Showing posts with label Health Care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health Care. Show all posts
Health Care Hubbub 2 comments
All this talk about health care reform is exhausting. Literally. Everyday, there's a new conservative or liberal report addressing some angle of it. Every other day, I receive an email from the White House attempting to dispel myths and proclaim why we must have reform. Almost as often there's video of the President, Senators, or Representatives reacting to or trying to explain the reform. Now, the debate has heated up because people are mad as hell and aren't gonna take it anymore! Senators and Representatives across the country are hearing passionate pleas at town hall meetings. There's a lot of emotions at the meetings and it's rather comical how lawmakers have reacted. While they've had their heads in the sand, basking in the new administration's warmth and a Democrat-controlled Congress, the people who elected them to their positions have been fuming.
To worsen matters, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi opens her gaping maw to insult grassroots efforts by labeling them "AstroTurf," claims that protesters are "carrying swastikas," and stereotypes those who shout over their Representatives at town halls "un-American." Nancy, please refrain from flapping your gums in public and just be Speaker of the House, because every time you speak elsewhere you are an embarrassment. People are confused and angry and therefore have a right to express themselves. However, shouting over speakers at town hall meetings...tisk, tisk. Be vocal, be direct, and be passionate. But be respectful and show some class! I applaud how Senator Ben Cardin (Dem.- Maryland) handled a recent town hall meeting in Towson, MD, on August 10. The event is summed up in the email below:
Senator Cardin's Town Hall Meeting - Towson - August 10, 2009
Inside the meeting there were 500 people -- the hall was filled to capacity. Outside, I and others estimated there were between 2000 and 3000 (thousand) people. The entire crowd could have been accommodated in the gymnasium across the street, and I believe this would have been better than having so many left outside in the heat.
The "organized" group of anti health care reform bill protesters well outnumbered the supporters. They came disguised as ordinary people. Many made themselves appear old, and many made themselves appear young. They intentionally wore clothing that would make them not seem to be an organized group. Their most ingenious ploy was to carry home-made, rather than professionally made signs.
The "unorganized" pro-Obamacare group, which numbered between 100 and 200, curiously all wore the same shirts, and somehow all managed to accidentally used the same sign shop to have their professionally printed signs made.
Both groups were loud and spirited. I personally witnessed no inappropriate behavior, especially from such a large group of people.
Now for what occurred at the meeting. The first speaker was a young lady who has a young child with medical disorders. While all the attendees respectfully listened to her and her family's plight, it was seen as a ploy by Sen. Cardin to jerk at people's heartstrings and to eat up time before taking questions. The good news about the young lady is that her family's medical problems were fixed -- without health care reform. Mr. Cardin then presented a slide show on the health care bill. For the most part the crowd attempted to pay attention, but as the presentation went on, it seemed clear to the majority that the information was not wholly truthful, and was seen as another attempt to burn up time before the question and answer portion.
While the crowd was spirited and boisterous, their responses were directed not at Mr. Cardin personally, but at the misinformation they believed he was giving. Mr. Cardin constantly talked about things not being in the Senate bill, but my understanding is that there is no official version of a Senate bill at this time. There are at least three House versions, which Mr. Cardin danced around, not having read them, as he admitted.
One question from the audience that got loud applause was "Why not support tort reform [civil lawsuits against doctors] before changing health care as we know it?" Mr. Cardin, a life-long trial lawyer, had absolutely no answer. Is it a coincidence that 80% of the elected officials in Washington are lawyers, including Barack Obama? (I wonder what this bill would look like if 80% of Congress were doctors and nurses.)
Another question was, would Mr. Cardin put in and vote for an amendment requiring Congress to be on the government plan. This yes-or-no question was not answered yes or no. He said, "I'm already on a government plan." But as you and I know, Congress has the best plan anyone could have, but it is available only to Congress and high-ranking government officials.
Mr. Cardin praised Medicaid and Medicare as examples of how efficiently government can run health care programs. He failed to mention that these programs are subsidized by the taxpayers and by those having private insurance, or that the government has done a horrible job of monitoring and prosecuting fraud in those systems. He avoided all questions on specifics in the bill, including questions of death counseling. He said that illegal aliens will not be eligible under this new program, but every attempt to put language in the bill to exclude illegal aliens has been blocked. He said that no additional money will be spent on abortions by the government, whereas sections of the bill clearly state otherwise.
As one gentleman so eloquently stated, "Mr. Cardin, I have never heard so many mistruths and out-and-out lies being told by an elected official," and he proceeded to explain the provisions in the bill concerning pre-existing conditions. Mr. Cardin then asked the gentleman whether he would hear him out. The gentleman replied, "That would be fine, Senator, if you stop lying." Mr. Cardin finally admitted that the gentleman was much more informed on the issue than he was, and asked if the gentleman would agree to sit down with him and help him understand the issues (the very issues that Cardin was at the meeting to explain!).
All in all, I don't believe that Mr. Cardin swayed anyone to his side. Having spoken to some of his supporters afterwards, they came in supporting the idea of free health care for all, not understanding the overall ramifications of Obamacare. But they left feeling that they needed to not merely support the general concept of health care, but to understand what the bill would do before supporting it.
I must hand it to Mr. Cardin. He stood up to the firing squad, and was always polite and respectful to the audience. The attendees, while very spirited, did not indulge in personal attacks on Sen. Cardin or Pres. Obama, but attacked the policies they proposed. It was a wonderful exercise of free speech.
Link to HR 3200 http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090714/aahca.pdf
P.S. Also in attendance were Delegates McDonough, Boteler, Frank, Aumann, Lafferty, and Speaker Pro Tem Jones. Delegate Warren Miller was present outside but was unable to get into the meeting room.
Rick Impallaria
Delegate, District 7
rick.impallaria@house.state.md.us
So, this isn't about who can shout the loudest, what's more liberal, what's more conservative, or how quickly a bill can be drafted. Why are citizens in an uproar?
One of the myths the White House claims to bust:
Reform will stop "rationing" - not increase it: It’s a myth that reform will mean a "government takeover" of health care or lead to "rationing." To the contrary, reform will forbid many forms of rationing that are currently being used by insurance companies.
However, John David Lewis breaks it down:
This is what the bill says, pages 284-288, SEC. 1151. REDUCING POTENTIALLY PREVENTABLE HOSPITAL READMISSIONS:
‘(ii) EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN READMISSIONS.—For purposes of clause (i), with respect to a hospital, excess readmissions shall not include readmissions for an applicable condition for which there are fewer than a minimum number (as determined by the Secretary) of discharges for such applicable condition for the applicable period and such hospital.
and, under “Definitions”:
‘(A) APPLICABLE CONDITION.—The term ‘applicable condition’ means, subject to subparagraph (B), a condition or procedure selected by the Secretary . . .
and:
‘‘(E) READMISSION.—The term ‘readmission’ means, in the case of an individual who is discharged from an applicable hospital, the admission of the individual to the same or another applicable hospital within a time period specified by the Secretary from the date of such discharge.
and:
‘‘(6) LIMITATIONS ON REVIEW.—There shall be no administrative or judicial review under section 1869, section 1878, or otherwise of— . . .
‘‘(C) the measures of readmissions . . .
EVALUATION OF THE PASSAGES:
The Wall Street Journal has this to say:
While claims about euthanasia and "death panels" are over the top, senior fears have exposed a fundamental truth about what Mr. Obama is proposing: Namely, once health care is nationalized, or mostly nationalized, rationing care is inevitable, and those who have lived the longest will find their care the most restricted.
You can keep your own insurance: It’s myth that reform will force you out of your current insurance plan or force you to change doctors. To the contrary, reform will expand your choices, not eliminate them.
Congressman John Sarbanes (3rd District Maryland) echoes this sentiment: "It does not require anyone to enter into a government-run health care plan. If you like your doctor and your current plan, you can absolutely keep them if this proposal becomes law. For those who want to study other plans, it will give you more choices at lower rates than individuals can get in the current market."
The Enlighten Patriot even has it as Lie #2:
Democrats are going to outlaw private insurance and force you into a government plan!!! The truth: With reform, choices will increase, not decrease. Obama's reform plans will create a health insurance exchange, a one-stop shopping marketplace for affordable, high-quality insurance options. Included in the exchange is the public health insurance option—a nationwide plan with a broad network of providers—that will operate alongside private insurance companies, injecting competition into the market to drive quality up and costs down. If you're happy with your coverage and doctors, you can keep them. But the new public plan will expand choices to millions of businesses or individuals who choose to opt into it, including many who simply can't afford health care now.
However CNN Money disagrees on the freedom to keep your existing plan: This is the freedom that the President keeps emphasizing. Yet the bills appear to say otherwise. It's worth diving into the weeds -- the territory where most pundits and politicians don't seem to have ventured.
The legislation divides the insured into two main groups, and those two groups are treated differently with respect to their current plans. The first are employees covered by the Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974. ERISA regulates companies that are self-insured, meaning they pay claims out of their cash flow, and don't have real insurance. Those are the GEs (GE, Fortune 500) and Time Warners (TWX, Fortune 500) and most other big companies.
The House bill states that employees covered by ERISA plans are "grandfathered." Under ERISA, the plans can do pretty much what they want -- they're exempt from standard packages and community rating and can reward employees for healthy lifestyles even in restrictive states.
But read on.
The bill gives ERISA employers a five-year grace period when they can keep offering plans free from the restrictions of the "qualified" policies offered on the exchanges. But after five years, they would have to offer only approved plans, with the myriad rules we've already discussed. So for Americans in large corporations, "keeping your own plan" has a strict deadline. In five years, like it or not, you'll get dumped into the exchange. As we'll see, it could happen a lot earlier.
The outlook is worse for the second group. It encompasses employees who aren't under ERISA but get actual insurance either on their own or through small businesses. After the legislation passes, all insurers that offer a wide range of plans to these employees will be forced to offer only "qualified" plans to new customers, via the exchanges.
The employees who got their coverage before the law goes into effect can keep their plans, but once again, there's a catch. If the plan changes in any way -- by altering co-pays, deductibles, or even switching coverage for this or that drug -- the employee must drop out and shop through the exchange. Since these plans generally change their policies every year, it's likely that millions of employees will lose their plans in 12 months.
Our health care may be flawed but we have freedoms and options that appear to be in jeopardy. For many of us, we don't understand the rush and the urgency because health care doesn't seem broken. I've had health insurance via my employers since 1997. The plans have worked well, my co-payments have been small, and I've always had options. Granted, this reform isn't about me...but it is. If the effort is to reform health care, it would seem - as mentioned at the Cardin town hall meeting - that tort reform is lower hanging fruit. Stop the ridiculous lawsuits. So, many of us shrug, "What gives?" Ah, but for doing that we're labeled ignorant, racist, right-wing, extremist, redneck, and more just for asking questions. Just for disagreeing. No politician deserves the right to have that free of a pass to put anything into place.
Which brings us here: should people of faith oppose or support health care reform?
Before rushing to one side or the other, pray for discernment and be certain your support aligns with Scripture. Also, educated yourself. Don't be spoon-fed from the media or the White House. Read. Read it, again. Ask questions. Make up you own mind. Lastly, Christians (Southern Baptist) should oppose health care reform if it allows for:
Pray that President Obama is granted wisdom and insight into how best to handle the nation's healthcare reform.
James 1:5 “But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to all people, so he will give you wisdom.”
1 Timothy 2:1-4 "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."
Pray that President Obama seeks Godly counsel and encourages his administration to do the same. 1 Corinthians 3:18-21 "Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” So then, no more boasting about men! "
Pray that President Obama will seek strength in the Lord and allow Him to the correct paths.
1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
Pray that President Obama always speaks the truth to the American people regardless of the consequences. Psalm 120:2 "Save me, O Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues." Pray that President Obama hears all concerns with wisdom and patience and acts upon that information in bold compassion. Colossians 3:9 "Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices."
Pray President Obama seeks true bi-partisan conversations, denies self and ego in speaking with others with differing opinions, and goes to Scriptures for counsel. Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
Continue Reading»To worsen matters, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi opens her gaping maw to insult grassroots efforts by labeling them "AstroTurf," claims that protesters are "carrying swastikas," and stereotypes those who shout over their Representatives at town halls "un-American." Nancy, please refrain from flapping your gums in public and just be Speaker of the House, because every time you speak elsewhere you are an embarrassment. People are confused and angry and therefore have a right to express themselves. However, shouting over speakers at town hall meetings...tisk, tisk. Be vocal, be direct, and be passionate. But be respectful and show some class! I applaud how Senator Ben Cardin (Dem.- Maryland) handled a recent town hall meeting in Towson, MD, on August 10. The event is summed up in the email below:
Senator Cardin's Town Hall Meeting - Towson - August 10, 2009
Inside the meeting there were 500 people -- the hall was filled to capacity. Outside, I and others estimated there were between 2000 and 3000 (thousand) people. The entire crowd could have been accommodated in the gymnasium across the street, and I believe this would have been better than having so many left outside in the heat.
The "organized" group of anti health care reform bill protesters well outnumbered the supporters. They came disguised as ordinary people. Many made themselves appear old, and many made themselves appear young. They intentionally wore clothing that would make them not seem to be an organized group. Their most ingenious ploy was to carry home-made, rather than professionally made signs.
The "unorganized" pro-Obamacare group, which numbered between 100 and 200, curiously all wore the same shirts, and somehow all managed to accidentally used the same sign shop to have their professionally printed signs made.
Both groups were loud and spirited. I personally witnessed no inappropriate behavior, especially from such a large group of people.
Now for what occurred at the meeting. The first speaker was a young lady who has a young child with medical disorders. While all the attendees respectfully listened to her and her family's plight, it was seen as a ploy by Sen. Cardin to jerk at people's heartstrings and to eat up time before taking questions. The good news about the young lady is that her family's medical problems were fixed -- without health care reform. Mr. Cardin then presented a slide show on the health care bill. For the most part the crowd attempted to pay attention, but as the presentation went on, it seemed clear to the majority that the information was not wholly truthful, and was seen as another attempt to burn up time before the question and answer portion.
While the crowd was spirited and boisterous, their responses were directed not at Mr. Cardin personally, but at the misinformation they believed he was giving. Mr. Cardin constantly talked about things not being in the Senate bill, but my understanding is that there is no official version of a Senate bill at this time. There are at least three House versions, which Mr. Cardin danced around, not having read them, as he admitted.
One question from the audience that got loud applause was "Why not support tort reform [civil lawsuits against doctors] before changing health care as we know it?" Mr. Cardin, a life-long trial lawyer, had absolutely no answer. Is it a coincidence that 80% of the elected officials in Washington are lawyers, including Barack Obama? (I wonder what this bill would look like if 80% of Congress were doctors and nurses.)
Another question was, would Mr. Cardin put in and vote for an amendment requiring Congress to be on the government plan. This yes-or-no question was not answered yes or no. He said, "I'm already on a government plan." But as you and I know, Congress has the best plan anyone could have, but it is available only to Congress and high-ranking government officials.
Mr. Cardin praised Medicaid and Medicare as examples of how efficiently government can run health care programs. He failed to mention that these programs are subsidized by the taxpayers and by those having private insurance, or that the government has done a horrible job of monitoring and prosecuting fraud in those systems. He avoided all questions on specifics in the bill, including questions of death counseling. He said that illegal aliens will not be eligible under this new program, but every attempt to put language in the bill to exclude illegal aliens has been blocked. He said that no additional money will be spent on abortions by the government, whereas sections of the bill clearly state otherwise.
As one gentleman so eloquently stated, "Mr. Cardin, I have never heard so many mistruths and out-and-out lies being told by an elected official," and he proceeded to explain the provisions in the bill concerning pre-existing conditions. Mr. Cardin then asked the gentleman whether he would hear him out. The gentleman replied, "That would be fine, Senator, if you stop lying." Mr. Cardin finally admitted that the gentleman was much more informed on the issue than he was, and asked if the gentleman would agree to sit down with him and help him understand the issues (the very issues that Cardin was at the meeting to explain!).
All in all, I don't believe that Mr. Cardin swayed anyone to his side. Having spoken to some of his supporters afterwards, they came in supporting the idea of free health care for all, not understanding the overall ramifications of Obamacare. But they left feeling that they needed to not merely support the general concept of health care, but to understand what the bill would do before supporting it.
I must hand it to Mr. Cardin. He stood up to the firing squad, and was always polite and respectful to the audience. The attendees, while very spirited, did not indulge in personal attacks on Sen. Cardin or Pres. Obama, but attacked the policies they proposed. It was a wonderful exercise of free speech.
Link to HR 3200 http://energycommerce.house.gov/Press_111/20090714/aahca.pdf
P.S. Also in attendance were Delegates McDonough, Boteler, Frank, Aumann, Lafferty, and Speaker Pro Tem Jones. Delegate Warren Miller was present outside but was unable to get into the meeting room.
Rick Impallaria
Delegate, District 7
rick.impallaria@house.state.md.us
So, this isn't about who can shout the loudest, what's more liberal, what's more conservative, or how quickly a bill can be drafted. Why are citizens in an uproar?
- The bill is over 1000 pages
- Few lawmakers have read it
- People fear change
- Too much guesswork is being shared and not enough facts
- People don't appreciate their voices and opinions being silenced or ridiculed, especially by those they elected to office
- Few officials are willing to say "I don't know" and more often pass blame elsewhere
One of the myths the White House claims to bust:
Reform will stop "rationing" - not increase it: It’s a myth that reform will mean a "government takeover" of health care or lead to "rationing." To the contrary, reform will forbid many forms of rationing that are currently being used by insurance companies.
However, John David Lewis breaks it down:
This is what the bill says, pages 284-288, SEC. 1151. REDUCING POTENTIALLY PREVENTABLE HOSPITAL READMISSIONS:
‘(ii) EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN READMISSIONS.—For purposes of clause (i), with respect to a hospital, excess readmissions shall not include readmissions for an applicable condition for which there are fewer than a minimum number (as determined by the Secretary) of discharges for such applicable condition for the applicable period and such hospital.
and, under “Definitions”:
‘(A) APPLICABLE CONDITION.—The term ‘applicable condition’ means, subject to subparagraph (B), a condition or procedure selected by the Secretary . . .
and:
‘‘(E) READMISSION.—The term ‘readmission’ means, in the case of an individual who is discharged from an applicable hospital, the admission of the individual to the same or another applicable hospital within a time period specified by the Secretary from the date of such discharge.
and:
‘‘(6) LIMITATIONS ON REVIEW.—There shall be no administrative or judicial review under section 1869, section 1878, or otherwise of— . . .
‘‘(C) the measures of readmissions . . .
EVALUATION OF THE PASSAGES:
- This section amends the Social Security Act
- The government has the power to determine what constitutes an “applicable [medical] condition.”
- The government has the power to determine who is allowed readmission into a hospital.
- This determination will be made by statistics: when enough people have been discharged for the same condition, an individual may be readmitted.
- This is government rationing, pure, simple, and straight up.
- There can be no judicial review of decisions made here. The Secretary is above the courts.
- The plan also allows the government to prohibit hospitals from expanding without federal permission: page 317-318.
The Wall Street Journal has this to say:
While claims about euthanasia and "death panels" are over the top, senior fears have exposed a fundamental truth about what Mr. Obama is proposing: Namely, once health care is nationalized, or mostly nationalized, rationing care is inevitable, and those who have lived the longest will find their care the most restricted.
Far from being a scare tactic, this is a logical conclusion based on experience and common-sense. Once health care is a "free good" that government pays for, demand will soar and government costs will soar too. When the public finally reaches its taxing limit, something will have to give on the care and spending side. In a word, care will be rationed by politics.
Another myth the White House claims to bust: You can keep your own insurance: It’s myth that reform will force you out of your current insurance plan or force you to change doctors. To the contrary, reform will expand your choices, not eliminate them.
Congressman John Sarbanes (3rd District Maryland) echoes this sentiment: "It does not require anyone to enter into a government-run health care plan. If you like your doctor and your current plan, you can absolutely keep them if this proposal becomes law. For those who want to study other plans, it will give you more choices at lower rates than individuals can get in the current market."
The Enlighten Patriot even has it as Lie #2:
Democrats are going to outlaw private insurance and force you into a government plan!!! The truth: With reform, choices will increase, not decrease. Obama's reform plans will create a health insurance exchange, a one-stop shopping marketplace for affordable, high-quality insurance options. Included in the exchange is the public health insurance option—a nationwide plan with a broad network of providers—that will operate alongside private insurance companies, injecting competition into the market to drive quality up and costs down. If you're happy with your coverage and doctors, you can keep them. But the new public plan will expand choices to millions of businesses or individuals who choose to opt into it, including many who simply can't afford health care now.
However CNN Money disagrees on the freedom to keep your existing plan: This is the freedom that the President keeps emphasizing. Yet the bills appear to say otherwise. It's worth diving into the weeds -- the territory where most pundits and politicians don't seem to have ventured.
The legislation divides the insured into two main groups, and those two groups are treated differently with respect to their current plans. The first are employees covered by the Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974. ERISA regulates companies that are self-insured, meaning they pay claims out of their cash flow, and don't have real insurance. Those are the GEs (GE, Fortune 500) and Time Warners (TWX, Fortune 500) and most other big companies.
The House bill states that employees covered by ERISA plans are "grandfathered." Under ERISA, the plans can do pretty much what they want -- they're exempt from standard packages and community rating and can reward employees for healthy lifestyles even in restrictive states.
But read on.
The bill gives ERISA employers a five-year grace period when they can keep offering plans free from the restrictions of the "qualified" policies offered on the exchanges. But after five years, they would have to offer only approved plans, with the myriad rules we've already discussed. So for Americans in large corporations, "keeping your own plan" has a strict deadline. In five years, like it or not, you'll get dumped into the exchange. As we'll see, it could happen a lot earlier.
The outlook is worse for the second group. It encompasses employees who aren't under ERISA but get actual insurance either on their own or through small businesses. After the legislation passes, all insurers that offer a wide range of plans to these employees will be forced to offer only "qualified" plans to new customers, via the exchanges.
The employees who got their coverage before the law goes into effect can keep their plans, but once again, there's a catch. If the plan changes in any way -- by altering co-pays, deductibles, or even switching coverage for this or that drug -- the employee must drop out and shop through the exchange. Since these plans generally change their policies every year, it's likely that millions of employees will lose their plans in 12 months.
Our health care may be flawed but we have freedoms and options that appear to be in jeopardy. For many of us, we don't understand the rush and the urgency because health care doesn't seem broken. I've had health insurance via my employers since 1997. The plans have worked well, my co-payments have been small, and I've always had options. Granted, this reform isn't about me...but it is. If the effort is to reform health care, it would seem - as mentioned at the Cardin town hall meeting - that tort reform is lower hanging fruit. Stop the ridiculous lawsuits. So, many of us shrug, "What gives?" Ah, but for doing that we're labeled ignorant, racist, right-wing, extremist, redneck, and more just for asking questions. Just for disagreeing. No politician deserves the right to have that free of a pass to put anything into place.
Which brings us here: should people of faith oppose or support health care reform?
Before rushing to one side or the other, pray for discernment and be certain your support aligns with Scripture. Also, educated yourself. Don't be spoon-fed from the media or the White House. Read. Read it, again. Ask questions. Make up you own mind. Lastly, Christians (Southern Baptist) should oppose health care reform if it allows for:
- Abortion on demand or the absence of language which explicitly excludes abortion coverage
- Distribution of contraceptives to minors without parental consent through public schools by the establishment of school-based health clinics
- The rationing of health care on the basis of economic decisions rather than the provision of health care on the basis of medical need
- The violation of the centuries-old, covenantal relationship between physician and patient
- Inadequate conscience clauses which fail to protect religious persons
- Institutions, organizations, and medical facilities from participating in a health care system which would condone and support morally objectionable practices
- The forced inclusion of Southern Baptist institutions and churches in reform plans which may undermine the missions activities of our denomination.
Pray that President Obama is granted wisdom and insight into how best to handle the nation's healthcare reform.
James 1:5 “But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to all people, so he will give you wisdom.”
1 Timothy 2:1-4 "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."
Pray that President Obama seeks Godly counsel and encourages his administration to do the same. 1 Corinthians 3:18-21 "Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” So then, no more boasting about men! "
Pray that President Obama will seek strength in the Lord and allow Him to the correct paths.
1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
Pray that President Obama always speaks the truth to the American people regardless of the consequences. Psalm 120:2 "Save me, O Lord, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues." Pray that President Obama hears all concerns with wisdom and patience and acts upon that information in bold compassion. Colossians 3:9 "Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices."
Pray President Obama seeks true bi-partisan conversations, denies self and ego in speaking with others with differing opinions, and goes to Scriptures for counsel. Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
Obama Says Canadian Health Care Works, But Not a Good Fit for U.S. 0 comments
President Barack Obama said Monday that he does not find the Canadian model for health care scary, and said it is wrong for opponents of reform to tout Canada’s single-payer system as a “boogey man” for health care. However, the president said such a system would not work in the United States. In a press conference in Guadalajara, Mexico, with Obama, Mexican President Felipe Calderon, and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, a reporter asked about the references to the Canadian health care system in the current U.S. debate over health care reform. Read full storyPray that President Obama is granted wisdom and insight into how best to handle the nation's healthcare reform.
James 1:5 “But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to all people, so he will give you wisdom.”
Continue Reading»White House Denies Collecting Names of Opponents of Health Legislation 0 comments
The Obama administration denied it is keeping an enemies list although it has asked citizens to report any “disinformation” about health care they come across to the White House. Last Wednesday, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) sent a letter to the White House expressing concern about why the White House would want information on opponents of its health care plan. Read full storyPray that President Obama speaks truth and wisdom because he has first sought it from God.
2 Chronicles 7:14 "Then if my people, who are called by my name, are sorry for what they have done, if they pray and obey me and stop their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven. I will forgive their sin, and I will heal their land."
Continue Reading»White House 'Reality Check’ Web Site Claims Health Care Reform ‘Would Not Add One Penny to Deficit’ Despite CBO Reports to Contrary 0 comments
A new Web site launched Monday by the Obama administration to rebut alleged disinformation about the administration's efforts to reform the health care system claims that reform “would not add one penny to the deficit"--despite the fact that the two health care reform bills that have been analyzed by the Congressional Budget Office are predicted by the CBO to increase the national debt by $239 billion and $1.042 trillion respectively. The administration, meanwhile, has not produced any health-care reform legislation that has been independently determined to be deficit-neutral.Read full storyPray that President Obama is open and honest with the American people and sets honest expectations with health care reform.
Galatians 5:13-15 "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful naturea; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other."
Continue Reading»‘You Are Terrifying Us’ 0 comments
We have entered uncharted territory in the fight over national health care. There’s a new tone in the debate, and it’s ugly. At the moment the Democrats are looking like something they haven’t looked like in years, and that is: desperate. They must know at this point they should not have pushed a national health-care plan. A Democratic operative the other day called it “Hillary’s revenge.” When Mrs. Clinton started losing to Barack Obama in the primaries 18 months ago, she began to give new and sharper emphasis to her health-care plan. Mr. Obama responded by talking about his health-care vision. He won. Now he would push what he had been forced to highlight: Health care would be a priority initiative. The net result is falling support for his leadership on the issue, falling personal polls, and the angry town-hall meetings that have electrified YouTube. Read full storyPray that President Obama will lead by example and speak with wisdom so that others in his administration might do the same.
James 3:4-6 "Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell."
Continue Reading»'Un-American' attacks can't derail health care debate 0 comments
It is now evident that an ugly campaign is underway not merely to misrepresent the health insurance reform legislation, but to disrupt public meetings and prevent members of Congress and constituents from conducting a civil dialogue. These tactics have included hanging in effigy one Democratic member of Congress in Maryland and protesters holding a sign displaying a tombstone with the name of another congressman in Texas, where protesters also shouted "Just say no!" drowning out those who wanted to hold a substantive discussion. These disruptions are occurring because opponents are afraid not just of differing views — but of the facts themselves. Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American. Read full storyPray that President Obama steers from previous attitudes of "We won" and encourages his administration to be open to feedback on healthcare. Instead of trying to deliver an agenda, be open to simply listening to voters.
2 Chronicles 7:14 "Then if my people, who are called by my name, are sorry for what they have done, if they pray and obey me and stop their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven. I will forgive their sin, and I will heal their land."
Continue Reading»More Than 1 Million Have Signed Petition Opposing Obama's Health-Care Plan 0 comments
A petition opposing President Barack Obama’s plan for a government-led overhaul of the nation’s health care system has garnered over 1 million signatures since it launched May 25, something its sponsors say is proof that public opposition to Obama’s plan is very real. The petition, available online at www.freeourhealthcarenow.com, was created by the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA) and is being talked about by talk radio hosts on the Salem Radio Network. It surpassed 1 million signatures on Aug. 4, a week after a similar petition sponsored by the Democratic National Committee achieved the same milestone. Read full storyPray that President Obama doesn't dismiss negative feedback as foolishness but tempers his reactions based upon the Word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Mark 4:22"For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light."
Continue Reading»Conservatives 'mad,' speaking out about Obamacare 0 comments
The head of a conservative group the White House accused of "manufacturing outrage" at healthcare town hall meetings says the charge is a "delusion." Last week, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs accused the group Conservatives for Patients Rights (CPR) and its leader Rick Scott of "manufacturing anger" at town hall meetings where Democratic lawmakers have been aggressively challenged over their support for a government-run healthcare plan.Read full storyPray that President Obama considers the inputs of others but listens to gentle guidance of the Holy Spirit above all else.
Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
Continue Reading»Palin calls Obamacare evil 0 comments
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin called President Barack Obama's health plan "downright evil" Friday in her first online comments since leaving office, saying in a Facebook posting that he would create a "death panel" that would deny care to the neediest Americans. "The America I know and love is not one in which my parents or my baby with Down Syndrome will have to stand in front of Obama's 'death panel' so his bureaucrats can decide, based on a subjective judgment of their 'level of productivity in society,' whether they are worthy of health care," the former Republican vice presidential candidate wrote. Read full storyPray that President Obama will seek strength in the Lord and allow Him to direct his path.
1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
Continue Reading»Pelosi Again Dodges Question of Whether She Supports Tax-Funded Abortions in Health Care Bill 0 comments
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) for a second time dodged a question from CNSNews.com Friday about whether she supported prohibiting abortion funding in the health-care reform bill. At a press conference on Friday, CNSNews.com asked: “Could you please give me a yes-or-no answer on whether or not you personally, Speaker Pelosi, support expressly prohibiting the funding of abortion through the federally subsidized health plan created by the health-care reform bill.”Read full story
Pray that President Obama protects human life, including the lives of the unborn, through every means including health care reform.
Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you."
Continue Reading»Call For Informants: If You Oppose Obamacare, Even in ‘Casual Conversation,’ the White House Wants to Know About It 0 comments
If you see anybody publicly opposing President Obama’s plan to implement a government-centric overhaul of the health care system, the White House wants you to report that person (or persons) ASAP. Read full storyPray that President Obama seeks for himself and inspires in others integrity and strong character. May he seek truth and wisdom regardless of the personal cost.
Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
Continue Reading»Health politics quagmire 0 comments
The president's health care initiative is vulnerable to defeat (and the high esteem in which the public generally has held him is in jeopardy) because of unforced errors on his part deriving from the emerging legislation failing to carry out the president's stated policy and because of his political and policy responses to that problem. Read full storyPray that President Obama will seek wisdom in resolving the heathcare issues of the country and not encourage his administration to use deflection tactics.
James 3:4-6 "Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell."
Continue Reading»ABC's Stossel Slams Socialized Medicine, Finds Obama Expressed Interest in Single Payer System 0 comments
Read full story
Pray that President Obama will seek strength in the Lord and allow Him to guide his steps in what's best for American health care.
1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
Continue Reading»Health Care Bill Says Sebelius Must Develop 'Measurements of Gender;' Sebelius Says She Has 'No Idea' What That Means 0 comments
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says she has "no idea" about a section of the Senate health-care reform bill that requires her to "develop standards for the measurement of gender"—as opposed to simply relying on "male" and "female"—for use in a new federal database that will collect information about all beneficiaries of government-run or government-supported health care programs. The purpose of the database is to allow the government “to detect and monitor trends in health disparities" between different groups in the U.S. population. Read full storyPray that President Obama is granted wisdom and insight into how best to handle the nation's healthcare reform.
James 1:5 “But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to all people, so he will give you wisdom.”
Continue Reading»Illegal Immigrants Account for $10.7 Billion of Nation’s Health Care Costs, Data Show 2 comments
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said that “illegal immigrants are not covered” in the health care reform legislation that is now working its way through House committees. But when asked about illegal immigrants who go to public hospitals for care, Pelosi told CNN’s State of the Nation on Sunday the law requires that they be treated. The cost of treating illegal aliens amounts to nearly $11 billion a year, according to calculations done by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), a non-profit group that opposes illegal immigration. And that cost is not expected to go away if a health insurance reform bill becomes law.Read full storyPray that President Obama chooses his steps based on Godly insight and wisdom.
Proverbs 16:9 "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."
Continue Reading»Speaker Will Keep 'Villains' Money 0 comments
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called health insurers "the villains" in the unfolding story of the health care overhaul on Thursday, ratcheting up an anti-insurer theme trotted out by President Obama earlier this month and encouraged by other Democratic leaders in Congress. "It is somewhat immoral what they are doing. Of course, they have been immoral all along how they have treated the people that they insure," MSNBC's Luke Russert quoted her as saying. "They are the villains in this." Read full storyPray that President Obama is an example of integrity and wise leadership with others in his administration.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 "Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless."
Continue Reading»Obama’s Great Health Scare 0 comments
On the campaign trail last year, Barack Obama promised to end the “politics of fear and cynicism.” Yet he is now trying to sell his health-care proposals on fear. At his news conference last week, he said “Reform is about every American who has ever feared that they may lose their coverage, or lose their job. . . . If we do not reform health care, your premiums and out-of-pocket costs will continue to skyrocket. If we do not act, 14,000 Americans will continue to lose their health insurance every single day. These are the consequences of inaction.” Read full storyPray that President Obama will use sound, reasonable, God-inspired words for the American people as he leads this country.
2 Timothy 2:23 "Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels."
Continue Reading»Health Care Delayed 0 comments
The bloom is off the Obama rose. After getting just about everything he wanted out of the Democrat-controlled Congress for the first six months of his Presidency, it doesn't look like Barack Obama is going to get the health care overhaul he was seeking prior to the August recess. The other day I spoke with Mark Z. Barabak, who is officially listed as "a roving political writer for the Los Angeles Times" by the Los Angeles Times about the whole health care deal. Read full storyPray that President Obama chooses his steps based on Godly insight and wisdom.
Proverbs 16:9 "In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps."
Continue Reading»Obama looks to sell health care at supermarket 0 comments
Workers are rolling out the red carpet for the president at a Kroger grocery store in rural Virginia, but President Obama could get a chilly reception when he appears Wednesday for a town hall meeting on health care. Phil Younce, a frozen food clerk at the Bristol store, fears health reform is being rushed, just like the stimulus. "Like the last package that we pushed through, I think it was too hurried, and a lot of mistakes, a lot of things that shouldn't be," said Younce, who voted for Republican candidate John McCain in the presidential election. Read full storyPray that President Obama is granted wisdom and insight into how best to handle the nation's healthcare reform.
1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."
Continue Reading»Pelosi Dodges Question of Whether Government Health-Care Plan Will Fund Abortion 0 comments
While many pro-life Democrats in the House of Representatives say they will not vote for a health care reform bill unless it explicitly prohibits federal funding for abortion through insurance plans, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has declined to state whether the final legislation should address the issue. On the July 26 edition of CNN’s State of the Union, for example, host John King asked Pelosi: “If this bill passes and there’s a public option, should that public option cover abortions?” Read full articlePray that President Obama has an open heart and is willing to hear the pleas of those who disagree with using taxpayer money to fund abortions.
Psalm 139:13–16 "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place."
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