Blog and News

Post "State of the Union" Special

Welcome to D4PC "Morning Rounds", your daily review of healthcare news and information from Washington, DC and around the nation. These briefings will keep you up to date on recent developments and our effort to replace the PPACA with patient-centered reforms that protect the doctor-patient relationship and preserve individual freedom of choice.

------------------------------------------------------------

D4PC: We find it particularly noteworthy that the president omitted from his SOTU address any reference to his most significant legislative accomplishment, the PPACA (Obamacare). Most Americans would think he would take another opportunity to remind the citizenry how "historic" this legislation is and how much better off we are as a nation. Ironically, even he and his advisors recognize how politically vulnerable they are on this divisive issue and they did everything to avoid bringing this topic to the voters' attention last night.

Below are several articles that refute the mainstream media and administration claims that Obamacare is well on its way to being implemented across the nation. While the establishment of the individual state "insurance exchanges" may be underway in the bluest of blue states, the majority of states are taking a "wait and see" approach as a result of tremendous public opposition during a year that the Supreme Court will rule on the law's constitutionality and a presidential election that will determine whether the law is repealable.

The president is correct that we need to find ways to increase employment and permanently revive our struggling economy. The problem for him is policy experts and a majority of business owners believe his healthcare law is the primary factor preventing this economic expansion from happening. Unfortunately, President Obama and proponents of the ACA have not come to the same conclusion and are not likely to abandon their plan to remake the entire US healthcare system. To elaborate on this point we have also included a study conducted by the US Chamber of Commerce which indicates the nation's business managers believe the ACA is a "weight hanging around their necks" when considering hiring new employees.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Inside the Obamacare Spin Zone", National Review

"Last week, the White House issued a new 'study”on the supposed progress states have made in implementing the “health exchanges” that are central to constructing the Obamacare system. According to the administration’s spin, some 28 states are “on their way” toward establishing the exchanges, so everything is apparently well under control. In other words, nothing to worry about here. Full speed ahead!

But is that really what’s going on here?"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Uncertainty over the fate of health reform, centered on the Supreme Court case and the presidential election, has led some states to adopt a wait-and-see approach that may make it impossible for them to meet Health and Human Service’s timeline for building their own insurance exchanges".

"With legislatures convening for their 2012 sessions, more states may adopt the same stance, jeopardizing their shot at exercising full control over their new insurance marketplaces when January 2014 arrives".

D4PC: Unfortunately, the Politico authors get it wrong. HHS has "complete" control over state exchanges. Any "flexibility" states purportedly have is subject to federal oversight and approval.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"A new report from independent researchers could undercut the Obama administration's claims that most states are implementing the new healthcare reform law".

"The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Urban Institute said Monday that 15 states have made "little or no progress" implementing a key piece of the new law."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

United States Chamber of Commerce Q4 Small Business Study

D4PC: This analysis of the nation's small business executive managers reveals the concern and challenges facing them in this struggling economy. In particular, their unanimous opinion is the increased costs and regulation imposed by the Obama healthcare law is the major impediment to creating jobs and expanding their business.