(Photo: Screen Shot – Seattle’s Marcelas Owens visited with Senator Murray to discuss his trip to Washington D.C. to advocate for passage of health care insurance reform.)

Telling Sad stories has become a political strategy to sell Obamacare.  Obama has some sad story to share in every speech.  The most offensive of the sad stories comes from Patty Murray (D-WA) who uses a child and a distorted story to sell her constituents on the immediate need to pass HCR.

In a February 26th article, “Health Care Summit notable moments with Patty Murray” I reported that Murray’s contribution to the Health Care Summit appears to be collecting and telling sad stories about our health care system. Her chosen focus story introduced the nation to a young boy named Marcelas Owens, an “insurance abuse survivor”, from Washington State.  Marcelas is a young child with 2 siblings who lost their mother, Tifanny Owens, when he was 7 years old.

Marcelas shares his story of how his mother, Tifanny Owens, was working as an assistant manager at Jack in the Box.  How she became sick in September of 2006. The following month she lost her job and insurance as a result of missing so much work due to illness.

According to Murray,  Marcela approached her in 2009 to tell her his story. Senator Murray had been promoting the need for such stories from her web site:

Your Voice is Needed!

Help Reform Our Broken Health Care System

Senator Murray believes that making meaningful reform happen this year will take more than members of Congress – or even President Obama – calling for change. It will take Americans across Washington state and the nation standing up and demanding it. That’s why she is asking Washington state residents to add their voice to this debate by signing up and/or sharing their health care stories at her new site.

Marcelas and his grandmother participated in a small anti-health insurance industry protest in DC last week, which was organized by left-wing labor groups.  His entire family have been longtime members of the Washington Community Action Network, who are his sponsors and have paid for them to be at this event in DC.

On March 12th, the Democrats used Marcales as their centerpiece in a press conference following the left-wing anti-insurance protest.  Senator Reid began his introduction of Marcales by noting that our system is beyond broken and it can certainly be illustrated by what happened to a woman by the name of Tifanny Owens, Marcelas’s mother.

Marcelas shared his story, followed by Dick Durbin who quickly pointed out that Republicans tell us to go slow, start over again and take your time; Durban asks “how much time can we take”.

Senator Schumer then spoke stating that the Democrats are simply asking for an up or down vote, that this is about Marcelas Mom, it’s about peoples lives. Murray followed Schumer telling us that the system we have in place today doesn’t provide options for people when they are just at the edge. That Marcelas was here to remind all of us what this debate is about.

And now for the rest of the story…

Health Care Reform is something both Democrats and Republicans believe is needed, the difference is how we accomplish that goal.  Almost 74% of Americans are now against the current bill, have spent the past year making their voices heard but the liberal left seems to be deaf.

Recently, I was admonished  by a liberal member of AARP for not being moved to support passing the HCB after listening to this child.  Her conclusion was that conservative people like me were callous, heartless and beyond hope.

What Patty Murray and the Democrats are not telling the public is that Marcelas mother received medical care, possibly better than her insurance would have provided, after she lost both her job and her health insurance.

According to an article in the Seattle Times, “Boy who lost mom takes health-care story to D.C.” She received care twice from Swedish Medical Center’s Central Area campus.  Her first trip was to the emergency room where  she was diagnosed  with pulmonary hypertension.  The second visit was a month later where she was hospitalized for 8 days. Her final visit was to University of Washington Medical Center. After a week of unconsciousness, she died at age 27.

Pulmonary hypertension is a result of some other illness and usually has an identifiable cause. If able to find  the underlying cause, it can be treatable. However, there is no cure for pulmonary hypertension, in severe cases lung transplants and/or a surgical procedure called Atrial septostomy may be the only possible options.

According to WebMd.com, Causes of Pulmonary Hypertension:

Many different conditions can cause pulmonary hypertension. In different ways, each of these illnesses may lead to high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries:

* Congestive heart failure

* Venous thromboembolic disease (blood clots in the lungs)

* Human immunodeficiency virus infection

* Illegal drug use (cocaine, methamphetamine)

* Cirrhosis of the liver

* Appetite suppressant medications (fenfluramine, dexfenfluramine, diethylpropion), which are no longer available in the U.S.

* Autoimmune diseases (lupus, scleroderma, and rheumatoid arthritis)

* Heart shunts (abnormal blood flow between heart chambers)

* Chronic lung disease (emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or pulmonary fibrosis)

* Obstructive sleep apnea

For more details on Pulmonary Hypertension you can visit WebMd.com section:  “Lung Disease & Respiratory Health Center”

Wow, did I say that? Yes and I will say worse because it is true and I will continue to say it with hopes that people will see the insanity of the plan for National Health Care.

Not only the insurance companies, unions, banks, credit cards, etc. etc. etc., every Tom, Dick or Harry that is willing to put a dollar in their hand to get elected and in my book that makes them whores.  The definition of a whore, “one that will do what someone else wants for money”?  Our White House has become a whore house.  Do I sound angry to you, I hope so and can’t understand why you are not just as angry.  We are losing freedom’s and accepting yokes upon our necks we will never get off (without God forbid another revolution) and we must scream from the mountain tops  before it is too late.  Read the words of  our early leaders, the signers of the Declaration of Independence and those that penned the Constitution and you will hear their warnings against those things that are coming to pass.  This isn’t a D or R, black or white, left or right issue.  These warning were giving against anyone that would try to oppress or remove those freedoms that were so hard fought by the founders and soldiers of this great nation.

We can see from the other countries that have tried Government Health Care  that it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work like they hoped, it doesn’t work like they promised, it sure doesn’t work at the price tag they profess and it won’t work here.  Should we try to emulate Cuba?  What was shown on Sicko is not what 99% of the Cuban people receive.  What you saw was propaganda as to what is available to the elite Cuban society.  Should we stride for health care like England?  Millions fought and died NOT to be like England.  More and more Canadians continue to come to the US for health care and we think, maybe we should try this?  The majority of Americans are  telling them we  don’t want it,  45% of doctors in the US are saying they will close their practices or retire before they will treat under it, 72% of doctors saying it isn’t going to work but they keep insisting on it.

Politicians continuing to push for it because Tom, Dick or Harry paid and they want what they paid for? Let me ask, when you pay for something, don’t you expect to get something in return?  But these lobbyist pay millions and millions to our elected officials (in one case 3.1 million)and they don’t expect anything in return?  Not in the real world.

If the problem is insurance companies greed in gorging the people (and I think it is), why not regulate them better? Why not allow more competition, selling across state lines, rewards for healthier living, etc.?  If there isn’t enough competition to force them to “make me an offer I can’t refuse”, why not change that? Fix the smaller problem first before we go postal on the problem.

I ask as well, if it is so good, why would this president hand the house 1,200 pages (now over 1,700) and tell them they have to sign it without the time to read it?  You are going to tell me there is nothing to hid? Now, the more time goes by, the more we are seeing for sure that we have been lied to as far as what it is going to cost, those covered.  (Obama says “illegals won’t be covered” but illegal aliens will)   When people started to understand the 1,200 and question it, oh they added another 500 pages and push again for it to be signed now!

We must not let this go to cloture because it will then go right to Obama’s desk and we know what will happen then!  Call, write, fax your representatives and tell them NO ON GOVERNMENT HEALTH CARE NOW.

I am going to attach a site for you that I don’t know much about but sounds like a good plan and I am going to look into it further and consider supporting. God bless us all and our country.

http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=506199

Originally Posted on Hot-Air -  September 26, 2009 by Ed Morrissey

Earlier this week, the Republicans on the Joint Economic Committee in the Senate, led by Sam Brownback (R-KS), gave American taxpayers an idea of what it would take to keep your current doctor in the ObamaCare system proposed by Max Baucus (D-MT) and Democrats in the Senate.  This flow chart may seem daunting at first, but think of it this way.  Could you get a tax return process into a single page and have the font be anything above microscopic?  Of course not.  Just suck it up, you taxpaying weenies — and don’t forget to hire H&R Block to represent you in the health-care process.

If you don’t like what you see, I urge you to write, email, fax  or  call you Senator and let them know how you feel about Health Care Reform!

If you are a Senior Citizen and on Medicare, it is worth you time to hear from Dick Morris how the Health Care Reform plan will hurt you. You have nothing to loose by listening and everything to gain. Even if you think the Health Care Reform will have no affect on you … this may give you something new to consider.

If  you are not a Senior but you have parents, aunts, uncles and  grandparents, perhaps you would like to know how Health Care Reform can affect them.   It will be you that will be helping them in their later years of their lives, and seeing what kind of care will be available to them in their final days.

If you don’t like what you hear, I urge you to write, email, fax or call you Senator and let them know how you feel about Health Care Reform!

Today was the first vote on the more than 500 amendments to the Health Care Reform bill, and it doesn’t look like they are off to a good start!   Republicans in the House, joined by one Democrat, Sen. Blanche Lincoln from Arkansas, voted on an amendment  to provide transparency in the Health Care Reform bill. At the same time, the  Senate Finance Committee said NO to putting the Senate bill on line so that YOU can read it.  They do not want to wait for 2 weeks for us to read the bill or to give the Congressional Budget Office the time for an accurate  breakdown of the real  cost of Health Care Reform.

The  Senate has a better idea, they are willing to give us an online “Breakdown for Dummies” to provide us a summary of the bill. That is not at all  reassuring,  does anybody want a partisan summary?   To make life even more exciting,   it is being reported by Roll Call, that Nancy Pelosi has some of her own ideas as to what will be added to the final bill.  Namely taxing the wealthy to help pay for the bill and the PUBLIC  OPTION!

What are the Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee trying to hiding from us? It is starting to feel very familiar,  as thought they just might  push this Health Care Reform bill through, as they did with the stimulus package, before anybody has time to read the contents, including the Senators that will be voting on the bill!

What is it that they don’t get when 67% of Americans  don’t even understand what is in the bill to date, and that the majority of Americans are against this Health Care Reform Bill?   Have Obama, Pelosi and Reed made the  determination that Americans are so stupid, it is necessary for them to make final decisions that will effect our lives,  “for our own good” … so, no matter what the majority of Americans want, which include simple things like “information”,  they appear to be determined to ram bill through the process!

In the meantime,  I wish Obama would take some time for just a little ” ON THE JOB TRAINING”!  His lack of experience in just about all areas of administration and foreign policy are certainly lacking.   With the amount of time he spends appearing on TV to “sell” Health Care Reform or making a speech when ever possible … it feels more like he is still campaigning for the office.   Besides seeing Obama every time I turn on the TV  is worse than watching Seinfeld re-runs for the 100th time!  No offense to Seinfeld intended.

Do you think Congress should be forced to enroll themselves in the health care plan they vote for?

On Tuesday, the Senate health committee voted 12-11 in favor of a two-page amendment, courtesy of Republican Tom Coburn (Oklahoma physician) which would require all Members of Congress and their staff members to enroll in any new government-run health plan.

Congressman John Fleming (Louisiana physician and former Medical Officer in the United States Navy) has proposed an amendment that would require Congressmen and Senators to take the same health care plan that they would force on us. (Under proposed legislation they are exempt.)

Congressman Fleming on House Resolution 615:

Over the past few weeks, members of Congress and the American people have come to know the details of the Administration’s proposed health care plan. Call it whatever you like, I believe this proposal is nothing more than government-run health care. As a physician, I am amazed at the number of bureaucrats in this House who are quick to claim a government-run health care plan is the reform this country needs. In response to this, I have offered a resolution that will offer members of Congress an opportunity to put their money where their mouth is, and urge their colleagues who vote for legislation creating a government-run health care plan to lead by example and enroll themselves in the same public plan.

Under the current draft of the Democrat health care legislation, members of Congress are curiously exempt from the government-run health care option, keeping their existing health plans and services on Capitol Hill. If Members of Congress believe so strongly that government-run health care is the best solution for hard working American families, I think it only fitting that Americans see them lead the way. Public servants should always be accountable and responsible for what they are advocating.

To see a list of Representatives who currently support H. Res 615, please click here.

Call, fax, email or write  your Congressman,  let them know you want their support for House Resolution 615.  If you would like to download a letter and ask your representative to consider supporting House Resolution 615, visit Congressman Fleming’s web site for more information.

From a Healthcare Provider’s Perspective

1. American Academy of Family Physicians: The AAFP is the national association of family doctors.  It is one of the largest national medical organizations, with more than 94,600 members in 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam.
2. American Medical Association: The American Medical Association helps doctors help patients by uniting physicians nationwide to work on the most important professional and public health Issues.  About 17% of physicians belong to AMA.
3. American College of Physicians: The ACP is a national organization of Internists-physicians who specialize in the prevention, detection and treatment of illnesses in adults.  ACP is the largest medical-specialty  organization and second-largest physician group in the United States.  Its membership of 129,000 includes internist, internal medicine specialists and medical students, residents and fellows.
4. American Hospital Association: The AHA is the national organization that represent and serves all types of hospitals, health care networks, and their patients and communities.  Close to 5,000 hospitals, health care-systems, networks, other providers of care and 37,000 individual members come together to form the AHA.
5. Hospital Compare: has a wealth of information about the quality of the care hospitals give patients who are being treated for a heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and pediatric asthma, or are having surgery.  Most measures include all patients – whether they are Medicare or other insurance.

Dr. Michael Schlitt, A Neurosurgeon from Seattle

On September 10, 2009, doctors, nurses and other medical professionals came to Washington, D.C. from across the country to show their opposition to Obamacare.   The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons not only came to show their opposition but to present a petition from doctors to lawmakers. (approximately 17% of Physicians are members of AMA).

El Marco has a full report and lots of  great photos from the rally …. Go To Looking at the Left

In Obama adress to the Senate on September 9, 2009, he  acknowledged the problem that Doctors face with the high cost of malpractice insurance, which brought Republicans to their feet with enthusiasm and applause!  You could also hear the groans when Obama continued by assuring  the audience that he would consider doing  pilot tests in some area of the country while stating ” that tort reform isn’t a silver bullet”! Unfortunately, he made no move toward implementing Tort Reform in this Health Care/Insurance Reform bill. To be fair, we must remember that the Tort Lawyers are mostly Democrats that account for a huge chunk of money that goes into the democrats coffers. Heaven forbid, we should expect Obama to even consider any action that could be threatening to the  income of the Tort Lawyers!

There are many areas where malpractice insurance creates difficulties for physicians.   On a business level,  we have the  high cost of malpractice insurance, the low reimbursement rate from medicare, their ability to pay their overhead and still make a decent living.  Here food for thought:

There is a Orthopedic Surgeon in NY, he stated that his malpractice cost him $200,000 a year. For a hip replacement, medicare reimbursement is $1,350 (approximately), which includes surgery, before and after care. He  suggested that we should take a look at what a tune up costs for you car:

Example: Dealer 30k, 60k or 90k mile tune-ups can run from $250 for 3-4 hours of labor and basic maintenance, to over $1,000 at places with high labor costs and additional maintenance services, such as timing belt replacement.

• What is the difference between the number of years for education and students loans between a Doctor and a Mechanic?
• What is the difference in the overhead between the two?
• How many Medicare hip replacement surgery would it take to cover his malpractice insurance?
• At what point must the doctor discontinue medicare patients in order to produce enough income to stay in business?
• Do you see something wrong with this picture?

As humans both have the same value, as a business person both have different experience and expenses.

The DNC released another TV  ad at the start of the Labor Day weekend,  which falsely accuses Republicans of voting “to abolish Medicare.”  They are trying once again to scare the Seniors in order to get them to back their Health Care/Insurance Reform bill!

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the main federal agency that enforces advertising laws and regulations.   According to the FTC web site:

“Advertising laws are aimed at protecting consumers by requiring advertisers to be truthful about their products and to be able to substantiate their claims. All businesses must comply with advertising and marketing laws, and failure to do so could result in costly lawsuits and civil penalties. So before you start an advertising campaign, it’s important you understand some basic rules”.

* Advertising must be truthful and non-deceptive;

* Advertisers must have evidence to back up their claims; and

* Advertisements cannot be unfair.

I would like to see the  Conservatives write  legislation that would apply the same rules for politically sponsored ads. It doesn’t make any difference that they could never pass legislation thought the Democrat run Congress and Senate.  If a bill were to be made public,  at least the Seniors would know there is  at least one party that is trying to make politicians honest.  Somebody needs to address the “Truth in Advertising from Politicians”!  I don’t understand why our Government   should exempt themselves from telling the truth.  Obama said he wanted truth and transparency in his Administration!  This would certainly be a good place to start!

Bottom line -  lets not just deny this Ad, instead go one step further and  demand legislation for  ” Truth in Advertising for Politicians”!

Reference:  You can find the  DNC ad falsely accuses Republicans of voting “to abolish Medicare.” from the FactCheck web site.  If you have not seen the ad the DNC is running, you can go to their site  Democrat Party Site.