Jack's Blog
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Posted by
District Staff
on
August 23, 2009
Ashleigh Kenny on Fox and Friends discussing a controversy which started when she presented Jack with a t-shirt that sparked fury among liberal bloggers. Rather than debate the merits of her argument, many chose to attack her personally.
Posted by
Jack
on
August 18, 2009
At 17 percent of our economy - $2.4 trillion - America's health care system is larger than the gross domestic product of 200 countries including the United Kingdom, Canada and Russia. Changing our delivery system is an enormous task. The debate did not start with President Obama. Twelve years ago, Republicans in Congress and President Clinton enacted sweeping reforms that created Medicare Advantage and a new children's health insurance program, SCHIP, was started. In 2004, President Bush created Medicare Part D to help seniors get life-saving medicine. In the last session of Congress, 2,000 bills were introduced to deal with health care. While we may disagree on the route, everyone wants to make health care more affordable and accessible. According to the Census Bureau, 45.7 million people are uninsured in America. Analyzing this number is key to finding a solution. Of those, 10.7 million are unaware that they are already enrolled in Medicaid or eligible for it or some other government insurance program. For these individuals, we do not have an insurance problem but a communications challenge which we can resolve without changing the law. Non-citizens account for 9.3 million. Even illegal aliens are, by law, not turned away at the emergency room. Perhaps we should find out who they work for and send them the bill. There are 10.1 million Americans who make $66,000 or more and can afford to purchase insurance but don't buy it. Along with them are 5 million childless adults, ages 19-34, who are passing in and out of the job market and have chosen to let their insurance lapse. Here we have a philosophical question: Should we deny them the freedom to choose? Do we want the federal government to take that power away from them? The remaining 10.6 million are "too rich" for Medicaid or too young for Medicare but because of pre-existing illness or other problems, they have fallen through the cracks. It is these individuals who should be our focus. While some believe a nationalized health care scheme is the only way to help these individuals, I believe targeted reforms would be more effective. For the 44-year-old unemployed breadwinner with three kids and a pre-existing illness, we should provide a voucher that would allow him to choose a private plan that works best for him. Rather than nationalized, each state should have a high-risk insurance pool that affords basic coverage to those in need. For the 26-year-old waitress, a tax deduction equal to those with employer-based coverage would help her find an affordable plan. The neighborhood barbershop with three employees should be able to combine forces with barbers across the nation through Association Health Plans to get the same purchasing power as IBM. Tto reduce costs and increase competition, citizens in states like New Jersey where a basic policy starts at $5,880 should be able to purchase across state lines to places like Kentucky where a basic policy is $780. We should expand Health Savings Accounts which encourage shopping around for the best coverage at the lowest price and pocketing the savings. As we've seen with plastic surgery and Lasik, injecting market forces eliminates the cat and mouse payment game of insurance companies, government and providers. Finally, if we can stop frivolous law suits, we can reduce the cost of preventive medicine. Now let me shift from legislating to meddling - it's time to shape up, America. If we stop our indulgences in too much eating, smoking and drinking, we can save billions without the federal government getting involved.
Posted by
Spokesblogger
on
August 17, 2009
In response to this article in Saturday's USA Today, Jack penned this letter: "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." Timid or arrogant Democrats who conveniently use the wrath of a few protestors to cancel town meetings should be reminded that these words came from one of their own: Harry Truman. As a veteran legislator, I've hosted countless town meetings including 11 recently on health care. I was expecting 50-60 people but was astounded that 300-500 showed up and some had to be turned away because of seating capacity and the local fire marshal. I'm a conservative Republican. Why are they worried about my vote? It's clear people don't want to take any chances on this one. Democrats should take note. Here's what I've found: First, numbers and passion matter. You don't reach a consensus in one town hall, visit back home or congressional hearing but, after a while, a pattern emerges. Second, just because you don't like the messenger or the message, you need to pay attention. I supported the Bush Iraq policy, was criticized for it and frequently visited by anti-war protestors including the Pink Ladies. Some were annoying, obnoxious and irrational in their arguments but they won the next two elections in '06 and '08. Apparently their view wasn't as fringe as they were! Third, access counts. This fall members will be back in the vacuum of the D.C. ivory tower. Surrounded by partisan arm twisters and high-pressure lobbyists, there will be limited contact with the man on the street. Does anyone find irony in that many of the proponents of increased access through ObamaCare are making themselves inaccessible? Members of Congress could actually learn a thing or two. At one time I'm sure Washington had lots of wisdom (like when Congress met in Philadelphia or when the area was inhabited by the Patawomeck and Piscatawy tribes) but in today's internet world of decentralized knowledge, broadening the circle of input isn't a bad idea. Democrat members can find lots of sympathy with the press and party types but their run from constituents will come back to haunt them in 2010. What's worse is that millions of Americans will be denied the opportunity to participate in the daunting task of reforming 17% of our economy.
Posted by
Spokesbloggette
on
August 17, 2009
It’s been six months since President Obama launched a $787 billion plan to right the nation's economy. A USA TODAY/Gallup Poll shows that the majority of Americans think his plan of new federal aid has cost too much and done too little to end the recession. • 57% of adults say the stimulus package is having no impact on the economy or making it worse • 60% doubt that the stimulus plan will help the economy in the years ahead • 18% say it has done anything to help improve their personal situation
Posted by
Press Staff
on
August 12, 2009
In case you haven't heard Ashleigh's story yet, she became the target of smear attacks by liberal blogs after posing in this picture with Jack. When the attacks started getting personal, we gave Ashleigh a chance to respond on this blog and it was picked up on RedState. Jack also weighed in with this note. Today, Ashleigh hit the airwaves and was featured on 105.9's The Morning Drive with Frank Barnas. The folks at 105.9 have posted the interview in two parts online. To view part one, click here. For part two, click here. Keep it up, Ashleigh!
Posted by
Press Staff
on
August 12, 2009
Earlier this week, the Vancouver Sun reported that the Canadian province's socialized medical authority is considering cutting 6,250 surgeries currently planned - that includes 10% of all medically necessary surgeries this year! Flashback to a recent letter to the editor by Tom Sawyer in Savannah who's seen first hand Canadians fleeing to America to seek medical care. If ObamaCare passes, where will Americans go? (full article under the cut) Thousands of surgeries may be cut in Metro Vancouver, leaked paper reveals By Darah Hansen Vancouver Sun August 10, 2009 VANCOUVER — Vancouver patients needing neurosurgery, treatment for vascular diseases and other medically necessary procedures can expect to wait longer for care, NDP health critic Adrian Dix said Monday. Dix said a Vancouver Coastal Health Authority document shows it is considering chopping more than 6,000 surgeries in an effort to make up for a dramatic budgetary shortfall that could reach $200 million. “This hasn’t been announced by the health authority … but these cuts are coming,” Dix said, citing figures gleaned from a leaked executive summary of “proposed VCH surgical reductions.” The health authority confirmed the document is genuine, but said it represents ideas only. “It is a planning document. It has not been approved or implemented,” said spokeswoman Anna Marie D’Angelo. Dr. Brian Brodie, president of the BC Medical Association, called the proposed surgical cuts “a nightmare.” “Why would you begin your cost-cutting measures on medically necessary surgery? I just can’t think of a worse place,” Brodie said. According to the leaked document, Vancouver Coastal — which oversees the budget for Vancouver General and St. Paul’s hospitals, among other health-care facilities — is looking to close nearly a quarter of its operating rooms starting in September and to cut 6,250 surgeries, including 24 per cent of cases scheduled from September to March and 10 per cent of all medically necessary elective procedures this fiscal year. The plan proposes cutbacks to neurosurgery, ophthalmology, vascular surgery, and 11 other specialized areas. As many of 112 full-time jobs — including 13 anesthesiologist positions — would be affected by the reductions, the document says. “Clearly this will impact the capacity of the health-care system to provide care, not just now but in the future,” Dix said. Further reductions in surgeries are scheduled during the Olympics, when the health authority plans to close approximately a third of its operating rooms. Two weeks ago, Dix released a Fraser Health Authority draft communications plan listing proposed clinical care cuts, including a 10-per-cent cut in elective surgeries and longer waits for MRI scans. The move comes after the province acknowledged all health authorities together will be forced to cut staff, limit some services and increase fees to find $360 million in savings during the current fiscal year. In all, Fraser Health is looking at a $160-million funding shortfall. D’Angelo said Vancouver Coastal’s deficit is closer to $90 million — almost a third of which ($23 million) has already been absorbed through reductions in non-clinical administration efficiencies. Vancouver Coastal performed 67,000 surgeries last year, an increase of 6,500 surgeries over 2007. “What has now happened is that now our wait times are about 25 per cent lower than the provincial average,” D’Angelo said. “We have put a dent in that wait list.” Brodie acknowledged surgical waiting times have dropped significantly in recent years, particularly for patients needing hip and joint replacements. He said the proposed cuts threaten those advancements. “It sounds like we are going backwards here,” he said. Total health spending in British Columbia was $15.7 billion this year, up about four per cent over last year’s total of 15.1 billion, according to figures provided by the ministry of health. Health Minister Kevin Falcon was unavailable for comment Monday on the proposed health-care cuts. A ministry spokesman said Falcon is away on his honeymoon until the end of August. Elsewhere in British Columbia, the province will look to replace the head of the Interior Health Authority, Murray Ramsden, after he announced he will step down at the end of the year. Ramsden has said his decision to retire is not related to financial problems faced by the authority.
Posted by
Press Staff
on
August 12, 2009
From MSNBC's First Read: CLAIM: "I have not said that I was a single-payer supporter because, frankly, we historically have had an employer-based system in this country with private insurers, and for us to transition to a system like that I believe would be too disruptive." FACT: Obama did advocate a single-payer system back in 2003... CLAIM: "If you like your health care plan, you can keep your health care plan." FACT: [T]here is nothing in any bill moving through Congress that would enforce that. (In fact, it's surprising the White House continues to push this line -- there is NO way the government can guarantee that a business won't change health care providers. They just can't.) CLAIM: "We have the AARP on board because they know this is a good deal for our seniors." FACT: But AARP put out a statement yesterday saying that it hasn't officially endorsed any of the bills moving through Congress...
Posted by
Press Staff
on
August 12, 2009
In case you missed it, Whole Foods CEO John Mackey penned this excellent opinion piece in today's Wall Street Journal. The Whole Foods Alternative to ObamaCare Eight things we can do to improve health care without adding to the deficit. BY JOHN MACKEY
"The problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money." —Margaret Thatcher With a projected $1.8 trillion deficit for 2009, several trillions more in deficits projected over the next decade, and with both Medicare and Social Security entitlement spending about to ratchet up several notches over the next 15 years as Baby Boomers become eligible for both, we are rapidly running out of other people's money. These deficits are simply not sustainable. They are either going to result in unprecedented new taxes and inflation, or they will bankrupt us. While we clearly need health-care reform, the last thing our country needs is a massive new health-care entitlement that will create hundreds of billions of dollars of new unfunded deficits and move us much closer to a government takeover of our health-care system. Instead, we should be trying to achieve reforms by moving in the opposite direction—toward less government control and more individual empowerment. Here are eight reforms that would greatly lower the cost of health care for everyone: •?Remove the legal obstacles that slow the creation of high-deductible health insurance plans and health savings accounts (HSAs). The combination of high-deductible health insurance and HSAs is one solution that could solve many of our health-care problems. For example, Whole Foods Market pays 100% of the premiums for all our team members who work 30 hours or more per week (about 89% of all team members) for our high-deductible health-insurance plan. We also provide up to $1,800 per year in additional health-care dollars through deposits into employees' Personal Wellness Accounts to spend as they choose on their own health and wellness. Money not spent in one year rolls over to the next and grows over time. Our team members therefore spend their own health-care dollars until the annual deductible is covered (about $2,500) and the insurance plan kicks in. This creates incentives to spend the first $2,500 more carefully. Our plan's costs are much lower than typical health insurance, while providing a very high degree of worker satisfaction. •?Equalize the tax laws so that employer-provided health insurance and individually owned health insurance have the same tax benefits. Now employer health insurance benefits are fully tax deductible, but individual health insurance is not. This is unfair. •?Repeal all state laws which prevent insurance companies from competing across state lines. We should all have the legal right to purchase health insurance from any insurance company in any state and we should be able use that insurance wherever we live. Health insurance should be portable. •?Repeal government mandates regarding what insurance companies must cover. These mandates have increased the cost of health insurance by billions of dollars. What is insured and what is not insured should be determined by individual customer preferences and not through special-interest lobbying. •?Enact tort reform to end the ruinous lawsuits that force doctors to pay insurance costs of hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. These costs are passed back to us through much higher prices for health care. •?Make costs transparent so that consumers understand what health-care treatments cost. How many people know the total cost of their last doctor's visit and how that total breaks down? What other goods or services do we buy without knowing how much they will cost us? •?Enact Medicare reform. We need to face up to the actuarial fact that Medicare is heading towards bankruptcy and enact reforms that create greater patient empowerment, choice and responsibility. •?Finally, revise tax forms to make it easier for individuals to make a voluntary, tax-deductible donation to help the millions of people who have no insurance and aren't covered by Medicare, Medicaid or the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Many promoters of health-care reform believe that people have an intrinsic ethical right to health care—to equal access to doctors, medicines and hospitals. While all of us empathize with those who are sick, how can we say that all people have more of an intrinsic right to health care than they have to food or shelter? Health care is a service that we all need, but just like food and shelter it is best provided through voluntary and mutually beneficial market exchanges. A careful reading of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution will not reveal any intrinsic right to health care, food or shelter. That's because there isn't any. This "right" has never existed in America Even in countries like Canada and the U.K., there is no intrinsic right to health care. Rather, citizens in these countries are told by government bureaucrats what health-care treatments they are eligible to receive and when they can receive them. All countries with socialized medicine ration health care by forcing their citizens to wait in lines to receive scarce treatments. Although Canada has a population smaller than California, 830,000 Canadians are currently waiting to be admitted to a hospital or to get treatment, according to a report last month in Investor's Business Daily. In England, the waiting list is 1.8 million. At Whole Foods we allow our team members to vote on what benefits they most want the company to fund. Our Canadian and British employees express their benefit preferences very clearly—they want supplemental health-care dollars that they can control and spend themselves without permission from their governments. Why would they want such additional health-care benefit dollars if they already have an "intrinsic right to health care"? The answer is clear—no such right truly exists in either Canada or the U.K.—or in any other country. Rather than increase government spending and control, we need to address the root causes of poor health. This begins with the realization that every American adult is responsible for his or her own health. Unfortunately many of our health-care problems are self-inflicted: two-thirds of Americans are now overweight and one-third are obese. Most of the diseases that kill us and account for about 70% of all health-care spending—heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes and obesity—are mostly preventable through proper diet, exercise, not smoking, minimal alcohol consumption and other healthy lifestyle choices. Recent scientific and medical evidence shows that a diet consisting of foods that are plant-based, nutrient dense and low-fat will help prevent and often reverse most degenerative diseases that kill us and are expensive to treat. We should be able to live largely disease-free lives until we are well into our 90s and even past 100 years of age. Health-care reform is very important. Whatever reforms are enacted it is essential that they be financially responsible, and that we have the freedom to choose doctors and the health-care services that best suit our own unique set of lifestyle choices. We are all responsible for our own lives and our own health. We should take that responsibility very seriously and use our freedom to make wise lifestyle choices that will protect our health. Doing so will enrich our lives and will help create a vibrant and sustainable American society. Mr. Mackey is co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market Inc. Permalink
Posted by
Spokesblogger
on
August 11, 2009
Just moments ago, responding to a questioner in Portsmouth, New Hampshire who expressed concern about the health care plan destroying the private insurance market, leading to only a government option, President Obama said, “I have not said that I was a single payer supporter." Not said that, like, today? In the last week? The President expressed quite a different point of view just a few years back when he said “I happen to be a proponent of a single payer universal health care plan.” The uncut video can be found here.
Posted by
Spokesblogger
on
August 11, 2009
Rasmussen Reports is out with a new survey today showing support for Obamacare has fallen to a new low. Despite claims that opposition at town hall meetings is "un-American" and manufactured by the right, the survey shows that a 62% of independents oppose the plan, with 51% of indepdendents strongly opposing the plan. Further, 51% of Americans believe the quality of health care will get worse under Obamacare and costs will go up.
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