Government Run Healthcare?

Government Run Healthcare?

If the 2400 page healthcare bill being considered is not a federal government take over of the nation’s health care system, why do we need a 2400 page federal bill enrolled as law? If the current bill is not a federal take over of the healthcare system, why does the bill provide for over 100 federal agencies to implement, regulate, and control the nation’s healthcare system?

As of today, there is ‘good news’ and ‘not so good’ news. First, the good news is that there has been no vote on the bill. Even with the president stating that in regard to this issue, everything has been said, and everyone has said it, no vote has been taken in the house. The reason for no vote—they don’t have the votes.

The bad news is—that we should not underestimate their ability to get the votes. An immense amount of pressure is being put on the house members where the initial vote will be taken on the senate passed bill which includes the onerous provisions for abortion. The prolife house members should understand that there will be no guarantees for removal of the abortions provisions, after the passed bill leaves the house. These are backroom deals, and should be treated as such. The senate has not voted for the Stupak language, and in all likelihood, will not.

The two main reasons the NDFA is opposing the current healthcare bill are; 1) it does provide public funding for abortion and will dramatically increase the number of abortions, 2) an overall takeover of the healthcare system will result in higher costs and a poorer quality of service.

As much as proponents of the bill attempt to confuse the issue, the bill does provide for publicly funding abortion. Period. The only way to provide for protection is by incorporating the Stupak language. The bill even goes beyond these initial fears. Consider giving Kathleen Sebelius, with HHS, rule making authority utilizing this bill and the over 100 agencies to carry the rules out. Consider putting $11 billion into numerous programs, including ‘reproductive health care’. Can there be any question as to the involvement of Planned Parenthood and how much of those dollars will end up funding abortions in a PP facility?

To read a great article by Charmaine Yoest, titled ‘Abortion and the Health Bill’, go to Charmaine Yoest: Abortion and the Health Bill - WSJ.com. Charmaine is with Americans United for Life.

And then to the issue of ‘is this huge, comprehensive bill’ in the best interests of really addressing the problems of cost, quality, and access—we believe ‘not’. When a comprehensive system like the healthcare system has over time acquired characteristics which have negatively affected the cost and access, the remedy needs to involve a piece by piece analysis. Each component should be addressed, and the effect on the overall system reviewed before attempting to implement an overall fix.

For general information on the present state of our healthcare system and common sense ideas on improving it, please go to the Heritage Foundation at insideronline@heritage.org. To review a specific article addressing the issues of
cost, access and expectations, and accountability—go to www.insideronline.org/summary.cfm?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Insider%2BOnline&id=12180

For North Dakotans, the challenge is clear. Rep. Pomeroy must honor his pledge to the people of North Dakota—he must vote to oppose the senate bill which includes the public funding of abortion language. He cannot vote for the bill in hopes of it being fixed—down the road. There no guarantees of that happening. Additionally, a government, top down, mandated healthcare system is opposed by a huge majority of the people in North Dakota. He must respect the will of the people, and vote no on the senate bill. If this bill passes it may well be by one vote, we must be assured it will not be Rep. Pomeroy’s vote.

Congressman Earl Pomeroy Washington DC Office
Congressman Earl Pomeroy
1501 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2611
Fax: (202) 226-0893