This Kos poster analyzes it in some detail and argues that it is worse than Hyde. The Republicans may very well have found the silver bullet to kill health care reform once and for all, unless the Democratic Party parliamentarians can come up with something. But with the Republicans unanimous in killing any meaningful reform and there being apparently plenty of anti-choice Democrats in office willing to sink health care reform for the issue, I don’t know that reform will happen any time in the foreseeable future – certainly not in the next decade. Divide and conquer. Hats off.
….
Meanwhile, in the Senate it’s crunch time for the six hedging Democrats, and ironically I don’t think any of them would be hot for the Stupak Amendment.
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Addendum: A representative of Stupak’s office is reportedly yelling at people calling about the amendment.
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Second addendum: Obama wants the abortion language out.
But now I’m wondering if the amendment isn’t redundant, and that unless language explicitly allows for coverage of abortions that coverage would simply be barred by the Hyde law. It’s possible that the anti-abortion force overplayed its hand.
So the question is whether any of those Democrats will vote for the bill if the language is stripped in conference, or even changed to create an exception to Hyde.
Third addendum: My post title notwithstanding, nobody actually knows what this amendment would do. That will give some of the Stupak Democrats an out. I bet the language will be replaced with something like “nothing in this law shall alter or except any federal funding from the Hyde Amendment.”
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November 9, 2009 at 11:40 am
Moonshadow
told ya!
It is a horrible, horrible bill!
Divide and conquer or not . . . this is about blocking or banning a legal medical proceedure by the side door.
November 9, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Eric Kirk
I’m hearing talks of the Democrats passing the bill as is and then setting up another funding source for abortions. Somebody on talk radio mentioned it this morning, but I haven’t found any online reference.
Like the Hyde law it does discriminate against poor women, or if you happen to be pro-life, against wealthy fetuses.
November 9, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Moonshadow
Let’s be careful as characterizing this as just affecting poor women. There are many “middle class” women who find the costs of an abortion to be too much, especially when take in combination with all the other expenses we face today.
November 9, 2009 at 12:00 pm
highboldtage
Eric,
There is of course a way to get meaningful reform, and that is to take up the issues one by one, debate them and then vote them into law, instead of bringing for a massive omnibus package that must have something for everyone.
Where to start? A simple bill to fix one of the Bush Administrations biggest crimes- medicare part D. Fix this so the drugs the government pays for are sold at a negotiated price.
If the Democratic Party can’t get 218 votes to force this simple concession from Big Pharma then it is hopeless. On the other hand, once this is fixed and the savings start working, we could move along to the next thing that needs to be fixed. Success would breed success, and the transparency that was promised but is sadly missing would emerge.
have a peaceful day,
Bill
November 9, 2009 at 12:01 pm
anon
Whistleblower Andy Exposes Health Insurers Deceptions
Spokesjerk Reveals Industry Widespread Deceptions… Helped Hide the Truth Behind the Greed and Abuse…
Click here to watch the video
Watch the Video | Post on Facebook | Email a Friend
Dear madi,
Andy has been a go-to man for Blue Cross Blue Shield.
As a skilled spokesjerk, he has arduously worked to make sure you never find out the truth about the abusive, deceitful and greedy practices of health insurers.
For the first time, Andy reveals the true story.
Now, it’s time for him to move on to a new job. He is looking to work for a company that makes and values huge profits at the expense of your health, well-being and safety – a monopoly is obviously preferred.
Who do you think Andy should work for next: Blackwater, Goldman Sachs, Wal-Mart, FOX News?
Choose the best company for him that exemplifies the worst corporate practices today!
And, don’t forget to have your friends help Andy pick a new company!
Yours,
Robert Greenwald
and the Brave New Films team
P.S. There’s a Conversation going on: The Yes Men. Amy Goodman. Thom Hartmann. Shepard Fairey. Benjamin Bratt. Janeane Garofalo. Tom Morello. Maxine Waters. Henry Rollins… they’ve all joined. You can join the Conversation too. Find out how at Brave New Foundation.
November 9, 2009 at 5:13 pm
highboldtage
Richard Nixon’s Health Care Plan – Better than Obamas?
Upon adoption of appropriate Federal and State legislation, the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan would offer to every American the same broad and balanced health protection through one of three major programs:
[1]–Employee Health Insurance, covering most Americans and offered at their place of employment, with the cost to be shared by the employer and employee on a basis which would prevent excessive burdens on either;
Every employer would be required to offer all full-time employees the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan. Additional benefits could then be added by mutual agreement. The insurance plan would be jointly financed, with employers paying 65 percent of the premium for the first three years of the plan, and 75 percent thereafter. Employees would pay the balance of the premiums. Temporary Federal subsidies would be used to ease the initial burden on employers who face significant cost increases.
[2]–An improved Medicare Plan, covering those 65 and over and offered through a Medicare system that is modified to include additional, needed benefits.
[3]–Assisted Health Insurance, covering low-income persons, and persons who would be ineligible for the other two programs, with Federal and State government paying those costs beyond the means of the individual who is insured;
The program of Assisted Health Insurance is designed to cover everyone not offered coverage under Employee Health Insurance or Medicare, including the unemployed, the disabled, the self-employed, and those with low incomes. In addition, persons with higher incomes could also obtain Assisted Health Insurance if they cannot otherwise get coverage at reasonable rates. Included in this latter group might be persons whose health status or type of work puts them in high-risk insurance categories.
http://urlet.com/howard.design
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/aaron-e-carroll/its-amazing-whats-conside_b_350558.html
November 9, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Moonshadow
here’s what the summary over at Congress.Org says:
[/source]
November 9, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Moonshadow
Hmmmmmm . . . there was supposed to be a url there for the source of the article:
Who Pays For Abortion Coverage
November 10, 2009 at 10:26 am
highboldtage
I just found out that Congressman Stupak lives at the infamous C Street House in DC that is run by that gang of Christo-fascists. That is the same house where the corrupt Republican John Ensign hangs his hat.
It is time to get religious cults out of our government.
have a peaceful day,
Bill