Fake GOP Panel Recruits Docs in Health Reform Battle

Obama's reforms are a step in the right direction, former Senate majority leader says

(NEWSER) - Health care reform legislation has the unexpected support of a prominent physician: former Senate Republican leader Bill Frist. If he were still in politics, “I would end up voting for it," Frist said. The surgeon also blamed some Republicans for not engaging seriously in the health care debate: “Clearly, the death panels and public plan arguments have been overblown." More»

(NEWSER) - Diane McWhorter’s experience with a doctor caring for her elderly mother has her hoping for more than health care reform. “Socialized medicine, hell,” she writes on DoubleX. “How about a cultural revolution?” Her mom’s doctor, due for a vacation, dumped her on a “hospitalist” after he diagnosed a “dangerous build-up of calcium” caused by prescription medicine. But hey, the doctor said: your mom has “already lived past her life expectancy.” More»

But numbers don't include independent groups

(NEWSER) - Republicans appear to be on the ropes in the race to raise money for the 2012 election—depending on how you look at it. The Republican National Committee, Congressional Committee, and Senatorial Committee raised a combined $105 million through July—compared to $129 for their Democratic counterparts, Politico reports. The major reason? The DNC is trouncing the RNC, thanks to copious fundraising from President Obama . Republicans argue that even being close is impressive, given the president’s inherent advantage. More»

May force partisan standoff

(NEWSER) - The GOP may not have the votes to repeal health care reform, but they're still setting their sights on it. Incoming Republicans say they plan to curtail the controversial law by finding creative ways to hobble it, finds the New York Times . They may, for instance, cut funding and personnel at the IRS to slow the implementation of new health insurance requirements, or use spending bills to block federal insurance regulations they oppose. More»

Republican urologist's sign tells Dems to 'look elsewhere' for care

(NEWSER) - A Florida urologist is so outraged by the health care reform law that he doesn’t want to treat President Obama’s supporters. “If you voted for Obama, seek urologic care elsewhere,” reads a sign taped to Jack Cassell’s office door. “Changes to your healthcare begin right now, not in four years.” In the waiting room, patients can find photocopies of a Republican handout and a sign reading, “This is what the morons in Washington have done to your health care.” More»