Topic: Healthcare

SEIU & ACORN: Guilt by Association

By Mark Naccarato | October 13, 2009 |

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has become a favorite target of the extreme right wing. As SEIU becomes a more significant force for change in this country, we are going to continue to be hit by the same extreme right-wing attack machine that is trying to block healthcare reform and regulatory reform – the change this country needs to help working families and to rebuild the middle class.

The radical right in this country wants nothing more than to make SEIU, grassroots community groups, and any individual who fights against the status quo their next casualty. They are seeking to silence the voices of those men and women who suffered the most under 8 years of extreme right-wing policies, and to smear anyone who stands up for those men and women. Right now, there are daily attacks from conservative radio and TV pundits on us for our work on healthcare, labor rights, immigration, and our working relationship with community and progressive organizations – most recently ACORN.

«Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Commentary | 3 Comments

Conservatives Against Capitalism?

By Mark Naccarato | August 8, 2009 |

While Conservatives rail against their “big socialist government” boogeyman, an interesting new pattern seems to be developing that indicates that Republicans may be willing to thumb their nose at their corporate funders (and capitalism in general) in order to oppose the President who trounced them in the last election.

The evidence?  Well, the latest example comes from Rush Limbaugh, the voice of the Republican Party, and his right-wing copycats as they denounce the President’s “Cash for Clunkers” program. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Commentary | 4 Comments

The Impact of Reform: Undeniable benefits from the “America’s Affordable Health Choices Act” in Tennessee’s 5th Congressional district

By Mark Naccarato | August 5, 2009 |

Chris and Becky Link, Imagination Branding, Nashville, Tennessee

“As a small business owner who knows I need to offer quality, affordable healthcare to all my employees in order to attract the best workers and to compete with larger businesses, I support H.R. 3200 and so should Rep. Cooper,” said Chris Link of Imagination Branding, which is based in Nashville. “I want to know why Rep. Cooper is standing in the way of sensible legislation that will help small business owners like me.” In the Fifth Congressional District, 16,000 small businesses could receive tax credits to provide coverage to their employees, according to a recent report from the House of Representatives’ Energy & Commerce Committee. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: News | No Comments

Tanner discusses health care in 8th district radio address

August 3, 2009 |

WASHINGTON – In an 8^th District radio address, U.S. Rep. John Tanner discussed the latest developments in Congressional consideration of various health care reform proposals.

Tanner-Update-on-Health-Care-0802091.mp3

Below is a transcript of Congressman Tanner’s remarks: «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics | 1 Comment »

National Health Care Call-in Day: Thousands urge Congress to vote yes before recess

July 28, 2009 |

Tennesseans tell their representatives health care reform cannot wait

Nashville – Health Care for America Now (HCAN), the nation’s largest health care campaign, mobilized its members on Tuesday July 28^th to tell Congress to vote yes on H.R. 3200, America’s Affordable Health Choices Act, before the August recess. Constituents are reaching out to say health care reform cannot wait, and Congress should help President Obama pass health care reform that will make quality health care more affordable and give everyone the choice of a public health insurance option.

“This is an historic moment, and we hope our representatives will be on the right side of history,” said Georgia Weindling from Health Care for America Now. “When the House health care bill passes, we will be one step closer to achieving quality, affordable health care for everyone this year. Every day Congress postpones is another day families and businesses struggle. Members should stay put in D.C. until they vote ‘yes’ and get the job done.” «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics | 2 Comments

Healthcare Supporters Take Over Tea Party in “Red Tennessee”

By Mark Naccarato | July 27, 2009 |

With less than 24 hours notice, Change That Works and its coalition partners staged a massive counter-demonstration at a Tea Party in Rutherford County in front of Rep. Bart Gordon’s office, turning a Tea Party into a “Healthcare Party”.

The anti-reform “Teabaggers”, who numbered about seven people, were overwhelmed as over 60 healthcare supporters stormed the square in downtown Murfreesboro to urge Bart Gordon to support H.R. 3200. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics | 2 Comments

Arguments for healthcare reform

By Tyrone Taylor | July 24, 2009 |

Many hard working Americans, both self-employed and employed do not have health insurance because they either can not afford it, or their employers can’t afford it.  If you are making the average American wage of $40,000, there is no way you can afford the outlay of $400 to $1200 a month that the average insurance policy requires. Not only is it expensive, but in many cases, individuals are turned down by insurance companies.

I know this because this has happened to me personally. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Commentary | 2 Comments

Rep. John Tanner’s Vote Jeopardizes Health Care Reform

July 19, 2009 |

Vote Against House Ways & Means Reform Bill is a Vote Against Fixing Our Broken System

JACKSON – By voting against America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 (H.R. 3200) before the House Ways & Means Committee, Rep. John Tanner voted against fixing our broken health care system.

“When I see Congressman Tanner voting against acting now to improve health care, it tells me that he’s profoundly out of touch with ordinary working people in West Tennessee,” said Ella Parham of Jackson. “I was looking forward to retirement after my career as a teacher. Now I have to keep working to help pay for health care. Failing to fix health care is not an option. We can’t afford to wait any longer for real health care reform.” «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics | 5 Comments

Healthcare: Change the debate support a real public option

July 16, 2009 |

In mid-May, in an effort to reach consensus, President Obama secured a deal with the health insurance companies to trim 1.5% of their costs each year for ten years saving a total of $2 trillion dollars, which would be reprogrammed into healthcare. Just two days after the announcement at the White House the insurance companies reneged on the deal which was designed to protect and increase their revenue at least 35%. The insurance companies reneged on the deal because they refuse any restraint on increasing premiums, copays and deductibles – core to their profits. No wonder a recent USA Today poll found that only four percent of Americans trust insurance companies. This is within the margin of error, which means it is possible that NO ONE TRUSTS insurance companies.

Sections: Commentary | 2 Comments

Arguments against universal health care

By Scott Beasley | July 15, 2009 |

Many people today confuse the concept of medical care with health care or health insurance. Universal Medical Care is already provided to all Americans. Universal Medical Care is available to people who qualify through Medicaid and Medicare offers Health Care to those who qualify. If you do not qualify, you’re expected to provide these services for yourself and your dependents through the private market, or through your employer.

There seems to be a growing sentiment across a socialistic-minded segment of our country to expound, and sometimes exacerbate, the millions of Americans who do not have Health Insurance. Many of today’s universal health care proponents and politicians like to use the numbers of anywhere from 30 million to 50 million people who do not have health insurance to promote a Universal Health Care system. They poke and prod at our hearts, explaining that innocent children are victimized by a broken system which seems to have forgotten about them and their needs. Victimization really works to exude a feeling of guilt amongst those of use who are fortunate enough to have health insurance, but the true question arises, is heath care a right or a responsibility? While the nation seems divided over such a volatile issue, it appears there are few coherent arguments for government intervention when we examine all the facts. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Commentary | 9 Comments

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