Gingrich Joins Call for Swift Passage of Medicare Plan

WP ^ | November 20, 2003 | Helen Dewar

[lainie]

Explains Benefits of Bill to GOP Conservatives; Democrats Bracing for Fight

Former House speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) pitched in yesterday to allay conservative Republicans' concerns about the $400 billion bill to redesign Medicare, part of a mounting effort by the bill's backers to win over skeptics and secure passage within a week.

As Gingrich extolled conservative features of the bill to House Republicans, key Senate supporters from both parties urged rural lawmakers to back it, calling the bill an unprecedented chance to get more Medicare money for rural doctors and hospitals.

[Torie]

Isn't it grand to live in a nation with limitless resources? I don't know where the crunch will manifest itself, but it will, and unfortunately, it will be in my lifetime. Ouch.

[Cheapskate]

MyMyMy ! Isn't that nice! More outstetched hands with sweaty palms.

[Salvation]

Newt was on Cavuto yesterday explaining the Medicare reforms. It all sounded good to me.

[sruleoflaw]

GREAT POINTS.

This bill needs to be stopped. The Republicans in their first two years in power AMAZINGLY outspent the Dems from 1993-94.

The estimate for this bill has already climbed to $432 billion (up from $400 billion) and is pegged by some for 10 years at $1 trillion. A group taxpayer organizations have a press conference to oppose the bill tomorrow -- including Citizens Against Government Waste, the Heritage Foundation, the National Taxpayers Union and the Club for Growth. Wonder why they all oppose it if it's such a great deal?

[dead]

You know, my pregnant wife, two kids and I are really swimming in dough.

Seriously, we have so much freaking cash, I don't know what to do with it.

Hopefully, Newt can think of new ways for George to spend my surplus.

I really relish the idea that I can actually buy drugs for Mike Bloomberg and Paul Newman then send oodles of cash into the lacking Swiss bank accounts of African dictators.

If it weren't for them, I'd probably just waste my money on silly crapola like food, mortgage payments, medical bills, or college educations for my spoiled little heirs.

[Diddle E. Squat]

What's the fix? I saw a headline yesterday somewhere that said 80% of Americans wanted a medicare plan, and that it was now a huge issue for undecided voters regarding support for Bush in '04. Perhaps hyperbole. Also heard analysis that it wouldn't take effect until '06, so many of the kinks would be worked out between now and then, because the senior lobby gets what they want, so pass it now with its flaws and correct later, in order to get the political gain for '04.

[dalereed]

The only reform thqt would sound good to me is the elimination of Medicare!

BTW, i'm 66.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Nice run-on sentence...

[Torie]

We are going for socialized medicine. Can't stop it. The only issue is how much of market mechanisms will be in place, and how care will be rationed outside the price system, and by just what means those with the bucks can top up. The only problem beyond subtle non price rationing, is how it will be paid for.

[luckydevi]

Sadly, socialized healthcare is only a matter of time.

[isthisnickcool]

Hey Newt. I want another Rolex. I want another Porsche. I want more STUFF! I had to work my rear off to buy the STUFF I have and now I find that someone could just pass a law and I get more STUFF? Paid for by other people.

I like this idea Newt! Make everyone else pay for stuff for me! I never thought of that before.

Yea Newt, your socialism idea here is great! What a good idea from the Republicans! /sarcasm off

[WOSG]

We are going for socialized medicine. Can't stop it. "

Yes we can, we have a non-conservative Republican majority ... dont be defeatist!!

If conservatives declare themselves unhappy with this, just 50 hardcore conservative votes peeling off will doom this bill.

[WOSG]

the problem is the 'reforms' are an experiment that will disappear unless congress makes further action, tied to a huge new entitlement that will NOT go away. Democrats will stall any future bill to further reform Medicare.

My fondest hope is that the Dems filibuster this stinker and we return in 2005 and write something better.

It costs too much and reforms too little.

[c-b 1]

Newt continues to prove that he is a socialist.

[cherry]

I'm right with you......its not like we are out here reaping the rewards of a rich America...most people just work hard, take care of their families and if they have a little left over, than its grand...

I'm glad people got into and out of the stock market, I am glad that even Charles Scwab and company gave some people a leg up on investing, I am glad the likes of Martha Stewart dumped her stock and made a few hundred thou....yes I really am glad that America has worked out for them....

and now, not only do I have to break my back working til 67 or so, I have to pay for some geezer to drive his caddy, live in Florida in the winter AND buy his drugs for him....

[Stew Padasso]

What has happened to Newt "whither on the vine" Gingrich?

[Doctor Stochastic]

What's so amazing. They ran on that in their platform.

[lainie]

12:50 AM PST Saturday, C-SPAN

218 nay

[beelzepug]

"Sadly, socialized healthcare is only a matter of time."

Last year, due to the ever-increasing premiums for my health insurance, I went with the lowest cost, highest deductible plan (my employer offers several choices for each individual) and my monthly portion of the cost was $14.00. That doesn't include dental or vision. I dropped the dental as it had increased nearly 1000%, from $13 to $110 a month. This year the same medical is $94 a month, a 600% increase. I don't expect my raise (no guarantee of one, either) is going to cover the increases.
I don't want to see Hillary-care but without some meaningful tort reform to prevent huge malpractice awards, the costs are going to continue to soar.
Incidentally, my employer pays about $600 a month for the company contribution to the plan.