Sen. Byrd Calls Proposed Democratic Changes To Filibuster Rules 'Misguided'

Originally Posted At The Hill
By Michael O'Brien
February 24, 2010

Sen. Robert Byrd warned Democratic colleagues against changing filibuster rules in order to advance their legislative priorities.
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PRO-LIFE ADVOCATES LAMBAST ABORTION LANGUAGE

Say Latest Language In Health Bill “Is Not Acceptable” “Should Be Opposed”

REP. BART STUPAK (D-MI): “While I appreciate the efforts of all the parties involved, especially Senator Ben Nelson, the Senate abortion language is not acceptable … A review of the Senate language indicates a dramatic shift in federal policy that would allow the federal government to subsidize insurance policies with abortion coverage.” (Rep. Stupak, Press Release, 12/19/09)
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Joint Committee on Taxation Estimated Revenue Effects Senate Health Bill
Here is how noted neurosurgeon Dr. David McKalip assesses the Senate health bill:

An Act of Congress?  More Like Multiple Acts of Insanity. – Part I

We have all heard about how it takes and “act of Congress” to make major changes.  Well the Senator Reid’s so called “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” is more like and act of medical, fiscal and Congressional Insanity than a solution to any problem. The underlying theme of the bill, as in the House bill, is to grant broad and inappropriate powers to the government to define medical quality and create a cost-control regime directly intended to cut spending on needed medical care.  The worst aspect is that it creates a system of penalties for doctors who go over-budget and seeks to redefine the profession of medicine to one designed, managed and approved by bureaucrats and government agents.
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Senate Healthcare Bill

November 18, 2009
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CBO analysis of Baucus Bill

By Douglas W. Elmendorf
October 7, 2009

Dear Mr. Chairman,

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) have completed a preliminary analysis of the Chairman’s mark for the America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009, incorporating the amendments that have been adopted to date by the Committee on Finance. That analysis reflects the specifications posted on the committee’s Web site on October 2, 2009, corrections posted on October 5, and additional clarifications provided by the staff of the committee through October 6. CBO and JCT’s analysis is preliminary in large part because the Chairman’s mark, as amended, has not yet been embodied in legislative language.
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Baucus Health Proposal
America's Healthy Future Act  Of 2009

"To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and
for other purposes..." Supplemental Material May Be Found Here...
For Actual Bill, 
Click Here... 



Senate Finance Bill Will Effectively Eliminate FSAs 
Employers Will Limit or Eliminate FSAs to Avoid High Cost Plans Excise Tax 

By Senator Sam Brownback
October 15, 2009

The Value of Flexible Spending Accounts in Reducing Medical Costs Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) help individuals and families to pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses that are not covered by their health insurance plans with tax-free dollars. There is currently no cap on FSA contributions, though employers must set their own limits (the cap for federal employees is $5,000). FSAs are particularly important for individuals and families who have high medical expenses, such as seniors, and those with chronic health conditions or disabilities. The option of using tax-free dollars can reduce their out-of-pocket medical expenses by 20% to 40%.
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Revised Finance Committee Chairman’s Healthcare Mark 
America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009

On September 22, 2009, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) released a modified Chairman's Mark, reflecting amendments made to the Senate Finance Committee's version of federal health care reform, entitled "America's Healthy Future Act of 2009." Modifications to the Chairman's Mark included amendments providing for the following...
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Myth Vs. Fact: President’s Address to Congress

Originally Posted At GOP.Gov
September 9, 2009

The Republican Conference has prepared analysis of President Obama's address to Congress on health care rebutting several of his claims: Quote:  "And every day, 14,000 Americans lose their coverage.  In other words, it can happen to anyone." Fact:  The major coverage expansions in all the legislation being considered would not begin until January 2013-so according to the President's own methodology, Democrat bills will allow more than 15 million additional Americans to become uninsured.
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IT’S STILL GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE IF IT HAS A ‘PUBLIC OPTION TRIGGER’

Originally Posted At RNC
September 9, 2009

Obama, Dems Open To Delaying Government-Run Insurance, Placing “Trigger” On Public Option. “The [trigger option] idea would give insurance companies a defined period to make changes in order to help cover more people and drive down  long-term costs. If those changes failed to occur within the defined period, a trigger would provide for a public option to force change on the insurance companies.” (Jim Acosta and Ed Hornick, “Obama About To Pull The 'Trigger' On Health Care?” CNN.com, 9/8/09)
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STATEMENT ON FY 2010 BUDGET RESOLUTION
Sen. Robert C. Byrd explains why passing healthcare reform under reconciliation would be an abuse of the budget process.

April 29, 2009

“I like this budget. I support many of the policies that the President’s budget embraces – including middle-class tax relief, and badly needed investments in our nation’s infrastructure – but I cannot, and I will not, vote to authorize the use of the reconciliation process to expedite passage of health care reform legislation or any other legislative proposal that ought to be debated at length by this body.”
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Demint Budget Point Of Order On Healthcare Plan

Purpose: To provide for a point of order against any legislation that eliminates the ability of Americans to keep their health plan or their choice of doctor. 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES—111th Cong., 1st Sess. 
S. Con. Res. 13 
Setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2010, revising the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal year 2009, and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2011 through 2014.
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