Frist Predicts Tax, Premium Hikes With Democratic Health Bill

What a disgrace! The halls of the Capitol are filled with CON men. That is right, change the wording. Instead of CONGRESS, change that to CONMEN. That would be much more appropriate for the behavior of these so called representatives. They just don't care about the American people..in fact they have complete disdain for all of us. Can you imagine that they are going to pass a bill that will cost trillions, dessimate Medicare and really hurt seniors, and tax us to death! This is healthcare? This is outright indirect murder of seniors. This is a monstrosity of bureaucratic bloat for the lobbyists and special interest groups. This bill has nothing to do with the welfare of the American people..it is about power; payoffs; and the distruction of our economy. Imagine taxing people when our country is in total shambles; unemployment is in double digits; they don't care! They are disregarding the will of the people for their own political benefits...We need to flood the switchboards; flood the emails of these congressmen and senators and let them know that we are not taking it anymore. Imagine, that they will not place this bill on the internet? Thank Pelosi for that...these so called representatives lie with impunity; lying has become an art with this administration and with the CONGRESS (uh I mean CONMEN). They are intent on destroying this country, and if the people of this country want to get our country back, they must vote out these CON MEN in 2010! This is steamroller; they are moving fast because they know the people of this country are on to them. This is an abomination! This is totally outrageous! This is a deliberate plan to destroy our country and bring in Socialism and a Nanny State...Can you imagine that today the President had a meeting with big business, but he left out the small business man! What is he trying to say? He is saying...he just does give a darn about small business..it is about big government, intertwined with big business; and world government...We are in deep trouble in the United States of America. I fear for my country.

tressa of NY 4:18PM October 08, 2009

He thinks he still runs the Senate and would not vote for anything except tax cuts for the upper class and budget cuts to everything else. Fortunately, he does not run the Senate.

As for reform itself, you will "bend the cost curve" when you get single payer. Otherwise, you will just tax the poor (including everyone under $200,000 income) with increased premiums and diminished benefits.

Muser of NM 11:03PM October 05, 2009

Most educated Americans agree that reform is needed. However, polling indicates that most Americans prefer to have reform in small doses. What has pitted working-class Americans against the plan is the Democrats proposed costly take over of the entire HC system while completely ignoring simple, easy-to-implement, and cheap reforms.

These proposed reforms include inter-state competition, federal guarantees for (similar to the SBA) for those with pre-existing conditions, a "health-bill of rights" that every insurer must offer, tort reform, etc. However, none of these options have been introduced by the Democrats and they have shot down every Republican idea.

The left doesn't understand what the town-hall uprisings and TEA parties were about. They are trying to sell these efforts as "racism".

I, like my neighbors and friends are not racists. You will not simply shut down our voices by calling us names or running Janeane Garafalo out on Bill Maher or MSNBC to try and sound educated. There are reasons why more and more Americans are watching the likes of Fox News and researching the truth for themselves on the internet and relying less on CNN, MSNBC, the big three networks, and the print media.

The fact of the matter is that both parties don't care about our opinion. I have written the same letter voicing my concerns to all of my elected representatives and have gotten the same form letter back from all three with the same Democratic talking points making the case for the government takeover of our health-care system.

Our two major political parties only care about power,money, and re-election.

If you haven't done so yet, go to opensecret.org. You can track who the big political donors are in your zip code. You wouldn't be surprised to know that the American Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA), know known as the American Association for Justice, gave 90% of its $30MM of lobbying dollars toDemocratic candidates. I would think that is the only reason that there is no provision for tort reform in any of the pending bills in the House or Senate.

Of the top 35 "heavy hitters" under the "influence and lobbying" section, 17 organizations gave heavily to the Democrats, 11 gave evenly to both parties, and seven leaned towards Republicans.

Of the 17 giving to the Democratic side, 15 are predictably labor unions, another is Goldman Sachs (former home of Tim Geithner), and the other is EMILY'S List, a pro-choice group that works to get like-minded women combined.

We literally can't afford a massive overhaul of the health-care system. Please advocate for smaller, targeted reforms with benchmarks for monitoring. If they don't work, try something else. If we implement what is being debated today, we will never forget the party that brought it to fruition and exact our revenge at the ballot box.

J Elihu Smails of OH 10:07PM October 05, 2009

HERE IS THE TRUTH....

Of the 5 billing now in progress, the two versions (1 from house and 1 from senate ) will DEFINITELY have the following characteristics:

1. NO TORT REFORM - lawyers control the process and this injustice will continue. No reform here.

2. NO PORTABILITY except in very exceptional circumstances. No reform here.

3. PREMIUMS FOR EVERYONE PAYING FOR INSURNACE will be taxable (and if your employer pays for your family plan, then you should plan on a $3,000 to $6,000 tax hike).

4. No public option. HOWEVER, there will be the coops started and everyone without insurance will be REQUIRED to pay for this option, costing on average $4,000 per family per year (after tax).

5. SAVINGS FROM REDUCTIONS IN MEDICARE!!! There will be $500 billion to $700 billion in cost reductions carved out of the MEDICARE. Too bad if you are over 65.

6. The rest - 1200 pages will be filled with exceptions and requirements for bureaucrats to create committees and pricing formulas and cost triggers, etc. Lots of detail for clever people to make money off this thing for years to come!!!

That is what you get. Save this note. Mark my words this is what you will get. But hey, OBAMA said if you like your plan and doctor you get to keep your plan and doctor. What he FAILED TO MENTION was that you will be PAYING A LOT MORE and GETTING A LOT LESS in services.

Mark My words....!!!!

Barry's Conscience of HI 9:52PM October 05, 2009