More on the Drug Bill

Peanutjake · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 32

I receved this email from a friend in New Jersey
PJ
-----------------------------------------------------
For years, Democratic lawmakers have been working to make sure that
seniors have access to prescription drugs and reasonable healthcare.
Now, in an attempt to score political points, the Republican
Congressional leadership is pushing through a bill that appears to
offer a solution. Actually, the bill undermines the entire Medicare
program, pushing people into the very HMOs which contribute heavily to
Republican lawmakers and barring the government from negotiating for
lower drug prices.

Given the danger to seniors, one might expect that the millions-strong
American Association of Retired People (AARP) to be on the case.
But after huge contributions from pharmaceutical companies and HMOs,
and pressure from Republican lawmakers, the AARP is selling out its
membership and backing the bill.

In response, 85 members of Congress (so far) have canceled their AARP
memberships, or announced that they will never join (if they're not
yet old enough to be eligible). [1] Today, we urge you to do the
same. If the AARP won't stand up for the elderly when it comes to
health care, what good is it? You can reach the AARP at:

NJ Branch: 609-987-0744
National hotline: 1-800-424-3410

If you're a member, tell them you're quitting.

If you're too young to be eligible, tell them you'll never join.

You also may want to let your Representative and Senators know that
you're keeping the AARP accountable. You could also tell them
that you expect them to demand real health care reform -- not this
industry-backed bill.

You can reach your members of Congress at:

Representative Donald M. Payne
DC Phone: 202-225-3436

Senator Frank Lautenberg
DC Phone: 202-224-3224

Senator Jon S. Corzine
DC Phone: 202-224-4744

Please let us know how you feel about this -- we're collecting
individual comments to share with the media, at:

http://moveon.org/aarp.html?id=2136-2872706-bWrceocg.APKD4NthfLzuw

The AARP has endorsed a bill that would make two fundamental changes
in Medicare:

1. First, it would force people to make a stark choice: either pay
sharply increased premiums to stay in traditional Medicare, where
they can choose their doctor; or be forced out, into an HMO.

Newt Gingrich, the former House Republican leader, said in 1995
that he wanted to let Medicare to "wither on the vine." This
change would lead to that result, with cost incentives driving
people out. (Not coincidentally, AARP CEO William Novelli
recently wrote the forward to Gingrich's book. [2])

2. Second, it offers a prescription drug benefit, but requires people
who want this coverage to buy it from private insurance plans.

This part of the bill also bars the government from doing the one
thing it could do to actually reduce the cost of these drugs --
negotiate for lower prices, using the size of the Medicare program
as leverage. Drug prices are soaring now, and unless they're
brought under control, they will eventually bankrupt Medicare.

AARP itself sells insurance and also sells prescription drugs, so
the group stands to reap huge financial gains from this change.

The bill has been opposed by a host of liberal groups [3] as well as
by major conservative groups, including the Club for Growth, The
Heritage Foundation, the American Conservative Union, The Cato
Institute, and the National Taxpayers Union. It's also been assailed
by virtually every one of the Democratic presidential candidates. [4]

In endorsing this bill, the AARP has broken faith with its members. In
a recent poll, 65% of AARP members said they're opposed to it. [5]
The group has also violated its own written principles. In July, CEO
William Novelli wrote to Congress stating the requirements for AARP's
support of a Medicare bill. [6] Yet the bill AARP has just endorsed
fails to meet nine separate requirements stated in that letter. [7]

We need to hold the AARP responsible for selling out its members. If
the organization sees sufficient backlash from its members and
prospective members, it could still change course and effect the
outcome of this legislation. Please call your local AARP branch
today.

Sincerely,
--Carrie, Eli, James, Joan, Noah, Peter, Wes, and Zack
The MoveOn.org Team
November 20th, 2003

-----

[1] 85 Representatives wrote to Novelli, canceling their memberships:
http://www.moveon.org/HouseAARPletter.pdf [2] From the foreword by
Novelli to Gingrich's new book, "Saving Lives
and Saving Dollars".

[3] See http://www.moveon.org/medicare.html for a complete list of
organizations.

[4] See:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54358-2003Nov17.html
[5] Poll: a majority of AARP members oppose the Medicare bill:
http://www.moveon.org/Medicaresurveypr.pdf
[6] AARP July letter on minimum acceptable standards
http://www.aarp.org/Articles/a2003-08-18-drugbenefitinmedicare.html
[7] How AARP goes back on its word
http://www.house.gov/schakowsky/Document_AARP_Priorities_11_17_03.html
[8]
http://www.aarp.org/leadership/Articles/a2002-12-18-aarpfactsheet.html

Archived from group: misc>health>diabetes

BJ in Texas · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 21

Peanutjake wrote:
> I receved this email from a friend in New Jersey
> PJ
> -----------------------------------------------------
> For years, Democratic lawmakers have been working to make
> sure that seniors have access to prescription drugs and
> reasonable healthcare.

Obviously if left to the Dems you would wait for many more years.
At least you are getting something.... BJ

Ray Bowler · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 1

I> > For years, Democratic lawmakers have been working to make
> > sure that seniors have access to prescription drugs and
> > reasonable healthcare.
>
> Obviously if left to the Dems you would wait for many more years.
> At least you are getting something.... BJ
>
The Senate Democrats and Republicans had a good bill passed then the
House Republicans destroyed it. The reason we haven't had a good bill in
the past years is because of the insurance industry lobbying expecially
in the last 9 years of Republican control.
--
See ya,

--Ray B.

Live near Des Moines, IA, USA
rbowler@ix.netcom.com

BJ in Texas · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 21

Ray Bowler wrote:
>>> For years, Democratic lawmakers have been working to make
>>> sure that seniors have access to prescription drugs and
>>> reasonable healthcare.
>>
>> Obviously if left to the Dems you would wait for many more
>> years.
>> At least you are getting something.... BJ
>>
> The Senate Democrats and Republicans had a good bill passed
> then the House Republicans destroyed it. The reason we
> haven't had a good bill in the past years is because of the
> insurance industry lobbying expecially in the last 9 years of
> Republican control.

The Dems had control for 40+ years and nothing was done.. BJ

Herman Rubin · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 7

In article , W. Baker wrote:
>In alt.support.diabetes BJ in Texas wrote:
>: Ray Bowler wrote:
>: >>> For years, Democratic lawmakers have been working to make
>: >>> sure that seniors have access to prescription drugs and
>: >>> reasonable healthcare.

>: >> Obviously if left to the Dems you would wait for many more
>: >> years.
>: >> At least you are getting something.... BJ

>: > The Senate Democrats and Republicans had a good bill passed
>: > then the House Republicans destroyed it. The reason we
>: > haven't had a good bill in the past years is because of the
>: > insurance industry lobbying expecially in the last 9 years of
>: > Republican control.

>: The Dems had control for 40+ years and nothing was done.. BJ

>Well, they passed the original Medicare bill over the loud objections of
>the Republicans, and, if I recall correctly, the American Medical
>Association. At that time meds were not a big part of medical care,
>so the were ot included.

At least in retrospect, Medicare has been a calamity. It,
and the major increase in prepaid health plans, mistakenly
called "insurance", are large causes of rising medical costs.
The claim that Medicare has low overhead is false; it is
true that the government has low overhead, but the amount
of paperwork and clerical work required is high. It is pure
welfare as the amount received is not related to what has
been contributed. And part of the cost is due to the fact
that much of the work done is prepaid.

--
This address is for information only. I do not claim that these views
are those of the Statistics Department or of Purdue University.
Herman Rubin, Department of Statistics, Purdue University
hrubin@stat.purdue.edu Phone: (765)494-6054 FAX: (765)494-0558

Mack · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 15

On Mon, 24 Nov 2003 18:36:15 GMT, nospam
wrote:

>This is a wonderful new bill that will give the elderly access to drugs
>they can't get now. For less than one thousand a year they can have
>coverage and a card to get discounts. Up to three thousand dollars they
>will get a return of 75% after that they are on there on. There are
>really no people who would use $3000 a year in drugs. If so they should
>go to the charity hospitals and other free sources for their care and
>medicantions and not become a drain on the economy of those who plan for
>our futures.
>Mary Belle

thank you for showing how little you understand the issue.

Mack
Type 1 since 1975
http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org
http://www.insulin-pumpers.org

In tribute to the United States of America and the State
of Israel, two bastions of strength in a world filled with strife and
terrorism.

Mack · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 15

On Mon, 24 Nov 2003 18:37:23 GMT, nospam
wrote:

>What do you expect from a bunch of liberals. They only want to get
>bills passed for minorities. The liberals hate white people and work
>only for the others.
>Mary Belle
>

yes the great conspiracy is finally revealed.

Mack
Type 1 since 1975
http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org
http://www.insulin-pumpers.org

In tribute to the United States of America and the State
of Israel, two bastions of strength in a world filled with strife and
terrorism.

W. Baker · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 97

In alt.support.diabetes BJ in Texas wrote:
: Ray Bowler wrote:
: >>> For years, Democratic lawmakers have been working to make
: >>> sure that seniors have access to prescription drugs and
: >>> reasonable healthcare.
: >>
: >> Obviously if left to the Dems you would wait for many more
: >> years.
: >> At least you are getting something.... BJ
: >>
: > The Senate Democrats and Republicans had a good bill passed
: > then the House Republicans destroyed it. The reason we
: > haven't had a good bill in the past years is because of the
: > insurance industry lobbying expecially in the last 9 years of
: > Republican control.

: The Dems had control for 40+ years and nothing was done.. BJ

Well, they passed the original Medicare bill over the loud objections of
the Republicans, and, if I recall correctly, the American Medical
Association. At that time meds were not a big part of medical care,
so the were ot included.

Wendy

nospam · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 4

This is a wonderful new bill that will give the elderly access to drugs
they can't get now. For less than one thousand a year they can have
coverage and a card to get discounts. Up to three thousand dollars they
will get a return of 75% after that they are on there on. There are
really no people who would use $3000 a year in drugs. If so they should
go to the charity hospitals and other free sources for their care and
medicantions and not become a drain on the economy of those who plan for
our futures.
Mary Belle
Bistoury's mother house sitting for two more days and setting it straight.

Peanutjake wrote:

> I receved this email from a friend in New Jersey
> PJ
> -----------------------------------------------------
> For years, Democratic lawmakers have been working to make sure that
> seniors have access to prescription drugs and reasonable healthcare.
> Now, in an attempt to score political points, the Republican
> Congressional leadership is pushing through a bill that appears to
> offer a solution. Actually, the bill undermines the entire Medicare
> program, pushing people into the very HMOs which contribute heavily to
> Republican lawmakers and barring the government from negotiating for
> lower drug prices.
>
> Given the danger to seniors, one might expect that the millions-strong
> American Association of Retired People (AARP) to be on the case.
> But after huge contributions from pharmaceutical companies and HMOs,
> and pressure from Republican lawmakers, the AARP is selling out its
> membership and backing the bill.
>
> In response, 85 members of Congress (so far) have canceled their AARP
> memberships, or announced that they will never join (if they're not
> yet old enough to be eligible). [1] Today, we urge you to do the
> same. If the AARP won't stand up for the elderly when it comes to
> health care, what good is it? You can reach the AARP at:
>
> NJ Branch: 609-987-0744
> National hotline: 1-800-424-3410
>
> If you're a member, tell them you're quitting.
>
> If you're too young to be eligible, tell them you'll never join.
>
> You also may want to let your Representative and Senators know that
> you're keeping the AARP accountable. You could also tell them
> that you expect them to demand real health care reform -- not this
> industry-backed bill.
>
> You can reach your members of Congress at:
>
> Representative Donald M. Payne
> DC Phone: 202-225-3436
>
> Senator Frank Lautenberg
> DC Phone: 202-224-3224
>
> Senator Jon S. Corzine
> DC Phone: 202-224-4744
>
>
> Please let us know how you feel about this -- we're collecting
> individual comments to share with the media, at:
>
> http://moveon.org/aarp.html?id=2136-2872706-bWrceocg.APKD4NthfLzuw
>
> The AARP has endorsed a bill that would make two fundamental changes
> in Medicare:
>
> 1. First, it would force people to make a stark choice: either pay
> sharply increased premiums to stay in traditional Medicare, where
> they can choose their doctor; or be forced out, into an HMO.
>
> Newt Gingrich, the former House Republican leader, said in 1995
> that he wanted to let Medicare to "wither on the vine." This
> change would lead to that result, with cost incentives driving
> people out. (Not coincidentally, AARP CEO William Novelli
> recently wrote the forward to Gingrich's book. [2])
>
> 2. Second, it offers a prescription drug benefit, but requires people
> who want this coverage to buy it from private insurance plans.
>
> This part of the bill also bars the government from doing the one
> thing it could do to actually reduce the cost of these drugs --
> negotiate for lower prices, using the size of the Medicare program
> as leverage. Drug prices are soaring now, and unless they're
> brought under control, they will eventually bankrupt Medicare.
>
> AARP itself sells insurance and also sells prescription drugs, so
> the group stands to reap huge financial gains from this change.
>
> The bill has been opposed by a host of liberal groups [3] as well as
> by major conservative groups, including the Club for Growth, The
> Heritage Foundation, the American Conservative Union, The Cato
> Institute, and the National Taxpayers Union. It's also been assailed
> by virtually every one of the Democratic presidential candidates. [4]
>
> In endorsing this bill, the AARP has broken faith with its members. In
> a recent poll, 65% of AARP members said they're opposed to it. [5]
> The group has also violated its own written principles. In July, CEO
> William Novelli wrote to Congress stating the requirements for AARP's
> support of a Medicare bill. [6] Yet the bill AARP has just endorsed
> fails to meet nine separate requirements stated in that letter. [7]
>
> We need to hold the AARP responsible for selling out its members. If
> the organization sees sufficient backlash from its members and
> prospective members, it could still change course and effect the
> outcome of this legislation. Please call your local AARP branch
> today.
>
> Sincerely,
> --Carrie, Eli, James, Joan, Noah, Peter, Wes, and Zack
> The MoveOn.org Team
> November 20th, 2003
>
> -----
>
> [1] 85 Representatives wrote to Novelli, canceling their memberships:
> http://www.moveon.org/HouseAARPletter.pdf [2] From the foreword by
> Novelli to Gingrich's new book, "Saving Lives
> and Saving Dollars".
>
> [3] See http://www.moveon.org/medicare.html for a complete list of
> organizations.
>
> [4] See:
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54358-2003Nov17.html
> [5] Poll: a majority of AARP members oppose the Medicare bill:
> http://www.moveon.org/Medicaresurveypr.pdf
> [6] AARP July letter on minimum acceptable standards
> http://www.aarp.org/Articles/a2003-08-18-drugbenefitinmedicare.html
> [7] How AARP goes back on its word
> http://www.house.gov/schakowsky/Document_AARP_Priorities_11_17_03.html
> [8]
> http://www.aarp.org/leadership/Articles/a2002-12-18-aarpfactsheet.html
>
>

nospam · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 4

What do you expect from a bunch of liberals. They only want to get
bills passed for minorities. The liberals hate white people and work
only for the others.
Mary Belle

BJ in Texas wrote:

> Ray Bowler wrote:
>
>>>>For years, Democratic lawmakers have been working to make
>>>>sure that seniors have access to prescription drugs and
>>>>reasonable healthcare.
>>>
>>>Obviously if left to the Dems you would wait for many more
>>>years.
>>>At least you are getting something.... BJ
>>>
>>
>>The Senate Democrats and Republicans had a good bill passed
>>then the House Republicans destroyed it. The reason we
>>haven't had a good bill in the past years is because of the
>>insurance industry lobbying expecially in the last 9 years of
>>Republican control.
>
>
> The Dems had control for 40+ years and nothing was done.. BJ
>
>

Ronnie Ruff · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 2

On Mon, 24 Nov 2003 18:37:23 +0000, nospam wrote:

> What do you expect from a bunch of liberals. They only want to get bills
> passed for minorities. The liberals hate white people and work only for
> the others.

Ah... It's self hate that has been bothering me...

It's scary to know you have pro created.

Ronnie Ruff · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 2

On Mon, 24 Nov 2003 19:27:40 +0000, nospam wrote:

> Perhaps you haven't noticed but one has ever been promised a free ride.
> All these liberals want is free access to everything that the rest of us
> have worked for and saved for. I have no intention of supporting anyone
> else who reufuses to plan for their future.

You mam are a liar. In this very group you say on Thanksgiving you will be
giving food to the needy. Why? They did not plan for their future.

nospam · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 4

I agree with you 100%. I remeber when there was no
Medicare/Medicaid/Medical programs=all welfare give aways.
They have caused the constant growth of prices for medicine in general.
I remember when we all had Blue Cross. We had all we needed and
excellent care.
We paid for our own pharmacy products and planned for whatever expenses
we would have in the future.
All my children have learned their lessons well and have planned for a
future to support themselves well when they retire.
You need to look out for yourself. It is not our duty to look out for
those who did not prepare.
Reminds me of Aesop Fables and the one who saves up and the other who
lived for the moment.
Mary Belle,
Bistoury's mother house sitting for two more days and setting it straight.

Herman Rubin wrote:

> In article , W. Baker wrote:
>
>>In alt.support.diabetes BJ in Texas wrote:
>>: Ray Bowler wrote:
>>: >>> For years, Democratic lawmakers have been working to make
>>: >>> sure that seniors have access to prescription drugs and
>>: >>> reasonable healthcare.
>
>
>>: >> Obviously if left to the Dems you would wait for many more
>>: >> years.
>>: >> At least you are getting something.... BJ
>
>
>>: > The Senate Democrats and Republicans had a good bill passed
>>: > then the House Republicans destroyed it. The reason we
>>: > haven't had a good bill in the past years is because of the
>>: > insurance industry lobbying expecially in the last 9 years of
>>: > Republican control.
>
>
>>: The Dems had control for 40+ years and nothing was done.. BJ
>
>
>>Well, they passed the original Medicare bill over the loud objections of
>>the Republicans, and, if I recall correctly, the American Medical
>>Association. At that time meds were not a big part of medical care,
>>so the were ot included.
>
>
> At least in retrospect, Medicare has been a calamity. It,
> and the major increase in prepaid health plans, mistakenly
> called "insurance", are large causes of rising medical costs.
> The claim that Medicare has low overhead is false; it is
> true that the government has low overhead, but the amount
> of paperwork and clerical work required is high. It is pure
> welfare as the amount received is not related to what has
> been contributed. And part of the cost is due to the fact
> that much of the work done is prepaid.
>
>
>
>

BJ in Texas · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 21

W. Baker wrote:
> In alt.support.diabetes BJ in Texas
> wrote:
>> Ray Bowler wrote:
>>>>> For years, Democratic lawmakers have been working to make
>>>>> sure that seniors have access to prescription drugs and
>>>>> reasonable healthcare.
>>>>
>>>> Obviously if left to the Dems you would wait for many more
>>>> years.
>>>> At least you are getting something.... BJ
>>>>
>>> The Senate Democrats and Republicans had a good bill passed
>>> then the House Republicans destroyed it. The reason we
>>> haven't had a good bill in the past years is because of the
>>> insurance industry lobbying expecially in the last 9 years
>>> of Republican control.
>
>> The Dems had control for 40+ years and nothing was done.. BJ
>
> Well, they passed the original Medicare bill over the loud
> objections of the Republicans, and, if I recall correctly,
> the American Medical Association. At that time meds were not
> a big part of medical care,
> so the were ot included.
>
> Wendy

The AMA was against Medicare when it was originally passed in 1965.
Individual physicians were pretty evenly split for and against with slightly
more for. In 1965 Medicare had its supporters and detractors on both
sides of the aisle in congress. There was more disagreement on implemtation
than on wheither it should be passed. One major argument was over wheither
or not it should contain a prescription drug benefit.

nospam · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 4

Perhaps you haven't noticed but one has ever been promised a free ride.
All these liberals want is free access to everything that the rest of us
have worked for and saved for. I have no intention of supporting anyone
else who reufuses to plan for their future.
I also hope the soon privatise Social Security so they can stop robbing
my husbands income and the indome of the nine children.
No one has been promised anything...do you get that picture.
Few years back no one had any of these entitlements and Medicine was
great. You can't plan you don't get a free ride.
Mary Belle,
Bistoury's mother house sitting for two more days and setting it straight.

Mack wrote:

> On Mon, 24 Nov 2003 18:36:15 GMT, nospam
> wrote:
>
>
>>This is a wonderful new bill that will give the elderly access to drugs
>>they can't get now. For less than one thousand a year they can have
>>coverage and a card to get discounts. Up to three thousand dollars they
>>will get a return of 75% after that they are on there on. There are
>>really no people who would use $3000 a year in drugs. If so they should
>>go to the charity hospitals and other free sources for their care and
>>medicantions and not become a drain on the economy of those who plan for
>>our futures.
>>Mary Belle
>
>
> thank you for showing how little you understand the issue.
>
> Mack
> Type 1 since 1975
> http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org
> http://www.insulin-pumpers.org
>
> In tribute to the United States of America and the State
> of Israel, two bastions of strength in a world filled with strife and
> terrorism.