What the Senate Measure Might Mandate:

Some of this could change after the Senate compares notes with the House, but at this point, these are some of the major changes.

Required coverage (the “individual mandate”): Citizens and legal residents would be required to have health insurance, or pay a fine. For an individual, the fine would be $750 per year or 2 percent of household income, whichever is greater; for a family, the maximum fine would be $2,250 per year or 2 percent of household income. The fines would go into effect gradually, starting in 2014. The House bill is similar, with exemptions for certain low-income people.

Employer obligation: Companies with more than 200 employees would be required to enroll their workers in a health insurance plan, with no ability for employees to opt out. Companies with more than 50 but fewer than 200 workers would not be required to offer insurance, but if they didn’t, they’d have to pay a fee of $750 per employee each year (with some variations). Companies with fewer than 50 workers would not have to offer insurance or pay any fees. Those rules would go into effect in 2014. The House bill would place similar requirements on employers, but with a different way of determining which companies are required to offer insurance.

Government-run health insurance (the “public option”): There is no public option in the Senate bill. The House bill would establish a government-run insurer that would compete with private insurers offering coverage to those not covered by their employers. The public option is one of the biggest differences between the House and Senate bills, and is likely to be one of the biggest battles as healthcare reform hits the home stretch.

Insurance exchanges: This is how people would buy insurance if they don’t have an employer that provides it. The structure is complicated, but these exchanges would basically be run by each state in conjunction with the federal government, and states would be allowed to create additional mechanisms for offering insurance to their residents. Traditional insurance companies would be allowed to compete for customers through the exchanges, provided they met a set of requirements set by the federal government. The least expensive plans would offer catastrophic coverage only, and not be available to everyone. There would be several other levels of coverage, priced more for each bump-up in benefits. The exchanges would go into effect in 2014. The House bill includes similar reforms, although there would be an additional health-insurance exchange at the national level. And the public health-insurance plan (not included in the Senate bill) would compete with private plans on each of the exchanges.

Subsidies to help pay for coverage: Government subsidies would help cover the cost of insurance for individuals earning as much as 400 percent of the poverty level. (In 2009, the poverty level for an individual in most states was $10,830; for a family of 4, it was $22,050. So an individual earning less than $43,320 or a family of 4 earning less than $88,200 would qualify for some aid.) The House bill has a similar income threshold for subsidies.

Medicaid expansion: Eligibility for Medicaid would be expanded to people or families earning 133 percent of the poverty level (with exceptions), effective in 2014. The House bill would broaden Medicaid eligibility to those earning 150 percent of the poverty level, and do so by 2013.

Insurance for high-risk patients: People who can’t get traditional coverage on account of a pre-existing medical condition would be eligible for insurance under a new “national high-risk pool,” with rates comparable to those for the general population. The pool would go into effect quickly–within 90 days of a bill becoming law. The House bill has a similar provision, with different ceilings for allowed premiums and deductibles.

Lifetime limits: Insurance companies would no longer be allowed to cap the amount of lifetime benefits or cancel coverage, unless the patient defrauded the insurer. Those rules would go into effect in 2010. By 2014, there would be tougher limits prohibiting annual caps on benefits, in addition to lifetime caps. The House bill has similar provisions and would go a step further by severely restricting insurance companies’ ability to deny coverage on account of pre-existing conditions.

New taxes: To help pay for increased coverage, a number of long-standing tax credits and deductions would decline, while taxes on some other benefits would increase. One of the most prominent changes would be a tax on “gold-plated” health insurance plans that provide lavish benefits but are expensive; the threshold at which the surtax would kick in would be $8,500 for an individual’s annual premium and $23,000 for a family’s. There’s a lot of fine print, however, and some people with gold-plated plans would probably end up exempted from the tax. The House bill doesn’t tax gold-plated plans, but raises funds through an additional 5.4 percent income tax on individuals earning $500,000 or more per year, and families earning $1,000,000 or more. All of these new taxes are controversial, creating more flash points for negotiators.

Abortion coverage: Federal subsidies cannot be used to fund abortion unless the life of the mother is at risk or there’s a case of rape or incest. The House bill has a similar provision, with an additional stipulation that prohibits federal money from being spent on any insurer that provides abortions, even if it’s with private funds.

Indoor tanning: Beginning in 2010, there would be an additional 10 percent tax on the cost of indoor tanning services, to help pay for health reform. No kidding. The House bill contains no such provision.

The Unobstructed Cornhusker Kickback and the Louisiana Purchase

In an address on the Senate floor on Sunday, Sen. John McCain accused the president and Democratic leadership in the Senate of abandoning pledges of accountability and transparency during the reform process. Pointing to the deals cut with the pharmaceutical industry, the American Medical Association and others, the McCain insisted that Democrats had “set up a tent out front and put Persian rugs out in front of it” – greeting special interests with specific gifts.

Recalling President Obama’s campaign pledge to televise negotiations, McCain noted that “there has never been a C-SPAN camera” in the rooms where Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) crafted the final version of legislation. Drawing attention to some of the sweeteners that were put in the bill to win the support of conservative Democrats, McCain scoffed that there were now “new words in our lexicon,” including the “Cornhusker Kickback”, in reference to Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, and the newly recoined term “The Louisiana Purchase” in reference to concessions to that state’s Sen. Mary Landrieu.

New York Time’s columnist Maureen Dowd, then wrote that while McCain “used to be such a constructive independent that some of his Republican Senate colleagues called him a traitor. Now he’s such a predictable obstructionist that he’s in the just-say-no vanguard with the same conservatives who used to despise him.” But she then concludes: “With President Obama, McCain’s objections seem motivated more by vendetta than principle.” Most liberal Democrats call anyone who opposes the horrible piece of legislation that is to be voted on Christmas Eve as an “obstructionist.” Well: Viva la Obstructionists!!

Republican Party strategists say the GOP senses a serious opportunity to portray itself as the party of transparency and reform. The Obama regime under such leadership as Reid, have worked behind closed doors to create the monstrosity of a health care bill, which allowed them to place in little articles like the one that does NOT allow a repeal of the law to ever occur. (Ever as in Never!) Republicans, however, are aware from their own history that the legislative process is often messy, and sometimes required that they even use the type of back-room dealing that was recently witnessed. That makes those in power susceptible to claims of corruption – but particularly so, in this case, when candidate Obama and fellow Democrats vowed to hold themselves to higher standards.

Alabama Democrat House Member Parker Griffith switch to GOP?

At a press conference in Alabama today Parker Griffith says as a doctor he wants to make it clear that he believes the health care overhaul making its way through Congress is bad for physicians and patients. He says he is switching to the GOP over concerns that bills and policies pushed by the Democratic leadership are bad for the country and his district.

Griffith is a radiation oncologist who had accumulated one of the most conservative voting records of any House Democrat. He was one of seven Democrats to oppose Obama’s economic stimulus measure early this year. He was also one of 39 House Democrats who voted against the health care bill that narrowly passed.

This is the AP release:

WASHINGTON (AP) — Freshman Democratic House member Parker Griffith of Alabama is switching to the Republican Party, his office said Tuesday, another blow to Democrats facing a potentially tough midterm election.

Griffith, 67, was narrowly elected last year from a region of northern Alabama that includes Huntsville and Decatur. President Barack Obama lost the district badly to Republican John McCain.

Griffith, a radiation oncologist, had accumulated one of the most conservative voting records of any House Democrat. He was one of seven Democrats to oppose Obama’s economic stimulus measure early this year.

He was one of 39 House Democrats who voted against a major health care bill that narrowly passed. He also voted against an anti-global warming bill pushed strongly by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

Democrats will hold 257 House seats to the GOP’s 178 after Griffith’s switch.

Several veteran House moderates have announced their retirements next year, giving Republicans hopes of picking up a significant number of seats in the November elections.

Jim Spearman, executive director of the Alabama Democratic Party, said the switch “shouldn’t come as a surprise” with the way Griffith voted.

“We will be working strongly to put a Democrat in there,” Spearman said./b>

I’m With Stupid

Ben Nelson’s Facebook Revolt

Democrats bribed Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) to vote for health-care reform by giving his state, and only his state, full federal funding for Medicaid expansion, while other states have to pay their fare share. This has met with criticisim by Republicans, like Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.), who said “the Medicaid deal, for Senator Nelson—there’s one state in the union where new enrollees for Medicaid will be signed up, and it won’t cost anybody in that state money. It’s not my state. I’ve got 30 percent African-American population, a lot of low-income African-Americans on Medicaid.”

However, there is another place where critisim is mounting and it can be found on his Facebook “Fan Page.” Since Nelson became the infamous #60, the fans have increased….but not to congratulate him. Here’s a sampling from Facebook:

“Ben is a bribe-taking spineless abortion-lover. Anybody with an 8th grade education knows you can’t get true healthcare reform without TORT reform. What drives up the cost of medical care? Malpractice insurance. period. Spineless ben won’t ever cop to that because is he a “LAWYER” like the rest of congress. “

“Nelson is a sell out prostitute and should be indicted for taking bribes and extortion from the taxpayers! I don’t know how he can look at himself in a mirror! Nelson and every other representative in congress that isn’t speaking for the people and not upholding the constitution should be thrown in jail, or out of the country!”

“You are a national disgrace Senator, and a liar. You do not represent the great state of Nebraska. You represent special interests groups and will pay the price at election day. Welare recipients like Chad here who have never had a job or understand how America works will not be enough to reelect you.”

“wow!! Dont run for re-election. I will do all I can to campaign against you. your vote has just set in place the bankrupting of america. Your “stinky” deal, I mean the BRIBE you took. Is SOOOO embassaing for all of Nebraska”

“The only thing worse is the health deform bill itself, and a Congress in full denial of strong public opposition and the damage this foolishness will create. It is time for citizens who care to rise up. This once great nation had its beginning when patriots said, “NO!” to misrepresentation.The mendacity of those in power today is stunning. Before it is too late, do something.”

“I am disappointed in your choices, Mr. Senator. I admit that I voted for you and I am now very sorry I did. Doctors can’t survive on the mandates of this reform bill! No, we are not greedy, we live in a modest home, drive a modest car and buy clothes for our children from Walmart. The measly amount appropriated for an office visit can’t even begin to pay for the expenses of a nurse, office staff, overhead, not to mention the medical school loans that take years and years for a doctor to repay. Most doctors are hardworking and underappreciated and people don’t understand the amount of stress they endure.”

“Ben you are a coward and a sorry excuse for protoplasm. What a sell out. You vote yes on a bill that is STILL BEING WRITTEN and NOBODY knows how many earmarks are in it!!! Is this what we have become ben, you and the rest of our elected officials voting blindly in the middle of the night like cowards because you are too AFRAID of a day vote??”

“upport your ben at www.givebentheboot.com”

“Hey Ben! Read your constitution you crook. You have broken the law.
Article 1 section 9 reads: No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another….
Article 4 section 2 reads: The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities …of Citizens in the several States.
If you dont know our contract beween the government and the governed, you dont qualify for your positon.”

“I almost puked signing on to this page, because I had to be a fan to post. Thankfully, I can “unfriend” you just as easily.
You are a traitor to your state and our nation. Selling out to the likes of Obama and Harry Reid is beyond the pale. Your deal to sell your vote for bribe money is treason and a brutal slap in the face to the people of Nebraska. You sold out the Nebraska Right to Life; the Catholics and God knows who else who have supported you in the past. Blaming Gov. Heineman is chickenshit. You sold your soul to the Obama devil and will have to live with it for the rest of your life, which I hope won’t be spent in Nebraska. I hope you can live with yourself, knowing that a Yes vote on the healthcare bill will mean govt. funded abortions, and the untold murder of innocents. Adrian Smith for Senator-2012.”

“Ben, you sold out, don’t act like you weren’t going to vote for this piece of crap bill the whole time, either. You have quite the poker face. Any poker player knows, however, that when you show your cards and you were bluffing, you can’t do it again. NO conservative/republican will vote for you after this, and in a state that is more red than blue, that will be a problem for you. I am an out of stater, but i’m a next-door stater. You and chad can get to know each other really well when you’re waiting in line for a colonoscopy that might just save your life–but from the sounds of it, chad can just look around while he’s up there!!!!!”

“I’m from Massachusetts and I’m surrounded by Moonbats so there is no hope for my two senators. However, let me just say that Mr Nelson, you live in a RED STATE!!! and 67% of the people who live in that state DID NOT WANT YOU TO SUPPORT THIS COMMUNIST PIECE OF CRAP BILL!!! The people of Nebraska are going to kick your ass right out of the Senate. Bye bye you sell out.”

“Senator, You are a disgrace to the Senate and the great state of Nebraska. You will be defeated when you come up for reelection. Bribes and sticking other states with Nebraska’s bill for Medicare/Medicaid is something you will pay dearly for. You represent the PEOPLE. You forgot that. Your constituents do not support this legislation. You also forgot that Catholics are a big population in NB that vote. You will regret this vote the rest of your life.”

“SHAME ON YOU for taking a bribe. SHAME ON YOU for sacrificing our liberty for money. You have no honor sir, you have no values. When all of us are paying for your bribe in taxes for the next 4 years – you should be responsible for paying out of your own pocket. I hope you can never fully live with what you have done. SHAME ON YOU!”

“A 383-page amendment detailed Reid plans to steal money from 49 states to foot Nebraska’s share of an expansion of the Medicaid program while other states are on the hook to pay for their own. Nelson dropped what now appears to be a phony concern over abortion coverage in the bill and took the payoff.”

And that is just a very small sampling. Granted, there are a few hardcore supporters who suggest that Nelson did a great dead. But since when is extortion a great American past time that justifies applause?

If you want to read more there is plenty here:
Ben Nelson on Facebook

Obama’s Urinal-Prompter

The Crash and Burn of Obama

The New Pledge

Slow

The “Slow” sign by the street in front of the white house has taken on new meaning since January 2009.

Nine Months After Stimulus 49 of 50 States Have Lost Jobs

The table below compares the White House’s February 2009 projection of the number of jobs that would be created by the 2009 stimulus law (through the end of 2010) with the actual change in state payroll unemployment through November 2009 (the latest figures available).  According to the data, 49 States have lost jobs since the stimulus was enacted as unemployment has skyrocketed to 10 %.  Only North Dakota and the District of Columbia have seen net job creation following the February 2009 stimulus (though both fall short of seeing the promised level of job creation).  While President Obama claimed the result of his stimulus bill would be the creation of 3.5 million jobs, the Nation has already lost over 2.6 million – a difference of 6.1 million jobs.  To see how stimulus has failed your state, see the table below. SOURCE: Committee on Ways & Means Republicans

John McCain admonishes Senators for something He did Himself in 2002

This week, Sen. Al Franken (D-MN), acting on the orders of the Senate leadership, refused to grant Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) “an additional moment” to continue speaking on the Senate floor after his 10 minutes expired. Franken’s objection caused Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) to groan about how Franken’s move was unprofessional, unprecedented, and disrespectful:

McCain: I’ve been around here 20-some years. First time I’ve ever seen a member denied an extra minute or two to finish his remarks. … I just haven’t seen it before myself. And I don’t like it. And I think it harms the comity of the Senate not to allow one of our members at least a minute. I’m sure that time is urgent here, but I doubt that it would be that urgent.

But, in fact, McCain has engaged in the very same behavior that he was criticizing Franken for: On October 10, 2002 — just ahead of the looming mid-term elections — the Senate rushed a debate on a war authorization giving President Bush the power to use force against Iraq. The resolution ultimately passed the Senate after midnight on an early Friday morning by a vote of 77-23.

During the course of the floor debate, then-Sen. Mark Dayton (D-MN) spoke in favor of an amendment offered by Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) that would have restricted Bush’s constitutional powers to wage war against Iraq. After a minute and a half, Dayton ran out of time, prompting this exchange:

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator’s time has expired.

Mr. DAYTON. I ask for unanimous consent that I have 30 seconds more to finish my remarks.

Mr. McCAIN. I object.

Byrd stepped in to grant Dayton time to finish his remarks. But just moments later, Byrd asked for more time to speak for himself. Again, McCain objected, prompting Byrd to chide him for doing so. “This shows the patience of a Senator,” Byrd said. “This clearly demonstrates that the train is coming down on us like a Mack truck, and we are not even going to consider a few extra minutes for this Senator.”

If you missed the comment made by McCain, it is here