"Seniors should be more accepting of the conditions that come with age instead of treating them."

Well, I know some "seniors", many of whom voted for Obama, who would vociferously dispute that view.  This post is a bipartisan appeal to everyone who wants to maintain control, in partnership with your doctors, of your own medical care. Senators have hidden in the "stimulus plan" health care provisions that will eventually affect most of us who aren't as rich as they, especially seniors.   There is an ACT NOW call at the end of this post.

Betsy McCaughey, former lieutenant governor of New York, brought this critical matter to our attention Monday.

Tragically, no one from either party is objecting to the health provisions slipped in without discussion. These provisions reflect the handiwork of Tom Daschle, until recently the nominee to head the Health and Human Services Department.

Senators should read these provisions and vote against them because they are dangerous to your health. (Page numbers refer to H.R. 1 EH, pdf version).

The plan proposes creation of a health care czar, formally named  the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology; that "coordinator" will be responsible for reviewing your provider's decisions to "make sure your doctor is doing what the federal government deems appropriate and cost effective."

Seniors will be most vulnerable. They will be asked to age gracefully and defer expensive, unnecessary medical treatments recommended by their doctors which might improve their quality of life if they aren't "essential."

Elderly Hardest Hit

Daschle says health-care reform "will not be pain free." Seniors should be more accepting of the conditions that come with age instead of treating them. That means the elderly will bear the brunt.

Medicare now pays for treatments deemed safe and effective. The stimulus bill would change that and apply a cost- effectiveness standard set by the Federal Council (464).

The Federal Council is modeled after a U.K. board discussed in Daschle's book. This board approves or rejects treatments using a formula that divides the cost of the treatment by the number of years the patient is likely to benefit. Treatments for younger patients are more often approved than treatments for diseases that affect the elderly, such as osteoporosis.

Let's repeat that: "Treatments for younger patients are more often approved than treatments for diseases that affect the elderly."

In 2006, a U.K. health board decreed that elderly patients with macular degeneration had to wait until they went blind in one eye before they could get a costly new drug to save the other eye. It took almost three years of public protests before the board reversed its decision.

The czar will track everyone's medical treatment:

The bill's health rules will affect "every individual in the United States" (445, 454, 479). Your medical treatments will be tracked electronically by a federal system. Having electronic medical records at your fingertips, easily transferred to a hospital, is beneficial. It will help avoid duplicate tests and errors.

But the bill goes further. ...The National Coordinator will monitor treatments to make sure your doctor is doing what the federal government deems appropriate and cost effective. The goal is to reduce costs and “guide” your doctor’s decisions (442, 446).

These provisions in the stimulus bill are virtually identical to what Daschle prescribed in his 2008 book, “Critical: What We Can Do About the Health-Care Crisis.” According to Daschle, doctors have to give up autonomy and “learn to operate less like solo practitioners.”

Keeping doctors informed of the newest medical findings is important, but enforcing uniformity goes too far.

New Penalties

Hospitals and doctors that are not “meaningful users” of the new system will face penalties. “Meaningful user” isn’t defined in the bill. That will be left to the HHS secretary, who will be empowered to impose “more stringent measures of meaningful use over time” (511, 518, 540-541)

What penalties will deter your doctor from going beyond the electronically delivered protocols when your condition is atypical or you need an experimental treatment? The vagueness is intentional. In his book, Daschle proposed an appointed body with vast powers to make the “tough” decisions elected politicians won’t make.

Why aren't Senators objecting to these provisions, and why haven't they been presented to the American people for review, pursuant to the 5-day "Sunlight Before Signing" pledge by Obama?

McCaughey explains:

Hiding health legislation in a stimulus bill is intentional.... A year ago, Daschle wrote that the next president should act quickly before critics mount an opposition. "If that means attaching a health-care plan to the federal budget, so be it," he said."The issue is too important to be stalled by Senate protocol."

Thanks Tom.  We all know that you can afford any medical treatment you or your family desires because of your savvy wealth-building tricks.  But most of my family and friends cannot.

So much for sunlight.

McCaughey concludes:

More Scrutiny Needed

On Friday, President Obama called it "inexcusable and irresponsible" for senators to delay passing the stimulus bill. In truth, this bill needs more scrutiny.

The health-care industry is the largest employer in the U.S. It produces almost 17 percent of the nation's gross domestic product. Yet the bill treats health care the way European governments do: as a cost problem instead of a growth industry. Imagine limiting growth and innovation in the electronics or auto industry during this downturn. This stimulus is dangerous to your health and the economy.

ACT NOW

First, send this post, or the Bloomberg link, to everyone you know.

Second, complain to your elected officials.

In addition to Democratic representatives, contact the three Republicans who have crossed over to support this bill:

SENATOR SUSAN COLLINS

DC PHONE: (202) 224-2523
DC FAX: (202) 224-2693
AUGUSTA PHONE: (207) 622-8414
AUGUSTA FAX: (207) 622-5884
EMAILS TO CONTACT:
Steve_Abbott@collins.senate.gov
Holly_Nesbit@collins.senate.gov

SENATOR OLYMPIA SNOWE

DC PHONE: (202) 224-5344
DC FAX: (202) 224-1946
BOSTON PHONE: (207) 622-8292
BOSTON FAX: (207) 622-7295
EMAILS TO CONTACT:
John_Richter@snowe.senate.gov
Anna_Levin@snowe.senate.gov

SENATOR ARLEN SPECTER

DC PHONE: (202) 224-4254
DC FAX: (202) 228-1229
HARRISBURG PHONE: (717) 782-3951
HARRISBURG FAX: (717) 782-4920
EMAILS TO CONTACT:
Scott_Hoeflich@specter.senate.gov
Maria_Plakoudas@specter.senate.gov
Christopher_Bradish@specter.senate.gov
thomas_dower@specter.senate.gov
seema_singh@specter.senate.gov
corene_ashley@specter.senate.gov
regina_campbell@specter.senate.gov
gayle_mills@specter.senate.gov

(h/t Hillbuzz for the contact info)

There's more...

[See Update on new national polls from USA Today/Gallup and CBS/NY Times at bottom]

General Election polls continue to demonstrate that Clinton is the far stronger candidate against McCain than Obama.

Real Clear Politics has data from 6 recent national General Election polls.  In a Clinton v. McCain match-up, Clinton beats McCain in FIVE of the 6 polls. In an Obama v. McCain match-up, McCain beats Obama in 3 of the polls and ties him in one.

More importantly, in key battleground states, Clinton beats McCain in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida, while Obama loses to McCain in all 3 states. And RCP highlights a recent McClathy article about Obama's likely loss in Indiana to McCain. A new Rasmussen poll for New Hampshire claims "Clinton gains on McCain...Obama heads in opposite direction."

Obama's problems with working class voters have worsened, according to a story posted yesterday by the AP:

In an Associated Press-Yahoo News poll...53 percent of whites who have not completed college viewed Obama unfavorably, up a dozen percentage points from November. During that period, the numbers viewing Clinton and Republican candidate John McCain negatively have stayed about even.

In contrast, Hillary Clinton's strength among seniors, women, and key demographic groups such as Catholics improves with each election, as most recently seen in Pennsylvania.

*CLINTON, THE POPULIST*
Hillary Clinton is a candidate of the people, successfully delivering a populist message across American towns,  cities, and suburbs.  As the Washington Post said recently, "Clinton Is In Her Element:"

Clinton attacks the rope line with more gusto than her husband, who invented the genre in modern campaigns.

~snip~

Clinton has found a home -- and a potentially receptive audience -- among rural Democrats...Small towns. Middle-class and working-class. Older voters. Women.

~snip~

The rope line in Terre Haute late Thursday was dominated by women of all ages, who are as passionate in their support of Clinton as Obama supporters are for their candidate

UPDATE ON TWO NEW POLLS:

A USA Today/Gallup poll released on 5/5/08 gives Clinton a 7 point lead over Obama,"the first time in 3 months she has been ahead." USA Today writes:

Barack Obama's national standing has been significantly damaged by the controversy over his former pastor, a USA TODAY/Gallup Poll finds, raising questions for some voters about the Illinois senator's values, credibility and electability.

The USA Today/Gallup poll also demonstrates Clinton's strength on a number of variables:

Clinton Obama Advantage

Is a strong and decisive leader 53 37: Clinton +16

Has the best chance of beating John McCain in November 48 43: Clinton +5

Shares your values 47 42: Clinton +5

Cares about the needs of people like you 47 43: Clinton +4

A CBS/NYT poll released on 5/4/08 is being publicized by many news sources as showing a 12-pt. lead for Obama over Clinton, but this is among those who have voted or plan to vote in a Democratic primary.

However, Clinton actually leads Obama by 1 point when the question is asked of "registered voters who identify themselves as Democrats, regardless of whether they have voted or plan to vote in a Democratic primary".

This means that Obama has lost substantial support among people who have already voted for him.

In other good news for Clinton, the CBS/NYT pollster's report states:

For the first time since October 2007, more registered voters overall have a favorable impression of Clinton than an unfavorable one.

and...

When asked who is "tough enough to make hard choices," Clinton gets 70%, McCain 71%, and Obama 58%.

See related post 2 New Polls: MORE HILLARY MOMENTUM.

There's more...

Barack Obama today joined with progressive hero Senator Bernard Sanders (I-VT) to introduce the Keep Americans Warm Act of 2007. It may sound like something you read in the Onion but it is real. His legislation would provide an additional $1 billion in emergency funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to ensure that millions of low-income families, senior citizens, and disabled Americans are able to heat their homes, keep their lights on, and cook their food during the coldest months of the year. Bush proposed reducing LIHEAP funding in his budget proposal. Then he turned around and vetoed LIHEAP funding included in the Senate-passed version of the Labor HHS bill. This puts millions of Americans at risk of not being able to heat their homes this winter. Most of us probably will be able to heat our homes but the reality is that millions simply can't afford it.

There's more...

What is a 57-year old man doing in a week-long summer camp designed for campaign interns and volunteers?  Especially one who has spent much of his professional life as a political reporter and analyst with the U.S. Department of State.  The answer: learning new skills and networking.  But most of all, getting in touch with the reason that I believe this is the most important election of my lifetime.

This blog originally appeared at
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community /blog/markwiznitzer

There's more...

This is Nate Willems.  I was a regional director for Howard Dean's Iowa campaign and am finishing law school at the University of Iowa.

This felt more like a caucus event.  John and Elizabeth Edwards spoke to about 900 people in the old gym at Cedar Rapids Prairie High School tonight.  There was no rock star aura, no gimmicks, no particular theme, just a Democratic candidate talking about his values and what he believes America should stand for.

When the doors opened at 5:00 p.m., most of the people on hand to take the good seats were seniors.  I spoke to a pair of older, female activists from rural Tama County who had driven the 60 miles to Cedar Rapids.  One woman had caucused for Edwards in 2004, the other had caucused for Dean.  The Edwards supporter fully intends to caucus for Edwards again.  Perhaps not surprisingly, she said that her friends who caucused for Edwards four years ago all think he would have beat Bush and all intend to caucus for him this time.  She told me that her granddaughter who works in Des Moines is supporting Clinton.  She told her granddaughter, "That's fine.  She's a Democrat.  But I'll talk to you after the caucuses."

Our former Dean supporter is deciding between Edwards and Obama.  She thinks Obama was amazing at the convention in 2004 and at the Harkin Steak Fry.  He wasn't as impressive the last time she saw him, "some of the glitter had faded,""but you can't expect him to be so great all of the time." Her first issue is the war in Iraq, and she said, "I understand that Obama is supposed to have opposed it from the beginning." Both of these ladies, though, are unsure of whether a woman or minority can be elected president.

There's more...