WASHINGTON (Reuters – The New York Times) – Democratic leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives hustled on Thursday to count votes and round up support for a sweeping healthcare overhaul that was headed to a close floor vote on Saturday.
Failure in the Democratic-controlled House would be a huge political blow to President Barack Obama, who has made an overhaul of the vast $2.5 trillion healthcare system his top domestic priority.
Obama planned to visit the Capitol on Friday for a pep talk to House Democrats before the vote. House leaders have struggled to win over some party moderates with lingering … Continue Reading
(Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce) Consider the plight of the hard-working employee who’s earned the right to obtain benefits from their employer after years of loyal service – a coverage plan that works for the employee and is affordable for the employer. All of a sudden, that efficient agreement is interrupted by a government attempt to interfere and mandate the terms of the employee’s coverage while possibly instituting new fees (or even fines) to the employer.
For some reason, the Congress and our President (and quite frankly our State Legislature, too) insists on interfering in the perfectly efficient way that … Continue Reading
A look at key issues in the health care debate:
(The Associated Press)
THE ISSUE: Which former presidents have attempted comprehensive health care reform and why hasn’t anyone succeeded?
THE POLITICS: Many have tried. Only Lyndon Johnson achieved transcendent reform, with passage of Medicare and Medicaid protecting the elderly and poor, but universal coverage has been an elusive goal for over a century. Franklin Roosevelt promoted national health insurance but gave priority to jobs and retirement security during the Depression. Harry Truman fought for a single insurance system to cover everyone but ran into Republican opposition and the cries of “socialized medicine” heard … Continue Reading
Cutting to the Chase on the Health Care Bill
Editor’s Note: I receive regular emails from Mr. LeBaron’s organization and respect their efforts to reform government and restore accountability. He makes some interesting points about problems encountered by other nations that have implemented nationalized health care and wisely cautions us on rushing though legislation pushed forward by the political winds or through deception by powerful interests. The passing of the Federal Reserve ACT with barely a quorum during Christmas recess in 1913 is the most outrageous example that comes to mind, but there are many others that have bypassed the democratic process and changed our lives forever.
Let’s cut to … Continue Reading