When purchasing any weight loss product, it is important to do your research. Many people are exchanging their opinions about on DietBlogTalk.com
For an additional source, check out on the very popular Sensational.com
Are Diet Pills Worth the Expense?
We all know about the terrible reputation of many weight loss supplements. Some say they’re just sugar pills. Others claim they’ll send you to the ER. And still others mistakenly believe they can solve all your weight loss problems over night. We want to set ourselves apart from such camps and take a more reasonable tack.
Such pills are supplements. This means that they’re intended to be added to a healthy lifestyle in order to enhance it. We believe significant weight loss will take place when that healthy lifestyle rests on the regular practices of diet and exercise. A diet pill worth its salt will simply bolster these efforts to live well and lose weight safely. And so, when used wisely, such pills are indeed worth the expense.
What to Look for in a Weight Loss Supplement
As you may guess then, we’re not interested in just any old pill. Not all are created equal. Some will indeed land you in the hospital, while others won’t make a whit of difference in your weight loss efforts. But there are a select few that can safely and efficiently enhance your weight loss.
Perhaps among the most effective formulas are fat burners and appetite suppressants. When they’re formulated correctly and taken along with diet and exercise, fat burners and appetite suppressants are great aids. Fat burners can enhance the body’s metabolism, making exercise that much more effective for burning calories. Appetite suppressants can help the body with feelings of fullness and satisfaction, making dieting that much easier. After all, what’s harder than telling yourself that you’re not hungry when you feel the hunger pangs from head to toe?
When choosing diet pills to help you along the way, look for proven formulas that rely on herbal, all-natural ingredients. There are even organic options for those of you who go for that sort of thing.
Where to Find Good Information
But the job is not done yet. Consumers still have to sort through the dismal tide of unconvincing and unhelpful websites promoting all manner of such supplements. The worst sites are frustrating, vague and general. Indeed, they seem more focused on advertising and marketing rather than on substantive content. The best sites, on the other hand, are devoted to clear, transparent and convenient education of consumers. In short, when a company believes its product will truly help consumers, the evidence shows on the website.
Consumers can also turn to review sites for a helpful way of sorting through the poorer options.
Conclusion
With a little work, consumers can indeed find effective and safe supplements that will enhance their dieting and exercising. Granted, it does take work, but anything worth having is usually worth spending a little effort. We believe healthy, sustainable weight loss is possible, but we also know such weight loss is difficult. Diet pills can help. And with a little determination, real weight loss can be yours. Just be careful out there.
Shane Crafton is an editor who’s team reports on health, diet, fitness and weight loss reporting.
Canadian Doctors for Medicare hosted a celebration of Medicare in Canada. The speakers included Roy Romanow, former Saskatchewan Premiere and Commissioner on Health Care in Canada. They tell Americans that Canadian universal health care works and encourage Americans to implement a single payer universal health care system. The video also features Dr. Steven Lewis a health policy and research consultant, Dr. Danielle Martin, Dr. Ryan Meili and Dr. Robert Woolard representing the Canadian Doctors for Medicare and Linda Silas President of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions.
The federal health care reform legislation, known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, signed by the President on March 23, 2010, and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act approved by Congress, signed by the President today, will expand the availability of health care coverage to millions of Americans. While some of the measures will be implemented this year, many do not take effect until 2014 and some extend out to 2020.
Below is a high-level overview of the timeline. It is important to note that many of these reforms and their effective dates are subject to the rules and regulations process both at the state and federal levels – which could alter the intended timing of implementation.
2010
New Programs: * Temporary retiree reinsurance program is established * National risk pool is created, small business tax credit is established * $250 rebate for Medicare members who reach the “doughnut hole”
Insurance Reforms: * Prohibits lifetime benefit limits – based on dollar amounts * Allows restricted annual limits on the dollar value of certain benefits * Coverage rescissions/cancellations are prohibited (except for fraud or intentional misrepresentation) * Cost-sharing obligations for preventive services are prohibited * Dependent coverage up to age 26 is mandated * Internal and external appeal processes must be established * Pre-existing condition exclusions for dependent children (under 19 years of age) are prohibited * New health plan disclosure and transparency requirements are created
2011
Insurance Reforms: * Uniform coverage documents and standard definitions are developed * Minimum medical loss ratios are mandated
Medicare Reforms: * Medicare Advantage cost sharing limits effective * Medicare beneficiaries who reach the doughnut hole will receive a 50% discount on brand name drugs * A 10% Medicare bonus will be provided to primary care physicians and general surgeons practicing in underserved areas, such as inner cities and rural communities. * Medicare Advantage plans would begin to have their payments frozen.
Other: * Employers are required to report the value of health care benefits on employees’ W2 tax statements. * Annual industry fee for pharmaceutical manufacturers of brand name drugs. * Voluntary long term care insurance program would be made available to provide cash benefit for assisting disabled individuals to stay in their homes or cover nursing home costs. Benefits would start five years after people begin paying a fee for coverage. * Funding for community health centers would be increased to provide care for many low income and uninsured people.
2012
* Hospitals, physicians, and payers would be encouraged to band together in “accountable care organizations.” * Hospitals with high rates of preventable readmissions would face reduced Medicare payments.
2013
* Individuals making $200,000 a year or couples making $250,000 would have a higher Medicare payroll tax of 2.35% on earned income —up from the current 1.45%. A new tax of 3.8% on unearned income, such as dividends and interest, is also added. * Medical expense contributions to flexible spending accounts (FSAs) limited to $2,500 a year—indexed for inflation. In addition, the thresholds for claiming itemized tax deduction for medical expenses rise from 7.5% to 10% of income. * Medical device manufacturers would have a 2.9% sales tax on medical devices; devices such as eyeglasses, contact lenses, and hearing aids would be exempt. * Eliminates deduction for expenses allocable to Medicare Part D subsidy for employers who maintain prescription drug plans for their Medicare Part D eligible retirees.
2014
Coverage Mandates & Subsidies: * Individual and employer coverage responsibilities are effective. * Individual affordability tax credits are created and small business tax credits are expanded.
Health Insurance Exchange & Insurance Reforms: * State individual and small group health insurance exchanges operational. * Guaranteed issue, guaranteed renewability, modified community rating and minimum benefit standards (“essential benefits” plan) effective. * Lifetime and annual dollar limits are prohibited for essential benefits. * Pre-existing condition exclusions are prohibited.
Taxes & Fees: * Addition of new taxes on health insurers
Medicaid and Medicare Reform: * Medicaid expanded to cover low income individuals under age 65 up to 133% of the federal poverty level—about $28,300 for a family of four. * Minimum medical loss ratio of 85% required for Medicare Advantage plans
2018
Taxes & Fees: * Tax (“Cadillac tax”) imposed on employer sponsored health insurance plans that offer policies with generous levels of coverage.
2020
Medicare Reform: * Doughnut hole coverage gap in Medicare prescription benefit is fully phased out. Seniors continue to pay the standard 25% of their drug costs until they reach the threshold for Medicare catastrophic coverage.
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During one of their routine tests, scientists discovered that the plant has a molecule previously unknown. Since then, it was given the name P57. This began the amazing discovery of an ingredient in Hoodia Pills which makes it an effective weight loss product.
It slows down your desire to eat.
Restricts your caloric intake up to 50% a day
Increases the energy level in your body.
Natural and safe, with no side effects.
Before buying Hoodia pills, make sure that you are getting the authentic one. A lot of inferior products are available in the market and you might be disappointed in the results if you bought a fake product.
The following is a list of the best diet pills on the market today. These have been researched by the weight loss institute to deliver the best results without dire side-effects, so we have (in no particular order):
Hoodia:
This weight loss product is based on “Hoodia Gordonii”, the African plant extract that suppresses your appetite. Because of its great results this particular pill is flying off the shelves in drugstores and Internet web sites. Needless to say, it has been getting lots of attention lately.
Xerisan ASA:
After thorough research the Weight Loss Institute considers Xerisan to be one of the most promising new herbal diet pills introduced to the market in the last few years. Xerisan’s main ingredient, Phaseolus Vulgaris, has in recent studies been shown to act as a blocker of the alpha-amylase enzyme, this enzyme is required by our bodies in order to keep a healthy metabolism of carbohydrates. Although this product is fairly new, the effects of some of the ingredients have been published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and in the International Journal of Medical Sciences.
There are thousands of other diet supplements and weight loss products to be found all over the web and in the multi-billion dollar weight-loss industry. Regardless of how many times you are bombarded with flashy advertisements it is important to remember that there is no “miracle pill” that will effectively “evaporate” your excess fat, therefore it is always recommended to combine these supplements with a nutritious diet and a good fitness program. No “prescription drug” should be added to a diet without first consulting with your physician. The products mentioned above have been found to be “safe” because no serious side effect was reported by consumers.
Losing weight has been a constant battle for the 1.7 million obese Americans. Sometimes no matter how often you exercise and how you try to eat less, your weight just keeps on going up. There are people who have certain conditions that make the normal diet and regular exercises ineffective in losing weight.
These conditions may include muscle or bone weakness and hormonal problems. In these cases, diet pills may be the best bet to lose those unwanted body fats. Read on to find out some of the ways diet pills help you lose those extra pounds:
APPETITE SUPPRESSION. Diet pills “trick” the body into thinking it is not hungry. There are two reasons your body sends out hunger signals (1) you are really hungry and (2) your body is accustomed to eating around that time. Obviously, you must only eat when you’re truly hungry. So, diet pills can tone down your body’s hunger signals promoting a practical amount of food consumption. The general idea is since you feel less hungry, you’ll surely eat less and when you eat less, you consume fewer calories and there you’ll lose weight.
INCREASE ENERGY LEVELS. Some diet pills boosts your body’s energy level making the most of it’s caloric intake. When you’re energized you burn more calories because you are more active. For instance, during your workouts you’ll be able to push more and have shorter recovery time.
Although it is possible for substandard diet pills to make it onto the shelves, there are still safe diet pills out there that can deliver real results fast! So to stay safe and confident about taking diet pills, ask your doctor’s advice. In the first place, your doctor knows your overall health condition so he/she will also definitely know which diet pill or regimen will work best for you.
Luckily, diet drugs have come a long way since the addictive “solutions” created and marketed during the 50s and 60s. It is important to remember that each generation of “prescription diet pills” which has been heavily marketed in the past has been recalled because they have proven more dangerous than effective. This was the case of the well remembered fen-phen and ephedra; experts continue their search for a safe diet pill that actually works.
According to the National Institute Of Health, more than 300,000 Americans die every year because of a diet rich in unhealthy oils (trans-fat, etc) and physical inactivity throughout their lives. As you can see this is certainly a highly alarming number! It’s a proven fact that losing weight, even a small five to ten percent of body fat, will reduce your blood pressure and lower your overall cholesterol levels. So, why is this so difficult to do even with prescription drugs?. Simple people have forgotten 50% of the “weight loss equation”.
For one, many people think they can take a pill and lose the weight automatically. This is a common misconception which tends to frustrate people, so we need to realize that “fat and extra pounds DO NOT magically evaporate”, instead they are broken down by our body so that through physical exercise they can be eliminated from our system. A healthy diet consists of so much more than just taking a pill. We must combine the pills with a proper diet. In addition to the already discussed ways to avoid gaining weight, we can also remember to drink as much water as possible and exercise moderately in order to gain the maximum benefits offered by diet pills. Don’t forget to eat small portions of food several times a day (around 4 to 6 portions a day), never reduce your food consumption drastically from one day to the other because it could have dire effects. Counting calories helps you keep track of how many calories you are consuming every day.
I lost 30 pounds in three months. I?m not an expert, but I do speak from experience. Most of this, I learned on my own or through close friends and family members. Get more information about and get a jumpstart on your weight loss journey. is all about commitment. If you are committed to adopting good eating habits and to add some type of exercise to your daily or weekly routine, you should feel healthier and look better.
Every person’s home should be a beautiful oasis, especially the bathroom. When a person enters their shower, they should feel like they are entering a little piece of paradise that has been designed just for them. The time spent in their warm, steamy shower or tub should be a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of their busy, daily life.
When a person brings naturally produced items with them into the shower they are guaranteeing themselves a relaxing experience that will leave them feeling beautiful and fresh. Only natural skin care products can create a true sanctuary.
There is a great deal of variety in the naturally produced cosmetic lines. Companies that provide these items have worked hard to create goods that appeal to people’s desires for purity and quality results. Consumers can essentially find a naturally produced alternative for any item that they desire.
It is unfortunate, but like so many other items on the market, many cosmetic lines fill their items with synthetic ingredients. The beauty lines so many of us have come to rely on are actually chemically laden and possibly even toxic. Items such as these cannot compare to the gentle purity that is offered by natural skin care products.
When you look to purchase the highest quality items for yourself and your family, you need to understand the ingredients that will be listed on the bottle. Items that contain pure ingredients have very easy to read ingredient lists. On these bottles you will find names like cold pressed oil, organic hydrosols, and glycerin. You may also see words that you are very familiar with such as sugar, seaweed, citrus, or beeswax.
What you will not find listed on the ingredients of natural skin care products is highly complicated chemical names. You will also not see a long row of preservatives, or the inclusion of parabens. Knowing exactly what goes into an item can provide you with a great sense of security that you are purchasing the highest quality.
It is also important that people understand that just because something smells fresh and fruity does not mean that it is. In fact, those products that have been made to smell like nature are often full of even more synthetic ingredients. There are the chemicals that make up the beauty item and then there are the sweet smelling chemicals that are added to cover them up. Harsh chemicals are not present in truly natural skin care products.
Visit the Spa Sentiments website at http://www.spasentiments.com to learn more about the importance of purchasing naturally produced items. While on this easy to navigate site, you will find great offers for free delivery and other exciting bonuses!
was originally founded in 1998 as Bodies By Design. The company’s focus is on natural skin care products and natural hair care products made from fresh, pure, and helpful ingredients.
Let’s face it. The best men’s natural skin care treatment contains nourishing ingredients that improve the skin’s health, while delaying and countering the affects that age has on your appearance. There’s no reason to look older, before your time, if you take the right skincare approach.
Let’s start with cleansing. Most cleansers designed for men contain triclosan, an antibacterial agent. Environmentalists disapprove of the rampant use of triclosan, because it ends up in the water supply and damages the delicate ecosystem.
The affect that triclosan has on the skin’s health is a subject of some debate. It may have carcinogenic affects on the cells. In my opinion, there is no reason to take the risk. There are ingredients like manuka honey and tea tree oil that have antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activity. Those are the ingredients that you want in your daily cleansers.
Shaving the face is the next step in the average routine. As I lubricant, I would recommend plain grape seed oil. The ingredients in the shave gels on the market vary, but most of them are drying and likely to cause irritation.
Once you have shaved, the best men’s natural skin care treatment is a daily facial fluid that contains witch hazel, vitamin B5, grape seed oil, Babassu wax, capuacu butter, wakame kelp, natural vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 and CYNERGY TK. That may sound like a lot of ingredients to remember and look for. But each one provides specific benefits.
Witch hazel, for example, is a non-drying astringent that prevents infection in shaving nicks, cuts and scrapes and has anti-inflammatory activity. Capuacu butter and vitamin B5 are effective for moisturizing and healing razor burns.
When it comes to countering the affects of age, men’s natural skin care treatment containing CYNERGY TK is the most effective. In clinical trials, the compound has been shown to reduce wrinkles and sagging, while acting as an antioxidant to prevent and repair free radical damage.
Free radicals are one of the causes of aging, in general. They damage the cell’s DNA. When that occurs, the new cells that are created when the cell splits are “mutated”. Mutated cells can become cancerous or simply weak, causing sagging and wrinkles.
All of the different ingredients mentioned above have antioxidant activity. But repairing and preventing free radical damage is only one of the things that an effective anti-aging men’s natural skin care treatment can do.
Another of the causes of wrinkles and sagging is decreased production of collagen and elastin fibers. CYNERGY TK has been shown to increase fiber production, by stimulating skin cell production. This is due to a protein peptide that it contains.
Peptides are short chains of amino acids. They combine with molecules produced by the skin’s cells to form fibrils and eventually fibers. Long-chained proteins, like collagens, cannot be used for this purpose. They are simply too large.
So there you have it. When you find a men’s natural skin care treatment that contains the ingredients mentioned above, you will be amazed by the difference. Treat your face well and you can always look more youthful.
To learn more about vitamins for healthy skin, and other incredible natural substances for natural healthy skin care, visit my website today.
Laurel is a long time user and passionate advocate of natural skin care products. Visit her site now to discover cutting edge, anti-aging skin care products she recommends after extensive research: .
Most Americans who have health insurance are covered through an employer’s plan. However, some employers do not offer health insurance coverage. If you work for one of these companies, you will need to purchase private individual health insurance. There are certain advantages to purchasing health coverage in the private market. Instead of choosing from plans pre-selected by an employer, you decide which plan features you want, and pick a plan accordingly. For example, by choosing a plan with a higher deductible, or one that doesn’t cover certain services, you may realize a substantial premium savings each month. Instead of having your coverage tied to a place of employment, coverage through a private health plan is yours to keep no matter where you work. A health insurer can’t drop you as long as you pay your premiums on time. But along with these advantages come some potential disadvantages—
• Employer plans provide considerably more coverage than individual plans, even when you are paying the same premium rate. That’s because with an individual policy, a larger percentage of the premium goes to pay for such operational costs as marketing and paying claims. • A group plan generally must insure all employees and family members, while individual plans can reject applicants who aren’t in perfect health. They can also offer plans that exclude coverage for certain pre-existing conditions. • In most states, private health insurance plan premiums increase as you age. Initially, you can avoid these rate increases by periodically changing plans, because new rates tend to be lower than renewals. However, as you get older, it will become more difficult to find a company to insure you and individual policies will get more expensive. If you do need to shop in the private health insurance market, you first need to find a competent insurance agent. Determining what kind of insurance you need and how much coverage to buy are complex issues. A good agent will help you assess your situation, and work with you to find the right coverage for your specific needs. The key to a successful working relationship with aninsurance agent is trust. You should be able to trust your agent’s knowledge, experience and professional judgment, and you should always feel secure that your agent is acting in your best interest. But keep in mind that trust is a two-way street: Your agent also needs to trust you to provide information that is truthful and complete. If you are comparing several plans, you need to know what to look for before making a decision. When choosing a health plan ask your health insurance agent the following questions:
· Will the plan cover me for the specific doctor or hospital I would like to use? · How does the referral system work? · What pre-existing conditions would affect coverage? · How will the plan handle care if I (or a family member) am away from home? · What is the plan’s monthly premium, and what deductible and coinsurance am I required to pay? · Are there other fees, such as copayments and any additional charges if I use providers that are out-of-network? · Is there a maximum amount the plan will pay over a year or a lifetime? · What types of benefits are specific to this plan? The purchase of individual health insurance in the private market can seem confusing. Approach its purchase like you would that of any important item—research your options and compare prices, and get the best advice and assistance you can, in this case, the services of a qualifiedinsurance agent.
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For almost 35 years, the law of the land has been an explicit prohibition against federal taxpayer dollars being used to pay for elective abortions, known as the Hyde amendment, after the late great Illinois congressman. This is a policy supported by the majority of the American people.
In fact, this hard-fought explicit ban was included in the health care bill that passed the House last year. Regrettably, the Senate did not follow suit and instead passed a bill that would allow hard-earned taxpayer dollars to pay for elective abortion. That is a simple fact. Unfortunately, in a mad rush to secure enough votes, leading House Democrats now intend to take up the Senate-passed bill, arguing that the Senate language prohibits federal funding of abortion. Besides that fact that this simply not true, it also demonstrates the lengths the president and his allies will take to pass this bill against the will of the American people.
Just this week, Cardinal Francis George, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement saying, “Notwithstanding the denials and explanations of its supporters, and unlike the bill approved by the House of Representatives in November, the Senate bill deliberately excludes the language of the Hyde amendment. It expands federal funding and the role of the federal government in the provision of abortion procedures.”
First, the Senate bill allows elective abortions to be offered through the newly-created individual state health insurance exchanges and multi-state health plans administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and through federally-subsidized plans in already-existing community health centers.
Second, there is nothing in this legislation that requires any of these programs to live up to both the spirit and letter of the Hyde amendment that Congress has included each year in spending bills that fund the government. This not only prevents federal funding of elective abortions, but also erects an iron-clad firewall against any private money for abortion being mixed with any federal or state health program receiving federal dollars. This applies, for example, to Medicaid, a health program for the economically disadvantaged that is funded by both federal and state governments. If any resources are used for elective abortions that money must be kept completely separate from Medicaid. This is sound policy that must be maintained.
Regrettably, the Senate-passed bill doesn’t include this firewall. Anyone who doesn’t earn enough money would qualify for a federal subsidy to help pay for their health plan in the state exchanges, including plans offering elective abortion coverage. Some argue that under the Senate-passed bill, federal funding would be “segregated” so no federal money would pay for abortions. But this is a violation of the Hyde amendment, which also prevents the federal funding of insurance that covers elective abortion.
Furthermore, it is entirely possible that there would only be one health plan in any given state that does not include elective abortion. And even if you are opposed, you may well be railroaded into choosing a plan that covers it, because you might be looking for the best plan to treat a sick child or your own health condition.
What’s more, passing a new state law is the only way an individual state could truly ensure that elective abortions are not included in the plans offered through a state insurance exchange. That would be easier in some states than in others, but that’s unfair to those who are morally opposed to federal funding of abortion and happen to live in states where passing such a law would be extremely difficult.
Lastly, under this proposal, community health centers would receive a dedicated stream of money outside the annual congressional process to fund the government which is where the Hyde prohibition is maintained. So that means that for the first time federal money could be used to fund abortion at a community health center.
Those are the facts, and anyone who thinks the Senate abortion language is strong enough should think again. That is because, regardless of one’s position on this controversial issue, it is entirely reasonable to expect that a person who is fundamentally and morally opposed to abortion should not have to sanction its use with their hard-earned tax payer dollars.
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Diet pills are a weight loss product that is taken by mouth. They contain medication that will speed up the metabolism as it suppresses the appetite. For those people who are overweight, diet pills are can assist them with their weight loss goals.
Over the counter diet pills contain diuretics to assist the body in flushing out excess fluids. A lot if the foods that we eat contain a lot of salt, which retains water naturally. One of these diuretics is caffeine.
Over the counter diet pills are not expensive, and can be bought anywhere. They are available in grocery store, pharmacies, and department stores and in some instances, small convenience stores.
Over the counter diet pills are one of the few drugs that are not regulated by the food and drug administration. This makes it very difficult to document any side affects or assess any risks associated with taking over the counter diet pills. Only when private companies decide to study the diet pills for side affects will the results be made public. Most over the counter diet pills are never tested.
Prescription diet pills do not contain the same ingredients, as over the counter diet pills. Prescription diet pills contain ingredients that are stronger and work in different ways. Some release a neurotransmitter called serotonin, which is found naturally in the body. Serotonin affects moods, and can help curb the appetite.
Doctors are reluctant to prescribe diet pills, and will only do so for their patients that are obese. Even then, the doctor will closely monitor the patient’s progress by charting their weight and doing blood tests often. Doctors will recommend a strict diet and exercise routing for their overweight patient. Sometimes, the patient does not want to wait that long for dieting results and will buy over the counter diet pills.
The advantage of prescription diet pills is that the food and drug administration has the power to test any prescription diet pill that is developed. It can take up to ten years of study to approve one diet pill. This is done for the safety of the public.
In past decades, there have been great and heated debate regarding diet pills. Some feel that the food and drug administration should be able to test over the counter diet pills just as it does prescription diet pills. They both do the same thing.
Manufacturers of diet pills do not want to have the restrictions the food and drug administration would impose if they were to take over testing their products.
The two sides have been battling for years over this subject. The battle will continue as both sides feel that they are right.
The manufacturers of diet pills stand to loose a lot if the food and drug administration were to win.
In past decades, millions of people have benefited from taking diet pills. When they are taken in the correct dosage, diet pills can assist the overweight in achieving their weight loss goals.
Always consult a physician before starting any weight loss program.
Following the election of Republican Scott Brown to the Massachusetts State Senate last week and the resulting loss of Senate Democrats’ supermajority, lawmakers continue to pave the way for health care reform – with limited progress. In addition, polls indicate that the public would rather lawmakers focus more on the economy than on health care.
State of the Union Address
President Obama Gives State of the Union Address: On Wednesday evening, President Barack Obama delivered his first State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress. Having hoped to have a health care reform bill on his desk prior to his address, the President instead used his speech to encourage Congress to push forward on health care reform. Yet, he did not give specific guidance as to how to proceed with the legislation. Instead, he made it clear that his primary focus would be on jobs and the economy.
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Health Care Reform Negotiations
Democrats Still Seek Way Forward: While vowing not to give up, Democratic Senate leaders indicated Tuesday that they no longer felt pressure to move quickly on health care reform; and, in the wake of the Massachusetts election and in reaction to public opinion, they shifted focus to jobs and the economy. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) commented that there is “no rush” on health care and said that he and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) were working to map out a way to complete health care reform in the coming months. On Wednesday, Sen. Pelosi floated a two-pronged strategy to pass incremental changes now and pursue comprehensive reform later.
Some lawmakers have considered breaking up the legislation into smaller pieces that have bipartisan support. However, this option will prove challenging given the complexities and interdependencies of the measures. For example, lawmakers would like to include a measure that requires all insurance companies to insure those with pre-existing conditions; however, premiums will most likely increase unless there is an individual mandate.
Earlier this week, Democrats appeared to be coalescing around a different strategy through which Senate lawmakers would make changes to their bill to appease members of the House. The Senate would then pass the revised bill via reconciliation, which only requires 51 votes. Following that, the House would approve the revised bill, giving it to President Obama for his review. However, movement on this strategy stalled Tuesday when two centrist Senators, Sens. Evan Bayh (D-IN) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AK), indicated that they would oppose using reconciliation to bypass Republican support. Others, including Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), have suggested a “time out” on health care reform until there is a clear path forward.
In the GOP response to President Obama’s State of the Union address, Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell said that Republicans share the Democrats’ desire for health care reform, but do not agree with their proposed solutions. Republicans suggest that Democrats scrap the current proposals and start over with more Republican input on issues such as medical malpractice reform and selling insurance policies across state lines.
Republicans Call for Transparency: On Wednesday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee marked up a resolution presented by Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) which requested that the administration divulge documentation regarding the health care reform deals made with trade associations and a labor union. Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) said that while details remained to be worked out, he would support a narrowed version of the Republican request for White House records.
President Obama to Speak with House Republicans: President Obama will meet with House Republicans on Friday in response to an invitation to speak at their annual retreat in Baltimore that begins Thursday and ends Saturday. The meeting comes just after the President’s State of the Union address, and members of the news media speculate that the meeting may spur more bipartisanship or potentially lead to even more tension between the two parties.
Interest Groups Call for Reform: With health care reform’s fate in jeopardy, interest groups have voiced their support, encouraging Democrats to push forward with legislation. The AARP, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Consumers Union, Families USA and Service employees International Union sent a joint letter last Thursday urging Congress not to abandon comprehensive health care reform. Further, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops also sent a letter to Congress urging a push for reform.
Public Opinion
Polls Show Concern with Health Care Reform; More Focus on Jobs and Economy: Several polls were released this week that highlight the public’s disenchantment with health care reform and anxiety around the struggling economy.
A new CNN/Opinion Research poll released Tuesday shows that only three in ten Americans say they want Congress to pass legislation similar to the bills currently being discussed in Congress. Forty-eight percent of Americans would like lawmakers to start again on a new bill, and 21 percent believe Congress should not work on bills that would change the current health care system. Further, a Wall Street Journal/NBC poll released Wednesday found that 51 percent of Americans believe President Obama has paid “too little attention” to the economy and that 44 percent feel he has paid “too much attention” to his proposed health care overall.
In addition, a new USA Today/Gallup poll released late last week finds that most Americans call for a more bipartisan effort in health reform. A 55 percent majority of Americans say that President Obama and Congressional Democrats should suspend movement on health care reform and consider alternatives that would increase Republican support.
A poll released last weekend by the Washington Post , Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard University’s School of Public Health indicated that dissatisfaction with the direction of the country, including the Democrats’ health care reform proposals, drove the outcome of the Massachusetts election. The post-election survey of Massachusetts state voters showed that overall 43 percent say they support the health care reform proposals advanced by President Obama and Congressional Democrats, while 48 percent oppose them.
A new poll released Monday from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that fears regarding the health care reform package increased significantly in December as members of the Senate finalized their bill. Thirty-three percent of respondents said they believed their access to care would worsen if the legislation passed, up from 25 percent in November. Forty-two percent said the country’s finances would suffer under reform, compared with 34.6 percent in November.
Looking Ahead
Next week, the President will present his Budget to Congress (which includes health programs), after which Congressional hearings will commence. We expect health reform to be discussed in these sessions. While there remains no clear path forward for health care reform, Congressional leaders will continue to work to find a solution.
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