The Party of No On Health Insurance Reform

A new Consumers Union survey released today shows the dire health care situation Americans are facing each day. Nearly three out of four people are concerned they will face a major financial loss due to illness or accident, needed services will be denied by an insurance company and that they won't be able to afford health coverage in the future. More than half of those surveyed reported having to cut corners on their health -- from skipping doctor's appointments to splitting pills to make their prescriptions last longer -- because of cost:

Putting off a doctor's visit (28 percent)

Inability to pay for medical bills or medications (25 percent)

Putting off a medical procedure (22 percent)

Declining a medical test (20 percent)

Not filling a prescription (20 percent)

Using expired medications (15 percent)

Skipping a scheduled dose (15 percent)

Splitting pills (13 percent) or sharing a prescription with someone else (9 percent)

Republican leaders have offered no bill--and now some of their own are even criticizing the 'Party of No'.

NO BILL:

Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO) -- Chairman of the House GOP Health Care Task Force in June:

I will guarantee you we will bring you a bill that costs far less, far less than the Democrats and will provide better results for the American people.

One month later -- in July 2009:

Our bill is never going to get to the floor, so why confuse the focus? We clearly have principles; we could have language, but why start diverting attention from this really bad piece of work they've got to whatever we're offering right now?

NO COOPERATION:

Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH):

[Republicans are] at the table, but I don't think, from what I can see, that it's going to garner any Republican support.

Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ):

Told reporters that "almost all Republicans" will oppose the health care reform bill in the Senate regardless of any concessions from Democrats.

PARTY OF NO:

Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS):

I'm a proud member of the Party of No.

Dallas Morning News Editorial - The Politics of Health Care Reform:

...As for congressional Republicans, we are not impressed with their bull-headed naysaying on health care. They had plenty of opportunity to reform the system under President George W. Bush and a GOP Congress but did nothing.

To be sure, Republicans have a right and a duty to oppose health care reforms they don't believe in and to restrain the majority party's excesses. But is it really in the country's long-term interest to attempt to derail any and all attempts to reform a system that most Republicans agree is broken?...The GOP should put the common good ahead of partisan politics and meet Democrats on grounds of workable compromise.

Paul Krugman - New York Times:

...For the main G.O.P. line of attack is the claim -- based mainly on lies about death panels and so on -- that reform will undermine Medicare. And this line of attack is utterly at odds both with the party's traditions and with what conservatives claim to believe...

But the Obama administration's plan to expand coverage relies in part on savings from Medicare. And since the G.O.P. opposes anything that might be good for Mr. Obama, it has become the passionate defender of ineffective medical procedures and overpayments to insurance companies.

How did one of our great political parties become so ruthless, so willing to embrace scorched-earth tactics even if so doing undermines the ability of any future administration to govern?

John McCain's 2008 Campaign Manager and Republican Strategist Steve Schmidt:

Described the Republican Party as "holistically...bereft of ideas" on health care.

EVEN OTHER REPUBLICANS ARE CALLING OUT THEIR PARTY

Governor Bobby Jindal (R-LA):

Acknowledges Republicans haven't offered up any real ideas: I think now is the perfect time to pivot and to say, not only here's what we're against, and not only here's how we're going to contrast ourselves, but here's what we're for.

Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN):

I would end up voting for it...As leader, I would take heat for it. ... That's what leadership is all about.

Former Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson under President George W. Bush (co-authored by Former House Democratic Leader Dick Gephardt):

...Failure to reach an agreement on health reform this year is not an acceptable option. Inaction will only increase the burden of rapidly rising health care costs and care denied for millions of American families. Inaction will increase the crushing burden of rising health costs on American businesses that are struggling to create jobs and lead America's economic recovery. It is time for action.

America's Affordable Health Choices Act will guarantee high quality, affordable health care for all Americans, reduce health care costs across the board for individuals and businesses, and protect and increase consumers' choices.