Reading Guide to the Pelosi Health Care Reform Bill

by Mike Pence on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 3:35pm ·

Please read and forward the link to this note ( http://bit.ly/1rGrpW ) to your friends and family. This reading guide includes what we have uncovered in our initial reading of the Pelosi health “reform” legislation (H.R. 3962) introduced by House Democrats.

Page 94—Section 202(c) prohibits the sale of private individual health insurance policies, beginning in 2013, forcing individuals to purchase coverage through the federal government

Page 110—Section 222(e) requires the use of federal dollars to fund abortions through the government-run health plan—and, if the Hyde Amendment were ever not renewed, would require the plan to fund elective abortions

Page 111—Section 223 establishes a new board of federal bureaucrats (the “Health Benefits Advisory Committee”) to dictate the health plans that all individuals must purchase —and would likely require all Americans to subsidize and purchase plans that cover any abortion

Page 211—Section 321 establishes a new government-run health plan that, according to non-partisan actuaries at the Lewin Group, would cause as many as 114 million Americans to lose their existing coverage

Page 225—Section 330 permits—but does not require—Members of Congress to enroll in government-run health care

Page 255—Section 345 includes language requiring verification of income for individuals wishing to receive federal health care subsidies under the bill—while the bill includes a requirement for applicants to verify their citizenship, it does not include a similar requirement to verify applicants’ identity, thus encouraging identity fraud for undocumented immigrants and others wishing to receive taxpayer-subsidized health benefits

Page 297—Section 501 imposes a 2.5 percent tax on all individuals who do not purchase “bureaucrat-approved” health insurance— the tax would apply on individuals with incomes under $250,000, thus breaking a central promise of then-Senator Obama’s presidential campaign

Page 313—Section 512 imposes an 8 percent “tax on jobs” for firms that cannot afford to purchase “bureaucrat-approved” health coverage ; according to an analysis by Harvard Professor Kate Baicker, such a tax would place millions “at substantial risk of unemployment”—with minority workers losing their jobs at twice the rate of their white counterparts

Page 336—Section 551 imposes additional job-killing taxes, in the form of a half-trillion dollar “surcharge,” more than half of which will hit small businesses ; according to a model developed by President Obama’s senior economic advisor, such taxes could cost up to 5.5 million jobs

Page 520—Section 1161 cuts more than $150 billion from Medicare Advantage plans, potentially jeopardizing millions of seniors’ existing coverage

Page 733—Section 1401 establishes a new Center for Comparative Effectiveness Research; the bill includes no provisions preventing the government-run health plan from using such research to deny access to life-saving treatments on cost grounds, similar to Britain’s National Health Service, which denies patient treatments costing more than $35,000

Page 1174—Section 1802(b) includes provisions entitled “TAXES ON CERTAIN INSURANCE POLICIES” to fund comparative effectiveness research, breaking Speaker Pelosi’s promise that “We will not be taxing [health] benefits in any bill that passes the House,” and the President’s promise not to raise taxes on families with incomes under $250,000

If you would like to read the entire 1,990 pages yourself, you can find the legislation here: http://docs.house.gov/rules/health/111_ahcaa.pdf

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  • Julia E. Carlson, Tom Hull, Alexander Brunk and 33 others like this.
    • Jerrod Nash ‎"When will this idiocy end?"

      It ends when you vote out enough of the Democrats so that they don't control the congress.
      October 29, 2009 at 3:52pm
    • Evelyn Cozakos This legislation proves that “health care” is a means to deny individual freedom and an opportunity for government to tax and regulate. KILL THE BILL!
      October 29, 2009 at 3:54pm
    • Nancy Woodrum-Stalford Socialism, Communism....................
      October 29, 2009 at 3:57pm
    • Cheri Tew Irmscher Good God...save us from ourselves...may it be so!
      October 29, 2009 at 3:58pm
    • Maria S Biddle I can't understand why everyone is so silent about it all. WHY isn't more hell being raised?
      October 29, 2009 at 4:04pm
    • Dave Reese Mike and staff

      Thank you for your diligence. Its nice to know there is still a public servant around willing to work for the people.

      dave reese
      October 29, 2009 at 4:09pm
    • Ruth Robinson-Schaffer Conservative.......easy to understand the new heath plan. click on the link if you dare!
      October 29, 2009 at 4:14pm
    • Cyndy Scalise Hartnett Thanks extremely helpful
      October 29, 2009 at 4:20pm
    • Curt Tetrault I just reposted it w/o a problem!
      October 29, 2009 at 4:32pm
    • Phil Pam Jones Thanks for all the access, Mike. Originally from Indiana, stuck in Florida where we can't get information for days after you publish it. Thanks again
      October 29, 2009 at 4:34pm
    • Maetta Kellermeyer Thank you for taking the time to expose it! I was able to share it on fb.
      October 29, 2009 at 4:35pm
    • Karen Bowman-Wood Scary, scary stuff in there!
      October 29, 2009 at 5:03pm
    • Andrea Marchetti Stanley thanks for doing the work Pence and staff!
      October 29, 2009 at 5:11pm
    • Gordon Swafford Just caught the video: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1009/28904.html
      October 29, 2009 at 5:31pm
    • Brian Jones wow
      October 29, 2009 at 5:35pm
    • Dave Hatter Congresman Pence, thank you for your good work, I'll share this and add it to my blog of more than 100 articles and videos that expose the lies of 0bamacare and show that this has nothing to do with "reform" and everything to do with control!

      http://davehatter.wordpress.com/2009/07/25/nationalized-health-care-its-bogus/

      Please keep the fight!
      October 29, 2009 at 5:41pm
    • Pastor Chad Carter Sharing this review on my wall. Please keep up the superb work, Congressman. You serve Indiana well. We are very proud to have your leadership.
      October 29, 2009 at 5:55pm
    • Rebecca Bott Johnson AMEN!
      October 29, 2009 at 6:06pm
    • Kelly Manley Thank you Rep. Pence for this quick reading guide. As a Pro-Life activist, I appreciate the Amendment that you presented a few months ago in an attempt to defund Planned Parenthood, even though it was shot down by the liberals. Keep up your good efforts!
      October 29, 2009 at 6:33pm
    • Anjanette Uebner Sivilich Aaron Abelard - read section 301. Is this exchange not run by a government appointed commissioner, essentially making it a government run insurnace "plan" that everyone will need to go through?

      And we all have seen this administration's definition of "transparency".
      October 29, 2009 at 7:32pm
    • Spencer Sharp I can't thank you enough Rep. Pence! Keep up the good work!
      October 29, 2009 at 7:34pm
    • Jennifer DeBerry Evans
      Bill, perhaps you should read the editorial in the Chicago Tribune that discusses the different options that have been put forward by Republicans. Just to make it easy for you, here is the link:

      http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/...editorials/chi-1028edit1oct28,0,3170155.story

      Here's a clip:
      Democrats in the U.S. House and Senate have spent the spring, summer and fall grappling with how to fix the health care system. They're still trying to craft a bill they can sell to Americans -- or even explain in plain English.

      And the Republicans? Well, as the minority party, they're mainly on the sidelines. They've become the party of "no," sniping at every Democratic health care reform idea without promoting any of their own. Right?

      Not entirely.

      Over the summer and fall, Republicans in the House and Senate have introduced six -- yes, six -- health care reform proposals. You didn't hear? Well, those plans didn't produce much of a ripple because Democrats dominate the Congress.
      See More
      October 29, 2009 at 8:01pm
    • Rose Mungovan Hoffman Mike, thank you for always thinking critically and doing due diligence. I am so glad you are where you are! :D
      October 29, 2009 at 8:05pm
    • Joel Harris Bill - As others have pointed out, the Republicans HAVE put forward ideas. But even if they had not, doing nothing would be preferable to having the federal government become the entity that defines what "acceptable" insurance is.

      I have yet to hear a coherent argument as how putting dozens of mandates on coverages and taxes on services will make the cost of health care go down.
      October 29, 2009 at 9:24pm
    • Petunia Brandybuck Lawson
      ‎@ Aaron Abelard ~ What is said about pg. 94 is NOT a lie. It says: “(C) LIMITATION ON INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE –
      IN GENERAL – Induvidual health insurance coverage tha is not grandfathered health insurance coverage under subse...ction (a) may only be offered on or after the first day of Y1 as an Exchange-participating health benefits plan.”

      This means that there WILL NOT be any sale of PRIVATE insurance on or after the first day that this goes into effect. (After the 5 yr grace period when we are paying for it anyway.) New plans will have to be included in the Government Exchange and, therefore, will NO LONGER BE PRIVATE!
      See More
      October 29, 2009 at 11:56pm
    • Sandy Galleta I have to ask... if the elections of 2010 correct the mistakes of the 2008 election, can any of this be repealed?
      October 30, 2009 at 5:03am
    • Michael Rayner
      ‎@ Bill Westerman. So, since there is problems with the current healthcare system, is your solution to nationalize healthcare and give a few politicians and bureaucrats in Washington control of the healthcare system? Is spening trillions of... dollars that we don't have and empowering an intellectual elite to have complete power over our healthcare decisions the answer? Do you really think healthcare will get better this way?See More
      October 30, 2009 at 9:18am
    • Michael McNesby This Administration, The Entire Left, and The Nanny-State Media Are Economic Illiterates.
      Leftist Liberalism Must Be Crushed--Redistribution Must Be Battled Fiercely and Persistently.
      The Momentum For Conservative, Constitutional Principles Has Arrived
      October 30, 2009 at 10:12am
    • Michael McNesby Will Peggy Noonan Now Emerge From Her Elitist Cocoon To Apologize For Her Uninformed Comments About Sarah Palin? Noonan's column today writes about the destruction Obama is wreaking. She now realizes what Sarah and the rest of us knew, before the election.
      http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703363704574503631430926354.html
      October 30, 2009 at 12:11pm
    • Yukari Ryle Our patriots did not die for this. *&^%
      October 30, 2009 at 1:03pm
    • Gregory Thompson I am with evelyn Kill teh BILL
      October 30, 2009 at 1:09pm
    • Travis Haley This is a joke, right? Because it's hilarious. I've never seen so much BS about the healthcare debate at once.
      October 30, 2009 at 7:23pm
    • James Pike
      In response to MR. GEORGE GRAIG remarks of and I quote your words "As bill and some others have said, the Republicans haven't put forth substantive alternative bills. It seems as though talking and pontificating are the only strategy." end... quote.

      Over the summer and fall, Republicans in the House and Senate have introduced six -- yes, six -- health care reform proposals. You didn't hear? Well, those plans didn't produce much of a ripple because Democrats dominate the Congress. The Democrats are locking the door and railroading the American people.
      See More
      October 30, 2009 at 7:37pm
    • Carol Rice Swinson Keep up the great work. You are a voice of reason at a time of insanity.
      October 31, 2009 at 6:49am
    • James Pike
      If Democrats want to pass health reform what's the problem? OOOOOOOOOO yeah they can not get their own caucus to vote for it to acheive the votes they need to ram it down the majority of American's throat. THEY KNOW FOR A FACT THEMSELVES TH...IS IS POLITICAL SUICIDE. No matter how many debates we have on this page. Pelosi knows as you read this she is playing Russian Roulette with her career. I just wonder how she sleeps at night.See More
      October 31, 2009 at 7:05am
    • James Pike
      Bayh Faces Discord Over Health Care Stance - Politics News Story - WRTV Indianapolis
      http://www.theindychannel.com/politics/2...

      INDIANAPOLIS -- The issue of national health care reform could endanger the political future of Indiana Sen. E...van Bayh.

      The moderate is in hot water with liberals for his failure to endorse a reform bill, 6News' Norman Cox reported.

      As recently as two days ago, Bayh said he might not be able to support a motion to proceed with a floor debate on health care if it's too expensive.

      This week, the liberal group MoveOn.org delivered petitions to Bayh's Indiana offices signed by 244 people identified as former Bayh donors and volunteers. They said if he votes to sidetrack health care reform, they're finished with him.

      "We want him to go with the party and to vote for cloture so that we can get this thing moving and done," said Joyce Moore of MoveOn.org. "We need health care reform, and we want him to get off the fence."

      For years, liberal politicians in Indiana have bitten their tongues when Bayh did things distasteful to them, like cutting welfare and Medicaid benefits. But some are now starting to speak out.

      "Our U.S. senator seems to always want to be in the middle of the road," said Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary. "And all of us know that if you stand in the middle of the road, you're going to get hit in the traffic going in both directions."

      But Democratic State Chairman Dan Parker said Bayh has the majority of Hoosiers in his corner, and predicted he will keep them there.

      "He's going to do what is in the best interest of Hoosiers, the right thing," Parker said. "This is a big issue. The Democratic Party has focused on this issue for 60 years. He understands how big of an issue it is not only to the country, but to the party, and he's going to do the right thing."

      Indiana University political science professor Bill Blomquist said it is a major issue for many individuals, but not likely serious enough to topple Bayh.

      "There are so many advantages for an incumbent senator like Sen. Bayh within the Democratic Party," Blomquist said. "That the ability of someone to, for example, successfully challenge him in a primary or try to take the nomination of the Democratic Party away from him, are really, really slim."

      Bayh has been a senator since 1999, after serving two terms as Indiana governor.
      See More
      October 31, 2009 at 7:09am
    • Michael McNesby Thuggish Liberalism: Some, Californians Lost Their Jobs Voting For Proposition 8, because they were forced to disclose their names. Now Washington Is Using The Same Thuggery. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2009/11/01/disclosure_as_liberal_coercion_98971.html
      November 1, 2009 at 8:51am
    • Lori Granberg Michael, thank you for the article. I'm in the "liberal city" and am very concerned for our state and nation.
      November 2, 2009 at 5:42am
    • Susie Price Better have your back braces on when you read this! You will need health care if you pick this up!
      Mike - I've got a question - How can one person's property taxes DOUBLE in one year living in 6th District - it's Citizen Robbery! My Aunt lives on Crestwood Drive off Raible and her taxes doubled in one year. It's absurd! She just lost her husband in July and now this!
      November 2, 2009 at 6:41am
    • Ruth McCormick We must help stop this bill from going anywhere except to the trash
      November 2, 2009 at 9:42am
    • Catherine Hardy
      Don't forget page 26: "If the Secretary estimates for any fiscal year that the aggregate amounts available for payment of expenses of the high-risk pool will be less than the amount of the expenses, the Secretary shall make such adjustments... as are necessary to eliminate such deficit, including reducing benefits, increasing premiums, or establishing waiting lists." ~Title I, Sec. 101 (h)(2)

      In other words, when costs get out of control, govt. bureaucrats will fix the problem by forcing you on to a wait list & cutting your benefits. If they'll do this for the "neediest & most-deserving," as govt. health care advocates often call those patients w/ pre-exisiting conditions, terminal illness, etc., then they'll eventually ration care for anyone on the govt. plan. It is impossible to insure more & increase benefits & somehow reduce costs without rationing.
      See More
      November 5, 2009 at 9:14am