Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Pelosi, Hoyer: Health Reform Haters Ignore Facts

After a century, it's time to get this done

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 10, 2009 1:22 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – The debate over universal health care has lasted almost a century, and once again, an overhaul faces tough odds. This time, not only are opponents trying to “misrepresent” legislation—many others have been crashing meetings and making “civil dialogue” on the issue impossible, write Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer in USA Today. “Drowning out opposing views is simply un-American,” the House leaders argue.

“These disruptions are occurring because opponents are afraid not just of differing views—but of the facts themselves,” they write. The facts are these: reform “will mean more patient choice,” “affordable coverage for all,” and more preventive care. “We are confident that our principles of affordable, quality health care will stand up to any and all critics,” the Democrats note. “America is closer than ever to this century-deferred goal. This fall, at long last, we must reach it."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi istens as House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer moves to the podium to make a comment during a news conference on Capitol Hill Friday, May 22, 2009.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi istens as House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer moves to the podium to make a comment during a news conference on Capitol Hill Friday, May 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. huddles with House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Md. during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, May 22, 2009.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. huddles with House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Md. during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, May 22, 2009.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Never again will medical bills drive Americans into bankruptcy; never again will Americans be in danger of losing coverage if they lose their jobs or if they become sick. - Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 43 comments
LiberalJesus
Aug 11, 2009 12:18 PM CDT
If youre that mad that you need to drown out others so they cant be heard then you are not mad about anything except that someone else has an opinion you do not want voiced. And free speech has responsibilities attached to it, though from the likes of you and your kind, you seem most willing to fritter away such a precious thing. Voicing your opinion in a dignified and courteous manner is one thing, screaming to quiet others is just stupid.
Fondue
Aug 11, 2009 12:14 PM CDT
Let me ask you this serfinWI: how does a high-deductible help someone who can't afford insurance? How can someone making minimum wage put money into a HSA? According to the American Public Health Assoc.HSA's benefit only healthy, younger people and make the health care system more expensive for everyone else. Under oath before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee's Subcommittee on Health in 2006, Commonwealth Fund Assistant Vice President Sara R. Collins, Ph.D., said that all evidence to date shows that health savings accounts and high-deductible health plans worsen, rather than improve, the U.S. health system's problems. How does someone making $30,000/yr afford a cadillac plan that costs $30,000+/yr? To suggest that all you have to do is pay for cadillac plans if you want it is just simply not based in reality. What does this republican reform bill do to prevent corporate bureaucrats from deciding what will be covered and stop them from denying coverage due to pre-existing conditions? Explain why low-income individuals would want vouchers for insurance that is likely to deny what they need covered? Does this bill protect them from that? -- You sound like someone who doesn't have any of these issues, or just doesn't care. This is basically the reason no one is looking at that bill, it just doesn't confront these issues.
LiberalJesus
Aug 11, 2009 12:11 PM CDT
Of course they didnt, they are WAY too stupid to think in those terms.And just last week this one idiot actually complained that he was laid off and lost his insurance and was afraid the health care plan would prevent him from getting care.....WTF????? He loses his employee based insurance, has nothing to fall back on and yet he complains that a national health care plan will hurt him..Once again.....he loses his employer provided (barely) health plan and he blames the side that wants to make sure that regardless of his employment status he has health care. Did you see how many of these protesters that were hollerin about socialised medicine screaming about not touching their Medicare? Hello...Medicare is socialised medicine. Why are they not protesting to end all government programs like Social Security and Medicare? How stupid do you have to be to belong in the Teabaggers Union...obviously very!

 
Nancy Pelosi • health care • Steny Hoyer • health care reform • House Democrats • speaker of the House • right wingers • protesters • Obama administration

More Newser Stories

Gabrielle Giffords Resigns

On Way Out, Medicare Boss Bashes 'Extreme' Waste

Appeals Court: Health Reform Constitutional

Weiner's the Only Dem in Health Brawl

States Want OK to Cut Medicaid—Without Penalty
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne