Mon
Aug 10 2009
09:05 pm
Lamar: healthcare = flat Tennessee income tax
By: michael kaplan

Dear Michael, 

Thanks very much for getting in touch with me and letting me know what's on your mind regarding health care reform.

continued...

Providing every American with genuine access to quality, affordable health care is one of my highest priorities as a member of the U.S. Senate.  Unfortunately, the health care bills we're debating right now flunk their most important test, which is cost.  We need to be able to say to every Tennessean and every American that we have a plan that makes it possible to afford both your health care plan and your government.  The Mayo Clinic, Governor Bredesen and other Democratic governors, and the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office have all said we're heading in the wrong direction.  Instead, we should support legislation like the Wyden-Bennett bill that I've cosponsored, which has bipartisan support and would give every American a chance to afford a health care policy like those that senators and congressmen have - and we could do that without adding one penny to the deficit, and without adding a single new government program.

I was disappointed that the Kennedy health care bill that was debated by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) on which I serve was so flawed and expensive that it couldn't be fixed.  On July 15, 2009, I voted against that bill in committee because it was the wrong first step on health care reform.  It sets the stage for higher state taxes, more federal debt, government-run health care, and Medicare cuts - and still would leave many Americans uninsured.  Expanding Medicaid eligibility as envisioned under the Kennedy bill would bankrupt the states at a time when states can least afford it.  In Tennessee, it would require a new state income tax of about 10 percent to pay for the increased cost - as well as adding another half trillion dollars to the national debt.

Health care reform is one of the biggest issues facing our nation today.  In place of what's been an overly partisan process so far, we need to move forward in a bipartisan way that includes ideas from both sides of the aisle.  We need to work together to make sure that people aren't disqualified from getting health coverage because of preexisting conditions, that everyone is covered, and all Americans have access to health care at a cost their family's budget can afford.  At the same time, I am resolute in my determination not to add trillions more to the national debt and not to dump new debt on the states. 

I appreciate your taking the time to let me know where you stand, and I'll be sure to consider your comments as health care is discussed and debated in Washington and in Tennessee.

Sincerely,

Lamar

Topics:
Treehouse's picture

Dear Lamar!

Submitted by Treehouse on Mon, 2009/08/10 - 10:16pm.

As I wrote to you earlier tonight at congress.org, if you take the deduction from my paycheck and the "contribution" from my employer, it would cover my healthcare needs. I don't need an insurance company/middleman between me and my doctor. If you eliminate the profits, you can probably provide healthcare to the US citizens just like other civilized nations. No, I don't want to add to the deficit but I don't believe your predictions about the outcome of bipartisan negotiations on healthcare. I want you to represent me too. And, don't forget to include women's reproductive healthcare in the reform. And if you want to eliminate Viagra from coverage, that would be ok too.

Virgil Proudfoot's picture

This is futile

Submitted by Virgil Proudfoot on Tue, 2009/08/11 - 7:58am.

Trying to talk sense into right-wing nuts like Lamer or Croaker is self-defeating.

Lamer is nothing but a partisan hack. Remember he voted FOR the Republican-sponsored Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Benefit bill, which had no cost-containment provisions whatsoever. For him to bemoan the potential cost of Democratic-sponsored plans is utter hypocrisy.

Rachel's picture

Trying to talk sense into

Submitted by Rachel on Wed, 2009/08/12 - 12:05am.

Trying to talk sense into right-wing nuts like Lamer or Croaker is self-defeating.

I'm old enough to remember when Lamar! was a moderate. He drifted to the right when it served his political purpose.

I like Corker better, if only because he hasn't totally turned into a self-serving pol yet.

Factchecker's picture

...we need to move forward

Submitted by Factchecker on Tue, 2009/08/11 - 10:12pm.

...we need to move forward in a bipartisan way that includes ideas from both sides of the aisle. We need to work together...

Only now that Dems are in charge of both the White House and both houses of Congress by significant margins. Before Jan. 2009, not so much. Yes, Lamar, we remember the GOP's tactics of always shutting out the minority party. Now you want everyone to play nice. And you have forgotten that Dems were elected with a mandate to change, especially health care reform. Don't pretend you're even for reform, unless it's to strengthen the health insurance profiteers--I'd believe that.

At the same time, I am resolute in my determination not to add trillions more to the national debt and not to dump new debt on the states.

Again, you never cared when Duhbya was fighting to avoid paying off the national debt in 2001, or about the GOP's subsequent drunken borrow and spend party that lasted over the next eight years. Why pretend that now is the time for a principled stand?

gonzone's picture

Unfortunately, the health

Submitted by gonzone on Wed, 2009/08/12 - 5:00pm.

Unfortunately, the health care bills we're debating right now flunk their most important test, which is cost.

That's called universal single payer Mr. Flannel.

Health care reform is one of the biggest issues facing our nation today. In place of what's been an overly partisan process so far, we need to move forward in a bipartisan way that includes ideas from both sides of the aisle. We need to work together to make sure ...

Like, instead of voting a straight Republican party line instead of what's best for the American people? Yeah, I think you should give that a try too. You might like it. I hear it goes well with Blackberry Farms jam.

Hypocrite.

"If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?"

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