Tea partyers kill health care insurance bill
Tea party enthusiasts are claiming the first scalp of Crossover Day.
House Republicans pulled the bill to create health care exchanges, as mandated by last year’s federal health care legislation, from today’s calendar after a series of proposed amendments failed to mollify tea partyers.
Atlanta Tea Party leader Debbie Dooley credited a barrage of phone protests from various tea party groups across the state. She and another leader, Julianne Thompson, met Tuesday with state Reps. Ed Lindsey, R-Atlanta, Donna Shelton, R-Dacula, and Richard Smith, R-Columbus, and representatives of Gov. Nathan Deal.
“We targeted Governor Deal – because it was his bill, and he was pushing it,” Dooley said.
HB 476 would have allowed for the creation of larger pools of insured patients, spreading risk and lowering costs. Lawmakers had tried to argue with tea partyers that –without state action – the federal government will step in and do the same thing. Without input from the state.
Absent any court action, Georgia has yet another year to revisit the issue. Here’s the statement from Deal spokesman Brian Robinson:
Governor Deal, in consultation with the General Assembly, has decided to put on hold legislation that would create Georgia’s health insurance exchange.
A federal district court has agreed with Georgia’s position that Obamacare is unconstitutional, and we are awaiting an expedited ruling from the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. The governor believes the court will affirm the lower court ruling. The state needs injunctive relief to remove these costly mandates.
In the meantime, the governor will create an advisory committee to study our options for a health insurance exchange. The governor has to follow federal law as it stands.
If Georgia must have an insurance exchange under federal law, the governor wants to ensure that our exchange is established by and run by Georgians. The alternative is having an exchange established by and run by Washington bureaucrats. The governor considers the latter unacceptable.
The governor understands Georgians’ suspicions about any legislation associated with Obamacare. He shares their opposition to the federal takeover of health care. The governor wants Georgians to have time to study this issue and discuss it thoroughly, as we wait for the judicial process to play out.
The governor of Georgia is going to fight for the prerogatives of Georgia, and he’s going to engage Georgians about how we expand access to health care insurance while lowering the burdensome costs on our state’s families.
The bottom line is: Georgians don’t want more federal “solutions” and the best way to fight back is manufacture a Georgia solution.
Certain Republicans have pointed out that Georgia legislation to establish health care exchanges pre-dates Barack Obama and last year’s health care legislation. For instance, state Sen. Judson Hill, R-Marietta, introduced SB 28 in 2007 — which would have had much the same effect. The “Insuring Georgia’s Families Act” wasn’t just signed by Hill. Chip Rogers, now Senate Majority leaders, and Tommie Williams, now Senate president pro tem, were also sponsors.
But over at PeachPundit.com, Charlie Harper explains why this argument didn’t sell:
Because the exchanges are mandated by “Obamacare,” they are dead to a large number of skiddish legislators who believe they must not in any way be associated with a federal takeover of health care.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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85 comments Add your comment
MiltonMan
March 16th, 2011
1:21 pm
Liberals complaining today??? If the clowns could only come up with a decent candidate in this state other than Rat Roy Barnes, Vernon Jones, T Baker, etc., etc., etc. maybe I would vote for them.
Libral Dimohkrat
March 16th, 2011
1:22 pm
td
Meet DannyX, a.k.a. Medicare Part D
Mystic55
March 16th, 2011
1:23 pm
That’s right, let’s dig up old Ted Kennedy’s bones there TD.
Right, from now on any time I ever hear you EVER say, “Oh no not Blame Bush again” I’m linking to your Kennedy comment.
DannyX
March 16th, 2011
1:26 pm
“Cut taxes and blame Democrats for the deficit!”
Yes indeed Chuck. Followed by their “deficits don’t matter” clatter.
It reminds me of the time Republicans played both sides so nicely. Republicans in the US Congress voted near unanimously against the Obama stimulus bill. Republican governors? Not so much. In fact Governor Sonny Perdue of Georgia sent a letter to President Obama begging for more federal stimulus dollars. Our Republican Governor wasn’t just begging on behalf of Georgia, he was begging on behalf of ALL Republican governors, they all signed his letter.
US Congressional Republicans were screaming “No more deficits!”
At the same time…
Republican governors were saying “Deficits don’t matter!”
Mystic55
March 16th, 2011
1:26 pm
To those saying “The Supreme Court will find it unconstitutional”….well….that’s an awful lot of support for the court that gave us Citizens United.
Of course, some conservatives think that giving Corporations unlimited money is a good thing. They usually say this is OK because Unions got the same deal.
Of course these are also the same people that say anything that makes it easier to form a Union is bad and that Unions are Communist Socialist Marxist Pigs.
So, basically, what they’re really saying is, IOKIYAR.
Corey
March 16th, 2011
1:32 pm
Libral Dimokhrat, try sore loser card.
Libral Dimohkrat
March 16th, 2011
1:32 pm
You tell em, Mystic55! We’ve all seen those videos of those Corporate Executives beating up those peaceful Union members…OH WAIT!
Libral Dimohkrat
March 16th, 2011
1:34 pm
Corey, after the 2010 elections, I’d say that “sore loser” card belongs to you.
RetiredSoldier
March 16th, 2011
1:35 pm
AQ-
Such harsh words, I was using a bit of “tongue in cheek”. But I’ll defend to the death your right to be wrong!
Corey
March 16th, 2011
1:41 pm
Wrong Libral Dimoohkrat, we still control two out of three and one of those is the most powerful in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD!
Joe
March 16th, 2011
1:45 pm
The healthcare reform law is not a federal take over of healthcare . What are the odds this Charlie Harper would follow up his article by explaining whether or not these legislators are self serving or stupid ?
Libral Dimohkrat
March 16th, 2011
1:46 pm
Gubmint at it’s best…
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services—the federal health-care agency that is a key bureaucracy in implementing Obamacare—made at least $70.5 billion in “improper payments” last year.
These improper federal health-care payments amounted to more than the combined total of $68.3 billion spent by the entire Homeland Security and the State departments last year, which spent $44.5 billion and $23.8 billion respectively according to the White House Office of Management and Budget.
Medicare made at least $48 billion in improper payments in fiscal 2010 and Medicaid made $22.5 billion, according to written testimony on “Medicare and Medicaid Fraud, Waste and Abuse” presented to the Senate Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management by Kathleen King,
Director of healthcare for the Government Accountability Office.
Mystic55
March 16th, 2011
1:48 pm
They were peaceful Libral Dimohkrat, but you’re clearly a DRT. Dining Room Table.
Libral Dimohkrat
March 16th, 2011
1:50 pm
Dream on Corey, your “team” lost 650+ elected offices nationally in 2010.
Cole Kash
March 16th, 2011
1:50 pm
Why doesn’t anyone complain when we’re forced to buy car insurance by the government to mitigate the cost of having to cover those who aren’t insured yet everyone goes crazy when the same principle is applied to health insurance?
Libral Dimohkrat
March 16th, 2011
1:51 pm
Mystic55
Peaceful? LOL…coming from a lampshade. hahahaha…
Libral Dimohkrat
March 16th, 2011
1:55 pm
Cole Kash
No comparison, you don’t have to drive. With Obamacare, you have to purchase because you “exist”.
deegee
March 16th, 2011
1:56 pm
When the director of healthcare for the GAO turns up $70.5 billion in improper payments made by another government agency, isn’t that a good sign? Now, if we could prevent Medicare waste, fraud and abuse that would be the next step. Does the GAO report make any recommendations? Here’s mine, why don’t we start by cutting off the Medicare reimbursement for the battery operated scooters that are advertised on TV every 15 minutes? Just because you want one doesn’t mean that you need one or that the taxpayers should be paying for it.
Do we
InTownGal1
March 16th, 2011
2:01 pm
People seem to think Republican = Conservative and Democrat = Liberal. Read this: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2007/10/24/20767/bush-is-the-biggest-spender-since.html
Bush left Obama holding a steaming pile of sh!t and I can’t imagine anyone trying to debate that fact. We’ll have to wait and see how Obama’s policies will equal out at the end of his term. Just keep in mind that extremism is not a good thing for either party. I can think of another name I won’t mention for tea partyers that’s just not appropriate, but you can use your imagination.
Libral Dimohkrat
March 16th, 2011
2:05 pm
InTownGal1
Bush spent too much too! However, if you’ll notice the date on your link
“Posted on Wednesday, October 24, 2007″
However…Obama has outdone Bush, and then some.
deegee
March 16th, 2011
2:10 pm
If health care costs are such a burden to business then why don’t we unburden business all together and cut the tether between the employee and the employer with respect to health insurance. I am not unhappy with my employer based health insurance, but I would be happier if I could move to another job or retire and retain my health insurance. I understand the history of employer based health insurance and how it came to pass. But it has been over 50 years now and it’s time to rethink the strategy. I can’t think of any good reason to obstruct the formation of affordable health insurance exchanges.
Yes, everyone should have health insurance. Not everyone drives but everyone could become a victim of a traffic accident. Similarly, everyone gets sick and needs health care at some time in their life. The uninsured will get treatment in some form or fashion and someone else will typically pay for it.
InTownGal1
March 16th, 2011
2:10 pm
Hi Libral Dimohkrat (I like the spelling by the way
Trust me, that article was just the tip of the iceberg regarding the topic. I had to stop reading my head was hurting
td
March 16th, 2011
2:17 pm
Mystic55
March 16th, 2011
1:23 pm
That’s right, let’s dig up old Ted Kennedy’s bones there TD.
Right, from now on any time I ever hear you EVER say, “Oh no not Blame Bush again” I’m linking to your Kennedy comment
Just laying out the facts for you. Bush was a RINO when it came to domestic policy and I am not defending him at all on that side of the fence, but if we are going to talk about Medicare part d and No child left behind then let us go ahead and tell the truth that they were bipartisan pieces of legislation.
Hey, JC , won't you fight for me?
March 16th, 2011
2:44 pm
@Benny 11:34 on March 16. No, sugar, the fellow who said if you have two oxen, give one to your neighbor was Jesus Christ, not Karl Marx. Or maybe He was talking about a$$es, in which case you surely should have recognized the quote.
mack
March 16th, 2011
3:06 pm
This one is to Georgia and alcohol on sundays!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TOM_UuQzc0
Ron
March 16th, 2011
3:10 pm
Oh Sal. Still waiting for your lame retort. Typical liberal. Makes stupid comments and then cannot back them up.
Sal
March 16th, 2011
3:49 pm
That’s because you are an idiot Ron . You have no idea if I am liberal or not . But since you are wanting a response fine . It would be more fiscally responsible to have citizens that don’t have insurance get a policy than it would be to have them get medicaid . That is basically the current system Ron . The government is already involved if you don’t have a policy . Thats the current system Ron . Insurance companies take the healthy & then burden the taxpayers should they get a major illness or already have health issues . Thats one of the ways they make money .As far as deficits , since you are so concerned , you must know that the healthcare reform law would end up saving us money in the long run right ?
blue dog
March 16th, 2011
3:52 pm
I thought self reliance was a top GOP mantra. “People should not expect handouts from the government”… they should “live within their means”…”pay their own way”, etc. So, why are they “opposed” to requiring everyone to pay for their own health insurance…instead, I guess they think it is more responsible to just let indigents go to an Emergency Room, where it cost 5X more…and they don’t have to pay…anything. Now, those of us who HAVE INSURANCE get rate hikes to cover those who don’t. If a healthy 30 year old, for example, decides not to be insured…then he has an accident. His medical bills run several hundred thousand dollars, but he cannot pay the bill… The hospital providing the care has to cover his bill… one way or another… by charging the insured more and getting taxpayer funding from the state. Should he be allowed to skip out on paying for health insurance until say…he turns 60. If the majority of young to middle age folks decided not to pay for insurance leaving mostly older, sicker people having insurance…yet their insurance still paid for the uninsured, what a rate hike that would be. But, people, that is exactly what we are doing now, to a lessor extent.
Now, Teaparty and others from the right… what is really your complaint about the Healthcare bill ??
You have no problem requiring everyone who drives a car to be insured…because, if they cause an accident, they have to pay for YOUR damages.
Could it be…as I think…that you have simply let the drug companies and AMA think for you…putting words in your mouth that you repeat without realizing the contradiction it represents to your GOP beliefs.
Why in the world would you have a problem making these people get insured, so YOU won’t be paying their medical bills…please explain, because from where I stand, It doesn’t make much sense.
Libral Dimohkrat
March 16th, 2011
4:45 pm
“….you must know that the healthcare reform law would end up saving us money in the long run right ?…”
Insure 32M more people and save money too. In a dream.
Sal
March 16th, 2011
4:51 pm
Insure 32M more people and save money too. In a dream.
medicaid doesn’t grow on trees
Libral Dimohkrat
March 16th, 2011
4:55 pm
Medicaid $$ Loser
Medicare $$ Loser
Amtrak $$ Loser
USPS $$ Loser
Yep, let’s turn it over to the Federal Government.
Tea Party Win in Georgia – Healthcare Bill Dropped « Sarah Palin Information Blog
March 16th, 2011
8:38 pm
[...] Galloway at the left-leaning Atlanta Journal and Constitution wrote: House Republicans pulled the bill to create health care exchanges, as mandated by last year’s [...]
RBN
March 16th, 2011
8:59 pm
We as a state are as stupid as we want to be. Healthcare ideas that were Republican, like mandatory coverage (then was personal resposibility and buy-in, now socialism) and insurance pools (then protect those who would otherwise be priced out and to control costs, now federal takeover) are now targeted as “Big Government”. Stupid, stupid, stupid..
ralph
March 16th, 2011
10:28 pm
Tea party is a bunch of F” ing losers, backwards idiots. Deal ought to be recalled in an election for giving in to bunch of fools.. Do you think he would have pulled the bill for any other political party or movement??? I am ashamed that I was born in Georgia, it used to be a great state. I served 20 years in the US Army, served in Iraq/Afghanistan for 3 years, and I am a proud, patriotic DEMOCRAT WHITE MALE. Tea party is no more patriotic than the taliban. They cannot stand the fact that a non white male is president, plain and simple. Tea party, go F yourself!
Z
March 17th, 2011
12:49 am
The Tea Party groups are mostly a clueless bunch of Faux Nutty Nuz watchers, Rushbo listeners, right wing religious fruitcakes who have taken over the republican party. They wouldn’t know a true fact if it bit them on the arce. Some people joined because they thought it was a good cause, maybe the idea was, but what is left are nothing but a bunch of self promoting, self serving fanatic’s, who bring nothing but distraction, to possible disastrous situations for our country.
Thank goodness we have a President who has a brain and is working his way through the mess that was left him. If only those in the way, would work together with those who are trying to work through the horrible mess GWB left us. No, instead the Tea Party’s try to separate with distractions. Just what their employers(corporate brethren) want. To divide and conquer.
And yes, there is a movement out there that everyone can join and that is the Labor Movement and you don’t have to join a union to belong..look it up. For all those who care about the Middle Class who actually work for a living and pay most of the taxes. The mega wealthy, the very wealthy and Corporations no longer pay their Fair Share and that has to be changed and soon. They use everything the rest of us use, it is only proper!