What is SB 1955? Call you Senators TODAY! Very Important!

[usregimechange]

Planned Parenthood
The U.S. Senate is considering a bill that would have a serious and damaging impact on
health coverage for people across the United States. The Health Insurance Marketplace
Modernization and Affordability Act (HIMMAA), introduced by Sen. Mike Enzi (RWY)
would allow insurance companies to ignore nearly all state laws that require
insurance coverage for certain treatments or conditions, such as laws that require them to
include contraceptives in their prescription plans. Rather than improving the health care
system, this bill would do just the opposite — it would take away health care benefits that
millions of people depend on. It is a good example of bad legislation, for which a more
honest name would be the “Lose Your Benefits Bill."
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/pp2/portal/files/portal/media/media-060315-himmaa.pdf

AARP
While it is a laudable goal to make health insurance more accessible and affordable for small businesses, the Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act, which the US Senate is expected to consider in early May, does so by placing older workers at significant risk.
In its current form, this legislation would drive health care premiums higher for many employers and employees, put critical benefits—like cancer screening—out of reach for many Americans, and create a disincentive for employers to hire or retain older workers.
http://www.aarp.org/research/press-center/presscurrentnews/marketplace_bill.html

National Association of Social Workers
NASW believes this sweeping health insurance legislation undermines insurance coverage for millions of Americans, particularly eliminating 39 state mental health parity laws and 32 state mental health mandate laws that ensure access to essential behavioral health benefits and to qualified social work services.
http://www.socialworkers.org/pressroom/2006/031306.asp
http://www.socialworkers.org/advocacy/alerts/030306.asp

National Mental Health Association
NMHA urges the Senate to oppose S.1955, which would price millions in greatest need of coverage out of the market entirely and sweepingly override state health-insurance consumer protections. This unnecessarily far-reaching bill risks further weakening the country's already struggling health-financing system. The so-called “Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act” would be a good deal for some insurance companies that would market bare-bones “insurance” policies, but it's dangerous for consumers.
http://www.nmha.org/newsroom/system/news.vw.cfm?do=vw&rid=814


and...

U.S. Chamber of Commerce
If all goes well, the Senate HELP Committee could consider this legislation as soon as next week! This will mark the first time the Senate has brought this legislation up for debate. While S. 1955 does not include all provisions of the House-passed legislation, it will enable bona-fide trade and professional associations to offer uniform fully-insured health insurance plans across state lines to their membership, while maintaining a meaningful role for state oversight. It will also go a few steps further to bring harmonization to the small group insurance market as a whole.
http://www.uschamber.com/issues/index/health/ahps.htm

Kick this and lets work this DU, time is running short. The House passed on party lines.

[Robbie Michaels]

1. Kick

:kick:

[rodeodance]

2. I did yesterday

[converted_democrat]

3. I just saw a commercial for it on TV..

The AMA is backing the bill, and totally lying in the ad about what the bill actually is.. The commercial claimed that "good doctors" were going to have to leave our state, and heath insurance companies were going to do rate increases across the board if it wasn't passed.. The it tells you to call Sen. Nelson, and tell him to get on board with the bill.. Must be puke friendly, because they didn't mention calling Martinez's office.. They must already have his support..

[caligirl]

16. Not terribly surprising but I did find a comment about whats behind this

This is not verified, and it is another's opinion. Of note is that the Chiropratics association has launched a huge campaign to fight the bill.

"Here's something that a lot of people may not know about. A few years ago the American Chiropractic Association won an unprecedented lawsuit against the American Medical Association (yes them!) for unfair business practices. The AMA was blatantly telling patients that chiropractic was bad and they were actually campaigning against chiropractic coverage via lobbying in Washington...and they lobbied hard. The ACA was able to prove that the AMA was indeed wrong and that they (ACA) was being prevented from being able to treat patients who desired their care because of pressure from their doctors and from the lack of coverage by insurance companies. Once their case was won the ACA then began a very vigorous campaign to get their treatment covered by major insurance companies. Now it is a widely recognized care option for many illnesses and conditions. If this bill passes that all goes away.

I personally think the AMA and the insurance industry have been "in bed with each other for a long, long time." There are even some extremists who say that there have actually been breakthroughs that will bring about the cure of cancer and other diseases, but that they are being held back by the AMA because if people are healthy they won't need to go to the doctor as much. I would imagine the insurance industry would be all for this supression of these "breakthroughs" because then they won't be needed as much either."

http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:cqDA7wN1E20J:www.scangwinnett.com/modules.php%3Fname%3DForums%26file%3Dviewtopic%26p%3D40177+AMA+supports+S1955&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1&client=firefox-a

[converted_democrat]

18. I feel so cynical saying this, but I wouldn't be surprised a bit to

find out that they are in bed together..

[usregimechange]

4. Durbin/Lincoln bill

There is an alternative Durbin/Lincoln bill (S.2382) ask your Senators to consider it during floor consideration.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

5. I'll call tomorrow. GOPers just can't stop doing harm can they? nt

[usregimechange]

6. bill info

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:s.01955:

[Tanyah]

7. thanks

:kick:

[Craig3410]

8. There's a surprise...

it's going to pass.

S. 1955, the "Fuck the sick, elderly, poor, and needy up the ass" bill.

God fucking bless Amurka and fuck the poor.

:mad: :argh: :grr: :banghead:

[acmejack]

9. These guys constantly reassure me that I made the right decision

when I selfishly chose not to have any children. I don't think I could bear the responsibility, it is so hard fighting these "people" every single day and worse, losing to them each and every time. Now I have smart people writing me demanding that we stop appeasing the "Treehuggers" at once and commence immediate petroleum extraction in ANWR and off the coasts of florida and the Pacific.

The only response I have the strength to muster tonight is to tell them if they are comfortable with poisoning their grandchildren it is just fine with me as I have no dog in the hunt. I did mention the fact however, that I knew of literally thousands of fine, decent folks that felt their loved ones were entitled to clean air, potable water, food fit to eat, and an environment suitable to support human life, for some odd reason.

[usregimechange]

10. kick

[genieroze]

11. Kick

[usregimechange]

12. kick

[usregimechange]

13. kick

[caligirl]

14. My last thread on this, scroll to the bottom for a KPFA link to listen

to a short discussion on this.Lots of info on this diaster about to unfold next week.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2590237

[caligirl]

15. claims don't meet reality, here is what they say vs what it really is

http://www.nationalpartnership.org/portals/p3/library/TheUninsured/S1955ClaimsvReality.pdf

[usregimechange]

25. Thank you!

[caligirl]

17. *****Frist saying bill put off a few weeks ****** I'll call in am to check

I get Enzi bill updates from google and it catches a lot of news. Frist told these guys the bill would be put off a few weeks. I will call and check on this, but in any case you can check rollcall.com for the senate schedule.(He can't get the votes? we'll see)

WASHINGTON, April 27 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate, seeking to break a prolonged stalemate on medical malpractice, next month plans to debate a revised bill that raises the caps on awards and drops legal protections for drugs and medical devices, lawmakers said on Thursday.

********Senate Republicans had hoped to consider malpractice and insurance for small businesses during the first week of May, but Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee said it would be put off a few weeks. The Senate is currently tied up on a war spending bill.U.S. malpractice bill to change drugs, penalties****
Thu Apr 27, 2006 5:39 PM ET

http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=2006-04-27T214033Z_01_N27292500_RTRIDST_0_CONGRESS-HEALTH.XML

[caligirl]

19. Called the Kennedy office, health, they are looking into this.

They did'nt say yes or no about Frists comment.

[caligirl]

22. the political office at NFIB says they don't know anything about this.

they also don't know who that caller was.LOL!

[blondeatlast]

20. This is the bill referenced on DUs front page ad, too.

Ad is from American Cancer Society, but the American Diabetes Association and many others are fighting against it too.

One thing this horrible bill would do is to allow insurance companies NOT to cover essential supplies for diabetics--including at-home blood glucose testing equiprment, possibly the most important advancement in diabetes care since insulin--NO JOKE. I remember when we didn't have this ability.

I've had diabetes for forty years, so I know the devastation this will bring.

[caligirl]

23. I checked the front page , couldn't find the ad.

[blondeatlast]

21. Know any state's rights advocates? Talk S. 1055 up with them.

S. 1955 subverts states rights to require coverage for cancer screenings, medical equipment, and such--a good selling point for those TRUE (as in "tolerable" kind of) conservatives around the water cooler.

Don't let Big Insurance have their way--this is an outright legislative BRIBE to them.

[caligirl]

24. John Cornyn (Tx)became the 8th cosponsor yesterday! List here>

All Cosponsors from All States
Bill Name: Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act of 2005
Bill Number: S.1955
Cosponsor? Cosponsor Name Cosponsor Date Send Mail
Colorado
cosponsor Wayne Allard (R) 04/26/2006 Send Message
Idaho
cosponsor Larry Craig (R) 04/05/2006 Send Message
Kansas
cosponsor Pat Roberts (R) 03/27/2006 Send Message
Montana
cosponsor Conrad Burns (R) 11/02/2005 Send Message
Nebraska
cosponsor Ben Nelson (D) 11/02/2005 Send Message
North Carolina
cosponsor Richard Burr (R) 03/07/2006 Send Message
Texas
cosponsor John Cornyn (R) 04/27/2006 Send Message
Wyoming
sponsor Michael Enzi (R)


http://capwiz.com/nfib/issues/bills/?bill=8297686&cs_party=all&cs_status=C&cs_state=ALL

[NJ Democrats]

26. Kick

damn you Nelson for co-sponsering.

[postulater]

27. Feingold has committed to fight against the bill even to filibuster

Kohl on the other hand has not said a thing about it.

[alfredo]

28. SB 1955 is for the convenience of the insurane industry, not for

the benefit of insured.

The above could be a good way to frame this issue. Play with it to see if it or another idea will effectively frame this issue.