Category Archives: Health Insurance

Senators Burr and Coburn Press Conference, February 16, 2012, Plan to Save Medicare, Immediate and long term reforms based on choice and sustainability

Senators Burr and Coburn Press Conference, February 16, 2012, Plan to Save Medicare, Immediate and long term reforms based on choice and sustainability

From the office of NC Senator Richard Burr, February 15, 2012.

United States Senator ∙ North CarolinaRichard Burr

217 Russell Senate Office Bldg. ∙ Washington, D.C. 20510

(202) 224-3154 ∙ FAX (202) 228-2981

http://www.burr.senate.gov

 

MEDIA ADVISORY: Senators Burr and Coburn to Hold Press Conference Unveiling Plan to Save Medicare

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEWednesday, February 15, 2012 CONTACT:  David Ward (Burr) – (202) 228-1616John Hart (Coburn) – (202) 228-5357

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) will hold a press conference on Thursday, February 16th at 12:30 p.m. to introduce the “Seniors’ Choice Act”, a proposal to save Medicare from insolvency through immediate and long-term reforms based on choice and sustainability.

WHAT:                 Coburn-Burr Medicare Reform Proposal

 

WHERE:               Senate Radio/TV gallery S-325

 

WHEN:                 Thursday, February 16 at 12:30 p.m.

Belmont Abbey sues feds over Obama care provision, Birth control, Federal mandate forces religious institutions opposed to birth control to violate their beliefs or face penalties

Belmont Abbey sues feds over Obama care provision, Birth control, Federal mandate forces religious institutions opposed to birth control to violate their beliefs or face penalties

Belmont Abbey, a Catholic college just west of Charlotte, NC is challenging ObamaCare over a provision that requires employer insurance plans to cover contraception and other birth control.

From the Charlotte Observer November 18, 2011.

“Belmont Abbey sues feds over birth control rule”

“Belmont Abbey College has filed a broad legal challenge to the part of President Barack Obama’s health care reforms that requires employer insurance plans to cover contraception and other birth control.

The Catholic college in Gaston County says the federal mandate forces religious institutions opposed to birth control to violate their beliefs or face penalties. The rule goes into effect next August.

The school has sued a number of federal agencies. The defendants include Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.

Keith Maley, an HHS spokesman, said the agency doesn’t comment on pending litigation.

The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a nonprofit, public-interest law firm.

The debate began in 2007, when a group of Belmont Abbey faculty members challenged the school’s refusal to include prescription contraceptives in its health care plan.

In 2009, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ruled that Belmont Abbey was violating federal law.

The school’s recent suit focuses on Obama’s 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, which requires preventative health coverage on procedures like mammograms and cervical screenings, along with contraception and sterilizations.

A religious organization can be exempted if its spiritual values are central to its mission and if it primarily employs or serves “people who share its religious tenets.””

Read more:

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/11/18/2784162/belmont-abbey-sues-feds-over-birth.html

One of my uncles attended Belmont Abbey College on a baseball scholarship many years ago. I went to a performance there several years ago. It is a beautiful small school.

Go get em Belmont Abbey. If I can be of assistance, let me know.

Wells

Belmont Abbey website.

http://www.bac.edu/

Federal appeals court, Virginia no standing on Health Care lawsuit, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli no right to sue

Federal appeals court, Virginia no standing on Health Care lawsuit, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli no right to sue

From The Hill on September 8, 2011.

“Appeals court shoots down Va. challenge to healthcare law”

“Appeals court shoots down Va. challenge to healthcare law”
By Sam Baker – 09/08/11 12:11 PM ET
 
“A federal appeals court Thursday dismissed one of the highest-profile challenges to President Obama’s healthcare reform law.

The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals said Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R) does not have a legal right to sue over the law’s requirement that most people buy insurance. The court vacated a lower court’s ruling in the case and instructed the lower court to dismiss the suit.

The Supreme Court is almost certain to have the final say on whether the coverage mandate is constitutional. Most legal observers expect the court to hear arguments during the term that begins in October and rule in the summer of 2012.

The 4th Circuit’s long-awaited decision isn’t a huge surprise: People who attended oral arguments in the suits said the judges seemed skeptical of the mandate’s critics, especially Cuccinelli. All three of the judges who heard the case were appointed by Democratic presidents, and two were appointed by Obama.

The mandate has a mixed record in federal appeals courts. The 6th Circuit upheld the requirement in a June decision. The 11th Circuit — which heard the high-profile challenge filed by 26 state attorneys general — ruled that the mandate is unconstitutional.

Unlike those 26 states, Cuccinelli sued on the grounds that enforcing the mandate would violate Virginia law. As Congress moved closer to passing healthcare reform, Virginia enacted a law that says state residents can’t be forced to purchase insurance.

But the 4th Circuit panel said Virginia does not have standing to sue over the mandate because it lacks a “personal stake” in the issue.

The judges seemed concerned during oral arguments that allowing his suit to proceed would essentially allow the states to exempt themselves from whatever federal laws they might choose.”

http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/legal-challenges/180231-appeals-court-dismisses-key-challenge-to-healthcare-law

Governor perdue veto, Override veto of Health Care Freedom Act, ObamaCare unconstitutional

Governor perdue veto, Override veto of Health Care Freedom Act, ObamaCare unconstitutional

Governor Beverly Perdue recently vetoed legislation to exclude NC from Obamacare. She claimed that it would be too expensive to fight and many other states were already doing so. It is my understanding that the NC Attorney General’s office has stated that the expense would not be great.

From the Beaufort Observer March 6, 2011.

“A year into ObamaCare and by any measure an honest person would have to say it has been a failure. And even if the Democrats were to contest that use of terms, they would nonetheless be hard pressed to show the numbers that would indicate anything but a failure to accomplish the goals that were outlined for it by the President in the 97 speeches he made in trying to get it passed.

You can read the numbers here but a quick overview shows that while Obama claimed the basic goal was to eliminate people without health insurance the numbers show that the percentage of Americans without health insurance has climbed, not declined. And on the objective of “making health care more affordable” the numbers show that that number of Americans who have employer-paid health insurance benefits has decreased. And the affordability factor for the taxpayer has also decreased as a larger percentage of Americans are now on government-paid insurance (Medicare, Medicaid etc.).

Moreover, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius testified before Congress last week and admitted that the $500 million “savings” for Medicare that Team Obama touted in getting the bill passed has not, and likely will never, materialize. And this was the reason North Carolina Sen. Kay Hagan gave for voting for ObamaCare.

Meanwhile, we read in the news frequently about Team Obama exempting another of thousands of businesses from the law’s mandates and as recently as last week President Obama told a group of governors assembled in Washington that he would be willing to allow states to opt-out of some of the most costly provisions of the law.

Nonetheless, North Carolina’s Governor, Bev. Perdue Saturday (3-5-11) vetoed the Republican legislative plan to exclude North Carolina from the law and to contest its constitutionality before the U. S. Supreme Court.

So in summary, the law’s impact has had exactly the opposite effect from what Obama claimed it would have. The ‘bottom line’ is that more Americans have less access to health care and it is more expense than before ObamaCare was passed. And our Governor and Attorney General choose to stick with it.”

Read more:

http://www.beaufortobserver.net/Articles-c-2011-03-06-251309.112112-Perdue-hangs-a-millstone-around-her-neckbrObamaCare-is-a-proven-failure-but-she-chooses-to-impose-it-on-North-Carolina.html

From Americans for Prosperity March 7, 2011.

Dear Supporter,

Former Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory will be urging voters to contact their member of the General Assembly this week as part our effort to override Governor Perdue’s reckless veto of the Health Care Freedom Act. Click here to watch a special message from Pat McCrory.
http://americansforprosperity.org/030711-pat-mccrory-afpnc-health-care

It is clear that the citizens of North Carolina want to be protected from President Obama’s overreach. If you haven’t yet, take action on this critical issue! Click here to send a message to your legislators urging them to override Gov. Perdue’s veto.

http://www.capwiz.com/americansforprosperity/issues/alert/?alertid=24915561&type=ST
 
Pat couldn’t have said it better himself: “A majority of states have challenged the worst parts of ObamaCare, and two federal judges have agreed that the bill is unconstitutional. The NC General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a bill to protect North Carolinians from a federal government mandate to buy health insurance and other unconstitutional parts of ObamaCare.

However, after a trip to Washington and meetings with big government liberals including President Obama, Governor Perdue vetoed this common sense legislation.  I urge citizens to contact their members of the General Assembly and ask them to override the Governor’s veto.”
It is clear Governor Perdue is standing with Obama over the interests of North Carolina citizens. With your help and the help of leaders such as Mayor McCrory, we can not only support this important piece of legislation, we can be influential factors in its passage.

Remember, while Governor Perdue has exercised a veto of this legislation, she can not veto the will of the people to be protected from Obamacare. If you’d like to contact your lawmaker and ask them to protect your health care freedom, click here.
Thank you for your continued support and activism to protect economic freedom and prosperity across North Carolina. Together, we can make a difference.

Sincerely,
Dallas Woodhouse
State Director
Americans for Prosperity – North Carolina

FL judge, Health Care Bill Unconstitutional, Judge Roger Vinson, Requires Americans to obtain commercial insurance

FL judge, Health Care Bill Unconstitutional,  Judge Roger Vinson, Requires Americans to obtain commercial insurance

From the New York Times January 31, 2011.

“Like a Virginia judge in December, Judge Roger Vinson of Federal District Court in Pensacola, Fla., said he would allow the law to remain in effect while the Obama administration appeals his ruling, a process that could take two years. But unlike his Virginia counterpart, Judge Vinson ruled that the entire health care act should fall if the appellate courts join him in invalidating the insurance requirement.

“The Act, like a defectively designed watch, needs to be redesigned and reconstructed by the watchmaker,” Judge Vinson wrote.

In a 78-page opinion, Judge Vinson held that the insurance requirement exceeds the regulatory powers granted to Congress under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution. Judge Vinson wrote that the provision could not be rescued by an associated clause in Article I that gives Congress broad authority to make laws “necessary and proper” to carrying out its designated responsibilities.

“If Congress can penalize a passive individual for failing to engage in commerce, the enumeration of powers in the Constitution would have been in vain,” Judge Vinson wrote.

In a silver lining for the Obama administration, the judge rejected a second claim that the new law violates state sovereignty by requiring states to pay for a fractional share of a Medicaid expansion that is scheduled for 2014.

Judge Vinson, the first judge to address that question, dismissed the contention that states were being illegally commandeered by the federal government. He said they always have the option, however impractical, to withdraw from Medicaid, a joint state and federal insurance program for those with low-incomes.

The judge’s ruling came in the most prominent of more than 20 legal challenges to some aspect of the sweeping health law, which was enacted last year by a Democratic Congress and signed by President Obama in March.

The plaintiffs include governors and attorneys general from 26 states, all but one Republican, as well as the National Federation of Independent Business, which represents small companies. Officials from six states joined the lawsuit this month after shifts in party control brought by last November’s elections.

The ruling by Judge Vinson, a senior judge who was appointed by President Ronald Reagan, solidified the divide in the health litigation among judges named by Republicans and those named by Democrats.

Last month, Judge Henry E. Hudson of Federal District Court in Richmond, Va., who was appointed by President George W. Bush, became the first to invalidate the insurance mandate. Two other federal judges named by President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, have upheld the law.”

Read more:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/01/us/01ruling.html

Purpura et al. v. Sebelius et al, Standing v US Constitution, First amendment rights, Legalese cited to perpetuate legalese

Purpura et al. v. Sebelius et al, Standing v US Constitution, First amendment rights, Legalese cited to perpetuate legalese

“Why has Obama, for over 2 years, employed numerous private and government attorneys to avoid presenting a legitimate birth certificate and college records?”…Citizen Wells and millions of concerned Americans

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”…First Amendment US Constitution

From  Birther Report January 17, 2011.

“Government files their motion to dismiss in Purpura et al. v. Sebelius et al.. The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey by Nicholas Purpura and Donald Laster of the Jersey Shore Tea Party Patriots and the New Jersey Tea Party Coalition. Other plaintiffs in the lawsuit include the Colts Neck Tea Party, Jersey Shore Tea Party Patriots, Jackson Tea Party Patriots, Bayshore Tea Party Group and Ocean County Citizens for Freedom. The lawsuit alleges the healthcare bill is unconstitutional on 15 separate counts including Obama’s ineligibility. Full brief embedded below. More background on the case can be found here. The lead plaintiffs discuss their lawsuit here, the video is also embedded at bottom of this post.

The government argues the plaintiffs lack standing and the court does not have jurisdiction…”

Read more:

http://obamareleaseyourrecords.blogspot.com/2011/01/government-files-motion-to-dismiss-in.html

Notice from the Table of Authorities:

“Kerchner v. Obama,
612 F.3d 204 (3d Cir. 2010)”
“Lightfoot v. United States,
564 F.3d 625 (3d Cir. 2009)”

They are attempting to use legalese, “standing”, applied in earlier cases to substantiate further legalese and thus attempt to trump the First Amendment and effectively block attempts to redress government for grievances by petition.

End justifies the means, Elitist liberals know more than average Americans, Citizen Wells open thread, December 5, 2010

End justifies the means, Elitist liberals know more than average Americans

I do not pretend to be an expert on some subjects but I can ask questions. This morning, before my mind got preoccupied with details, I pondered a question. That is, since 2009, with Obama in the White House and Democrats controlling Congress, and their forcing an unpopular tax and control bill, aka, health care bill down the throats of the American people, and promising that unemployment would not rise above 8 percent with their initiative strategies, what happened to the health care of all of those people who lost jobs in that period?

The stated, reported unemployment rate, was just announced to be 9.8 percent. We all know that the real figure is much higher. That represents many millions of Americans who lost their jobs. Did they retain health care? If their only option was Cobra, it is very expensive.

I have friends and acquaintances of all ages and political persuasions. Some of them are otherwise intelligent, but tend to associate with the university or arts crowd who are for the most part extremely liberal, extremely brainwashed and in some cases have a entitlement mentality. Most are oblivious to the real Obama and, whether they are aware or not, believe that the end justifies the means. They have touted the health care bill without considering the way it was passed, the impact on the economy and ultimately the impact on our health care system.

So, once again I am curious, those of you who lost your jobs, in part to the end justifies the means mentality of the left and Obama wanting to add a narcissistic feather to his cap, has your health care improved?

Missouri voters reject Obamacare, Over 70 percent, Proposition C, Citizen Wells open thread, August 4, 2010

Missouri voters reject Obamacare, Over 70 percent, Proposition C

From Fox News Kansas City Missouri August 3, 2010.

“Missouri Voters Approve Measure to Ban Mandated Health Insurance”

“The nation is watching Missouri on Tuesday night, as voters approved a proposal that asks voters to ban federally-mandated health insurance.

Proposition C would also disallow punishments for not buying health insurance, and prohibit the government from forcing citizens and businesses to buy health insurance, which will be required under federal law beginning in 2014.

The measure won with over 70 percent of the vote with 65 percent of all precincts reporting.

It is unclear if the measure would be enforceable, as federal law typically supersedes state law under the U.S. Constitution. But supporters say that the measure would send a message to Democrats in Washington and across the nation.

“I think this is an exciting time for Missourians because we are really the first state to vote on the individual mandate, and I think what happens in Missouri tonight will command headlines around the country for the next few days if not months,” said Prop C supporter Patrick Tuohey of Missourians for Health Care Freedom.”

Read more:

http://www.fox4kc.com/news/wdaf-story-propc-measure-080310,0,2735261.story

Tea Party movement, Concerned Americans, Big Government, Obama administration, Obama’s past, Mainstream media lies, Government controlled health care, Democrats, Republicans, Independents

Tea Party movement, Concerned Americans, Big Government, Obama administration

Are you a Democrat, Republican, Independent, Tea partier or just a concerned American?
Well, speaking for myself, a large portion of the commenters on this blog, and I believe, what I refer to as the big center of this country, I and most people are concerned Americans. We want the federal government to do it’s job of protecting the public, adhering to the US Constitution and separation of powers and doing the bidding of the voters. We do not want big government, intrusion on our rights and freedom and ability to earn a living. We do not want the government dictating every aspect of our lives. We do not want government controlled health care rammed down our throats.
The mainstream media is painting a picture of sterotypes attending and supporting Tea Parties across this country. They would have you believe they are Republican, racists, radicals gun toting wackos. Nothing could be farther from the truth. They are mostly Democrats, Republicans, Independents, concerned Americans who are against out of control government. Many, like myself, do not like either party or status quo party politics. A great many people who have these concerns attend Tea Parties or support them. However, many Americans do not align themselves with the Tea Party movement, but do share many of the concerns. Millions of Americans question Obama, his administration, his cronies and his past. Many of these folks are active and retired military and quite a few are high ranking military officers. Despite the best efforts of the MSM and even Fox News to portray anyone questioning Obama and his past as fringe components, the wisdom of the American people and their desire for the truth prevails.
Here are two articles on the Tea Party movement.

“Establishment Terrified by Tea Party Movement”

By Matt Towery

“Whenever I’m in the nation’s capital, it’s always entertaining to see government staff, aides, lobbyists and elected officials doing their thing. They can make you feel like an outsider — unless, that is, you were there when Ronald Reagan was sworn in, doing then as they are doing now. Then you realize that they’re just younger versions of yourself.
With age and experience comes a trace of wisdom. In talking to various Washington insiders over the last few days, I’ve noticed a predominant theme: The GOP establishment hasn’t a clue how to manage the so-called Tea Party movement. And the Democrats are equally clueless as they try to profile and pigeonhole these new activists.
I’ve been closely watching Tea Partiers since about this time last year. I noticed early on that establishment Republican elected officials have been letting the Tea Party march right on past. These officeholders are afraid they’ll be seen as radical if they associate with the protest movement.
Conventional Washington wisdom seems to have it that moderate, swing voters in the fall general elections will turn away from the GOP if the party ends up with nominees for Congress who are either self-identified as Tea Partiers or are somehow associated with them.”

“The Democrats are even more in the dark. They have persuaded themselves that the Tea Party crowd is one and the same with the so-called “birthers,” who believe President Obama was not born in the United States and should not be eligible to serve as president. The Democrats welcome the Tea Party because they believe it will divide the GOP and bring to the fore weaker and less experienced Republican candidates in November. Either that, they believe, or it will cause a big chunk of disenchanted Republican voters — either establishment or Tea Party — to sit out this year’s general election altogether.”

“I keep reading media reports that try to portray some Tea Partiers as racist. They keep insisting that alleged racial slurs were hurled at certain members of Congress when the health care bill was being considered. Much media, like many Beltway insiders, are characterizing as a racist-inspired fringe element what is in fact a loud manifestation of anger and fear over taxes, government growth, and possible abridgements of future liberty and security.
I don’t buy it. The Tea Party may or may not be substantial enough to transform the GOP into a more conservative party. But my polling tells this: We are likely to see Republican primaries this year that will be contested as never before. And that means there could be an avalanche of Americans voting Republican in November.
The Tea Party effort is both symbolic and a catalyst. It will end up spurring a rush of voter intensity the GOP hasn’t seen since 1994. Oh, yes, I liked this town a lot in those days.”

Read more:

http://www.gopusa.com/commentary/mtowery/2010/mt_04151.shtml
 

“Alinsky’s Avenging Angels: Tea Party Saboteurs

By Michelle Malkin

“One of the popular signs spotted at Tea Party protests across the country over the past year goes like this: “It doesn’t matter what this sign says. You’ll call it racism, anyway!” It’s a pithy, perfect rejoinder to the fusillade of attacks that limited-government activists have weathered from their Democratic detractors and a hostile national media. Committed Alinsky-ites never let reality get in the way of a good Tea Party-bashing narrative.
The radical acolytes of Chicago’s late left-wing organizer Saul Alinsky also understand the importance of manufacturing demons. “Before men can act,” Alinsky preached, “an issue must be polarized. Men will act when they are convinced their cause is 100 percent on the side of the angels, and that the opposition are 100 percent on the side of the devil.” This explains the left’s relentless campaign to sabotage the anti-tax, anti-bailout movement from Day One.
President Obama’s community organizing allies whispered “racist,” “fascist” and “fringe” in the earliest days of the stimulus demonstrations in January and February 2009, when hundreds of first-time protesters turned out on the streets in Washington State, Colorado, Arizona and Kansas. The whispers turned to hysterical screams as hundreds became thousands and thousands became millions of peaceful marchers who gathered for the first nationwide Tax Day Tea Party. Some fringe, huh?
The latest effort to smear Tea Partiers involves self-appointed agents provocateurs who are organizing a “Crash the Tea Party” campaign to discredit the April 15 Tax Day Tea Party by making up bogus racist signs and providing false portrayals of grassroots activists to the press. An online punk, Jason Levin, is spearheading the infiltration effort to “act on behalf of the Tea Party in ways which exaggerate their least appealing qualities” and “damage the public’s opinion of them.” Never mind that public opinion polls now show that the majority of Americans stand with the core principles of fiscal responsibility espoused by Tea Party activists.”

“Fast-forward to April 2010. Alinsky’s avenging angels have declared open warfare on April 15. Will they be enabled again by “mainstream journalists” who have turned their Tea Party reporting assignments into search-and-destroy missions? The signs point to yes.”

Read more:

http://www.gopusa.com/commentary/mmalkin/2010/mm_04141.shtml

Greensboro, NC Tax Day Tea Party, April 15, 2010, Romanian immigrant speech, US citizen, Small business owner, Speech about government control and liberty, North Carolina Tea Parties

Greensboro, NC Tax Day Tea Party, April 15, 2010, Romanian immigrant speech

A Romanian immigrant, US citizen, small business owner, speaks about government control and liberty.