Pro-Life Democrat Predicts Senate Health Care Bill Will ‘Go Down in Flames’ in House, Unless Changes

CNS News ^ | December 23, 2009 | Pete Winn

[rhema]

The Senate health care bill is dead on arrival in the House of Representatives unless major changes are made, including removal of special “carve outs” for Medicaid funding for certain states and inclusion of language barring taxpayer-funded health plans that cover abortions, Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) told CNSNews.com on Tuesday.

Faced with the possibility that House Democratic leaders and the White House will try to force the U.S. House to accept “as is” the health care bill that the Senate is poised to pass on Christmas Eve, the pro-life Democrat said the Senate bill differs too much from the version passed by the House to be accepted.

“If they expect the House to accept the Senate bill, it’s going to go down in flames,” Stupak told CNSNews.com in an interview.

CNSNews.com asked Stupak: “Are you prepared to vote for a bill that looks more like the Senate bill – and Senator Nelson’s language on abortion – than the House bill, with your language?”

“No, absolutely not,” said the Democratic congressman, whose district encompasses all of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and roughly one-quarter of the territory in the remainder of Michigan.

“The Senate bill will not receive support in the House,” Stupak said. “If they tell us we have to take that bill without changes, it will not survive the House. Regardless of the abortion language, there are just too many objectionable items in there that at least I see, and in talking with maybe a half-dozen other members, they sort of see the same thing.”

Stupak, like many in Congress, takes strong exception to the fact that, under the Senate plan, certain states would receive special “carve outs” for increased funding for Medicare/Medicaid.

“That’s not what it’s all about,” he said. “This is about health care, this is providing health care for all Americans – it’s not to see who can strike the best deal for their state. This is the wrong piece of legislation to try to do carve outs, or get an exception for your state and the rest of the country is supposed to pick up the tab. That’s not what health care is all about. That’s not the policy, that’s not the principle behind the bill.

In exchange for their votes for the Senate bill, Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) reportedly obtained $100 million in additional Medicaid benefits for Nebraska and Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) obtained $300 million in additional aid for Louisiana.

In addition, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) managed to obtain a carve-out for 800,000 Floridians, who will keep their Medicare Advantage plans, while those in other parts of the country are slated to lose their Medicare Advantage plans under the bill’s targeted cuts.

Stupak was incensed at the special deals.

“All the rest of us that live in states that did not receive that exception, why would we [be] inclined to give Nebraska or Florida or Louisiana a special break underneath the bill and expect the rest of us to pay for it?”

Beyond the carve-outs, Stupak pointed out that seniors “take some cuts in the Senate bill that are not found in the House bill [that] members are not going to accept” -- and that the bill would tax people who have “decent” health insurance programs.

“Aren’t you really going to force more people off health insurance?” Stupak said.

He added: “If you just take a look at my three main constituencies – Right to Life, labor unions, and senior citizens – the Senate bill is contrary to all their interests,” Stupak said.

“I’d have no real desire to vote for this bill the way its being outlined in the media," he said. "I know the bill’s not finalized yet, but if that holds true, if they expect the House to accept the Senate bill, it’s going to go down in flames.”

Stupak, who succeeded last month in getting 64 House Democrats to join him in attaching his pro-life amendment to the House version of the health care bill, also firmly rejected language in the Senate bill regarding abortion.

The “Stupak amendment,” as his provision is known, would prohibit the federal government from allocating taxpayer money to pay for any part of any health insurance plan that covers abortion except in cases of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother is in danger.

But the abortion language in the Senate bill secured by Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), which attempts to segregate taxpayer money from paying for health plans that provide abortion, does not contain an outright ban on taxpayer money going to fund abortion.

Stupak, however, added: “Even if they fixed the abortion language, if it’s the Senate language, I have to vote for – I’m not voting for it.”

[Hardastarboard]

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) managed to obtain a carve-out for 800,000 Floridians, who will keep their Medicare Advantage plans, while those in other parts of the country are slated to lose their Medicare Advantage plans under the bill’s targeted cuts.

If there was ever a clearer violation of the "equal protection under the law" section of the Constitution, I've never seen it. This is the first I've heard of this. What an outrage, and I'm sure this stuff is just studded throughout this bill.

[JSDude1]

If he (and a few others stand firm) and KILL healthcare bill, then I would do anything for him politically (though I don’t live in MI anymore), he’d be a national hero to both PRO-LIFE and TEA PARTY ACTIVISTS (it’ may be hard to admit) but if a Dem actually stands firm and votes against it (if it is caused defeat) then WE OWE THEM!

[Beagle8U]

The only thing I would do for any RAT is defend their record on the issue that they stand firm with the good guys, us!

[saganite]

Watch this and you’ll know.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URr68joWr1E&feature=related

[rod1]

Posturing position Numero 477 on display.

He’ll vote for it and like when SanFranNan is done beating him up.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Bart Stupak

BA in Criminal Justice, Saginaw Valley State University in 1977, graduated Magna cum Laude.

Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan in 1981

Served as a police officer for 12 years

Was elected to the House of Representatives in 1992 and has served 9 consecutive terms.

0% voting record from National Abortion Rights (NARAL)

100% voting record from National Right to Life (NRLC)

So he's not stupid; has real-world experience; popular and successful with conservative constituency (U.P. Michigan); denounced Nelson; better prolife record than 80% of Republicans.

As with all of politics, if you don't work it, it doesn't work.

This is a guy I can work with.

See mine at #1.

[ConjunctionJunction]

They don’t care if they lose a few “foot soldiers”. If they get this thing passed, it will be extremely difficult to repeal it. Socialized healthcare has been their dream for 100 years, and they know that even if they lose the House next Novemember, they’ll be back in power again sometime to continue their march towards single-payer.

[dogcaller]

Dear Lord, please let these so-called elected representatives of the people be given new insight into this matter over the Christmas break by their torch-bearing constituents.

[DennisR]

Every little bit helps. But keep in mind that we are trying to awaken “we, the people.” This does not happen in a week, a month, a year. It will probably take five to 10 years. Congress, as it stands, is a lost cause due to their corruption, dishonesty, and self-serving machinations. We are in a battle for the hearts and minds of this nation. Given our history, it will be a fight. But it will be worth it when we see victory.

[ladyjane]

IMO a sign needs to be placed on the Congressional building saying “Brothel” and next to each Congressman’s door a sign listing a dollar amount (the amount they can be bought for).

For the first time in my life I am not proud of my country.

[ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas]

I think they want to sneak a few more things in before they let it pass...under the guise of compromise.

I think you are right. They do need to be careful not to disturb the bribes and sweetheart deals certain senators got though.

[ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas]

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) managed to obtain a carve-out for 800,000 Floridians, who will keep their Medicare Advantage plans, while those in other parts of the country are slated to lose their Medicare Advantage plans under the bill’s targeted cuts.

I don't think it's just Florida, but the language is so hard to follow that nobody is sure.

LINK: So who benefits? Floridians for sure.

"Florida will definitely be treated more generously than most other states," said John Rother, executive vice president for policy and strategy for AARP.

But not just Floridians. Of the 1 million or so Floridians participating in Medicare Advantage, about 800,000 are expected to be protected from possible cuts. But so are people living in New York and Los Angeles, as well as in Oregon, McLaughlin says. A spokesman for Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., confirmed that New Jersey seniors also will benefit from Nelson's protections to Medicare Advantage.

And Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said this: "We got a special protection worth billions of dollars to stop Medicare cuts for 800,000 New York seniors."

Menendez said a total of five states would receive protections.

To be honest, we're not sure how many states or people will be protected since senators and their staff are using different numbers and estimates.

Here's what we do know: Nelson's provision in the health care bill will protect some seniors in Florida and others in Oregon, New York, New Jersey and California. A chief critic of the provision, McCain, and the independent Kaiser Family Foundation, say it will cost about $5 billion. McLaughlin, Nelson's aide, puts the total at about $7.5 billion.

[Upstate NY Guy]

Thanks. Lets hope he stays that way.

[Irisshlass]

I am a Roman Catholic too. The Catholic Church is the only Church that has skin in this game. Where are the other churches? What government money are you talking about?

[Irisshlass]

Also you present yourself as a poor example of a true Roman Catholic. For a true Roman Catholic, knows for well you don't attack the hierarchy of the Church. So I would label you more in line with the touchy feely American version of the Church.

[nomad]

Oh goodie gum drops, we can really count on them now!Just like we were able to before,right?

[FDNYRHEROES]

In exchange for their votes for the Senate bill, Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) reportedly obtained $100 million in additional Medicaid benefits for Nebraska and Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) obtained $300 million in additional aid for Louisiana.

Ain't it amazing that the Dumbos have to bribe their own party members to pass their own bill?

[MortMan]

Please be accurate in your “fly in the punchbowl” accusation.

The NORMAL language for abortion rights is to guard the mother’s HEALTH - which includes her “mental health” - which naturally includes “I didn’t want the baby”.

The exception for the mother’s LIFE is there to allow for the mother’s life to be saved when there is a choice between the mom or the baby - where one lives and one dies.

Stupak’s amendment is a very strongly worded anti-abortion measure, by legalese standards - which are the only standards that make sense to apply in this situation.

[matthew fuller]

"I wonder why the Democrats are so indifferent to the fact that many will not be re-elected. What is it that they know that we do not?"

You are assuming that there will be a federal congressional election in 2010.

[matthew fuller]

I should have finished reading your post before replying to it! Sorry! And Merry Christmas.