[StBernard] Health Care Talking Points and Ads

[Westley Annis]

RNC Ads

Reforma <http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2445> 

The Great Obama Experiment
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2511> 

Chairman Steele's Speech About Obama's Experimental Health Care
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2665> 

 

Talking Points On Health Care Affordability

 

Obama's Government-Run Health Care Experiment Will Make Health Insurance
More Expensive

 

American Taxpayers And Businesses Will Be Shouldered With Over $1.6 Trillion
In New Spending And $800 Billion In New Taxes To Pay For Government-Run
Health Care. "Democrats argue the number should be $1 trillion, a number
provided by the Congressional Budget Office for the net cost of the portion
of the bill affecting health insurance, and they boasted in press releases
that the bill actually creates a $6 billion surplus over the coming decade.
But the gross cost of the bill is much higher, more than $1.6 trillion,
according to a Roll Call analysis of the CBO data. And despite more than
$800 billion in tax and fee hikes, it actually adds $239 billion to the
deficit ..." (Steven Dennis, "Analysis: House Health Care Bill's Price Tag
Tops $1.6 Trillion," Roll Call
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2489> , 7/20/09)

 

Even Obama's Budget Director Acknowledges His Proposal Won't Make Insurance
More Affordable. "The rapidly rising cost of health care, Obama has said, is
'a threat to our economy' ... So a critical test of the health reform
proposals lumbering through Congress is whether they defuse that bomb. The
answer, so far, is no. That was the message ... Peter Orszag sent to the
chairs of three House committees that released a 'discussion draft' of
legislation last month ... As Mr. Orszag put it, 'Adopting a deficit-neutral
health reform that expands coverage ... is not enough, because it would
perpetuate a system in which best practices are far from universal and costs
are too high.'" (Editorial, "Health Care Savings," The Washington Post
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2291> , 7/13/09)

 

National Insurance Czar Will Create Strict, One-Size-Fits-All Regulations
For Health Coverage, Leading To Higher Premium Costs. "A qualified health
benefits plan shall meet a medical loss ratio as defined by the
Commissioner. For any plan year in which the qualified health benefits plan
does not meet such medical loss ratio, QHBP offering entity shall provide in
a manner specified by the Commissioner for rebates to enrollees of payment
sufficient to meet such loss ratio ... The Commissioner shall build on the
definition and methodology developed by the Secretary of Health and Human
Services under the amendments made by section 161 for determining how to
calculate the medical loss ratio. Such methodology shall be set at the
highest level medical loss ratio possible that is designed to ensure
adequate participation by QHBP offering entities, competition in the health
insurance market in and out of the Health Insurance Exchange, and value for
consumers so that their premiums are used for services." (H.R. 3200,
"America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2533> ," Introduced
7/14/09)

 

Obama's Plan Will Force People To Pay Tax If They Don't Want To Buy
Government-Approved Insurance. "Don't have health insurance? Don't want to
pay for it? Too bad. It's looking like President Barack Obama and the
Democratic-controlled Congress are going to require you to pick up the bill.
In Washington-speak, it's called an individual mandate--or a requirement
that people who don't already have health insurance to purchase it, much
like most states require drivers to have automobile insurance ... Any plan
is likely to be modeled after one in Massachusetts, which required that
virtually everyone have health insurance or face tax penalties." (Liz
Sidoti, "No Health Care? Expect A Requirement To Get It," The Associated
Press <http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2379> , 6/22/09)

 

Obama's Plan Will Tax Companies Which Don't Provide Insurance To Their
Employees. "The research and data on the devastating impact of an employer
mandate is clear - it is a job killer, potentially costing 1.6 million
jobs-- hardly what this country needs in these challenging economic times.
Fundamentally, a mandate fails to address the real problems of our
healthcare system - unsustainable costs.  Adding new, additional burdens to
small business owners - especially in the form of an expensive mandate - is
not an effective approach to reform. In fact, it burdens the very people we
are supposed to be trying to help."  (National Federation of Independent
Business, "Health Reform Must Help, Not Harm Small Businesses," Press
Release <http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2709> , 6/10/09)

 

Obama's Plan Does Nothing About Medical Liability Reform Or Reducing
Practice Of Defensive Medicine, Both Of Which Drive Up Costs. "Obama and
lawmakers need to return to the drawing board, and when they do they should
include medical liability reforms that would be a true counter-force to
rising health care costs." (Editorial, "Cost control: Liability Limits
Needed In Reform," The Oklahoman
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2687> , 7/26/09)

 

Republican Plans Will Make Health Insurance More Affordable

 

Republican Plans Will Provide Tax Relief To Make It Easier For Uninsured
Americans To Get Coverage, And Help Insured Americans Pay For Their Current
Coverage. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY): "To get to the problem of uninsured,
we have to equalize the tax code. Business provides health insurance for its
employees. If an individual buys insurance, it is not deductible. Number
two, we should be incentivizing wellness programs targeting smoking,
obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and lack of exercise.
Safeway have been able to cut health-care costs by incentivizing employees
to take good care of their health. Those are the kinds of steps that we
could take to really address the problem of access and cost without
scrapping the finest health care in the world." (FOX News' "America's
Newsroom," 7/16/09)

 

Republicans Will Allow Small Businesses And Self-Employed To Group Together,
Making Coverage More Affordable. "This legislation creates expanded options
for the purchase of low-cost health care from new pooling mechanisms.
Today, the only health insurance pool available to Americans is their
employer's pool.  Americans not in an employer-sponsored pool buy in what is
called the 'individual market.'  The Improving Health Care for All Americans
Act dramatically expands the insurance pools Americans can select to join by
allowing churches, alumni associations, trade associations and other civic
groups to set up new insurance pools and offer affordable health care
packages to their members.  Instead of having only one group policy to
choose from, under this bill, every American will be able to choose from a
number of 'group plans.'  This will make health care more affordable and
portable while not locking individuals into staying at a job simply to keep
their health coverage.  Families should not be forced to choose between
leaving their employer and having health care." (Rep. Shadegg (R-AZ),
"Republicans Introduce: The Improving Health Care for All Americans Act,"
Press Release <http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2269> ,
7/14/09)

 

Republican Plans Will Make Insurance Portable By Allowing Americans To Keep
Coverage When Changing Jobs. "[The bill] takes a radically different
approach in contrast to what has been discussed by President Obama as well
as Democrats in both chambers.  It gives people choice and places American
families back in control of their plans and their health care.  This
legislation will reduce the cost and improve the quality of health care
while expanding access and portability." (Rep. Shadegg (R-AZ), "Republicans
Introduce: The Improving Health Care for All Americans Act," Press Release
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2269> , 7/14/09)

 

Republican Plans Will Allow Americans To Shop For Insurance In Other States,
Creating More Competitive Insurance Market And Reducing Premiums. "Expands
the individual market - Creates pooling mechanisms such as association
health plans and individual membership accounts. Individuals are also
allowed to shop for health insurance across state lines." (Republican Study
Committee, "RSC Unveils A Solution For Affordable, Quality Health Care,"
Press Release <http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2357> ,
7/30/09)

 

Republicans Will Expand Health Savings Accounts To Allow Americans To Have
More Control Over How Health Care Dollars Are Spent. "The Health Care
Freedom Plan: Allows Americans with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to use
their HSA funds to pay for insurance premiums, encouraging employers to
contribute to their employees' HSAs."  (Sen. DeMint, "DeMint Introduces
Health Care Freedom Plan," Press Release
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2423> , 6/23/09)

 

Republican Plans Will Help Those On Medicaid With Vouchers Or Refundable Tax
Credits So They Can Buy Private Insurance.  "'The Patients' Choice Act of
2009' transforms health care in America by strengthening the relationship
between the patient and the doctor; using choice and competition rather than
rationing and restrictions to contain costs; and ensuring universal,
affordable health care for all Americans. 'The Patients' Choice Act'
promotes innovative, State-based solutions, along with fundamental reforms
in the tax code, to give every American, regardless of employment status,
age, or health condition, the ability and the resources to purchase health
insurance. The comprehensive legislation includes concrete prevention and
transparency initiatives, long overdue reforms to Medicare and Medicaid,
investments in wellness programs and health IT, and more." (Rep. Paul Ryan,
"Senators Coburn, Burr, And Representatives Ryan, Nunes Offer A Better Path
Forward On Health Care Reform," Press Release
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2775> , 5/20/09)

 

 

TALKING POINTS ON REPUBLICAN HEALTH CARE SOLUTIONS

 

The Principles

 

Republicans Want Reform, But Not Through Risky And Costly Experimentation
With Americans' Tax Dollars And Health Care. "Candidate Obama promised
change. President Obama is conducting an experiment. He's conducting a
dangerous experiment with our health care. He's conducting a reckless
experiment with our economy . Let me be clear-Republicans support health
care reform that addresses the biggest problem in our system-runaway costs.
We don't need to spend more on health care-we already spend far more than
the rest of the industrialized world." (RNC Chairman Michael Steele, Remarks
On President Obama's Grand Health Care Experiment
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2137> , Washington, DC,
7/20/09)

 

Republicans Want Health Care System Based Around Consumers. "Consumers
should be financially invested in better health decisions through
health-savings accounts, lower premiums and reduced cost sharing. If they
seek care in cost-effective settings, comply with medical regimens,
preventative care, and lifestyles that reduce the likelihood of chronic
disease, they should share in the savings." (Gov. Bobby Jindal, Op-Ed, "How
To Make Health-Care Reform Bipartisan," The Wall Street Journal
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2225> , 7/22/09)

 

Republicans Want All Americans To Have Opportunity To Buy Health Coverage
They Want. "Republicans are promoting commonsense reforms that make health
care more affordable, reduce the number of uninsured Americans, and increase
quality at a price our country can afford---while making sure that Americans
who like their health care coverage can keep it." (Rep. Roy Blunt, "Health
Care Solutions Group," Press Release
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2731> , 6/17/09)

 

Republicans Believe No One Should Be Forced To Buy Coverage. "House
Republicans on Wednesday unveiled a $700 billion health care plan that would
offer tax credits to help people buy insurance, yet unlike Democratic
proposals, wouldn't require either individuals or employers to get
coverage." (Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, "House Republicans Unveil $700B Health
Care Plan," The Associated Press
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2577> , 7/29/09)

 

Republicans Believe Pre-Existing Conditions Should No Longer Keep Anyone

>From Getting Coverage If They Want It. "Make quality health care coverage

affordable and accessible for every American, regardless of pre-existing
health conditions." (Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, "House Republicans Unveil
$700B Health Care Plan," The Associated Press
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2577> , 7/29/09)

 

Republicans Don't Want Any American To Fear Costs While Shopping For
Insurance Plans. "Under the Health Care Freedom Plan, Americans would be
able to keep the care they have now, but if they are uninsured or unhappy
with their current plan, they could access a voucher to purchase health
insurance anywhere in the country. This will create a true, competitive
market for health care that will lower costs and increase quality. And it
levels the playing field so all Americans - regardless of their employment
benefits or employment status -- have the same access to quality health
care." (Sen. DeMint, "DeMint Introduces Health Care Freedom Plan," Press
Release <http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2423> , 6/23/09)

 

The Policies

 

This Year, Republicans Have Offered Multiple Bills That Aim To Increase
Affordability, Accessibility, And Availability Of Health Care For All
Americans. 

 

.         "Empowering Patients First Act" (Republican Study Committee, "RSC
Unveils A Solution For Affordable, Quality Health Care," Press Release
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2357> , 7/30/09)

 

*	"Improving Health Care For All Americans Act" (Rep. Shadegg (R-AZ),
"Republicans Introduce: The Improving Health Care for All Americans Act,"
Press Release <http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2269> ,
7/14/09)

 

.         "Health Care Freedom Act Of 2009" (Sen. Jim DeMint, "DeMint
Introduces Health Care Freedom Plan," Press Release
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2423> , 6/23/09)

 

*	"Patients' Choice Act Of 2009" (Rep. Paul Ryan, "Senators Coburn,
Burr, And Representatives Ryan, Nunes Offer A Better Path Forward On Health
Care Reform," Press Release
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2775> , 5/20/09)

 

Republicans Health Care Policies Based On Common Sense Solutions Like
Medical Liability Reform And Encouraging Healthy Behavior.  "Republicans
have put forward common sense solutions like reforming our medical liability
laws to discourage junk lawsuits that make health care more expensive for
everyone; strengthening wellness and prevention programs that encourage
people to make healthy choices, such as quitting smoking and fighting
obesity; and addressing the needs of small business without imposing new
taxes that kill jobs."  (Sen. Mitch McConnell, Republican Radio Address
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2203> , 6/20/09)

 

Republicans Want Americans To Create Their Own Groups And Purchase Coverage
Like Employers Do For Their Employees. "This legislation creates expanded
options for the purchase of low-cost health care from new pooling
mechanisms.  Today, the only health insurance pool available to Americans is
their employer's pool.  Americans not in an employer-sponsored pool buy in
what is called the 'individual market.'  The Improving Health Care for All
Americans Act dramatically expands the insurance pools Americans can select
to join by allowing churches, alumni associations, trade associations and
other civic groups to set up new insurance pools and offer affordable health
care packages to their members.  Instead of having only one group policy to
choose from, under this bill, every American will be able to choose from a
number of 'group plans.'  This will make health care more affordable and
portable while not locking individuals into staying at a job simply to keep
their health coverage.  Families should not be forced to choose between
leaving their employer and having health care." (Rep. Shadegg (R-AZ),
"Republicans Introduce: The Improving Health Care for All Americans Act,"
Press Release <http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2269> ,
7/14/09)

 

Republicans Propose Performance-Based Pay For Doctors To Help Bring Costs
Down. "Roughly 75% of health-care spending is for the care of chronic
conditions such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes-and there is little
coordination of this care. We can save money and improve outcomes by using
integrated networks of care with rigorous, transparent outcome measures
emphasizing prevention and disease management." (Gov. Bobby Jindal, Op-Ed,
"How To Make Health-Care Reform Bipartisan," The Wall Street Journal
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2225> , 7/22/09)

 

For Americans Who Don't Like Their Current Insurance, Republicans Will Offer
Tax Credits To Purchase Plan They Like. "The bill allows Americans who don't
have employer-sponsored care or those not satisfied with their
employer-sponsored plan to buy their own plan on the same tax-advantaged
basis their employer enjoys.  Americans who pay income taxes get a dollar
for dollar reduction in their tax bill up to $2500 for individuals and $5000
per family.  Americans who don't pay income taxes get the same amount from
the government to buy a policy of their choice; $2500 for individuals and
$5000 per family." (Rep. Shadegg (R-AZ), "Republicans Introduce: The
Improving Health Care for All Americans Act," Press Release
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2269> , 7/14/09)

 

Republicans Propose To Bring Down Health Care Costs By Increasing
Transparency And Decreasing Waste. "The Health Care Freedom Plan will also
help bring down overall medical costs by reducing expensive malpractice
lawsuits against physicians and hospitals and by adding transparency to the
industry. This plan also ensures that Americans with pre-existing health
conditions have access to affordable coverage through Federal block grants
for state high-risk insurance programs." (Sen. DeMint, "DeMint Introduces
Health Care Freedom Plan," Press Release
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2423> , 6/23/09)

 

Republicans Believe Doctor-Patient Relationship Should Be Strengthened, Not
Weakened. "'The Patients' Choice Act of 2009' transforms health care in
America by strengthening the relationship between the patient and the
doctor; using choice and competition rather than rationing and restrictions
to contain costs; and ensuring universal, affordable health care for all
Americans." (Rep. Paul Ryan, "Senators Coburn, Burr, And Representatives
Ryan, Nunes Offer A Better Path Forward On Health Care Reform," Press
Release <http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2775> , 5/20/09)

 

 

GOP SOLUTIONS: BARACKOBAMAEXPERIMENT.COM

 

"RSC Unveils A Solution For Affordable, Quality Health Care" (Republican
Study Committee, Press Release
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2357> , 7/30/09)

 

"How To Make Health-Care Reform Bipartisan" (Gov. Bobby Jindal, Op-Ed, The
Wall Street Journal <http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2225> ,
7/22/09)

 

"Health Care Shakeup Will Make Things Worse" (Rep. Eric Cantor, Op-Ed,
Richmond Times-Dispatch
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2643> , 7/12/09)

 

"Republican Health Care Reform" (Rep. John Boehner, Press Release
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2181> , 6/27/09)

 

"House GOP Solutions Group Outlines Health Care Plan to Increase
Affordability, Accessibility, Availability Commonsense Health Care Reform to
Lower Costs and Increase Access And Quality At A Price Our Country Can
Afford" (Rep. Roy Blunt, Press Release
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2731> , 6/17/09)

 

"Republicans Introduce: The Improving Health Care for All Americans Act"
(Rep. John Shadegg, Press Release
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2269> , 6/14/09)

 

"DeMint Introduces Health Care Freedom Plan" (Sen. Jim DeMint, Press Release
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2423> , 6/23/09)

 

"House GOP Health Plan Superior" (Rep. John Boehner, Op-Ed, Pittsburg
Tribune-Review <http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2599> ,
6/17/09)

 

"Boehner, House GOP Outline Plan To Make Health Care More Affordable &
Accessible For All Americans" (Rep. John Boehner, Press Release
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2401> , 6/17/09)

 

"Reforming The Delivery Of Health Care" (Sen. Richard Burr, Press Release
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2753> , 6/16/09)

 

"GOP Offers Constructive Options To Improve Access To Health Care" (Reps.
Roy Blunt, Sam Graves, and Lynn Jenkins, Kansas City Star
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2467> , 6/10/09)

 

"To GOP, Reform Is About Wider Access, Lower Prices, Not Government Control"
(Rep. Roy Blunt, Op-Ed, The Hill
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2313> , 6/10/09)

 

"Let The Debate Begin" (Reps. Paul Ryan and Devin Nunes, Op-Ed, The
Washington Times <http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2159> ,
6/8/09)

 

"How The Republican Plan Will Help You" (Rep. Roy Blunt, Press Release
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2335> , 6/2/09)

 

"Rep. Ryan On Alternative Healthcare Plan" (FOX News' "America's Newsroom
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2819> ," 5/20/09)

 

 "An Alternative to Obamacare" (Sens. Tom Coburn and Richard Burr and Reps.
Paul Ryan and David Nunes, Op-Ed, Real Clear Politics
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2555> , 5/20/09)

 

"Senators Coburn, Burr, And Representatives Ryan, Nunes Offer A Better Path
Forward On Health Care Reform" (Rep. Paul Ryan, Press Release
<file://rnc1/users$/DMayer/Coalitions/Sailor%20Letter/Senators%20Coburn,%20B
urr,%20and%20Representatives%20Ryan,%20Nunes%20Offer%20a%20Better%20Path%20F
orward%20on%20Health%20Care%20Reform> , Press Conference
<http://link.sc.states.gop.com?164-514-537-25548-2621> , 5/20/09)