Health Care Debate - Brighton, CO

[Concerned US Citizens]

Govt. Threatens Obamacare Opponents


ViewDiscussion.Last Updated: Wed, 09/23/2009 - 10:42am

Disregarding the First Amendment’s right to free speech, the Obama Administration has issued a threatening gag order forbidding health insurance companies from disclosing information to their customers about Medicare cuts under its healthcare overhaul.

Ordered by a powerful Senate Democrat, the government agency that oversees Medicare, the Department of Health and Human Services, warned insurance companies this week that they face legal action for informing seniors about the potential for lost benefits under the legislation being considered by Congress.

The administration’s threat was a response to a letter sent out by one of the nation’s largest insurance companies (Kentucky-based Humana) informing supplemental Medicare insurance customers that their benefits will be reduced under the Democrat’s plan.“Millions of seniors and disabled individuals could lose many of the important benefits and services that make Medicare Advantage health plans so valuable," according to the letter, which also urged customers to contact their representative in Congress.

Obama has indeed proposed a $500 billion slash in Medicare benefits over the next few years in order to pay for his plan, which he says will shift health spending from senior adults to those not currently covered. Additionally, the non-partisan and independent Congressional Budget Office has determined that the administration’s proposed Medicare cuts will significantly reduce seniors’ benefits.

Yet the president and Democratic leaders want to keep citizens in the dark, bullying a government agency that’s supposed to protect the health of all Americans to instead threaten the free flow of valuable information that could compromise that mission. The agency’s stern notice orders insurance companies to “immediately discontinue” mailings or web site postings mentioning the Medicare cuts.

Outraged that the government is muzzling free speech as well as the truth about the health bill, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky (Humana’s headquarters) ordered that the Obama Administration gag order be immediately lifted.“First and foremost, this episode should be of serious concern to millions of seniors on Medicare who deserve to know what the government has in mind for their health care,” McConnell said,“but it should also frighten anyone who cherishes their First Amendment right to free speech — whether in Louisville, Helena, San Francisco, or anywhere else.”

http://www.judicialwatch.org/blog/2009/sep/go...

[Katie Kay]

Too much money for too few people

[Concerned US Citizens]

Although Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has refused to allow you or even his fellow Senators to see his version of the health care bill, he has vowed to force the Senate to take it's first vote before the Thanksgiving recess.

That vote will be on a Motion to Proceed on the bill. THIS MOTION REQUIRES 60 VOTES AND IF IT FAILS OBAMACARE IS DEAD IN THE SENATE. Under Senate rules, the earliest this vote can take place is Friday. Reid has even threatened to keep the Senate in over the weekend and into Thanksgiving week until he has the votes he needs. Now is the time to act. We are asking every opponent of government-run health care to call their Senators on WEDNESDAY and ask them to vote "NO" on the Motion to Proceed.

CALL YOUR SENATORS to urge a 'NO' vote on the Motion to Proceed on Obamacare.

Here's the Liberal strategy to pass this bill: to get the 60 votes to move to the bill, Reid has instructed Democrats to say that this first vote is a procedural vote - but in reality its passage would give Reid the power to cut backroom deals - much more than just procedure.

If this Motion to Proceed on Obamacare passes then Reid will cut backroom deals and add amendments to the bill until he gets the votes to pass Obamacare completely through the Senate. Then when the bill is merged with the House-passed bill, they can change the bill yet again.

Just a few weeks ago, 13 Democrats revolted against a bill to add $250 billion to the deficit by eliminating a reduction in physician reimbursement in Medicare without paying for it. They defeated the bill by voting against the Motion to Proceed. For these same Senators to now say this is not the most important vote is the height of hypocrisy.

The time to act is NOW! You must contact your Senators and let them know a vote on the Motion to Proceed is a vote in favor of the government takeover of our health-care system.


http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml