WHY ARE DEMOCRATS WILLING TO LOSE SEATS IN CONGRESS FOR THE HEALTH CARE REFORM BILL

The Conservative leagues and the Democratic Liberal Left are “in bed together?!” Yep. They are finally in agreement with what will take place and it doesn’t seem to be resonating in the ears of Conservatives correctly. The Conservative Right has a position where the Democrats appear to be willing to commit Hari Kari and lose their seat in an effort to further their agenda of health care reform in a bill the likes of which have never been seen. The Liberal Left are attempting to look arguably golden because they appear to be willing to go to lengths never before seen by any politician to pass a bill which will help the most impoverished masses. A philanthropic hue is a hard front to wage political war against and not look cruel. So what is the reason or reasons?

The Tea Party people have been steadfast against the Left with many good measures taken with pamphlets and rallies all across the country. The radio Right, like Mark Levin, have taken the reins and run with a plethora of information and interviews which bring forth ideas the general public haven’t the time to discern for themselves. I believe the reason(s) for political Hari Kari on the part of the Left is not being discussed at all. Why is that?

The reasons for this are two fold. Firstly, the seat in jeopardy being vacated by the Democrat who votes yes on the controversial Bill or Bills will need to be replaced. The Democrats strategy is to refill the position with another Democrat and the exiting politician will later be appointed to a consultant position for the incoming seat (his or her experience gives cause or legitimacy to the appointment).

The Democrats second reason is intertwined in the illegal immigration crisis. The Left will pass a vote between now and the coming election which will legalize the illegals in the country. This new electorate constituency will vote strictly Left salvaging the seats I discussed above. Also, this base will reelect the President for a second term. This will allow the Left to maintain a stranglehold for four more years.

I hope the Political Right takes seriously the next 9 months of legislation and vividly draw a picture and take action to diminish any possibility of this taking place. The legalization of the illegal populace will change the country into a prosocialistic majority indefinitely. America is following the same path Russia did in pursuing its own path down to destruction. The world never pictured the fall of Communism and the Russian Empire. The world never could have predicted that the West would also fall and all taking place within 20 years. Both superpowers! Let’s stop and focus on not only what is taking place but include what the consequences are for the circumstances taking place acutely. Then the counter measures we take will have some bite.

Rucking Fidiculous!!

ECONOMIC BILL FAILURE FOR ALL PART I

The latest passing of the bill that was supposed to save America and the economy (of the planet) has fallen flat on its face. Noone can determine the reason its passing hasn’t addressed a falling market. All the experts on Wall Street and the Politicians in Washington couldn’t put Humpty Dumpty back together again …..and can pay anyone to pick up the pieces.
The answer is multifactorial because the intertwound nature of the ecomony. First, when Congress proceeds to “pork up” a Bill in a crisis situation, the public sees the seriousness has not been prioritized for no earmarking. Poor taste and poor judgement was demonstrated and public disgust soon followed. Secondly, the pork itself was shameful in what I see as a “nickel and diming” of the tax payer. People were benefiting from the bill by embezzling funds to ancillary groups completely unrelated to the situation at hand. Third, the Bill addresses the bank failures, job losses, and economic slow down strictly by “throwing money at the problem” by bailing banks out. And ONLY banks. The average person has no relief immediately, if ever. The problem is seen initially as a liquidity issue. The last thing anyone or any business needs is more available credit. Credit is the reason we are in the predicament currently. Of course, specific situations require available funds, such as college tuition. But is anyone looking at automobiles or boats, much less buying them.
While I am not necessarily an advocate for FDR-era policy, I believe the answer for today’s fiasco can be found in our history. The modern “NEW DEAL” should consist of helping the ENTIRE economy while putting the country’s best interest for the future in the crosshairs.
The Bill should have been geared towards the infrustructure of the country. Building new roads and repairing old ones, construting new bridges and initiating the new green energy installations to alleviate fossil fuel dependence would be . Each item scrutinized by by-partisan committees which oversee any abuse (although an independent third party would be ideal). Each project done in cooperation with private business. MOST IMPORTANT: Only citizens of the US get on the payroll!! We lost jobs to outsourcing and now we must ensure jobs created are for only legal citizens. Stipulations in the bill for people to cash checks from these jobs would include opening or maintaining banks accounts. Therefore, liquidity would be created without the bailout.

IN PART 2: DISCUSS SPECIFIC PORK PROBLEMS WITH THE BILL PASSED
MORE IDEAS FOR ECONOMIC RECOVERY

HEALTH CARE CRISIS EXPLODES IN DOCTORS FACES. MEDICARE IS DEAD!

CHECK OUT LINKS AT END OF THIS POST FOR INFORMATION ON THIS IMPORTANT MATTER!!

Well, I hope that opening got your attention. The deadline is today!! TODAY!! Congress is supposed to vote to repeal a bill already passed for a proposed 10.6% decrease in medicare allowable payments to doctors for treatments rendered to patients. This was enstated as of July 1, 2008 with a stipulation for reconsideration which has a deadline today. What are the ramifications as a result of this order?

The CRISIS is a crisis to doctors because their practices have to factor in a net loss of 10% immediately. The loss of 10% now must be made up in patient volume equal in the new allowable fees. Plain english: 10% loss cannot be made up in 10% increase in patients. It will take at least 11% increase in patient load and the overhead costs of operating to make it up. The time alone means more time spent in the office doing the additional paperwork, increased liability, and treating time. In addition, the insurance companies paid by medicare like HMO, PPO, HSA, PFFS, etc (anyone over 65 and insured) will also be reimbursed 10% less. The insurance companies are like a middle man and pay doctors a discounted fee schedule after they take their share out. Now the discounted fee schedule the middle man uses is additionally discounted 10%.

The average patient is under the misconception that “all doctors are rich.” Therefore the cry for help from doctors is falling on deaf ears. The view the patients have is of a time pre-HMO and pre-third party administred health care which has been around for over 20 years. The percentage of overall patients on these plans over the last 20 years has exploded into a majority stake. Personally, I have been cashing checks from companies that pay less THAN 10 CENTS a patient after a co-pay of $10 or less. That is $10.10 per patient!! Patients see a busy office and assume the doctor is still being paid the fees they were 20 plus years ago per patient which calculates into a typical $40 or more. Now at $10 on the average, the doctor has taken a loss equivalent to a 50 year pay cut.

What would the average auto worker do if he or she took a 50 year paycut? How could anyone contend with further cuts as being implemented this month?! And another bill is in the works for another 5.4% CUT in Jan 2009!! And another in 2010 of another 5%!! And another 5% in 2012!!!

Doctors in my state average age is approx 55 years old themselves. They have been toying with the possibility of retiring before anything gets much worse. The aggravation of running an office is creating a feeling of anger making practicing impossible. Add lawyers, problem patients, increased energy costs, insurance woes, and more!! No other profession provides such a vital service yet has to contend with such red tape.

Doctors locally are now starting to take action by taking out ads encouraging people to write their congressman. Since the average attitude is “Doctors are all rich”, I feel any threat about denying access to patients to one’s private practice is futile. All plans have a contract that takes a minimum of 60 days to opt out. Threatening not to take Medicare patients will only encourage patients to leave Medicare and go on a private insurance which pays less anyway. Thereby, losing one’s best patients.. Or they could go to another doctor!

At this juncture, patients do not feel the pressure because access to a provider hasnt been a problem. When will they get involved? John Q Public feels they are entitled to health care and it should be free or low cost. The public has been toying with the idea for years. Private insurance plans with tremendous discounts have brainwashed the average patient into paying only low co pays and anything higher is robbery. Socialized medicine is so ingrained into the fabric of public thought, both Republicans and Democrats believe a socialized system is the only way forward. Getting everyone on a discount plan is believed to contain costs for the government. Further wrongly believed, the financial distress to the average medical provider will magically work its way out eventually.Meaning the doctor can absorb the lost revenue after adjustments are made to his/her practice. I forsee a mass retirement and closing of all private practices across the country. With the overhead to practice today, doctors can no longer maintain a viable practice. With the aging baby boomers flooding the sytem, the decrease in admissions to medical schools, and the problems listed here to new practitioners when graduating, the CRISIS is coming fast…..

If you live in Palm Beach County, check out Sunday’s paper for an article addressing this matter and who you should contact in the state of Florida. The New York Times on July 7 2008 has an article “Doctors press Senate to undo Medicare Cuts.”
Further, CQ Politics has an article entitled “Medicare Pressure On Republicans” by Drew Armstrong. And while not complete, if you desire a better understanding about how private insurers are involved see the article “Two Insurers Increase Bet on Medicare” in the New York Times Dec 5 2007.
Government link which provides information on the voting!! Here!!

More info links Please read!
Medicare pay cuts

Doctors lobby cuts link
Adminstration delay payments/cuts link

Pharmacists weigh in link