Just take 10 minutes, and learn something you will never forget...

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Didn't know that we have a health choices commissioner? We don't, at least not yet.

http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.3200:

Here's the PDF from the Thomas.gov website downloaded 07/19/2009. I found in 2024 that the Thomas.gov website is gone. 😑

SEC. 141. HEALTH CHOICES ADMINISTRATION; HEALTH CHOICES COMMISSIONER.

(a) In General- There is hereby established, as an independent agency in the executive branch of the Government, a Health Choices Administration (in this division referred to as the `Administration').

(b) Commissioner-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Administration shall be headed by a Health Choices Commissioner (in this division referred to as the `Commissioner') who shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(2) COMPENSATION; ETC- The provisions of paragraphs (2), (5), and (7) of subsection (a) (relating to compensation, terms, general powers, rulemaking, and delegation) of section 702 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 902) shall apply to the Commissioner and the Administration in the same manner as such provisions apply to the Commissioner of Social Security and the Social Security Administration.

SEC. 142. DUTIES AND AUTHORITY OF COMMISSIONER.

(a) Duties- The Commissioner is responsible for carrying out the following functions under this division:

(1) QUALIFIED PLAN STANDARDS- The establishment of qualified health benefits plan standards under this title, including the enforcement of such standards in coordination with State insurance regulators and the Secretaries of Labor and the Treasury.

(2) HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGE- The establishment and operation of a Health Insurance Exchange under subtitle A of title II.

(3) INDIVIDUAL AFFORDABILITY CREDITS- The administration of individual affordability credits under subtitle C of title II, including determination of eligibility for such credits.

(4) ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS- Such additional functions as may be specified in this division.

(b) Promoting Accountability-

(1) IN GENERAL- The Commissioner shall undertake activities in accordance with this subtitle to promote accountability of QHBP offering entities in meeting Federal health insurance requirements, regardless of whether such accountability is with respect to qualified health benefits plans offered through the Health Insurance Exchange or outside of such Exchange.

(2) COMPLIANCE EXAMINATION AND AUDITS-

(A) IN GENERAL- The commissioner shall, in coordination with States, conduct audits of qualified health benefits plan compliance with Federal requirements. Such audits may include random compliance audits and targeted audits in response to complaints or other suspected non-compliance.

(B) RECOUPMENT OF COSTS IN CONNECTION WITH EXAMINATION AND AUDITS- The Commissioner is authorized to recoup from qualified health benefits plans reimbursement for the costs of such examinations and audit of such QHBP offering entities.

Under the proposed health care legislation, there will be a new government oversight agency called the "Health Choices Administration" headed by the "Health Choices Commissioner". The Health Choices Commissioner will determine what constitutes "affordable, quality health insurance coverage". The Health Choices Commissioner will set the standard for ALL levels of coverage public, and private.

The word Commissioner is referenced in the bill 203 times. Nearly every time the word Commissioner is used, there is a variable to be determined, or a definition to be defined by the Commissioner. The Commissioner has broad sweeping power to shape nearly the entire health care industry. This is crucial to understanding how this legislation works. There are only a few exclusions by which State Law can override the decisions of the Commissioner. Also the Commissioner, "shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate." The democrats have unchecked power with control of both the House and the Senate. There will be no way to stop the appointee for the position of Health Choices Commissioner. I guess we had better hope they pick someone who doesn't want to destroy the current system.

In the proposed health care bill, the government will require all private insurance providers to offer plans which meet a specific government standard, yet to be determined.

Think about this for a minute... There will be a "HEALTH CHOICES ADMINISTRATION"? Choices need to be administered? Sounds like a limitation on choice to me, or will the government simply say, "take what we give you, and shut up!"

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There are many things to consider when comparing a government agency to a private company. The example that Obama used in the 8/11/09 town hall meeting interesting to say the least. See for yourself...

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/08/obama-healthcare-transcript-new-hampshire.html

Now, I recognize, though, you make a legitimate -- you raise a legitimate concern. People say, well, how can a private company compete against the government? And my answer is that if the private insurance companies are providing a good bargain, and if the public option has to be self-sustaining -- meaning taxpayers aren't subsidizing it, but it has to run on charging premiums and providing good services and a good network of doctors, just like any other private insurer would do -- then I think private insurers should be able to compete. They do it all the time. (Applause.)

I mean, if you think about -- if you think about it, UPS and FedEx are doing just fine, right? No, they are. It's the Post Office that's always having problems. (Laughter.)

So right now you've got private insurers who are out there competing effectively, even though a lot of people get their care through Medicare or Medicaid or VA. So there's nothing inevitable about this somehow destroying the private marketplace, as long as -- and this is a legitimate point that you're raising -- that it's not set up where the government is basically being subsidized by the taxpayers, so that even if they're not providing a good deal, we keep on having to pony out more and more money. And I've already said that can't be the way the public option is set up. It has to be self-sustaining. Does that answer your question? OK, thank you. (Applause.) All right, right there. Go ahead.

If UPS, or FedEx is poorly managed there is the possibility that it might have to scale back, or perhaps even go out of business. The USPS is not in any way like the private sector, because decisions within the USPS are NOT based on market demand. The USPS has lost more than 7 billion dollars this year. The U.S. taxpayers are going to subsidize the U.S. Postal service again this year. Why should we believe that the health care option is going to be any different. Obama says at the town hall meeting, "UPS and FedEx are doing just fine, right? No, they are. It's the Post Office that's always having problems." Obama at that point is trying to soften the effect that the government health care option will have on the private market. At the same time he is inadvertently pointing out the government's inability to operate the postal service.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124948194775607851.html

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Postal Service Wednesday posted a net loss of $2.4 billion for its third quarter and said it expects to lose more than $7 billion by the end of the fiscal year.

The rising tide of red ink could leave the Postal Service with a potential cash shortfall of as much as $700 million by its fiscal-year end on Sept. 30, when it must pay as much as $5.8 billion to prefund retiree health benefits. Postal Service officials hope Congress will pass legislation that would provide temporary relief, including an increased ability to borrow from the U.S. Treasury Department and changes in retiree-health-benefit payments before the bill comes due.

I wonder how long it will be before the government health care option would be the subject of stories like these. The postal service does not price its services based on market demand, so it can not accurately adjust and accommodate for changes in the economy. And because the USPS is a government entity, it can't fail, Congress will prop it up, so it can do it all again the same way. Remember the CARS program and "Cash For Clunkers", estimated to cost only 1 billion, then it requires another 2 billion.

This is one interesting fact. The USPS has been involved in anti-trust law suits. Companies have attempted to file suit against the USPS for unfair trading practices.

When the government health insurance option competes with private companies it will do so on a level playing field right?

Supporting the status of the USPS as a government corporation, in 2004 the U.S. Supreme Court held that the U.S. Postal Service cannot be sued under antitrust laws, because US anti-trust law (the Sherman Antitrust Act, for example), does not allow the federal government - of which the USPS is part - to be sued.

Obviously this will be true of the public health care option.

In the proposed health care bill, the government will require all private insurance providers to offer plans which meet a specific government standard, yet to be determined. Remember the USPS, UPS, and FedEx? The U.S. Postal Service does not directly regulate its competitors. Not a good comparison if you ask me.

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2003...

2008...

2009...

The answer is NONE OF THE ABOVE!

There is one thing in common about all of these videos. Obama does not speak and create law. People have forgotten that Obama has gone back on most of what he has promised. The important thing to remember is that Obama didn't write the bill that is in congress right now.

Obama can say whatever he wants; THE TEXT OF THE BILL IS WHAT MATTERS. The bill advocates the transition to a completely government run single payer system.

Here is link to the bill: http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.3200:

To see the PDF version, with page numbers, just click, "GPO's PDF Display" on the Thomas.gov website. Just follow the link above.

Tell me what you think...

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http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124969539333116231.html

Democrats have accused Republicans of manufacturing the opposition by organizing groups to attend the events and encouraging disruptive behavior. Republican organizers say the unrest reflects genuine anger about the proposed health-care changes.

"Democrats may think that attacking or ignoring this growing chorus of Americans is a smart strategy, but they are obviously forgetting that these concerned citizens are voters as well," said Paul Lindsay, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, the House GOP's campaign arm.

Rick Scott, who leads Conservatives for Patients' Rights, a group that has helped publicize the local meetings, said: "The polls reveal the real picture of what is happening across the country -- people are genuinely concerned, some are genuinely angry, and they are expressing themselves."

The truth is that democrats never had control of the health care debate to begin with. They only had a glimmer of control, so long as the general public remained uninformed.

Take a look at how the supporters of Health Care Reform are acting against those in opposition to the bill. When SEIU members show up at town hall meetings and ruff people up, you know that something is wrong.

Just take a look at the splash screen from the SEIU website...

http://www.seiu.org/splash/

Of course this group has nothing to do with the democrat party, they just borrow their slogans...

http://www.seiu.org/2009/08/change-that-works-spreads-the-message-for-urgent-healthcare-reform.php

SEIU members and activists continue to stand tall to ensure healthcare reform happens this year. As members of the U.S. House and Senate turn their sights from committee hearings and floor votes to barbecues and luncheons back home, SEIU's Change That Works team is planning hundreds of events to ensure elected leaders don't forget the promises they made on the campaign trail. From Iowa to Indianapolis, from an ambulance tour across Montana, to bake sales in North Dakota--our elected leaders will hear from working families that need affordable, quality healthcare this year and the Employee Free Choice Act.

What is the obsession with health care reform "this year". I think that the left has realized that their time is limited. If they don't get something passed this year it might not get passed at all.

Anyone should question legislation that "must" be passed this year. If it were actually good for the American people wouldn't it be easy to pass at any time? The tactics used to push this awful bill are starting to unravel.

You will notice that in the coming days supports of the Health Care Bill are going to refer to the measure as "Health Insurance Reform". Polls have shown that most Americans are happy with their Health Care, so they are going to try and change the name of the plan! Now supporters of the bill are going to attack health insurance companies.

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