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AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid greets guests on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 24, 2010, following a health care reform news conference.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010 | 11:43 a.m.
Sun Archives
- Gibbons ‘directing’ AG to sue feds over health reform bill (3-24-10)
- Dean Heller joins Gibbons in urging AG to sue over health reform (3-23-10)
- Obama signs historic $938 billion health overhaul (3-23-10)
- Health care bill would bring higher state Medicaid costs (3-22-10)
- First changes would start six months after health bill becomes law (3-22-10)
- Sides getting ready for final battle over health care reform (3-22-10)
- House clears historic health bill, GOP targets Nevada Democrats (3-21-10)
WASHINGTON -- Let the great Viagra debate in Congress begin.
Now that health care reform has been signed into law, the Senate has turned its attention to passing the fix-it bill -- the follow-up legislation passed by the House that makes several changes to the original bill President Barack Obama signed into law on Tuesday.
Debate is under way now on these changes -- eliminating the Cornhusker Kickback, increasing the subsidies to help the uninsured buy insurance and offering seniors $250 toward prescription drugs.
Yet, the reconciliation process allows an unlimited amount of amendments and Republicans have vowed to take advantage of this opening.
Republicans want to make this final step in health care reform as uncomfortable as possible, and have introduced a long list of amendments that would change the law even further -- changes Democrats will try to resist.
Swatting back these Republican overtures could be tough. Senate Republicans intend to put Democrats on the spot with politically tricky votes.
Hence, the Viagra amendment. Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma has offered an amendment that would prohibit child molesters and rapists from receiving subsidies for health insurance coverage of erectile dysfunction drugs.
As enticing as these amendments may be, Democrats are hoping to hold tough, and vote against any and all Republican amendments.
If any changes are made to the reconciliation bill, the legislation would need to return to the House for another vote -- a step Democrats are trying to avoid.
In addition to the Viagra amendment, Republicans have offered amendments to eliminate remaining special favors in the bill, enroll members of Congress in Medicaid and protect the rights of states to opt out of the legislation.
Democrats seem unlikely to have any amendments of their own. This morning, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid cut debate short on his side of the aisle, yielding the seven hours of time remaining for Democrats and leaving Republicans to run out the clock. They had eight hours left.
As soon as the debate time is up, the great voting spectacle will begin -- a process called vote-o-rama because of the rapid-fire method with which amendments are introduced, debated and voted on in a matter of minutes.
Expect a long night.
But when it was done, the long health care debate will be closer to its ending.
Harry will need viagra for his re-election, he is out of here. The republicans will go in with a landslide and repeal the law. Why is everyone so worried.
3 reasons why Obamacare won't reduce spending
http://reason.tv/video/show/3-reasons-he...
Pissed off? Tired of being ignored and spat on by people who were supposed to be representing you? Democrats Shelly Berkley, Dina Titus, and the god-awful Harry "Backdoor" Reid did just that. Good news is you DON'T have to take it. So, DON'T! Get organized and mobilize. There are organizations out there that are united to oust these politicians. TeaPartyExress.org JOIN! Rally this Saturday in Searchlight, Nevada and later that same day in Las Vegas. Also, FireNancyPelosi.com which is dedicated to go after politicians who have ignored you on Government Take Over of Heath Care. My personal favorite : )
The republicans are also shutting down committee meetings and refusing to work after 2 p.m.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/24...
When you elect people with the intellect of children, this is what you should expect, I guess.
It's intellect of children you oppose ksand99? You insult children. They are smarter than you give them credit for.
It takes a seasoned politician like Nancy Pelosi to urge politicians to vote for the bill so they would then "know what's in it."
I suppose Nancy Pelosi would urge people to buy a house so they can see how the inside looks?
Sorry Patrick_R_Gibbons but that website has been deemed inaccurate on numerous occasions.
Here are 5 facts that have been overblown: http://www.usnews.com/money/blogs/flowch...
Since ksand99 was kind enough to direct us to The Huffington Post, I will do likewise: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/22...
Lastly, for those that say the majority of America does not want the new bill signed: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews/20100324/t...
I love you guys....LMAO.....good stuff....
65 % Americans polled are AGAINST this bill. They will show their discontent at the voting booths in the fall.
Oh. My. God. Republicans are obsessing on Viagara and refuse to work after 2 PM. How retarded is that? News flash: We Americans who pay your salaries expect you to act serious and work a full day just like we do.
When will all the lunatics that make up the republican party realize that we are sick and tired of their game playing. They must have forgotten that Obama ran on Healthcare reform and we elected him by a huge majority and rejected the typical lame brain game playing that they insist on giving up. I guess we are going to have to hire a baby sitter to supervise both the left wing of the senate and the house.
"It takes a seasoned politician like Nancy Pelosi to urge politicians to vote for the bill so they would then "know what's in it."
Actually, if one's intellect were above that of a child, they would understand the context of Pelosi's statement, in that the republican party threw a kitchen sink of lies at health care reform. By passing the bill, the American people would see what the benefits were.
It was a tacit admission that the Democrats lost the message war, NOT that the politicians themselves didn't know what was in the bill.
Try again, ProudPD.
To: Environprotector. The poll that Sean Hannity conducted from his fan club doesnt count. Maybe you should look at the latest Gallup pole and you would see that the majority do support it. Also about 20% of the people who dont like the bill, dont like it because it doesnt go far enough. So that leaves about 25% of the idiots like you who dont like it because you prescribe to the do nothing politics of the Tea Bagging kind.
Reid's nuckes are not those of someone who ever boxed. He is a fraud.
vc: what is your concept of "huge?" Sounds to me like you need Viagra.
Mikegino: haha thats pretty funny. I guess when you have nothing really of value to say you resort to humor which I admire.
Sarah Palin 2012!!!
VC :
It's not just those of us who oppose this bill as it is written who are going to be forced to pay for it, but yourself and your children as well..
environprotector:
We are already paying. When people do not carry insurance they become sicker people who end up in the emergency room at UMC with no insurance and you and I as tax payer end up footing the bill. It is also well known that each person who does have insurance pays an extra 1400 a year for people who dont have insurance. So sure the bill does cost money, but in the long run it builds a more sustainable model and will save us money in other places like UMC.
If you can't pay your own way in life you get to die. People who don't like this can contribute to charity to take care of those who can't/won't take care of themselves.
There is nothing wrong with charity, it is a moral idea to support. Government, on the other hand, should not be a charity.
This bill was shoved down America's throat with cheap illegal deals from Pelosi and Reid. Nevada should be ashamed for having elected such a poor representative. Harry Reid could careless about the State he represents. The People of Nevada deserve better. Time for Harry Reid to go. Nevada needs a Senator that is focussed on his or her State. Nevada needs jobs here in Nevada. Vote this evil man out in November.
boftx: Have you ever read the preamble to the US Constituion? I doubt it since you probably never got passed the third grade, but maybe you should take a minute out of your day to read that. Then if you are a christian you should probably read your bible. If your not a christian then your comments above make more sense.
Cry, cry, cry some more. Little baby Repubes are so ridiculous and ignorant.
"If you can't pay your own way in life you get to die."
Except that isn't the case. Otherwise we wouldn't have things like social security and medicare.
Give us all a break, the trickery prize goes to Reid and the dems for all the back door dealings, bribes, threats and pandering, not to mention their threat of reconciliation and using the Slaughter rule.
The democrats want the elderly and infirm to just die by stealing from funding which would have helped provide care for them. If you're elderly or infirm and democrats and Obama have a little green pill for you to take to cure all your ills.
It will be interesting to watch all the ignorant folks who swallowed Obama's and Reid's lies when they find out they are not going to be getting something for nothing and will actually be paying more for less.
vc, my religious beliefs have no bearing on this, and they certainly have no place in government.
Yes, I have read the preamble, and the entire Constitution. I just happen to be more blunt (and consistent) in stating my position.
Since you bring up religion, please tell me precisely (chapter and verse) where the Bible says that government must provide charity to those who won't care for themselves. Please note the word "government".
SEN. REID IN 2010!
We got your back, Senator. You'll have more boots on the ground for this election than any Nevada politician ever. GAURANTEED.
Guess the number of people who are uninsured?
Forty million? 50 Million?
Whatever the number is, they will be insured when this monster bill is executed. All the Marxist-Demos have done is spend 1 Trillion future dollars to insure them. Reform? Things will go along as usual for 4 years, then all hell breaks loose. Congress gave the American people a way out. The Marxist-Demos can be kicked out in 2010 and 2012, and we can start over and pass a real bill that falls within the free enterprise system, and won't bankrupt us.
boftx:
If you want people like me to just die, you'd better be prepared to pick up a gun and pull the trigger yourself. I'll even buy the gun and the bullet for you.
Have the courage of your convictions.
Some of you don't know that there is a Separation of Church and State!
Sue Lowden has a disgraceful health care record.
http://www.harryreid.com/ee/index.php/ne...
"It is also well known that each person who does have insurance pays an extra 1400 a year for people who dont have insurance."
That isn't true at all. If a personal policy (not through employer) only costs $1,800 per year, how do you figure $1,400 goes towards the uninsured? My sister pays $1,800 per year. She's had surgery and great medical care with her "Non-sponsored, privately purchased" healthcare.
Citizens of Nevada, we need your help. Those of you are angry deep down inside at Harry Reid for pushing this POS legislation, with his pal, Comrad Pelosi, go to the polls in November and vote accordingly. No need to trade vitrol with his supporters; just vote him out of office. Long overdue. Your passionate anger at the moment will die down, but don't forget in November.
DD, if I could do that without going to prision, and it was truly YOUR decision and you needed help, I would do it.
It's not that I *want* people to die (I do think a drastic reduction in the human population would do the Earth good), but I want people to take responsibility for themselves and not think that they have a right to make claims on other people.
"That isn't true at all. If a personal policy (not through employer) only costs $1,800 per year, how do you figure $1,400 goes towards the uninsured? My sister pays $1,800 per year. She's had surgery and great medical care with her "Non-sponsored, privately purchased" healthcare."
They didn't say pays an extra $1400 to the insurance company, henderson. The cost is reflected in general price inflation, higher taxes, etc.
"It's not that I *want* people to die (I do think a drastic reduction in the human population would do the Earth good), but I want people to take responsibility for themselves and not think that they have a right to make claims on other people."
And yet here you are, making claims on other people.
So if a person has a birth defect, or gets pediatric cancer, or gets into an auto accident, it's their responsibility? You know, despite the fact that none of those things are within their control.
Sometimes bad things happen to good people, that's life. Many religions teach that there is a life after death that will address the wrongs you put forth, DD. If you subscribe to such then you really have nothing to worry about. If you don't, then you should hold you own life as more valuable than anyone else's and do whatever you can for *your* best interest.
So, DD, tell me why you think I should be responsible for your life? Or vice versa.
Edgewise: your "sister" might pay $1,800 per year but not for insurance. Private insurance costs $6-17,000 per person per year. If people could buy insurance for $1,800 a year this entire problem would be moot. BTW, perpas you are talking about a Medicare supplemental policy, forgetting that Medicare pays a lot more. If not, you should post the name and address of the insurance company that offers this magical policy. Then Congress can use it as the insurance company and the cost of Obamacare would go down to a few billion a year. In any case, the $1400 figure refers to the average family policy, so the number may really be around $3-400 per person.
Also, you said she had surgery. Right. You can have surgury without insurance. The question is how much did she have to pay in addition.
I think botfx is saying that your problems shouldn't impact him.
We all have our own problems to deal with and it is ridiculous to lump us all into the same group with alcoholics, sick people, drug users, people with litters of children that take more from the system than they will ever contribute.
Bad things happen to people everyday. We're not supposed to impose our personal burdens on other people.
botfx, just saw your response....didn't mean to dupe you.
"Sometimes bad things happen to good people, that's life. Many religions teach that there is a life after death that will address the wrongs you put forth, DD. If you subscribe to such then you really have nothing to worry about."
Thank you for the dose of pablum. Now how about some reality instead?
Because I guarantee you that you tell the mother of a newborn who died from an easily treatable birth defect that it's OK because the baby will be taken care of in Heaven, and sometimes bad things happen to good people (yes, even good Christians), she'd slap you into next week.
Barry, my sister - not edgewise has a personal health insurance policy that costs her $1,800/year. She pays $150 per month for her coverage. It is not through any employer or Cobra or anything else. She was shopping for insurance when she moved to Las Vegas and found this policy through Aetna. She shopped around, anyone can do it. Shortly after purchasing this policy, maybe 4 months in, she had a large benign tumor discovered on her ovaries and she had a hysterectomy. Her personal out of pocket cost was about $8000 to cover the anesthesiologist, doctors, hospital, labratory, x-rays etc. She spent 3 nights in the hospital and entire cost was almost $70,000. I called her to make sure my memory was correct and to find out her insurance company.
now wait, I thought per the democrats, this was suppose to be a bi partisan bill, but they are saying they will avoid any republican amendments. Don't tell me they are lying through their teeth.......again.
So if a person has a birth defect, or gets pediatric cancer, or gets into an auto accident, it's their responsibility? You know, despite the fact that none of those things are within their control.
to answer your question, yes it is your responsibility to take care of your own and your own business, not everyone elses duty to do it for you. Thats the problem with this admin and those are in lockstep with it, you expect someone else to pack you through life, you think its your right of passage. You hit a bump and you want someone else to smooth it out for you. I and every american should have the free agency to choose the charitable organization we wish to contribute to,how much and when, not govt dictating, because all the whiney lazy ones feel they have a "right" to demand everyone pays for them.Pretty soon everyone will be on welfare and govt will be the dictator of who gets what and when. We just took a giant leap towards it.
DD, you just made an excellent argument that many people who claim to be Christians have no faith whatsoever.
Yes, that mother would be mad as hell at me. So what?
DD, have the courage of *your* convictions to admit that the only person you care about is yourself. If you can convince others that you are important enough to help then more power to you. I won't be one to give you help simply because your parents had sex and you were a byproduct of that.
wait Douglas Democrat, you have issue with this but don't have an issue with abortion? You as a democrat, don't have a problem with all the illegals here, and every other one is in the media for some murder, assault,robbery or rape, but, its a problem that we americans don't want to spend 938 billion to help insure them and your excuse is a baby might die unneedlassly? Do you know when a doctor requests a test on pregnant women to check for down syndrome, that huge needle that draws ambiotic fluid? they scare the parents into thinking their child has down syndrome and should have the test, but little do you know, for every test, they get funding money. Oh, I forgot to mention, they were medicaid pregnant women. Oh, I also forgot to mention, not one had down syndrome when born, but the parents for months thought their baby would have down syndrome, took classes, researched care, what to expect all sorts of things. govt funded healthcare program.
hey henderson, even me a stupid you know what knows that is BS ! I thought you were smart, but a radical Guess your a dum radical, onle a fool would believe that story
Conservatives, grab your hind end and bend forward and look backward, 'cause Barry Akbar Obama is comin' round the bend.......and he is meaning business with that tax stick.
lipton, boftx, and henderson:
I do not have to justify to YOU, or anyone else, my right to exist.
If you don't like it, go pound sand. I'm a citizen. I pay taxes. I pay my insurance premiums every month now that I am employed. And for that privilege, I get to watch them weasel their way out of paying. If they were in any other business, they'd be in jail for fraud.
And somehow this is a GOOD system? It has all the efficiency of a three-legged horse, and all the compassion of a rock.
vc- "When will all the lunatics that make up the republican party realize that we are sick and tired of their game playing."
I guess 60% of America are lunatics? that's how many don't want this bill, and newsflash, they aren't all republicans!
Douglas Democrat, no one is asking you to justify anything, but by the same token, who are you to call a republican names because they don't want anyone dictating to them their right to exist. they pay taxes, they pay insurance,and we get to watch this admin rape us of our right to make our own decisions who we choose to contribute to, and to use a democratic rationale and heartstringed excuse, this admin is taking food, shelter and education away from my children with this debacle.
No Obamacare for Obama: The new health care law exempts the president from having to participate in it. Leadership and committee staffers in the House and Senate who wrote the bill are exempted as well." http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010...
This is because they know how bad the quality of care is going to get in the future.
lipton:
Excuse me?
Did you just compare this bill to RAPE?
oh, this is a typical democratic ploy. you....must....read....the ....post. this reminds me of, when Bush said create a bill for the schwipp program. you know the one, helping children. So, Pelosi and Reid said yahoo, and built a bill chuck full of their democratic pet projects,and at the very bottom, they added a sentence that said, oh by the way, put some money in a program called Schwipp. Bush told them no way, this isn't what I asked for,I didn't ask you to add in all you pet projects, I asked for a program for children, so he vetoed it. The dems went public, with Bush vetoed the Schwipp program, he doesn't care about the children. This is how you people work, not honest, sly and pretty much pick a word and make up the rest as you go. I'm sorry I responded to your post, can't have a rational debate. Have a good day.
Uh, are you talking about SCHIP, lipton? That program was created in 1997, and sponsored by Teddy Kennedy.
Bush wasn't handed the Presidency until 2001.
You guys seriously need to turn off the talk radio.
ksand, I think you better go relook it up. If you can't find it, I will help you later.
"Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., (he is also an M.D.) proposed an amendment barring federal expenditures for supplying Viagra and other erectile dysfunction drugs to child molesters and sex offenders and cracking down on fraudulent health spending. Coburn said it would save $650 million a year, Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., called it "a crass political stunt," and Democrats turned it aside 57-42 last night."
This is why people are upset with the Democrats.
Vote them out in November, they are destroying our country!
jaunsanchez,
I'm sorry, your badly broken English is hard to comprende. I think you're calling me a liar but if that were true I would not have named the company that sold my sister this policy. Why don't you give them a call on the telefono.
keo,
By allowing viagra for rapists and child molesters, the Dems are just trying to build a loyal base any way they can.
Just take a look at your sex offender registry! It is full of people that will be glad to know the Dems will support and provide them with viagra should they fall victim to ED.
DesertSun-
Are we going to be demanding an end to the prescription drug benefit we cant afford that was added to medicare in 2006. This socialism is killing us!
The total expenditures of the program for 2008 $49.3 (billions). Projected net expenditures from 2009 through 2018 are estimated to be $727.3 billion.[26]
source
2009 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARDS OF TRUSTEES OF THE FEDERAL HOSPITAL INSURANCE AND FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL INSURANCE TRUST FUNDS, Table III.C19.--Operations of the Part D Account in the SMI Trust Fund (Cash Basis) during Calendar Years 2004-2018, Page 120
We cant keep spending our kids and grand children future for people who failed to plan for retirement and feel some sense of entitlement to retirement.
I can see the campaign signs now, "Chi-mos for Harry", "Obama, Pelosi & Reid - KEEP IT UP!"
"Never let us down"
LOL
Come on Tea Party lets lead by example!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tell these socialist that we will not accept socialized medicine and refuse to burn our children and grandkids money. The first stand will be repealing the prescription drug benefit that socialist bush & co enacted. We are not welfare Kings and Queens we are Americans we pay for our own medicine, we are not sissy Frenchman, we are rugged individuals who earn our own keep. Only by rejecting this socialized medicine program do we have any moral authority to demand ending this "reform bill" without appearing hypocrites who have ours and are afraid our ox is being gored by expanding programs.
"By allowing viagra for rapists and child molesters, the Dems are just trying to build a loyal base any way they can."
Oh, for God's sake...
I think, as with almost all mid-terms, the ruling party loses seats. No question the Dems will lose some - but they will not lose the House and Senate.
By election time there will be thousands of stories of children with pre-existing conditions that will have health care and will now live. There will be small businesses owners with their stories about their 35% health care cuts. There will be sick people who had feared being dropped from their insurance companies and now feel more secure.
These will be true hether or not one was for or against the legislation. And there will be a Dem with a child on stage with them saying that little Timmy or Suzy now is being taken care of where they weren't before. How is a Rep supposed to look those kids' parents in the eyes and say we want to repeal the law that saved your child?
When it comes down to it, parents, no matter their political leanings, do what they can to help their kid. If a parent says "I'd rather have my child die on principle than have socialized medicine" I think their spouse would knife them.
Someone mention whacking prescription drug benefit and leading the fight against socialism and not single tea party supporter will stick there head out.
you guys keep saying the republicans are out of touch..... out of touch with what? with what the democrats are doing to this country, I can't quite figure how it is the repubs are the ones out of touch. I really encourage the dems to continue with the holier than thou, walking on water attitude, because when they fall, it will be a good hard one. People that think they are better and know better than anyone else, always fall harder when they lose.And you may be right Angryvoter, we can expect they will employ acorn to register Mickey Mouse and illegals and homeless for votes,any sneaky fraudulant manner and cash works too, dems loooovvveee to spend others money.
GOP.......Grumpy Obsolete Party!
It will be funny when the elections come and the Liberals win! All of you Racist(Oops) I mean Republicans need to realize that you are a dying breed! You may be loud and angry....but you are small in numbers and dying every day! Dems are quite right now. No need for noise, we have control. When it's time to vote we will be there....and Obama will be re-elected, so just get used to hearing his name! There just simply isn't enough hateful white people in America to rule the elections anymore. Thank God!
see what I mean!. and all you that call repubs racist!!!! maybe you should look at the history of the democratic party. of course you would be the ones screaming racist the loudest. Look up why the republican party was created. Look up which party started the KKK. someone who lies and cheats and steals is always the one that thinks everyone else is trying to lie to them, cheat them and steal from them. Do any of you realize how "transparent" you really are?
DEM.....Delegate Everyones Money
THe biggest thing they can come up with to worry about is who gets Viagra? LMAO That is too funny. I needed a good laugh this morning.
No brianlee,
Denying sex offenders viagra would be the smallest example of which everyone should be able to agree.
It just demonstrates that if they can't agree on this they will accept no compromise and no ideas.