VB Dems

If a law compels someone to do something that they would otherwise have freely chosen to do anyway, how coercive is it?

About 60% of insured Americans currently choose to obtain private health insurance through their employers. Under health reform, they will continue to choose to do so.

About 30% of insured Americans currently choose to obtain health insurance from the federal government (Medicare, Medicaid, the military). Under health reform, they will continue to choose to do so.

About 10% of insured Americans currently choose to obtain private health insurance in the individual insurance market. Under health reform, they will continue to choose to do so but will greatly benefit from the consumer protections and the greater choice of private insurance plans in the health exchanges.

Under health reform, those who are currently uninsured because they were denied coverage due to pre-existing medical conditions or lifetime maximum benefits will be relieved that they can now choose to purchase health insurance again.

Under health reform, those who are currently uninsured because they can’t afford it will eagerly choose to obtain it through the expansion of Medicaid or subsidies toward the purchase of private insurance in the health exchanges.

Under health reform, 2.5 million previously uninsured young people have already chosen to be covered by private health insurance through their parent’s employers.

Health reform includes an exemption for the religious minorities who may not believe in medical care (ex. Amish, Christian Scientists, and Jehovah’s Witnesses).

Who is left who would choose not to obtain health insurance?

Theoretically, a fraction of a percentage of the population may be libertarian billionaires. They may currently choose to self-insure by assuming the risk of paying hundreds of thousands of dollars out of pocket in the event that they need major medical care. Under health reform, they may still choose to remain uninsured by paying a tax penalty (which they could easily afford).

Who will be forced to purchase private health insurance? What constitutional rights are restricted?  Whose freedom is threatened?

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According to a new poll, Americans who think the law should have done more outnumber those who think the government should stay out of health care by a margin of 2-1.  Also (confirming what we already knew) health reform opponents base their judgement on misinformation.  For example, 52% falsely believe health reform will increase their taxes this year.

Health reform officially takes effect tomorrow. Among the immediate benefits:

• Young adults can remain on their family’s health plan until they turn 26.
• Free immunizations for kids.
• Free preventive care, like mammograms and cholesterol screenings.
• No more lifetime coverage limits, and annual limits start to phase out.
• Plans can’t cancel coverage for people who get sick.
• No denial of coverage to kids with pre-existing health conditions.
• Medicare beneficiaries in the “donut hole” will see a 50% discount on brand name drugs.

Rep. Nye may have voted against health reform, but at least he hasn’t pledged to repeal or de-fund it like Rigell and Golden have.

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Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has been confirmed as a speaker at the Freedom Federation’s “The Awakening 2010” conference hosted by Liberty University. Other invited (but unconfirmed) speakers include Gov. Bob McDonnell and Rep. Randy Forbes.

Also on the speaker list is faith healer Cindy Jacobs. Maybe Cuccinelli can sue the federal government to require health insurance coverage for gay exorcism.

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According to the CBO: the combined Senate / budget reconciliation health reform bill would reduce the deficit by $130 billion the first 10 years and by $1.2 trillion the second 10 years, cover 32 million uninsured Americans, extend Medicare solvency by at least 9 years, and close the Medicare Part D prescription drug “donut hole.”

Vote for health reform, Rep. Nye. It’s the fiscally responsible thing to do.

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(Note: I moved this post back to the top of the page because the crucial House vote is likely to happen by the end of this week.)

More than a year ago, Rep. Glenn Nye established his “Principles for Health Care Reform.”

In violation of his own principles, Rep. Nye voted against the House bill.

Soon he will have another chance to stand up for his principles.  Democrats are urging him to vote in favor of a bill that already passed the Senate by a 60% supermajority, along with a budget reconciliation bill to amend it.

UPDATE: An unofficial whip counts lists Rep. Nye as “leaning no.”

 The Senate bill already meets or exceeds all 7 of Rep. Nye’s principles: (more…)

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Already, 40 Senators have agreed to include a public option in the health reform budget reconciliation bill.  Sen. Webb and Sen. Warner are still uncommitted, even though the public option is politically popular in Virginia.

According to the CBO, a public option (similar to the compromise that already passed the House) would reduce the federal budget deficit by an additional $25 billion.  It would increase market competition by giving consumers in the individual or small business markets another choice and help control health premiums.

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