John Hood points out an analysis that looks at how Obamacare would affect the state of North Carolina. Because it would expand the rolls of those qualifying for assistance, North Carolina Medicaid costs would increase 44%. That does not augur well in terms of what our taxes will need to be in our state.
Meanwhile, AT reports that the Baucus bill is running approximately 1500 pages. Remember that this was supposed to be the "moderate" incarnation of "health care reform".
Brenda Bowers says that people should be contacting a core group of Senators to express opposition to Obamacare. She is absolutely right.
Interesting split today in the Senate on the Doc Fix bill that would have just added $250 billion to the deficit. Burr voted No and Hagan voted Yes. Fortunately, several Democrats voted No, so the bill failed, and left egg on Harry Reid's face for bringing a vote to the floor without the votes to pass it (a legislative blunder). I understand the concern about continuing reductions of physicians' fees under Medicare, but this vote shows how little regard most Democrats in Washington have for the rapidly growing deficit. Kay Hagan was elected to be a moderate Senator, but she is showing that she is as liberal as most. It should be noted that Warner and Webb, the two Virginia Senators, voted NO. They are feeling the tide turning. Hagan obviously does not.
Now, the question is what does it mean for the Health Insurance Reform bill? The Democrats' "Madoff" move failed. Now, does Obama break his pledge not to sign a bill that adds to the deficit, or do they find a subterfuge?
Posted by: Stormy | October 21, 2009 at 07:25 PM
Stormy, this thing has so many moving parts that it is difficult to know precisely what maneuvers are going to be made to make it look good financially.
The Doc Fix bill was an attempt to make it appear the deficit is smaller in the main health care reform bill to be introduced. But it merely proved that the Democrats are not sincere about wanting to find savings in Medicare, as they had promised in the Baucus bill. This would have undermined the savings they were promising.
And anyone who continues to be fooled by Kay Hagan must not be paying attention.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | October 21, 2009 at 07:51 PM
While in Raleigh, Hagan voted sort of like Howdy Doody, pull the string for a raised hand. And we know who pulled the strings.
Posted by: Ken Hill | October 21, 2009 at 09:33 PM
"...this thing has so many moving parts that it is difficult to know precisely what maneuvers are going to be made to make it look good financially."
Dear Lord YES! Reading as I do so many reports and articles as well as blogs every week I am sometimes amazed at how many things are going on in Washington at the same time. Not just in Congress but even more so in the White House. and the WH is very expert at throwing up smoke to divert the public's attention. The attacks on FOX NEWS is smoke. "...so many moving parts...." in a maze. BB
Posted by: Brenda Bowers | October 22, 2009 at 01:31 PM
This is especially a concern, Brenda, when you have a small group of people from the congressional leadership and from the White House working together behind closed doors to fashion the final bill. What will it contain from the various versions that have passed in committee, and what will it leave out? When will we get to see it? How will we keep track of what changes are being made to it?
Posted by: Joe Guarino | October 22, 2009 at 01:57 PM