009,
in Liberate Your Radio from The Right,
by Mary Mancini
Join Change that Works tonight from 6 to 7:30 PM on the Bicentennial Mall at the base of Capitol Hill (James Robertson Parkway, between 6th and 7th Ave. North) for a candlelight vigil for health insurance reform.
Today is also a massive nationwide call-in day organized by Change that Works, Organizing for America, Families USA, MoveOn, Consumer Union, SEIU, Organize for American, HCAN, and PICO.
With crucial negotiations taking place in Congress, OFA volunteers and other organizations are raising our voices to make it clear to our representatives: it’s time to deliver on health care reform.
Click here to get the phone numbers of your U.S. representatives as well as calling tips and a sample script.
Also, sign up to receive the call-in number and pledge to call here.
Change That Works is also phone banking all day today to get people to call their representatives. Shifts are 9-11 am, 11-1 pm, 1-3 pm, 3-5 pm. Stay the whole shift or come when you can. Sign up to phone bank here.
Your voice and actions are vital to the passage of Health Care Reform. So thank you for anything, and all, you can do.
Change that Works can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr.
On September 1, 2009,
in Liberate Your Radio from The Right,
by Freddie
I’ve already written a little about my own situation with regard to healthcare. I’m not particularly concerned, but let’s review the scenario:
I recently resigned from an employer to start a new business. Having a thorough personal understanding of the importance of health insurance (ranking it just underneath food and just ahead of rent/mortgage in terms of financial priorities), I planned to enroll in an individual plan. I also have a pre-existing condition, which makes any change to my insurance circumstances somewhat of a hurdle. So right now, I face:
- getting approved for the individual plan for which I applied, albeit delayed while underwriters (at the same provider!) re-review my medical and health history because of my pre-existing condition, which has never resulted in the need for access to healthcare
- or, getting denied for the individual plan for which I applied, forcing me to rely on COBRA, which not only is extremely expensive but also expires after 18 months
At the moment, my situation is not an emergency. It could become extremely expensive in the short term if I’m denied for the individual plan for which I applied, but I’m not too worried about being declared to be uninsurable, although that is a slight risk, as it is for all Americans. But is this health security?
And this brings me to my point. The primary reason we need health insurance reform in America right now is to ensure that Americans have adequate health security in a world with better diagnostics and rising healthcare costs. As life expectancy has increased, so has medical technology and information improved. We know more about chronic conditions now, and we have data that gives us a better grip on epidemiology. And there are epidemics. Everything from diabetes to cancer. And right now we operate in a world where, for most Americans, health insurance benefits are a function of employment and employers, and private insurers prefer working with groups rather than individuals, from among whom they’re quite satisfied cherry picking.
Here’s the thing about healthcare. Unless we achieve some type of actual health insurance reform, every single one of the 47 million uninsured Americans who is uninsured because they are uninsurable as designated by a private insurance company will continue to lack access to health insurance until they have spent down their assets–cash, house, investments–to poverty level, which allows them to qualify for Medicaid. They must then remain at a function of the federal poverty line– lest they become ineligible for Medicaid–until they qualify for Medicare at age 65. The alternative is to keep one’s assets and hope that one can just keep living long enough to survive visits to the emergency room when things get really terrible because that’s the only place that has a mandate, and the mandate is just to stabilize emergency conditions. And don’t forget: They’ll still bill you later.
So let’s be clear: Every American who gets an unexpected diagnosis just before changing jobs, or while covered under COBRA, lives with the extreme risk that they will lose access to insurance. Every American who actually has private insurance, maybe even likes their plan, might not realize that that plan likely carries a lifetime maximum in terms of what the policy covers. Maybe $1m. Maybe $5m. Or an annual maximum. Or a high enough deductible that, if an injury or illness preventing work occurs, might become punitive when extended across 30 years.
Our system of healthcare in America right now is the best in the world… for healthy Americans! For unhealthy Americans, it becomes a nearly guaranteed system of oppression. This is why some form of universal healthcare is a necessity. Because anything short of that is a systematic short circuit of the American dream for anyone who winds up injured or ill. This is why we’re all in this together. This is why we either need to pool our risk in a national consensus of some kind to ensure that no unhealthy American is left behind. Or we need a better idea that I haven’t yet heard.
So I want to hear from a Republican who opposes anything a Democrat proposes regarding health insurance reform: What do you say to the 47 million Americans without access to health insurance? What do you say to the hundreds of millions of Americans who are not independently wealthy and rely on meaningful health security to remain healthy and working? I get that you want to give ‘em all a tax credit. I get that. I’ve read John Mackey’s 8 Whole Foods Half Healthcare reforms that would lower costs, and not a single one of ‘em solves the problem of access to insurance when you’re uninsurable. So what else ya got, Republicans, because a tax credit ain’t gonna cut it in terms of keeping 47 million Americans out of poverty and ensuring that all Americans have health security. But I get this sneaking suspicion that you don’t actually care.
In the meantime, the Affordable Health Choices Act (in the Senate) and America’s Affordable Health Choices Act (in the House) provide an opportunity to expand health security to millions more Americans. Consider contacting Lamar Alexander, Bob Corker, and Jim Cooper and encouraging them to support these bills.
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GUESTS: Monday, March 15, 2010 Chris Ford of TN Conservation Voters, Bob Tuke, and Karl Frisch of of Media Matters for America.
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