Scott Brown is a Vote to Kill the Ted Kennedy Legacy Bill

Ted Kennedy helped the health insurance companies fail the consumers. Kennedy drove key legislation that allowed the HMO’s many Americans complain about. Ted Kennedy should be the symbol of failed health care in the United States, and the fact his name is driving the health care bill in Congress should alarm the people of Massachusetts who face a critical vote that could very well kill the health care bill and quite possibly save the Republic from socialism.

In a March 3, 1978 hearing Senator Ted Kennedy bragged about his work on HMO plans:

“Today the Subcommittee on Health and Scientific Research holds hearings on proposed amendments to federal statutes supporting the development of health maintenance organizations…These amendments would extend and strengthen current authorities supporting HMOs in this country….

“As the author of the first HMO bill ever to pass the Senate, I find this spreading support for HMOs truly gratifying. Just a few years ago, proponents of health maintenance organizations faced bitter opposition from organized medicine. And just a few years ago, congressional advocates of HMOs faced an administration which was long on HMO rhetoric, but very short on action.

“The current revival of the HMO movement should come as no surprise. HMOs have proven themselves again and again to be effective and efficient mechanisms for delivering health care of the highest quality. HMOs cut hospital utilization by an average of 20 to 25 percent compared to the fee-for-service sector. They cut the total cost of health care by anywhere from 10 to 30 percent. And they accomplish these savings without compromising the quality of care they provide their members.

“In fact, many medical experts argue that the peer review built into group practice in the HMO setting promotes a quality of care superior to that found in the traditional health care system…. “In our enthusiasm to see HMOs proliferate throughout this country we should not lose sight of the need to guarantee the quality and integrity of the prepaid plans we create.”

On May 15, 2001, Kennedy no longer patted himself on the back:

“Today, if your child has a rare congenital heart defect and no specialist in the plan is equipped to treat it, your [HMO] plan can condemn your child to second rate care from the doctor who happens to be on the plan’s list….

“Today, if you have incurable cancer and your best hope of a cure is participation in a clinical trial, your [HMO] plan can deny you access to that trial….

“Today, your doctor can be financially coerced by your HMO into giving you less than optimal care….

“Today, if you need an expensive drug that is not on your plan’s list, the [HMO] plan can make you pay for it yourself or go without….

“The list goes on and on….

“It is time to end the abuses of managed care that victimize thousands of patients each day. It is time for doctors and nurses and patients to make medical decisions again, not insurance company accountants. The American people deserve prompt action, and we intend to see that they get it.”

In less than 25 years, Ted Kennedy had all but concluded government influence in health care destroyed health care. Considering the track record of government and health care, why would you want to take a chance with the government increasing its power over the nation’s health care system? Even Ted Kennedy admitted the federal government failed the last time it attempted to reform health care.

The people of Massachusetts have a choice this election. They can vote for Martha Coakley (D) and continue to go down this road of failure Ted Kennedy placed this country on as he put more federal influence over healthcare, or they can help kill the Ted Kennedy legacy bill and look for a solid solution that increases competition in health insurance that will lower rates for all Americans. The current bill in Congress is going to raise the rates for most Americans so a small percentage of Americans, about 10% will receive coverage. Does this many any sense? To top it off, Congress is prepared to pass new taxes to take even more from you to help pay for all of this.

The Democrats in Congress don’t want you to know any of this. That’s why they meet behind closed doors without any news cameras debating the bill. They don’t want it to get out most Americans will pay more for health care when they are done. Have you looked at the stocks of health insurance companies lately? Skyrocketing thanks to this bill! And you didn’t think Obama and the Democrats were in bed with Wall Street.

A vote for Scott Brown is a vote for the opportunity at real health care reform that lowers the cost. All it takes in one vote in the Senate to kill the Ted Kennedy legacy bill, a bill whose legacy features a clear picture of failure. Won’t you consider the ramifications if you elect Coakley as your next US Senator? The bill requires 67 Senators to reverse it. What if it is the failure that Ted Kennedy’s HMO plans were? It may never be reversed. Scott Brown can end that scenario and ensure the government doesn’t take over our health care decisions.

Originally posted at Bungalow Bill’s Conservative Wisdom © Clay Bowler

 Link to this page

 Link to this page

More from WesternFront America!

• Slaughtering the Constitution: The Health Care bill pushed through without a vote?
• The NEW Amnesty Bill
• Obama Is Driving A Wedge Straight Through American Society!
• Obama Picks a fight. The Wrong Fight!
• Universal Healthcare Making Its Way To The Top Of Obama’s “To Do List”

WesternFront America Recommends

• A Letter to Jason Altmire (TheBarbican)
• Is the Women's Reservation Bill Good for India? (The Wall Street Journal)
• Altmire Must Stand Firm Or Has Some 'Splainin To Do | The Barbican (TheBarbican)
• Should the Jobs Bill Be Held Up for an Estate Tax? (The Wall Street Journal)
• Trying to Save for the Kids' College? It's a Bear (The Wall Street Journal)