U.S. Health Care vs Canadian Heath Care
Health Care has been on everyone’s mind lately due to the Obamacare legislation that is being considered now. I know that I spent the last WCRW meeting discussing health care with SD 56 candidates Andrea Keiffer and Ted Lillie, as well as other WCRW members. So, when I stumbled upon this video on YouTube I thought I would share it with everyone.
Many advocates of health-care reform are admirers of Canada’s state-run, no-opt-out, single-payer system. President Barack Obama has voiced enthusiasm for such a health-care program.
Those who admire the Canadian-style health care should view the interview of Cheryl Baxter on Reason TV. Cheryl Baxter is a Canadian citizen who waited years for hip-replacement surgery, only to be told that her operation would not happen any time soon. Instead of waiting, Baxter did what an increasing number of Canadians are doing: She flew to a clinic in the United States, paid out of pocket, and had a life-altering surgery in a matter of weeks rather than years.
Cheryl Baxter’s experience doesn’t just throw damning light on Canadian health care. The sort of clinic she went to in Oklahoma suggests a different way of delivering health care in the United States, too: A simple fee-for-service model in which providers openly advertise their prices, service, and reputation. Rather than a frustrating, complicated mess of intermediaries such as employers and insurance companies, U.S. health-care reformers should think about bringing capitalism and a free market to medicine.
See Reason.TV interview Cheryl Baxter:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRPhltjPSFs&hl=en_US&fs=1&]
Bernanke Grilled During Confirmation Hearing
Lately, I have been trying to post as much news regarding the Federal Reserve and the Audit The Fed Bill as possible. Yesterday, the lead co-sponsor of S. 604, Jim DeMint, did a fabulous job grilling Ben Bernanke during his re-nomination process. Take a look at the video below:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwBprKRlDEw&hl=en_US&fs=1&]
 NEW MAMMOGRAM GUIDELINES FORESHADOW FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE
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 With the release of new mammogram guidelines by the US Preventive Services Task Force last week, the American public got its first taste of life with health care rationing. The new federal guidelines suggest that health care rationing will be a new tool through which the government can lower health care costs under their health care overhaul plans.
Breast cancer is the leading killer of women between the ages of 40 and 60. 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime. With the diagnosis of breast cancer, early detection saves lives. New guidelines released by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force “recommends against routine screening mammography in women aged 40 to 49 years.” Nancy Brinker, founder of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, called the new guidelines a setback in the fight to educate the public about the importance of annual screenings to aid in early detection.
At a speech to the National Press Club, Brinker said, “We have worked so hard to build public trust and to urge people to get screened. And now they hear that maybe they shouldn’t bother. That is dangerous,” said Brinker. “Let me say this as clearly as I can: mammography saves lives, even this report says that. Keep doing what you are doing. And always, talk with your doctor.” The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation has not changed it’s guidelines which recommend yearly mammograms for women beginning at age 40. Recent data shows that over 17% of breast cancer deaths occur in women between the ages of 40 to 50.
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| Keep the Heat on Health Care! | |
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As health care legislation moves to the Senate over the next few weeks, the NFRW has issued a CAP ALERT on health care reform. Read more here.
UPDATE: The Senate began debate on the Obamacare bill on Monday. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) is pushing for a FINAL VOTE on the bill by the end of DECEMBER!
According to Reid, Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY), Tom Carper (D-DE), and Mary Landrieu (D-LA) are working on a deal that will help Democrats to obtain the filibuster proof 60 votes to end debate and move the bill to a final vote.
Moderate Republican Senators Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine have come out against the current bill, but may end up participating in a Democratic compromise.
Make YOUR voice heard on health care reform! Every phone call, letter, email, fax, etc. counts!
CALL OR EMAIL YOUR SENATORS TODAY!
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On the Hill
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 President Obama gave a speech last night at West Point to unveil his Afghanistan strategy which involves sending 30,000 troops to Afghanistan over the next six months. His plan calls for a 2011 drawdown of troops after “weakening” the Taliban. The plan does not outline a strategy for defeating the Taliban.
Senate Democrats held a special caucus to discuss the health care bill today.
Sen. Grassley (R-IA) accused Senate Democrat leaders of making their staffers exempt from having to be part of new health insurance programs created by their health care reform bill.
President Obama has called Senators Evan Bayh (D-IN) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) to the White House for meetings.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has said the Senate will be working this weekend.
Secret Service officials headed to the Hill to brief members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on the details surrounding the security breach at the White House State Dinner.
House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) is holding an economic roundtable to counter President Obama’s jobs summit at the White House.
The Obama Administration continues to maintain the accuracy of the job creation statistics they claim resulted from the stimulus package.
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National Federation of Republican Women