Who's behind the attacks on a health care overhaul?

Who's behind the attacks on a health care overhaul?

www.mcclatchydc.com

WASHINGTON — Much of the money and strategy behind the so-called grassroots groups organizing opposition to the Democrats' health care plans comes from conservative political consultants, professional organizers and millionaires, some of whom hold financial stakes in the outcome.

If President Barack Obama and Congress extend health insurance coverage to millions of uninsured Americans, raise taxes on the wealthy to pay for it, and limit insurers' discretion on who they cover and what they charge, that could pinch these opponents.

Most of them say they oppose big government in princip

(visit the link for the full news article)

Well surprise, surprise. The people behind the attacks on a health care overhaul are mostly those who will benefit financially from the status quo. This is generally well known. Even many of the so-called "grassroots" organizations opposed to health care are funded by insurance companies and those with deep pockets lined by the health care industry.

The fear seems to be that a health care overhaul would eventually lead to a single-payer system that would ration health care.

As a happy recipient of Medicare I have to say I'm delighted with my coverage. I have had my choice of doctors and hospitals (as long as they accept Medicare and I haven't found any who don't) and have experienced no rationing due to my age or prior conditions. It's almost as good as the private insurance coverage I had for my job.

If the Medicare program were expanded to cover everybody I wouldn't be opposed. Some people are opposed in principle to anything "big government" might do but I have to say the government is very good to me.

www.mcclatchydc.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

Sestias you know I don't mind if the filthy rich gets taxed and I don't mind if health care insurance gets forced into lowering rates along with big pharma.

But if you look at who is the ones been gouged to pay for the two entitlement programs that we have right now is not the filthy rich is us the regular tax payer.

So just imagine who at the end will be forced into paying for the health care reform.

Still don't get me wrong the health care bill will pass that is not doubt in my mind, but I will seat very nicely and wait to see the results of what the health care reform along with all the loopholes and private interest is going to do to our nation.

Nothing that is done in America is just for the good of the regular people, is always to fatten up some big fat rat.

reply to post by Sestias


Your question: Who's behind the attacks on a health care overhaul?

Leads me to ask another question.

Who is behind the support for the Health Care Overhaul?

There has to be someone with deep pockets behind the support for it also. Nothing is done in this country without someone somewhere looking for profit or for power.

It's sickening but it's true.


This from the same article you linked.

Still, supporters of a health care overhaul have outspent opponents by more than 2-to-1 so far, according to Evan Tracey of the Campaign Media Analysis Group, which tracks ad spending. Supporters include drug makers angling for their own protections, unions, the American Medical Association and AARP, the seniors' lobby. Supporters announced this week that they intend to spend $150 million promoting an overhaul.

[edit on 18-8-2009 by Strictsum]

Who's behind the attacks on a health care overhaul?


its me. Im behind it. now that we've got that hammered out,
move along

I can't speak for others, but I am against the bill because of what I have read in the versions that have been published. No one told me what to think.

reply to post by marg6043


Obama has said he will only raise taxes on those making 250,000k a year and more. But I tend to agree with you. It's going to be a very expensive program no matter how it's funded and it may well end up taxing middle class Americans, as is Medicare at the present time.

The thing to do would be to tax corporations more but they have the means and the money to fight against it.

reply to post by Sestias

Obama has said he will only raise taxes on those making 250,000k a year and more. But I tend to agree with you. It's going to be a very expensive program no matter how it's funded and it may well end up taxing middle class Americans, as is Medicare at the present time. The thing to do would be to tax corporations more but they have the means and the money to fight against it.

If it ends up costing more than the current system, then that increased cost is a hidden tax, in itself, since it will have been government instituted. Any government program that costs money, is in essence, a tax.

reply to post by Strictsum


Yes, there are special interests involved in the pro-reform movement too. I think that unions and the AARP are in general working in the interests of ordinary Americans, but you do have to wonder about Big Pharma and the AMA. Big Pharma has supposedly reached an agreement with the White House to reduce drug costs by billions but I'm not clear about how they would benefit from it. I'd like to think the AMA's support is because they really care about patients but that's probably naive.

I hope they continue thinking we're nothing more than a manufactured mob. Its surely going to come back to bite them. Of course over the last 8 years none of these media sources ever once suggested those were manufactured in anyway. Wen we know for a fact the democrats invested and perfected AstroTurf protests.

reply to post by Sestias


I have some ideas as to why Big Pharma would want this but it would probably make me sound like I've jumped on the crazy train. So I will restrain from mentioning them.

I've heard AARP are losing members daily because of their support of HC reform. I wonder how long they will continue to support it.

reply to post by Sestias


I can say that the money to fund these groups really comes from aliens from the planet ookizaki. Does it mean it's true? Nuh uh .. not with out a paper trail.




So where is the paper trail?

And since when was it a crime for Conservative organization to support a Conservative movement?

Can you say moveon.org?

Hypocrisy at it's finest.

reply to post by Strictsum


AARP is loosing support because the majority of their members are "older" more conservative leaning people. They project themselves as a right-wing magazine/organization and were outed a few years ago for lobbying some very socialist / liberal ideas.. ever since then their membership has been in decline.

I am One person and I do not belong to any organization. I live in fear of retaliation from my government for voicing my opposition to both the health care reform HR3200 and the cap and trade HR 2454.
All of my income is from Government sources and I am also on Medicare. I have not had a problem with my Medicare coverage except the drug plan.
I fall into the “donut hole” every year and it is sometimes difficult to cover the cost of my medication. I have to purchase it from Canada because of the insane cost here. But I do Not believe that this health care reform would be good for anyone.
If the government cannot continue funding the Medicaid and Medicare programs then, Where in the Hell are they going to get the money to fund this?
I do Not understand Why the Government cannot take any monies that they plan on using for this bill and use it to fund and expand the Medicaid and Medicare programs.
Are there free clinics in your area? There are at least four in my city. I don’t know anyone without insurance coverage that does not get medical care including preventive care.
I understand None of this, who is it that is going to benefit from this program?
From what I can see is it will be Corporations that will no longer have to provide health insurance coverage to their employees. Government Motors comes to mind since they claim that, that is the biggest drain on their resources. Kind of makes you wonder.

Originally posted by Rockpuck

And since when was it a crime for Conservative organization to support a Conservative movement?

Yes, but we should only be outraged when conservatives organize. Didn't you get the DNC talking points?

Yeah, its hypocrisy, and following the much-touted organizational power of the Obama campaign and liberal groups in general, everyone knows that they're being hypocrites.

reply to post by Strictsum

Who is behind the support for the Health Care Overhaul?

The pharmaceutical and insurance companies themselves:

"The drug industry has already contributed millions of dollars to advertising campaigns for the health care overhaul through the advocacy groups like Healthy Economies Now and Families USA. It has spent about $1 million on similar advertisements under its own name," the Times reports.
source

"If health legislation succeeds, the [insurance] industry would likely get a fresh batch of new customers. In particular, many young and healthy people who currently forgo coverage would be forced to sign up." No wonder insurers are willing to stop "discriminating" against sick people. (Forget that the essence of insurance is discrimination according to risk.)
source

Thread

So, the people behind the opposition should be anyone opposed to big business manipulating the legislative process (i.e. fascism). How one can decry corporatism/fascism on the one hand and tout the merits of the results thereof on the other is beyond me.


TA

reply to post by TheAssociate


There is much more opposition to health insurance reform from the health insurance companies than there is support.

I respectfully disagree with your source.

It seems like each side believes the other is bought and paid for by corporate interests. Interesting, as that makes big business the bogeyman for both sides. Something they share in common?

reply to post by Rockpuck


I wouldn't assume that all Americans over 50 are "conservative leaning." Remember that group includes a lot of baby boomers. I know lots of AARP members who are liberal.

reply to post by Sestias

The drug industry has authorized its lobbyists to spend as much as $150 million on television commercials supporting President Obama’s health care overhaul, beginning over the August Congressional recess, people briefed on the plans said Saturday.
source

That part is a known fact. I can cite multiple source if you'd like:

The nation's drugmakers stand ready to spend $150 million to help President Barack Obama overhaul health care this fall, according to numerous officials, a staggering sum that could dwarf attempts to derail his chief domestic priority.
source

Alternate source

Alternate source

Alternate source

Alternate source

I seriously doubt all these news outlets would be reporting this if it weren't true.


TA

Edit: I get 'site' and 'cite' confused now and then.

[edit on 18-8-2009 by TheAssociate]

The crux of the current problem is that neither side is asking the right question about health care. That is, Are we willing as a society to pay 15-20% of our GNP for healthcare? If not, then the amount of health care provided must be reduced. It's as simple as that. There must be fewer operations, fewer expensive imaging tests done, and fewer expensive medications prescribed. Who decides which to eliminate?

Expanding prevention programs will not reduce the overall cost; just the opposite. More things will be found that the individual was unaware of, and will have to be dealt with in some fashion. Increased prevention will generate more imaging studies, more operations, etc.

Rationing health care is the only way to reduce the cost. Who decides?