Research is needed on committee members hearing about the health care issue.

[LiberalFighter]

Find out which insurance companies are subsidizing the committee members.

[Vinca]

1. I was thinking the exact same thing today. If people show up to protest,

they should carry signs telling the exact dollar amount given to which member with the insurance company named in big letters.

[avaistheone1]

2. The Top 10 Enemies of Single-Payer

The Profiteers of Suffering
The Top 10 Enemies of Single-Payer

By RUSSELL MOKHIBER
Most people, when they arrive in Washington, D.C., see it for what it is – a cesspool of corruption.
Two reasonable reactions to the cesspool.

One, run away screaming in fear.

Two, stay and fight back and bring to justice those who have corrupted our democracy.
Unfortunately, many choose a third way – stay and be transformed.
Instead of seeing a cesspool, they begin seeing a hot tub.

continued at
http://www.counterpunch.org/mokhiber04162009.html

[Freddie Stubbs]

6. Any enemies list which includes Obama is immediately suspect

[avaistheone1]

8. BS It clearly states Obama supported single payer while in Illinois

It also goes on to state Obama can get off this list by showing his support for single-payer.

[Freddie Stubbs]

9. It is misleading in implying that his opposition began when he moved into the White House

Last year he specifically campaigned for reform which would allow people to keep their employer-paid coverage.

[avaistheone1]

11. When did his opposition begin?

[avaistheone1]

3. Here's more about what lobbyists are providing money to control the discussion

Follow the (insurance lobby's) money

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/patients/articles/?storyId=24339

[LiberalFighter]

5. Don't forget the boards their spouses sit on.

[slipslidingaway]

4. Sen Max Baucus D-MT donor list for '08 election cycle.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5601037&mesg_id=5601037

http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.php?cid=N00004643&cycle=2008&type=I&newMem=N&recs=100


And which companies are invited to testify at the health care hearings.

[avaistheone1]

7. Top Recipients of Health Care and Drug Lobbyists' Money

http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/recips.php?Ind=H04

[snowdays]

10. Baucus's own plan would require every American to show proof of insurance, .......

Obamacare as it is now is Baucuscare and deserves to be critiqued:

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/corporateering/articles/?storyId=25472


On the blog — March 09, 2009
Will Baucus's HMO and drug company bucks foil Obamacare?

Posted by Jamie Court

I remember flying around Montana on a national HMO patients' rights tour when Democratic US Senator Max Baucus was positioning himself as the real HMO reformer compared to longtime Republican US Senator from Montana Conrad Burns. Now Baucus, as the Chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, is positioned to dictate the terms of health care reform on Capitol Hill. Senator Ted Kennedy has even anointed him as his deputy-in-absentia.

The problem is a new study of campaign contributions by Consumer Watchdog shows Baucus is the top Democratic donee on the Hill from the HMO and drug industries, raking in $183,750 from health insurance companies and $229,020 from drug companies, during the last two election cycles. And Baucus did not have a serious challenge at the polls, winning reelection by a landslide. The top 10 donees in Congress received $2.2 million from health insurers and $3.3 million from drug companies.

Responding to the Washington Post regarding the study, Baucus's spokesperson said the money didn't matter, that Baucus would be tough on industry. Unfortunately, Senator Baucus's positions are a little too close to the HMOs' and drug companies'. Last week he pooh-poohed President Obama's effort to raise taxes on the wealthy to finance a health care overhaul. At last week's White House summit on health reform, Senator Baucus said that the insurance companies and drug companies had told him they would help drive a solution.

Baucus's own plan would require every American to show proof of insurance, with those who do not receive coverage from an employer or are not in Medicaid or Medicare forced to buy a private health insurance policy. Failure to show proof of insurance would result in tax fines. This is the insurance industry's favored policy.

Campaign contributions may be the mother's milk of politics, but HMO and drug company money threatens to sour Obamacare. ....................

[avaistheone1]

12. The health insurance industry must be kissing Baucas' behind all over on that.

This is bogus reform. Forcing people who can not afford to pay for it to have health insurance!
Brilliant! Even many of the middle class find carrying a decent health care policy unaffordable. My health insurance premium is as much as my mortgage payment. I can no longer afford it either.

[snowdays]

13. I had to drop mine after paying COBRA for a few months.

[avaistheone1]

14. I am so sorry. That really stinks. I thought Obama's new plan helps

subsidize your COBRA payments?

[snowdays]

15. came to late. anyway, I am done with corporate insurance

companies. single payer is the only way to go. but they own many in our congress.