One word for MA.

Wow.

Nobel intentions and world opinion.

When considering whether it might be premature to honour someone for their intentions and their popularity, one should think back to 2002. The President had domestic approval rating in excess of eighty percent. Global favorability ratings were comparable to, and in some cases far higher than current levels. We had recently spearheaded a successful and multilateral effort to displace a oppressive theocratic regime. Humanitarian aid flourished, ambitious initiatives to combat diseases were announced, and the President called on Americans to make a serious dedication to public service.

Should Bush have been awarded for his intentions and popularity too?

The party of no?

H.R. 77: Health Care Incentive Act
Sponsor: Darrell E. Issa (CA-49)
Introduced: 2009-01-06
To provide for a credit for certain health care benefits in determining the minimum wage.

H.R. 109: America’s Affordable Health Care Act of 2009
Sponsor: Jeff Fortenberry (NE-1)
Introduced: 2009-01-06
To provide for the offering of Health Benefit Plans to individuals, to increase funding for State high risk health insurance pools, and to promote best practice protocols for State high risk pools.

H.R. 164: Seniors’ Health Care Freedom Act of 2009
Sponsor: Ron Paul (TX-14)
Introduced: 2009-01-06
To provide greater health care freedom for seniors.

H.R. 198: Health Care Tax Deduction Act of 2009
Sponsor: Cliff Stearns (FL-6)
Introduced: 2009-01-06
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a deduction for amounts paid for health insurance and prescription drug costs of individuals.

H.R. 270: TRICARE Continuity of Coverage for National Guard and Reserve Families Act of 2009
Sponsor: Robert E. Latta (OH-5)
Introduced: 2009-01-07
To amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for continuity of TRICARE Standard coverage for certain members of the Retired Reserve.

H.R. 321: SCHIP Plus Act of 2009
Sponsor: Jeff Fortenberry (NE-1)
Introduced: 2009-01-08
To amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to expand coverage options under the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) through premium assistance.

H.R. 464: More Children, More Choices Act of 2009
Sponsor: Tom Price (GA-6)
Introduced: 2009-01-13
To provide for a 5-year SCHIP reauthorization for coverage of low-income children, an expansion of child health care insurance coverage through tax fairness, and a health care Federalism initiative, and for other purposes.

H.R. 502: Health Care Freedom of Choice Act
Sponsor: Michele Bachmann (MN-6)
Introduced: 2009-01-14
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to improve health care choice by providing for the tax deductibility of medical expenses by individuals.

H.R. 544: Flexible Health Savings Act of 2009
Sponsor: Edward R. Royce (CA-40)
Introduced: 2009-01-14
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow amounts in a health flexible spending arrangement that are unused during a plan year to be carried over to subsequent plan years or deposited into certain health or retirement plans.

H.R. 917: [NO TITLE]
Sponsor: Brett Guthrie (KY-2)
Introduced: 2009-02-09
To increase the health benefits of dependents of members of the Armed Forces who die because of a combat-related injury.

H.R. 1086: Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare (HEALTH) Act of 2009
Sponsor: Phil Gingrey (GA-11)
Introduced: 2009-02-13
To improve patient access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system.

H.R. 1118: Health Care Choices for Seniors Act
Sponsor: Marsha Blackburn (TN-7)
Introduced: 2009-02-23
To amend the Social Security Act to improve choices available to Medicare eligible seniors by permitting them to elect (instead of regular Medicare benefits) to receive a voucher for a health savings account, for premiums for a high deductible health insurance plan, or both and by suspending Medicare late enrollment penalties between ages 65 and 70.

H.R. 1441: Ryan Dant Health Care Opportunity Act of 2009
Sponsor: Kenny Marchant (TX-24)
Introduced: 2009-03-11
To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to allow States to permit certain Medicaid eligible individuals who have extremely high annual lifelong orphan drug costs to continue on Medicaid notwithstanding increased income.

H.R. 1458: Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patients Act of 2009
Sponsor: Dave Camp (MI-4)
Introduced: 2009-03-12
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide continued entitlement to coverage for immunosuppressive drugs furnished to beneficiaries under the Medicare Program that have received a kidney transplant and whose entitlement to coverage would otherwise expire, and for other purposes.

H.R. 1468: Medical Justice Act of 2009
Sponsor: Michael C. Burgess (TX-26)
Introduced: 2009-03-12
To provide health care liability reform, and for other purposes.

H.R. 1658: Veterans Healthcare Commitment Act of 2009
Sponsor: Todd Tiahrt (KS-4)
Introduced: 2009-03-19
To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the recovery by the United States of charges from a third party for hospital care or medical services furnished to a veteran for a service-connected disability.

H.R. 1891: Sunset of Life Protection Act of 2009
Sponsor: Rodney Alexander (LA-5)
Introduced: 2009-04-02
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow an above-the-line deduction for half of an individual’s long-term care insurance premiums.

H.R. 2520: Patients’ Choice Act
Sponsor: Paul Ryan (WI-1)
Introduced: 2009-05-20
To provide comprehensive solutions for the health care system of the United States, and for other purposes.

S. 1099: Patients’ Choice Act
Sponsor: Tom Coburn (OK)
Introduced: 2009-05-20
A bill to provide comprehensive solutions for the health care system of the United States, and for other purposes.

H.R. 2607: Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2009
Sponsor: Sam Johnson (TX-3)
Introduced: 2009-05-21
To amend title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to improve access and choice for entrepreneurs with small businesses with respect to medical care for their employees.

H.R. 2692: CAH Designation Waiver Authority Act of 2009
Sponsor: Mac Thornberry (TX-13)
Introduced: 2009-06-03
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to restore State authority to waive the 35-mile rule for designating critical access hospitals under the Medicare Program.

H.R. 2784: Partnership to Improve Seniors Access to Medicare Act
Sponsor: Mac Thornberry (TX-13)
Introduced: 2009-06-10
To establish a loan repayment program for qualifying physicians and nurse practitioners participating in the Medicare Program.

H.R. 2785: Health Care Paperwork Reduction and Fraud Prevention Act of 2009
Sponsor: Mac Thornberry (TX-13)
Introduced: 2009-06-10
To reduce the amount of paperwork and improve payment policies for health care services, to prevent fraud and abuse through health care provider education, and for other purposes.

H.R. 2786: Patient Fairness and Indigent Care Promotion Act of 2009
Sponsor: Mac Thornberry (TX-13)
Introduced: 2009-06-10
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to improve the ability of medical professionals to practice medicine and provide quality care to patients by providing a tax deduction for patient bad debt.

H.R. 2787: Medical Liability Procedural Reform Act of 2009
Sponsor: Mac Thornberry (TX-13)
Introduced: 2009-06-10
To provide grants to States for health care tribunals, and for other purposes.

S. 1324: Health Care Freedom Act of 2009
Sponsor: Jim DeMint (SC)
Introduced: 2009-06-23
A bill to ensure that every American has a health insurance plan that they can afford, own, and keep.

H.R. 3141: Strengthening the Health Care Safety Net Act of 2009
Sponsor: John Sullivan (OK-1)
Introduced: 2009-07-09
To amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide for a DSH redistribution pool from unexpended Medicaid DSH allotments in order to increase Medicaid DSH allotments for low DSH States and to provide grants for health access networks serving the uninsured.

H.R. 3217: Health Care Choice Act of 2009
Sponsor: John B. Shadegg (AZ-3)
Introduced: 2009-07-14
To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for cooperative governing of individual health insurance coverage offered in interstate commerce.

H.R. 3218: Improving Health Care for All Americans Act
Sponsor: John B. Shadegg (AZ-3)
Introduced: 2009-07-14
To provide a refundable tax credit for medical costs, to expand access to health insurance coverage through individual membership associations (IMAs), and to assist in the establishment of high risk pools.

S. 1459: Health Care Choice Act of 2009
Sponsor: Jim DeMint (SC)
Introduced: 2009-07-16
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for cooperative governing of individual health insurance coverage offered in interstate commerce.

H.R. 3356: Medicare Beneficiary Freedom to Choose Act of 2009
Sponsor: Sam Johnson (TX-3)
Introduced: 2009-07-28
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to clarify the use of private contracts by Medicare beneficiaries for professional services and to allow individuals to choose to opt out of the Medicare part A benefits.

H.R. 3372: Health Care OverUse Reform Today Act (HealthCOURT Act)
Sponsor: Tom Price (GA-6)
Introduced: 2009-07-29
To establish Medicare performance-based quality measures, to establish an affirmative defense in medical malpractice actions based on compliance with best practices guidelines, and to provide grants to States for administrative health care tribunals.

H.R. 3400: Empowering Patients First Act
Sponsor: Tom Price (GA-6)
Introduced: 2009-07-30
To provide for incentives to encourage health insurance coverage, and for other purposes.

H.R. 3438: Access to Insurance for all Americans Act
Sponsor: Darrell E. Issa (CA-49)
Introduced: 2009-07-31
To amend title 5, United States Code, to establish a national health program administered by the Office of Personnel Management to offer Federal employee health benefits plans to individuals who are not Federal employees, and for other purposes.

H.R. 3454: Medicare Hospice Reform and Savings Act of 2009
Sponsor: John Sullivan (OK-1)
Introduced: 2009-07-31
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to reform payments and coverage for hospice care under the Medicare Program.

H.R. 3478: Patient-Controlled Healthcare Protection Act of 2009
Sponsor: Louie Gohmert (TX-1)
Introduced: 2009-07-31
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify rules relating to health savings accounts, to provide payments for a health savings account and for a high deductible health plan instead of entitlement to benefits under Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP, to give more control and coverage to patients, to lower health care costs through increased price transparency, and to require immigrants to have a health savings account and high deductible health coverage at time of admission.

Controlling the narrative.

I wonder how many people citing this memo from the Right Principles PAC as evidence of Republican thuggery have read this memo from Health Care for America Now. Let’s compare:

Read the rest of this entry »

Strange times…

I never thought I would see the day where left wing sites would cite difficulty organizing people to counter conservative protesters. Let’s face it, the right has always had an activist gap. Not only do we skew older, which tends to mute passions, but as a group we tend to regard politics as an unpleasant distraction rather than a means to an end.

Perhaps more interesting than the late rise of conservative activism is the liberal reaction. This particular piece at FireDogLake goes as far as characterizing Republican participation in health care “town hall” meetings as “one step short of angry brown shirt mobs physically threatening and beating people”.

Watching the videos I see some people being rambunctious, perhaps even obnoxious, but “sheer thuggery”? At worst the videos circulating show a lack of decorum. I think our legislators can weather a few boisterous and resolved constituents.

Now it seems the White House has gone on record with the accusation that conservative groups are “manufacturing” anger, with vague allusions to nefarious forces behind the scenes.

I suppose honest answers to legitimate concerns is too much to ask for.

About your humble narrator.

When I started this blog I didn’t promote it beyond mentioning it to friends. I was writing to write rather than writing to be read, if that makes sense. The server logs indicate that I’m building a readership in spite of myself, though, so introductions are probably in order.

So, hi. My name is Matthew Berg, and I find talking about myself – particularly to strangers – exceedingly awkward. I am a life long resident of western New York and a long time resident of the University Heights district of Buffalo. I earn my keep as a computer professional at a local internet firm recently named one of the fastest growing companies in the region.

First and foremost in my life is my family. My wife and I have been blessed with three sons and are expecting a fourth child in January. The natural insanity of small children constitutes my primary source of entertainment.

Other than that I’m a fairly boring guy. When not working or spending time with my family my usual diversions are reading and playing armchair politician, and pretty soon I’ll be pursuing a degree in history and political science.

Any questions?

Cut. It. Out.

I hate to comment further on the Gates arrest. Even before the “beer summit” it was clear opinions were entrenched and opinions were at least reflective of attitudes toward race and authority as of the facts.

However I do have to take a moment to ask my fellow conservatives to not flog the idea this somehow proves Obama is a racist. It may be fair say the president exhibited a lack of judgment in his comments, or that his treatment of the incident was needlessly focused on race. To say the president “has a deep-seated hatred for white people or the white culture” is just asinine, though, and the talk of how “Obama’s mask slipped” are reminiscent of the hysterical accusations of “coded racism” that are targeted at Republicans.

If anything this incident was tragic precisely because Obama has largely avoided identity politics in his career; there are exceptions, but they are notable largely for their infrequency. He has also repeatedly spoken hard truths to the black communities about personal and familial responsibility. No one should be in such a rush to judge and label that they lose sight of virtue.

No need to insure people you don’t employ.

The recent accusations of “exaggerating costs and underestimating savings” levied on the Congressional Budget Office by White House Budget Director Peter Orszag are only the most recent salvo of an ongoing attack on the credibility of the the agency. A chorus of voices, including President Obama and many ranking Democrats in the legislature have consistently laid the charge in recent months that the CBO “always give you the worst case scenario on one initiative and never … any credit for anything that happens if you have early intervention, health care” in the words of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Any projection will have flaws and oversights, and it is entirely possible that the preliminary analysis underestimates some savings, though it clearly does include them. The other possibility is that assumptions about revenue and participation are woefully optimistic and the deficit impact will be even greater than indicated.

In a letter ironically hailed by some late critics of the agency, the CBO laid out their expectations of the effects of the proposed legislation on private insurance enrolment, private sector premiums and the labor market, among other topics. Their projections are relatively supportive of the narrative advanced by the president and other Democratic leaders; certainly more so than those by private firms, such as the Lewin Group. However the letter, like previous communications and testimony, points out the difficulties and uncertainties inherent in the process.

One key factor are that may be underestimated is the impact on the labor market. Though the analysis does acknowledge that fees on employers not offering insurance “would tend to reduce the hiring of workers at or near the minimum wage, because their wages might not be able to decline by the full amount of the fee” they are dismissive of the potential impact, citing studies suggesting that moderate increases in minimum wage have little impact on employment. The relationship between minimum wage and employment is not wholly uncontroversial, though, and the compound effect of wage increases and health care tax stretch any credible definition of moderate. The nominal cost of employment will have increased by 51% over a 2007 baseline.

It doesn’t take much imagination to invent mechanisms by which small businesses might reduce their payroll in order to reduce or eliminate their obligation under the proposed legislation. Direct employees could be displaced by independent contractors or outsourcing contracts. Chains could be reorganized as independent franchise operations. Increased automation, such as self checkout machines, could eliminate positions entirely.

The extent may be arguable, but losses are certain, and the casualties will entry level.

A teachable moment.

Our president spoke recently about the arrest and controversy surrounding the arrest of Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr.:

My hope is is that as a consequence of this event, this ends up being what’s called a teachable moment, where all of us, instead of pumping up the volume, spend a little more time listening to each other and try to focus on how we can generally improve relations between police officers and minority communities, and that instead of flinging accusations, we can all be a little more reflective in terms of what we can do to contribute to more unity.

Setting aside his unfortunate initial remarks, which themselves served to pump up the volume by flinging accusations, the president is right, though perhaps not in the sense he intended.

Reading Professor Gates’ account establishes several things – that his house had been vacant for some period of time; that he and his driver had been fiddling with the door and eventually forced their way in; that he admits refusing to cooperate several times; that he admits make accusations toward the officers.

More telling than retelling of the events, though, is his interpretation of them. We are told the emergency dispatch report is “the worst racial profiling I’ve ever heard of in my life”. We are told that he several times “realized that [he] was in danger”. We are told that the officer clearly “had a narrative in his head: A black man was inside someone’s house, probably a white person’s house, and this black man had broken and entered”.

Whether the arrest was justified is arguable, and it was possibly not wise even if justified. However the responding officer acted according to protocol, even by Mr. Gates’ account. As a single officer responding to report of an break in progress involving two men, it would appropriately cautious for Sgt. Crowley to establish identity before entering the premises. That he entered the premises without backup likely indicates he believed Mr. Gates was the lawful resident and simply wanted to confirm that fact.

There are lessons here about the danger of treating peace officers as adversaries and about the poisoning effects of presumed racism. Unfortunately those lessons are likely to be lost.

Fun with numbers.

Obama:

Our budget had a 10-year projection — and I just want everybody to be clear about this: If we had done nothing, if you had the same old budget as opposed to the changes we made in our budget, you’d have a $9.3 trillion deficit over the next 10 years. Because of the changes we’ve made it’s going to be $7.1 trillion. Now, that’s not good, but it’s $2.2 trillion less than it would have been if we had the same policies in place when we came in.

The Congressional Budget Office

From 2010 to 2019, the cumulative deficit under the President’s proposals would total $9.3 trillion, more than double the cumulative deficit projected under the current-law assumptions embodied in CBO’s baseline.

It appears likely the president persists in the tactic of including a perpetual “overseas contingency operation” (i.e. the Iraq war) as part of the baseline projection. His numbers have changed slightly since his budget projection was published, but his dishonesty hasn’t.