Conrad: Obamacare Needs Surgery
House Democrats Clash with Senate Budget Chief, Continue Toeing the Obama-Pelosi Line on ObamaCare
Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) broke with his Democrat party leaders Thursday by arguing that Congress should revisit ObamaCare’s so-called cost controls. These comments follow earlier criticism Conrad directed at Obama’s FY 2012 budget for its failure to offer any serious solutions to the long-term debt:
“Unshackled by the need to get reelected, Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) suggested Thursday that Democrats reopen the bitter healthcare debate, arguing that the reform law’s provisions could yield opportunities to cut the federal deficit…
“But Conrad, who also unnerved some Democratic colleagues this week by criticizing the president’s budget for failing to tackle entitlement spending, thinks there are more savings to be found in health-related entitlement programs.
“‘The healthcare accounts, we’re spending one of every six dollars in this economy on healthcare. We’re heading to one of every three,’ Conrad said. ‘There have to be further reform and savings in the healthcare accounts.’…
“Other Democrats are leery about reopening a contentious debate over healthcare reform, Medicare and Medicaid.”
(Alexander Bolton, “Sen. Conrad Worries Democrats By Calling to Revisit Health Care Debate,” The Hill, 2/17/2011)
Conrad has finally realized what House Republicans have said all along, that ObamaCare fails to “bend the cost curve” downward as Obama promised:
“[Vice President Joe Biden]: But, look, I think, if I can lay out, Mr. President, what I think we all agree on, and then figure out whether as a way to deal with the deficit end of this — bending the cost curve, to use a phrase you and many others have used, Mr. President.” (“Remarks by The President In Discussion of the Deficit at Bipartisan Meeting on Health Care Reform,” The White House, 2/25/2010)
“‘You’ll be able to buy in, or a small business will be able to buy into this pool,’ Mr. Obama said. ‘And that will lower rates, it’s estimated, by up to 14 to 20 percent over what you’re currently getting.’” (“Will Health Care Bill Lower Premiums?,”Associated Press, 3/17/2010)
In fact, extensive evidence exists to suggest that ObamaCare raises costs, both for patients and the federal government:
“Health insurers say they plan to raise premiums for some Americans as a direct result of the health overhaul in coming weeks, complicating Democrats’ efforts to trumpet their signature achievement before the midterm elections.” (Janet Adamy, “Health Insurers Plan Hikes,” The Wall Street Journal, 9/17/2010)
“The landmark legislation probably won’t hold costs down, and it won’t let everybody keep their current health insurance if they like it, Chief Actuary Richard Foster told the House Budget Committee. His office is responsible for independent long-range cost estimates.…
“Foster was asked by Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., for a simple true or false response on two of the main assertions made by supporters of the law: that it will bring down unsustainable medical costs and will let people keep their current health insurance if they like it.
“On the costs issue, ‘I would say false, more so than true,’ Foster responded.”(“Medicare Official Doubts Health Law Savings,” Associated Press, 1/26/2011)
Meanwhile, 189 House Democrats voted against repealing ObamaCare, doubling down on their earlier support for the budget busting, job-destroying legislation. What will it take for Democrats to own up to the fact that ObamaCare was a colossal, expensive mistake?
FINAL VOTE ON OBAMACARE REPEAL: 245-189, with only 3 Democrats joining GOP. (House Vote #14, 1/19/2011)