Have the people in the Obama administration forgotten their pledge to be the most transparent and ethical administration - EVER? They pledged to put legislation up on the Internet a full five days before the President signed bills. They pledged to bar lobbyists from deal making on legislation.
Turns out, Rev. Wright was correct. Barack Obama is just another politician. He promotes a public image of being above the political back and forth. Yet, turns out he is wheeling and dealing in private to get his behemoth of a health care reform bill passed before even more of the American public reads what all is in it. His numbers of approval in polls are plummeting. Voters registered as Independents have come back to supporting his opposition. It is panic time at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Last week we learned of a behind the door deal cut with Big Pharma and its lobbyists so that they would appear to support Obamacare and pay for advertising in favor of it. Now we read of a deal cut with hospital industry lobbyists that was to have been announced last month, with the support of Senate Finance Committee chairman Max Baucus (D-MT). However, Baucus "abruptly pulled out of the event. Was he backing away from his end of the deal?" That asked by the article in The New York Times, written by David D. Kirkpatrick. Jim Messina, deputy White House chief of staff assured the hospital lobbyists not to worry about that. Messina says the White House stands behind the deal cut.
This deal cut with the hospital industry is for a maximum of $155 billion over 10 years in exchange for its political support, according to The New York Times. Anyone seen that publicized? Anyone know who all was at the table putting together this deal?
Turns out that the Obama administration is counting heavily on the support of Baucus and the Senate Finance Committee to write the legislation that will ultimately be signed into law. The House bill that everyone is now reading , according to Rep. Jim Cooper of Tennessee, "has largely been a sideshow." "The Senate Finance Committee is where it really matters."
So, there we have it. Two deals down. More, evidently, to come. Originally the insurance companies stood with the President and he was their pal. Now, they have pulled support and he demonizes them. Obama claimed AARP was supporting the House bill and that has been proven false. Obama received the support of the AMA but didn't bother to tell the public, which probably doesn't' know, that only about 25% of doctors are members of the AMA.
Is this all just a shell game to President Obama? Say something publicly and do something else privately? He claims support he doesn't have. The American public is putting together the pieces and not looking favorably upon his handling of this huge undertaking.
Just a politician after all.
2 comments:
I don't understand what you mean by a $155 billion dollar deal? Sending checks to them in thanks for the 'support'?
Man, karen, you should be writing for newspapers and getting read more. You do such good work.
The only reason I don't come by more often is I've become one of those SOUND BYTE people...shorter posts and quicker reactions. You make me stop, read, and THINK. Since the advent of the sound byte, I'm losing that, I think!
I am not a member of the AMA. It was required in Mississippi but the group paid for the dues... I wouldn't cough up the $900 for annual dues. The AMA is the most worthless organization and does NOT represent the interests of patients or doctors. They should not be making deals with Obama but should be insisting that without tort reform there can be no health care reform.
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