Republicans trying to sue over "Unconstitution Health Care Bill"

Republican attorneys general in 13 states say congressional leaders must remove Nebraska's political deal from the federal health care reform bill or face legal action, according to a letter provided to The Associated Press Wednesday.

"We believe this provision is constitutionally flawed," South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster and the 12 other attorneys general wrote in the letter to be sent Wednesday night to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

"As chief legal officers of our states we are contemplating a legal challenge to this provision and we ask you to take action to render this challenge unnecessary by striking that provision," they wrote.

In a rare Christmas Eve vote, Senate Democrats pushed sweeping health care legislation to the brink of Senate passage, crushing a year-end Republican filibuster against President Barack Obama's call to remake the nation's health care system. The 60-39 vote marked the third time in as many days Democrats posted a supermajority needed to advance the legislation.

Full article Here

Key Democrat Won't Hold Out for a Public Option

The House's third-ranking Democrat said Sunday that he can support a healthcare reform bill without a public option.

House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) -- a proponent of a government-run public plan -- said that he could back the bill as long as it creates more choice and competition in the insurance industry and reduces costs. "It's of no consequence" whether it's done via the public option or not.
Click Here for the rest of the article

Just in Case you were wondering

Sorry for the Doom and Gloom, but it's just a reminder.

Pres. Obama's response after the Senate approved their version of the bill.

Obviously he supports their decision to approve the bill.  But this is his response none the less.

Merry Christmas

Senate passes $871 Billion health care bill with a vote 60-39

 What's Next?

Because the Senate will be sending back a different legislative vehicle than the House sent to them (the Senate will be sending back H.R. 3590 rather than the House-passed H.R. 3692), the House will have the opportunity to choose from among the following options:

1. Agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 3590, in which case they're done and the bill is ready for signature;

2. Further amend H.R. 3590 (as amended by the Senate) and send it back to the Senate, with an insistence on its position and requesting a conference;

3. Further amend H.R. 3590 (as amended by the Senate) and send it back to the Senate without further comment, letting the Senate decide to accept the House amendments and finish the bill, or alternatively insist on a conference;

4. Simply disagree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 3590 and move immediately to go to conference on the two different versions of that bill, or;

5. Do nothing right away on the floor, but instead begin informal negotiations on a package of amendments acceptable to both a majority in the House and 60 Senators.

This will happen after the New Year.

As Posted from Congress Matters

Alabama Democrat leaves to Republican side over health care.

I think this guy is obviously doing this because he knows he will not get reelected.  It's good that he is feeling the pressure from the people in his district, but bad that it came after the House already voted for their version of the bill.

I think it's to little to late Mr. Parker Griffith, you have officially pissed off the people in Alabama.

Way to speak your voice Alabama.

Full article HERE

Back to Basics. You Have to Watch

How the Bill process works.  School House Rock version.

Sen. Ben Nelson Answers Questions About Being the 60th Vote.

He talks a little bit about it , but I don't think the questions were very good.  They need to be asking these guys hard questions.  Then again, that might have been some precursor to the interview, that he wouldn't be asked certain questions.  None the less, take it for what you will.

Oprah Christmas Special: Interview with the Obama's

An excerpt from the interview.



Full video click HERE

Health Care Bill on track to Pass: Sen. Ben Nelson Agrees to the 60th Vote.

Senator Ben Nelson agreed to be the 60th vote needed to pass the health care bill.  This comes with negotiated concessions for federal funding of abortions.

Negotiated highlights

• Concessions to limit federal funds for abortion
• 130 billion saved over 10 years
• Gives states the ability to pass a law to disallow coverage of abortion through health care
• Mechanism set up to displace federal funds to health care that plan to fund abortions.

Read the full article HERE

Rules of the Senate

This is a great video.  It shows how the Senate works and how they differ from the House.  Must see.

Health Care Public Option Dropped - Bill Losing Support

The government-run health care system died Wednesday as the public option (The public option as proposed in the House health care bill, is a government-run health insurance plan, like Medicare, that would compete along side private insurers in a new Health Insurance Exchange that the bill would set up.) was removed in the Senate.  It failed when Senate Democratic leaders sought agreement with Sen. Ben Nelson, to become the 60th supporter of health care overhaul -- the number needed to overcome a Republican filibuster.

Senator Bernie Sanders, said that he will NOT vote for the health care bill as it stands, now that the public option has been removed.

“I’m struggling with this. As of this point, I’m not voting for the bill. … I’m going to do my best to make this bill a better bill, a bill that I can vote for, but I’ve indicated both to the White House and the Democratic leadership that my vote is not secure at this point. And here is the reason. When the public option was withdrawn, because of Lieberman’s action, what I worry about is how do you control escalating health care costs?”

How To Get Involved In Politics

   Other than obvious things like voting, it is easy to get involved in politics.  It can be done in four easy steps right from your home computer.  The first step is to get to know you Congressmen in the House of Representatives and contact them; let them know how you feel.  Second, you have to get familiar with your senators in your state and contact them as well.  Third, stay on top of what the President is doing and write or call the White House.  Fourth, you have to stay current with the events in Washington D.C.

1st Step: Getting to know your Representative (Rep.) in the House

    Getting to know your Rep. in the house is easy, but very important.  Your Representative does just what his/her title refers: represents you and the people in you congressional district.  They are there to speak your voice to congress and the president.  A problem lies when the Americans in a particular district do not share their voice, this gives the Rep. the ability to take his/her own agenda or the agenda of the few that do contact him/her, and we both well know that is not a good thing.  To contact your Rep. “Click Here”, type in your zip code and follow the contact links.  It is just that easy

2nd Step: Get familiar with the senators from your state.

   The Senate is the other side of Congress, opposite the House of Representatives and was created by our founding fathers to give each state equal representation, unlike the House, which is controlled by population.  Knowing your senators is equally as important as your Rep. in the House.  When a bill is created and is voted on by congress, it is voted on by the House and the Senate.  The bill has to have majority votes both in the Senate and the House to reach the President to be signed into law.  This is why projecting your voice to your senators is so important; they vote on bills just as the House does.  If there was a bill that has been approved in the House, then now the Senate will be debating and voting not long after.  It is very important to let your senators know how you feel.  Contacting your senators is easy, “Click Here”, select your state, and follow the contact information.

3rd Step: Follow the actions and agenda of the President.

    As much as you may dislike or disagree with the President, the President will have a direct impact on your life.  The President usually sets the tone and puts forth the agendas to be voted on in congress.  The President also places a tremendous amount of pressure on congress to put together bills in his/her’s best interest.  The President also has the power to veto a bill if he/she does not agree with it.  And usually after a veto the bill dies or it takes a 2/3 votes in both the Senate and the House for the bill to become law.  With that said, it is very important to follow the President and it is easy to do, “Click Here” and you can get updated information on what the President is up to.  Don’t agree with it?  Let him/her know.

4th Step: Stay current with the events in Washington D.C.

   Staying current with what’s going on in Washington is important for obvious reasons.  You have to know what’s happening to make you voice viable.  Simply ranting to your congressmen or the president about what you father, mother or friend tells you are simply sharing your father, mother or friend’s voice; you’re still mute and trivial. And it’s easy to stay up date with current events on Capitol Hill.  Visit “Best For The U.S.” Daily and get the latest, unbiased news.  Take that news and let your congressmen know what you think and how you feel.

    Using the four steps talked about above, we can all make a difference in our country.  This country was built and constructed with the idea that the American citizens would be involved and voicing their opinion.  Without our voices, we are at the mercy of those we elect.  Visit “Best The For U.S.” and let them know that we have the authority.

Obama Feeling Pressure: Health Care Bill May Not Pass

Barack Obama has called Democratic senators to the White House at getting health care reform passed by the end of the year.

 
Tuesday afternoon's meeting comes from signs of lack of support from a few senators and to obtain the 60 votes needed for it to pass in the Senate.  Primarily Joe Lieberman, an independent whose vote is necessary to secure the bill's approval.  Securing health care reform is very much a priority for President Obama

Senate Approves $447 Billion Dollar Spending Bill

The Senate approved $447 billion in spending for the 2010 budget year - money needed to fund the federal government after this week. On a vote of 57-35, the Senate approved the spending plan.

The bill also authorizes about $600 billion in federal spending on government programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, funding that is set by formula and cannot be altered by Congress.

So totaling about 1.1 Trillion, do you think that the government should cut some programs, or do the American people need these programs for our day to day lives?

The Senate Sets Aside a Bill to Restrict Federal Funding for Abortion, probably for good.

Sen. Ben Nelson's (D-Neb.) amendment 2962 (To prohibit the use of Federal funds for abortions.) was voted 54-45 to motion to table, or set aside.  So it looks like American tax payers will most likely be paying for women's abortions if the Health Care bill is passed.

If you do not agree with paying for abortion you may want to contact your representative in the senate.

Click here to view the results of the vote.

A Liberal view of the Health Care Bill

OK, all you liberals will praise this and all you conservatives will cringe.  But I think this gives a good idea of what the Democrats are trying to push for the Health Care Bill.

Obviously he supports the bill.  I think the ideas he states are good, but will it come with consequence?  That's the important question.

President Obama talks about Jobs.

Whether you love him, hate him, or neither, he does have a direct impact on you.

Senator John McCain's Views of the Health Care Bill.

Part 1

Part 2

Here are the Main points that Senator McCain talks about in the videos.

• $500 billion in Medicare cuts, and it will directly impact citizens.
• Please, No cuts on Hospice.
• Challenged to see how you can have $500 billion in cuts and not have a direct impact on senior citizens.
• Seniors from his state are outraged.
• Doesn’t want the cost cutting of this bill to go on the backs of the seniors.
• Wants people to call the Whitehouse, because the lobbyists have been there in big numbers.
• Where is the Malpractice reform in the bill?
• Where is the ability to go out of state to find a policy?
• The transfer of power to the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
• Federal would take insurance regulation away from the State Governments.
• The bill will raise insurance for individuals not supported by employers by 13%
• Medicare Advantage will be cut by $120 billion
• Send the bill back to be reworked, and lets get it right.

Is Abortion in the Health Care Bill?

The Senate is in a big debate over this subject on capital hill right now. I think if the bill passed today there would be some provisions to allow some federal funding to abortion.

There are a number of democratic senators that are not going to support the bill unless some kind of changes are made. They are demanding that insurers covering abortion will not be able to insure women that receive federal funding.

I could also see that most of the Republican senators will not be backing this portion of the bill, and if some democrats are not backing, I just don't see this portion of the bill making it and it may be removed

Do you think abortion in the bill is right or wrong? Is it right for taxpayers to have to pay for someone's abortion. It definitely is a subject for debate

Remember, if you agree/disagree with this, let your congressman know. Click the links provided on the right hand column to let your voice be heard. It only takes a few minutes.

Where Does Your Tax Dollars Go: Economic Stimulus Package

I thought I would bring this site to everyone's attention and thought you might enjoy it.

Recovery.gov

Basically, this site was created as a provision for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 or Economic stimulus package as most of us know it.  It was made so the taxpayers could see where the money goes
The Map is completely interactive.  Try putting in your zip code, it will show jobs that were created in your area.

Now we cant say we do not know where the money goes, providing that this information is accurate.

Highlights of the Health Insurance Reform Bill: Consumer Protections

Here is some info I came across on some consumer protections.  Although I have seen a lot of these in the current bill, I cannot verify all of them, I will try to do a search and let you know if I cant find some of the protections actually in the bill.  Beware that this is from Whitehouse.gov and could be propaganda. I wouldnt expect them to post anything that is not in the bill.  I just wanted to raise a flag.

The thing that raises my eyebrows, they will come at a cost.  For example:

• No Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill

 If the Government protects the insurance purchaser from being dropped if they get seriously ill, that will raise the risk for the company issuing the insurance.  Now I agree that it is not ethical for an insurance company to drop a customer if they get seriously ill.  But what it will do is raise the risk factor of doing business for these insurance companies, which in turn raise insurance premiums.  But maybe this insurance marketplace they will set will combat some of these factors.

Health Insurance Consumer Protections

• No Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions
  
  
• Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history.
  
  
• No Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays
  
  
• Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for
  out-of-pocket expenses.
  
  
• No Cost-Sharing for Preventive Care
  
  
• Insurance companies must fully cover, without charge, regular checkups and tests that help you prevent illness, such as mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.
  
  
• No Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill
  
  
• Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or watering down insurance coverage for those who become seriously ill.
  
  
• No Gender Discrimination
  
  
• Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging you more because of your gender.
  
  
• No Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage
  
  
• Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage you receive.
  
  
• Extended Coverage for Young Adults
  
  
• Children would continue to be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.
  
  
• Guaranteed Insurance Renewal
  
  
• Insurance companies will be required to renew any policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full. Insurance companies won't be allowed to refuse renewal because someone became sick.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/health-insurance-consumer-protections/

Obama's goal for the Afghanistan war: Quick recap of the address

 
As we saw in the President's address last night, Obama will send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. Here are some key points that he made during his speech.

Three goals for the war:

1. Deny Al Qaeda a safe haven in Afghanistan
2. Reverse the Taliban's Momentum and deny their ability to overthrow the government
3. Strengthen the Afghan security forces so they can take lead responsibility
   

Three Keys to be successful in the war:

1. U.S. Military forces will break Taliban momentum
2. They will work the United Nations on a civilian strategy, for improved security
3. Success in Afghanistan will be directly linked to Pakistan relations

Also note that this needs to happen by 2011.  He also will be removing all troops from Iraq.

Watch President Obama's Speech on the Afghanistan War

Whether you Agree or support him or not.  I think its our duty to listen to what he has to say.

Florida Senator George LeMieux Discusses Drastic Medicare Cuts in the Health Care Bill

Im not sure what to make of this speech. If this is true, you gotta feel for the seniors, but on the other hand in order for this bill to work the cuts have to come from somewhere.

So, do the seniors need to make the sacrifice even though they have paid into taxes all those years or should Congress find other ways to cut the spending?

Remember, if you agree/disagree with this, let your congressman know. Click the links provided on the right hand column to let your voice be heard. It only takes a few minutes.