The Axis: Big Pharma / Insurance / The GOP

[BLUSH]

It's an axis, you can't trust any one of the three. They're allies in a war on healthcare reform.


Steven Reynolds

The American public trusts pharmaceuitical companies and insurance companies to handle healthcare reform more than they trust Republicans. To some degree this is just not news. Who could trust the Republicans on anything? Just yesterday Republican Senator John Ensign resigned from his leadership in the Senate in the wake of his admission of adultry, a case that is looking more and more like it includes a little quid pro quo. Michelle Bachman, meanwhile, has openly declared she will break the law when it comes time to fill out the census. No, it is hard to trust Republicans, but to trust them less than one would trust Big Pharma? That’s stunning, and reflective of just about how much I trust Republicans to fix healthcare in this country.

http://allspinzone.com/wp/2009/06/18/americans-trust-big-pharma-more-than-republicans

[QC]

1. Unfortunately, the DNC needs to be on that list as well.

Our own party is busy selling us out right now.

[BLUSH]

2. Go Away, Tom Daschle

June 19, 2009

Dear Sentor Daschle,

Go away.

Please.


... this week, you forced your way back into the picture, releasing a "bipartisan proposal" that you crafted with, of all people, Bob Dole. It was a depressingly typical effort at bipartisanship from you: all the compromise came from the Democratic side. It included no public option, essentially leaving the health care out of health care reform.

You said you'd prefer a public option, but that reaching a "consensus" is more important. "We've come too far and gained too much momentum for our efforts to fail over disagreements on one single issue," you said.

In other words, it's more important that Bob Dole approve of the plan for health care reform than to actually solve the problem health care reform is supposed to solve.

And that's your fatal flaw, Senator. You put bipartisanship above all other values. You believe that consensus is more important than results. Your comity created a do-nothing attitude while you were the Majority Leader, and it is the last thing we need now in the middle of a fight to fix the most broken thing about America: its criminal health care system that literally kills people.

So please, I beg of you, do America a favor. Take your bipartisan health care plan and go away. We don't need another Democrat telling us how important it is for us to play nice with the Republicans while millions of Americans go without health care.


Sincerely,
Jesse Berney

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jesse-berney/go-away-tom-daschle_b_218010.html

[Jakes Progress]

7. Bipartisanship is washington-speak for screw the people. nt

[avaistheone1]

8. It's a united front to give us crumbs or nothing at all.

That is not acceptable to me at all.

[BLUSH]

3. The Big Three of healthcare may roadblock reform

The Big Three of healthcare may roadblock reform

June 17, 5:14 PM
Raymond GellnerGo

In the United States our healthcare system is in shambles. In fact, to even call it a “system” is to imply a sense of order where in reality none exists. Over 46 million Americans (or 18%) under age 65 are unable to obtain any health insurance.(1) In addition, it is estimated that another 29% of Americans are underinsured.(2) With almost 50% of the population in such dire straits, it would seem a given that the nations leaders in Washington would work diligently and in a bipartisan manner for sweeping changes in order to avert this disaster. Unfortunately, once again instead of following the interests of the citizens of the United States, many of our Washington DC representatives are being wooed away from the will of the voters by the constant stream of attention they receive from corporate lobbyists.

There are three factions that have fought fervently in opposition to any kind of governmental input into our healthcare system: the American Medical Association (AMA), the pharmaceutical companies (aka Big Pharma), and the health insurance companies. All three of these lobbying organizations have a vested interest in a lack of government intervention. Such an event would create competition and/or regulation thereby reducing their present ability to self-regulate their own profit margins, despite the affect it has on the rising cost of healthcare.

The AMA is a powerful conservative organization comprised of doctors which has a very powerful lobbying presence in DC. Since the early twentieth century, it has fought time and time again against any form of government sponsored medical program. Contrary to its normal position on this issue, last week it reversed its decision to completely oppose any government sponsored health care reform, and it is now willing to discuss such matters. This was further enforced earlier this week when President Obama addressed their annual conference in Chicago, as noted in the article “Obama's meeting with AMA fuels health care reform cooperation.” However, whether they are genuine in their attempt to work with this administration in order to solve our health care crisis remains to be seen.

The private insurance companies and “Big Pharma” would have quite a bit to lose if a public option for healthcare was to be initiated, and they spend millions of dollars every year to lobby against this occurrence. As it stands now, they have a free hand in negotiating between themselves the prices for medications and then merely pass the cost on to the patient. Their motives are circular and their goals are complementary to each other in the extreme; ergo each industry elevates the profits of the other. Such arrangements within other industries have been equated to price-fixing and subsequently prosecuted, but so far these two industries have avoided this fate. This robber baron mentality is further illustrated as they cast away those who cannot afford health care in attempt to maximize profits.

http://www.examiner.com/x-11326-Charlotte-Liberal-Examiner~y2009m6d17-The-Big-Three-of-health-care-may-provide-a-roadblock-to-reform

[Thothmes]

4. From what I hear about the current debates in Congress

it is big Pharma/ Insurance/ democratic representative/senators. Remember, on this forum we celebrate that fact that Both the House and the Sentate are in the hands of the Democratic Party. What we get for health care reform cannot be blamed on George Bush. We created it, we voted for it, and most probably our President will sign it.

[BLUSH]

9. Yes we now control both houses and the executive

But we have the blue dogs to contend with.

[FrenchieCat]

5. You are forgetting the MEDIA.....

and they don't just play a guest star role either.

[BLUSH]

10. The networks have a lot to lose

They make a whole lot of $$$ from those erectile dysfunction commercials that seem to run 24/7.

(If I ever went four hours or longer without seeing one of those ads, I think I'd call that emergency number.)

[Cha]

6. The corporatemediaWhores but

that could go under gop.

[freddie mertz]

11. You left out the Senate Dems, Blue Dogs, and other enemies of the people

I am not even certain about the President.

Seems to me he could have done a lot more, earlier on, to set a better, stronger tone and define the reform in more progressive terms.

[BLUSH]

12. To quote Prick Santelli, "Are You Listening Mr. President?"

In Poll, Wide SUPPORT for Government-Run Health

By KEVIN SACK and MARJORIE CONNELLY
Published: June 20, 2009

Americans overwhelmingly support substantial changes to the health care system and are strongly behind one of the most contentious proposals Congress is considering, a government-run insurance plan to compete with private insurers, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll.

The poll found that most Americans would be willing to pay higher taxes so everyone could have health insurance and that they said the government could do a better job of holding down health-care costs than the private sector.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/21/health/policy/21poll.html

[BLUSH]

13. Single-payer advocate speaks to Blue Dogs on health reform

Single-payer advocate speaks to Blue Dogs on health reform

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2009

Contacts:
Robert Stone, M.D., cell: [phone], [phone], [email protected]
Mark Almberg, [phone], cell: [phone], [email protected]

Dr. Robert Stone, a leader of Physicians for a National Health Program, an organization of 16,000 physicians who advocate for single-payer national health insurance, spoke to the Health Care Task Force of the Democratic Blue Dog Coalition on Capitol Hill Thursday.

In his remarks, Stone emphasized how single-payer health reform, as embodied in the U.S. National Health Care Act, H.R. 676, is the most fiscally responsible way of addressing the nation’s health care woes.

Stone said that by replacing the for-profit, private health insurance companies with a single-payer program – an improved Medicare for All – the United States would save more than $400 billion in administrative costs annually. He also said that single payer is only reform proposal that includes effective cost-containment provisions.

“In short, single payer is the only plan that pays for itself and covers everyone. It’s fiscally conservative and socially responsible,â€� Stone said.

The Blue Dog Coalition’s Health Care Task Force was launched in March at the time of President Obama’s White House summit on health care reform. It is chaired by Rep. Mike Ross of Arkansas, and its members include Rep. Jim Cooper of Tennessee, Rep. John Barrow of Georgia, Rep. Earl Pomeroy of North Dakota and Rep. Baron Hill of Indiana, among others. Like the Blue Dog caucus itself, the task force emphasizes fiscal conservatism.

Rep. Hill helped arrange the invitation for Stone to speak to the group.

Several members of the Blue Dog caucus were co-sponsors of the single-payer bill, H.R. 676, in the 110th Congress.

http://www.pnhp.org/news/2009/june/singlepayer_advocat.php

[DefenseLawyer]

14. The GOP has no power, don't blame them.

Yes, they are quite happy that many of our Senate leaders are riding the gravy train with them, but make no mistake, it is our guys that are scuttling healthcare reform.

[BLUSH]

15. What's to stop them from filibustering any bill?

We still don't have Al Franken seated yet.

[DefenseLawyer]

16. Filibuster what?

See what Baucus and Conrad have to say about what they consider to be healthcare reform. They are in charge. The Republicans won't have to filibuster a bill for public health insurance since our guys won't be bringing any such bill to the floor.

[BLUSH]

17. I guess our public health care plan is "sleeping with the fishes"

Maybe we need a codfather instead of a president, someone who will make an offer these sellouts can't refuse.


Lobbyists Will Cast Their Lines During Baucus' Fishing Weekend

Thu Jun 18, 10:56 pm ET

Senate Finance Chairman Max Baucus of Montana plans to take a break from the grind of crafting a health care overhaul to serve as a Democratic rainmaker with a few of his friends along the Madison, Gallatin and Yellowstone rivers in the Treasure State this weekend.

Lobbyists and political supporters will get their chance to cast fishing lines and drive golf balls with the Senate's top tax writer at his Fly-Fishing & Golfing in Big Sky event. The cost is $2,500 per person, $5,000 for a political action committee. And for the same price, more fun lies ahead at Camp Baucus, the summer camp he holds for friends and their families in his home state between July 31 and Aug. 2.

Advocates of public financing of elections -- such as Craig Holman, a lobbyist for Public Citizen -- say lucrative parties like the Baucus events give special interests undue influence over legislation.

"It's unseemly to be doing this just before the markup," said Holman, referring to pending committee action on Baucus' draft health care bill. "This kind of schmoozing of lawmakers clearly buys influence. This kind of event clearly shows why we need public financing."

Baucus brushed aside the criticism. "There's no problem. I've been doing these events for more than 10 years," he said. Baucus said he did not know how many contributors would be attending.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/cq/20090619/pl_cq_politics/politics3147708

[BLUSH]

18. A Role For Big Pharma? Sure, Max Baucus Doesn't Think They've Ripped Us Off Enough

A Role For Big Pharma? Sure, Max Baucus Doesn't Think They've Ripped Us Off Enough

June 21, 2009

The pharmaceutical industry agreed Saturday to spend $80 billion over the next decade improving drug benefits for seniors on Medicare and defraying the cost of President Barack Obama's health care legislation, capping secretive negotiations involving key lawmakers and the White House.

''This new coverage means affordable prices on prescription drugs when Medicare benefits don't cover the cost of prescriptions,'' Sen. Max Baucus, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said in a statement announcing the accord.

...Baucus' announcement said drug companies would pay half of the cost of brand-name drugs for seniors in the so-called doughnut hole-- a gap in coverage that is a feature of many of the plans providing prescription coverage under Medicare. Other officials said wealthier Medicare beneficiaries would not receive the same break, but there was no mention of that in the statement.

http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2009/06/role-for-big-pharma-sure-max-baucus.html

[BLUSH]

19. Dionne: The ‘bipartisan’ trap in health care reform

E.J. Dionne

Where did we get the idea that the only good health care bill is a bipartisan bill? Is bipartisanship more important than whether a proposal is practical and effective? And if bipartisanship is a legitimate goal, isn’t each party equally responsible for achieving it?

This week, the health care debate moved from general principles to the agonizing specifics of how much reform will cost, who will pay and which groups get what.

If this were a perfect laboratory experiment, Democrats and Republicans would enter such discussions agreeing on core goals and then argue over how to tweak certain provisions and spread the costs equitably.

That’s what Howard Baker, Tom Daschle and Bob Dole, the bipartisan trio of former Senate leaders, suggested in a report yesterday. Good for them. And Max Baucus, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, still hopes to be health care’s Great Compromiser, this era’s Henry Clay, even if the messy particulars slowed his efforts this week.

But there should be no illusions: On health care, the two parties are far apart on the fundamentals.


http://www.saratogian.com/articles/2009/06/23/opinion/doc4a4047657112f450301232.txt