Update II: GOP senators plan move to stop health care reform in Georgia
A group of Republican state senators on Thursday said they want to amend the state’s Constitution in an attempt to stop Democrats in Washington from enforcing health care reform here.
Sens. Judson Hill (R-Marietta) and Chip Rogers (R-Marietta) were joined by about half a dozen colleagues to unveil their plans. The resolution would be introduced when lawmakers return in January.
The proposed amendment would, Hill and Rogers said, would allow Georgia to invoke the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. That amendment says that any power not explicitly granted the federal government in the Constitution is preserved for the states.
Hill and Rogers argue that the health care reform bill being debated in Congress would violate the 10th Amendment and that their state amendment would protect Georgia from having to participate in any federal reform.
“The 10th Amendment protects us from such federal mandates,” Hill said. “United we stand to protect Georgians, united we stand to protect these freedoms for Georgians.”
But when asked if the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress the right to regulate and enforce matters related to interstate commerce, would interfere with their plan, Hill could not say.
“The 10th amendment allows any state to preserve their own rights,” Hill said. “We’re saying this is one right that is preserved for all Georgians and is not delegated out to the United States government.”
Asked if Medicare, which is government-run health care for seniors, would also then be unconstitutional, Hill said, “That’s a good question. I don’t know yet. We’ll fight that battle when it comes before us.”
He and Rogers said the Obama administration and Democrats in Congress want to force Americans into government-run health care and that that would be bad.
“Don’t come to Georgia and put this on us,” Rogers said. “We don’t need more government mandates. In the United States of America, and particularly in Georgia, you ought to have the freedom to purchase health care if you like.”
But when pressed about details of the Democrats’ plans, Rogers and Hill were less certain. According to Obama himself, the government option for health care would be that – an option. Consumers could keep their private insurance if they wish.
But Rogers isn’t convinced. He said to ask “our friends in Canada” if they like government-run health care.
Hill said that the Democrats’ plans would indeed allow consumers to keep their private insurance – but only until the end of the year, and then all private plans would be cancelled and consumers would be forced into the government-run plan.
Hill said that was in one of the draft versions of the plan being considered in Congress.
But Obama said his plan includes a number of consumer protections, one of which requires private insurance companies to renew any policy as long as the policyholder pays the premiums in full.
Update 4:10 p.m.: Later Thursday, meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), who returns to Washington next week to continue the debate, met with about 200 Georgians for whom Medicare is not just an abstract.
In front of nearly 200 seniors at the Park Springs assisted living center, Isakson said while he opposes Obama’s plan, he completely supports Medicare.
“I want to preserve Medicare and see that it’s as good as it can be,” Isakson said.
Update 9:28 p.m.: This statement just came in from Sen. Judson Hill (R-Marietta):
“This constitutional amendment enables Georgians, who qualify, to continue to have the freedom to participate in government health care plans such as Medicaid, Medicare and Peachcare. We are not challenging the constitutionality of any existing government subsidized health care. This clarifies any comment which might imply otherwise.
“I have also offered legislation which would provide a financial scholarship for low income children on Medicaid and Peachcare so they can have private health insurance to give them better access to doctors.”
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214 comments Add your comment
B-fan
September 3rd, 2009
1:28 pm
Good to know that the GA GOP is bought by private insurance companies.
cmsfk
September 3rd, 2009
1:28 pm
Idiots.
Mike
September 3rd, 2009
1:28 pm
Party of no strikes again … this time close to home. Ridiculous.
William P.
September 3rd, 2009
1:39 pm
These two fellas want to take away my Medicare??? “We’ll fight that battle when it comes before us?” I get the soapbox theatrics of rallying against the other political party, but as someone who considers himself an independent, the knee-jerk and obviously uninformed nature of these two scare me. It sounds like they want Georgia to secede from the Union. Is this the face of the GOP in Georgia, because if so, it will make Democrats out of moderates.
Stephaine
September 3rd, 2009
1:40 pm
I truly hope that Judson Hill is not the idiot that this article makes him out to be.
KnowledgeDog
September 3rd, 2009
1:44 pm
If you read the constitution state governments tend to have the greatest influence over most Americans’ daily lives. The Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees their general plenary powers, versus the limited enumerated powers possessed by the federal government; as a result, they handle the majority of issues most relevant for most individuals within their jurisdiction.
The U.S. Constitution establishes a government based on “federalism,” or the sharing of power between the national, and state (and local) governments. Our power-sharing form of government is the opposite of “centralized” governments, such as those in England and France, under which national government maintains total power.
Barack Obama and the democrats need a lesson in the Consitution. They are overreaching their bounds and this is not what the founders of this nation envision for this country.
John Anderson
September 3rd, 2009
1:44 pm
This is another example of grandstanding by the Georgia GOP. Sometime in the not to distant future the grandstanding comes to an end and real decisions by really concerned and informed individuals will be called for. These individuals obviously do not qualify in any way for a role in reasoned compassionate decision making. Perhaps the voters in their districts need to supply them with a Websters so they can look up the word option.
ZJ
September 3rd, 2009
1:46 pm
These idiots can’t even qualify their own fear-mongering, uh, plans, with the laws of the land (Medicare, etc.) that are already on the books. Another black eye for Georgia (“That’s a good question. I don’t know yet. We’ll fight that battle when it comes before us.”) HUH???
Reader
September 3rd, 2009
1:49 pm
It’s always great to know that the state G.O.P. has the best interest of Georgians on their mind. United you stand to protect Georgians, United you stand to protect their freedom. So why won’t you allow us to have the freedom of choice. It’s my decision, it’s OUR decision whether or not we want to use another source of health care insurance. If you force Georgians to go with private insurers, that’s Communism. It’s really easy to say “we don’t feel we need health care reform,” when you and your colleagues already have good insurance. Think about that.
atlpaddy
September 3rd, 2009
1:50 pm
‘But Rogers isn’t convinced. He said to ask “our friends in Canada” if they like government-run health care.’
I don’t see many Canucks banging down the emergency doors here in GA to satisfy their healthcare demands. I’d say they’re pretty happy with what they’ve got. Also, Rogers couldn’t comment on the Commerce Clause in the Constitution because he hasn’t heard a Fox News anchor read it to him yet on the TV. Rogers and his sidekick Hill sound like a couple of morons.
janie Hopwood
September 3rd, 2009
1:51 pm
Then we are going to throw out medicare, medicaid, Peachcare, social security, fdic, ect. all federal programs not specified in the Constitution. Did these guys get elected? By whom? Where can I get all the names of people backing this. I need to make VERY sure I never vote for them and look with caution on anything they suggest.
Lucas
September 3rd, 2009
1:53 pm
It’s already in the 10th amendment of the US constitution, as the Senator says. So why would they lobby to amend the Georgia constitution? What a waste of time.
Dumb@ss Republican
September 3rd, 2009
1:56 pm
“All I know is what da tenf Amendment says. That’s my talking point and I’m stickin’ to it. Don’t be askin’ me ’bout no dag gum commerce clause. Obama and da Democrats want to kill my grandma!! They want da national guvment to take over healf care and tell us what ta do! That’s un-American!!!”
Dey took ur jobs!!! Rabble Rabble Rabble Rabble Rabble Rabble Rabble Rabble Rabble Rabble Rabble Rabble!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chris
September 3rd, 2009
1:57 pm
After reading this story about these two UNIFORMED IDIOTS, Hill and Rogers, I have to get out of this backwards state!
jcatl
September 3rd, 2009
1:59 pm
It’s amazing how the GOP can convince the undereducated middle and lower classes of the South to vote against their own best interests. All they have to do is mention Jesus every now and then, and the fools just drool and nod.
Tim
September 3rd, 2009
2:00 pm
In case Chip Rogers is listening (and I doubt he listens to anyone, anywhere, who’s not holding a campaign contribution in their hands), I have asked friends in Canada if they like their health care. Every time, without exception, they love it. USA Today just published an article about American seniors who move to Mexico for healthcare (it costs $250 yearly). Their system may not be a Cadillac package, but it includes everything, including meds, at no added cost. And if anyone on Medicare doesn’t want the public option because the public option is ’socialized medicine’, then they need to have the integrity to immediately stop using their Medicare and go to private insurance firms and see what kind of crappy coverage they can buy (if any) and how much it costs. A friend of mine (51 years old) pays $500+ per month of his health insurance. After a trip to the hospital emergency room three months ago, he just received a letter from United Healthcare informing him that his premium goes up to $1340 per month in October. Who can afford that? John Oxendine is no help. He’s pathetic. All he does now is hang out with the teabaggers sucking up their support and insurance industry campaign contributions. Friends, we are screwed. If you get sick here, you go bankrupt or die. If you don’t think there’s a healthcare crisis because you have decent employer sponsored insurance, just wait until you get downsized. Then when you see COBRA payments of $764 per month hit you in the face while unemployed, you’ll realize there’s a crisis. Healthcare or food? Healthcare or shelter? Meanwhile, insurance companies’ profits soar. Just wait until it happens to you……
Shamwow Man
September 3rd, 2009
2:02 pm
More grandstanding by two more idiots. I am a republican and I have n problem with a public option as long as it remains an option. The people who are trying to tell us we don’t need reform are already rich. Hell they can probably pay for any medical bills out of their pockets cash. I think that the best interest of the little man is to have a choice. So i guess the state of georgia will pick up the tab for medicare, food stamps, SSI, interstate repairs etc. These guys are idiots are are just trying to appeal to their confederate constituents!!
Dawg 92
September 3rd, 2009
2:03 pm
Why is this so hard to understand? The proposed health plan is a CHOICE. Anyone with half a brain who has looked at the proposal knows it’s simply offering a choice, especially for those with pre-existing may not be able to receive coverage from a private insurer. See, not everyone can get insurance through an employer. These people are not bums, they can be contractors, self-employed, etc. Consumers benefit when there’s a choice. So, considering how simple it is to understand the word CHOICE, Hill and Rodgers are either ignorant or dishonest.
Richard
September 3rd, 2009
2:05 pm
When did I wake up in the twilight zone!?!?!?!
jcatl
September 3rd, 2009
2:05 pm
Well said, Tim.
arnold
September 3rd, 2009
2:14 pm
We went into a twilight zone with the “Contract with America”. It was their way or no way. I remember when there was cooperation between the political parties. Once the Republicans said they would take their ball and go home if no one played their way, it was all over.
Zac L
September 3rd, 2009
2:16 pm
Yes, its easy to say “We don’t need reform!” when you actually ARE getting the best health coverage in the world, courtesy of MY tax dollars. Only now, citizens are getting sick of subsidizing these guys, and we want in too! What makes the government plan good enough for them but not for us?
I demand equal treatment and equal choice under the law, the same as my representatives have. Nothing more, nothing less.
Rival
September 3rd, 2009
2:17 pm
I’m sure these guys will stop this once they understand that using the 10th Amendment would also prohibited the enforcement of a federal gay marriage ban, should it ever need to be resurrected by a future GOP president (assuming the state ban ever goes away).
Billy
September 3rd, 2009
2:20 pm
What a bunch of idiots run this state. Complete idiots. They passed a constitutional amendment to protect them from gays. What we really needed was an amendment to protect us from Republicans.
Jeff
September 3rd, 2009
2:20 pm
Bunch of goobers!
jrhd
September 3rd, 2009
2:20 pm
The worst part about the proposed plan in Congress is, NO ONE KNOWS WHAT IT WILL BE! Congress doesn’t even know what the plan will look like. How can I support something that you haven’t drafted yet? The proposals that have been floated up to this point have all sucked, pure and simple. How about we try overhauling the healthcare and insurance industries instead of forcing the public into a healthcare option that smacks of socialized medicine. I DO NOT WANT A SINGLE PAYER SYSTEM. I want as little gov’t control of all things having to do with my life, insurance, gun-control, taxes, carbon, light-bulbs, you name it.
Chris Salzmann
September 3rd, 2009
2:22 pm
“”"Hill said that the Democrats’ plans would indeed allow consumers to keep their private insurance – but only until the end of the year, and then all private plans would be cancelled and consumers would be forced into the government-run plan.”"”
If STUPIDITY and LIES were a crime, these guys would be up for consecutive life sentences.
Chris Salzmann
September 3rd, 2009
2:25 pm
jrhd September 3rd, 2009 2:20 pm SAID: The worst part about the proposed plan in Congress is, NO ONE KNOWS WHAT IT WILL BE! Congress doesn’t even know what the plan will look like. How can I support something that you haven’t drafted yet? The proposals that have been floated up to this point have all sucked, pure and simple. How about we try overhauling the healthcare and insurance industries instead of forcing the public into a healthcare option that smacks of socialized medicine. I DO NOT WANT A SINGLE PAYER SYSTEM. I want as little gov’t control of all things having to do with my life, insurance, gun-control, taxes, carbon, light-bulbs, you name it.
CHRIS SAYS: So which planet do you live on? The plan is available on line. These scare tactics are so tailor made for idiots like you.
http://waysandmeans.house.gov/media/pdf/111/AAHCA09001xml.pdf
Facts and Myths about the Health Insurance Reform Plan:
http://www.factcheck.com
http://www.politifact.com
Do yourself a favor and read or let the idiots spoon feed it to you. You can read, right?
Chris Salzmann
September 3rd, 2009
2:26 pm
The website is http://www.factcheck.org NOT factcheck.com
Lucas
September 3rd, 2009
2:27 pm
Well, jrhd, how can you oppose something that hasn’t been drafted yet? It so happens that I think Medicare rocks and gun control sucks. But I do want a single-payer system. That’s why we vote on stuff. It’s a pretty nice system we’ve got here – don’t get your panties in a knot.
Art at Large
September 3rd, 2009
2:28 pm
No one who reads this article should need further proof that the GOP doesn’t give a fu*k about the average person. They are willing to lie, obfuscate, deceive and mislead people into supporting bills that will only harm the very people voting for them, while making the rich, richer.
How heartless would one have to be to come up with this idea, and then try to sell it to the public, who has the most to lose if it should pass? How corrupt must they be, to offer the same blatant lies about the “gov’t option”?
How ignorant must they be to point to Canada’s healthcare system and act as if it were anywhere near as costly, ineffective, and profit-driven as ours?
And now, they are willing to consider Medicare as unconstitutional?
Case made…the GOP don’t care about anyone but themselves and their corporate sponsors, and money. They are willing to allow the people of Ga. go bankrupt, forgo treatment, suffer, and die because all the GOP cares about is opposing President Obama at any cost, which will be paid by people like you and me.
GOP senators plan move to stop health care reform in Georgia … | Georgia Today
September 3rd, 2009
2:40 pm
[...] See the original post: GOP senators plan move to stop health care reform in Georgia … [...]
ms
September 3rd, 2009
2:42 pm
Here again it’s the typical Dumbocrat mantra to attack the messenger but never address the issue. And to the idiot above that thinks that we live by mob rule will never get it. Here’s a simple thing to consider. We live under a “Constitutional Republic” not a Democracy.
T-Bone
September 3rd, 2009
2:42 pm
I love all these Republicans like KnowledgeDog who come of out of the woodwork after the Bush Administration and act like they actually give a crap about the Constitution and the expansion of the Federal Government.
denmark & medicare
September 3rd, 2009
2:45 pm
i lived in denmark and had excellent state-provided healthcare, my mother has had excellent coverage with medicare, and she pays for a supplemental semi-private package
my last trip to canada – i didn’t see anyone sick and dying in the streets. So why all the fear-mongering? because the insurance companies have bought off all of our politicians
Miller
September 3rd, 2009
2:48 pm
Just another couple of unconstitutional Georgia idiots! They must have gone to Georgia schools to be so smart.
middler and so tired of all the rhetoric :
September 3rd, 2009
2:48 pm
Do any of these legislators so vehemently anti healthcare reform actually know what the plans proposed contain? Can they quote a real statement from the real bills that really do away, in any way, shape, or form, with private insurance? Many legislators are wealthier than the rest of us and will never have to think about healthcare, especially those who get a retirement funded by us. But all private plans are subject to being done away with by the companies who currently offer them. None of us with private insurance are guaranteed that we will always have the insurance or that it will not be priced so high we can’t afford it or that it will cover our needs. We are already paying for uninsured consumers of healthcare; why wouldn’t it be a good idea for some organization to cover them and perhaps lessen the impact to us or offer us an alternative if we want one? Political parties are supposed to work for us, not scare us or lie to us just to defeat initiatives from the other party. We are told to keep government out, except of course for medicare, and wait. The Republicans have had several years to provide us fixed healthcare. Why not work all together to actually produce something? Of course no program will be perfect. But something is better to start than nothing, and we can always fix what is wrong. Why just say no to say no? Don’t these two particular legislators have any constituents who don’t have healthcare or can’t afford what is currently available to them? I haven’t heard anyone on the side working for healthcare reform suggesting that the govenment, state or federal, take over healthcare. I haven’t heard opponents cite specifics from any bills demonstrating it. So why not get off your tushes and do something constructive instead of just being obstructionist? We deserve better from you!
James
September 3rd, 2009
2:58 pm
How long will it take people to wake up and see that MOST Republicans are hate preaching, fear mongering, bullying cry babies. They will say and do anything to the “American” way of life as long as that “American” way is the Republican way. I remember not too long ago when people were protesting the war and they were being called un- American. And now these idiots that are spreading lies, rumors, and hate are just exercising their 1st amendment rights Give me a f**cking break. To compare wanting to reform health care (so that the millions who don’t have it can get it) to Hitler, death squads, and all the other garbage and lies, is asinine. It sickens me to see how far some people will go to force you to live their way of life. The really sad part is that most of the people that follow theses idiots are the ones who will suffer most.
jrhd
September 3rd, 2009
3:04 pm
Chris Salzmann, are you typically rude and condescending to everyone or just people on the Internet? The last time I checked this was still the USA and I was entitled to my own opinion. If my opinion does not jive with yours you don’t have to stoop to belittling comments such as, “…you can read can’t you?” As a matter of fact I am quite capable of reading and forming opinions. My opinion of you is you are a democrat hack who is not capable of carrying on an intelligent conversation with someone who holds an opposing viewpoint without resorting to schoolyard tactics of, “nanny-nanny boo-boo”. Grow up and come back when you can have an adult discourse on the topic at hand.
There have been several different versions of the Universal Healthcare proposal floated. President Obama has publicly stated the idea of a single-payer option is still viable, but it is not his number one priority. That tells me the entire bill is malleable enough that the politicians who are responsible for this piece of garbage have not decided whose money that want more, the insurance companies, the healthcare companies, the AARP, the AMA, the unions, the lawyers or the drug companies. All of this is hyperbole from both sides. I want more affordable healthcare, but I do not think the government taking control of healthcare is the answer. That is simply my opinion.
Sowega
September 3rd, 2009
3:06 pm
Jeff, don’t besmirch the good name of the Goober by tacking it to these clowns. Goobers (from the Bantu (?) nguba) actually make money for this state.
On a serious note, doesn’t their idea clash with Article I, Section 8?
ray
September 3rd, 2009
3:21 pm
I want my freedom, not health care!! Why is the government trying to interfere with the right of people in the private insurance industry to make money? Because they hate America.
Freedom, not health care!!
eddiedawg
September 3rd, 2009
3:22 pm
Typical AJC left-wing bias. Please note the headline “GOP senators plan to stop health care reform in Georgia”. These senators want to stop a particular BILL in congress-not all reforms. Never once were they asked what reforms they would like to see. So if you are against this bill in congress, you do not want any reforms, you hate the president because he is black, and you want the uninsured to die. Nice bias, AJC.
BTW I am a Liberterian so dispense with all of the “right-wing GOP” attacks on me.
Cutty
September 3rd, 2009
3:22 pm
So the FAA can pack up and leave Hartsfield? Good luck with that.
On health care reform and the constitutionality of Medicare | Political Insider
September 3rd, 2009
3:25 pm
[...] Writes my AJC colleague Aaron Sheinin, who was there: “The 10th amendment allows any state to preserve their own rights,” Hill said. “We’re saying this is one right that is preserved for all Georgians and is not delegated out to the United States government.” [...]
Bobby
September 3rd, 2009
3:26 pm
Is there anything in the more Un-American and ignorant than the Georgia GOP?
Sour Grapes
September 3rd, 2009
3:26 pm
Amen. Let Pelosi and Barry say whatever they want, we aren’t doing it.
Jim T
September 3rd, 2009
3:28 pm
And let’s block social security while we’re at it…..we can all just live off the land in good ole’ Georgia planting peanuts and picking cotton….damn idiots! Who in their right minds elects these people.
DW
September 3rd, 2009
3:29 pm
I applaud the state GOP’s efforts, but they don’t have a well-defined game plan. Come back when you have better answers to handling Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.
C Timmons
September 3rd, 2009
3:30 pm
Why is there a mormon.org advertisement/weblink on my AJC blog page?
This is a strange time we live in–media/advertising/information/misinformation–all muddled about.
Who can make sense of it?
Bushwacker
September 3rd, 2009
3:31 pm
Thank GOD some body out there is looking out for the people in this state, I’ve sent numerous emails to Isaakson and Chambliss and they will not respond.
If the DEM’s in Washington pass this bill it will be at ther own peril, because next election you will see the biggest turn out in the history of this country as both democrat and republican voters will VOTE OUT OF OFFICE ANYONE SENATOR who votes for this bill!!!
And that would cause the democrats to lose their majority in Congress, that’s why it will never pass because NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN POWER to the democrats, NOT EVEN HEALTHCARE REFORM!!!
Otto
September 3rd, 2009
3:32 pm
Wow the attitude of the people for the reform, hate mongering assuming everyone is a blind idiot for following the GOP. I am glad tolive in a State with 2 GOP senators.
I am not a fan of the GOP but even less of a fan the Dem. agenda being shoveled down our throat.
HKP
September 3rd, 2009
3:35 pm
Typical Georgia morons – they probably will introduce a bill to secede next. Idiots.
HKP
September 3rd, 2009
3:39 pm
What an embarrassment this state has become.
Doesn't Make Any Sense
September 3rd, 2009
3:40 pm
This is pathetic. Whether citizens that are against a reformed healthcare know it or not, everytime a sick or injured UNINSURED citizen has to go to the ER e.g. GRADY HOSPITAL we ALL have to pay for it. I would rather pay for the sick and injured than to pay 10 Billion a month for a war that we shouldn’t be involved in. I have private insurance & still can’t afford to go for a medically necessary test because my co-pay is so expensive. So all of you people that are against healthcare reform, do the math before you speak out against something that should have been fixed DECADES ago. Let’s see how you feel when you or your family member is denied medical attention because of no healthcare due to loss of employment or extremely high co-pays. Better yet, why does Congress get free healthcare at the taxpayers expense when most of them are extremely wealthy & can afford to pay themselves. That’s what the taxpayers who are against reform should be complaining about. Healthcare does need to be reformed badly & Presiden Obama has the guts to try to do something about it, but these Representatives that are getting money from the Private Insurance Companies want to stop for their own interest and not the interest of the American people.
Realist
September 3rd, 2009
3:41 pm
Another skewed liberal AJC headline. It isn’t “REFORM” is it a government takeover, and it is a program that would lead us on a train to socialism. It will lead to rationing of care, and will make private companies go out of business. How can you compete with someone who can print their own money. OBAMA, Pelosi, and Frank have been caught on video saying it will lead to single payor.
What next GOP
September 3rd, 2009
3:42 pm
Gov. Sanford from South carolina wanted to refuse stimulus funds. Then he was caught in a love affair in Argentina. I wonder what these two senators will be caught in?
The GOP wants to rid us of healthcare. Hope they are prepared to foot the bill. You have got to remember that the Republicans lost the election in Washington. You will have another chance in 4 more years.
aqualynx
September 3rd, 2009
3:43 pm
Heres hoping our fine GOP senators get a nice case of cancer and suffer a slow degrading painful death. It serves them right.
aqualynx
September 3rd, 2009
3:45 pm
O and have their treatments rejected because of “preexisting” conditions ^^
Marq James
September 3rd, 2009
3:46 pm
Not a well thought out plan.
Not at all Surprised
September 3rd, 2009
3:48 pm
Thank God someone left in Congress still has a brain!! You liberals want everything handed to you on a gold plate! Why don’t you get off you ass, and go find a job like the rest of us! You try and view the world through your rose colored glasses, and the first terrorist will slit your throat, steal your money, and go have a meal without thinking twice about it. No, wait a moment, that’s what you “brotha’s” alreay do to each other!
Bob Reynolds
September 3rd, 2009
3:50 pm
RJR says, Just like the Washington DC republicans, they don’t give a damn about anyone but themselves, or for that matter, any republican
jrhd
September 3rd, 2009
3:52 pm
aqualynx – I have a family member currently battling cancer. Wishing that on anyone puts you, in my estimation, on par with a pile of steaming camel dung. I hope you nor any of your loved ones ever has to suffer through cancer. There is nothing remotely funny or laughable about it.
Tom
September 3rd, 2009
3:53 pm
Keep your Republican hands off my Medicare!!
Budding Socialist
September 3rd, 2009
3:54 pm
These are our representatives? They must be from somewhere else, because I WANT reform, and I’m not in that lot that wants to bury their head in the sand and pretend that the free market insurance companies are going to take care of us. They’ve had 40 years to do that and all we have to show for it is escalating costs and an ever increasing list of uninsured.
Sparethehiprocrisy
September 3rd, 2009
3:55 pm
State government is pushing its insurance off on the employees. What’s the difference? We were once offered several optional private health insurances. Now it’s down to two and the state insurance. I’m sure this open enrollment, it will be down to just the state insurance. What’s the difference?
SJ
September 3rd, 2009
3:55 pm
The GA GOP are Idiots once again. I am so sick of the lie that we have the best health care in the world. Just because we spend more money on health care than any other country does not make it the best.
Anita
September 3rd, 2009
3:56 pm
It is amazing how these individuals have convinced others that what OBama and his administration is doing is not in our best interest. People please wake up and understand that what these senators are doing is protecting the best interest of their friends that run the insurance and pharmaceutical companies. They care nothing about the poor people or the individuals who have lost their jobs because of medical bills they have accumulated. People please don’t look at an individual’s skin color but look at the whole picture.
Outsider
September 3rd, 2009
3:56 pm
These guys are just riding the chaos and confusion train to reelection!!
Jon but not Jon Voight
September 3rd, 2009
3:57 pm
Until you publicly state you want to end Social Security and Medicare – shut up. Quit pandering for votes.
Kyle
September 3rd, 2009
3:57 pm
Heres hoping if your communist(D) in the House and Senate push your Government Health Care through that you get cancer and lets see if this plan is as quick and free as you think it’s going to be. I would say you better go ahead and start picking out that hole in the ground for yourself. Just make sure you pay your taxes on it before you go. That President of yours would want it that way.
Give me a break
September 3rd, 2009
3:58 pm
Exert 10th amendment rights? That was the argument John C. Calhoun used in 1832 during the nullification crisis. It failed. That was the argument southern states used to form the Confederacy. It failed. Wallace and Thurmond wanted to use the 10th amendment to block Civil Rights, and once again they failed. The Georgia Republican Senators are mistakening their own fringe right Wallacesque view of the 10th amendment for the truth, when in fact nullification, state sovereignty, the superiority of federal law has been settled over and over again in American history. All they are doing is embarrassing Georgia.
BTW, Senators how would you like it if the Federal Government moved all of the military installations out of Georgia? How would you like it the Federal Government cut off all funding to Georgia?
Those could be some of the downsides to your little white trash revolution.
BTW, Georgia has 79 counties with a lower per capita income than Mississippi, so it’s not we’re in any position to talk about nullifying federal law or leaving the union and coming out better on the other end.
achmed
September 3rd, 2009
3:59 pm
I WANT EVERYTHING FOR FREE AND I WANT IT NOW!
Seeking Competence in GA
September 3rd, 2009
4:00 pm
Awesome. Isn’t it great to live in a State that is in the top 48 in education, has no transportation woes, not to mention a surplus of funds and no budget issues, that our esteemed Senators can focus and spew rhetoric on national issues that they have no purview over. Perhaps when they solve healhcare, Hill and Rogers can tackle North Korea and how to confront the Taliban.
Frank M. Davis, Jr.
September 3rd, 2009
4:00 pm
If you see two new yachts on Lake Lanier next summer, think of the insurance bucks that bought them. For Mr. Hill and Mr. Rogers.
BBC
September 3rd, 2009
4:01 pm
This is a political stunt. Go ahead and pass it, it’s not enforceable. These old crackers want to go back to Civil War days. Secede from the Union! Luck how dumb we are!
They act like highschool boys.
What an embarassment to our state.
Friend from Canada
September 3rd, 2009
4:02 pm
From my time here in the US, I don’t see it as a decision to buy health care insurance or not; but whether someone can afford to buy health care insurance. Government Health Care would provide insurance to those who choose to participate in the government plan vs. a private plan.
To those who say that some government bureaucrat will decide whether you will get a drug or an operation; please explain how that that is different from some private health plan bureaucrat making that decision. The insurance companies aren’t employing doctors to make the decision; they are likely employing actuaries to make the decision because it all based on lifespan expectancy/insurance premiums vs. money going to the drug/operation.
Linda Lowery
September 3rd, 2009
4:02 pm
Yes please ask “our friends in Canada” if they like government-run health care. I guarantee you they would not change it or move here for anything. Who will protect us in Georgia from these maniac Republicans that will end up putting so many in Georgia on welfare because they will go bankrupt with their low quality health insurance and pre-existing conditions.
achmed
September 3rd, 2009
4:04 pm
I have a right to hdtv as well.
Get Real
September 3rd, 2009
4:06 pm
This is definitely one of the craziest stunts that the State GOP has pulled. It is a known fact that something needs to be done to change the way healthcare is administered in this state and in the country. Real discussion is no longer a possibility when the first thing that these elected officials want to do is slap a label on someone who disagrees (liberal, communist, terrorist, socialsts, etc.)
What I don’t understand is how people in Georgia can continue to elect these bozos to an elected office. Georgia is nearly at the bottom of the list in any type of metrics you can use to measure a geographic area. If you took the metro Atlanta area out of the mix, the state would be pathetic. It is a shame that the bozos outnumber the people with a forward thinking approach to solving problems.
This is just a ploy to stop anything that is offered as change by the Obama administration, yet these same bozos don’t offer any type of positive solutions to the problems that need to be solved. They want to continue to leave everything as it was in their preception of the “GOOD “‘OL DAYS”. IF THEY COULD FIX ANYTHING, THEY WOULD HAVE ALREADY FIXED ALL THE THINGS THAT PLAGUE THIS STATE FIRST. They can’t even agree on legislation within the state. The last legislative session was nothing but a complete waste of time and money. They did not accomplish anything of substance.
PEOPLE PLEASE WAKE UP AND PUT SOMEONE ELSE IN THESE STATE POSITIONS. No matter what your political affiliation (Dem, GOP, Ind, etc.), you have to realize that these current bozos must be replaced by someone really interested in and able to fix the problems both state wide and nationally.
L in B
September 3rd, 2009
4:07 pm
The Senators are being hasty, but at least they’re speaking up. I would have no problem reforming our current healthcare system. I realize that I already pay for the uninsured, and I’m okay with that. The problem I have is when the gov’t tells me I have to pay for the uninsured AND I have to give up my (pretty good) health insurance also. And don’t try and tell me I’ll be able to keep my current plan if I want to, because that’s just a lie. The bills say (and yes, I have actually read them) that I can keep my plan until the end of the year that the plan is enacted. Then I lose ALL CHOICE in the matter. My employer can (and all of them will, eventually) choose to substitute the cheaper gov’t plan for me. I will have NO CHOICE. I don’t think it’s fair to take “choice” away from 85% of the people to give “choice” to 15%. I would, however, be more than willing to go along with a plan to reform our current system — cut the billions of $$s in waste and fraud in our Medicaid/Medicare system and you’d have plenty of money to extend those programs or offer tax credits to help people get insurance.
NoWayOut
September 3rd, 2009
4:07 pm
Even if they amend the GA Constitution, it will not hold up. There would be millions of uninsured and insured Georgians who will choose to challenge this amendment to Georgia’s constitution, especially one that is a matter of life or death. How are you going to accept Medicare and Medicaid, in addition to other federal programs, but don’t allow the citizens of Georgia to choose another healthcare option?
This change would not be good for the economy in Georgia, because large corporations operating inside the state, would have to allow this option to employees in other state that choose to participate in the government healthcare option. This would be a huge issue for companies such as Walmart or Home Depo.
They are truly digging themselves into a ditch.
AMB
September 3rd, 2009
4:07 pm
I would say ‘what a maroon’, but there are two of them.
BBC
September 3rd, 2009
4:07 pm
The Canadian system is a fantastic system. Listen to the interview with the former head of the Canadian Medical Asso. on C-SPAN (it’s on the net).
Sixty-two percent of the bankruptcies in the USA are caused by medical bills that are so high, no one can pay them.
Ask not for whom the bell tolls. Some of the same Republicans who are playing games with this issue today, may find themselves in bankruptcy court one day wondering what happened. Employers drop health plans all the time, or they water them down to the point that they are worthless.
boots
September 3rd, 2009
4:08 pm
In the absence of a rational rebuttal, the GOP resorts to obstruction, disruption and distortion — or, shall we say, out-and-out lies.
Disrupt the dialogue, shout down the speakers and distort or lie, lie, lie.
The Swift-boaters and Tea Partiers have finely honed their ability to divert and destroy by deceiving the simple minded.
woodie
September 3rd, 2009
4:08 pm
This senator certainly doesn’t represent my best interests nor the interests of most Georgians. Health care needs reform. Any idiot can see that. It’s baffling to me how anybody can say our privatized health care system, costs, and coverage is in anyway adequate. Obama supports change. Change can be good. No change can never be good. Igorning the problems are not an option. Next time you have something to say I’d like to hear solutions. Do your job.
bje
September 3rd, 2009
4:08 pm
For once, I can put an end to the entire debate. Both Judson Hill and Chip Rogers are primarily funded by the Health and Insurance industries.
Here are the facts…
Chip Rogers
http://www.votesmart.org/finance.php?can_id=31392
Judson Hill
http://www.votesmart.org/finance.php?can_id=32115
Can we all stop debating this one now? These gentlemen are bought and paid mouthpieces for the industry. This is all a farce. Do not waste any of your time with these men as they are manipulating the system for their own personal gain.
Penny
September 3rd, 2009
4:09 pm
Are you guys out of your mind? What about the people that lose their health insurance. I happen to have it but who knows what is down the road. I pay taxes and I don’t want these idiot Republicans to rule the state. Don’t you dare try to do that!!! I want a choice in the matter – You guys have health insurance!
What?
September 3rd, 2009
4:09 pm
This is brilliant. Georgia taxpayers will be required to pay taxes to the federal gov’t but not receive any benefit or return of dollars…it will go to CA or NY instead.
I am not for national healthcare, but we will be required to pay our federal taxes or go to jail but not receive any of it back because these bright guys ban it.
They need to think before doing a press stunt because they look like idiots. Can answer questions because they don’t know.
Frank M. Davis, Jr.
September 3rd, 2009
4:10 pm
Do you angry, right wingers not understand that Rogers, Hill and their buddies are playing you for fools? Or does the shoe fit?
achmed
September 3rd, 2009
4:11 pm
I am so unhappy with the democrats. Obama said he was going to pay my mortgage and that never happened. I don’t any confidence in this health care shenanigans.
Reality
September 3rd, 2009
4:12 pm
This comes as no surprise; Georgia and other southern states usurped the 14th ammendment until they were forced to abandon Jim Crow via the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Piso Mojado
September 3rd, 2009
4:13 pm
State control by the GOP has been a disaster. Unfortunately, the idiots who vote for these clowns are just as clueless.
Will
September 3rd, 2009
4:13 pm
Next time a natural disaster falls upon our beloved state, should we assume these republican seccessionists will argue against federal aid?
How about federal aid to maintain the interstate highway system so critical to metro commuters each day?
How about federal funds for special needs children in public schools?
Federal funding of military bases in Georgia?
JustMe
September 3rd, 2009
4:13 pm
All of you who think that the healthcare reform bills won’t destroy the American system are idiots. Let’s look at a few items, shall we?
1). Medicare and Social Security unfunded liabilities currently exceed 50 TRILLION dollars. That’s $50,000,000,000,000! We’ve used up the U.S. credit card and are now borrowing from our grandchildren. We need to stop buying what we can’t pay for today.
2). Yes, you’ll be able to keep your existing insurance. Unless your employer drops it…..or they go out of business. My company has 500 employees and provides health insurance to all. If this passes, we’ll drop insurance and let everyone go to the government program. What insurance companies remain will be forced to accept government mandated coverage for God knows what (abortion comes to mind) and since the government will call all the shops and can price below cost the insurers will go bankrupt by the hundreds. The government option becomes the ONLY option.
3). Currently most health providers lose money on Medicare and the uninsured. Those with insurance pay more to offset. When the government inevitably forces payments lower many hospitals will close, many doctors will retire, and many less will enter the medical profession.
4). Please check the projections at the time of legislation for Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Compare those with ACTUAL results and you’ll find (amazingly enough) that the government seems to always dramatically underestimate the cost of these programs. Expect this to be much more so in a government takeover of healthcare. When the costs explode, the demand explodes, and the supply contracts the only way to make ends meet is severe rationing.
5). Obama likes to use a number of 45 million uninsured. Please subtract undocumented workers/illegal aliens, those making more than $50k/year who can afford insurance, the healthy young who likewise make a financial chose to not be insured, and those temporarily between jobs and you’re left with a very small number (between 5 and 10 million) who are chronically uninsured. We’re going to destroy our healthcare system for only 5 to 10 million people?
6). I loved the recent story by Obama of pediatricians choosing to remove tonsils because they make more money that way. Someone please tell Obama that pediatricians don’t perform surgery, that they refer patients to a surgeon (ENT).
Feel free to flame away…but do so with facts and not BS about insurance company profits (less profit margin than most industries), dishonest doctors (who work hard and study hard to earn their bucks), or 50M uninsured.
Our healthcare system can be improved, but destroying what we have and turning our healthcare system into our postal system doesn’t sound like an improvement to me.
Aunt Birdie
September 3rd, 2009
4:13 pm
They want to protect Georgia insurance companies. I had an ins. co. that said after meeting high deductible we would pay 30% for Rx. What they actually did was make us pay 100% and then about a month later refund 70%. This scam was not included in our insurance booklets. It was a free loan to the ins. cos. on my back. Oxendine let them get away with it, too. Same company that said it covered diabetes supplies (per state law) but just didn’t PAY for them.
bje
September 3rd, 2009
4:14 pm
I cannot wait to see Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity break down this conflict of interest on Fox News this evening…
For once, I can put an end to the entire debate. Both Judson Hill and Chip Rogers are primarily funded by the Health and Insurance industries.
Here are the facts…
Chip Rogers
http://www.votesmart.org/finance.php?can_id=31392
Judson Hill
http://www.votesmart.org/finance.php?can_id=32115
Can we all stop debating this one now? These gentlemen are bought and paid mouthpieces for the industry. This is all a farce. Do not waste any of your time with these men as they are manipulating the system for their own personal gain.
Frank M. Davis, Jr.
September 3rd, 2009
4:14 pm
Anyone want to email these idiots?
judson.hill@senate.ga.gov
chip.rogers@senate.ga.gov
Brought to you by
Junkyard Dawg, Class of 1970
gooberpeas
September 3rd, 2009
4:14 pm
After reading through the comments here, I have a greater understanding of why this country is in such a mess.
Ilene
September 3rd, 2009
4:15 pm
I am truly surprised by how many people are against what these senators are saying, yet all I hear is the opposition to health care reform. All of these positive statements for reform need to be heard. Stamp out these idiots of whom I’ve only heard from all summer.
An Observation
September 3rd, 2009
4:15 pm
Many people haven’t even taken the time to read the reform healthcare bills being introduced (which are still being developed) yet they are either strongly for or against healthcare reform. They are only going on what is being reported in the media and the infomercials. Before you are pro or against this major issue facing our country, please take the time to become informed with the facts for yourself and not just believe the sound bites from Fox News, CNN, Limbaugh, Coulter, Hannity, Cooper, local media, etc.