Archive for March 2009
March 30, 2009: The Obama Day in 100 Seconds
As President Obama heads to Europe for a week, he leaves Congress with a full agenda including consideration of his healthcare agenda, the budget and the auto industry. You want to bet, they take the week off! We can only hope that when in Europe this week he might take another look into some of the European Single Payer Health Plans and how they too can work here… With the global economy and unemployment being at issue, the one thing the unemployed Europeans don’t have to worry about is the affordability of getting sick!
GM CEO Rick Wagoner – Fired by President Obama!
GM CEO resigns at Obama’s behest
By MIKE ALLEN & JOSH GERSTEIN | 3/29/09 5:23 PM / Politico
The Obama administration asked Rick Wagoner, the chairman and CEO of General Motors, to step down and he agreed, a White House official said.
On Monday, President Barack Obama is to unveil his plans for the auto industry, including a response to a request for additional funds by GM and Chrysler. The plan is based on recommendations from the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry, headed by the Treasury Department.
The White House confirmed Wagoner was leaving at the government’s behest after The Associated Press reported his immediate departure, without giving a reason.
General Motors issued a vague statement Sunday night that did not officially confirm Wagoner’s departure.
“We are anticipating an announcement soon from the Administration regarding the restructuring of the U.S. auto industry. We continue to work closely with members of the Task Force and it would not be appropriate for us to speculate on the content of any announcement,” the company said.
The surprise announcement about the classically iconic American corporation is perhaps the most vivid sign yet of the tectonic change in the relationship between business and government in this era of subsidies and bailouts. (read the whole story)
Sen. Bernie Sanders introduces (NEW) single payer bill
Single-payer health reform bill introduced in Senate
PNHP – Press release – March 26, 2009
Challenging head-on the powerful private insurance and pharmaceutical industries, Vermont’s Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced a single-payer health reform bill, the American Health Security Act of 2009, in the U.S. Senate Wednesday.
The single-payer approach embodied in Sanders’ new bill stands in sharp contrast to the reform models being offered by the White House and by key lawmakers like Senators Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.). Their plans would preserve a central role for the private insurance industry, sacrificing both universal coverage and cost containment during the worst economic crisis since the Depression.
In contrast, Sanders’ new legislation would cover all of the 46 million Americans who currently lack coverage and improve benefits for all Americans by eliminating co-pays and deductibles and restoring free choice of physician. The most fiscally conservative option for reform, single payer slashes private insurance overhead and bureaucracy in medical settings, saving over $400 billion annually that can be redirected into clinical care.
Highlights of the bill include the following:
– Patients go to any doctor or hospital of their choice.
– The program is paid for by combining current sources of government health spending into a single fund with modest new taxes amounting to less than what people now pay for insurance premiums and out-of-pocket expenses.
– Comprehensive benefits, including coverage for dental, mental health, and prescription drugs.
– While federally funded, the program is to be administered by the states.
By eliminating the high overhead and profits of the private, investor-owned insurance industry, along with the burdensome paperwork imposed on physicians, hospitals and other providers, the plan saves at least $400 billion annually – enough money to provide comprehensive, quality care to all.
Community health centers are fully funded, giving the 60 million Americans now living in rural and underserved areas access to care.
To address the critical shortage of primary care physicians and dentists, the bill provides resources for the National Health Service Corps to train an additional 24,000 health professionals.
Sanders, who serves on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, is a longtime advocate of fundamental health care reform. His new bill draws heavily upon the single-payer legislation introduced by the late Sen. Paul Wellstone (D-Minn.) in 1993, S. 491, and closely parallels similar legislation pending before the House, H.R. 1200, introduced by Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.). (Read more)
Afghanistan & Pakistan – A clear and focused goal?
What would YOU ask Congress?
At a time when our country faces a credibility crisis around the world, record casualties in Afghanistan, and an economic meltdown at home, oversight hearings are needed now more than ever. The government must examine how foreign policy is being executed in Afghanistan and Pakistan, while helping to alleviate our financial strains. Read & See More
Imagine Peace
The Unemployment Rate is What?
The “official” unemployment rate that is “released” to compare apples to apples by the US government every month is somewhat misleading! The “official” unemployment rate dramatically understates the true number of unemployed and underemployed.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics releases six different numbers every month: U-1, U-2, U-3, U-4, U-5 and U-6 (LINK)
U-3 is the “official” released unemployment rate. This number came was 8.1% for February 2009. U3: Total unemployed, as a percent of the civilian labor force (official unemployment rate.
In reality, the U6 rate was much higher. If you want to be honest about the employment situation, then you should refer to U-6. This number was 14.8% in February 2009. And, if not seasonally adjusted the number comes in at 16.0%. U6: Total unemployed, plus all marginally attached workers, plus total employed part time for economic reasons, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus all marginally attached workers.
As is the case with any set of numbers, one can usually twist them to best present one desired outcome. The often-quoted unemployment rate of 24.75% in 1933 ( The Great Depression) would be a great deal lower if it was calculated according to today’s “official” formula – maybe 5-10% lower…
So if you are like me today, (unemployed) trying hard to find work in this dismal market and sending resumes into a black hole… The unemployment percentage is just another dark cloud to further depress you! You might just for the hell of it, send one to IBM with an e-mail and ask why they plan to lay off 5000, and then plan to outsource all the work to India? (LINK) There’s a thought – Move to India! You can buy a brand new 2009 Tata Automobile for under $2K!
Need a break from sending resumes out – Visit Odd Todd for a great laugh!
News – White House health care forum in Iowa
Nurses Rally for Single-Payer at White House Forum in Des Moines: CNA/NNOC Co-President Geri Jenkins, RN and members of the Minnesota Nurses Association sound call for single-payer, guaranteed healthcare for all at the White House Forum on Healthcare March 23 in Des Moines, Iowa.
Protesters outside and inside White House health care forum in Iowa
There were protesters outside and inside this morning’s White House health care forum in Des Moines. By O. Kay Henderson / Radio Iowa
About 20 protesters stood on the street outside, waving signs and chanting. A psychiatrist from University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City stood in the middle of the group, wearing his white lab coat and chanting “Everybody in, nobody out” along with the others. Dr. Jess Fiedorowicz is a member of Physicians for a National Health Program. “‘Everybody in, nobody out’ truly universal health care. Universal health care has become a buzz word in the elections, but if you look at the proposals people are proposing, they truly do not intend to cover everybody,” the doctor said. “…We’re interested in everybody being covered.”
Once the forum got underway, protester Mona Shaw of Iowa City stood to call the event “shameful” because health insurance companies were participating. As she was escorted out of the event hall, Shaw accused insurance companies of ignoring the needs of their customers. “Governor Culver has taken $20,000 from Blue Cross-Blue Shield, of course he’s not going to let the insurance industry take any of the flack for this,” Shaw shouted toward reporters as she left. “Iowans are dying.” (Read the entire story)
DES MOINES, Iowa (Reuters / By Kay Henderson) – The latest White House regional forum on healthcare drew protests and complaints on Monday along with a promise that government-run insurance was at least on the table for discussion.
“Why are we having this shameful event?” said Mona Shaw, a political activist, at the start of the session. “People are dying,” she said, because of what she termed a callous insurance industry. (Read the entire story)
You can HELP!
Call, write or e-mail your representatives and tell them they need to support Single Payer HR676 & tell them to also advise SenatorMax Baucus that they support Single Payer HR676 LINK
Call or Fax Senator Max Baucus and tell him that SINGLE PAYER is on the table! Phone: (202) 224-2651 (Office) (202) 224-9412 (Fax)
Call President Oboma at the White House (202-456-1414 or 202- 456-1111) and tell him Single Payer is not for later, the time is NOW!
NOW – Tell 10 more people to do the same … !
Pharma Watch – Be an informed consumer!
Off-label marketing is a cheap way of promoting drugs without doing the research needed to get the approval of the FDA for new uses. Companies that do this place patients at risk because there is no assurance that the benefits outweigh the risks.
Risperdal Marketed Off-label?
Three former salespeople have filed suit against Pharmaceutica alleging the company engaged in off-label marketing of antipsychotic drug Risperdal. According to the lawsuit, company salespeople were encouraged to push the drug to doctors as a treatment for bipolar disorder and depression. Risperdal generated $3.4 billion in sales in 2008. To read more about this case and many others where the Pharma companies are looking out for your health, I jest… (LINK)
The Scotts Company discriminating against smokers!
Tobacco Users – DON’T BUY The Scotts Company Products!
Being un-employed, I spend a great deal of time applying for work. This week I ran across an open position with The Scotts Company. They market and distribute lawn fertilizers. Some environmentalists would have great issues with these products… but they have rights under our laws that allow them to market these products.. The on-line application process, after entering some basic stuff leads you to their Anti-Smoking Policy Agreement.
As a tobacco-free Company, COMPANY NAME policy is to not hire candidates who use tobacco. Are you a tobacco user?
(Please note: Nicotine testing is included as part of our pre-hire screening process. The use of nicotine replacement therapies may result in a positive test result which will disqualify candidates from employment consideration.)
YES
NO
I was shocked! This company that markets potentially lethal products is bold faced discriminating! This policy applies 24/7. You are not compensated 24/7! I researched for additional information to see who else is doing this. It turns out the Scotts Company is a trend setter… It appears they are doing this as a means to reduce their health-care benefits cost. So how far do they intend to take such actions… Being overweight, being pregnant, engaging in sports, and I could go on forever… can all negatively impact health-care cost.
Tobacco use is legal if one is over age 18. I believe that the Scotts Company is discriminating against qualified candidates for jobs and is not an equal opportunity employer. Please join me in spreading the word and not purchasing their products!
Investigation Concerning Termination of Smokers And/Or Charging Smokers Higher Healthcare or Disability Premiums (link)
In 30 states and the District of Columbia, state law makes it illegal for companies to impose smoking bans on their employees when they are off duty. In addition, the federal employee benefits law, ERISA, prevents employers from discriminating against and/or firing employees, here smokers, to interfere with the attainment of any right under a benefit plan, here the right to health benefits.
Recently, a number of companies, including Weyco and The Scotts Company, have instituted policies to terminate smokers, even if those persons do not smoke at work. The reason cited by companies such as Weyco and Scotts, for adoption of these policies is increased healthcare costs. Click here for more examples. Both liberal and conservative civil liberties groups have denounced these policies as an improper invasion of employee’s rights to conduct activities on their off hours. READ MORE
Presidential Health Forums – March 23rd
Des Moines Iowa – March 23rd Presidential Health Forum
Forum starts at 10:00 am at the Polk County Convention Complex (5th Ave. and Grand Ave., downtown Des Moines) – Peaceful and respectful protest in front of the Presidential Health Summit… Read more (LINK)
If you can attend – Please Do! If you can not attend, then make sure that your elected representative’s know your position on Single Payer (HR676)
How to Contact your Representative – Link
National March on Wall St – April 3rd & 4th
Some folks are really pissed off and have had enough of the Bullshit… ! Washington, Wall Street, and Corporate America better wake up… The once silent population is now awake! What we do, or fail to do as citizens will hopefully define a new sense of urgency and integrity in whose interest shall be represented… !?!?
Do Something – Let your representatives know that they need to represent the “you”, not Corporate America & Wall Street! Can you say TERM LIMITS? Call or write now! (LINK)
Opportunity for Single-Payer – HR676
Excerpts from Crisis = Opportunity for Single-Payer – March 19, 2009 by Healthcare-NOW!
The Republicans feel confident about their ability to brand Obama’s plan as overly complex and a threat to consumer choice in medical care, as they did so successfully with the Clinton plan in the 1990s.
The Obama plan’s “pay or play” component, giving employers a choice between insuring their employees or paying a tax to help finance the government plan, will no doubt open it up to conservative criticism as a coercive, big-government program. This line may also strike a chord among moderate-income citizens who earn too much to qualify for a subsidy and consequently lose enthusiasm for reform once they start to pay mandatory health premiums.
The single-payer approach, on the other hand, would disarm many of the most explosive Republican arguments. It is far less costly to both employers and individuals—nearly 50% lower per person in Canada than the United States, for instance—and there is no billing of patients or other complexity. Every citizen enjoys the right to health care and a free choice of doctors and hospitals. Start-up costs would be minimal, especially if Medicare were simply expanded to cover the entire public.
Back in 2003, Barack Obama told the Illinois AFL-CIO: “I happen to be a proponent of a single-payer universal health care program. I see no reason why the United States of America, the wealthiest country in the history of the world, spending 14% of its Gross National Product on health care, cannot provide basic health insurance to everybody . . . a single-payer health care plan, a universal health care plan. And that’s what I’d like to see. But as all of you know, we may not get there immediately. Because first we have to take back the White House, we have to take back the Senate, and we have to take back the House.”
Read the entire article here
Single Payer (HR676) is the only solution that is now (almost) on the table that will work! It will work for you and the country! The plan is not perfect, but it is the BEST solution that is on the table! So if you want real health-care at an affordable price, then please don’t wait – take action NOW!
What can you do ? – Start HERE
Call, write or e-mail your representatives and tell them they need to support Single Payer HR676 LINK
Call or Fax Seantor Max Baucus and tell him that SINGLE PAYER is on the table! Phone: (202) 224-2651 (Office) (202) 224-9412 (Fax)
Call President Oboma at the White House (202-456-1414 or 202- 456-1111) and tell him Single Payer is not for later, the time is NOW!
Protestors remind President Obama of what he once believed!
About 150 sign carrying protesters remind President Obama of what he once believed in at a White House Health Care Forum in Vermont, where 400 invited guests would attend a regional health care reform forum sponsored by the Obama White House.
It was billed as an open, inclusive and transparent forum. It was reported to really be, an invitation only affair… The remaining forums will be held in Iowa, North Carolina and California through early April.
Can you HELP?
Americans have had enough – Taking back the Economy!
On March 19, 2009 Americans in cities nationwide will hold demonstrations at the offices of major banks and other corporations to demand more responsible corporate behavior and call on Congress to enact the change that will make it happen employee free choice and healthcare reform.
Read more, see details for your state!
Do our “elected” lawmaker’s have the political will to do anything? Talk is cheap and that’s all we hear… I use the term elected loosely since it is grossly apparent that the influential corporate contributions received by many make it impossible for them to act…
Can you say TERM LIMITS?
President Obama on Single Payer
A little comparison compliments of Amy Goodman on Democracy Now 03/12/09 featuring Dr. Quentin Young, a supporter and long-time friend of President Obama.
The Congressional Budget Office has shown that a mandate to purchase insurance will not lead to universal coverage. It has also shown that information technology, chronic disease management, or comparative effectiveness analysis, all of which the administration is counting on will not effectively reduce costs.
Pharmaceutical companies in the news – Taxpayers Against Fraud
The pharmaceutical industry continues to lead the way in Tax Fraud cases! Paying million dollar fines and having teams of lawyers defending their actions have just become part of everyday business. The cost is not a big deal, it is passed on to you the consumer… These companies are the biggest and best in the business! They are the ones that flood your every TV hour with thousands of ads marketing new illnesses and treatments. Please note I referenced “treatments”, they don’t want you be be cured, that would not be good for business … Be an informed consumer. Frequent the TAF web-site often to see who’s at the top of the list! (LINK)
The latest News:
Forest Laboratoris charged with defrauding the goverment
DoJ has charged Forest Laboratories with defrauding the government by illegally marketing the antidepressants Celexa and Lexapro for unapproved use in children and teenagers. Prosecutors charge former top executives at Forest with concealing a clinical study that showed that Celexa and Lexapro were not effective in children and might even pose risks, including causing some to become suicidal.
Amgen -biotechnology company -Massive Amgen Fraud Case
An unidentified whistleblower has filed a False Claims Act case against Amgen, the biotechnology company which makes arthritis and psoriasis drug Enbrel, and anti-anemia drug Aranesp. Amerisource-Bergen and online health-information provider WebMD Health Corp are also named. The case came out from under seal at a judge’s directive, and DoJ is still deciding if it will join. The case involves off-label marketing, kickbacks and Medicaid best price violations.
Johnson & Johnson and Scios are alleged in off-label marketing
The U.S. Justice Department has joined two whistleblower lawsuits alleging that Johnson & Johnson and Scios engaged in off-label marketing of the cardiac drug Natrecor.
GlaxoSmithKline has reserved $400 million to settle off-label and kick back chargesGlaxo’s $400 Million Reserve
GlaxoSmithKline has reserved $400 million to settle off-label and kick back charges related to “several products” sold from 1997 to 2004, including the antidepressant Wellbutrin. Glaxo said the reserve “reflects the current status of the [DoJ] investigation.”
The Top 20 Cases: HEALTH-CARE FRAUD – A Billion Dollar Business! (LINK)
Do You Need Real & Affordable Health Coverage?
If you live in the United States, then most assuredly the answer to this question is YES! There are over 47 million without and those that do have insurance find getting treated for anything other than the common cold, is not affordable. An emergency room visit for stomach craps can cost you $10,000. It did me! My youngest child was in an serious auto accident at age 16. The accident was not uncommon, or were her injuries. They were however serious and required many reconstructive surgeries to make her as whole as could be. The cost exceeded $1.2 million dollars! It is no wonder that there is a family filing for bankruptsy every 30 seconds due to medical bills!
I am not trying to gain your sympathy with my story, there are many thousands of such stories… I do want to tell you how you can get REAL health coverge at a price that you can afford! First please take just a few minutes and watch the video below to see if the plan meets your needs.
If you think that this plan is right for you and your family, then all you have to do is contact (call or e-mail) all your representative’s (LINK) and tell them you support HR676 and they should too! Now you can call President Oboma at the White House (202-456-1414 or 202- 456-1111) and tell him the same! Now get 10 friends or strangers to do the same, and ask that they too get 10 friends… If you need help or need additional information & material’s regarding HR676, that too is available at Healthcare-Now or the Physicians for a National Health Program can help as well.
This is the only solution that is now on the table that will work! It will work for you and the country! The plan is not perfect, but it is the BEST solution that is on the table! So if you want real health-care at an affordable price, then please don’t wait – take action NOW!
Protest – Health Insurance Heavyweights in DC
This piece was produced in conjunction with the Huffington Post. Arthur Delaney, Huffington Post: Congressman Eric Massa (D-N.Y.) led a protest Monday outside the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Washington, … Can you HELP?
Your Help is Essential! -Heathcare Reform-
Obama has said he would keep an open mind on health-care solutions. Yet when asked on March 5 about why he was against single-payer medicine, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs replied: “The president doesn’t believe that’s the best way to achieve the goal of cutting costs and increasing access.” Do you need to ask why? Could it be influence peddling?
The Top 10 politicial recipients for 2008 – See who is taking & who is giving – link
1 Clinton, Hillary (D-NY) Senate $1,255,586
2 McCain, John (R) Senate $1,151,283
3 Obama, Barack (D) Senate $555,841
4 Romney, Mitt (R) $380,660
5 McConnell, Mitch (R-KY) Senate $360,940
6 Dodd, Chris (D-CT) Senate $352,370
7 Giuliani, Rudolph W (R) $335,315
8 Warner, Mark (D-VA) $287,806
9 Baucus, Max (D-MT) Senate $283,061
10 Sununu, John E (R-NH) Senate $274,301
* Every 30 seconds, someone in the U.S. files for bankruptcy because of their medical bills. An estimated 18,000 Americans die each year from lack of insurance.
* Since 1999, average premiums for family coverage have climbed 119 percent, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, a non-profit that tracks health-care issues. Out-of-pocket contributions for workers have more than doubled in that period.
* Employers are asking more from employees and covering less. More than 93 percent of workers with family coverage need to contribute to the total premium.
* Without universal health-care, the number of uninsured will rise to 54 million from 45 million today over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Your help is essential! These are your elected representatives! They do not work for the health insurance or pharma industries, they work for you. Tell them so! Tell them you support Single Payer/HR676 – You might also tell them you support term limits, and they need to do what they were “elected” to do! (LINK)
Urgent message to single payer supporters
Urgent message to single payer supporters Join us for Obama regional governor’s health care summit in Vermont to Insist on Single Payer
Vermont Governor Jim Douglas and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick have been asked by President Obama to host a regional New England health care summit at the University of Vermont on March 17th. We do not expect to be invited not do we expect single payer to be considered.
At the recent White House summit on health reform the first person to speak at the close of the forum was the head of the American Health Insurers Plans. The rest of those in attendance were mostly lobbyists from special interest groups. The single payer view was all but excluded.
In fact, no single payer advocate was invited until thousands of messages reached the White House, including word that doctors were going to protest on the sidewalk. At the end of the day prior to the summit, the White House quickly invited a solitary physician to represent the view of a large majority of physicians and a overwhelming majority of Americans: we need single payer national health insurance now.
When it comes to the debate in Washington, DC, single payer stands ignored, like the elephant in the room, in spite of all of the evidence that it saves money, contains future spending, will include everyone and will improve the economy. But with the last minute invitation to the White House we learned an important lesson:
We can make a difference! Right now we are the marginalized majority. We might expect this treatment from the Bush administration. But it is unforgivable from President Obama. The majority of Americans want a single payer health care system in the United States. The majority of doctors want single payer. The President has promised an open, transparent process, with all proposals considered. It is time to insist that single payer be a part of this process.
We are organizing a peaceful and respectful protest in front of the summit meeting at the University of Vermont Davis Center in Burlington, Vermont at 12 noon. If there ever was a day to drop what you are doing and come, this is it. There will be national and local media there. We need hundreds of people to come from all over New England and New York. We urge health professionals to come and bring your white coats and stethoscopes.
For more information: CLICK HERE
Single-payer advocates win “LAST-MINUTE” seats at White House health summit
Thankyou to all that called and e-mailed the White House, it worked!
Two leading advocates of single-payer health reform, sometimes characterized as an improved Medicare for All, received last-minute invitations to attend the White House health care summit being held today. The invitations were greeted as a victory by single-payer supporters.
Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.), chief sponsor of the single-payer U.S. National Health Care Act, H.R. 676, was invited to attend the meeting late in the day on Tuesday, and Dr. Oliver Fein, president of Physicians for a National Health Program, was invited on Wednesday afternoon.
The White House invitations were extended to the two leaders after intense grassroots lobbying efforts by single-payer supporters, who were concerned that no single-payer voices would be present at the meeting. The efforts included an outpouring of phone calls and e-mail messages to the White House, along with a threatened demonstration outside the White House gates by doctors and other health professionals wearing their white coats. The demonstration was called off when word arrived that Rep. Conyers and Dr. Fein had been invited.
In his prepared remarks, the full text of which follows, Dr. Fein says, “We are pleased to be here today and appreciate the implicit recognition of the majority support for single payer in our country. We hope this is the beginning of a serious dialogue on how to enact single-payer health reform and we look forward to working with [President Obama] and the Congress toward this end.” (Read the whole story)
Joint Effort 