1. Apr
    01

    You Can’t Make This Stuff Up! An Island Capsizing?

    Posted in Politicians & Politicking By Francis De Luca | Tagged , , , , ,

    At about 1:25 into this video you will see Rep Hank Johnson(D- GA) talk about the island of Guam capsizing as a result of the US stationing another 8,000 Marines and their families on the island. It is hard to believe that someone like this can actually get dressed in the morning let alone get [...]

  2. Mar
    31

    Patient, Doctor, and Government – Who Decides?

    Posted in Healthcare By Marianne Suarez | Tagged , ,

    What is comparative effectiveness research and how will it affect the future of America’s health care? Did you know… Government funding for comparative effectiveness research has increased nearly seven-fold in the last two years? North Carolina will receive more than $30 million dollars this year for comparative effectiveness research? The North Carolina Legislature has already [...]

  3. Mar
    26

    Etheridge gets more than $31 million for his vote

    Posted in Corruption, Elections & Campaigns, Politicians & Politicking By Francis De Luca | Tagged , , ,

    It looks like Bob Etheridge may not only have gotten $31 million for Shaw University in return for his vote for the health care bill – but also a big fat campaign gift from the Democratic National Committee!

  4. Mar
    24

    Did Rep. Etheridge get $31 Million For His Health Care Vote?

    Posted in Healthcare, Politicians & Politicking By Francis De Luca | Tagged , , ,

    This article in the Raleigh News & Observer may help explain why Congressman Bob Etheridge took so long to announce his decision to support the health care bill in the house. He might have been waiting for the 31,000,000 reasons in this federal government loan to Shaw University. “Etheridge said Shaw’s president and attorney contacted [...]

  5. Mar
    23

    More Change Indeed

    Posted in Healthcare By Jessica Anderson | Tagged ,

    Will the health care bill affect more than our medical bills and insurance coverage? Thomas Sowell over at NRO says yes and explains. Here are a few highlights of the “Point of No Return?” With politicians now having not only access to our most confidential records, but also the power to grant or withhold medical care needed to sustain ourselves [...]

  6. Mar
    17

    Backroom Dealing on Health Care Far From Over

    Posted in Healthcare By Marianne Suarez | Tagged , , , , ,

    We’ve all heard plenty about some of the backroom deals being discussed in Congress to secure votes for health care legislation – the Cornhusker Kickback for Nebraska, the Louisiana Purchase – just to name a few.  Voters made aware? Issue resolved? Not even. After some strong words about removing all special deals from the legislation, [...]

  7. Jan
    25

    No Time to Breathe Easy on Healthcare Reform

    Posted in Healthcare By Brian Balfour | Tagged , , ,

    Sheldon Richman makes the case that health care reform is far from dead, in spite of last week’s election results in Massachusetts. Why? Because the ideologues on Capital Hill will not suddenly see the light and recognize their desire to micromanage the delivery of medical care and health insurance as the gross infringement of liberty that [...]

  8. Jan
    12

    Medicaid Expansion – Still Not the Answer

    Posted in Healthcare By Marianne Suarez | Tagged , , ,

    This morning the NC Joint Legislative Healthcare Oversight Committee met to discuss the progress of health care initiatives in the state as well as future funding for new and existing programs.  Another topic briefly discussed was the projected effect of national healthcare reform on North Carolina. Dr. William Roper, the Dean of the UNC School [...]

  9. Dec
    14

    Public Option down… Medicare expansion under close scrutiny.

    Posted in Healthcare By Marianne Suarez | Tagged , , , ,

    With the death of the debate over the public option Senate leadership has turned its sights to a hefty expansion of government programs already in existence – namely, Medicare and Medicaid. As seen by the numerous closed door meetings in the past two weeks, Democratic leaders are set on ensuring the success of this new [...]

  10. Nov
    19

    2074 pages in 2 sentences

    Posted in Healthcare By Marianne Suarez | Tagged , ,

    Reid’s health bill is 2,074 pages and 371,949 words in length, and uses the word “tax” 183 times.  According to CBO it spends $848B, raises taxes $486B, cuts Medicare/Medicaid $436B ($330B+ Medicare), and leaves 24M uninsured.

  11. Nov
    11

    Hagan gives no clear answer on health care reform

    Posted in Healthcare By Marianne Suarez | Tagged , , , , , ,

    In an N&O article, Sen. Kay Hagan says, “I think people have to get their heads around this, that we can’t continue where we are right now …We’re in a window of opportunity right now, and it’s time for health care reform in our country.” Reform – yes.  The type of liberal reform Congress is [...]

  12. 1
    Oct
    20

    Mandated Medicaid Expansion – Sustainable?

    Posted in Healthcare By Marianne Suarez | Tagged , ,

    The Finance Committee health care reform bill would extend Medicaid eligibility to 133% of the Federal Poverty Level (the HELP Committee bill would extend it to 150% FPL). What does a 44.2% enrollment increase mean for the state’s Medicaid program which is expected to lose $1.5 billion this year from 2009 budget cuts, will receive [...]