GOP knocks public health care, Pelosi

Posted: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 11:40 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress, Republicans, Luke Russert

From NBC's Luke Russert
House GOP leader John Boehner says that any government component to health care is akin to "throwing the baby out with the bath water," because it would lead to the demise of all private insurance. He also thinks that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi "can't have her cake and eat it too" on the interrogation issue.

At the Republicans leadership's weekly news conference following their caucus' meeting, Boehner addressed questions regarding health care and the recent controversy regarding Pelosi and her knowledge of CIA interrogation techniques used during the Bush administration.

Talking about health care, Boehner said that the president and the Democrats essentially want to push America toward a system similar to Canada's and Great Britain's, where patients have to wait longer for lower quality drugs and important health tests.

Boehner went on to say that 150 million Americans get their health insurance through their employer and "if the government competes with the private sector, it will crowd out private health insurance."

Translation: If the government gets involved in health insurance, it will severely cripple the private insurance industry.

"We have to be careful not to throw the baby out with the bath water," Boehner added. Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) went on to say that millions would be driven into government-run health care, and America would end up with "socialized medicine."

Regarding Pelosi and the interrogation techniques, Boehner said that the country needs to know: "When did she know and what did she do about it? You can't have your cake and eat it too."

He then went on to say that many Democrats knew about the interrogation techniques and that some even "encouraged officials to go forward."

On the topic of a possible so-called "Truth Commission," which has been suggested by some in Congress to investigate possible torture charges, Boehner said, "At the end of the day Democrats won't go there, because they were briefed."

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Comments

Boehner and the Dick need to go on a hunting trip together. Maybe take Rush Screwbaugh with.

Buzz (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 11:55 AM)

Its funny that Boehner and Pence don't seem to object to THEIR socialized medicine paid for by the American tax payers!

I'm not sure that even IF Pelosi new about the torture she broke the law as I don't think she approved it. But if she did, I say she should be prosecuted just like anyone else.

What does Boehner mean by lower quality drugs like Canada? Is there actually any data that supports this allegation? And what does it mean that Americans will have to wait longer for important tests? The implication seems to be that you'll die while you wait. But that isn't what happens in Canada. The waits in Canada depend on where you are. Those in rural areas tend to wait longer than those in big cities. That doesn't seem to be as much a criticism of "socialized medicine" but more a fact that remote areas don't have as many doctors and facilities. Nor really any different than here in the US.

Chris - IL (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 11:56 AM)

..where patients have to wait longer for lower quality drugs and important health tests...

I have a very good company health insurance and I wait longer for lower quality drugs and important health tests right now. The only difference is I and my company pay a whole lot more than the Canadians or the Britains do!

Jimbo, Mesa, AZ (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 11:57 AM)

Obviously none of these Republicans have had to live without healthcare coverage, or have been denied healthcare coverage because of a health condition - none of them have had to put off seeing a dr. or getting their kids medical care because of the fear of what it will cost. Well more and more people do know what it's like - the time has come to address this issue!!!!

Terri (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 11:59 AM)

Rep. Boehner should include some facts in his speech if he wants people to believe him. Where are the statistics about health care in Canada and in Britain? Why not include France, which has a great health care system? Why, as someone else commented on this site, if the government is inefficient and wasteful, would a government-run program force the private sector options (supposedly well run?) out of business? And finally, with regard to Rep. Pelosi, Rep. Boehner follows the thinking of his party. Torture is wrong, and against the Geneva Convention. The country and laws of the country are more important than political individuals -- no one is above the law, and just because Nancy Pelosi was "briefed" doesn't mean she would close down an investigation.

let it be (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 11:59 AM)

I can always change insurance companies on my own. I can't change government that way. You want affordable health care for all? Get the John Edwards out of the mix.

Dave, Tn (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:00 PM)

The "party of no" strikes again. The GOP wants to do absolutely nothing while Americans struggle to afford health care - and while many die trying.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

matt (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:01 PM)

"(Boehner) also thinks that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi "can't have her cake and eat it too" on the interrogation issue." - First Read
================================================
But she can have your cake John . . . and that's the real problem, isn't it? :)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

From previous post:
"Nashville Fan, have you appreciated the fact that this country has been safe from attack since 9/11? "
- George Costanza
===============================================
I sure have George . . . what was Dick Cheney's part in making that happen?

Specifics please. One accomplishment of Dick Cheney - a policy he authored, a new idea he advocated, anything.

We have a CIA, FBI, and military who, even hamstrung by the lack of vision and cronyism of their leadership, have done their jobs well as always.

Surely you aren't suggesting Dick Cheney should be credited with their work?

Al Quaeda has had the luxury of sitting back and watching the leadership of the United States jump everytime they said "Boo" for the last 8 years . . . why attack again when the enemey is still running from your shadow . . . and spending every nickle they've got on foreign oil and outdated bombers?

It's a terrorist dream scenario . . . put us in a permanently reactionary position to every tape they release full of delusional rantings . . . put their ideology on an equal footing with our own by making them the focus of our lives . . .

Not a winning strategy . . . thanks for nothing Dick.

Nashville_fan (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:01 PM)

I am so sick and tired of listening to "well, Pelosi knew about the torture". What if she did, she didn't order it or approve of it. I'm sure there were a lot of people that knew about the order to torture, but what could anyone do with the "Decider" in the room. A lot of people knew it would be a mistake to go into Iraq and look for WMD's. Most intelligent people in and out of the military knew our fight was with the Terroists/Taliban in Afghanistan. Especially once we had weakened them after 911. But when the "Decider" makes up his mind, that's what gets done. DUH!!

Janet Day Graham nc (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:03 PM)

As usual, Boehner and other members of the Great Obstructionist Party want to cherry pick all the "bad" reasons for not having universal health care. He refuses to read and understand the plan for health care laid out by the President, so he just comes up with stats pulled out of his pa-tooty, to counteract the facts.

Public healthcare is an important issue for the American people and there is no time like the present to get it started.

J. Ellis, Virginia (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:07 PM)

If these clowns think that private health insurance companies act in the best interest of their subscribers over their profits, they're as clueless as we all suspect. Bonehead's comments about Canada and Britain's health care system is inaccurate and unsupported. Once again, unregulated greed and big business is their preferred solution (after all, they can afford it)

griff,seattle (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:10 PM)

Ok, I do not get it. Every time someone says that "if we have a government-run health care alternative it will put private health insurance companies out of business" I want to scream. I don't care if the private insurers go out of business! Its not about them, its about providing affordable health care to the American people. If the private insurers can't compete - get out of business.

Peg, Idaho (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:12 PM)

I have a very good company health insurance and I wait longer for lower quality drugs and important health tests right now. The only difference is I and my company pay a whole lot more than the Canadians or the Britains do!
----------------------------------------------------
And therein lies the great myth. 'Free' health care is anything but. If you think you pay a lot now, wait until a third of your income is gone to pay for your 'free' health care.

Dr. Kildare (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:12 PM)

Dave:

Good one. Edwards is Democratic toast. Another Bill Clinton.

Feisty Brunette (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:13 PM)

If you really want to pass Healthcare legislation then we need to not pay any member of Congress until the legislation is passed. We need to stipulate they cannot accept any donations toward their campaigns until legislation is passed. We need to lock them in the Congress and say call us when it is done. That will get legislation passed.

Drew, Cincinnati, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:14 PM)

Can I ask, what does single payer mean to you? For example, do you think Ted Kennedy would have gotten the treatment and care he received here in another country? You think a 77 year old man is a good candidate for brain surgery in a single payer system like Canada or the UK? If you think that the public health insurance system proposed is going to be at the level of service that congress currently receives then we are going bankrupt very quickly. Nobody is arguing that there is not a need for basic care services, the argument is over catastrophic and chronic conditions and most of all end of life. That is where the money goes. So again I'll ask what does a single payer system mean to you?

Alan, NJ (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:15 PM)

Why are republicans more concerned about insurance companies then they are about the citizens of this country?

If the insurance companies can't compete with the public insurance then they can either go out of business or offer better service and a lower price. Who, other then the republicans and a few DINOS care if insurance companies go out of business?

Ben, Peoria, IL (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:16 PM)

Terry, and all of the rest of the bloggers who keep repeating the mantra that 'those with pre-existing conditions are denied coverage'-

nice talking point-too bad it isn't true. "The Blues", (Blue cross and Blue shield) are not-for-profit health insurers which were started to take all comers. In addition, Bill Clinton passed legislation making it illegal for health insurers to deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions. I believe that pregnancy is the only exception, although that, too, may be different from state to state.

I am someone with a serious health issue (chronic nephritis), so I know a little bit about the issue. When I changed insurers in 1990, I went to Blue Cross/Blue Shield SPECIFICALLY because they could not deny me coverage based on my pre-existing condition. Clinton's signing of legislation to force all insurers to take people like me opened up the field, and I changed again.

Please keep the lies out of your arguments. You may fool some people, but there are plenty of us around who know the truth.

I'm against government controlled health care for a number of reasons, not the least of which is their track record with Social Security and Medicare. Use the truth, not lies.

no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:17 PM)

The Dems should proceed with healthcare and ignore the House Republicans who won't vote for any healthcare package. The conservative notion is to keep it the same and let it get worse.

Attacking Nancy Pelosi is fine. It is important to know when she was informed about torture. The point the Republicans want to ignore is that Nancy Pelosi was not in the room when Bush 43, Cheney, Condi Rice decided to approve of torture. They clearly are the ones culpable.

My outrage of the Day is Joe Scarbrough who believes that we are less safe today. There is no evidence to back up that statement. When will Jeff Zuker wise up and dump this idiot. Enough Already.

Ron Indiana (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:18 PM)

I sure wish I lived in Boehner's district so I could vote against him.

But it is nice to not have to be embarrassed to say he is my representative.

Too bad I can't have it both ways.

Dennis, Columbus, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:18 PM)

Countdown ran a clip of Cheney's latest attempt to defend the indefensible, in which he inadvertently exonerated Pelosi. Briefing someone on enhanced interrogation tactics is not the same as telling someone, "Hey, we've been using these for the past six months!" Which, by the way, was illegal -- the White House is supposed to keep Congress up to date on such things.

As far as health care is concerned -- all these people who say that Canada and the UK have these godawful government run healthcare systems should try living for a few years with no insurance, or substandard insurance in the US.

Holly, Portland, ME (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:20 PM)

If my father had been a citizen of Canada, he would have been dead years ago.

Unless he could have come here for treatment.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:25 PM)

no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:17 PM)

Thank you for the enlightenment. I guess that fact that my insurance turned down bills for back treatment for my wife "because it was a pre-existing condition" were my imagination?

Oh she could get treatment one of two ways. We could pay for it out of pocket. Or we could wait the 12 month period for the pre-existing condition clause to expire.

We have to protect ourselves against "socialized medicine" because we will have to wait for treatment. Its a good thing that doesn't happen with the current perfect system using private insurance!

Chris - IL (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:30 PM)

I already wait 3 weeks to over a month to see doctors now - and the insurance company decides what tests and procedures they will pay for - the argument that this will "start" to happen is a joke. It's already in practice!

Jilli, houston, tx (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:30 PM)

Why do so many headlines read "GOP blocks nomination" or "GOP Knocks Public Health Care" instead of "GOP Agrees on Compromise with President" or "GOP offers interesting new idea on Health Care"? Simple: they have no ideas and really seem to be falling into line with the "Party of No" label. Have they seen their poll numbers lately? Do they realize only about 20% of Americans are registered Republicans, many of us moderates who are starting to get the message that we are not wanted.

On Pelosi, if it's true than one of her aides (not her directly) was told in 2003 that a suspect was being waterboarded, does that not seem unlawful since her committee was required to be briefed BEFORE such action was taken, not after the fact? Why is the MSM ignoring that and instead giving into to the GOP Pelosi distraction? I assume all of these Republicans salivating at Pelosi knowing about torture are very much against torture and want Bush officials prosecuted,too, right? Sadly, wrong. They just want Pelosi-or any Dem- to take the fall to make a point. Although I refer to my party these days as "they" I am still a Republican (for now) and not a fan of Pelosi, but anyone can see the GOP are trying to make her the scapegoat to distract from the truth:
-The Bush Administration tortured and went against the Geneva Convention. We have evidence of conspiracy, destroying damning documents and tapes, for goodness sake. Is this what Cheney is defending? End of story.

Proud Member RepublicansforObama.org

Izzy Buffalo, NY (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:39 PM)

I wonder (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:39 PM)

NO MO NJ (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:41 PM)

Use the truth, not lies.

no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:17 PM)
-------------------------------------------------------

Good thing the republicans follow this rule and don't make stuff up. You know, like the horrible Canadian and British systems with inferior drugs, long waits, and a lousy health care system?

Chris - IL (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:41 PM)

The republicans are against it right before they line up to use it, government run healthcare I mean. How come the righties never kick their parents or grandparents off of medicare or medicaid? Your socialist parents need to buck up and go find their own healthcare. We're waiting righties.

Still waiting (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:43 PM)

I am someone with a serious health issue (chronic nephritis), so I know a little bit about the issue. When I changed insurers in 1990, I went to Blue Cross/Blue Shield SPECIFICALLY because they could not deny me coverage based on my pre-existing condition. Clinton's signing of legislation to force all insurers to take people like me opened up the field, and I changed again. ...
no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:17 PM)

-----------------------------------------------------
Joe - did you get your Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance thru your work place? Company sponsered health insurance can't exclude pre-existing conditions, but as someone who also has a pre-existing condition (type 1 diabetes) I could not get coverage. That is the reason I have to work today, even though I have have many complications of the desease, to get medical coverage.

And it isn't single payer insurance it is universal coverage insurance.

Carole, San Diego, CA (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:44 PM)

How many republicans get subsidized healthcare? When will they all denounce their socialist blood sucking ways?

Still waiting (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:45 PM)

I think the real problem with socialized medicine is that Republicans like Boehner would be the very ones to cut funding so that we would have to wait in longer lines for less medicine. His opinion is not a prediction; it's a threat.

James, Atlanta, Georgia (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:48 PM)

Terry, and all of the rest of the bloggers who keep repeating the mantra that 'those with pre-existing conditions are denied coverage'-
no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:17 PM)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

No whatver you are... Wrong Again! Following is from the 2009 Cobra Continuation Election Coverage Form (for you simpletons that don't know what that is... it's what you have to fill out should you lose you job and want to continue you insurance benefits)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
First, you can
lose the right to avoid having preexisting condition exclusions applied to you by other group health
plans if you have a 63-day gap in health coverage, and election of continuation coverage may help
prevent such a gap. Second, you will lose the guaranteed right to purchase individual health
coverage that does not impose a preexisting condition exclusion if you do not elect continuation
coverage for the maximum time available to you.

IS THIS CLEAR ENOUGH FOR YOU??

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:49 PM)

John Boeher - how much money do the private health care provider give you for you to come up with that BS. See the only thing, dumb asses like you care about is how much money you can put in your pocket.

It's obvious you don't give a damn about the American people.

See it called competition, when the private health care providers realize they can't monopolize this service they will begin to lower their ridiculous cost for it.

The only thing bad that would come from that is people like you, won't get your political contributions - well not as much.

DO your freakin job and service the people that elected you - not the lobbyist - you moron.

Thank you and GOD BLESS AMERICA

The- Democrat Soldier (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:52 PM)

Bush and Cheney only approved of the interogation techniques after several lawyers advised them that they would not be in voilation of the law.

We should disbar - fire - hang
these lawyers and all lawyers

All lawyers are crooks, liars and thieves
President and Wife Included

waterboard all lawyers!

Lawyers = liars (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 12:57 PM)

I still don't get why clowns like boehner decry government insurance but yet he and every one of his ilk are partaking in you guessed it, government provided healthcare. Isn't it ironic that the very same bozos who don't like reasonable priced healthcare for the rest of us have voted it in for themselves.

How many clowns voted for boehner who have no healthcare coverage? Just wondering stupid.
I wonder
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Darn it - I wanted to post this!

How about saving - all government officials will now have to pay for their own private insurance. Uproar yet??

Uproar, MA (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 1:15 PM)

About the coverage issue for pre-existing conditions:
1. you can get health insurance.
2. However, if with a pre-existing condition, they will most likely not cover most of your doctor visits, etc..
3. I have had blue cross for over 20 years not from work because it is not offered.
4. My son had asthma as a child and still occassionaly suffers from that but with blue cross they would not pay for any time he went to the doctor or medications. And that's a fact. Now my son is working and has health care coverage through them and no pre existing conditions exist.

SAM, USA (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 1:20 PM)

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