Minnesota Lawmaker’s Efforts May Breathe New Life into House Version of Health Reform Bill

[This article posted on July 25, 2009. It is posted within the following categories: CMS, Politics & The Law, via Michael Douglas, MD, MBA.]

U.S. Congresswoman (Saint Paul, MN is her district) Betty McCollum‘s concerns are raising confidence in the House version of the health reform bill currently delayed by last minute wrangling. I have always admired McCollum and her homespun, honest, and earnest approach to leadership as a lawmaker on a national scale. Because of her strategic coalition building around the issue of Medicare reimbursement inequities in this country, other top Democratic congressional lawmakers are taking note by including adding a “value index” provision in the bill’s language as an effort to correct regional disparities in payments to physicians.

Indeed, the Medicare FFS system is a broken one, and payment inequities are just another shining example of waste in that system. Because the need — as cited by Democratic lawmakers (excluding the “Blue Dogs” up for re-election in ’10) for a government financed public option — is paramount, McCollum’s move is a significant one. All of Minnesota’s congressional delegates are on board with this provision, and it appears to be making Speaker Pelosi much more confident of the House’s chances for the bill’s passage on the Democrats’ terms. | LINK

2 Responses to “Minnesota Lawmaker’s Efforts May Breathe New Life into House Version of Health Reform Bill”

jacksmith says:

July 25, 2009 at 8:40 PM

LEAD, FOLLOW, OR GET OUT OF THE WAY. (Thomas Paine)

We have the 37th worst quality of healthcare in the developed world. Conservative estimates are that over 120,000 of you dies each year in America from treatable illness that people in other developed countries don’t die from. Rich, middle class, and poor a like. Insured and uninsured. Men, women, children, and babies. This is what being 37th in quality of healthcare means.

I know that many of you are angry and frustrated that REPUBLICANS! In congress are dragging their feet and trying to block TRUE healthcare reform. What republicans want is just a taxpayer bailout of the DISGRACEFUL GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance industry, and the DISGRACEFUL GREED DRIVEN PRIVATE FOR PROFIT healthcare industry. An insurance bailout is all you really get without a robust government-run public option available on day one.

These industries have been slaughtering you and your loved ones like cattle for decades for profit. Including members of congress and their families. These REPUBLICANS are FOOLS!

Republicans and their traitorous allies have been trying to make it look like it’s President Obama’s fault for the delays, and foot dragging. But I think you all know better than that. President Obama inherited one of the worst government catastrophes in American history from these REPUBLICANS! And President Obama has done a brilliant job of turning things around, and working his heart out for all of us.

But Republicans think you are just a bunch of stupid, idiot, cash cows with short memories. Just like they did under the Bush administration when they helped Bush and Cheney rape America and the rest of the World.

But you don’t have to put up with that. And this is what you can do. The Republicans below will be up for reelection on November 2, 2010. Just a little over 13 months from now. And many of you will be able to vote early. So pick some names and tell their voters that their representatives (by name) are obstructing TRUE healthcare reform. And are sellouts to the insurance and medical lobbyist.

Ask them to contact their representatives and tell them that they are going to work to throw them out of office on November 2, 2010, if not before by impeachment, or recall elections. Doing this will give you something more to do to make things better in America. And it will help you feel better too.

There are many resources on the internet that can help you find people to call and contact. For example, many social networking sites can be searched by state, city, or University. Be inventive and creative. I can think of many ways to do this. But be nice. These are your neighbors. And most will want to help.

I know there are a few democrats that have been trying to obstruct TRUE healthcare reform too. But the main problem is the Bush Republicans. Removing them is the best thing tactically to do. On the other hand. If you can easily replace a democrat obstructionist with a supportive democrat, DO IT!

You have been AMAZING!!! my people. Don’t loose heart. You knew it wasn’t going to be easy saving the World.

God Bless You

jacksmith — Working Class

Republican Senators up for re-election in 2010.

* Richard Shelby of Alabama
* Lisa Murkowski of Alaska
* John McCain of Arizona
* Mel Martinez of Florida
* Johnny Isakson of Georgia
* Mike Crapo of Idaho
* Chuck Grassley of Iowa
* Sam Brownback of Kansas
* Jim Bunning of Kentucky
* David Vitter of Louisiana
* Kit Bond of Missouri
* Judd Gregg of New Hampshire
* Richard Burr of North Carolina
* George Voinovich of Ohio
* Tom Coburn of Oklahoma
* Jim DeMint of South Carolina
* John Thune of South Dakota
* Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas
* Bob Bennett of Utah
Hospitals, Physicians Raise Stakes on Obama’s Push for an Independent Medicare Payment Commission | DOCTOR PUNDIT says:

July 31, 2009 at 11:41 AM

[...] monologue and calling for fairness on this issue. Of course, it always helps to have a lawmaker or two in your corner, as well. Is a Medicare “Payment Czar” in the works, and would it be a [...]