Question anything about Obama, his past or his policies and you are attacked. Whether you are exercising your Firstment Amendment rights at a town hall meeting or asking simple questions about Obama, like the actor Jon Voight did.
Bishop Harry Jackson: Universal Health Care ‘Reverse Classicism’
From Conservative Black Woman:
“Bishop Harry Jackson Tells The Truth About Healthcare Reform But Liberal Bloggers Are Truth-Resistant”
“Liberal bloggers at Huffpo and blackpoliticalthought (because we are all supposed to think the same thoughts, you see) are busy disparaging Bishop Jackson and accusing him of perpetuating “misinformation”. Matthew Palevsky (Huffington Post) writes “Bishop Jackson continued by picking up on a common misnomer that the right invented and then railed against, spending tax dollars to pay for abortions.” Good grief…I guess Mr. Palevsky and “DAD” (Dumb-AZZ-Donna, the condescending elitist reader), typical Obama drones have fallen for the semantic tricks of President Obama and the leftist demon-crats. Yes, it is factual that the Senate’s healthcare proposal does not specifically mandate abortion but what these deceptive azz-wipes fail to mention is that anytime Congress fails to exclude funding for abortion it is always included. Case and point, for the last 13 years no federal dollars were have been used to fund abortions in the District of Columbia because pro-life lawmakers specifically excluded abortion funding in the DC spending bill — that is until this year. The demon-crats successfully removed the exclusion so now your tax dollars are being used to kill off black babies otherwise known as genocide. Yes, I’m aware that I’m not suppose to follow the ramifications of that through to the logical conclusion because that makes me a “right wing loon” or worse. It fascinates me how this is lost on the “fight the power” “power to the people” types. I guess they trust the government now….because we have a black(ish) president and all.
I wonder how many religious leaders fell for President Obama’s “ethical and moral obligation” crap yesterday as he urged them to get behind this abominable plan? Too many I fear. But Obama is right it is a moral obligation. We are our brother’s keeper — so the government should leave it to us.”
Orwellian lies are one of the hallmarks of the socialist left in this country. Earlier today, in an article about SEIU and their so called union constitution, the Citizen Wells blog reported,
“Our nation’s healthcare crisis has touched every kitchen table, every worker, every boardroom, and every patient and continues to grow worse each day. 48 million people in the United States have no health insurance and hundreds of millions more are under-insured”
Please explain to me, how is it possible to have hundreds of millions more under-insured…unless, of course, you are including a great many from other countries.
Yesterday, August 26, 2009, the Citizen Wells blog presented an article about Obama’s ties to SEIU, a group that claims to be a union representing working people.
“SEIU,Service Employees International Union, thugs have been a prominent feature at many of the town hall meetings on health care. Did you ever wonder why they were there. This article from American Thinker on January 6, 2009, months before these town hall meetings, will shed some light on their presence.”
Today, August 27, 2009, a great commenter on this blog alerted us to another article referring to SEIU as the new mafia.
“SEIU, The New Mafia”
“We all have heard about the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) during the 2008 general election. Even more recently, the SEIU was active in being “ushers” at the Tampa town hall meeting on August 6, 2009 sponsored by Florida State Representative Betty Reed (D-Dist. 59) with special guest, Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-FL), on the topic of healthcare reform. It was no surprise that SEIU members acted on their best, I mean, not on their best behavior when using mafia-like tactics in preventing ANY proud American willing to practice their first amendment right of free speech.”
“Furthermore, the SEIU advocates for illegal alien employment as evidenced by their adopted amendments and resolutions from their 2008 convention in Puerto Rico! Yes, in an economic climate where LEGAL immigrants and Americans are losing their jobs, the SEIU writes “How To” guides for employers if they are subjected to an I.C.E. raid. This would partly explain their behavior at town hall meetings around the country as they do not want the COMMON SENSE voice being heard about some of the issues surrounding the healthcare crisis; i.e. illegal aliens who receive free healthcare at the American’s expense!”
“So, I’ve browsed the SEIU’s 2008 amendments and resolutions and provided specific examples of how their intended goal of promoting jobs in all industries for all people actually has counterproductive practices. On face value, this organization is just the street level thug division of the Organize for America movement which is an extension of the Obama’s 2008 campaign. In fact, I actually feel sorry for SEIU members for being exploited by the liberals to advance their agenda instead of filling their ranks with people that fully understand issues and grasp the severity of their actions.”
Obama’s SEIU Thugs Attack a Black Conservative Outside Russ Carnahan Town Hall.
The following comes directly from the SEIU constitution. There is so much unAmerican, anti business, marxists propaganda there that I had a difficult time deciding what to include.
Resolution # 102a Adopted at the 2008 SEIU Convention
Building Workers’ Strength with Comprehensive Immigration Reform
SEIU members have many reasons to stand united for comprehensive immigration reform.
All working people face lower pay and benefits when some hard-working, taxpaying workers are driven into an underground economy because they are denied legal status.
The political strength of working people is seriously undermined when millions of workers are denied the right to vote because they have no real path to citizenship.
Our primary mission – to unite all working people for a better future – cannot be achieved as long as many workers face exploitation and discrimination.
Our communities are weakened when politicians eager to exploit divisions pass laws that result in workers being denied access to drivers’ licenses and insurance or qualified high school graduates being denied a college education.
As a result of the U.S. Senate’s failure to pass comprehensive immigration reform last year, we have seen an alarming increase in local laws that target immigrant workers and their families, along with costly deportation raids that make headlines but do not realistically fix a broken system. Deportation threats without reform have pushed undocumented immigrants further into the underground economy, dividing the workforce and driving down wages and benefits for all working people.
When the Bush administration announced a federal attack on undocumented immigrant workers, including a new policy on “no match” Social Security cases, SEIU developed a tool kit and held legal trainings to educate employers and workers on their rights in the event of a worksite raid and/or “no match” letter.
As the federal crackdowns increase, so do state and local laws that target immigrant workers and fuel fear, hate, and division in communities across the country. Legislation in states such as Arizona, Oklahoma, and Virginia that deputizes local law enforcement and empower them to persecute undocumented immigrants will cost billions in taxpayer dollars, but solve nothing.
We will oppose initiatives including guest worker programs if they do not provide future immigrant workers with a safe, orderly, and legal process that includes full protection of U.S. laws and a pathway to citizenship.
SEIU members will continue to help immigrant workers organize to unite their strength with us.
Resolution # 105b Adopted at the 2008 SEIU Convention
Justice for All: Reforming Our National Healthcare System
This Moment Calls for Our Leadership
Our nation’s healthcare crisis has touched every kitchen table, every worker, every boardroom, and every patient and continues to grow worse each day. 48 million people in the United States have no health insurance and hundreds ofmillions more are under-insured, making it difficult or impossible for them to access quality health care;
SEIU will bring its full resources to this fight in the form of national membership mobilization, political action, and local resources to amplify our voice on this issue and be prepared for the real healthcare reform work that begins on November 5, 2008 with a newly elected President and Congress.
3. While we continue to defend employer-based plans that provide quality healthcare for our members, the current employer -based health care system is not a realistic foundation for 21st century health care reform, particularly given the competitive challenges of a global economy.
Further be it resolved:
To win national healthcare reform SEIU members pledge to:
Help to build and grow Healthcare United, an organization of both union and non-union nurses and healthcare workers, and support the work of Americans for Health Care — to speak out with healthcare consumers to help lead the fight.
Resolution # 106a Adopted at the 2008 SEIU Convention
Quality Public Education for All
A high quality, universal public education system is crucial to ensuring equal opportunity for our children. But our nation’s children do not have equal access to a quality public education. The opportunities provided by public schools have been selective and have excluded too many of our children. Millions of children of working families, particularly in lower income communities, do not have access to schools in which all students can thrive.
Resolution # 107 Adopted at the 2008 SEIU Convention
Rebuilding the Middle Class
Commit 50% of the growth budgets and 50% of non-growth staff during the first 100 days of the 111th • Congress toward the passage of Employee Free Choice and healthcare reform.
Resolution # 115a Adopted at the 2008 SEIU Convention
Solidarity with Latin America and the Caribbean
Today, progressive, democratically elected movements continue to grow in strength across Latin America and the Caribbean. Currently Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela are increasingly committed to fighting against poverty and illiteracy and for a more just society.
Resolution # 122 Adopted at the 2008 SEIU Convention
Resolution on the Campaign for the New American Dream
WHEREAS in February 2008, the International Executive Board endorsed Barrack Obama to become the next President of the United States, and since that time SEIU members and leaders from around the country have worked tirelessly in primaries and caucuses from Oregon to Pennsylvania, from Texas to Wisconsin, in Puerto Rico, Indiana, Ohio and other states. We have also built upon our successes in the 2006 Congressional General Elections in 2008 to preserve a democratic seat in Massachusetts, elect a progressive democratic in Maryland and make unprecedented gains in difficult congressional districts against anti-worker candidates.
SEIU will help expand the work of nonprofit entities such as Mi Familia Vota, Strengthen Our Lives (S.O.L.), and The American Dream Fund so that all working people, including immigrants, will be active and united.
I have heard from reliable sources that drug use among politicians in Chicago is rampant.
Obviously there is no respect for the US Constitution or rule of law.
And all of this is coming from the “Land of Lincoln.”
So what is Representative Jan Schakowsky of IL on?
She obviously has no respect for the laws of the US!
“From Rep. Jan Schakowsky’s (D-IL) remarks at an August 24, 2009 press conference held in Chicago by the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.”
Let’s all keep an eye on Representative Jan Schakowsky and unite to remove her from office.
Larry Sinclair confuses Obama supporters with facts in this Youtube video:
“Organizing For America members say “you don’t need to read 1000 pages of a bill…””
“University of Central Florida Students transported by Organizing for America to the Alan Grayson/Joe Biden events in Orlando do not even know what they are supporting. These students (all but 1 of which are members of SDS) were transported to the Biden school speech and then to the Marriott Hotel for the $1000, $5000, & $10,000 per donor Biden/Grayson/Kosmas fund raiser in a Black SUV. The SDS president was seen coming and going from the Hotel on his cell phone calling other members.”
For many years I have stated that of the large power countries, China was the one that concerned me most. They have an enormous population and have the potential for desperately needing water and other natural resources. The Germans faced this dilemna after World War I as they looked to grow their economy. They needed more living room, “lebensraum.”
Because of some flu related controversies I am researching, I went back into my email archives. An article that I received on March 18, 2009 from a retired military officer now appears more plausible and ominous.
“The following is the actual text of a speech delivered in December, 2005 by Comrade
Chi Haotian –the Vice-Chairman of China’s Military Commission to top officers
and generals. Keep in mind that China has for many years advocated deceitful
and covert warfare against its enemies. This is their Modus Operandi. There
should be little question that a “Bird Flu” Pandemic would deeply excite them.
(Don’t forget how they have poisoned thousands of American pets and knowingly
placed lead paints on toddler’s toys.)”
““Comrades, I’m very excited today, because the large-scale online survey sina.com
that was done for us showed that our next generation is quite promising and our
Party’s cause will be carried on. In answering the question, “Will you shoot at
women, children and prisoners of war,” more than 80 per cent of the respondents
answered in the affirmative, exceeding by far our expectations.”
“The central issue of this survey appears to be whether one should shoot at
women, children and prisoners of war, but its real significance goes far beyond
that. Ostensibly, our intention is mainly to figure out what the Chinese people’s
attitude towards war is: If these future soldiers do not hesitate to kill even noncombatants,
they’ll naturally be doubly ready and ruthless in killing combatants.
Therefore, the responses to the survey questions may reflect the general attitude
people have towards war……..We wanted to know: If China’s global development
will necessitate massive deaths in enemy countries, will our people endorse that
scenario? Will they be for or against it?”
“The first pressing issue facing us is living space. This is the biggest focus of the
revitalization of the Chinese race. In my last speech, I said that the fight over basic
living resources (including land and ocean) is the source of the vast majority of
wars in history. This may change in the information age, but not fundamentally.
Our per capita resources are much less than those of Germany’s back then. In
addition, economic development in the last twenty-plus years had a negative impact,
and climates are rapidly changing for the worse. Our resources are in very short
supply. The environment is severely polluted, especially that of soil, water, and air.
Not only our ability to sustain and develop our race, but even its survival is gravely
threatened, to a degree much greater than faced Germany back then.”
“Would the United States allow us to go out to gain new living space? First, if
the United States is firm in blocking us, it is hard for us to do anything significant
to Taiwan and some other countries! Second, even if we could snatch some land
from Taiwan, Vietnam, India, or even Japan, how much more living space can we
get? Very trivial! Only countries like the United States, Canada and Australia
have the vast land to serve our need for mass colonization.”
“Only by using special means to ‘clean up’ America will we be able to lead the
Chinese people there. Only by using non-destructive weapons that can kill many
people will we be able to reserve America for ourselves. There has been rapid
development of modern biological technology, and new bio weapons have been
invented one after another. Of course we have not been idle; in the past years we
have seized the opportunity to master weapons of this kind. We are capable of
achieving our purpose of ‘cleaning up’ America all of a sudden. When Comrade
Xiaoping was still with us, the Party Central Committee had the perspicacity to
make the right decision not to develop aircraft carrier groups and focused instead
on developing lethal weapons that can eliminate mass populations of the enemy
country.
Biological weapons are unprecedented in their ruthlessness, but if the
Americans do not die then the Chinese have to die. If the Chinese people are
strapped to the present land, a total societal collapse is bound to take place.
According to the computations of the author of Yellow Peril, more than half of the
Chinese will die, and that figure would be more than 800 million people! Just after
the liberation, our yellow land supported nearly 500 million people, while today the
official figure of the population is more than 1.3 billion. This yellow land has
reached the limit of its capacity. One day, who know how soon it will come, the
great collapse will occur any time and more than half of the population will have to
go.
It is indeed brutal to kill one or two hundred million Americans. But that is the
only path that will secure a Chinese century, a century in which the CCP leads the
world. We, as revolutionary humanitarians, do not want deaths, But if history
confronts us with a choice between deaths of Chinese and those of Americans, we’d
have to pick the latter, as, for us, it is more important to safeguard the lives of the
Chinese people and the life of our Party.
The last problem I want to talk about is of firmly seizing the preparations for
military battle. The central committee believes, as long as we resolve the United
States problem at one blow, our domestic problems will all be readily solved.
Therefore, our military battle preparation appears to aim at Taiwan, but in fact is
aimed at the United States, and the preparation is far beyond the scope of attacking
aircraft carriers or satellites. Marxism pointed out that violence is the midwife for
the birth of the new society. Therefore war is the midwife for the birth of China’s
century.””
“New deficit projections pose risks to Obama’s agenda”
“WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama’s domestic policy proposals will face the reality of skyrocketing deficits on Tuesday when officials release two government reports projecting huge budget shortfalls over the next decade.
The White House budget office and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), a non-partisan arm of Congress, release updated economic forecasts and deficit estimates on Tuesday, providing further fiscal fodder to opponents of Obama’s nearly $1 trillion healthcare overhaul plan.
Many of the figures are already known.
The White House has confirmed that its deficit estimate for the 2009 fiscal year, which ends September 30, will inch down to $1.58 trillion from $1.84 trillion after eliminating billions of dollars originally set aside for bank rescues.
Looking forward, an administration official told Reuters the 10-year budget deficit projection will jump by about $2 trillion to roughly $9 trillion from an original forecast of $7.1 trillion.”
“Many economists think it is unlikely that the government can curtail spending, which means taxes would have to rise to cover the increasing costs of providing retirement benefits and healthcare to older people. That could slow economic growth.
Stanford University economics professor John Taylor, an influential economist, told Reuters Television on Friday the U.S. budget deficit poses a greater risk to the financial system than the collapse in commercial real estate prices.”
The Trent Franks town hall meeting on Saturday, August 22, 2009, in Kingman, AZ is stirring up a lot of controversy. According to the Mojave Daily News, Franks was reported as saying:
“Franks said there was not enough evidence that Obama is not an American citizen. He did say there was a lot of conflicting evidence of Obama’s citizenship and that he was considering filing a lawsuit, the only congressman to do so. Franks asked why the president did not simply produce a birth certificate.””
The Citizen Wells blog has reported on the town hall meeting as well as further comments coming from representative Franks office.
A comment was posted by a citizen from AZ:
“I have emailed Rep Franks several times,…. and He has responded to me each time….by email and also snail mail letter. Pretty much saying that obama has been vetted and all is in order. MAYBE we should email him some info to WAKE UP his mind a little bit. You prepare what you want and I will make sure he gets it. I will email it and I will also send him a certified letter. WHAT do you think? (I also emailed Sen Mccain,…. but never received any response at all)”
Today we received this comment from travelbugs:
“I just got off the phone with Congressman Franks office. He said that he did not say he would pursue a lawsuit, but rather that he would pursue looking into this. I also explained that it is much more than the long form birth certificate. I further stated that he had to simultaneously ask for the college records and passport records to be opened up to fully understand the depth of this. The staffer said they have been flooded by calls today about the birth issue and he took my message down, in great detail, and promised to pass it along to the Congressman. Everyone needs to call and relay this same information. He can get a fake birth certificate, but he cannot forge the passport and college records as well. These elements are critical to bringing about the truth!”
Politico is now reporting the following:
“Franks in July: Obama ‘born in Hawaii'”
“A month before Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) told a town hall audience that there is not enough evidence that President Barack Obama is a natural-born citizen, he told an interviewer that he believes Obama was “born in Hawaii.”
According to the Mohave Daily News, on Sunday, Franks told a town hall audience in Kingman, Ariz., that there is conflicting evidence as to whether the president was born in the United States. According to the report, the Republican congressman called on Obama to produce his birth certificate and threatened to sue the president over the issue.
But in July, when a camera crew from the liberal blog FireDogLake approached Franks to ask if he believed the so-called birthers, who dispute whether Obama was born in the United States and would therefore be ineligible to serve as president, Franks made his anti-birther position pretty clear.
“I believe Barack Obama was born in Hawaii, stayed within the United States and, therefore, is a constitutionally natural-born citizen of this country,” Franks told the blog’s Mike Stark.”
I, Citizen Wells, today, August 24, 2009, submitted a request to meet with Trent Franks. I will keep you informed of what comes of this.
So, representative Trent Franks, what is your position on Obama’s eligibility and not presenting a legitimate birth certificate? Your constituents and the American public want to know.
Yesterday, the Citizen Wells blog presented an article about a town hall meeting hosted by representative Trent Franks of Arizona. Here are some exerpts:
“The other main issue dealt with numerous speakers questioning Obama’s birth certificate and why there wasn’t an investigation into whether he is a naturalized citizen. One woman said a newspaper announcement of his birth in Hawaii was not sufficient. Another asked how he could have a passport without a birth certificate.
Franks said there was not enough evidence that Obama is not an American citizen. He did say there was a lot of conflicting evidence of Obama’s citizenship and that he was considering filing a lawsuit, the only congressman to do so. Franks asked why the president did not simply produce a birth certificate.”
A comment was posted by a citizen from AZ:
“I have emailed Rep Franks several times,…. and He has responded to me each time….by email and also snail mail letter. Pretty much saying that obama has been vetted and all is in order. MAYBE we should email him some info to WAKE UP his mind a little bit. You prepare what you want and I will make sure he gets it. I will email it and I will also send him a certified letter. WHAT do you think? (I also emailed Sen Mccain,…. but never received any response at all)”
“I just got off the phone with Congressman Franks office. He said that he did not say he would pursue a lawsuit, but rather that he would pursue looking into this. I also explained that it is much more than the long form birth certificate. I further stated that he had to simultaneously ask for the college records and passport records to be opened up to fully understand the depth of this. The staffer said they have been flooded by calls today about the birth issue and he took my message down, in great detail, and promised to pass it along to the Congressman. Everyone needs to call and relay this same information. He can get a fake birth certificate, but he cannot forge the passport and college records as well. These elements are critical to bringing about the truth!”
I, Citizen Wells, today, August 24, 2009, submitted a request to meet with Trent Franks. I will keep you informed of what comes of this.
Here is a notice of the next town hall meeting hosted by representative Franks. It was taken from his website:
“UPCOMING TOWN HALLS
Questions? Comments?
Join me for a Town Hall meeting near you:
Aug 25: Maricopa County hide
Time:
5:00 – Congressman Franks will host a screening of “33 Minutes,” a half hour film about America’s missile defense in a new missile age.
6:00 – Congressman Franks’ opening remarks, town hall question & answer session
Location:
Community Church of Joy
21000 N. 75th Avenue
Glendale, AZ 85308
(Located just north of Loop 101 on the west side of 75th Avenue. Meeting will be help in the worship center, in the main sanctuary.)
In August and September, Health Care for America Now and our partners are making sure Congress hears from voters all across the country. Join us. Host a house party. Plan a rally. Visit your Members of Congress’ town hall meetings. Rally. Make your voice heard. Take action. Pass health care reform.
Don’t let the Obama controlled organizations keep you from voicing your concerns.
US representative Trent Franks of Arizona, conducted a Town hall meeting, Saturday, August 22, 2009, in Kingman, AZ. Health care reform, national defense and illegal aliens and even fraudulent ACORN were discussed. However, what was most interesting about Trent Franks’ comments was his questioning Obama on not producing a birth certificate and indicating he may initiate a lawsuit. I am not certain if representative Franks really understands the eligibility issues, but at least he understands that there may be a problem.
Here are three action items for us to address:
1. Make certain that Trent Franks understands the serious eligibility issues surrounding Obama as well as his complete hiding of his past.
2. Encourage Trent Franks to initiate a lawsuit and provide data and resources.
3. Let Trent Franks know that we will support his efforts to represent the American people and uphold the US Constitution.
Here are some exerpts from the Mojave Daily News:
“Franks goes on the attack
Sunday, August 23, 2009 12:01 AM CDT
PACKED HOUSE: U.S. Rep. Trent Franks, from Arizona’s 2nd District, held a town hall meeting Saturday in Kingman discussing issues ranging from health care reform to President Barack Obama’s citizenship. JIM SECKLER/The Daily News
Congressman critical of Obama’s policies”
“KINGMAN – A big, boisterous crowd largely supported an Arizona Congressman, who lambasted the Democratic president and his policies.
Rep. Trent Franks, a Republican representing Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District that includes Mohave County, held a town hall meeting Saturday afternoon at a jammed-packed Kingman church.
Franks started the town hall off by showing a half-hour video on the country’s missile defense system. The movie warned of threats of a missile attack by rogue nations such as North Korea and Iran and the need to protect the country with a missile defense shield.
Franks then criticized President Barack Obama on every issue starting with the president’s lack of understanding of the threat by terrorists to launch an attack against the United States. The conservative Republican also said he voted against the federal stimulus bill and the Cash for Clunkers program, which he said benefited foreign car makers. He also said it would take 34,000 years to pay off the debt that Obama is accruing.”
“The other main issue dealt with numerous speakers questioning Obama’s birth certificate and why there wasn’t an investigation into whether he is a naturalized citizen. One woman said a newspaper announcement of his birth in Hawaii was not sufficient. Another asked how he could have a passport without a birth certificate.
Franks said there was not enough evidence that Obama is not an American citizen. He did say there was a lot of conflicting evidence of Obama’s citizenship and that he was considering filing a lawsuit, the only congressman to do so. Franks asked why the president did not simply produce a birth certificate.”
“Franks also called Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now fraudulent and said it should be investigated by the U.S. Attorney General. He also said the organization was committed to hurting the country and blamed the organization for requiring sub-prime loans that led to the country’s economic downturn.”
I am not certain if the people were quoted correctly or not regarding the use of the words “citizen” and “naturalized citizen.”
We must make certain that Representative Franks understands the difference.
**** UPDATE ****
I just received this from a AZ citizen:
“I have emailed Rep Franks several times,…. and He has responded to me each time….by email and also snail mail letter. Pretty much saying that obama has been vetted and all is in order. MAYBE we should email him some info to WAKE UP his mind a little bit. You prepare what you want and I will make sure he gets it. I will email it and I will also send him a certified letter. WHAT do you think? (I also emailed Sen Mccain,…. but never received any response at all)”
I certainly hope that Trent Franks did not utter words to placate his audience.
Obama recently made a deal with the Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers Association, PhRMA. That will come as no surprise to you. However, this story was covered by the Huffington Post and CNN. That may surprise you.
From The Huffington Post, August 13, 2009:
“Internal Memo Confirms Big Giveaways In White House Deal With Big Pharma
A memo obtained by the Huffington Post confirms that the White House and the pharmaceutical lobby secretly agreed to precisely the sort of wide-ranging deal that both parties have been denying over the past week.
The memo, which according to a knowledgeable health care lobbyist was prepared by a person directly involved in the negotiations, lists exactly what the White House gave up, and what it got in return.
It says the White House agreed to oppose any congressional efforts to use the government’s leverage to bargain for lower drug prices or import drugs from Canada — and also agreed not to pursue Medicare rebates or shift some drugs from Medicare Part B to Medicare Part D, which would cost Big Pharma billions in reduced reimbursements.
In exchange, the Pharmaceutical Researchers and Manufacturers Association (PhRMA) agreed to cut $80 billion in projected costs to taxpayers and senior citizens over ten years. Or, as the memo says: “Commitment of up to $80 billion, but not more than $80 billion.”
Representatives from both the White House and PhRMA, shown the outline, adamantly denied that it reflected reality. PhRMA senior vice president Ken Johnson said that the outline “is simply not accurate.” “This memo isn’t accurate and does not reflect the agreement with the drug companies,” said White House spokesman Reid Cherlin.
Stories in the Los Angeles Times and the New York Times last week indicated that the administration was confirming that such a deal had been made.
Critics on Capitol Hill and online responded with outrage at the reports that Obama had gone behind their backs and sold the reform movement short. Furthermore, the deal seemed to be a betrayal of several promises made by then-Sen. Obama during the presidential campaign, among them that he would use the power of government to drive down the costs of drugs to Medicare and that negotiations would be conducted in the open.”
“The deal, as outlined in the memo:
Commitment of up to $80 billion, but not more than $80 billion.
1. Agree to increase of Medicaid rebate from 15.1 – 23.1% ($34 billion)
2. Agree to get FOBs done (but no agreement on details — express disagreement on data exclusivity which both sides say
does not affect the score of the legislation.) ($9 billion)
3. Sell drugs to patients in the donut hole at 50% discount ($25 billion)
This totals $68 billion
4. Companies will be assessed a tax or fee that will score at $12 billion. There was no agreement as to how or on what
this tax/fee will be based.
Total: $80 billion
In exchange for these items, the White House agreed to:
Citizen WElls 