Category Archives: Health Care

January 2013 Newsletter-Legislative Action

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Gun Legislation in Georgia

“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
The Constitution of the United States, Amendment II, Ratified December 15, 1791

H.B. 35, introduced January 15th by Representative Paul Battles, authorizes local boards of education to designate one or more administrators in each school to possess and carry firearms within a school safety zone or school building, at a school function, or on school property or on a bus or other transportation furnished by the school.

Designated personnel must obtain a weapons carry license and complete the basic training course for peace officers administered by the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council or a training course developed specifically for school administrators. The board of education would pay for the necessary and recurring training for the designated administrators.

ACTION: Support. Contact House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee at 404 463-3793 and ask to speak with each member. Representatives Powell, Ch., Taylor, V-Ch.; Atwood, Sec.; Cooke; Frazier; Glanton; Greene; Hightower; Hitchens; Holcomb; M. Jackson; Lumsden; Neal; Talton; and Waites.

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January 4, 2013 Radio Commentary

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Health Exchanges = Government Insurance

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, January 4, 2013 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Good morning, Jim. Two sessions ago H.B. 476 was introduced to comply with Obamacare and establish a state health insurance exchange that would compete with private insurance companies. That bill died, but the threat of government-controlled health insurance is alive and well!

After the Supreme Court upheld Obamacare on June 28th, Governor Deal responded that he would NOT rush to implement Obamacare in Georgia, but would be in a holding pattern until after the election. Obamacare set November 16th as the original deadline for states to report their plans, but that was the day 20 states (including Georgia) announced their decision NOT to set up state exchanges. It was, also, the day Governor Deal wrote a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius to explain his position. This is part of what he said:

“As you know, I remain concerned with the one-size-fits-all approach and high financial burden imposed on states by this federal mandate. Therefore, the state of Georgia: will not pursue a state-based exchange, will not operate its own reinsurance program, will maintain separate small group and individual insurance markets, and will continue to define ‘small group employer’ as up to 50 employees for the purposes of the small group insurance market.” Continue reading →

November 2012 Newsletter

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Action ALERT! Lame Duck Session Considering UN Treaty

Treaties ratified by the U.S. Senate supersede the Constitution of the United States, become the law of the land and nullify contradictory federal and state laws, rules, regulations and policies.

A September 20, 2012 letter to Senator Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell was signed by 36 U.S. Senators, who requested that the Senate refrain from considering treaties in the congressional lame duck session – the period between the November election and the January 20, 2013 inauguration. They, further, informed the Leaders that the 36 cosigners of the letter would “oppose efforts to consider any treaty during this time period.”

On November 27th, despite that letter, the Senate voted 61-36 to take up the U.N. Convention (treaty) on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). It was discussed, but not voted on.

Why should anyone who is not disabled be concerned? CRPD seems to apply only to disabled individuals. However, the U.N. could intervene in any family or group that includes a person with a disability, defined as a long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment that may hinder full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.

On August 14, 2012, WND Radio quoted U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) as follows:

“…another U.N. treaty that threatens American sovereignty has been put back on the table by foreign diplomats and their internationalist allies in the federal government. It’s called the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Disabled, which calls for government agents to supersede the authority of parents of disabled children and even covers abortion.”

Fact: CRPD allows disgruntled children to bypass parents and complain directly to the U.N.

  • Disabled minors or adults could bypass family and U.S. law to complain directly to the U.N.
  • Decisions for disabled children and adults would be under U.N. control and global values.
  • Complaints could be made by or on behalf of individuals or groups that claim victim status.
  • After a complaint, the planned remedy (using U.N. rules) must be reported in six months.
  • The U.N. would be authorized to mandate immediate changes, even during the six months.

Fact: If CRPD is ratified, the U.N. Convention on Rights of the Child (CRC) would be next.
A mother’s report from a country enforcing CRC: “The rights of the child is insanity…when our daughter was 12 or 13 she ran away to the streets of ??????? We were told this was her right and it was her choice to be there. …I was told if I grabbed her from the streets or forced her to come home against her will, I could have been charged with kidnapping her…which could have sent me to jail. You have no idea what this does to a family. …there is much more to my story than this…but it gives you a little idea of how it takes the parents’ rights away so completely…and how much damage it does to that child. …It is a parent’s worst nightmare.”

ACTION – Oppose ratification of CRPD and other U.N. treaties. Contact Georgia’s two U.S. Senators as follows:

Senator Saxby Chambliss: Toll-free in D.C., 1 800 234-4208; Savannah, 912 232-3657, fax 912 233-0115; Augusta, 706 738-0302, fax 706 738-0901; Macon, 478 741-1417, fax 478 741-1437; Atlanta 770 763-9090, fax 770 226-8633; Moultrie, 229 985-2112, fax 229 985-2123; Washington, D.C., 202 224-3521, fax 202 224-0103

Senator Johnny Isakson: Toll-free in D.C. 1 877 851-6437 (Ask for his office.); Atlanta, 770 661-0999, fax 770 661-0768; Washington, D.C., 202 224-3643, fax 202 228-0724

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March 11th Newsletter

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Illegal Students & Patients to be Counted

H.B. 296 introduced by Representative Josh Clark on February 22nd requires the following:

Education. The State Board of Education would collect and maintain citizenship data on K – 12 students and publish it on the state board’s web site no later than January 1st each year. The report would include for each school district (a) the number illegal alien students in elementary and secondary education, (b) the number of illegal alien students who are unable to show proof of citizenship and (c) each school district’s total expenditures for illegal aliens.

By October 1st each year, local school boards would report the number of illegal alien students enrolled in the district, as well as the number who do not provide proof of citizenship.

Health. The Department of Community Health (DOCH) would gather and maintain data on the number of illegal aliens receiving medical treatment, as well as those unable to show proof of citizenship. By October 1st each year, DOCH would collect from any hospital, health care facility, medical or skilled nursing home or other organization providing patient care the types and dates of treatment received by each patient, plus the cost and method of payment.

The DOCH would compile the data, calculate total expenditures, payments and non-payments by hospital and publish it on the department’s web site no later than January 1st of each year.

ACTION – Support. Since this bill has not been assigned to a subcommittee, please contact the House Non Civil Judiciary Committee chairman, as well as the Non Civil Judiciary subcommittee chairmen. They are as follows: Representatives Golick, Ch., 404 656-5943; Sub-Com. Ch. Setzler, 404 656-0177; Sub-Com. Ch. Ramsey 404 656-7146

H.B. 476: Puts Georgia in the Insurance Business, Obama Style

State government would be expanded swiftly, stunningly and perpetually.

Installing a state insurance plan is premature, but, evidently, high level officials have their plan ready in H.B. 476. Meaning, Georgia is “prepared.” So, why act prematurely with a bill that sets the plan in motion July 1st? Why not set aside H.B. 476 and wait to act until the national issue is settled? Then comply with the results. Even if the court decides Obamacare must be implemented, the federal law allows one to two legislative sessions for states to comply.

H.B. 476 passed the House Insurance Committee March 9th and went to the Rules Committee and passed, positioning it for a vote on the House floor. On Friday, March 11th the author, Representative Richard Smith (R), informed this writer that the House floor vote would be on the 30th day of the session, Wednesday March 16th.

After saying he does not like Obamacare any more than I do, Mr. Smith admitted that H.B. 476 puts Georgia in the insurance business compliant with Obamacare. Then, he said we must “be prepared in case Obamacare is upheld in the courts.” I disagreed, explaining that I could not support his bill. He nodded, said he understands and agreed we could talk again.

The Georgia Health Exchange Authority would be established, effective July 1, 2011, and have “perpetual existence,” i.e. continuous uninterrupted succession. Nine appointees would govern it – the Commissioner of Community Health, the Authority Commissioner, plus seven members appointed by the Governor, whose designee would be executive director. Ex officio members – Office of Planning and Budget director, Governor’s executive counsel, Georgia Technology Authority executive director – will serve three years, with possible reappointment.

The Authority could elect/appoint/hire/define duties/fix compensation for employees and officers, experts and fiscal agents, and contract or lease as required or convenient. Funding may come from gifts, grants, loans/loan guarantees, property and financial or other aid from federal and state government agencies, regardless of accompanying terms and conditions. It would administer the Georgia Health Exchange Trust Fund, as a new item in the state treasury.

A Georgia Health Exchange would operate the state’s American Health Benefit Exchange, with power to sell health insurance compliant with Obamacare. Officially, it is the federal Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 with its rules and regulations. So, by January 1, 2014, Georgia’s Obamacare could seek funding from federal grants or other sources.

The Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Exchange would be created to comply with Obamacare, increase small employer enrollment in group insurance, and coordinate with other state agencies, including administrators of Social Security Title XIX and Title XXI.

An appointed Exchange Advisory Committee would develop the design, implementation and operation of the Exchange and the SHOP. Appointees would report to the board and Governor by November 15, 2011 their recommendations for: (a) increasing the numbers of people insured in the state, (b) developing competition in insurance, (c) making Georgia small business friendly, (d) keeping family members on the same plan, (e) promoting customer service, and (f) finding sustainable solutions, whether or not they are specifically part of the federal act.

ACTION – Oppose. Contact Governor Deal 404 656-1776; Lt. Governor Cagle 404 656-5030; Speaker Ralston 404 656-5020; Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones 404 656-5072; Majority Whip Lindsey 404 656-5024; Rules Chairman Meadows 404 656-5141; Rules V-Chairman Golick 404 656-5943; Rules Secretary Mills 657-8441; Bearden 404 656-5096; Ehrhart, 404 463-2247; Franklin 404 656-0152; Hembree 404 656-6801; Rice 404 656-5912; Martin Scott 404 656-0254; Setzler 404 656-0177; T. Smith 404 656-5105; Teasley 404 656-0177; Walker 404 656-5146; Willard 404 656-5125.

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