Posted on 02/10/2009 1:08:53 PM PST by Mr. Mojo
(CNSNews.com) – “We are not going to let the federal government monitor what doctors do,” Sen. Arlen Specter told Fox News on Tuesday.
Specter, one of only three Republicans to support the Democrats’ stimulus/spending bill, was responding to growing concerns over health care provisions buried deep in the bill.
One provision creates a National Coordinator of Health Information Technology, “designed to monitor your treatments, to make sure your doctor is doing what the federal government deems appropriate and cost effective,” as a commentary on the Bloomberg news wire reported on Monday.
Specter told Fox News, “If Bloomberg has pointed out a potential problem…there will be clarification to avoid having the government meddle in what doctors do.”
The Senate bill provides $3 billion to computerize health records to cut costs and reduce medical errors. It also allots $1.1 billion to various federal health agencies “to evaluate the relative effectiveness of different health care services and treatment options,” the bill’s summary says.
Specter said the provision was intended to “provide technology” – to computerize the health records of all Americans. He said the government should not be in the business of making decisions on patients’ treatment.
Specter said one of the “big problems” with the stimulus bill is, “Why the rush? Why are we wedded to [a Feb. 13 deadline for passage]?” Specter noted that Congress never held hearings on the bill, and that has created problems.
“This is one of a number of provisions that has popped up that we have to revise and be very careful about,” he said.
Specter said he has protested the rush to judgment, but “the only answer we get is that the situation is so dire, such an emergency, we have to act.” Specter, asked if he would now put a stop to the bill or at least slow it down, indicated that he would not.
“Listen, this legislation is a bitter pill to swallow. But we are facing a situation where the current economic problems could turn into another depression like 1929.” He said he would not change his “yes” vote.
“We will get this provision clarified. I’ve made a commitment, and I’m not going to go back on my word and on a commitment. But when we find problems of this potential, we can cure them without upsetting the whole apple cart.”
Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) told Fox News that the stimulus bill is about jobs. “If – that’s a big if – if there’s language in there that says the government’s going to make my health care decisions, we’ll get it out. I don’t believe that,” he said.
“I think that the consumer is pretty well protected. I think what this is meant to do is move us into the 21st Century for health care records,” Tester continued.
“If it’s in there, it’s a bad idea. But the fact is if that can be fixed, it will be fixed, if it’s in there, it will be changed and made better and made workable – and then, the bottom line is, to put people back to work.”
Tester and Specter spoke to Fox News on Tuesday morning, just a few hours before the Senate was scheduled to vote on the massive spending bill, presumably passing it and sending it to a House-Senate conference committee.
The Bloomberg commentary by Betsy McCaughey reported that the controversial health care provisions “reflect the handiwork of Tom Daschle,” who was supposed to be President Obama’s secretary of health and human services until tax problems derailed his nomination.
he’s Arlen Sphincter. he’d NEVER lie.
HOLY CRAP!!! I don't want my health records in some central federal computer!
“’We are not going to let the federal government monitor what doctors do,’ Sen. Arlen Specter told Fox News on Tuesday. “
So why didn’t he vote AGAINST the bill?!
Details of the socialized medicine and rationing provisions for healthcare in the stimulus bill are here:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&refer=columnist_mccaughey&sid=aLzfDxfbwhzs
“This is one of a number of provisions that has popped up that we have to revise and be very careful about,” he said.
In other words, Specter is saying that Congress is going to handle this THEIR way and us peons will just have to stand by to hear how that is,,after the fact.
I swear to God, I am so ready to get arrested!
Specter said one of the “big problems” with the stimulus bill is, “Why the rush? Why are we wedded to [a Feb. 13 deadline for passage]?” Specter noted that Congress never held hearings on the bill, and that has created problems.
...
But he still voted for it.
...
Spector also said, ““We will get this provision clarified. I’ve made a commitment, and I’m not going to go back on my word and on a commitment. “
...
Yeah, sure.
...
Tester — “If it’s in there, it’s a bad idea. But the fact is if that can be fixed, it will be fixed, if it’s in there, it will be changed and made better and made workable – and then, the bottom line is, to put people back to work.”
...
IF it’s in there?
Nobody voting on this has read it.
Sigh.
Wasn’t the Watergate scandal started by political operatives stealing someone’s medical records? Imagine how much easier it will be for political operatives to click a few buttons and have an opponent’s medical history on their computer screens. Or Joe the Plumber’s medical history. Or Brittany Spears’ medical history. Etc.
How does the government plan to go about collecting medical histories and putting them in Google’s database? Will they force doctor’s to computerize all files for the last 100 years?
Hubby needs to get back into healthcare IT!
... says the jack*** that votes in favor of it. Thanks for nothing you POS.
The correct POLITICAL play for the 3 bozos would be to claim that we “need to do something” but THIS isn’t it, and we don’t have to rush, thus you vote against it and let the Dems shove it through.
This makes little sense from any perspective. The 3 bozos think they’ll get re-elected for this or lose if they don’t?
Absurd from a pure political point of view.
In his townhall today, Obama made a point to bring this medical technology up. Didn’t seem to fit. I think he knew this was going to be a problem and is spinning it as helping get rid of paperwork.
All coming together.
Oh dear me, we just didn’t, don’t know what’s in there. Oh dear oh me, we didn’t intend that/we won’t let that happen.
How utterly stupid are these clowns? How many people do they have working for them? Who can believe they have/had no idea of the overreach of government that had/has absolutely nothing to do with stimulus. Someone wrote it, but these idiots would have us believe it just “appeared”, perhaps they think it is divinely inspired??? No, that can’t be they don’t believe in religion either and included that active disblief in the stimulus too, somehow not believing in religion is stimulating to them! We are truly in the hands of evil idiots!
Yes, they are complete and evil liars or they are complete and utter fools, and that is the nicest thing I can say. We need to recall everyone of them!
Gee....That’s not the way I Heeeeeerd it! I heard they were not only going to “monitor” treatment, they were going to deny treatments based on a cost/benefit basis, and *punish* any doctors who did not conform to their godless, soulless, inhuman, death diktats.
“You just voted for it Arlen. How in the hell do you plan on stopping it?”
I believe that Crocker’s “Aye” vote can be reversed and the issue can be brought up again. Arlen and the witches from Main could change their votes ... theoretically.
This applies to an ordinary bill. I don’t know if it also applies to a motion to end debate.
LOL real and genuine LOL!!!!
They’re all liars, the whole pack of them.
What a dunce!
Voting for something he hasn't even read....
The problem, Senator—and I use that term in its worst sense—is that you signed on to a bill containing this garbage. If it weren’t for McCaughey doing your job for you, we’d be stuck with it.
What the hell is wrong with these people who keep voting for Specter and Murtha (same difference)?? I don't get it.
I think he is rushing through his socialist and government control agends before people wake up and realize what’s happenieng, and by that time it will be too late.
Specter is the gift that keeps on giving...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.