Posted on 08/04/2009 3:45:39 PM PDT by Cindy
THE BRIEFING ROOM • THE BLOG
THE BLOG
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4TH, 2009 AT 6:55 AM Facts Are Stubborn Things Posted by Macon Phillips
Opponents of health insurance reform may find the truth a little inconvenient, but as our second president famously said, "facts are stubborn things."
Scary chain emails and videos are starting to percolate on the internet, breathlessly claiming, for example, to "uncover" the truth about the President’s health insurance reform positions.
In this video, Linda Douglass, the communications director for the White House’s Health Reform Office, addresses one example that makes it look like the President intends to "eliminate" private coverage, when the reality couldn’t be further from the truth.
For the record, the President has consistently said that if you like your insurance plan, your doctor, or both, you will be able to keep them. He has even proposed eight consumer protections relating specifically to the health insurance industry.
There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov.
Here are the complete videos that Linda refers to. First from the AARP:
And then from the President's news conference:
“Congressman Gets Standing Ovation for Telling IRS It Strikes Fear Into Americans”
By Penny Starr and Taylor Knopf
May 17, 2013
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Note: Video included.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/05/17/second-irs-official-to-leave-amid-tea-party-scandal/
“IRS official who oversaw unit targeting Tea Party now heads ObamaCare office”
Published May 17, 2013
FoxNews.com
SNIPPET: “WASHINGTON – The IRS official who led the tax-exempt organizations unit when Tea Party groups were targeted is now in charge of the IRS office responsible for ObamaCare, two Capitol Hill sources told Fox News.”
SNIPPET: “The ObamaCare official in question, Sarah Hall Ingram, had been serving as commissioner of the office responsible for tax-exempt organizations from 2009 to 2012 — the division included the group that targeted Tea Partiers — and has since left to serve as director of the IRS’ Affordable Care Act division. That unit is responsible for enforcing parts of the health care law, including the fines associated with the so-called individual mandate — the requirement to buy health insurance.”
I was in the drug store picking up meds for a family member and there was a huge line of people waiting - a snarl caused because they were out of so many of the drugs people are being prescribed that their pharmacy shelves looked half empty.
It reminds me of Venezuelans going to the store to buy toilet paper and there’s none to be had.
How very sad.
We are two peas in a pod, Piasa.
My husband and I were watching the news and eating lunch the other day when I remarked how Venezuela had gone down to its lowest point under Hugo Chavez — just like American is sliding straight down to the bottom under Obama.
I drive around town and see more and more businesses closed down. Empty buildings, landowners not even bothering to fix falled "for rent" signs on commercial property, empty lots of once thriving car dealerships, vet clinics no longer accepting strays because they are so overloaded with people giving up their animals they can't afford to feed any more [the last vet I spoke with said her practice's business is down fully 20 % from last year and last year wasn't good either- I can tell she's had to lay off staff], doctor's offices falling into disrepair, even some lawyers offices looking shabby. Thrift store shelves bare because even junk is getting scarce, fewer and fewer garage sales because everyone already sold what they could last year.
It's the saddest and most predictable thing I've ever seen, and if it wasn't for God I'd be very scared for myself.
Well said, and doggone sad it’s true. The blight is all over the NW United States, also. We will survive, and prosper. Stand your ground. Take good care.
It is sad and yes, God is the inspiration for living.
NOTE The following text is a quote:
stockman.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/stockman-asks-for-probe-of-alleged-audits-of-citizens-reported-to-white
Stockman asks for probe of alleged audits of citizens reported to White House email address
May 14, 2013 Press Release
ObamaCare critics report IRS harassment after being reported to Flag@WhiteHouse.gov
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Stockman Tuesday asked two House chairmen to investigate allegations individuals reported to a White House email address for criticizing Obama’s health care reforms were targeted with Internal Revenue Service audits.
During the debate over adopting ObamaCare the White House encouraged liberal activists to report Obama’s critics to a “Flag@WhiteHouse.gov” email address. At least one of those reported tells RedState.com editor Erick Erickson he was then targeted with audits. “Remember that website Obama set up to report neighbors who opposed Obamacare? A friend reported himself and got audited shortly thereafter,” Erickson tweeted May 13.
“We need to know if there were any others. This certainly fits the rapidly-expanding pattern of people who criticize Obama suddenly finding themselves targeted by the IRS,” said Stockman. “Obama’s IRS scandal is spreading like a cancer.”
“Government reforms adopted after Watergate prohibit the White House from coordinating with the IRS to target citizens. We know White House critics were targeted by the IRS. We know the White House maintained an active enemies list through Flag@WhiteHouse.gov. Investigators must find out how targets were picked and what, if any, White House personnel knew about it,” said Stockman.
Stockman has asked the House Ways and Means, and Government Reform and Oversight, Committees to seek answers to three questions:
1) Were any individuals or groups reported to Flag@WhiteHouse.gov later subjected to IRS audits?
2) If so, were the audits politically motivated?
3) If the audits were politically motivated, did the White House violate federal laws prohibiting such coordination?
“Obama’s Nixonian demand that his followers provide him with an enemies list is even more disturbing in light of the IRS’ admitted wrongdoing,” said Stockman
The IRS admits targeting conservative groups with harassment, a practice which has since been revealed to be far more widespread than previously admitted. Officials in the Washington, D.C. and California offices also admit targeting conservative groups.
Jewish organizations also report IRS harassment after criticizing the President, and a St. Louis reporter has also come forward to allege he was also targeted by the IRS after asking Obama tough questions.
The text of the letter follows:
May 14, 2013
The Honorable Darrell Issa
Chairman, House Government Oversight and Reform Committee
2157 Rayburn HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
The Honorable Dave Camp
Chairman, House Ways and Means Committee
1102 Longworth HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Esteemed Chairmen:
As you recall, during the congressional deliberations over ObamaCare the White House urged liberal activists to report the President’s critics to Flag@WhitHouse.gov.
The recent admission, and new revelations, the Internal Revenue Service engaged in politically-motivated harassment of conservative groups shines a disturbing new light on this and other White House efforts to target private citizens who question Barack Obama’s policies.
Since the these revelations of IRS wrongdoing several individuals and groups have claimed they were audited by the IRS after being reported to the White House’s “Flag” email address.
As the scope of the IRS scandal expands on what seems to be an hourly basis, both the Ways & Means and Government Oversight & Reform Committees should seek answers to three important questions.
1) Were any individuals or groups reported to Flag@WhiteHouse.gov later subjected to IRS audits?
2) If so, were the audits politically motivated?
3) If the audits were politically motivated, did the White House violate federal laws prohibiting such coordination?
Citizens deserve to know just how far the IRS went in trying to silence critics of the President, and just who directed the abuses.
I trust your Committee will seek thorough answers to these questions and expose any and all wrongdoing and abuses of power, no matter how high they reach.
Warmest wishes,
STEVE STOCKMAN
Member of Congress
# # #
Issues: Congressional Issues, Health Issues
May 20, 2013, 7:25 p.m. ET
“Role of Health-Law ‘Navigators’ Under Fire”
By LOUISE RADNOFSKY
SNIPPET: “Lawmakers across the country are tussling over the Obama administration’s plans to create a small army of assistants to guide millions of Americans as they sign up for new health-insurance options available this fall.”
SNIPPET: “The Republican-led House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is planning to grill the Department of Health and Human Services about the program in a hearing Tuesday. At a private briefing with federal officials last month, committee aides say they were told there would be no criminal background checks for navigators or requirements that they hold a high-school diploma.
“Because navigators and assisters will have access to personal and sensitive information such as Social Security numbers and tax returns, we believe they should be held to the same hiring standard as U.S. Census and [Internal Revenue Service] employees,” who get Federal Bureau of Investigation background checks, wrote Rep. Darrell Issa (R., Calif.), the chairman of the committee, and two other Republican members in a letter to the department.”
http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/health-care/item/15438-house-votes-to-repeal-obamacare-again
Friday, 17 May 2013 15:29
“House Votes to Repeal ObamaCare, Again”
Written by Bob Adelmann
SNIPPET: “Thursday’s House vote to repeal all of ObamaCare, 229-195, was the third such vote since 2011, and the 37th time a vote to turn back at least part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was taken. Every Republican voted to repeal along with two conservative Democrats.”
SNIPPET: “England’s single payer system, the National Health Service, provides a good example to see just how the ACA is likely to work here.”
SNIPPET: “The truth is that in single-payer Britain long waits for non-emergency visits are common, and even scheduled surgeries, arranged months in advance, can be postponed without warning….
It has become increasingly difficult scheduling a regular visit with a GP [general practitioner] in Britain. Many GPs are booked up weeks in advance.
As costs skyrocketed in England, efforts to limit services were inevitable, resulting in the deaths of individuals who otherwise should have been treated. For example, Becky Ryder, aged 24, went to her GP about some abnormal bleeding but was denied a simple Pap test because of her age. Such a test was allowed only for females age 25 and over. She died of cervical cancer at age 26.
As the monstrosity of ObamaCare is implemented, Americans will finally be allowed to “see what’s in the bill,” and Republicans want to be sure that they are on the right side of the issue come the elections in 2014 and 2016. Thursday’s vote was just another reminder.”
(Note: Addresses Health Care Concerns, The IRS & The Obama Administration)
~
Video - Description - quote:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pCTC4lnQ58o
Bachmann: IRS Targets Groups, Then Health Care?
AssociatedPress
Published on May 16, 2013
Rep. Michele Bachmann, a leader of the Tea Party Caucus in the U.S. House, takes to the steps of the U.S. Capitol with other elected officials and Tea Party leaders to denounce IRS scrutiny of some conservative and religious groups. (May 16)
Category
News & Politics
License
Standard YouTube License
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3022066/posts
“Another Obamacare Lie”
Townhall.com ^ | May 21, 2013 | Mike Shedlock
Posted on May 21, 2013 8:21:59 AM PDT by Kaslin
SNIPPET: “Simply put, Obama lied when he said “you can keep your existing plan”, knowing full well the law was purposely written to make sure that would not happen over time.
Eventually you will be stuck with a new Obamacare plan and higher premiums whether you like your existing plan or not.”
H/T: Freeper Piasa
#
NOTE The following post is a quote:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3023892/posts
GOP Sees Obamacare Solicitations as New Scandal Facing White House
NewsMax ^ | May 24, 2013 | By Todd Beamon
Posted on May 25, 2013 5:17:04 PM PDT by Jim Robinson
Just as the Obama administration continues to reel from three major scandals, Republicans are zeroing in on yet one more — this one involving Obamacare as it nears implementation.
GOP legislators are targeting Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and the solicitations she made to some of the nation’s top insurance companies and other groups for donations to Enroll America, the nonprofit group charged with selling Obamacare to the public.
“Our guys on the Hill think this is the fourth scandal,” Republican strategist Matt Mackowiak told Reuters this week. “It fits into that narrative Republicans are building not only about incompetence in the executive branch but also dishonesty.
“This is a good issue for Republicans,” he added. “We want to maximize it.”
Now under question are forays by Sebelius to two private entities, H&R Block Inc., the tax preparation company, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, a philanthropic entity devoted to public health issues.
Republicans say the practice, which if not unprecedented, is at the very least unusual.
Federal law bars officials from soliciting any organization or individual with whom they do business or regulate — though neither entity is regulated by HHS.
“People are watching it very closely,” GOP Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, told Reuters. “We’re hearing about it from constituents, people who are incredibly concerned.”
An HHS statement last week disclosed the two solicitations, Reuters reports. The agency this week declined to provide the news organization with a list of all solicitations before or after March, when Sebelius began approaching groups by telephone.
“We received a phone call from the secretary during which the secretary discussed supporting Enroll America,” H&R Block told Reuters in a statement. “While we took her suggestion under consideration, we have made no commitment.”
(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jun/16/obamacare-benefits-mandate-could-further-phase-out
‘Obamacare’ benefits mandate could further phase out full-time work”
By Patrice Hill
The Washington Times
Sunday, June 16, 2013
SNIPPET: “President Obama’s health care reform is prompting employers to hire more part-time and temporary workers to escape paying benefits under a mandate that goes into effect next year, amplifying a trend toward transient employment that took hold during the recession, according to a growing number of economic indicators.”
http://blog.heritage.org/category/health-care/
http://blog.heritage.org/2013/07/01/obamacare-shocker-premiums-could-double/
“Obamacare Shocker: Premiums Could Double”
Chris Jacobs
July 1, 2013 at 11:01 am
SNIPPET: “This morning’s Wall Street Journal published its own analysis of premiums under Obamacare, and its conclusions will prompt shock—rate shock—among those who need to buy health insurance under the law’s new exchanges next year:
Healthy consumers could see insurance rates double or even triple when they look for individual coverage under the federal health law later this year, while the premiums paid by sicker people are set to become more affordable, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of coverage to be sold on the law’s new exchanges. The exchanges, the centerpiece of President Barack Obama’s health-care law, look likely to offer few if any of the cut-rate policies that healthy people can now buy, according to the Journal’s analysis.
The article goes on to provide specific examples of the kind of premium hikes many Americans may face under Obamacare:”
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Previously...
“Obamacare and Insurance Rating Rules: Increasing Costs and Destabilizing Markets”
By Edmund F. Haislmaier
January 20, 2011
Thanks for keeping this record up to date; and to all of you who have done so with your topics as well.
Well thank you very much First Salute and I’m glad you are taking time to read the posts.
I do appreciate it.
Thanks for remembering us, dear First_Salute!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3041026/posts
“Should Doctors Ask Older People If They Have Guns At Home?”
vpr.net ^ | July 9, 201
Posted on July 9, 2013 9:40:31 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
#
NOTE: Click on the link and read the whole thing.
Stepping back in time to January 2013:
Quote:
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-asks-doctors-help-deal-guns_696121.html
“Obama Asks Doctors to Help Deal With Guns”
11:56 AM, JAN 16, 2013 • BY DANIEL HALPER
SNIPPET: “According to a background briefer provided by the White House, President Barack Obama is asking doctors to help deal with guns. Here’s the relevant passage:
PRESERVE THE RIGHTS OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO PROTECT THEIR PATIENTS AND COMMUNITIES FROM GUN VIOLENCE: We should never ask doctors and other health care providers to turn a blind eye to the risks posed by guns in the wrong hands.”
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3041054/posts
“Taxing Employers and Employees [New York Times says Obamacare is harmful to workers]”
New York Times ^ | July 10, 2013 | CASEY B. MULLIGAN
Posted on July 10, 2013 12:11:12 AM PDT by grundle
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