“Cash for Cloture” for Senate Bill
Causes Democrat Squabble
Radio Commentary, WMVV 90.7 New Life FM, January 8, 2010
By Sue Ella Deadwyler
Good morning, Jim. Recently, the focus has been on Washington and the planned socialized medicine that would drastically change healthcare. Rather than being treated for our individual needs, healthcare would be provided according to age, productivity, physical condition and quality of life, as defined by politicians and there would be total control of doctors, hospitals, medication, treatment and patients. Those and other provisions in the proposed health care plan contradict freedoms granted in the Constitution of the United States.
Because of the many constitutional questions, Georgia is among several states considering legal action. On December 23rd, Governor Perdue asked our Attorney General to join other state attorneys general to review the constitutionality of the federal plan. Seven days later, 13 Republican attorneys general threatened to file suit, because the plan passed only after senators agreed to vote YES, if their state got financial pay-offs. Pay-off to Nebraska’s Senator Nelson caused the most reaction. To get Nelson’s vote, senate leaders said the federal government would pay for all new Medicaid costs in Nebraska, after the year 2016. That means, other states, including Georgia, would foot the bill for all of their own new Medicaid patients … then, pick up 100 percent of Nebraska’s tab … indefinitely.
Vermont’s senator voted YES in exchange for a 2.2 percent increase in his state’s Medicaid funding, plus another $600 million over ten years. For its entire program, Massachusetts gets a half-percent increase in Medicaid funding for three years, plus another $500 million over ten years. At least five states will get additional Medicare payments to their hospitals and doctors, but the complete list of pay-offs is not available, yet.
About all that and more, Georgia Congressman Tom Price said, “It’s unfortunate that [Congress is] passing legislation based on personal handouts and political bribes. This shameful and secretive process would offend the great patriots who have preceded them in the Senate chamber. Never before has such a significant piece of legislation been passed in such an unseemly and purely partisan manner.”
Please continue asking your U.S. Representative and Georgia’s two senators to defeat the federal healthcare bill. Call them at their home office, while they’re in recess and call them in D.C., as well. Toll-free in D.C. is 1 877 762-8762. Local libraries can give you their local numbers. All federal health care plans now being considered will, surely, destroy patient/doctor relationships, minimize the treatment everyone receives and outrageously raise taxes.
Meanwhile, Georgia’s legislative session begins Monday at 10 o’clock. So, get ready. Get set, because it’s a GO on Monday! For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.