healthcare reform

THREE REPUBLICANS, INCLUDING MCCAIN, JOIN DEMOCRATS TO KILL LATEST SENATE PLAN TO REPEAL OBAMACARE

 

By Miriam Raftery

July 28, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – John McCain, an 80-year-old war hero and former prisoner of war who recently underwent brain cancer surgery, has had more than his share of serious health conditions in his lifetime. 

Late last night, the Arizona maverick cast the deciding vote to kill the Senate’s latest and likely final effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act—standing up and giving a visual thumbs down to the so-called “skinny repeal” bill with no replacement plan. 


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SENATE HEALTHCARE BILL NEGOTIATED IN SECRET

 

 

By Jordan Damond

Update June 22, 2017 – The Senate Republican bill has just been released this morning. Watch for an update soon on its contents.

June 21, 2017 (San Diego) – After Republicans passed a measure to repeal the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare and pass their own healthcare reform plan, leading Senators asserted that the Senate would go it’s own way. Senator Lamar Alexander stated, "We're writing a Senate bill and not passing the House bill."  Senate Republicans are pushing for a vote by the end of next week, but the majority of the Senate, the press and public have not yet been allowed to view their revised proposal.

"Republicans are writing their health care bill under the cover of darkness because they are ashamed of it," Stated by Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer.


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DISSECTING THE REPUBLICAN HEALTHCARE BILL: AARP AND AMA WARN MEASURE HURTS PATIENTS AND SENIORS

 

By Miriam Raftery

AARP warns that seniors age 50-64 will pay $8,500 a year more for health insurance premiums each year, on average, under the GOP plan. Read the bill here

March 10, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) –Major organizations representing patients, doctors, nurses and senior citizens have come out against the “American Health Care Act” ( AHCA or “Trumpcare”), Congressional Republicans’ plan for replacing the Affordable Care Act (ACA Obamacare) that’s being fast-tracked through Congress. 

The American Medical Association (AMA),  the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and others warn that the plan will weaken benefits and make healthcare much more expensive than many people are paying now, whether you’re on an ACA plan, private health insurance or Medicare/Medicare.   

“As drafted, the AHCA would result in millions of Americans losing coverage and benefits,”  Dr. Andrew Gurman, prseident of the AMA, the nation's largest organization of doctors, said Wednesday. "By replacing income-based premium subsidies with age-based tax credits,  AHCA will also make coverage more expensive—if not out of reach—for poor and sick Americans. For these reasons, the AMA cannot support the AHCA as it is currently written.”


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FREE HEALTHCARE REFORM SEMINAR ON SEPTEMBER 11

 

August 31, 2013 (El Cajon) – A free seminar on healthcare reform will be held at the East County Chamber of Commerce Office, 201 South Magnolia Ave., El Cajon on September 11 from 11:30 am. Until 1:00 p.m.  The seminar, presented by Erick Lundy, of Lundy Insurance Services, Inc., will address 2 critical issues affecting employers right now.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: WHY DID ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS BLOCK UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE BILL WHEN HEALTHCARE FOR ALL IS IN THE PARTY PLATFORM?

 

By Hugh Moore, RN, El Cajon

 

An Open Letter to the California Democratic Party:

 


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STATE SENATE PASSES LANDMARK BILL TO PROVIDE HEALTH INSURANCE TO LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS---AT ZERO NEW COST TO CALIFORNIA TAXPAYERS

 

4 local legislators take massive donations from insurance industry--and vote against bill

 

June 3, 2011 (Sacramento) – Today the California State Senate voted 25-14 to pass SB 703, which would establish a low-cost health insurance plan to cover an estimated 720,000 people for premiums as low as $30 a month. If passed by the Assembly and signed by the Governor, the measure would provide coverage for more than 723,000 uninsured people who earn between 133% and 200% of the federal poverty level.


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AARP: PROPOSED REPUBLICAN BUDGET WOULD UPEND VITAL PROGRAMS AND SHIFT COSTS TO OLDER AMERICANS

 

Calls for bipartisan effort needed to strengthen Social Security


April 5, 2011 (Washington D.C.)—The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) today issued sharp criticism of the budget proposed by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan and backed by House Republicans.

Nancy A. LeaMond, executive vice president of AARP, said the Republican proposal to reduce the deficit “lacks balance and would result in a large cost shift to current and future retirees. The Chairman’s proposal, rather than tackling skyrocketing health care costs, would simply shift these costs onto the backs of people in Medicare,” she warned. “It would undermine Medicare’s promise of secure health coverage—a guarantee that future seniors have contributed to through a lifetime of hard work.”


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HUNTER’S `FACTS' ON HEALTHCARE BILL ARE " INACCURATE" & "MISLEADING", SAYS FACTCHECK.ORG


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WILL POWER REPORT: PAYING FOR BABY


Nothing but the Truth!

By Will Power


December 16, 2010 (San Diego)--While thousands of illegal immigrant mothers wade the Rio Grande in January to see their children become US citizens, US health insurance companies are refusing to cover the birth of legitimate US citizens because it may cost too much.


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HOW WILL HEALTHCARE REFORM IMPACT PEOPLE SERVED BY YOUR ORGANIZATION, SCHOOL OR BUSINESS? FIND OUT NOV. 12

November 6, 2010 (San Diego) -- Are you wondering what provisions of the health reform law are now in effect? Do you know what the Health Exchange is or how it works? Do you have questions about how families can take advantage of these new provisions?

 


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SYLVIA’S SOAPBOX: GET THE FACTS ON MEDICARE AND THE NEW HEALTH-REFORM LAW

DON'T BELIEVE DECEPTIVE POLITICAL ADS, FACTCHECK.ORG WARNS CONSUMERS
By Sylvia Hampton


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PATIENT'S BILL OF RIGHTS TAKES EFFECT, PROVIDNG NEW HEALTH CONSUMER PROTECTIONS

September 24, 2010 (Washington, DC) –Several important consumer protection features of health reform went into effect yesterday, six months after the Affordable Care Act (also know as the Patient's Bill of Rights) was signed into law. While even supporters contend the bill is no panacea, it does contain some key reforms that may affect you and your family.

“The Patient’s Bill of Right makes sure that health care is available to you when you need it most and outlaws the most egregious abuses by the insurance industry,” said Congressman Filner (D-San Diego). For plan years beginning on or after September 23, 2010, all privately-insured Americans now have the following protections:


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NEW WEBSITE WWW.HEALTHCARE.GOV LETS CONSUMERS COMPARE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COVERAGE OPTIONS

 

July 6, 2010 (Washington D.C.) -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on July 1st unveiled an innovative new on-line tool aimed at helping consumers take control of their health care by connecting them to new information and resources to access quality, affordable health care coverage.

 


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CAN'T GET INSURANCE? NEW PRE-EXISTING CONDITION INSURANCE PLAN ANNOUNCED BY HHS SECRETARY SEBELIUS


Affordable Care Act Program provides temporary coverage for Americans without insurance due to pre-existing conditions through 2014 when new insurance exchanges are established; Californians may apply starting in August


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FEINSTEIN BLASTS WELLPOINT CORPORATE GREED, INTRODUCES BILL TO HALT RATE INCREASE ON 800,000 CALIFORNIANS

Insurer also targeted breast cancer patients with computer program to terminate their coverage


April 27, 2010 (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) expressed outrage after Reuters published a story detailing how WellPoint Inc. used a special computer program to target breast cancer patients and terminate their health coverage. (Read the story here.) WellPoint is the parent company of Anthem Blue Cross of California, which plans to hike premium rates by up to 39 percent on 800,000 California policyholders on May 1.

"We have a duty to protect the American people from the corporate greed of these for-profit, publically traded health insurance companies," said Senator Feinstein. "If a CEO thinks it is okay to deprive women of their health coverage when they become seriously ill with breast cancer, we can't trust them to do the right thing, period. Left to their own devices, companies like WellPoint will throw paying customers to the sharks for the sake of profit."


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HOW WILL YOUR BUSINESS BE AFFECTED BY HEALTHCARE REFORMS? FIND OUT FRIDAY, APRIL 23 AT SUNUP BREAKFAST IN EL CAJON

 

April 21, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – Tom Gehring, executive director of the San Diego Medical Society, will be the featured speaker at the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce “Sunup Breakfast” this Friday, April 23. His nonpartisan presentation will discuss how the new federal healthcare reform bill will affect businesses of all sizes.

 


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EDITORIAL: SHOULD SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS LIKE THE HEALTH REFORMS?

 

By Sylvia Hampton

 

April 6, 2010 (San Diego) --Congressman Duncan D. Hunter, in his monthly report to the district, continues his opposition to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and its accompanying Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act signed into law recently. Hunter says he opposes “any approach that imposes higher taxes and onerous regulation.” 

 

What he is missing with this statement is the rising cost of health insurance premiums (like a tax out of control,) the obvious need for stronger regulation of the insurance companies and the over-all rising cost of care. As the nation faced increasing numbers of uninsured and under-insured, Hunter ignored the issue and didn’t even include “health care” as a priority on his website.


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EDITORIAL: HEALTH CARE REFORM BILL OR HEALTH CARE TYRANNY BILL?

 

 

By Mike Benoit

April 6, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- First and foremost the word tyranny, as it is being used here, means: “taking power over something without the right.”


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EDITORIAL: STOP THE VIOLENCE OVER HEALTHCARE REFORM

 

Editor's note:  At least 10 members of Congress who voted for the healthcare reform bill have received threats of violence or harassment.  Some family members of Congressional representatives have also been targeted, including one Congressman's brother who had a gas line intentionally severed at his home, police report.  House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer has called on Republican leaders to condemn such acts, which are being investigated by the FBI.   

 

By Emma Turner
Republican candidate, 78th Assembly District

 

March 25, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- As an African American woman who happens to be a moderate Republican, I am appalled at the incendiary language and violent actions which have ensued since the House of Representatives passed the healthcare bill on Sunday, March 21, 2010. I hereby strongly denounce this rhetoric and these violent acts, regardless of where they originate.


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HOW THE HEALTHCARE BILL WILL IMPACT YOU, YOUR FAMILY & YOUR BUSINESS



Beyond the hype, snipes and myths, what will the landmark measure really do?

 

By Miriam Raftery



March 22, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – How will the landmark healthcare bill passed last night by the House of Representatives impact you, your family and your business?  The answers, detailed extensively below, may surprise you.

 

President Barack Obama is expected to sign the measure in the next couple of days, though the Senate has yet to vote on whether to accept House changes to a version of the bill that the Senate recently passed. While some changes may yet be made, major elements include provisions to take effect immediately, as well as many others that will be phased in over several years. These include:


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PRESIDENT SIGNS HEALTHCARE REFORM INTO LAW; EAST COUNTY CONGRESSIONAL CONTENDERS VOICE VIEWS

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

March 23, 2010 – President Barack Obama today signed into law historic healthcare reform legislation. Locally, the measure drew sharp criticism from Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) but praise from Hunter’s Democratic opponent, Raymond Lutz.

 


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HOUSE PASSES HISTORIC HEALTHCARE BILL; MEASURE HEADS TO PRESIDENT'S DESK


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28% INCREASE IN UNINSURED CALIFORNIANS: 1 IN 4 ADULTS HAVE NO HEALTHCARE COVERAGE

 

 

March 17, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) –California’s healthcare crisis has dramatically worsened. From 2008 to 2009, nearly 2 million people in our state lost their health insurance amid recession and layoffs, according to the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. That’s a 28% jump over the prior year. Nearly one-quarter of all adult Californians lack health insurance.

In San Diego yesterday, approximately 200 people held a rally downtown calling on Congress to enact healthcare reforms to assure coverage for all Americans and halt insurance industry abuses that deny people affordable care.


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EDITORIAL: VALUE LIVES, NOT PROFITS!


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EDITORIAL: CONGRESSMAN BILBRAY SIDE STEPS INVESTIGATION INTO THOUSANDS OF HEALTH CARE-RELATED DEATHS


As Congress holds its hearing about Toyota recalls, and Rep. Brian Bilbray recently toured a Toyota dealership in Carlsbad, we need to ask a simple question. Why has Congress sat silently by while the private insurance industry has rushed to gouge us with exorbitant premium increases?

 


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FEINSTEIN JOINS 16 OTHER SENATORS TO PUSH FOR PUBLIC OPTION

 

39% Rate Hike by Anthem-Blue Cross Persuaded CA Senator that Consumers need Choice of a Public Plan
 

Updated February 19, 2010 (Washington D.C.) – Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California) has joined with 16 other Senators to urge that Majority Leader Harry Reid pass a public option for health insurance using reconciliation, a parliamentary procedure that allows a simple up-or-down vote with a majority of 51 Senators.


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CA SENATE PASSES SINGLE-PAYER HEALTHCARE BILL

 

California OneCare Campaign Reveals Massive Campaign to Gain Support to Override a Likely Veto by Governor


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WILL POWER REPORT: THE LAW'S DELAY MAY BE MY DEATH WARRRANT

 

“It is imperative the [health care] bill pass soon. If it doesn't, we will be stuck with the status quo. For me personally, it will mean a death warrant.”

By Will Power

Nothing but the truth!

January 18, 2009 -- The Democrats have been thwarted for six months from passing health care reform. Now the death of Ted Kennedy may mean there is no reform at all. What's maddening is that the Democrats only need 51 votes, according to the Constitution.


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WILL POWER REPORT: DOCTORS CHARGE “FACILITY FEE”


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EDITORIAL: CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS & UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES IN HEALTHCARE REFORM BILL

 

By Jim Stieringer, President
Grossmont Healthcare District

 

November 14, 2009 (La Mesa) -- The House of Representatives' vote on November 7th is the first step in a long process that will have a profound effect on healthcare funding throughout the nation. Although few have read the 1990 page proposed legislation, some parts lend themselves to an early analysis.

 

There may be a constitutional problem in compelling people to purchase health insurance. Although many states currently require drivers to insure their automobiles, no one is required to drive a car. In fact, the state of California requires every owner of a motor vehicle to maintain an acceptable form of financial responsibility.


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