Part 2 - ACTION ITEMS - What YOU can do (Please)
by Donna Baver Rovito
Editor, Liability and Health News Update
Author, Pennsylvania's Disappearing Doctors
This LIABILITY AND HEALTH NEWS UPDATE "newsletter" is a free service which I provide, as a volunteer, to help supply medical liability reform and health care reform news and information, legislative updates, and political insight to physicians, patients, liability reform and quality health care advocates. NO ONE pays me to do this. I am not employed by any physician or health care reform advocacy or liability reform organization, political party or candidate, although I volunteer for several. I am a quality health care, physician and patient advocate, breast cancer survivor, physician's spouse, journalist, political noisemaker, mom, and freelance writer. I am not nor will I ever claim to be unbiased (I am....biased, I mean), unlike many in the mainstream media. Most information in this newsletter is copied and pasted from other sources, and will always be identified with links. Opinions and clarifications are my own, and do not reflect the official position of any physician or patient advocacy organization, tort reform, or health care reform group unless stated as such. My opinions are placed in double parentheses (("my opinion")), italicized and appear in blue.
This Update is emailed to health professionals, physician and patient advocates, and others interested in ensuring access to quality medical care. Join our Google Group to ensure you get all issues ASAP:
http://groups.google.com/group/liabilityandhealthnewsupdate. It also appears on the following BLOG (when I remember to post it): http://liabilityandhealthnewsupdate.blogspot.com. If you'd prefer not to receive these periodic updates about health care issues in America, please hit "Reply" and put "Unsub health group" in the subject line and I'll remove your email address immediately. PLEASE FORWARD THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO EVERY HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL OR PATIENT YOU KNOW, AND SEND ME MORE EMAIL ADDRESSES SO WE CAN GET THIS INFORMATION TO MORE OF THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT.
DonnaRovito@gmail.com
ROVSPA@aol.com
http://groups.google.com/group/liabilityandhealthnewsupdate
http://liabilityandhealthnewsupdate.blogspot.com
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BREAKING NEWS - URGENT ACTION NEEDED IMMEDIATELY
This just in from our friends at Berks TEA Party - which corroborates what I just heard on the radio - that Democratic leaders are saying four reps who voted NO in the fall are willing to change their votes. One of them is from PA.
URGENT ACTION NEEDED NOW!!!
We have just received a report from the floor of the House, from anextremely reliable source, that Democratic Majority Whip James Clyburn isreporting that four Democratic Congressmen that were no votes on thehealthcare bill have now switched to a yes vote. We need you to flood their offices with phone calls, faxes and if local, go by their offices.
Especially target Rep. Altmire from Pennsylvania. This should be a sign that we need to continue to pound hard with phonescalls, faxes and visits to all the targets. We need to keep the pressure upand not let up.
Rep. John Boccieri, Ohio, 16th
Rep. Jason Altmire, Pennsylvania 4th
Rep. Bart Gordon, Tennessee 6th
Rep. Brian Baird, Washington 3rdhttp://www.baird.house.gov/DC Office Number: (202) 225-3536, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-2478Local Office Number: (360) 695-6292, Local Fax Number: (360) 695-6197Voted Yes on Stupak
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((From our wonderfully active friends at UnitePA.org))
UNITEPA UPDATE 3/15/10
TRIP to WASHINGTON DC ON TUESDAY MARCH 16TH
UNITEPA is going to DC. with our white DR.s coats. We will be carpooling and taking the train. We have 50 coats, anyone can borrow but we need them back. ((This is great - the UnitePA folks who will wear the coats will ALSO wear tags which say "Property of the White House Costume Department.))
FREEDOM WORKS
Time: March 16, 2010 9 a.m.
Location: Cannon House Office BuildingStreet: Independence Avenue SE and New Jersey SECity/Town: Washington, DCWebsite or Map: http://maps.google.com/maps?f... Phone: 202-942-7616
TEA PARTY EXPRESS
Time: March 16th, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Taft Park, Washington DC
Speakers: Congressman Pence, Bachmann, Price Blackburn, Wilson, Ginrey
Amy Kremer of Tea Party Express, AFP, National Center for Public Policy Research, FreedomWorks
TRANSPORTATION to DC:
The Kitchen Table Patriots Bus: Karen Bracken, at 215-996-1147, or wabby99@verizon.net.
Lehighton Bus: $35 PER PERSON- Contact me (Sandy) at (H) 570-645-8510 (C) 610-781-3643 or gramzey@ptd.net.
Pittsburg Tea Party: 2 pick-up locations: Ross Town Center and Monroeville Miracle Mile Shopping Center. Ross Town Center is a strip mall across from Ross Park Mall on McKnight (enter at the Wendy's). Park low in the parking lot as close to McKnight as possible at the most southern end of the mall. Monroeville Miracle Mile Shopping Center is on William Penn Highway. Please park away from the stores in the middle of the lot. Email George at the bus company if you plan to go at gstd@deboltunlimited.com. Provide him with your name, email address, cell phone number, and departure location. $45 and includes the permit for the bus in D.C. and the gratuity for the driver. PAY WITH CASH OR MONEY ORDER WHEN YOU BOARD THE BUS.
Also from UnitePA.org:
"STOP THE HEALTH CARE NIGHTMARE" - Pennsylvania events
UNITEPA has organized a statewide vigil and multiple protests throughout this week and next week to stop the House from passing the Senate version of the Health Care Bill. Over 120 grassroots groups will be participating in this effort.
Grassroots Leaders have volunteered to be Team Leaders and each of them have received a comprehensive list of every grassroots organization within their district. Each congressional office has been assigned a Squad Leader. That squad leader will work under the Team leader to ensure every individual is going to the right location.
GRASSROOTS CONTACTS FOR STATEWIDE PROTEST LOCATIONS:
((While no events at legislators' offices are planned in the Lehigh Valley - because our Republican member of Congress Charlie Dent is a firm NO vote - various events are planned in nearby areas throughout the week. Please contact the team leader closest to you for details. Lehigh Valley patriots - your presence and assistance would be GREATLY appreciated in any of these five areas! And, of course, we can ALL make phone calls and send letters, emails and faxes))
Main Contact: Sharon Cherubin, UNITEPA Email: info@unitepa.org
Jason Altmire, 4th - (8 offices) Team Leader: McKay Sailor Email: mckay166@yahoo.com
Christopher Carney, 10th - (3 offices) - Team Leader: Daniel Smeriglio Email: standupnowamerica@gmail.com
Tim Holden, 17th - (4 offices) Team Leader: John Stahl (working with Mike Souders and Scott Russo) Email: Berksteaparty@hotmail.com
Kathy Dahlkemper, 3rd - (7 offices) Team Leader: Mary Ellen Salerno Email: wakeup@ptd.net
Patrick Murphy, 8th - (2 offices) Team Leader: Ana Puig Email: conservatives4america@gmail.com
What to do - protest (before and during) -Email, Fax and Call the Reps (non-stop) -Deliver letters, petitions -Protest/Picket outside the offices -Attend townhalls or host your own -Coordinate interviews with other members, doctors and leaders to forward to the media -Call in to radio stations to report the event
Contact Information for Pennsylvania Representatives
From UnitePA - TARGETED CONGRESSMAN INFO - THESE FOLKS ARE CAVING IN TO SAYING "YES"
Representative Kathleen Dahlkemper - 3rd District Washington Office
516 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515Phone: (202) 225-5406Fax: (202) 225-3103 E-mail:
District Office208 E. Bayfront Parkway Suite 102Erie, PA 16507Toll Free: 1-877-KATHY4U (1-877-528-4948)Local: (814) 456-2038Fax: (814) 454-0163
Satellite District OfficesArmstrong CountyArmstrong County Commissioner's Office450 E Market StKittanning, PA 16201
Butler CountyButler Township Municipal Building290 South Duffy RoadButler, PA 16001Phone: (724) 285-3595
Crawford CountyAllegheny College Founders House908 Diamond ParkMeadville, PA 16335Phone: (814) 336-1080
Mercer CountyHermitage Municipal Building800 N. Hermitage Road, Suite 417Hermitage, PA 16148Phone: (724) 342-2685
Venango CountyEmlenton Borough Municipal Building511 Hill StEmlenton, PA 16373
Warren CountyWarren County Senior Center800 Pennsylvania AvenueWarren, PA 16365
Representative Jason Altmire - 4th District((Democratic Majority Whip James Clyburn reports that Altmire is now a " https://forms.house.gov/altmire/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm Main District Offices Aliquippa Office
2110 McLean StreetAliquippa, PA 15001724-378-0928724-378-6171 (fax) Natrona Heights Office
2124 Freeport RoadNatrona Heights, PA 15065724-226-1304724-226-1308 (fax) Satellite District Offices Cranberry Township Office Cranberry Township Municipal Building2525 Rochester RoadCranberry Township, PA 16066-64991:30 pm to 5:00 pm - First and Third Thursdays of every monthEllwood City Office Ellwood City Municipal BuildingLawrence AvenueEllwood City, PA 161172:00 pm to 6:00pm - 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month Farrell Office Farrell City Building500 Roemer BlvdFarrell, PA 161219 am to 1:00 pm - 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month Murrysville Office Murrysville Municipal Building4100 Sardis RoadMurrysville, PA 156682 pm to 4 pm - Second Tuesday of every month4 pm to 7 pm - Fourth Tuesday of every month New Castle Office Lawrence County Government Center 430 Court Street1st Floor Caucus RoomNew Castle, PA 161018:00 am to 4:00 pm - Every Wednesday and Friday Ross Township OfficeRoss Township Municipal BuildingRecreation Center1000 Ross Municipal DrivePittsburgh,PA 152379:00 am to 12:00 pm - First and Third Thursdays of every month
Representative Patrick Murphy - 8th District
Washington Office1609 Longworth HOBWashington, DC 20515(202) 225-4276Fax: (202) 225-9511 E-mail: http://www.house.gov/formpatrickmurphy/zipauth.shtml District Offices: Bristol Office 414 Mill StreetBristol, PA 19007(215) 826-1963Fax: (215) 826-1997 Doylestown Office 72 North Main Street Doylestown, PA 18901(215) 348-1194Fax: (215) 348-1449
Representative Christopher Carney - 10th District
((Make sure to read the article immediately after this item for Rep. Carney's assertions that all of the opposition he's getting to the bill comes from BIG INSURANCE COMPANIES. Funny, I didn't know we were all on the payroll of those evil big insurance companies....? Where's my check?))
Washington Office 416 Cannon HOBWashington, DC 20515Ph: (202) 225-3731Fx: (202) 225-9594E-mail: http://carney.house.gov/contact.shtml PA10reply@mail.house.gov
District Offices
Clarks Summit District Office233 Northern Boulevard Suite 4Clarks Summit, PA 18411 Phone: (570) 585-9988Toll free: (866) 846-8124Fax: (570) 585-9977Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 - 5:00
Shamokin District Office521 Franklin StreetShamokin, PA 17872Phone: (570) 644-1682Fax: (570) 644-1684Office Hours: Tuesday - Thursday, 8:00 - 4:30
Williamsport District Office175 Pine St. Suite 103Williamsport, PA 17701 Phone: (570) 327-1902Fax: (570) 327-1904Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 - 5:00
Representative Tim Holden - 17th District
((At the current time it looks as though Rep. Holden will vote NO - but that could change, depending on how much pressure he gets from his party. Rep. Holden has always been a solid supporter of quality health care, and has on many occasions stood up for health care over party affiliation. THANK HIM for his intelligent choice and remind him that you, along with the majority of Americans, support his choice to OPPOSE the bill. Remind him that ALL Americans are watching what their members of Congress do in the next several days, and let him know that you and others will be there to support his choice when his colleagues give him a hard time about it.))
Washington Office 2417 Rayburn HOB Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5546 FAX: (202) 226-0996 E-mail: http://holden.house.gov/contactform_zipcheck.shtml District Offices
Berks County Office
4918 Kutztown Road Temple, PA 19560 Phone: (610) 921-3502 FAX: (610) 921-3504 Dauphin/Perry County Office
1721 North Front Street Harrisburg, PA 17102 Phone: (717) 234-5904 FAX: (717) 234-5918 Lebanon County Office
758 Cumberland Street Lebanon, PA 17042 Phone: (717) 270-1395 FAX: (717) 270-1095 Schuylkill County Office
101 North Centre Street Pottsville, PA 17901 Phone: (570) 622-4212 FAX: (570) 628-2561
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((This is from the national coalition of TEA Party groups. It's important to remember that all of the TEA party/9-12/Patriot groups are independent, and none take orders from anyone "at the top" - unlike the"grassoots" volunteers who are being directed by the Democratic National Committee. Of course, it's important to coordinate efforts - but each group, as each member, are individual and unique.))
From TEA Party Patriots.org
Code Red, Red Alert, OPERATION URGENT CARETea Party by robertkgaudet
Dear Fellow Tea Party Patriots,National Coordinator Jenny Beth Martin just got off the phone with 2 reliable sources in Washington DC who have told us that the Blue Dog Democrats are caving on health care and will be voting for it. Many Blue Dogs are saying that Speaker Pelosi will have the votes before or by next Thursday and they are saying this very confidently. The important thing to note is that as soon as Speaker Pelosi thinks she has the votes, she will immediately call for the vote on the House Floor. That means it the vote could come as early as tomorrow, or it could be later. It is up to each and every one of us to stop this health care bill.
Over 60% of Americans do NOT want this bill yet that does not matter to the Democrats in Congress. Sen. Coburn said on Tea Party Patriots' Hot Tea Radio program today, that current polling shows 48% of Americans want the entire health care bill scrapped and to start over. Only 25% of Americans even want this bill, and polling shows jobs is the top priority for Americans and health care reform ranks well down the list at number six. Yet Speaker Pelosi and the Democrat leadership in the House and the Senate are prepared to shove this bill down our throats, regardless of what the American people want.
We cannot let our liberty go without fighting for it with everything we have. In the battle to prevent the government from taking over our health care, Tea Party Patriots across the country have left no stone unturned. Right now we must keep the pressure up!!! The Blue Dog Democrats must feel as much pressure from the "Tea Party folks" as they are feeling from Speaker Pelosi and the Democrat House Leadership. The absolute most effective thing that you can do is to go to the office of the Congressmen who are on the fence and still undecided on this government takeover of health care bill. Let the Undecided Congressmen see the live faces of the people who do not want this health care bill shoved down our throats. Make them look in your eyes.
In addition to the action items emailed late last night, we need you right now to plan an event and have car loads of people visiting the local district offices in a constant stream this week. Here is how to do it:
Check our site to see when other events are currently planned in your area to protest government take over of health care. You can see this by going to teapartypatriots.org, click on Tea Parties. Then click on your state and then click on Events. Make a mental note of when events are currently planned.
Now plan a visit to the targeted Congressmen in your state who are still undecided in their office tomorrow, Friday, over the weekend, and/or each day next week. Plan an event that does not conflict with the time, date, and place of a currently planned event. For instance if one is planned at noon tomorrow, then plan on for 3:00 tomorrow. We need as much constant pressure as possible.
Login to teapartypatriots.org and list your event on our website. After logging in, click on My Account. Then click on Add Event. Fill out the pertinent information. Click Submit. We will have people approving events every couple of hours and you will get an email as soon as it is approved.
Email all of your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors an invitation to the event you are planning. Each of us has a unique circle of influence that no one else has. Use that circle of influence to contact the people within it and tell them how important this vote is. Tell them why you are taking time away from your family, work, and other normal activities to plan an event and ask them to attend.
Create an event for it on Facebook as well. You can do this by click logging into facebook.com. On the left hand side, click on Events. Then click Create an Event and follow the directions on the site. Once your event is created, invite your friends on Facebook to attend as well.
Remember, the tea party movement and Tea Party Patriots began because individuals like you were tired of politics as usual and were willing to speak out against big government tax and spend policies. Individuals all across the nation used the options available online to plan events and then asked everyone they knew to participate in those events. You can do this too. We are here to help you. If you have never planned a tea party event before and need help you can
emailtppatriotssupport@gmail.com. We will have several people monitoring this email address throughout the day so that someone will reply to you in a timely manner. (Jenny Beth Martin's email inbox is overflowing and she is not keeping up with email as well as she would like.)Next week, we need absolutely as many people as can possibly go to DC to be in DC visiting the Congressional offices. If you are in the Congressional office in DC, it is much more difficult for the Congressmen to ignore you and they get to see the feedback first hand rather than filter through their staff. If it is a stretch on your budget and a sacrifice for you to make the visit, remember that an office visit next week, will be less expensive than the increased taxes this bill cause over the next 10 years
Targeted Congressmen
The best intelligence we have is that we must have the original people who voted No on the bill vote no again.
They are:Bobby Bright (Ala. 2)Parker Griffith (Ala. 5) ((Rep. Griffith, a doctor, has switched parties over the health care reform mess and will be voting with the Republicans on this.))Artur Davis (Ala. 7)Mike Ross (Ark. 4)Betsy Markey (Colo. 4)Allen Boyd (Fla. 2)Suzanne Kosmas (Fla. 24)Jim Marshall (Ga. 8)John Barrow (Ga. 12)Walt Minnick (Idaho 1)Ben Chandler (Ky. 6)Charlie Melancon (La. 3)Frank Kratovil Jr. (Md. 1)Travis Childers (Miss. 1)Gene Taylor (Miss. 4)Collin C. Peterson (Minn. 7)Ike Skelton (Mo. 4)Mike McIntyre (N.C. 7)Larry Kissell (N.C. 8)Heath Shuler (N.C. 11)Harry Teague (N.M. 2)Michael E. McMahon (N.Y. 13)Scott Murphy (N.Y. 20)Eric Massa (N.Y. 29) ((Don't waste time calling him - he's gone over a sex scandal...))John Boccieri (Ohio 16)Dennis J. Kucinich (Ohio 10)Dan Boren (Okla. 2)Jason Altmire (Pa. 4)Tim Holden (Pa. 17)Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (S.D.)Lincoln Davis (Tenn. 4)Bart Gordon (Tenn. 6)John Tanner (Tenn. 8)Chet Edwards (Tex. 17)Jim Matheson (Utah 2)Glenn Nye (Va. 2)Rick Boucher (Va. 9)Brian Baird (Wash. 3)Then we need to focus on the following Congressmen to turn their Yes votes to No votes:Congressman Marion Berry (AR)Congressman Harry Mitchell (AZ)Congressman Gabrielle Giffords (AZ)Congressman Dennis Cardoza (CA)Congressman Jim Costa (CA)Congressman Paul Hodes (NH)Congressman Michael Arcuri (NY)Congressman Tim Bishop (NY)Congressman Dan Maffei (NY)Congressman Bill Owens (NY)Congressman Brad Ellsworth (IN)Congressman Joe Donnelly (IN)Congressman Baron Hill (IN)Congressman Mark Schauer (MI)Congressman Earl Pomeroy (ND)Congressman Dina Titus (NV)Congressman Kurt Schrader (OR)Congressman Steve Driehaus (OH)Congressman Zach Space (OH)Congressman Charlie Wilson (OH)Congressman Chris Carney (PA)
Contact information for as many of these as we possibly can have is below. If we do not have all the contact information, we will work on getting that updated tonight and tomorrow.
((The national TEA Party group is focusing on Rep. Paul Kanjorski in addition to the five who've been targeted by independent PA TEA Party groups. I say....GO FOR IT. If you're in Kanjorski's district, or near his office in DC, speak your piece. Just don't let him get too close....at the last health care event in Washington, Rep. Kanjorski got angry enough to lay hands on a PA citizen who was waiting outside his office door....no harm was done, but it was an indication of how frustrated and angry some of our members of Congress are about this issue.))
PENNSYLVANIA
Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, Pennsylvania 3rdhttp://www.dahlkemper.house.govDC Office Number: (202) 225-5406, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-3103Local Office Number: (814) 456-2038, Local Fax Number: (814) 454-0163Voted Yes on Health CareCurrently Undecided
Rep. Jason Altmire, Pennsylvania 4thhttp://www.altmire.house.gov/DC Office Number: (202) 225-2565, DC Fax Number: (202) 226-2274Local Office Number: (724) 378-0928, Local Fax Number: (724) 378-6171Voted Yes on StupakVoted No on Health CareCurrently Undecided on Next Health Care Takeover VoteListed on Blue Dog Coalition Membership
Rep. Paul Kanjorski, Pennsylvania, 11thhttp://kanjorski.house.gov/DC Office Number: 202-225-6511, DC Fax Number: 202-225-0764Local Office Number: 570-825-2200, Local Fax Number: 570-825-8685Voted Yes on Health CareCurrently Undecided on Next Health Care Takeover Vote
Rep. Christopher Carney, Pennsylvania, 16thhttp://carney.house.gov/DC Office Number: (202) 225-3731, DC Fax Number: (202) 225-9594Local Office Number: (570) 585-9988, Local Fax Number: (570) 585-9977Voted Yes on Health CareCurrently Undecided on Next Health Care Takeover VoteListed on Blue Dog Coalition Membership
Rep. Tim Holden, Pennsylvania 17thhttp://holden.house.gov/DC Office Number: (202) 225-5546, DC Fax Number: (202) 226-0996 Local Office Number: (610) 921-3502, Local Fax Number: (610) 921-3504Chief of Staff: Trish Reilly email: trish.reilly@mail.house.govVoted Yes on StupakVoted No on Health CareCurrently Undecided on Next Health Care Takeover VoteListed on Blue Dog Coalition
((At the current time it looks as though Rep. Holden will vote NO - but that could change. THANK HIM for his intelligent choice and remind him that you, along with the majority of Americans, support his choice to OPPOSE the bill. Remind him that ALL Americans are watching what their members of Congress do in the next several days, and let him know that you and others will be there to support his choice when his colleagues give him a hard time about it.))
For contact information for Members of the House who need to be contacted in other states, please click here:
http://www.teapartypatriots.org/BlogPostView.aspx?id=84e5b956-bfe9-4024-9fd3-aaf17cc00012
ACTION ITEMS
1. We need everyone to visit their respective representative in congress
2. We need everyone to visit the targeted blue dog democrats
3. Bring handwirtten letters, stating who you are, what you want and why you want it. In no uncertain terms state VOTE NO on this HealthCare bill.
Handwritten letters carry a lot of weight.
4. When entering the office of a representative, FIRST, ask to speak with your representative. If he or she is not available THAN SECONDLY, ask for the Chief of Staff or HealthCare Advisor or Assistant to the Representative.
The goal is to speak to someone in the office besides the receptionist.
5. If you have been lobbying before in Washington, DC , please lend a hand to others that have not been there before. Remember your representatives are just people.
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The Daily Item
Carney blasts big insurers
http://www.dailyitem.com/0100_news/local_story_071220753.html
By The Daily Item WASHINGTON, D.C. —
With an historic vote on health care reform looming next week, U.S. Rep. Chris Carney rebuked health insurance companies behind an advertising campaign aimed at getting him to vote against the legislation.
"I appreciate the input I have been getting on both sides of the health care debate. But I find it appalling that the hard-working families of the 10th District have to compete with big health-insurance companies to get their voices heard," Carney said Friday. "Big health-insurance companies are seeking to use scare tactics to influence my vote. There are at least four national groups funded by big insurers that have poured more than $267,000 into our district." ((Actually, there's no proof that ANY of those groups is funded by "big insurers." One is the US Chamber of Commerce. Another, the League of Voters, is soliciting $5 contributions online to keep running the spots.))
Insurance companies funding the attack ads targeting Northeastern Pennsylvania television stations "should be ashamed," Carney said.
"People getting dropped from their coverage because of pre-existing conditions don't have millions to spend on TV ads," Carney said. "How many of those people could have been covered by the millions of dollars insurance companies are spending to organize and advertise against health care reform?"
Carney's comments Friday came as House and Senate Democratic leaders reached for agreement Friday on President Barack Obama's health care bill, sweetened suddenly by fresh billions for student aid and a sense that breakthroughs are at hand.
"It won't be long," before lawmakers vote, predicted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
She said neither liberals' disappointment over the lack of a government health care option nor a traditional mistrust of the Senate would prevent passage in the House.
At the White House, officials worked to maximize Obama's influence over lawmakers who control the fate of legislation that has spawned a yearlong struggle. They said he would delay his departure on an Asian trip for three days "” until March 21 "” and he will go to Ohio next week for a campaign-style pitch for his health care proposals.
The delay gives congressional leaders much-needed breathing room to finish the legislation and nail down support from wavering lawmakers.
"I'm delighted that the president will be here for the passage of the bill. It's going to be historic," said Pelosi, D-Calif., though there's no guarantee the House can act by then. A procedural vote in the House Budget Committee is set for Monday afternoon, but as of late Friday lawmakers still hadn't gotten the final analysis from the Congressional Budget Office that they need to go forward.
With Democrats deciding to incorporate changes in student aid into the bill, Republicans suddenly had a new reason to oppose legislation they have long sought to scuttle.
"Well of course it's a very bad idea," said Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. "We now have the government running banks, insurance companies, car companies, and they do want to take over the student loan business."
He said it was symptomatic of Democrats' determination to have the government expand its tentacles into absolutely everything.
At its core, the health care bill is designed to provide health care to tens of millions who lack it and ban insurance companies from denying medical coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions. Obama also wants the measure to begin to slow the rate of growth in medical costs nationwide. Most people would have to get insurance by law, and families earning up to $88,000 would receive subsidies.
Whatever the outcome, there was no doubt the issue would reverberate into this fall's elections, with control of Congress at stake.
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((THIS is a marvelous tongue-in-cheek "gift" to legislators....way to go, Skip and Matt! FYI, as physicians are ALSO small businesses, doctors should check our their new organization. I met with Skip Salvesen and Matt Balazik before the group went public about how their unique approach to supporting small business can benefit private medical practices, and I encourage everyone to consider becoming a part of PaCAN.))
For Immediate Release
03-15-10
Contact: Skip Salvesen
E-mail: americawins@pa-can.org
PACAN GIFTS GUIDE TO OBAMACARE SUPPORTERS
The Pennsylvania Commercial Action Network
Today, PaCAN is reminding all Congressmen in Pennsylvania who will vote for the healthcare bill or are still uncommitted to voting against the current bill, of its anti-growth and anti-job provisions. Small business owners will be affected greatly, and we encourage Congress to heed the concerns of their constituents and vote against this partisan bill.
As a public service, in case these Congressmen vote for the healthcare bill and ignore the tremendous public opposition to it, PaCAN has provided each with a copy of the fine reference, Resumes for Dummies, to assist them if their reelection efforts don’t work out this year.
PaCAN is also organizing and hiring in these districts to better serve the interests of business owners and the people they employ. Individuals interested in working with PaCAN on advancing real job-creation policies that support local entrepreneurs can send a resume to americawins@pa-can.org
Americans, especially Pennsylvanians who own or operate small businesses will suffer from disincentives to growing their businesses and hire more employees under the proposed health care restructure.
Our state endures one of the lowest-rated economies in the nation already; passage of this bill will further handicap those who’ve traditionally led us out of recessions.
The following elected officials will receive the book and enclosed letter: Rep. Patrick Murphy, Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, Rep. Chaka Fattah, Rep. Alyson Schwartz, Rep. Chris Carney, Rep. Paul Kanjorski, Rep. Bob Brady, Rep. Mike Doyle, Rep. Jason Altmire and Rep. Joe Sestak.
PaCAN urges grassroots leaders interested in coordinating efforts to un-elect politicians advancing job killing entitlements to contacts us at americawins@pa-can.org
Supporters and small business owners can join PA-CAN through our website. No donation is too small or too large. As always, your confidentiality is protected at PaCAN. Read more at: www.pa-can.org.
If you’d like more information about PaCAN, or to schedule an interview with Skip Salvesen respond to americawins@pa-can.org. Check here for press release archives: http://www.pa-can.org/pages/press_release.html---
((Here's the letter:))
Dear Congressman Altmire:
The Pennsylvania Commercial Action Network wishes to remind you of the effect the proposed Healthcare Bill would have on small businesses around the United States, including in your district. The current bill offers disincentives for the hiring of employees and opens some employers to annual fines of over $2000 per employee, even if health insurance is provided. The bill also deters businesses from expanding beyond 50 employees because of extra mandated costs. This bill would create barriers for a small-business to grow into a larger one, quashing the American Dream for millions around the country. Job creation in America’s smallest businesses, those who’ve faithfully led the way out of recessions in the past, will be stunted. Ironically, these policies force costs onto employers and inevitably will lead to additional layoffs.
No one can argue that this bill is bipartisan. The American public is strongly opposed to it as polls consistently show a belief that it raises healthcare costs and decreases healthcare services. We at PaCAN encourage you, in the strongest terms possible to oppose this package and start over.
As a public service to Congressmen who will continue to have a hard time judging the sentiment of their constituents, PaCAN has sent the fine book: Resumes for Dummies, to help in your future job search.
PaCAN is currently hiring organizers in your area who are looking out to protect America’s best job creation resource: small businesses. Please let us know how we can share with you real job creation policies that do not erode the American Dream.
Sincerely,
Your Friends at PaCAN
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((THIS organization, although it also has CAN in its name, has nothing to do with supporting physicians or small business or patients either, despite their claims to want health care for ALL....please read this carefully and then check out which groups are part of this coalition - which is an outgrowth of the Obama campaign machine, despite its claims of non-partisanship. THIS is the volunteer "army" the administration had mobilized to ram its health care plan through - and which is likely at least PART of the reason four Congressmen who voted NO on the House bill in the fall are reportedly going to vote "YES" for it now....))
from Marc Stier
PA State Director
Health Care For America Now ((Coalition of unions, ACORN, MoveOrg, etc. in SUPPORT of Obamacare))
Dear Friends,After 20 months, this part of our campaign for quality, affordable health care for all is coming to an end. We are fairly sure the critical vote in the House of Representatives will take place by Saturday.The vote will be very close, and health care reform won't be enacted without an outpouring of grassroots energy that can overcome the powerful insurance company interests that are trying to block it.So many of you in Pennsylvania have been doing so much for so long. Over the last three weeks, Pennsylvanians have led the way at two events in Washington. Hundreds of you joined us for the end of Melanie's March and for the exciting anti- health insurance company rally last week. But whether you have been an active participant in the campaign or not, I must ask you to do everything you can in this crucial last week to make our dream a reality. Phone bankingFour Democratic members of the House, Representatives Altmire (CD 4), Carney (CD 10), Dahlkemper (CD 3), and Kanjorski (CD 11) are being hammered by paid advertising and phone calls. We need to encourage their constituents to call them this week and tell them to support health care reform. As many of you know we have a wonderful phone banking system, called ACTIVATE, that enables us to connect you to strong supporters of health care reform in each of these districts. You can ask them to make a call and then automatically connect them to their member of Congress. The process is easy and it is fun. People appreciate being reminded to take action on this issue.You can join our phone banking any time of the day. You just need to go through a quick training. We will be holding trainings once or twice a day between now and the vote. The next ones are scheduled for 4:00 and 6:00 pm on Monday March 15. The call in number for the training is 712-451-6000 Passcode is 275893#. RSVP to Athena Ford at aford@philaup.org or 267-257-6968.Rallies Tuesday and WednesdayWith MoveOn.org we will be holding rallies for health care reform at or near Congressional offices on Tuesday and Wednesday. Here is the schedule. Please join us!CD 4 Congressman Jason AltmireAliquippa Office: Tuesday, March 16th, 12:00 PM RSVP here CD 3 Congresswoman Kathy DahlkemperErie Office: Tuesday, March 16th, 12:00 PM RSVP here CD 10 Congressman Chris CarneyWilliamsport Office: Tuesday, March 16th, 12:00 PM RSVP here Clarks Summit Office, Tuesday, March 16th, 5:00 PM RSVP here Sunbury Office, Tuesday, March 16th, 5:30 PM RSVP here CD 11 Congressman Paul KanjorskiScranton Office, Tuesday, March 16th, 12:00 PM RSVP HereCD 17 Congressman Tim Holden Harrisburg Federal Building Wednesday, March 17th, 12:00 PM RSVP here Lebanon Office, Tuesday, March 16th, 5:30 PM RSVP HereReading: Penn St. Bridge, Wednesday, March 17th, 12:00 PM RSVP here. What is at stakeI just want to remind you what is at stake this week. The health care bill is, we know, not all we wanted. But it will save tens of thousands of lives a year; keep hundreds of thousands out of bankruptcy; reduce fear and uncertainty for tens of millions, and save all of us a great deal of money on insurance premiums. Among other things, the legislation will:
· Change the business model for insurance companies by prohibiting them from denying people coverage or charging them more if they have a pre-existing condition or are women; by limiting premiums on the basis of age; and by eliminating annual and lifetime cap on coverage.
Create insurance exchanges that allows individuals and small businesses to come together to purchase insurance with the same premiums and benefits received by employees of big businesses and members of Congress.
Subsidize insurance for working people and the middle class. Families of 3 with an income of $27,000 a year will pay about $90 a month for good, comprehensive health insurance. That is a subsidy of over $1000 a month. The subsidies help the middle class as well, providing benefits for families of 4 with incomes up to $88,000 a year.
Create a number of programs that will increase the supply of primary care doctors; encourage more research on best medical practices; and carefully change payment and delivery systems so that health care costs, and thus insurance premiums, increase more slowly.
In the tradition of American political reform, the legislation also sets the stage for further reforms both at the federal level and here in Pennsylvania. The legislation will create the policy framework and the political pressure for its own expansion. A public option, either nationwide or in Pennsylvania, will be easier to enact in the future as will even more dramatic reforms if we take this step now. And it's not just about health care. The other progressive reforms we want--legislation that creates jobs; that reduces our reliance on greenhouse gas producing energy; that protects an open internet; that reforms immigration--will be much harder to attain if we don't stand up to the corporate interests blocking health care reform and enact legislation this week. With your help, we can do this. Please join us this week.Thank you.
Marc StierPA State DirectorHealth Care For America NowMarcStier@hcanpa.org(215) 880-6142
For the complete list of HCAN members, view our membership list.
((The national list is very interesting, and features a lot of the usual players, including Doctors for America, which is a direct outgrowth of the Obama campaign coalition of health care professionals, although it claims to be nonpartisan - it was the doctors from this group who donned the White House costume department's white coats at that Rose Garden dog and pony show several months ago.....
I spent about five minutes looking through the state-by-state list of members, and there are several recurring organizations there as well - ACORN - both state and local chapters, SEIU, AFL-CIO, AFSCME, MoveOn.org chapters, various state education associations - teachers' unions - and every other union you can imagine. In some states, they signed up individual businesses, like the "Cutie Pie Boutique" and "Guerilla Graphix" to pad the membership list.
It's extremely interesting to note that anyone can sign up ANY organization as a member of this group by filling out a simple online form which requires only a name, address, email address, phone number and name of an organization. There's no requirement that the person filling OUT the form actually be in a position of authority within an organization or have the right to state that an organization truly DOES endorse the group's positions. I had to restrain myself from making up an organization name, like "We Oppose Obamacare" and signing up....The list from Pennsylvania follows. THIS is the army the White House and Congress are mobilizing to push their health care bill through Congress. WE have to be louder and more passionate and more dedicated to STOP THEM.))
Pennsylvania
Acorn Pennsylvania
Main Line Progressive Action Network
Montgomery Borough
Nirvanaland Wellness
NEPA Operation Democracy Citizens in Action
North Eastern Pennsylvania Health Care Task Force
Penn Action
Philadelphia Unemployment Project
Vanessa Brown 2008
PA Coalition to End Homelessness
Cumberland County Pennsylvania Young Democrats (CCPAYD)
Sacred House of One People
OFA of Central PA
Congreso de Latinos de Unidos, Inc.
OneWay OutReach Ministries, Inc.
Legal Disclaimer
Health Care for America Now! (“HCAN”) is a section 501(c)(4) issue advocacy organization. Members of the HCAN coalition include a wide range of nonprofit and political organizations that are working to promote quality, affordable health care for all Americans. HCAN’s members are tax-exempt public charities, advocacy organizations and unions, as well as political action committees (“PACs”) and “527” organizations. HCAN and each member organization only conduct and fund activities appropriate to its tax and election law status. HCAN is related to Health Care for America Education Fund, a project of The Tides Center, a section 501(c)(3) public charity.
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From POLITICO
MoveOn threatens anti-reform Dems
March 15, 2010
MoveOn is sending an email to its members today asking them to pledge to support a progressive primary challenger to House Democrats that vote against reform.
MoveOn has shown it can effectively raise money for progressive candidates. In the two weeks since Arkansas Lt. Gov. Bill Halter announced his race against moderate Democratic Sen. Blanche Lincoln, the group raised $1.3 million for Halter.
From: Kat Barr, MoveOn.org Political ActionDate: March 15, 2010Subject: Democrats wavering? Dear MoveOn member,Health care reform is in serious danger in the House of Representatives: with a handful of conservative Democrats wavering, we don't yet have the votes to pass the final bill.1 So we're asking every MoveOn member: will you pledge to support progressive primary challengers to House Democrats who side with Republicans to kill health care reform?
With the big vote happening as early as this Friday, conservative Democrats need to know the stakes if they choose to side with Big Insurance over the voters on health care reform. Our pledge will send that message loud and clear. We'll publicize the amount pledged, and make sure the media and every wavering representative know about it.Will you join the Health Care Accountability Pledge right now? You don't have to enter your credit card information. Just click on an amount below:
The final health care package being crafted is far from perfect—and we'll keep fighting together for improvements. But in our member vote this week, 83% of us voted to support the President's proposal--because it would expand coverage to millions and curb insurance companies' abuses that hurt regular Americans.But with some House Democrats wavering under pressure from Republicans and Big Insurance, the health care bill is in grave danger.
((I guess that makes all of you who oppose the legislation either a Republican or a shill for Big Insurance. Kind of insulting to all the Independents and Democrats who oppose it, hmmmm?))
That's why the Health Care Accountability Pledge—a step we don't take lightly—is critical.
Thousands of us pledging together will send a signal that conservative Democrats can't afford to ignore. Just look at the results of our Senate pledge: Back in the fall when a handful of conservative Democrats were holding health care hostage in the Senate, MoveOn members pledged to support a primary challenge against these senators. And two weeks ago, we made good on that promise, raising over $1 million for Bill Halter, a progressive primary challenger to Senator Blanche Lincoln.
It only works, though, if we all pledge. So click below and let us know how much you want to pledge—and then forward this note to your friends and ask them to pledge, too.
Thanks for all you do.–Kat, Eli, Stephen, Carrie, and the rest of the team
Sources:1. "Pelosi faces biggest test on healthcare vote," Reuters, March 10, 2010 http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE61P3RZ20100310"Wary Centrists Posing Challenge in Health Care Vote," The New York Times, February 27, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/28/us/politics/28health.html"Reconciliation Math," Slate, March 5, 2010 http://www.slate.com/id/2246368/ 2. MoveOn member vote, March 9-10, 2010 http://www.moveon.org/healthcarevote/PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG
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Excerpts from DJP Update
Created by former AMA President Donald J. Palmisano
Meanwhile, here is the letter sent to Congress from the Coalition of State Medical and National Specialty Societies:
Go to:
March 10, 2010
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
The Honorable John Boehner
Speaker Minority Leader
United House of RepresentativesWashington, DC 205105
Dear Speaker Pelosi and Minority Leader Boehner:
The undersigned state and national specialty medical societies -- representing more than 85,000physicians and the millions of patients they serve -- are writing to oppose passage of the“Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” (H.R. 3590) by the House of Representatives.
The changes that were recently proposed by President Obama do not address our many concernswith this legislation, and we therefore urge you to draft a more patient-centered bill that willreform the country’s flawed system for financing healthcare, while preserving the best healthcarein the world.
While we agree that the status quo is unacceptable, shifting so much control overmedical decisions to the federal government is not justified and is not in our patients’ bestinterest. We are therefore united in our resolve to achieve health system reform that empowerspatients and preserves the practice of medicine -- without creating a huge governmentbureaucracy.
There are a number of problems associated with H.R. 3590 as passed by the Senate in December,including:
The bill undermines the patient-physician relationship and empowers the federalgovernment with even greater authority. Under the bill: 1) employers would be requiredto provide health insurance or face financial penalties; 2) health insurance packages withgovernment-prescribed benefits will be mandatory; 3) doctors would be forced toparticipate in the flawed Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) or face penaltiesfor nonparticipation; and 4) physicians would have to comply with extensive newreporting requirements related to quality improvement, case management, carecoordination, chronic disease management, and use of health information technology.
The bill is unsustainable from a financial standpoint. It significantly expandsMedicaid eligibility -- shifting healthcare costs to physicians who are already paid belowthe cost of delivering care and to the states that are already operating under severe budgetconstraints.
Largely unchecked by Congress or the courts, the federal government would haveunprecedented authority to change the Medicare program through the new IndependentPayment Advisory Board and the new Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation.Specifically, these entities could arbitrarily reduce payments to physicians for valuable,life-saving care for elderly patients -- reducing treatment options in a dramatic way.Medicare payment policy requires a broad and thorough analysis, and leaving thesepayment policy decisions in the hands of an unelected, unaccountable government bodywith minimal Congressional oversight will negatively impact the availability of qualityhealthcare for Americans.
The bill is devoid of proven medical liability reform measures that have been shownto reduce costs in demonstrable ways. Instead, it merely includes a grant program toencourage states to test alternatives to the current civil litigation system. We have ampleevidence -- as was recently confirmed by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) -- thatreforms such as those adopted by California, Georgia and Texas decrease costs andimprove patient access to care. Given the fact that costs remain a significant concern,Congress should enact a comprehensive set of tort reforms, which will save the federalgovernment at least $54 billion over 10 years. These savings could help offset increasedhealth insurance premiums which, according to the CBO, are expected to increase underthe bill or other costs of the bill.
Our concerns about this legislation also extend to what is not in the bill. Two important issuesinclude:
The right to privately contract is a touchstone of American freedom and liberty.Patients should have the right to choose their doctor and negotiate fee arrangements forthose services without penalty. Current Medicare patients are denied that right. Byguaranteeing all patients the right to privately contract with their physicians -- withoutpenalty -- patients will have greater access to physicians and the government will havebudget certainty. Nothing in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act addressesthese fundamental tenets, which we believe are essential components of real healthsystem reform.
For healthcare reform to be successful, Medicare’s Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR)must be permanently repealed -- something the Senate bill fails to do. The SGR needsto be replaced by a new system that also establishes realistic baseline for physicianservices. The CBO has confirmed that a significant reduction in physicians’ Medicarepayments will reduce beneficiaries’ access to services.
We are at a critical moment in history. America’s physicians deliver the best medical care in theworld, yet the systems that have been developed to finance the delivery of that care to patientshave failed. With congressional action upon us, we are at a crossroads. One path accepts as“necessary” a substantial increase in federal government control over how medical care isdelivered and financed. We believe the better path is one that allows patients and physicians totake a more direct role in their healthcare decisions. By encouraging patients to own their healthinsurance policies and by allowing them to freely exercise their right to privately contract withthe physician of their choice, healthcare decisions will be made by patients and physicians andnot by the government or other third party payers.
We urge you to change the direction of the current reform efforts for the sake of our patients andour profession. We have a prescription for reform that will work for all Americans, and we arehappy to share these solutions with you to improve our nation’s healthcare system.
Thank you for considering our views.
Sincerely,
Medical Association of the State of AlabamaMedical Society of DelawareMedical Society of the District of ColumbiaFlorida Medical AssociationMedical Association of GeorgiaKansas Medical SocietyLouisiana State Medical SocietyMissouri State Medical AssociationMedical Society of New JerseySouth Carolina Medical AssociationAmerican Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryAmerican Association of Neurological SurgeonsAmerican Society of Breast SurgeonsAmerican Society of General SurgeonsCongress of Neurological Surgeons
Daniel H. Johnson, Jr., MDAMA President 1996-1997
Donald J. Palmisano, MD, JD, FACSAMA President 2003-2004
William G. Plested, III, MD, FACSAMA President 2006-2007
cc: Members, U. S. House of Representatives
DJP Note - the organizations signing the Coalition letter plus the three former presidents of AMA who are associate members of this Coalition. Only organizations that sit in the AMA House of Delegates can be full voting members in this Coalition. Consider having your organization join. Contact David Cook at Medical Association of Georgia: DCook@mag.org
DJP Comment: This letter to Congress by the Coalition of State Medical & National Specialty Societies is not sent on behalf of insurance companies, lawyers, drug companies, or any other people opposed to health system reform. These organizations and individuals in the Coalition of State Medical & National Specialty Societies want health system reform done properly and they helped pass AMA policy that binds AMA. In fact, you know most of them. The message in this Coalition letter is AMA policy. Wouldn't it be great if AMA sent such a letter! Clock continues to tick. We watch, we wait.
Spread the word to defeat the current bills being pushed through Congress. And keep reviewing the poem "If" by Kipling when people attack you personally, allege sinister motives, and refuse to deal with the facts. Remember, Santa Claus is not going to supply the funding for this disaster bill. Nor is Santa Claus going to restore your liberty to privately contract with patients without penalty. Congress will not go to a indemnity payment and allow private contracting. That would mean doctors would not have any need to beg each year about the inadequate payment by government. That would mean the folks in Congress would lose power over doctors! And it might affect their political contributions. Reality is what is written in the bill and not some fanciful dream of what it might mean or could be. Reality exists. Organized Medicine needs to stop being treated like a puppet! And it is easy to do. Just say no to the bill and state what is needed to put the patients in control with the doctor as trusted advisor. Let patients have money at risk when they make medical choices. Let information flow easily to patients so they can make those choices wisely.
Never forget that the individuals in Congress and the administration are not going to have the skills to save the life of a patient in the ER, drain the blood clot pressing on the brain of a child who was hit by a car while chasing his basketball that went into the street, help a woman deliver a baby that has the shoulder stuck in the pelvis, and the myriad of other caring events every day in the life of physicians in this great Land of Liberty. The current situation exists only because of the sanction of the victim. In this case, the doctors and patients are the victims. End the political games and let statesmanship enter the negotiations. Get rid of fear!
Stay well.
Donald
P.S. Stop by http://twitter.com/djpNEWS and sign up for DJPNEWS to get tweet alerts that may not make it into DJP Updates.Also, recent selected DJP Updates can be found at: http://www.intrepidresources.com/html/djp_update/Donald J. Palmisano, MD, JDIntrepid Resources® / The Medical Risk Manager CompanyDJP@intrepidresources.comwww.intrepidresources.comwww.onleadership.us
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from TakeBackMedicine.comt in your browser.
Desperate measures by Obama & Pelosi to pass bill must be stopped.
CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ALERT ONLINE AND COMMENT
In this alert: 1) Doctors & Patients Needed at Code Red Rallies in DC & other events.
2) House Members to Target with calls, faxes, emails.
3) Videos of physicians speaking out against government medicine.Speaker Pelosi, President Obama, and Harry Reid have seemingly forgotten the forceful rejection in Massachusetts of their radical agenda. They are now using every strong arm tactic in their playbook, and even inventing some new ones, to push through healthcare "reform" against the wishes of the American people.
President Obama has postponed his trip to Asia while Speaker Pelosi's lieutenants have drawn up the "Slaughter Solution", an unconstitutional "smoke and mirrors" maneuver, to conjure up the votes she'll need by the end of next week. Add to this mix the "on again off again" reports about what the Senate Parliamentarian has or has not said regarding whether the President must sign the bill before the Senate can act on a reconciliation measure to "fix" the bill to suit the House.Other tactics are more psychological. Pelosi is doing her best to bluff the "Stupak 12" into believing that they and their pro-life stance against the Senate Bill are irrelevant and that she doesn't need their votes anyhow.
According to the Politico, the tentative schedule for next week looks like this:"After the CBO score lands [likely on Monday], the House Budget Committee must approve the use of reconciliation to make changes to the Senate bill. After that, the Rules Committee will draft a rule for considering the bill on the floor. That starts a 72-hour review process for members and anyone else interested to review the legislation. That means Friday is the first day Democrats could consider the bill and likely vote Friday or Saturday."
Meanwhile, the corporate machines and liberal "non-profits" across the country are already working up their plans to profit should the bill pass. Let's tell them, "Not so fast!"
BELOW ARE ACTION STEPS THAT WE CAN ALL TAKE TO HELP FIGHT BACK THIS COMING WEEK!
1) Upcoming Events and Rallies:Patients and Doctors Needed at March 16th Washington DC "Code Red" Rallies. The American Grassroots Coalition, Doctor Patient Medical Association, the Tea Party Express and other groups are calling patients and physicians to DC this March 16th for rallies and to make visits to congressional offices. A rally with Rep. Michele Bachmann, Rep. Tom Price, and many others will be March 16, 2010 at 10:00 AM EST, Capitol Hill, Taft Park, Washington D.C. For more information visit: http://www.doctorsandpatients.org/CODE_RED_RALLY_MAR.html and http://www.americangrassrootscoalition.org/ . If you cannot make it to DC next week, there are many other opportunities for action in your local areas. You can learn about the nationwide "Honk Against Healthcare Takeover" at http://americansforprosperity.org/national-site. The calendar at http://www.teapartypatriots.org/Today.aspx is a good place to find a local event.
2) Contacting Targeted House Members:Tell the members of Rep. Stupak's pro-life coalition to "vote NO," not to cave in, and that their votes against the Senate bill still do matter, despite what Nancy Pelosi would have them believe. A list of these representatives and links to their contact information can be found here: http://www.frc.org/washingtonupdate/pelosis-lifeless-folly . Also you can scroll down to the bottom of this alert for contact info for the 9 of these pro-life Democrats who are considering voting "yes."Visit http://www.nrcc.org/CodeRed/targets/ for a list of targeted members including links to obtain their contact information.The Hill has published a list (CLICK HERE TO VIEW) of 34 Democrats who are a "Firm No, Leaning No, or Likely No" and 73 who are "Undecided." Tell them to "VOTE NO" and that you will not stand for any unconstitutional ploys such as the "Slaughter Solution." Please thank the "No" votes for making the right decision and remind them to stand firm and tell the undecideds to do the right thing and "vote NO." Even if your Congressman is a democrat who is a firm "yes" vote make a call to remind them how the American people spoke firmly in the Massachusetts elections in January. Americans for Prosperity also have an excellent online tool to send your House member a message.More contact information can be found at http://www.contactingthecongress.org/ and http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml . The Capitol switchboard is: (202) 224-3121. You can call and tell the operator which office you would like to be connected to. And the Tea Party Patriots have a target contact list that includes extensive district contact information. CLICK HERE to view their list .
3) Watch & Share Videos of Physicians telling it like it is:Physicians in the below 5 videos explain to their patients and the country why the current schemes in DC need to be rejected. Please watch these videos and share them with your colleagues, friends, patients, family, etc. Videos #4 and #5 are courtesy of Doc4PatientCare and will be featured on the Drudge Report website on Monday.
The Voice of Doctors Across the US Against ObamaCare: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOWRHd3c7XU
Marcy Zwelling, MD Asks Americans to Speak Out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRf0xGl7ZxE
Marcy Zwelling, MD Asks Congress to "VOTE NO":
Scott Barbour, MD: Doctors Are Opposed to ObamaCare
Fred Shessel, MD: ObamaCare Threatens Patients and Doctors
The 9 pro-life Democrats considering voting "yes" are the following:Jason Altmire (PA-04); (202) 225-2565, (724) 378-0928, (724) 226-1304, FAX (202) 226-2274, FAX (724) 226-1308, (FAX) 724-378-6171John Boccieri (OH-16); (202) 225-3876, (330) 489-4414, FAX (202) 225-3059, FAX (330) 489-4448Steve Dreihaus (OH-01); (202) 225-2216, (513) 684-2723, FAX DC (202) 225-3012, FAX (513) 421-8722Brad Ellsworth (IN-11); (202) 225-4636, (812) 465-6484, (812) 232-0523, FAX (202) 225-3284, FAX (812) 232-0526, FAX (812) 422-4761Baron Hill (IN-09); (202) 225-5315, (812) 288-3999, (812) 336- 3000, FAX (202) 226-6866, FAX (812) 288-3873Paul Kanjorski (PA-11); (202) 225-6511, (570) 825-2200, (570) 496-1011, (570) 895-4176 FAX (202) 225-0764; (FAX) (570) 825-8685 Marcy Kaptur (OH-09); (202) 225-4146, (419) 259-7500, FAX (202) 225-7711, FAX (419) 255-9623James Langevin (RI-02); (202) 225-3011, (801) 486-1236, (435) 627-0880, (435) 636-3722, FAX (202) 225-5976, FAX (401) 737-2982Charlie Wilson (OH-06); (202) 225-5705, (330) 533-7250, (740) 376-0868, (740) 633-5705, (740) 533-9423, (330) 532-3740, FAX (202) 225-5907, FAX (330) 533-7136, FAX (740) 376-0886, FAX (740) 633-5727, FAX (740) 533-9359
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From Docs4PatientCare
In his final push for entire control of the American healthcare system, the President is in full campaign mode traveling the nation peddling his ill-conceived healthcare agenda. In order to accommodate his schedule, the White House has set another arbitrary deadline of March 18 for House members to vote on this bill.
Our friends on Capitol Hill tell us that the White House has effectively mobilized their 9 million citizen activists and the congressional telephone lines are buzzing with calls to pass this healthcare bill.
Our silence will NOT stop this disastrous legislation. We have proven over the past year that our calls, faxes, emails and visits to congressmen have beaten back this effort every time. By all accounts, this is the final act in the healthcare drama, as polls demonstrate that Americans are fatigued by the process and are more concerned about jobs and our struggling economy. If the US House passes the Senate bill as written, we WILL have government healthcare.
This is end game. There will be NO reconciliation. It is a smokescreen and the citizens and US House members who voted YES will have been deceived. More importantly, language buried deep within the Senate bill makes it virtually impossible to repeal. This is what we need to do NOW until vote time:
1. Contact every US Representative
2. Doctors: Every doctor reading this email needs to be in Washington on March 24-25th for our “House Calls On Congress”, especially if your congressman's name appears on this list. You need to bring as many physician colleagues from your district as possible, since it will be impossible to get an appointment with these officials unless we have you with us. Sitting in your office, wishing this away is NOT helping your patients or the profession. This will be our sixth trip to DC. Believe us when we say patients will understand and applaud your sacrifice to travel to Washington on their behalf. Go here for details and hotel discounts.At the very least, we need you to visit www.docs4patientcare.org and sign the SERMO.com “Physicians Petition to the President and Congress” that we will deliver to the majority leadership on March 25th. We want to have 10,000 signatures by the 25th. Please recruit as many doctors to sign and every one of you need to tell concerned patients to contact Congress and tell them to VOTE NO.
3. Friends: Keep doing the amazing job you have been doing since we began this effort. Maintain the communications barrage on the congressman listed here and call every one of your doctors and have them join and donate to www.docs4patientcare.org. Please tell them about our trip to Washington and urge them to go with us. Also, inform friends, relatives, neighbors and co-workers how their healthcare quality and decisions are in jeopardy and get them to call Congress. Refer them to the D4PC website, where they can click on “How You Can Stop the Final Push for Government Controlled Healthcare”.
The President, Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Reid recognize this is most likely their last chance to impose this destructive bill on the American people. They also understand that they CANNOT, under any circumstance, permit congressmen to go home and face angry voters on Spring break without passing their federal takeover of healthcare. This is a defining moment in our nation. Please take the above actions and help us live another day so patients and their doctors can continue the fight for responsible, affordable and sustainable healthcare reform. Respectfully,The Executive Board of Docs4patientCare.org
Also from Docs4PatientCare
I just wanted to share with you 2 of the 4 commercials that we produced this week. We tell America that doctors are talking to their patients about Healthcare Reform and are explaining to them that Obamacare is bad and that it is not healthcare reform at all. These are currently on You Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D_e1osuomg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRjKbi_LeoQ&feature=related
The exciting news is that these commercials will appear on the top of the Drudge Report beginning Monday morning.
We are hoping that these videos will "go viral" Please do the following:
1. Check out Drudge on Monday and encourage everyone you know to do the same
2. Send the You tube links to everyone in your address book.
3. Ask your kids or your office employees under age 30 to send this to all of their social networking outlets and to all of the blogs that they frequent. This is how you achieve viral status.
Thanks to all of you.
Hal
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From the National Center on Policy Analysis
Dear Policy Patriots -
Obama & Pelosi Huff and Puff... But will they blow the House down? The final showdown is here!
Play your part by helping the Policy Patriots achieve the NCPA's bold, new challenge:
Help send 1,000,000 emails to Congress by President Obama's deadline of March 18! Go to
600,000 Emails Say One Thing: Policy Patriots Are Getting The Job Done. You are the reason why Obama and Pelosi are having such trouble passing ObamaCare. In the last several months, Policy Patriots have sent nearly 600,000 emails to Congress clearly and defiantly communicating your opposition to ObamaCare.
"No" Means "No" Mr. President. The American people have clearly and consistently opposed ObamaCare-despite repeated Democratic attempts to label American dissent as uninformed. Consider the following:
The more that Americans know about health care reform, the less they like it. Americans have soured on ObamaCare. Now only 25% of Americans support ObamaCare while more than 53% oppose it.
Independents oppose ObamaCare. Independents reject ObamaCare at a rate of more than 3-to-1.
ObamaCare won't reduce health care costs. Only 17% of Americans believe that current health care proposals will accomplish that goal.
Americans want a bipartisan solution. 55% of Americans think that Congress should start over on health care and 60% think that Democrats should get Republican support for the health care bill.
Four Problems with ObamaCare.
Current health care legislation is:
Highly unpopular
Dangerously flawed
Terrifyingly expensive
Largely unfunded
For the sake of our grandparents who need care, our children who need sensible spending and all Americans who need a better, reasonable approach to governing, we say, NO MEANS NO!
NCPA to Policy Patriots: 1,000,000 Emails to Congress. In the shoot-out over health care, it's high noon. We've carried on the fight for months-and now's our opportunity to win it. That's why we're setting a bold, new challenge of sending 1,000,000 emails to Congress by March 18!
Dozens of Votes are on the Fence! Dozens of Members of Congress are sitting on the fence, considering whether they should support ObamaCare. It's crucial that they hear your voice and the voices of your neighbors, friends and family.
We've put a new Policy Patriot email on the Action Army website. All you have to do is:
Visit the website. Go to
Take Action. Send a letter to your Congressional Representative, and send a letter to the Blue Dog Coalition - now it's more important than ever.
Tell your friends. Forward this email to your neighbors, friends and family and tell them that you oppose ObamaCare and support the NCPA!
Contribute to the Cause. Your support makes possible our fight against ObamaCare. Remember that you can
National Center for Policy AnalysisP.O. Box 650098Dallas, Texas 75265-0098
Thank you for your continued support of the NCPA.
Warm regards,
Jeanette NordstromNational Center for Policy Analysiswww.ncpa.org
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From the Patients First Team - a Project of Americans for Prosperity
Dear Supporter,
The most important vote the House of Representatives has taken in decades is approaching. It will be a very close vote with every Congressional Member's decision having the potential to deliver or block government-run health care.
Despite widespread antipathy among the public and bipartisan opposition in Congress, Speaker Pelosi and her cabal propose ever more convoluted schemes and arcane rules to ram this health care bill through.
Much of the speculation on how this bill will be passed has revolved around the President's proposal that will supposedly "fix" H.R. 3590, the Senate-passed bill with all the ugly pork-barrel deals that have come to characterize the health care debate. But first they have to pass H.R. 3590. Today the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office poured a little more cold water on that bill. It announced that the bill will actually cost more and save less.
Unfortunately, the bill still raids over $122 billion from the Social Security program and the CLASS Act to achieve its projected $118 billion of "savings." This is such a scam that even the Chief Actuary of the CMS (the agency that oversees Medicare and Medicaid) called Democrats out on double-counting revenue to avoid showing an increase to the deficit.We need your help in calling your Representative to tell him or her to vote NO on H.R. 3590.
America cannot afford a $2.5 billion health care takeover.Call Congress today and tell them we need jobs not a government takeover of health care that will tax small businesses and rob families of their health care choices. We simply can't afford a $2.5 billion health care takeover.
Sincerely, Patients First Team
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From Americans for Prosperity update
Honk Against the Health Care Takeover
March 2010 AFP Update
After all our calls, emails, town hall meetings, "Hands Off My Health Care" bus tour rallies, tea parties, television ads and everything else - the final House vote on the health care takeover is going to be in the next 5 to 10 days.
Speaker Pelosi is crowing that she has the votes. But if she had the votes to pass her health care takeover, she would finish it now by holding the vote. No, the fact is for all the Speaker's bluster and threats and deal-making, she does not yet have the majority needed to win.
You've done so much in this fight. But, I'm asking you to take action on three fronts this week.
1. Go to Honkno.com
CLICK HERE and sign up to take part in the "Honk Against the Health Care Takeover" event at 12 Noon your time tomorrow. It's simple and fun. You go to the website, punch in your zip code and up pops the closest congressional district offices to you. You can print off a "Honking Against the Health Care Takeover" sign for your car. Then, with this sign in your car or truck go to your congressional district offices and let them hear your horns and see your protest. If you want to be a "car caravan" leader, you can punch in where you'll be at 11:30am and ask fellow grassroots activists to join you!2. Make sure that you and every single person you know directly contacts Congress by calling, emailing and visiting your congressional district office. Make sure to forward this email, and click HERE to contact your legislator now.
On our national tele-town hall call with Congressman Mike Pence last week, a lady from Indiana asked if it's worth calling your congressman if you know he's already a solid YES or a solid NO. The answer: yes, it's still crucial to call and email and visit them. If they are a solid YES, they need to continue feeling the heat because it impacts their resolve and shows just how unpopular this bill - and their position - is with folks back home. If they are a solid NO, they need to be thanked and encouraged. And, the members of Congress talk to each other. They compare notes and discuss what's happening back home.
3. Americans for Prosperity is taking part in a rally in Washington, D.C. tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. For more information or to let us know you're coming, CLICK HERE.
I'm so inspired by the level of sacrifice from people like you across this nation. In Houston, Texas last Wednesday night I stayed in the home of a couple who attended grassroots meetings two nights in a row to keep up the pressure on Congress. They've got real day jobs and a family, but they're literally spending hours each day fighting the fight - not to mention putting up with me in one of their spare bedrooms!
In Wisconsin this past Saturday, I looked out over a sea of more than 2,000 grassroots activists who showed up at our "Defending the American Dream" summit where health care was the focal point. They're still in the fight. In Tucson earlier in the week, a 71-years-young tea party lady told me that "I'm not tired ... I'm just getting started, and I've got more energy than my grandkids!"
The Left momentarily holds the levers of political power in Washington, but the American people are with us!
We've identified 21 key members of Congress and we're going all out to impact these Democrats who hold the key to victory. All voted YES on the first House health care vote last year, but the political environment is dramatically different now. We believe we need to flip at least 8 of these members to win.We're running targeted radio and television ads in these districts. CLICK here to hear a radio ad and CLICK here to see the TV ad. In these target districts, a massive telemarketing blitz is also underway using recorded message calls, live calls from our activists and tele-town hall meetings - all mentioning the targeted members' names and urging a contact to the member.And, we're using email, social networking sites like Facebook and YouTube, internet banner advertising and good old word-of-mouth to drive a massive number of one-on-one contacts to the congressional offices from their constituents.
CLICK here to see a sample banner ad on Drudge. The Left, led as usual by their public employee unions, is mounting a similar effort, but I can tell you from being in many of these districts that the energy is on our side.
There's been much talk about "reconciliation" but candidly, it's overrated and perhaps even a red herring. Here's why. The president will sign the original Senate bill, HR3590, into law immediately following House passage. That means BEFORE the Senate takes up reconciliation. A ruling last week from the Senate parliamentarian requires that to be the sequence. So by the time the Senate is debating reconciliation, they will be tweaking a disastrous bill that is already law.
So when you hear the president and others say the Senate will "continue to work on improving the bill in reconciliation," don't be fooled. With House passage of the Senate bill, Obama will have 99% of what he wants, whether or not he can get the other 1% through reconciliation. Winning the "reconciliation" battle will certainly not ensure victory. We must win in the House.
Please forgive this long email, but you're the reason we're able to fight this fight for our health care freedoms and I wanted to report to you on what we're doing to win.One last thing. While I was in Houston last week I saw a scruffy-looking young man wearing at-shirt that caught my eye and he was one of our activists.
It read: "If it is to be … It is up to me."
That sums up the attitude I'm seeing from thousands of Americans who are waging an all-out effort for their freedoms.Let's win this week.
Tim
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