Meaningful reform still needed

rohitcuny:

60% of all bankrupties are due to medical bills, which of course would not happen if people were insured. This is a crisis, ask anyone who has recently lost their job.

Does anyone really think this is health care reform? It's insurance reform, ferchissake, which is just another way of saying that it simply pushes costs around to other pockets--and as a self-employed urban professional who's already taxed within an inch of my life, I'm pretty sure that means my pocket. And that's before we even get to the list of unintended consequences that are bound to follow something this horse-traded and politically inspired when it involves 1/6 of the American economy and federal intrusion into hyper-personal decisions like health care.

I can't believe how pathetically this has all been handled. This country obviously doesn't want it and deserves better.

45Upnorth: can you tell us which of the three C-SPAN channels broadcasts all conference committee proceedings, how many American households have access to all three channels, how many American households don't have access to cable or satellite, and how many conference committee sessions you've watched over the last decade? If not, please put your talking point away.

If the conference committee were put on C-SPAN, people would complain that it was too complicated and too boring. It's like the demands to make bills available for reading for 48 hours instead of 36. It's not about transparency, it's about delay. The reason that so little has gotten done this year in the Senate is that the Republican minority has broken all previous records for filibustering.

Who cares what Gingrich thinks? the only favor he ever did for this country is nearly destroy the republican party.Gingrich is just another adulterer of the so called party of the family as is Sandford,Vitters,Dan Burton who has grown son be a woman not his wife. what a sorry bunch and yet the media can't seem to get enough of these nuts.

The Prince of Hypocrites speaks.

Platinum Members of Newt's think tank include:

* American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
* American Hospital Association (AHA)
* American Medical Group Association (AMGA)
* America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP)
* Amylin Pharmaceuticals
* Arcapita
* College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME)
* Covisint
* D2Hawkeye
* deCode genetics
* Emageon
* Georgia Hospital Association (GHA)
* HealthTrio
* Hospital Corporation of America (HCA)
* Inland Northwest Health Services (INHS)
* Intermountain Healthcare
* Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Inc.
* Kelly Services
* MedAssets
* Medical Justice Services, Inc.
* MinuteClinic
* Piedmont Healthcare
* Quest Diagnostics
* Quovadx, Inc.
* Saint Joseph’s Hospital
* sanofi-aventis
* SAP America
* Sheridan Healthcare
* Society for Neuroscience
* TelaDoc
* United Cerebral Palsy
* WellStar
* Wyeth Pharmaceuticals
* You Take Control, Inc

The problem is, we'll never get meaningful reform on anything if only one party is trying to solve the problems. And guess what, Newt? Your party has done nothing. It amazes me, with the record you guys have over the past year, that the Democrats are predicted to lose seats. Like them or loathe them, they're at least trying to solve problems and they were trying to be bi-partisan. And what does the GOP say? "No." End of story.

Just standard Gingrich NONSENSE!

The United States Postal Service 218 years old and they still have not found a way to operate effectively and in the black.

Like many other businesses I use FEDEX , UPS etc for my normal day to day needs.

I am now wee bit leery of their "new and improved" heath care system for our nation.

Their direction now seems to avoid Tort reform and a more practical and lower cost system of pharmaceuticals.

If this present Congress were in charge of writing the original
Constitution and the Bill of Rights I do wonder what those precious documents would now read like?

Being an older person I hope you forgive me as I know it is not now the fashion.
But I do pray daily that indeed..may God Bless this country and its people.
And gives its leaders wisdom .
And that this Nation of the people shall not perish from the face of the earth.

Newt forgot to mention that he and his cronies are a big reason there are few savings in the bill. He doesn't like to be seen as the obstructionist he is. Or as the recipient of beaucoup bucks from insurance and healthcare interests looking to make a profit off the taxpayer.

Would you support it if they put in an amendment for politicians/ex-politicians to have their penicillin provided by the taxpayers when you pick up that inevitable burn when you go wee-wee?

Did you catch syphilis from one of your many extramarital hussies......is it burning a hole in your already porous brain?

For sure, the Bush administration did not make health care a priority and broke many promises. But I expected that the "change" we all hoped for would have at least have the promised transparency (telecast of health care debate on C-span) the end of pork spending (the back-room vote buying of Nebraska's Medicare and the now famous second Louisiana purchase).

It should infuriate all of us that he is spending our money to push his health care agenda (that we are not permitted to watch)!

The Obama administration is no better than any of the others - say one thing and then do another. He marketed himself during the campaign as a refreshing agent of change and all we got was more of the same:(

I couldn't even finish reading this garbage. Of course this bill isn't as good as it could be. There were 39 aholes who refused to participate or had "ideological" objections to reform at all since it required the gov't to do something BESIDES de-regulate or give tax breaks to the ultra rich. Your agenda has been clear since day 1 of this year.

We can see right through clowns like you and your pals who are still in office are going to pay for it.

This bill is watered down for sure, but it's a start.

From the looks of the above comments it looks like the Obama people are organized and in full nasty defense mode because they see that the Democrats will pay dearly for their unilateral action on the Health Care issue. Polls show that the public is against this bill and they will go to the polls in droves in November. We need reform but not one from one party only and hatched in secrecy and filled with private bribes and deals. Chicago politics is alive and well directed from the White House.

No one wants to hear from the man who brought us "Contract with America" = nothing; served divorce papers on his wife while she was in the hospital; had an affair while married; ethical investigations; in control of Congress from 1994-2006 and never brought health reform to the floor; etc.

DC doesn’t need the Wash. Times WaPo is allowing their base to occupy their paper and they are doing so in large numbers and without facts.

January 7, 2010

Conservatives Finish 2009 as No. 1 Ideological Group
Uptick owing largely to more independents calling themselves conservative

PRINCETON, NJ -- The increased conservatism that Gallup first identified among Americans last June persisted throughout the year, so that the final year-end political ideology figures confirm Gallup's initial reporting: conservatives (40%) outnumbered both moderates (36%) and liberals (21%) across the nation in 2009.

More broadly, the percentage of Americans calling themselves either conservative or liberal has increased over the last decade, while the percentage of moderates has declined.

Stick a fork in Libs/Dems...they are done!

The comments by Newt (lame brain- being polite and NOT outright accusing him of partisan out-and-out lying), Gingrich are almost NOT worth comments about...

if it were NOT for getting the background story right of the GOP obstructionist politics and the gigantic GOP financial disaster that has plunged this once great nation into a deep dark great great recession (or did the GOP mindlessly forget that little insignificant part), after pilfering the United States Treasury and enriching their GOP contributors with no-bid contracts, while ignoring the Constitution... meanwhile promoting violence against President Obama.

Get the background story straight you bunch of cowardly imbusciles !!!

This President (Obama), has stabilized the nation and avoided financial ruin for a generation of innocent Americans by undoing reckless GOP policy and creating oversight - that which G.W. Bush could NOT even spell. Does anyone happen to remember that? Way to go Brownie !!! "You did a great great job aid Hurricane Katrina victims"...G.W. Bush

Newt Gingrich (partisan GOP hack) is kidding right ???

Hey Hume - what faith should Newt be?

How typical of the Republicans-nothing will work unless we say so? The first thing to remember is that, we as a country have never come to this point before so we have no historical data to compare this plan against. We know what works in other parts of the world but we do not know what will work here in the United States. So we much create a system with what we think might work and redesign the plans as we move through history. The parts that work will stay and be improved. But those parts that do not work will be revised to include a formula that will work.

The conservatives, teabaggers or so called Republicans have fought against every effort proposed by the Democratics to support the people. These are the same people who were involved in such deals as the arms for drugs, the saving and loan scandal, the Columbian drug cartel, Iraq and Iranian wars, the wall street bailout, the housing market scandel, and other scandels we the people do not know about. They support giving money to their millionaire friends but refuse to lift one finger to support legislation for the middle class. Which supports my theory that the housing market scandal was designed to destory the Democratic voting base i.e. the MIDDLE CLASS! Ummmm!

So, Newt stop grand standing and find yourself a rocking chair - start watching the clouds go by!

Ole Newt, up to his same old tired pro business tricks. His solution to health care reform is nothining more that reward the insurance companies and the common man be damned. Has he learned nothing since he was booted from the congress in Disgrace???

Words of conservative wisdom from a theocrat who has enjoyed many an adulterous orgasm!

To get healthcare costs under control, we need to apply free market principles:
1. Empower Medicare, Medicaid and the VA to import pharmaceuticals from Canada, India, or wherever, at competitive prices; put the burden of proof on the FDA if it wants to block any imports. Challenge the drug company fat cats to either compete or go out of business.
2. Minimize government control on licensing of physicians; facilitate foreign medical graduates practicing medicine in the U.S.; facilitate medical tourism. Challenge the AMA fat cats to provide cost effective physician services or become irrelevant.
3. To accomplish the above,we the people need to vote out of office any elected official who accepted campaign contributions from healthcare lobbyists, companies, interests.

To get healthcare costs under control, we need to apply free market principles:
1. Empower Medicare, Medicaid and the VA to import pharmaceuticals from Canada, India, or wherever, at competitive prices; put the burden of proof on the FDA if it wants to block any imports. Challenge the drug company fat cats to either compete or go out of business.
2. Minimize government control on licensing of physicians; facilitate foreign medical graduates practicing medicine in the U.S.; facilitate medical tourism. Challenge the AMA fat cats to provide cost effective physician services or become irrelevant.
3. To accomplish the above,we the people need to vote out of office any elected official who accepted campaign contributions from healthcare lobbyists, companies, interests.

Newt has no credibility on the issue -- especially given his role in scuttling the last attempts to save American lives and American middle class families money under Clinton's reform attempts.

Like a lot of Washington Pols though, it pays to play with DC special interests. It's good to see that Newt is still getting paid for turning tricks almost 20 years later.

Cost Effectiveness? Newt, where were you when G.W.B. and the Republicans guaranteed RETAIL prices to drug companies, as part of the Medicare drug benefit legislation?

I cannot recall an op-ed from Newt as to a concrete range of things, including coverage,elimination of pre-existing conditions and means of ensuring the lowering of the cost of premiums that should be part of a legislative proposal. This man is obviously an opportunist who cares not about the uninsured but how best he can possibly make a run at the presidency.

hmmmm. trying to recall the Republican'ts big Health Care Reform push while they were in charge...
Looks like the Newtster is Monday morning 3rd string quarterbacking.

It would have been nice to hear a republican plan, rather than just a critique what is wrong with other people's plan

" the Obama-Reid-Pelosi bill", says it all about this article. Politics as usual.

I can remember the Gingrich health care reform bill...wait, no I can't.

Stay on the sideline Newt....

shut your dumb mouth newt, you're a typical redumblican and you all have no answers for health care reform, all you want to do is say "this want work" when the Democrates come up with plans to try to fix the problems your boys bush and chenney made. So until you all in the redumblican party can come up with something that will help the poeple in this country who are the needy instead of giving more to the greedy, then just shut your fat face newty boy.

While your health care is going down the toilet so many people are turning this article around and making it about Gingrich. Wake up people. Obama, Reid and Pelosi are already rationing your health care by not letting you even see or hear what is in the bill!

Who cares what this has-been hypocrite and serial adulterer has to say? His idea of meaning reform is the GOP in power. From experience this is the death cry of the nearly extinct GOP. But we all have heard it, saw it, and watched it fail.

I agree with Brian Lamb. If we, as taxpayers, have to pay for a program (legislation) then we have a right to know every detail of what we are paying for. Obama, Pelosi and Reid are taking away my rights by not allowing a floor debate of the bill and letting us know what is really in this legislation. If they can renege on their promise then I see their policy as null and void.

Words of wisdom from the adulterous theocrat who used all his power to destroy your family.

Is there any goper in America who has done more to destroy it?

Isn't this the guy who forced the mother of his two children to give him a divorce while she was recovering from cancer surgery?

How anyone could fix the mess of 8 years of G.W. in a year is beyond me. This is typical political rhetoric and one of the reasons Gingrinch is not electable (plus his own affair while trying to impeach Clinton, and leading the charge to shut down the government because he felt "insulted".) Don't insult the American people's intelligence anymore, Newt.

How dare Mr. Gingrich even speak about what we really need in health care and whether the current plan is adequate.

I don't recall Mr. Gingrich or his party doing anything to provide affordable health care or affordable insurance to Americans during any of their tenures in office. Even when the was a Democratic majority in congress, his party never even attempted to provide for the general welfare.

The hypocrisy is breathtaking.

Dear Newt: I characterize 50% of the politicians stand for no principles other than their own self interests. You are a poster child for that breed. You are, and were, in politics for decades. What real benefits your years in public service live on? What health care reforms you and your GOPers ever instituted, less alone proposed? If you can’t lead nor follow, why don’t you get the hell out of the way, and stay out of the way? So, what is twelve months? It’s but a drop in a bucket. The progress this country has made in its relatively young life is a testimony to the creativity and adaptability of the people. And, that is, in spite of the parasitic nature of so many of the ‘leaders’. We survived the years of your leadership in Congress. And so, we will survive the next thirty-six months. And, we will continue to make progress.

He makes a good point about cost effectiveness. He doesn't tell anyone that the republican plan was more favorable to the insurance and drug industry than the plan currently being considered. The republican plan was more a pull yourself up by the bootstrap plan. If you can't afford insurance, tough luck for you. It did not protect people from being dropped by their insurance carrier if they get sick. It did not eliminate pre-existing conditions. All in all we are going to get bad legislation that only benefits the insurance industry. It will not be quite as bad as the legislation the republicans purposed. Neither will do anything to cut costs.

I would like to know how much the Washington Post charges per column inch to run Gingrich's ad.

I would like to ask Kenneth Wooh, MD if he has ever actually looked that the effects of tort reform in the states that already have it. Republicans love to pretend that tort reform is some awesome new idea that would work if only given a chance.

Over half the states right now have some sort of cap on noneconomic damages. California has had a $250K limit since the 70s. Texas passed very aggressive tort reform about 8 years ago. Mississippi too.

Do you know what has happened to health care costs in those states that already have reform? Nothing. Insurance premiums in those states rose at a commensurate level with all the other states. Do you know why? Because malpractice costs are such a tiny percentage of overall health care costs. There is absolutely no way that the US could save 100-200 billion annually with tort reform. That is absurd. The CBO said, with comprehensive reform, we could save 100 billion over a decade. That is 10 billion a year out of a total of 2.2 trillion dollars. Less than one half of one percent. Yet this is the Republican mantra.

Who cares what this disgraced hypocrite has to say? Why is this man given a prominent platform to spew his failed ideas?

If the the subject was adultery and hypocrisy, things he knows a great deal about, it would be different. But the subject is health care, a subject he has no special insight or expertise in.

When you note "former House speaker" you have to also note "resigned in disgrace for violating HIS OWN ethics rules.

newt is known for writing nonsensical historical fiction. Actual historians hate that kind of counterfactual drivel. His pronouncements are pretty much the same thing. Based on his fantasies of what he thinks should be instead of what actually is.

Isn't it reasonable to inquire as to how long "Big Money" interests will continue to trump the public good? The insurance and pharmaceutical industries, in collusion with Congress, apparently intend to wring every last dime of disposable income out of the American public. The integrity of our political system, i.e., particularly the legislative branch, has devolved to the point where it seems that the best hope for the common man will be the advent of a benevolent dictator.

Whose fault is it that there isn't a better health care bill? The sheiskopf Republican congressmen, that's who. They could have worked with and tempered the legislation, instead they futzed around and did nothing but posture for the press.

Dodd just did what anyone is suppose to do,- RETIRE. After 30+ years, isnt' that enough?! Goofball trouble-makers scream,- the Democrats are in Trouble in 2010.- Bull-CRAP! The Dems are Stronger han Ever America. But, the executive,- Mr OBAMA, Is weaker today. Presdient OBAMA, like ol' BUSHY, made many campaign Promises, then became TRAITORS against the VOTERS, whom put these dis-honest LIARS into office.- That IS, as jward52 would say,- is "VOTE-FRAUD"!!(period). So CONGRESS, both Reds & Blues, must be careful, as to NOT LIE to, or mis-treat, the American PEOPLE, like BUSH DID,- and OBAMA Is doing NOW!! Where is the Promise of 'open-ness', and 'transparency' President OBAMA "promised"? C-SPAN, AS obam Promised, was to air the HEALTH CARE Debate. Right? And, the Banksters / Wallsters, were to be brought under control. Right? But, still NO Controls, Regulations, or Real OVERSIGHT on the Globalist Banks, or the WALLstreet cronies, whom contributed to the Economic Terrorist CRISIS!! - Anyway,- "CONGRESS" Is the Real Culprit behind the whole $mess!!(term-limits) - CONGRESS continues to back, $protect, coddle, and actually obey, the crooks whom have swindled and ripped-off the American People & Taxpayers! CONGRESS, was Not only 'aSleep-atthe-Wheel', but were quite often in bed with the Crooks, Lobbyists, Banks, Global Corps, and Elitist $TOO-BIGS. - YES, OBAMA MAY be in TROUBLE for Lying,- but CONGRESS, including the Democrats, will be fine in 2010,- IF THEY BEHAVE / HONOR Their' Oaths-of-Office, and do what is Best for America,- for WE-the-People!! - END the FED! The so-called FED has economically raped Our Republic blind. - Send these criminals back to Europe! also:- no where in Our CONSTITUTION DOES IT READ: "we-the-$Bankers", or "we-the-FEDsters"!!?? WALLstreeters"- And the so-called Tea-Party'ers, are not so mad at Democrats, as - MAD at THE 'Congressional "Turn-Coats", red&blue, whom have allowed Our Constitutional Republic to be so humiliated, violated, abused, and 'trod-upon'!! Unite, REDS & BLUES,- get over petty differences, and Fire the Traitors in CONGRESS whom have Not done their' Jobs as WE-the-People have demanded by LAW (Our CONSTITUTION)!!?? - jward52 (Joe-Ward)
1/7/2010 9:13:12 AM
Recommended (14)

Mr. Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich: You were Speaker of the House for MANY, MANY years. That means the Republicans controlled the House. At the same time the Republicans controlled the Senate. The President, Clinton, cleasrly wanted health care reform but was stopped by the Republicans. So what did Republicans propose, let alone do? Pray tell. What did Republicans propose, let alone do?

The answer is why I cannot take any of you seriously.

Has anyone found the story about obozo, the liar in chief, eight times saying on video saying healthcare debate would be on C-SPAN.

The democrat communist party can sure be proud of their selection of such a liar. Any explanation as to why the mainstream media Washington Post isn't reporting this story.

Hussein obozo.....Can you trust this liar now?

Posted by: charlietuna6661 | January 7, 2010 8:01 AM

==============

I actually cut you a break in my last post that you didn't deserve. While the reconciliation of the House and Senate Bills is not on C-SPAN there has been plenty of debate broadcast on C-SPAN on the House and Senate Bills from the floor. If you haven't seen them, then it's only because you haven't turned on C-SPAN during those "debates". So shame on you.

Gingrich is right on this and cheap shots at him are not productive. The democratic bills and moreover the process has been so flawed as to be an abomination of the intended contitutional process and good governance. There has been little meanigful dialouge in this about the best way to get health care costs and delivery under control. The democrats version is simply more government, unkeepable promises of fiscal restraint, and stick the bill to someone else.

The lack of meanigful discussion, the lack of transparency in the process, the red-herring of saying that this won't cost us a bundle, the false deadline, and the like all say that this is a bill which will live in infamy.

Having the President delay the SOU address to coincide with a signed bill says a lot. Personally, I would rather watch Lost that night -- far less fiction and fantasy.

A question to those who are pushing litigation reform.

The health care system kills an estimated 195,000 people per year due to "error". I like to call it "The oops". At the same time doctors claim they are practicing "defensive medicine" because of litigation.

Question: IF there is litigation reform and doctors no longer practice defensive medicine what do you expect is going to happen to the number of people who die every year due to "The oops"?

=============
=============

To Charlietuna6661

I trust Obama a lot more than I do Gingrich. Ask the wives that Newt cheated on if you want corroboration.

You may recall that the legislative branch is separate from the executive branch and the legislative branch doesn't have to comply with the wishes of the executive. ... at least in the Democratic Party that's true. In the GOP they are just lackeys to a GOP executive.

It is distressing that so many of the postings contain personal attacks on Gingrich and do not address the points he makes. Look people, even if Saddam Hussein were to say, "It is raining" I wouldn't scream at him. I would look out the window to see if it was raining. The truth is the truth and it does not matter WHO says it.

I too worry about the deficits which this bill could exacerbate. Also, the talk about 30 million uninsured Americans is misleading. Many Americans are healthy and young and do not want to buy expensive health insurance. Being uninsured and being sick are different things. My own mother in India was uninsured in her last illness and she had top quality care.

So Obama is pretending that there is a disaster in health care, when the big problem is the expense of health care which is so much higher in America than elsewhere.

That said, I do not see the Republicans as having been helpful on this or any other issue. Their goal seems to be to bring Obama down. OTOH, the strategy of the Democrats in congress seems to be to pass bills without bothering with Republicans and for that they need 60 votes in the Senate.

That means that every self-interested Democrat can cast a veto, as can Lieberman. It is not the right atmosphere to enact a good bill.

Note that Howard Dean himself argued against the current bill and he is hardly a Republican.

So readers, you are the readers of a pre-eminent newspaper in America. When you post here, it is your sacred duty to be thoughtful and helpful, and stop spouting hate against other Americans.

China is waiting in the wings to take over world leadership from America, and if Americans keep hating other Americans, the day will come when America will be a "haas-been" nation. So be careful!!

Mere cost-effectiveness is a crass goal. We need affordable quality health care for all Americans, regardless of income. If anyone thinks they should sacrifice this for cost-effectiveness, they've lost all sight of what America should be about.

If newtie really wanted cost effectiveness in health care, as most Americans want, get rid of the health insurance industry.

Case closed.

Oh yeah, screw you newtie. Disappear.

Health care reform shouyld not come at the cost of patient rights! Newt took money and was found unethical in the House, whichj is why he left Congress. A person whom is unethical has no real opinion, as he has proven to be unethical already.

Mr. Gingrich fails to note his party's policies have eled to the ten percent unemployment andd the Great recesion. Tort reform is not the wqay to reform health are. reform the drug companies and their formula's for profit, as well as doctors ability tobe paid for each script they write. That is true heatlh care reform. Regulate drugs, regulate services, and regulate access and you have real health care for all.

Take the money from the drug companies and the drug dealers and there is plenty to go aroubd for the rest of us.

Patrick

What a smarmy hypocrite. It is his own party that has been the obstacle to health care reform or any other legislative actions put forth by the administration for that matter.
Newt is aptly named after a lizard.

If Gingrich devoted as much thought to the nation's problems as he does to planning how to pay for his next divorce, he might be able to make a real contribution. Not.

Has anyone found the story about obozo, the liar in chief, eight times saying on video saying healthcare debate would be on C-SPAN.

The democrat communist party can sure be proud of their selection of such a liar. Any explanation as to why the mainstream media Washington Post isn't reporting this story.

Hussein obozo.....Can you trust this liar now?

Terri Schiavo is how NewtCo runs healthcare -ideology first.

Mr. Gingrich is correct - he knows what James Madison knew, that a politically free and economically free people are a prosperous people.

Posted by: Cdgaman | January 7, 2010 7:29 AM

=====

And I love my mother and apple pie. But more specifically, the Founding Fathers established the litigation system that we have today. And it wasn't without thought. In the early 1800's they had the same complaints that we have today, rampant frivolous law suits. They thought about it, they went to Europe to look at their systems. They thought about limiting lawyers fees ... all the same stuff that we hear today and they left the system the way it is.

If you really want to read about Jackpot Lawsuits on a regular basis you should pay attention to patent infringement cases. Those do happen frequently and they sometimes go into the $ Billions. You don't think you're paying for those? Dream on.

so, Newt - hows the wife??

Some years ago I went to an allergist about several issues, one of which was migraine headaches. He tried to get me to have a cat scan. I wisely refused. Not only was the expense unnecessary, but it would have increased my chances of having brain cancer.

I don't really want government-run health care but I want these problems solved.

Posted by: hipshot | January 7, 2010 7:12 AM

===============

Your increased risks would have been insignificant. Today they use MRIs to evaluate the extent of nasal polyps which can cause migraines.

Doctors claim they do unnecessary tests as defensive medicine. That seems an odd, as if there was a litigation, doing unnecessary tests wouldn't seem to be an effective defense.

So I was thinking about unnecessary tests the other day when Rush Limbaugh was admitted into the hospital for chest pains and stayed for a few days. He was fine. I'm sure they did a bunch of tests on Rush. All unnecessary. But Rush didn't complain one bit about all the unnecessary tests he got. He praised the system for getting all those unnecessary tests.

I wonder what Rush Limbaugh would say should be the litigation limit on his claim if a doctor amputated his leg and it turned out to be the wrong leg? Or if he received an organ transplant but they forgot to check for compatibility?

I talked once to an attorney for an insurance company about what one poster here refers to as "Jackpot Medical Lawsuits". She said they are extremely rare. They are so rare that every one of them would be in the news and to ask yourself how many do you see in the news?

One question I'd like to see doctors address is how do you get the incompetent doctors out of the health care system. As far as I can see the way the system does it now is to price them out of the market with insurance costs after multiple infractions. The AMA and hospitals don't do it.

Mr. Gingrich is correct that we need thoughtful health care reform that increases innovation.

Too seldom do we honestly look at innovation and its effects - in all fields, medical being only one. The European and Canadian approaches to a prosperous society depend on other nations, such as the US to be an engine of innovation. They have created systems which shut down innovation. But, humans being humans import proven ideas readily.

The first comment was one taking Mr. Gingrich to task. It was made by a dentist. I find it interesting that, while dentists are fully computerized, we, as a society are only talking about getting our medical doctors to computerize records. Why is that? It can't be that medical doctors are more stupid than dentists.

The answer lies in the systems we have set up. For dentists it is open free market competition with many competitors and many buyers. For medical doctors, we have set up a system of "non-profit" centers, massive state government controls, and 50% government funding. The result is our most intelligent citizens, capable of contributing greatly to society, have their hands tied continuously.

Obamacare promises more of the same stifling bureaucracy and more stifling taxes.

Mr. Gingrich is correct - he knows what James Madison knew, that a politically free and economically free people are a prosperous people.

Health care reform must come with significant tort reform on medical malpractice which will reduce health care cost over 100 to 200 billion dollars annually. I hope and pray that this takes place in those conference between the two houses.
Kenneth J. Wooh, M.D.
NYC

===========

Dr. Wooh,

May I ask how much do you expect to reduce your charges to patients if there were litigation reform?

Some years ago I went to an allergist about several issues, one of which was migraine headaches. He tried to get me to have a cat scan. I wisely refused. Not only was the expense unnecessary, but it would have increased my chances of having brain cancer.

I don't really want government-run health care but I want these problems solved.

Mr. Gingrich is correct in stating the American health care system can be more cost effective. However, some of his solutions are the unproven strategies proclaimed by many commentators. Malpractice claims are merely a fly on the back of the health care cost elephant, so how can tort reform significantly reduce the cost of care? Educating consumers to make wise health care decisions is a useless strategy for reducing costs. Why would we need doctors and other providers if patients had enough knowledge to make correct decisions about their own care? Health care savings accounts and the health plans behind them are a failing initiative that will hopefully disappear in the near future.

Health care fraud is a significant area of cost reduction that Mr. Gingrich promotes. Ten percent of all health care expences have been documented to be fraudulent, but as a former health plan Director, I can honestly state that the real amount of health care fraud in this country is closer to twenty-five percent. I include as fraud inappropriate and unproven care, over use of procedures, insurance fraud (wrongful coding, non-contractual patient charges) and fee gouging).

Finally, Mr. Gingrich fails to mention the establishment of a primary health care system that coordinates life long care and institutes credible preventive practices. This approach to providing care is true health care reform and would not only save money in the long run, but would reverse the decline in overall health of most Americans due to behavior induced conditions such as diabetes, caner and heart disease.

Gary Colangelo, DDS
Rehoboth Beach Delaware

Health care reform must come with significant tort reform on medical malpractice which will reduce health care cost over 100 to 200 billion dollars annually. I hope and pray that this takes place in those conference between the two houses.
Kenneth J. Wooh, M.D.
NYC
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I complete agree. The Obama administration could also go ahead and eliminate those "millions of dollars of Medicare waste" that they said they would do to help pay for their "health plan". If they know that waste is there, why haven't they been hollering about that? A third thing Congress could do (if it would only stand up to the insurance companies) is make all companies use the same claims form. This would mean fewer mistakes by people trying to put in a claim - but insurance companies like the mistakes because they can deny payment or at least keep from paying the claim for a while longer so they can hold onto the money (which they are using to make money.) And make drug companies charge other countries more for the same drugs (and us less). All of these things should be done before they even think about universal coverage because then the nation could afford it much easier.

The Republican proposal to reduce premiums is hardly a solution to the high costs of health care. It would reduce premiums by relieving underinsurance products of state regulatory oversight. That might satisfy healthy individuals who care only about the premium paid, but it would be a financial disaster for individuals who actually need health care, only to find that these products may leave them vulnerable to bankruptcy.

Other nations have demonstrated that governments must be intimately involved in creating programs of social insurance if cost containment is to be achieved. Unfortunately, the current proposal before Congress falls short on the policies that would create an effective social insurance model, so costs will continue to increase, and too many will still face financial hardship. In that regard, Newt Gingrich is correct.

Unfortunately, Newt Gingrich's solution of less government will only compound the problems of those who lack adequate financial security in the face of medical need. What we need instead is greater government involvement in creating an effective, efficient program of social insurance. The easiest, most equitable, and least expensive would be an improved Medicare that included everyone.

Why does anyone give this clown credibility? He was run out of Congress because he funnelled campaign funds into his mistress's pocket. That is corruption.

America deserves better, especially as Speaker of the House or a presidential candidate. Until the G-NO-P can offer up anything constructive or helpful I think they should sit in the corner and contemplate what damage their camapign of fear, hate and obstruction has doen to this country. More of the same will only dig us in deeper.

The Jackpot medical lawsuits are still wallowing all over the ground. Schumer suggests failure is not an option, and boy do I get wary while New York Demands it keep its million or so illegal aliens for its hotel industry.. and no, they don't have medical insurance.

Shouldn't the Jackpot Medical Lawsuits be dealt with first along with redundant billing practices.. and then deal with the reforms to the processes?

Ooooh. Yes they should.

You had your shot Newt, you blew it. Your a partisan hack and are exactly the problem with modern politics.

Health care reform must come with significant tort reform on medical malpractice which will reduce health care cost over 100 to 200 billion dollars annually. I hope and pray that this takes place in those conference between the two houses.
Kenneth J. Wooh, M.D.
NYC

Since Newt recently converted to Catholicism without three marriages seemingly standing in the way of officially joining the church, he needs to be reminded that the 9th commandment forbids bearing false witness. Bearing false witness means knowingly presenting false information to slander others in public.
A leopard never changes his spots, or in the case of Newt, an amphibian. Newt may now be a Catholic, be he is still a right-wing extremist.

You can only marvel at the chutzpah of Newt and the Republicans to oppose everything attempted this past year & then complain that the legislation is imperfect and without Republican participation. What's that joke about the boy who murders his parents & then pleads for mercy because he is an orphan?

Sadly, this legislation has become more about the Democrats "claiming victory", and Obama "doing what hasn't been done in 100 years" than about reforming health care in a meaningful way for all of America.

There are a couple of good provisions, but while 23 million people will be added to the health care rolls, 90% of Americans will continue to overpay for basic care and pharmaceuticals. That's a bad deal for America.

Is there a good reason for Americans to pay double what other developed countries pay for about the same care? Is there a good reason for Americans to pay triple what other developed nations pay for the exact same pharmaceuticals?

Sorry, but congress came up way short on this one, and it will STILL cost $850 billion.

Thanks for NOTHING, congress.

What health reform drug is Newt taking that makes the republican party look rosy all of the sudden. I want some and I want the republic health care bill to pay for it. The repubs did NOTHING for health care reform while they had control of the white house AND congress and now all of the sudden they think their plan is the answer. I think not. You had your chance now shut up and lets see some real leadership not more smoke and mirrors. And what's this about reducing health care premiums and reducing the deficit. Perhaps Newt needs a little history lesson about the 8 year disaster lead by Bush and his republican cronies where no attempt at controlling health care premiums or reducing the deficit took place.

House Republicans haven't offered squat. Newt, you must have been giggling as you wrote your comments about their proposal. 8 years of your party dominating the legislative, exec branches and judicial branches -- but the House Repubs wait until they are a minority party to propose something. How clever is that? As a matter of fact, how clever is it that suddenly you and your party care about health reform? If only you had cared when you had the time and the power to do something about it. What a crock!!!!

Gosh, now I'm giggling.

First these right wing scums would fight any attempt to institute measure that could really reduce because they want to benefit private companies and then simultaneously they complain about lack of cost effectiveness. These are nothing liars and scam artists.

Gringrich and his surrounding lardbags have the luxury of top-quality health insurance and can afford to spew any manner of meaningless nonsense about health care for "consumers", while his 1995-installed Congress did nothing to improve health care, and the 2000-2008 repuke administration did nothing except crater the economy and send the country to hell.

What shameless gumption, to make such claims while tens of thousands die every year for lack of adequate health insurance. Newt, you and your high triglycerides please go have a heart attack already.

Every time Gingrich writes even a brief column such as this he reveals his lack of integrity and intellect. Basically every statement in the first two paragraphs is a distortion. There is no evidence that current health care reform will cost Americans "trillions of dollars". He just made that up. The US unemployment didn't "hover at 10 percent and above over the past year", it was below 10% until November. Similarly he claims any new bill will raise insurance premiums "by as much as 13%" and "undoubtedly add to the national debt" both are pure conjecture.

Perhaps his largest distortion is to suggest that House Republicans actually had a plan that would have lowered premiums by "10 to 13%" and reduced the deficit. Pure baloney.

And here's where the lack of intellect is revealed. Does Newt realize that the federal deficit is 1.4 trillion dollars? With all of the variables involved, the trillion dollar amounts and the 10 year horizon and he comes up with 68 billion. At what level of confidence Newt? It's so obviously a fabrication and he's too dumb to see that.

"avoid the unnecessary bureaucratic red tape of government-run health care"? I guess Gingrich would still like to see Medicare "wither on the vine".

Meaningful reform is very limited in the Obama/Pelosi/Reid health care bill, but not in the ways Gingrich and Republicans support. There should be universal health care coverage that is truly affordable for everyone legally in this country.

As many flaws as there are in the Democratic plan, Republican proposals for more than a decade would only result in a few million people becoming insured. The modern Know-Nothing party seems utterly indifferent to the basic human needs of those who do not have health care insurance. Hardly a party of family values or human rights.

Mr Gingrich should have been putting his efforts into helping middle and lower economic citizens with their lack of finances to buy health insurance during his reign in office. All I remember during his time is that he proclaimed he would procure a permanent Republican majority. That was his only priority, oh, except for chasing after a young chippie to be his third wife. He did noting at all for the citizens which he claimed he would work for. His party only works for the wealthiest American who can supply them with campaign funds and good jobs after they leave Congress. No Republican has any right to whine and beef about this new health insurance plan because they have done everything possible to destroy its chances of being put into law. The Republicans have done nothing for us ordinary citizens for as long as I can remember and their current supporters are the craziest idiots in America. Their ranks include the KKK, Aryan Nation Nazis, Skinheads and those with IQs lower than 70. Mr.Gingrich should concentate on keeping his young wife happy so he doesn't get bored again and dump her for someone younger. Under Republican dogma, we Americans will never have health insurance reasonable enough to keep us from losing everything we've worked for. Republicans do not believe we deserve government help in keeping us alive. Their own greedy hands are out and gladly take everything they label as socialistic. Gingrich needs to look into his own dark soul and his lack of humanity toward his fellow Americans.

Mr Gingrich should have been putting his efforts into helping middle and lower economic citizens with their lack of finances to buy health insurance during his reign in office. All I remember during his time is that he proclaimed he would procure a permanent Republican majority. That was his only priority, oh, except for chasing after a young chippie to be his third wife. He did noting at all for the citizens which he claimed he would work for. His party only works for the wealthiest American who can supply them with campaign funds and good jobs after they leave Congress. No Republican has any right to whine and beef about this new health insurance plan because they have done everything possible to destroy its chances of being put into law. The Republicans have done nothing for us ordinary citizens for as long as I can remember and their current supporters are the craziest idiots in America. Their ranks include the KKK, Aryan Nation Nazis, Skinheads and those with IQs lower than 70. Mr.Gingrich should concentate on keeping his young wife happy so he doesn't get bored again and dump her for someone younger. Under Republican dogma, we Americans will never have health insurance reasonable enough to keep us from losing everything we've worked for. Republicans do not believe we deserve government help in keeping us alive. Their own greedy hands are out and gladly take everything they label as socialistic. Gingrich needs to look into his own dark soul and his lack of humanity toward his fellow Americans.

Pot calling kettle black...

If you wish to complain about the slowness of meaningful reform, look no further than your own Republican party for helping water down and put as many roadblocks on health care reform as possible.

Nice try on trying to change your stripes.

Newt,

Thanks for spending the years between 1994 and 2006, when you controlled the house and senate, trying to bring health care reform to fruition.

Oops, you didn't bother to try. So why are you so concerned about it now? I bet if this bill fails, Republicans won't address this issue should they take congress back.

Your crocodile tears fool few.

If you want mass scale medicine to be cost-effective, you are going to have to make some wrenching decisions. A huge amount of money is spent in the last six months of life to save people, when possible, from a prompt death. Some of the spending is indefensible. But it prevents having to make the hard choices. A 92-year-old may benefit from a heart transplant. But how much life is left in the old body with a new heart? Better to spend the half-million dollars and not have to answer the questions about when a life isn't worth saving. That's what the kill grandma thing is about -- aside from arguing against putting the government rather than publicly-owned private enterprises in charge of saying when to deny care. The status quo is lousy. The proposed changes may be slightly less lousy and probably will be more expensive. Congress isn't up to the challenge of making rational decisions about health care reform. And that goes double for Republicans.

Come on Mr. Gingrich. Republicans don't make "backroom" deals? Honestly? And let's not get too teary eyed over the GOP's proposed healthcare plan. You conveniently leave some facts out. For one it was highly questionable whether the proposed legislation would actually reduce any costs as it was written. I believe the CBO scored it as such. Secondly, it might have afforded insurance-read in its best light-to 3 million Americans. There are some 35 to 40 million Americans who need help. It also stripped out the consumer protections the Democrat bills have that prevent insurers from denying coverage for pre-exisiting conditions and tried to protect the monopoly the health insurers have over the market. The Democrat's bill actually creates customers for the industry which is the underpinning of insurance: spread the risk and the cost to insure goes down. Sorry. Same old GOP talking points just a different day. I like the GOP, but I can't vote for a party that refuses to evolve and face facts.

While I'm all for "meaningful reforms such as civil justice reform, eliminating fraud and waste in the system (and) implementing information technology advancements" I wouldn't believe a career politician any longer if he or she told me the time of day.