Black Caucus Attacks Blue Dogs Over Health Care
By Don | July 24, 2009
The Congressional Black Caucus has joined other liberal Democrats and left wing groups by launching their own attacks against fellow Democrats who have expressed concern over the cost of Obama's national health care proposal.
From the Politico
The Congressional Black Caucus is blasting away at Blue Dog Democrats and other fiscal conservatives in their own party for making "spurious" claims about the high cost of the House health reform plan, POLITICO has learned.
The issue isn't about race, aides tell me. It's about the CBC, which represents some of the most progressive members in the House, wanting to have a say in final negotiations -- and to prevent party conservatives from dominating.
The 42-member caucus, whose support is crucial for the passage of any plan, is worried that intense talks going on between the Dogs, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and House leaders will undermine efforts to provide quality coverage to the poor and working class.
Late Thursday, the CBC sent identically-worded letters to Pelosi and President Obama arguing against possible cuts to hospital reimbursements, funding for proposed programs dealing with minority health disparities and cash for childrens services, mental health and preventive care.
The letter, drafted by CBC Chairwoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) also warns Pelosi and Obama against weakening a "public option" plan through the use of a procedural trigger.
Some key excerpts:
In recent days, some within the Democratic Caucus have raised spurious claims that the cost of reforming health care in America is something our nation cannot afford. If we fail to act now, we do so at the peril of the American people – especially the 46 million who are currently living without health care coverage and those who are not only more likely to suffer from poorer health, but also from the economic consequences of absorbing health care costs that far exceed their budgets. Thus, we must act and we must – per the request of President Obama – act quickly, yet thoughtfully because the quality of life of millions of Americans and the health of our economy hang in the balance.
We are very concerned about the current negotiations and feel that it is necessary to restate our strong position on several issues and provisions going forward.
The Black Caucus notes what they call are "spurious claims" about the cost of reform from members of their own party but they don't specifically rebut those claims. They certainly won't be citing the CBO scoring that shows the cost of health care reform will add $1.04 trillion to the deficit over the next 10 years.
At least the recess will give them a chance to find some numbers that back their position.
Post #2209
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And Sue—there’s even more to it that what you have mentioned—-
If a physician gives you a script for a medication that the insurance won’t cover—YOU WILL NOT be able to buy it with your own money as you can now—
I heard today—that at age 65—they will want you to start planning your death—that if you need some serious type treatments—you may not be able to get it—
Well I am in that catagory and still a sane, functioning member of society who is working 32 hours or more a week—-
This has got to be stopped—or this country will be doomed——
The Black Caucus would more accurately be named the Red Fringe, since that seems to be their history, leadership, and philosophy.
The last refuge of a scoundrel today is no longer patriotism, it is the shotgun “Racist!” charge. That is rapidly becoming as old as The Story of the Boy Who Cried Wolf.
Behavior of the Johnny One-Notes at Black Caucus are as predictable as Bill Clinton’s (or BO’s now) lies: when his lips are moving.
“Reform” is Washington is almost always a lie, almost always much more expensive, almost always more cloaked in the evil secrecy which The Founders so abhorred, almost always anti-freedom and anti-citizen.
If you seek an easy way to judge any bill, if BC is for it, it’s bad. If against, it’s good.
Beijing China already has the contracts for managing our Health Care. Their scientists/doctors will be auditing our individual profiles/cases and making our health/life decisions.
If you call for information from the providers it will be a Chinese Nationalist answering the phone. No India will not be involved.
Never mind the healthcare part. This is about power and control, pure and simple. Our masters in DC will have control over every facet of our lives, every decision, every move. For anything can and will be deemed “relating to health”. Want a new car? It may not have the government mandated safety features—dangerous to your health. Wish to join a political group…one which opposes the ruling class? Too many members have high blood pressure due to matters discussed by the groups leaders. Therefore your medical procedures will be denied. Laugh if you wish, but don’t underestimate the criminality of Washington and the desire of the left to enslave the American public.
The health care becomes more important including for our animals so we should really pay attention to how we treat them
Inchirieri Masini,
You are right.
Obama is an Animalista. We should be very careful how we treat him. Maybe put a museruola on him.
BB
Mister Obama, it is natural to man to indulge in illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against the painful Truth, and listen to your maligant song, till you turn us into beasts. We the American People really desire to be free from you…....
Health care costs have doubled since the early ‘90s - and they’re expected to double again within the next ten years. Unless something is done to contain the drastically-increasing costs - health care will be rationed on the basis of its price. And, in reality, health care insurers ration it to some degree already by refusing procedures and coverages, putting caps on policies, increasing deductibles and co-pays, etc.
Anybody that doesn’t recognize that the “real (and only) problem” in health care is run amok price increases that will increasingly limit “good” care to wealthier-and-wealthier people - is just not paying attention.
July 24 at 9:42 am | #1 | Link
It isn’t about cost - it’s about QUALITY OF HEALTHCARE!!! Do we want the gov’t telling our doctors we don’t need care because we’re too old, or the disease is too far advanced, or we have to wait two years for surgery, or you can’t have that medicine because it’s too expensive. We DO NOT NEED GOV’T IN OUR PRIVATE BUSINESS! The black caucus is endorsing it because of the new black oriented departments that will be included with this bill.