Leader Of GOP Health Care “Solutions Group” Says GOP Won’t Offer Health Care Bill
National Dems think they’ve caught a prominent Republican in another major health care gaffe, and they say they’re planning on banging away at it all day today.
The gaffe in question: GOP Rep. Roy Blunt has now said Republicans won’t offer a health care bill of their own, breaking a previous promise. Worse, it turns out Blunt is chair of something called the “House GOP Health Care Solutions Group.”
Blunt’s quote went up online late yesterday evening:
“Our bill is never going to get to the floor, so why confuse the focus? We clearly have principles; we could have language, but why start diverting attention from this really bad piece of work they’ve got to whatever we’re offering right now?”
That’s a pretty stark admission that Republicans won’t introduce their own bill solely because they think it’s better politics to keep the focus on the Democrats.
It gets better. Head over to the House GOP Health Care Solutions Group’s Web site, and you’ll find prominent video of Blunt vowing the GOP is “drafting our own legislation.”
Dems are already circulating Blunt’s recent suggestion that government perhaps shouldn’t have created certain other well-established government health care programs. “After saying Medicare and Medicaid were mistakes, now Roy Blunt is admitting he will not offer any healthcare solutions,” DSCC spokesman Eric Schultz emailed me.
Expect Dems to tie Blunt’s latest to Jim DeMint’s “Waterloo” crack to push the line that the GOP’s preferred health care cure is no cure at all.
Update: Blunt clarifies.
Update II: The plot thickens again!.
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Well it’s hard to top a numberless budget. But this is a close second.
Roy Blunt has been promising a plan for months, and is even bragging to prospective Missouri voters about how his plan is “actually much more detailed” than other proposals.
Here’s a timeline of his promises and bold claims:
http://www.firedupmissouri.com/content/timeline-blunts-promises-and-bold-proclamations-about-health-care-reform-legislation
The GOP has no solutions? I’m shocked. Shocked I tell you.
I’d count this as an example that Republicans actually can learn. They’ve got nothing, but at least this time they aren’t going to ballyhoo their lack of substantive alternatives the way they did their asinine numberless ‘budget.’
Democrats in the House should hold up a blank sheet of paper and announce that its the CBO scoring of the GOP plan. lol
Dems need to take the gloves off and in the words of Bill Kristol “Go for the KILL”.
Dems should paint Repubs as playing politics with the health of Americans…. I think that’s what some are tyring to do now, but the message isn’t as clear as it should be.
The Repubs have already wrote the playbook. There is audio of Demint’s comment, and now this qoute from a Repub from the House GOP Health Care Solutions Group.. if there is audio of that it would be even better.
There is a huge opening here.. and I hope they take it.
This is PERFECT.
Now you combine the way the President framed doing nothing as an alternative plan…and BAM.
“The Republicans have refused to put forth a reform plan, instead beliving we need to stick with the status quo. Their Do Nothing Health Care plan is a plan that doubles the cost of healthcare over the next decade, triples the cost of premiums, and drops – on average – half a million people’s coverage every single year.”
They want to kill health care reform. THAT is their alternative health care plan. It’s time to make them OWN IT.
This is no surprise for the G(nO)P they have spent the last 6 months of attacking Obama. Your talking about a party that held a press conference on April Fool’s day to discuss their “alternative budget” that had no actual figures. Now would you want these people running your business? Seriously, would you?
Rush thanks for doing a great job at “FAILING” the G(nO)P, please keep up the good work.
Why is it all ways a problem funding some thing when it will help poor, we pay taxes too? The money we spend on wars and rebuilding the countries we were at war with (cold or hot) we fine the money to do that no matter how much it cost. Most senators and congressmen don’t care, because they have a good job and insurance, not to mention the moneys they get from the special interest group, but the health of this nation and its people don’t matter, if the ones that need it is black or minority. The health of this country should be our number one priority. Stop selfish congressmen and senators and do what’s right for we the people – all of us. After all I do have a right to vote.
.
The English won the battle of Waterloo. Why are the conservatives on the French side?
I am stunned that Republicans as a group are unable to actually create a strategy that both supports the American people in their quest for help and their core beliefs. I mean, heck – I’m a Democrat and I can think of a better plan for Republicans to at least participate and be seen as helping. Geez, are they really that bad? Is this the residual of Rush and Steele? Man they are idiots.
Shucks, and I was looking forward to a repeat of them holding their much touted “budget” with no numbers in it.
Sadly I believe the Republicans are not qualified to be in office, or in their Senate jobs, governors, mayors. I do not believe they have the knowledge how to run anything but a Corporate business such as oil.
This is not a new thought. I thought Reagan was a jerk, Bush I and II. I dested Nixon and felt they are a Party of ommision, isolation, secrecy and war. They do not have the intelligence or ambition to aquire knowledge and sadly led by a special bible of party politics of destruction of opposition wherever it is. What a farce and a sad, sad joke on the American culture and economy.
Their solution is to delay and kill reform and so far, with the help of blue dogs and health industry money, they’re doing a great job. Forget the people, go for the money.
Another excuse for non performance. These people have done nothing since Jan 20 to earn their salaries and their benefits and the public should put a hold on their salaries until they start doing the work they were hired to do. We do not need them to offer another plan; we need them to participate and join in the work that is being done rather than to spin the same old worn out, lame and impotent threats they have used for years and to obstruct over and over and over again for what they perceive as political gain. Clearly, they do not see an issue in health care or the economy or foreign policy; they only see poliltics for politics sake and they are not doing a very good job at that either. Why don’t they attack the C Street house as some kind of shadow, underground influence on governmental representatives, akin to Socialism, Nazism, Facism, Communism, and an immoral influence on the sexual proclilvities of those C Street believers? I can see far worse implications for our country in the existence of that outfit than I do for government health care plan as an option for the people to have access to care. Clowns and fools and they fall lower and lower in dignity and substance.
With the importance of this issue the Presidents Press Conference did a lot to clear things up, but much more is needed, especially with what the Rethuglicans have planned in the way of scare tactics. I think a good idea would be to have a couple of panel debates with some very vocal and well versed administration people on one side, and whoever the Rethuglicans want to talk their case. Each should be two hours, and done soon. I truly do not think the Rethuglican stance will be able to withstand a well presented argument.
Wait a minute they have several plans. They have NO, Mope, No Way, Forget about it, Ain’t Gonna Happen, NEVER,Uhn Uhh, What?!, FU, No F’ing way and Negative Captain. This guys have a tremendous amount of depth and alternatives.
Remember what Pee Wee Herman said after his bicycle face-plant?
“I meant to do that”.
Not surprised. That would actually require them to do some work. It’s apparent the republicans aren’t used to doing the job they were elected to do.
They really do have a plan. It’s the plan they always have: Cut taxes and give everybody a gun.
Rep Blackburn R-TN should find out why her laws – written as a TN State Senator- for TENN CARE is broke- by her own admission in mark up –
Opposed to playing the race card regarding the legitimate birth of OBAMA
How is that education system in Tennessee Ms Blackburn?
Can you say FRAUD Ms. Blackburn?
Fraud you allowed to penetrate the medical universe for decades – Blackburn?
CNN now has Blackburn on against Government Bureaucracy-
YOU WROTE THE LAW BLACKBURN!
Blackburn R-TN wonders why TENN CARE is BROKE? Ask RICK SCOTT!
Tennessee needs to pay attention CPR-Patients Rights to RICK SCOTT
Say this 30 x’s
HCA- LARGEST FRAUD in HISTORY
HCA- LARGEST FRAUD in HISTORY
HCA- LARGEST FRAUD in HISTORY
HCA- LARGEST FRAUD in HISTORY
HCA- LARGEST FRAUD in HISTORY
HCA- LARGEST FRAUD in HISTORY
HCA- LARGEST FRAUD in HISTORY
HCA- LARGEST FRAUD in HISTORY
They actually do have a plan, and it’s much better, and more detailed, and would fix our health care crises… it only lacks “language” (like their budget lacked numbers), but they’re not going to reveal this superior solution to our nation’s struggling citizens because…. well…. uh….
Did you hear that President Obama wasn’t born in this country!!?
They want to kill health care reform. THAT is their alternative health care plan.
Thus, their de facto goal (whether they have even realized this yet or not) is a society in which the only ones who get healthcare are the wealthy who can afford it.
This is yet another facet of Cheney’s “ownership society”, which meant (as it always has), “I’ve got mine. The rest of you can go to hell.”
the republican/conservatives have a plan. it is die young and broke.
this way they can save social security.
THERE IS NO RIGHT TO LIFE
WITHOUT THE RIGHT TO HEALTH CARE
Rep. Roy Blunt
Do what’s right for all the people or get voted out!!!!!!!!
There’s gambling in Casablanca?? The GOP has no intention of drafting their own legislation on health care?? Who knew???
So is he saying we are stupid is this how they intend to get more people in the republican partyor is this more of just trust us
President Obama, did not create this mess,he’s just trying to fix what the Republicans and G.Bush has mess up for eight years,Republicans dont let hate,pride and selfishiness get in the way of serving the people,i know the money that you are getting from the special intrest group feel good,but you was elected to serve the people. do your jobs and stop acting like little kids – Blue Dogs that goes for you to (2010)You Know The Number.
I read yesterday that five million more have become uninsured since 2008. My question to Mr. Blunt (who is from my state) would be–Tell me about your health insurance. What are the deductibles? What is the co-pay. What is the limit for catastrophic illnesses? Are you subject to rescission (having paid-up health insurance canceled when you get an expensive illness)? Can you take your health care with you in retirement if you retire before 65?
I think those answers would take us a long way to understanding why Blunt and his fellow Republicans are not worried about the fact that any of us ordinary people can (and probably will) lose either our health insurance or our jobs if we or family contracts an expensive illness. Why should Roy Blunt care? That same thing is not going to happen to him. He has federal insurance, seventy percent paid for by the taxpayers.
I wonder if American’s are finally getting the message that the current Republican leadership is only concerned with sabotaging any and all efforts to move this country forward. That sums up their entire list of things to do. The Republicans have nothing and contribute nothing.
Wow the Cons are crazy, you can blame all this on McCains selection of Palin and Joe the plumber. They have completly given up on independents and moderates. No plan? No alternative? Who wins a bidding war by doing nothing? Was this the “idea (plan)” for Iraq, lets do nothing and let the Dems complain about it. This is bad, if this does not get approved by the blue dogs we are all in trouble!
obviously this is an excuse to again the party of no solution…when you have no ideas, you say no change is needed.
I moved to Blunt’s hometown in MO from California and the people in MO are the dumbest people I have ever met they are still driving around with their W stickers and claim our President was born in Africa, moving back to CA soon.
Maybe just maybe in a perfect world the democrats would use these words and mount a counter attack against the republicans. One can dream cant they.
Was this the “idea (plan)” for Iraq, lets do nothing and let the Dems complain about it.
Remember the immediate aftermath? The rioting?
Remember Rumsfeld’s response? He basically smiled, shrugged his shoulders and said the polite version of, “Oh well. S**t happens.”
Later we learned that Rumsfeld & his cronies had in advance deliberately forbade the Pentagon from doing any planning at all about how to handle the aftermath once the active invasion phase was completed.
This man is running for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Kit Bond. Harry Truman must be choking at the thought.
Oh Please don’t think all Missourians are stupid. There are those of us who are sane, I promise!
The “House” legislation was written by the private Health Care Industries (their) lobbyists and their Congressional lackeys…including 160 Republican amendments (called pork if amendments are written by Democrats) when the words Health Care reform are being used..the meaning is really reform FOR the Health Care Industries….single-payer would have shut the “Health Care lobbyists” completely out of the negotiations and thats why Congress (even the President)would not talk or even consider “single-payer” (the Health Care lobbyists have to much money, power and they are the true owners of “our” House and Senate (the lobbyists and the Corporations should be getting the “bills” for the upkeep, expenses, wages and benefits in the House and Senate, instead of us), (THEN, would you right-wingers finally accept that we have become a fascist nation?) …if the “people” want real reform..call it Patient Care reform..take back the debate, take it out of the hands of the lobbyists and their Congressional lackeys and OWN it, for ourselves… PATIENT CARE reform!!!
and they pay these people? Citizens of Missouri deserve a refund and a new representative.
Words cannot even begin to express how ridiculous this is. The GOP keeps knocking down every proposal, yet they can’t suggest something themselves? I can’t believe anyone takes this party seriously. They can only ***** and complain. No one wants to come up with anything but snide comments towards the current administration. (For the record, I’m an independent.)
The GOP with a plan? Yes indeed, that would leave us all dumbfounded.
GOP Healthcare solution called, “the Status Quo”.
Obama may fail, but ultimately WE lose. And pray
to your God that you never contract anything that
can be defined as a “pre-existing condition.” Of
the over 20 large industrial nation that have some
form of Universal Healthcare, how many are revolting
for the American form of Medical. Listen carefully,
NONE!!
The GOP to whine, but they have neither new ideas or common sense and they do not care about the American people. They do, however, care about their rich, white racist friends.
Let’s hope Obama’s health care plan fails. Who needs healthy Americans? Apart from 1.3 billion Chinese they owe 2 trillion dollars to….
Public Option?
I think the fear of the unknown is the greatest barrier to entry for the good of the people.
So – let’s look at something familiar with most adults- Airlines. Or at least the basic idea and basic knowledge and I emphasize basic.
In the early 90’s – Chicago had two of the biggest carriers- American Airlines & United Airlines in the industry.
Both carriers operated out of O’Hare Airport.
Midway Airport was old- decrepit and sitting idle.
Midway Airlines operated out of Midway Airport only- but they entered the Chicago market
They lasted a few years. In the interim- Southwest Airlines overcame laws in Texas that restricted entry into an industry that already had one of the greatest BARRIERS to ENTRY in the world.
Midway Airlines – with limited destinations – eventually failed, however- Southwest flourished.
Southwest entered the market with more destinations to where they competed with United and American.
A real example- over many years American Airlines and United Airlines both offered service to business travelers approximately 3 flights per day from Chicago O’Hare Airport to Providence Rhode Island.
A round trip fare – on United or American for mid week travel , i.e. depart Tuesday, return Thursday, ranged between $700.00 – $900.00.
Once Southwest Airlines offered comparable service from Midway Airport to Providence, RI for a round trip fare of less than $200.00 RT – guess what United and American did?
Need I say more?
United and American began to charge $199.00 for the exact itinerary they charged $900.00, pre- southwest.
Public Option into the Health Industry Oligopoly is our Southwest of the Airline Oligopoly!
The Do Nothings ” Country First Congress
Let’s look at what they have done from 1994-2006
Just look at what the C- Street U.S. Rep. Chip Pickering (R-MS) did for the country and the telecommunication industry.
He was the man- the man – for our telecommunications.
In the House, Pickering specialized in telecommunications issues, including one dear to Cellular South: making sure Congress took into account the interests of cellular companies serving rural areas.
Governor Sanford of SC emailed his mistress stating internet connection is unreliable at his farm.
DeMint must think this is acceptable just like health care .
C- Street is deciding our health care folks!
People need to protest outside that residence!
Take your bibles!
The Democrats plan under their own admission is a work in progress. The President and other high-ranking Democrats – Henry Waxman – continue to wheel and deal beind closed doors making deals to buy votes. Remember the promises of the President to be bipartisan and have an open door. Well since some early photo-ops…Anyone who disagrees has been shut out of the process…The AP – that bastion of liberal reporter – said just the opther day that the WHite House won’t release visitor logs. A list likely to include high-powered health care lobbyists. They want a bill to pass – results be damned…Climate Bill anyone?!?!? Would it really matter if Republicans wrote a bill that would never actually get voted on?
Sounds like they want to keep the current “you better not get sick” health plan in place. Washington seem to be one of the only cities I’m aware of where people don’t have the brains to be ashamed of themselves.
Why is this harder than giving hundreds of billions at a time to financial institutions (incl. many questionable ones) or hundreds of billions at a time to military budgetings? Healthcare is at the very least just as important as those two issues. No member of the GOP will ever again get another vote from my family or myself. So many of my acquaintances have little or no health insurance. I’d say that there are substantially more than the 50,000,000 underinsured Americans that one hears about routinely in the media coverage.
We only have the world’s best healthcare (by some measures) if you are very lucky or fairly well off financially –nigh to wealthy if you want to continue your care through to the end of an extended illness. Back the president, at least he’s presenting a start to a solution. Healthcare is not all about more taxes, it could very easily be about less military and other federal spending. Keep an eye on whether or not your representatives are helping you and or your fellow citizens to live a more healthy, fruitful life.
Every American needs to see two important sources of information central to the Health Care debate.
Ther would be no debate if this happened. Both sources are Republican and very incriminating.
http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/frank-luntz-the-language-of-healthcare-20091.pdf
This is the internal memo and Health Care Misinformation strategy created and now employed by all Republicans.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-M10jDkmm0
Here is Wendell Potter spilling the beans about the Health Care Industries dirty tricks and disinformation.
I KNOW ALL ABOUT NATIONAL HEALTHCARE! – IT’S A JOY!!!! And as a wealthy individual, I can vouch that it did not take away from our way of life in UK. Au contraire, it gave us freedom from fear, always! The government never decided whether or not we required a heart transplant, believe me, it was the doctor! We carried catastrophic insurance for serious injury, minimal expense, but for countless doctor visits such as cuts, stitches, accidents, mammograms, blood checks etc… it was superb. Not perfect, but isn’t occasional human failing inevitable as humans. And believe me, care was just as good if not better. Conversely, living in the States, always holding comprehensive insurance, at great cost, with high deductibles, I end up paying for every health check in addition. What kind of service is that? I’m slim and healthy. However, one hour in emergency with a simple back spasm from hiking cost me $2500. Placed on every conceivable machine in the ER, presumably to bring up hospital shortfalls to compensate for my friends without insurance! Bless their hearts and livers. What kind of justice is that! – America, please do yourselves a favor? Place a cap on lawsuits – if the doctor cuts off your pinky instead of your toe, you deserve compensation, but not multi millions. Save that money to see youngsters through medical school – we will have more good doctors. Another pitfall, if America insists on eating fast food, then lets encourage fast food chains that offer health-building alternatives. America, you deserve freedom!
rep are lier
why do republican hate the american people?
Great work, webmaster, nice
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The republicans have a great plan-but they’re learning-it’s being drafted behind closed doors,with no democratic interference,maybe even learning to ignore the peoples wants;and esposing as they’ve been shown, to say,”it’s a secret but it’s good-trust us”
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thanks! very helpful post!! like the template btw
It’s great to see people freely expressing their opinion.Thanks for your insights.