Here is an article in the L.A. Times by Noam N. Levey, who attempts to carry the administration's water by chastising those in the U.S. who oppose ObamaCare. Specifically, he holds up efforts in China, Mexico and Thailand and others who are attempting to give universal health care to all of their citizens:
Even as Americans debate whether to scrap President Obama's healthcare law and its promise of guaranteed health coverage, many far less affluent nations are moving in the opposite direction — to provide medical insurance to all citizens.
China, after years of underfunding healthcare, is on track to complete a three-year, $124-billion initiative projected to cover more than 90% of the nation's residents.
Mexico, which a decade ago covered less than half its population, just completed an eight-year drive for universal coverage that has dramatically expanded Mexicans' access to life-saving treatments for diseases such as leukemia and breast cancer.
In Thailand, where the gross domestic product per person is a fifth of America's, just 1% of the population lacks health insurance. And in sub-Saharan Africa, Rwanda and Ghana — two of the world's poorest nations — are working to create networks of insurance plans to cover their citizens.
"This is truly a global movement," said Dr. Julio Frenk, a former health minister in Mexico and dean of the Harvard School of Public Health. "As countries advance, they are realizing that creating universal healthcare systems is a necessity for long-term economic development."
So after getting in a jibe at us anti-ObamaCare folks, Levey holds up China, Mexico, Thailand, Ghana and Rwanda as examples the U.S. should follow in terms of universal health coverage? Um, OKaaay. But the other thing that strikes me is Julio Frenk's assertion that creating universal healthcare is necessary for 'long-term economic development'. Not sure how he worked that out given that countries like the UK and France have done this for years and they systems are both bankrupt and rationing health care. Just for the record, entitlements have never proven to be an economic stimulus.
Look, the U.S. has been without universal health care for over 200 years and it appears to me that we've done pretty well for ourselves not to mention the rest of the world (you know leading the entire world in economic development and raising millions around the world out of poverty).
But further to the point of the article I just don't understand how you can compare the U.S. with any of these countries. For example Levey asserts that China's problem is that their population is 'saving excessively' due to the lack of coverage:
Chinese leaders were concerned their citizens were saving excessively because there was no system to protect them if they got seriously ill, said Yanzhong Huang, director of the Center for Global Health Studies at Seton Hall University. The high savings rate was restraining domestic demand for consumer items, making the economy overly dependent on selling goods abroad.
Here's a question: is this due to the high cost of health care or low earning for the average worker? According to Wikipedia the household median income for Mexico (the only country Levey cites in the top 34) is $4,689 (34th) while in the U.S. its $31,111 (2nd). So it would seem that the Chinese citizens are simply prioritizing their remarkably limited discretionary income. My point here is that the citizens of these countries have very little room for error given the lack of discretionary income compared to the U.S.
Further, Cristiam Baeza makes the point that 'people are demanding responses from their governments':
"People are demanding responses from their governments," said Cristian Baeza, health director of the World Bank. Indeed, in countries such as India, politicians have learned that one of the surest ways to secure votes is to promise better access to healthcare.
Given the low wages and lack of economic freedom I am not in the least surprised that the populations of these countries are looking for government help. My guess is that the populace is threatening to revolt unless something is done. So in order to stay in power, the powers that be will promise healthcare in exchange for civil peace. But here's the rub - there is no way these countries will be able to afford universal healthcare for their people unless they follow the UK model that gives substandard care and rationing of services. More specifically whom are these countries going to tax in order to provide these services? As noted above the median income of these countries is anemic at best so how can you tax someone if they have no money? But that's not the point of the article. Levey wants to make the embarrassing point that the U.S. is lagging these more 'forward' thinking countries like Rwanda and further call out us unenlightened troglodytes who oppose ObamaCare.
But the one thing Levey fails to address is the economics of universal healthcare. It is one thing for the politicians/dictators of these countries to promise universal healthcare and another all together to deliver in anything like the services we enjoy in the U.S. But just like all liberals Levey simply assumes that it's all free because it is provided by the 'government'.
The McCain motion was presented for a senate vote on Dec 3 to recommit the bill (HR 3590) to the finance committee in order to strip Medicare cuts from the health care reform bill. Let us be clear, here's a synopsis of of what those cuts of nearly $1/2 TRILLION to Medicare would affect:
Nursing Homes, Hospice, Home Health Programs, Medicare Advantage, Seniors’ Care in Hospitals.
A big portion of "paying" for this bill would be done at the expense of our seniors.
Please lend a hand: 1) call, fax, and email your US senators from your state especially if they voted "Nay" to the McCain motion which would have recommitted the health reform bill back to the Finance Committee for the purpose of stripping out the medicare cuts. Be aware many senators who voted "Nay" hid behind the fact that AARP is supporting the health reform bill.
Haven't you wondered why on earth AARP would support a bill that cuts nearly $1/2 TRILLION from medicare? The dirty secret: AARP's operating income is derived 60% from royalties from their sales of insurance. In the health reform bill, the Medicare Advantage insurance which many seniors like and count on, is on the chopping block and then AARP can make mega $ selling Medigap policies to replace it.
A group of Texans have hunkered down here for what will likely be the last stand against Obama’s Healthcare Bill! In another time, we Texans asked for your help and you patriots responded from many states. Like most of you, we have grown increasingly weary of a U.S. Congress that does not want to hear the voice of the majority. Therefore, if we are to have any shot at all in defeating that monstrosity (the Healthcare Bill), then NOW IS NOT the time to quit but to march forward in this cause that is right and just. We have but a few days in which to concentrate our efforts and multiply our cumulative strengths to win the battle. It is NOT over yet !!! What can we do now?
Well, we believe that a “state-centric” approach of Rapid-Response volunteers from the states of all 16 of those senators who are “on the fence” is needed. Your help is critical in this fight. Many believe that close contact from your state’s various groups over the next couple of days is crucial. If you can contact/solicit help from your various groups: Tea Party, 912-ers, religious organizations, blogs, talk radio, state NRA affiliates, basically, any/all conservative resources available – and ask them to do some of the following tasks (these are just suggestions; you may have better ones): A stream of phone calls & faxes to your senator’s offices (all week); Personal visits to senators’ offices (a staggered schedule of visitors);
Callers to call in to local talk-radio shows all week long; Contact your list of associates throughout your state and solicit articles and/or blogs this week.
Continue this pressure throughout this week or until there is an outcome on the Healthcare Bill. Phone callers can get help with talking points for portions of the Bill at sites such as:
17 Senators Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) 202-224-4843, Fax: (202) 228-1371 Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) 202-224-5623 Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) 202-224-2551 Sen. Michael Bennett (D-CO) 202-224-5852 Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) 202-224-4041, Fax: (202) 224-9750 Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) 202-224-5824 Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) 202-224-6551, Fax: (202) 228-0012 Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) 202-224-2043 Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) 202-224-6154 Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) 202-224-5274 Sen. John Tester (D-MT) 202-224-2644 Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK) 202-224-3004 Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) 202-224-2023 Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) 202-224-6324 Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) 202-224-4024
and Republican:
Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME),((202)224-5344, Fax: (202) 224-1946
I put together a website for your convenience with the pertinent information in one place. I put a sample letter (written by a fellow patriot), suggested steps (fellow patriot), and all the Senators office information.www.sanantonioteapartypatriots.com
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Tell the Senate that the American people reject any so-called "bipartisan compromise" reached through undemocratic closed-door negotiations!
The Senate has been debating Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's (D-NV) health care bill, the so-called Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2009 (H.R. 3590), continuously for the past week. Reid even kept the Senate in session this weekend for both Saturday and Sunday to ensure that his key Senators were kept far away from their constituents in their home states.
So far, the Senate has voted on a number of amendments, however, most of the news has centered around amendments that have not yet been offered, as well as what is being discussed behind closed doors. As you know, Senator Ben Nelson (D-NE) has been a key target to oppose this health care bill from the very beginning. He has publicly stated multiple times since his vote in favor of beginning debate on Harry Reid's bill that he would support a GOP filibuster attempt if the bill does not include "Stupak" language prohibiting abortion coverage-that is, Sen. Nelson has publicly committed to voting NO on the cloture motion to end debate and proceed to final passage if this requirement is not met. Currently, the Senate health care bill allows the public option to include coverage for abortion and allows women who receive government tax credits for insurance to enroll in a plan that covers the procedure, both of which amount to taxpayer funding of abortions on a new, massive scale. The issue of conscience protection for health care providers and Catholic hospitals, for example, would also need to be addressed in a coming pro-life amendment.
As the debate moves forward this week, please BEWARE of two things:
BEWAREof a compromise on abortion language. Unless the coverage for abortions in the public option and federal funding for abortions beyond the status quo of current law is removed, as well as adding conscience protections for health care providers, it will not be acceptable pro-life language and should be rejected by all pro-life Senators, including Sen. Ben Nelson and any other Senator who believes that it is wrong to massively expand federal funding for abortions in health care legislation.
Aside from the abortion problem, it is also important not to lose focus on the other big issue--the government-run insurance option--that has a handful of "swing-vote" Democrats and pro-abortion, "I voted for the Stimulus"-type of Republicans in closed-door talks working on a grand "compromise."
BEWAREof announcements of a bi-partisancompromiseon the nature of the public option to satisfy the individual tastes of each of the following Senators:
Nelson (D-NE), Phone: (202) 224-6551, Fax: (202) 228-0012
(Please note that Sen. Webb (D-VA) has voted in favor of a number of GOP amendments, thus far).
While you are making your calls, be aware that our overall strategy is not to clean up this bill to make it easier to pass. We want to prevent the fence-sitting Senators from concocting any reasons to vote for it! Although a pro-life amendment is not likely to pass, these "swing-vote Senators" are looking for any reason to support this bill, so it's up to you to tell them that their constituents will not tolerate excuses.Phone your Senators now and tell them-in the words of our famous founder Phyllis Schlafly — "Vote NO on H.R. 3590 for the reason of your choice!"
This week will be an important one in the life of the Senate health care bill, so please continue pressuring your Senators to oppose H.R. 3590. If you live in a state where both of your Senators are firmly committed to voting NO, please forward this action alert to any friends or family you have who live in state with Senators who are either "on the fence" or are leaning in support of the bill, keeping in mind the target states of Maine, Nebraska, Arkansas, Indiana, and Louisiana.
And remember, phone calls and faxes are best!
Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121
Also, www.resistnet.comis asking to get as many signatures as possible to be delivered on Thursday against Obamacare.
These Senators listed below are targets to try to stop the Health Care bill H.R. 3590 – Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act from passing.
Residents from each state: PLEASE make appointments daily. If you can't make appt's daily then Call or Fax daily. The deadline is going to be voted on the 18th of Dec. this year!
Our mission is to get people to contact these senator targets to Vote No. Other organizations like the 912ers and tea parties are teaming up with us with this mission. There is Sample Talking Points Letters to give an idea what you should focus on or write to your senators. Down below are attachments.
Please tell other AAM members from these states to join this mission. We must stop this bill! 14 States Targeted : AK, AR, CO, CT, FL, IN, LA, ME, MO, MT, NE, ND, PA, VA
Contacting All Local Offices either by appt, call, or fax daily is another major priority!
You can also go to this website for this same purpose created by our Texas Group Chairmom, Theconservativemama! www.sanantonioteapartypatriots.com
Alaska Begich, Mark - (D - AK) 144 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-3004 F(202) 224-2354 Toll Free: (877) 501 - 6275* Email Begich Website Arkansas Lincoln, Blanche L. - (D - AR) 255 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-2353 F(202) 228-1371 Email Lincoln Website Colorado Bennet, Michael F. - (D - CO) 702 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-5852 F(202) 228-5036 Email Bennet Website Connecticut Lieberman, Joseph I. - (ID - CT) 706 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-4041 F(202) 224-9750 Email Lieberman Website Florida Nelson, Bill - (D - FL) 716 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-5274 F(202)228-2183 Email Nelson Website Indiana Bayh, Evan - (D - IN) Class III 131 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-5623 F(202) 228-1377 Email Bayh Website Louisiana Landrieu, Mary L. - (D - LA) Class II 328 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-5824 F(202) 224-9735 Email Landrieu Website Maine Snowe, Olympia J. - (R - ME) Class I 154 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-5344 F(202) 224-1946 Toll Free: (800) 432-1599 Email Snowe Website Missouri McCaskill, Claire - (D - MO) Class I 717 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-6154 F(202) 228-6326 Email McCaskill Website Montana Tester, Jon - (D - MT) Class I 724 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-2644 F(202) 224-8594 Email Tester Website Nebraska Nelson, Ben - (D - NE) Class I 720 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-6551 F(202)228-0012 Email Nelson Website North Dakota Conrad, Kent - (D - ND) Class I 530 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-2043 F(202) 224-7776 Email Conrad Website Dorgan, Byron L. - (D - ND) Class III 322 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-2551 F(202) 224-1193 Email Dorgan Website Pennsylvania Casey, Robert P., Jr. - (D - PA) Class I 393 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-6324 F(202) 228-0604 Toll Free: (866) 802-2833 Email Casey Website Virginia Warner, Mark R. - (D - VA) Class II 459A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-2023 F(202)224-6295 Toll free: 877-676-2759 (VA Residents only) Email Warner Website Webb, Jim - (D - VA) Class I 248 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-4024 F(202)228-6363 Toll Free: 866-507-1570 Email Webb Website
Most American have now realized that there is nothing about ObamaCare (or Cap and Trade) that has anything to do with helping the American People. Only 26% of Americans want any of the bills or options ObamaCare to pass. Yet Obama, Pelosi and Reid are determined to cram this down our throats. ObamaCare will:
Cut jobs
Cut Medicare benefits
Cut the quality of your healthcare
Cost more while forcing you to purchase a policy
Ultimately put us all under a single-payer socialized medicine system
Put a huge burden on already bankrupted states by shifting costs to Medicaid
Ration healthcare… first primarily to seniors… eventually to everyone
Still leave millions uninsured, but will indirectly insure illegal aliens
Put Big Brother in the middle of your healthcare decisions
Give government direct access to your bank accounts, financial records and your healthcare information
Eventually promote RFID chipping if you want care
Ultimately (now or by the time it takes effect) use public funds for abortions
And the bad in the bill goes on and on….
Please stand up and fight… if not for yourself, for your children and grandchildren~
