Saving Freedom: on Health Care

George W. Bush: Preferred that seniors use Medicare to buy private insurance

Only about 25% of seniors were without insurance for prescription drugs, but the Democrats insisted that any plan had to be universal; it had to cover everyone. Bush's initial proposal would give Americans the choice to keep their private health insuranc after retirement, with Medicare helping pay for the cost of the premium. This would save the government money and give older Americans more choices of coverage. To get the Democrats on board, however, Bush gave up this provision and dramatically expanded the cost and size of the program. Medicare was already in financial trouble and the addition of universal drug coverage created a huge new unfounded liability.

Today a large majority of senior citizens are dependent on the federal government for their health care and prescription medication, the Medicare program is trillions of dollars in debt, and because of exploding costs, Medicare often pays physicians less than their cost to treat senior citizens.

Source: Saving Freedom, by Jim DeMint, p. 25-26 Jul 4, 2009

Jim DeMint: Medicare went trillions into debt, & made seniors dependent

I was invited to meet with the president along with several other conscientious objectors [to Bush's healthcare proposal]. It was important to me that this bill, [which included universal drug coverage via Medicare], be changed or stopped. In that meetin the president made it easy for me; he threatened me by telling the group. "Some of you have tough elections, and we are watching how you vote." And he looked straight at me when he said it. These tactics only strengthened my resolve to stop the bill. They also led me to question whether the president and I were on the same team.

On the night of the vote in the House, my team--the opponents of the bill--appeared to have won. But the Republican leadership finally twisted enough arms (and promised enough "projects") to get the votes they needed to pass the bill. Today a large majority of senior citizens are dependent on the federal government for their health care and prescription medication, the Medicare program is trillions of dollars in debt.

Source: Saving Freedom, by Jim DeMint, p. 25-26 Jul 4, 2009

Jim DeMint: Choice of affordable plans; keep from job to job

Socialists use the perceived victim status of groups to promote a collectivist or group-oriented approach to government, even when government is responsible for the injustice. The contrast between America's social and political philosophies is the most distinct on this point. Those with socialist leanings generally push for group-oriented, universal, government-directed solutions to societal problems. Those who believe in freedom believe government should facilitate free choices and equal treatment for all individuals. I'll mention a few examples.

Those with a group focus prefer a universal, one-size-fits-all, government-directed, health-care system Conversely, a focus on the individual will demand that people have their choice of affordable health-care plans that they can own and keep from job to job and into retirement.

Source: Saving Freedom, by Jim DeMint, p. 69 Jul 4, 2009

John Shadegg: Allow buying health insurance from any state in the country

This is the Road Map proposal for health insurance: every family in America receives $5,000 to buy their own health insurance. Employers could continue to receive health insurance through their employer, and the employer could still deduct the cost of health insurance from their taxes if they so choose.

Employers would offer portable health insurance plans employees can keep when they change jobs (you get the $5,000 even when you are unemployed). Individuals who work for companies not offering healt plans can shop for their own insurance. States could partner with the federal government to ensure high-risk individuals have access to affordable insurance.

This plan includes a provision originally authored by Rep. John Shadegg (another guy with brains and courage) that would allow individuals to buy health insurance from any state in the country. Currently individuals can only buy plans certified in their state. This limits competition and increases prices.

Source: Saving Freedom, by Jim DeMint, p.245 Jul 4, 2009

Paul Ryan: Road Map: buy health insurance from any state in the country

If the total value of the employer tax "exclusion" was added up and shared equally among all Americans, every family in America could receive $5,000 to buy their own health insurance. This is the Road Map proposal for health insurance. Employers could continue to receive health insurance through their employer, and the employer could still deduct the cost of health insurance from their taxes if they so choose.

Employers would offer portable health insurance plans employees can keep when they change jobs (you get the $5,000 even when you are unemployed). Individuals who work for companies not offering health plans can shop for their own insurance. States could partner with the federal government to ensure high-risk individuals have access to affordable insurance.

This plan includes a provision that would allow individuals to buy health insurance from any state in the country. Currently individuals can only buy plans certified in their state. This limits competition and increases prices.

Source: Saving Freedom, by Jim DeMint, p.245 Jul 4, 2009

Paul Ryan: Replace Medicare with $9500/year private insurance payment

Under the Road Map plan for Medicare, there would be no changes for current retirees and those who are fifty-five and older. Those younger than 55, upon reaching the age of 65, would receive a standard payment of $9,500 a year to pay for their private health insurance plan. This is the average amount Medicare currently spends per beneficiary. The amount would be inflation adjusted, and high-risk seniors could apply for additional risk-adjusted payments. Low-income seniors can also establish a Medical Savings Account to pay for other medical expenses. This is a freedom solution because future retirees would be free to own and control their health insurance. Source: Saving Freedom, by Jim DeMint, p.246 Jul 4, 2009

The above quotations are from Saving Freedom: We Can Stop America's Slide into Socialism, by Sen. Jim DeMint. Click here for definitions & background information on Health Care. Click here for other issues (main summary page). Click here for more quotes by Jim DeMint on Health Care.
*Candidates and political leaders on Health Care:*
*Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:* GA:Chambliss(R) IA:Harkin(D) MI:Levin(D) MT:Baucus(D) NE:Johanns(R) OK:Coburn(R) SD:Johnson(D) WV:Rockefeller(D) *Resigned from 113th House:* AL-1:Jo Bonner(R) FL-19:Trey Radel(R) LA-5:Rod Alexander(R) MA-5:Ed Markey(D) MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R) NC-12:Melvin Watt(D) SC-1:Tim Scott(R)	*Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:* AR-4:Tom Cotton(R) GA-1:Jack Kingston(R) GA-10:Paul Broun(R) GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R) HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D) IA-1:Bruce Braley(D) LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R) ME-2:Mike Michaud(D) MI-14:Gary Peters(D) MT-0:Steve Daines(R) OK-5:James Lankford(R) PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D) TX-36:Steve Stockman(R) WV-2:Shelley Capito(R)	*Retired House as of Jan. 2015:* AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R) AR-2:Tim Griffin(R) CA-11:George Miller(D) CA-25:Howard McKeon(R) CA-33:Henry Waxman(D) CA-45:John Campbell(R) IA-3:Tom Latham(R) MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R) NC-6:Howard Coble(R) NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D) NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R) NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D) NY-21:Bill Owens(D) PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R) UT-4:Jim Matheson(D) VA-8:Jim Moran(D) VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
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Page last updated: Feb 22, 2019