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Cain Shows He’s Savvy on Health-Care Policy
NRO ^ | 11/20/11 | Gracie-Marie Turner

Posted on 11/20/2011 1:54:53 PM PST by justsaynomore

Herman Cain spoke with passion and conviction today before a Capitol Hill audience about the essential importance of repealing Obamacare and replacing it with “market-driven, patient-centered reform.”

He spoke at a forum organized by the Congressional Health Care Caucus, chaired by Texas Rep. Michael Burgess, M.D., that was inundated with dozens of reporters and televisions cameras. They got a big dose of health reform when what they really wanted was to ask him about the National Restaurant Association sexual-harassment controversy. He didn’t take those questions.

Instead, he talked about the destructive impact of Obamacare, which is driving up costs and forcing at least 1,500 companies to seek waivers just to keep offering health insurance to their workers. “The problem with health costs in America goes back to 1943,” he explained, which set the foundation for the employer-based health insurance system that insulates people from the costs of health care and puts employers in charge of choices.

As for medical care, “We have the best health care system in the world,” he said, as he recounted his own experience in 2006 with stage four cancer of the liver and colon, saying he is alive today because of the immediate, high-quality care he received. “I was finished with two rounds of chemotherapy and two surgeries in nine months — less than the time it would take to get a CT scan in countries with socialized health care systems,” he said.

He then took questions from members of Congress: Rep. Andy Harris (R., Md.), a physician, asked him how to help people understand the critical importance of reforming Medicare. “I would paint a clear picture of the disastrous path we are on if we don’t act,” Cain said. He also said he wants to work with states, hospitals, and doctors to push decisions closer to the people who are using medical services and would block grant Medicaid for the same reason.

House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee Chairman Joe Pitts (R., Pa.) asked about the Independent Payment Advisory Board “whose decisions can’t be appealed and that takes a 2/3 vote of Congress to overrule.” Cain said he encourages members to do everything they can to “educate the public about how this takes away freedom.” He urged members to push for repeal now and to help the American people see why the whole law must be repealed.

Cain said he wants to sign a repeal bill on March 23, 2013 — the third anniversary of passage of Obamacare.

Rep. Glenn Thompson (R., Pa.) asked about medical malpractice reform, and Cain said he strongly supports medical liability reform to cut down on “frivolous lawsuits.”

Rep. Billy Long (R., Mo.) asked what Cain would do about preexisting conditions and interstate competition for health insurance. Cain said he strongly supports cross-state purchasing of health insurance, and he said he believes it is a proper role for government to provide a safety-net, with both state and national contributions. “We don’t want to leave anybody out of getting health insurance coverage,” he said.

As a good “starting point for reform,” Cain says he supports HR 3400, introduced by Rep. Tom Price, a physician and chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee. (The measure was re-introduced as HR 3000 in this Congress.)

Cain spoke without notes and clearly had ownership of the business of health care, the powerful impact of the tax treatment of health insurance in shaping the American health sector, and the crucial importance of repealing Obamacare to provide a path to change that put doctors and patients in charge of choices.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: backagain; cain; frontrunner; heathcare; hermancain; rebound
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1 posted on 11/20/2011 1:54:55 PM PST by justsaynomore
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To: BenKenobi

Pinganator!


2 posted on 11/20/2011 1:55:24 PM PST by justsaynomore (http://teamcain.hermancain.com)
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To: justsaynomore
I think Herman is definitely in his comfort zone with domestic issues. Hopefully, he's getting schooled by the best when it comes to foreign affairs.

Go Herman!!

3 posted on 11/20/2011 2:00:14 PM PST by TheWriterTX (Rock you like a Herman Cain 2012)
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To: justsaynomore
The best way to improve heatlth care, listen to people like the Herminator(successful businessman) and Rep Burgess, MD. Get the real scoop straight from the horses mouths.
4 posted on 11/20/2011 2:11:40 PM PST by Impala64ssa
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To: K-oneTexas; Tucker822; Kartographer; freekitty; carmody; Dead Corpse; MsLady; Publius772000; ...

Pinging the Cain Train!

Cain wins state poll of Tea Party members
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2810187/posts

Cain ‘stands up for America’ at Times-Union Center
http://jacksonville.com/news/florida/2011-11-18/story/cain-stands-america-times-union-center#.TsfWSECDdKY.twitter#ixzz1eDMbz1sD

Cain Campaign Announces 800th Precinct Captain in Iowa
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2809987/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2810179/posts

Herman Cain vs Dave Letterman 11/19/2011www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2809978/posts

Guarding Mr. Cain
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2810019/posts

Herman Cain, Rick Santorum Tear Up at Iowa Presidential Forum
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2810003/posts

Herman Cain has many of the same qualities of leadership George Washington had
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2809873/posts

Open Source Intell: Taliban Activity in Libya w/in Anti-Qaddafi Resistance (Cain Was Not Incorrect)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2809808/posts


5 posted on 11/20/2011 2:14:07 PM PST by justsaynomore (http://teamcain.hermancain.com)
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To: TheWriterTX; jmaroneps37

I believe Herman Cain is coming back!!! Obama, Axelrod, Rove, Politico, Lamestream Media and scores of other malcontents have tried their best to get rid of Herman Cain via innuendo, false or baseless accusations and racial harm threats from multiple Black members of the CBC, NAACP. Why, one or more persons or groups have threatened him with bodily harm, etc.

After all, folks, it’s the Chicago Way. I’m sure you get it!!! Why? For goodness sake, you don’t really think Obama is frightened by Mitt Romney. Romney is a cake walk for Obama. But....Herman Cain......he is “the real problem”!!! Cain not only handily defeats Obama, but he just about destroys the current Democrat Party. Yes, without going into details, Mr. Cain bags about 20-30% of the Black & Hispanic vote. Add on about 60% of the white vote, and....it is bye-bye baby for both Obama and his Democrat party. With a Cain victory, the Black economic slaves come off the Democrat Plantation, ditto for Hispanics and all minorities, In true fact, all Americans begin at the same starting line.

This Democrat racism jive goes down the toilet and all Americans enjoy freedom, liberty, education, opportunity, advancement on merit and hard work. Yes, folks, IMHO, Mr. Herman Cain is the game changer America has been waiting for. Let it be Cain/Rubio, Cain/Palin, Cain/Bachmann or even Cain/Gingrich!!!

Now ladies and gentlemen, you know why the Obama ilk gave Mr. Cain the Secret Service support & protection he requested, and you also know why he, Mr. Cain, has been so unfocused these past few days. Yes, the Chicago Way has CYA, so that if harm befalls Mr. Cain, they can say they moved immediately to protect him. Shades of Al Capone!!! if you good folks believe that hogwash, I’ve got a bridge in Brooklyn, NY, I’d like to sell you!!!

And...do you good people really believe that “Politico” ran the scores of unfounded accusations against Herman Cain on their own!!! Problem is: they fired, but missed!!! So....the Chicago Way has moved “things” up a notch!!!

Some hope and change, huh??? Herman Cain, through this all, you have remained an American profile in courage!!! I believe the American people will cover your back, brother, and you will overcome the travesty these evil doers have foisted upon you!!! Godspeed, sir, for you and America!!!


6 posted on 11/20/2011 2:38:56 PM PST by JLAGRAYFOX
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To: justsaynomore

Minor nit: article is from November 2nd, not November 20th (this explains why they wanted to ask him about the harrassment complaints).


7 posted on 11/20/2011 3:09:26 PM PST by CharlesWayneCT
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To: justsaynomore
OK. Sorry, there isn't really much there. Maybe someone has a video link of the hearing, so we can see if he actually had any ideas or not -- the NRO "reporter" could have simply not wanted to type in real proposals he might have had.

and he said he believes it is a proper role for government to provide a safety-net, with both state and national contributions. “We don’t want to leave anybody out of getting health insurance coverage,” he said.

This was Cain's answer to the question of "pre-existing condition" coverage. Unfortunately, the issue of pre-existing conditions is in fact the elephant in the room for health care reform. It's the whole reason you need a health care mandate -- if you are going to provide a "safety net" which allows anybody to get insurance at any time when they need it, you have to do a mandate, or else everybody drops their insurance coverage until they get sick.

Setting up a government program to provide this "safety net", with the parameter Herman Cain gives: "We don't want to leave anybody out" simply means that everybody can drop their health care, and government will be the new single-provider-insurance for everybody.

Trash Romneycare all you want, and I know we all want to -- but it's the natural result of government trying to meet the condition Herman Cain set in his answer -- "don't want to leave anybody out".

I don't think ANY of our candidates have the guts to say "Yes, we want to leave people out". But if you don't want a mandate, and you don't want government to take over your health insurance, you need to be willing to let people suffer the consequences of their actions. And that suffering has to be severe enough to convince people to buy health insurance if they are not rich enough to self-insure.

8 posted on 11/20/2011 3:16:55 PM PST by CharlesWayneCT
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To: justsaynomore
Herman Cain: "The problem with health costs in America goes back to 1943,” he explained, which set the foundation for the employer-based health insurance system that insulates people from the costs of health care and puts employers in charge of choices."

Is there a problem with health costs in America? That's the first question. Second question: Is it government's job to fix that problem, if it exists? Third question: If it exists, and it's government's job to fix it, HOW do you fix the "problem" of people happily getting health insurance through their employers?

Has Herman Cain proposed eliminating the deductions for health insurance purchased by business? I believe he has, as part of his 9-9-9 plan. Of course, that plan eliminates almost all business deductions, including employee pay, so it is likely it also eliminates deductions for buying health insurance for employees.

He Herman Cain proposed making it illegal for companies to offer health care to their employees as part of their employee compensation? If not, he doesn't seem to be addressing the "problem" he claims is causing our rising health costs.

He seems to complain that Obamacare is forcing companies to drop health coverage. But if Herman Cain believes that employee-provided insurance is "the problem", why is it not a good thing that Obamacare is driving employers out of the field? Isn't that going to "fix" the "problem" Herman Cain mentioned?

9 posted on 11/20/2011 3:21:33 PM PST by CharlesWayneCT
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To: justsaynomore
Again, we need a video to see what he actually said, because the reporter summarizes too broadly.

the powerful impact of the tax treatment of health insurance in shaping the American health sector

What does this mean? Is that impact good, or bad? Does Cain want to eliminate the tax deduction for health insurance? I believe he does, through his 9-9-9 plan. Would that be a good thing? (Frankly, getting rid of tax deductions targeted at making you do what government want seems like a good thing to me, but I doubt it would help the medical insurance problem).

10 posted on 11/20/2011 3:24:45 PM PST by CharlesWayneCT
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To: JLAGRAYFOX

Every word you posted is true. Obama and the establishment fears Herman Cain


11 posted on 11/20/2011 3:26:34 PM PST by Rooivalk
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To: justsaynomore

bump.


12 posted on 11/20/2011 3:53:37 PM PST by ken21
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To: Rooivalk
I am so glad we are into a new news cycle, and equally I am so glad this good man is REBOUNDING from the sligns and arrows all through last month. Dayam! Doese the establishment in BOTH MAJOR ESTABLISHMENT PARTIES FEAR THIS MAN AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THE MOBILIZATION ON A MASS SCALE OF HIS SUPPORTERS, MANY NEVER INVOLVED IN POLITICS BEFORE.

13 posted on 11/20/2011 4:08:43 PM PST by AmericanInTokyo (Re: Trolls, a) Ignore; b) if engaging, follow "1-10 rule". Per every post to it, post 10 FOR CAIN.)
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To: justsaynomore

He did really well on David Letterman. I was impressed. Funny and cool under pressure.


14 posted on 11/20/2011 4:19:05 PM PST by freekitty (Give me back my conservative vote; then find me a real conservative to vote for)
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To: All


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15 posted on 11/20/2011 4:20:05 PM PST by musicman (Until I see the REAL Long Form Vault BC, he's just "PRES__ENT" Obama = Without "ID")
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Freepers!

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16 posted on 11/20/2011 4:26:04 PM PST by RedMDer (Forward With Confidence!)
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To: justsaynomore

CAIN !


17 posted on 11/20/2011 4:46:12 PM PST by WalterSkinner ( In Memory of My Father--WWII Vet and Patriot 1926-2007)
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To: CharlesWayneCT
Setting up a government program to provide this "safety net", with the parameter Herman Cain gives: "We don't want to leave anybody out" simply means that everybody can drop their health care, and government will be the new single-provider-insurance for everybody.

Your conclusion does not follow necessarily from the premise. It's certainly a possibility, but you might cut Cain some slack (then again, maybe you don't want to). There are other ways by which people could be helped besides single-payer insurance.

18 posted on 11/20/2011 5:07:27 PM PST by BfloGuy (The final outcome of the credit expansion is general impoverishment.)
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To: CharlesWayneCT
He seems to complain that Obamacare is forcing companies to drop health coverage. But if Herman Cain believes that employee-provided insurance is "the problem", why is it not a good thing that Obamacare is driving employers out of the field?

Because he believes that individuals should be able to handle their health care and insurance through the FREE MARKET. Obamacare only shuffles those without employer based coverage onto bloated and inefficient government run plans. Duh.

He is entirely correct that the farther away the individual is from being responsible for his or her own care and its costs, the larger the potential for waste, abuse, and poor decision making, hence increased costs.

19 posted on 11/20/2011 5:46:58 PM PST by Mygirlsmom ("Get ready for an aberration of historic proportions" ...H Cain.."to correct the last one" MGM)
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To: justsaynomore

Cain is savvy on issues which matter the most..such as
Healthcare
Jobs
Banking
Taxes
Israel
Pakistan

Not so much with issues which mean zilch..such as
Libya
Uzbekistan


20 posted on 11/20/2011 6:32:26 PM PST by federal__reserve (What matters in 2012 is jobs, jobs, jobs! Jobs kill unemployment, foreclosures & deficits)
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