NY 26th Race is Called for Hochul

[Bfgrn]

I think this has more to do with there being a third party candidate in the race who performed fairly well than it does with Paul Ryan's budget plan, but those who oppose Ryan's plan will certainly spin it that way.

It has a lot to do with the demogoguary from the evil left. Absurd campaign videos of Paul Ryan pushing grandma over the cliff. It's a shame the demonRats would rather sink the country than tell the truth. Anti American fuckers.

Why do Democrats need a simulated video of Ryan, when they have slime balls like GOP Rep. Rob Woodall.

At the intersection of candor, callousness, and conservatism

When President Obama criticizes the Republican plan to end Medicare, he has some pretty standard rhetoric.

“It’s a vision that says America can’t afford to keep the promise we’ve made to care for our seniors,” Obama has said more than once. “It says that 10 years from now, if you’re a 65-year-old who’s eligible for Medicare, you should have to pay nearly $6,400 more than you would today. It says instead of guaranteed health care, you will get a voucher. And if that voucher isn’t worth enough to buy the insurance that’s available in the open marketplace, well, tough luck — you’re on your own.”

What’s interesting, though, is when congressional Republican effectively respond, “Damn straight.”

In general, GOP officials like to keep up a certain pretense. They’re not “ending” Medicare; they’re “saving” Medicare. They don’t want to screw over the elderly; they want to give seniors “choices.”

It’s so much more refreshing when Republicans just say what they believe.

Rep. Rob Woodall, a Georgia Republican, made a vigorous ideological defense of ending Medicare as it currently exists, telling seniors at a local town hall that they ought not look to the government to provide health care for the elderly just because their private employer doesn’t offer health benefits for retirees.

A Woodall constituent raised a practical obstacle to obtaining coverage in the private market within the confines of an employer-based health insurance system: What happens when you retire?

“The private corporation that I retired from does not give medical benefits to retirees,” the woman told the congressman in video captured a local Patch reporter in Dacula, Ga.

“Hear yourself, ma’am. Hear yourself,” Woodall told the woman. “You want the government to take care of you, because your employer decided not to take care of you. My question is, ‘When do I decide I’m going to take care of me?’”

At the same event, when another constituent suggested the voucher may be inadequate in covering growing health care costs, Woodall suggested she leave the United States to go to one of the other industrialized countries that offer coverage for everyone.

"If you want a socialized health care program, there are lots of places to find that," he said.

More

 

[Truthmatters]

The question is, after seeing this result, how many republicans will start to try and distance themselves from Ryan's plan. It's almost political suicide to come out and publicly support it at this point.

I think the voters have sent a clear message

They deserve the crappy healthcare system that they have. Ten years from now, when your employer cancels your coverage or you mortgage the house to pay medical bills....you deserve it
If you can't afford prescription drugs or diagnostic tests ....you deserve it
When you retire and nobody will accept your Medicare plan or you have to sell the house to receive care....you deserve it

Voters made it clear in 2010 and in yesterdays election. They go into panic mode as soon as someone tries to change their existing healthcare. No matter how horrible their existing coverage is ........don't touch it

I hope all politicians get the message

Its time for a single payer and its the only sensable way to keep costs down and get our people the treatments they need.

If we are to compete in this modern world we better get it done or find ourselves buried by other countries.

 

[WillowTree]

I think this has more to do with there being a third party candidate in the race who performed fairly well than it does with Paul Ryan's budget plan, but those who oppose Ryan's plan will certainly spin it that way.

It has a lot to do with the demogoguary from the evil left. Absurd campaign videos of Paul Ryan pushing grandma over the cliff. It's a shame the demonRats would rather sink the country than tell the truth. Anti American fuckers.

Why do Democrats need a simulated video of Ryan, when they have slime balls like GOP Rep. Rob Woodall.

At the intersection of candor, callousness, and conservatism

When President Obama criticizes the Republican plan to end Medicare, he has some pretty standard rhetoric.

“It’s a vision that says America can’t afford to keep the promise we’ve made to care for our seniors,” Obama has said more than once. “It says that 10 years from now, if you’re a 65-year-old who’s eligible for Medicare, you should have to pay nearly $6,400 more than you would today. It says instead of guaranteed health care, you will get a voucher. And if that voucher isn’t worth enough to buy the insurance that’s available in the open marketplace, well, tough luck — you’re on your own.”

What’s interesting, though, is when congressional Republican effectively respond, “Damn straight.”

In general, GOP officials like to keep up a certain pretense. They’re not “ending” Medicare; they’re “saving” Medicare. They don’t want to screw over the elderly; they want to give seniors “choices.”

It’s so much more refreshing when Republicans just say what they believe.

Rep. Rob Woodall, a Georgia Republican, made a vigorous ideological defense of ending Medicare as it currently exists, telling seniors at a local town hall that they ought not look to the government to provide health care for the elderly just because their private employer doesn’t offer health benefits for retirees.

A Woodall constituent raised a practical obstacle to obtaining coverage in the private market within the confines of an employer-based health insurance system: What happens when you retire?

“The private corporation that I retired from does not give medical benefits to retirees,” the woman told the congressman in video captured a local Patch reporter in Dacula, Ga.

“Hear yourself, ma’am. Hear yourself,” Woodall told the woman. “You want the government to take care of you, because your employer decided not to take care of you. My question is, ‘When do I decide I’m going to take care of me?’”

At the same event, when another constituent suggested the voucher may be inadequate in covering growing health care costs, Woodall suggested she leave the United States to go to one of the other industrialized countries that offer coverage for everyone.

"If you want a socialized health care program, there are lots of places to find that," he said.

More

Your greatest fallacy of course is that unlike what you have stated the Republicans do not want to END medicare. That's your lie.

 

[Truthmatters]

Yes they do willow

 

[WillowTree]

Yes they do willow

No they don't

 

[rightwinger]

The question is, after seeing this result, how many republicans will start to try and distance themselves from Ryan's plan. It's almost political suicide to come out and publicly support it at this point.

I think the voters have sent a clear message

They deserve the crappy healthcare system that they have. Ten years from now, when your employer cancels your coverage or you mortgage the house to pay medical bills....you deserve it
If you can't afford prescription drugs or diagnostic tests ....you deserve it
When you retire and nobody will accept your Medicare plan or you have to sell the house to receive care....you deserve it

Voters made it clear in 2010 and in yesterdays election. They go into panic mode as soon as someone tries to change their existing healthcare. No matter how horrible their existing coverage is ........don't touch it

I hope all politicians get the message

Its time for a single payer and its the only sensable way to keep costs down and get our people the treatments they need.

If we are to compete in this modern world we better get it done or find ourselves buried by other countries.

Anyone who advocates single payer or a government option is obviously a socialist. Everyone knows the government is unable to do anything right and the end result will be killing grandma.

Voters buy this shit and roundly vote anyone out of office who tries to provide a solution to our nations healthcare problems.

I think the voters deserve the crappy healthcare they have and the horrible healthcare they will have in ten years

 

[NYcarbineer]

It has a lot to do with the demogoguary from the evil left. Absurd campaign videos of Paul Ryan pushing grandma over the cliff. It's a shame the demonRats would rather sink the country than tell the truth. Anti American fuckers.

Why do Democrats need a simulated video of Ryan, when they have slime balls like GOP Rep. Rob Woodall.

At the intersection of candor, callousness, and conservatism

When President Obama criticizes the Republican plan to end Medicare, he has some pretty standard rhetoric.

“It’s a vision that says America can’t afford to keep the promise we’ve made to care for our seniors,” Obama has said more than once. “It says that 10 years from now, if you’re a 65-year-old who’s eligible for Medicare, you should have to pay nearly $6,400 more than you would today. It says instead of guaranteed health care, you will get a voucher. And if that voucher isn’t worth enough to buy the insurance that’s available in the open marketplace, well, tough luck — you’re on your own.”

What’s interesting, though, is when congressional Republican effectively respond, “Damn straight.”

In general, GOP officials like to keep up a certain pretense. They’re not “ending” Medicare; they’re “saving” Medicare. They don’t want to screw over the elderly; they want to give seniors “choices.”

It’s so much more refreshing when Republicans just say what they believe.

Rep. Rob Woodall, a Georgia Republican, made a vigorous ideological defense of ending Medicare as it currently exists, telling seniors at a local town hall that they ought not look to the government to provide health care for the elderly just because their private employer doesn’t offer health benefits for retirees.

A Woodall constituent raised a practical obstacle to obtaining coverage in the private market within the confines of an employer-based health insurance system: What happens when you retire?

“The private corporation that I retired from does not give medical benefits to retirees,” the woman told the congressman in video captured a local Patch reporter in Dacula, Ga.

“Hear yourself, ma’am. Hear yourself,” Woodall told the woman. “You want the government to take care of you, because your employer decided not to take care of you. My question is, ‘When do I decide I’m going to take care of me?’”

At the same event, when another constituent suggested the voucher may be inadequate in covering growing health care costs, Woodall suggested she leave the United States to go to one of the other industrialized countries that offer coverage for everyone.

"If you want a socialized health care program, there are lots of places to find that," he said.

More

Your greatest fallacy of course is that unlike what you have stated the Republicans do not want to END medicare. That's your lie.

Yes they do. Medicare is currently a government health insurance program for seniors. The Republican plan is to make a private-for profit health insurance program for seniors.

Medicare would no longer be what it is currently, therefore,

it would be ending. That's not that complicated.

 

[NYcarbineer]

thing is, if it were a rejection of Republican extremism, 53% of the vote was between extreme and more extreme.

this was not a rejection For Ryan's ideas. If anything, in two person races this is a rejection of the Democrat position.

Were it not for the stalking horse candidate, this would be just one more democrat loss.

If you want to arge did the democrats win a seat, and they are better off by one, sure. You can't argue against that. If you want to argue which ideology gets more votes based on the election returns, this is a distaster for the Democrat position.

I'm not sure which is more entertaining, the win itself, or the eye popping contortions by the Right trying to get positive spin on it.

 

[RDD_1210]

Why do Democrats need a simulated video of Ryan, when they have slime balls like GOP Rep. Rob Woodall.

At the intersection of candor, callousness, and conservatism

When President Obama criticizes the Republican plan to end Medicare, he has some pretty standard rhetoric.

“It’s a vision that says America can’t afford to keep the promise we’ve made to care for our seniors,” Obama has said more than once. “It says that 10 years from now, if you’re a 65-year-old who’s eligible for Medicare, you should have to pay nearly $6,400 more than you would today. It says instead of guaranteed health care, you will get a voucher. And if that voucher isn’t worth enough to buy the insurance that’s available in the open marketplace, well, tough luck — you’re on your own.”

What’s interesting, though, is when congressional Republican effectively respond, “Damn straight.”

In general, GOP officials like to keep up a certain pretense. They’re not “ending” Medicare; they’re “saving” Medicare. They don’t want to screw over the elderly; they want to give seniors “choices.”

It’s so much more refreshing when Republicans just say what they believe.

Rep. Rob Woodall, a Georgia Republican, made a vigorous ideological defense of ending Medicare as it currently exists, telling seniors at a local town hall that they ought not look to the government to provide health care for the elderly just because their private employer doesn’t offer health benefits for retirees.

A Woodall constituent raised a practical obstacle to obtaining coverage in the private market within the confines of an employer-based health insurance system: What happens when you retire?

“The private corporation that I retired from does not give medical benefits to retirees,” the woman told the congressman in video captured a local Patch reporter in Dacula, Ga.

“Hear yourself, ma’am. Hear yourself,” Woodall told the woman. “You want the government to take care of you, because your employer decided not to take care of you. My question is, ‘When do I decide I’m going to take care of me?’”

At the same event, when another constituent suggested the voucher may be inadequate in covering growing health care costs, Woodall suggested she leave the United States to go to one of the other industrialized countries that offer coverage for everyone.

"If you want a socialized health care program, there are lots of places to find that," he said.

More

Your greatest fallacy of course is that unlike what you have stated the Republicans do not want to END medicare. That's your lie.

Yes they do. Medicare is currently a government health insurance program for seniors. The Republican plan is to make a private-for profit health insurance program for seniors.

Medicare would no longer be what it is currently, therefore,

it would be ending. That's not that complicated.

As long as it's still called Medicare, that's all that matters to her. See, that's why you're obviously wrong.

 

[Bfgrn]

It has a lot to do with the demogoguary from the evil left. Absurd campaign videos of Paul Ryan pushing grandma over the cliff. It's a shame the demonRats would rather sink the country than tell the truth. Anti American fuckers.

Why do Democrats need a simulated video of Ryan, when they have slime balls like GOP Rep. Rob Woodall.

At the intersection of candor, callousness, and conservatism

When President Obama criticizes the Republican plan to end Medicare, he has some pretty standard rhetoric.

“It’s a vision that says America can’t afford to keep the promise we’ve made to care for our seniors,” Obama has said more than once. “It says that 10 years from now, if you’re a 65-year-old who’s eligible for Medicare, you should have to pay nearly $6,400 more than you would today. It says instead of guaranteed health care, you will get a voucher. And if that voucher isn’t worth enough to buy the insurance that’s available in the open marketplace, well, tough luck — you’re on your own.”

What’s interesting, though, is when congressional Republican effectively respond, “Damn straight.”

In general, GOP officials like to keep up a certain pretense. They’re not “ending” Medicare; they’re “saving” Medicare. They don’t want to screw over the elderly; they want to give seniors “choices.”

It’s so much more refreshing when Republicans just say what they believe.

Rep. Rob Woodall, a Georgia Republican, made a vigorous ideological defense of ending Medicare as it currently exists, telling seniors at a local town hall that they ought not look to the government to provide health care for the elderly just because their private employer doesn’t offer health benefits for retirees.

A Woodall constituent raised a practical obstacle to obtaining coverage in the private market within the confines of an employer-based health insurance system: What happens when you retire?

“The private corporation that I retired from does not give medical benefits to retirees,” the woman told the congressman in video captured a local Patch reporter in Dacula, Ga.

“Hear yourself, ma’am. Hear yourself,” Woodall told the woman. “You want the government to take care of you, because your employer decided not to take care of you. My question is, ‘When do I decide I’m going to take care of me?’”

At the same event, when another constituent suggested the voucher may be inadequate in covering growing health care costs, Woodall suggested she leave the United States to go to one of the other industrialized countries that offer coverage for everyone.

"If you want a socialized health care program, there are lots of places to find that," he said.

More

Your greatest fallacy of course is that unlike what you have stated the Republicans do not want to END medicare. That's your lie.

Your right wing propaganda is not the truth. And voters in the deeply red 26th district don't believe your propaganda. Hell, even Newt Gingrich called it what it is:

Newt Gingrich slams Paul Ryan's plan to overhaul Medicare

(NBC News)
May 15, 2011

Presidential contender Newt Gingrich took a potshot Sunday at Republican House Budget Chairman Paul D. Ryan’s proposal to reform Medicare, becoming the most prominent Republican to distance himself from the plan.

Ryan's proposal, which was passed by the GOP-controlled House in April, would have people 54 and younger choose from a list of coverage options and have Medicare make “premium-support payments” to the plan they chose.

“I don’t think right-wing social engineering is any more desirable than left-wing social engineering,” Gingrich scoffed in an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Gingrich later called the reform plan “too big a jump,” adding: “I’m against Obamacare, which is imposing radical change, and I would be against a conservative imposing radical change.”

 

[Claudette]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH


The cuts were going to expire huh?

doing noithing meant a tax raise huh?


EXTENDING the preivious bill is then a tax cut.

The effect of which in less money in the gov coffers to pay the bills.

Pretending they dont have to pay money that they would have had to pay is just how
dishonest your party has become

No its not a tax cut or a raise. It all stays the same. Jeeze your dense.

Just goes to show that the Clowns in DC should never count money till its in their greedy little hands.

As I recall the Dems and Obama, with their majority, extended the tax cuts. Perhaps you should take your ire out on them. Oh wait. I forgot its Dems.

Never mind.

 

[Old Rocks]

This is NY.

We like our Republicans moderate and sensible.

No you don't. You like them to be Democrats. Stop telling tall tales!!

Well, keep the Teabaggers running the GOP and that is exactly what reasonable men will be. As long as the wingnuts control the GOP primaries, the people who would be strong runners are not going to be elected. And those who are elected, like Walker of Wisconsin, will face similiar fates as people realize what their agenda truly is.

 

[NYcarbineer]

Why do Democrats need a simulated video of Ryan, when they have slime balls like GOP Rep. Rob Woodall.

At the intersection of candor, callousness, and conservatism

When President Obama criticizes the Republican plan to end Medicare, he has some pretty standard rhetoric.

“It’s a vision that says America can’t afford to keep the promise we’ve made to care for our seniors,” Obama has said more than once. “It says that 10 years from now, if you’re a 65-year-old who’s eligible for Medicare, you should have to pay nearly $6,400 more than you would today. It says instead of guaranteed health care, you will get a voucher. And if that voucher isn’t worth enough to buy the insurance that’s available in the open marketplace, well, tough luck — you’re on your own.”

What’s interesting, though, is when congressional Republican effectively respond, “Damn straight.”

In general, GOP officials like to keep up a certain pretense. They’re not “ending” Medicare; they’re “saving” Medicare. They don’t want to screw over the elderly; they want to give seniors “choices.”

It’s so much more refreshing when Republicans just say what they believe.

Rep. Rob Woodall, a Georgia Republican, made a vigorous ideological defense of ending Medicare as it currently exists, telling seniors at a local town hall that they ought not look to the government to provide health care for the elderly just because their private employer doesn’t offer health benefits for retirees.

A Woodall constituent raised a practical obstacle to obtaining coverage in the private market within the confines of an employer-based health insurance system: What happens when you retire?

“The private corporation that I retired from does not give medical benefits to retirees,” the woman told the congressman in video captured a local Patch reporter in Dacula, Ga.

“Hear yourself, ma’am. Hear yourself,” Woodall told the woman. “You want the government to take care of you, because your employer decided not to take care of you. My question is, ‘When do I decide I’m going to take care of me?’”

At the same event, when another constituent suggested the voucher may be inadequate in covering growing health care costs, Woodall suggested she leave the United States to go to one of the other industrialized countries that offer coverage for everyone.

"If you want a socialized health care program, there are lots of places to find that," he said.

More

Your greatest fallacy of course is that unlike what you have stated the Republicans do not want to END medicare. That's your lie.

Your right wing propaganda is not the truth. And voters in the deeply red 26th district don't believe your propaganda. Hell, even Newt Gingrich called it what it is:

Newt Gingrich slams Paul Ryan's plan to overhaul Medicare

(NBC News)
May 15, 2011

Presidential contender Newt Gingrich took a potshot Sunday at Republican House Budget Chairman Paul D. Ryan’s proposal to reform Medicare, becoming the most prominent Republican to distance himself from the plan.

Ryan's proposal, which was passed by the GOP-controlled House in April, would have people 54 and younger choose from a list of coverage options and have Medicare make “premium-support payments” to the plan they chose.

“I don’t think right-wing social engineering is any more desirable than left-wing social engineering,” Gingrich scoffed in an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Gingrich later called the reform plan “too big a jump,” adding: “I’m against Obamacare, which is imposing radical change, and I would be against a conservative imposing radical change.”

Poor dumb Newt. He got it RIGHT, and was in a perfect position to point to this election to prove HIS point, and then build some semblance of a viable candidacy around a sensible rational middle ground approach,

but instead he let the Right scare him into flop flipping back on board this loser of an idea, and now he can go down with the ship with the rest of them.

 

[Bfgrn]

Your greatest fallacy of course is that unlike what you have stated the Republicans do not want to END medicare. That's your lie.

Your right wing propaganda is not the truth. And voters in the deeply red 26th district don't believe your propaganda. Hell, even Newt Gingrich called it what it is:

Newt Gingrich slams Paul Ryan's plan to overhaul Medicare

(NBC News)
May 15, 2011

Presidential contender Newt Gingrich took a potshot Sunday at Republican House Budget Chairman Paul D. Ryan’s proposal to reform Medicare, becoming the most prominent Republican to distance himself from the plan.

Ryan's proposal, which was passed by the GOP-controlled House in April, would have people 54 and younger choose from a list of coverage options and have Medicare make “premium-support payments” to the plan they chose.

“I don’t think right-wing social engineering is any more desirable than left-wing social engineering,” Gingrich scoffed in an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Gingrich later called the reform plan “too big a jump,” adding: “I’m against Obamacare, which is imposing radical change, and I would be against a conservative imposing radical change.”

Poor dumb Newt. He got it RIGHT, and was in a perfect position to point to this election to prove HIS point, and then build some semblance of a viable candidacy around a sensible rational middle ground approach,

but instead he let the Right scare him into flop flipping back on board this loser of an idea, and now he can go down with the ship with the rest of them.

Newt is a brilliant idiot...he must either be bipolar or he has a very short memory...LOL

 

[Old Rocks]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH


The cuts were going to expire huh?

doing noithing meant a tax raise huh?


EXTENDING the preivious bill is then a tax cut.

The effect of which in less money in the gov coffers to pay the bills.

Pretending they dont have to pay money that they would have had to pay is just how
dishonest your party has become

No its not a tax cut or a raise. It all stays the same. Jeeze your dense.

Just goes to show that the Clowns in DC should never count money till its in their greedy little hands.

As I recall the Dems and Obama, with their majority, extended the tax cuts. Perhaps you should take your ire out on them. Oh wait. I forgot its Dems.

Never mind.

That's all right. The tax extension was a bargaining chip. Should not have been used. Now, with what we have seen in corperate profits while they are sucking on the government's tit, all the while calling the unemployment for the Americans that they put out of work welfare recieptents, I think that as soon as we get the wingnuts out of Congress, we will see a tax increase for the corpertations and the very wealthy. In reality, a sensible first step would be to reinstate the Clinton tax structure. Then remove the subsidies for the energy corperations. Add a additional 5% to the taxes of those making over a million a year. Remove the mortgage deduction for all homes over $500,000 in value.

 

[Old Rocks]

thing is, if it were a rejection of Republican extremism, 53% of the vote was between extreme and more extreme.

this was not a rejection For Ryan's ideas. If anything, in two person races this is a rejection of the Democrat position.

Were it not for the stalking horse candidate, this would be just one more democrat loss.

If you want to arge did the democrats win a seat, and they are better off by one, sure. You can't argue against that. If you want to argue which ideology gets more votes based on the election returns, this is a distaster for the Democrat position.

LOL. Spin it however you want. Wisconsin, this election, and more to come are going to demonstrate that the electorate eyes have been opened.

 

[CrusaderFrank]

This was a good result. The Dems need to run on their unending $1 Trillion+ deficits because they think thats what people want.

It's like NY-23, Dems took that as a lesson too and lost 75 seats as a result and I think they will do about the same in 2012.

 

[NYcarbineer]

How much of an effect does a Rep win in any district in NY have??

I'm thinking not to much as the majority of the State is Dem.

The Dems have done such a great job of running NY. Must be why they are 20 billion in debt.

NYS passed a balanced budget on 3/31 that eliminated a 10 billion dollar deficit.

 

[NYcarbineer]

Your right wing propaganda is not the truth. And voters in the deeply red 26th district don't believe your propaganda. Hell, even Newt Gingrich called it what it is:

Newt Gingrich slams Paul Ryan's plan to overhaul Medicare

(NBC News)
May 15, 2011

Presidential contender Newt Gingrich took a potshot Sunday at Republican House Budget Chairman Paul D. Ryan’s proposal to reform Medicare, becoming the most prominent Republican to distance himself from the plan.

Ryan's proposal, which was passed by the GOP-controlled House in April, would have people 54 and younger choose from a list of coverage options and have Medicare make “premium-support payments” to the plan they chose.

“I don’t think right-wing social engineering is any more desirable than left-wing social engineering,” Gingrich scoffed in an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Gingrich later called the reform plan “too big a jump,” adding: “I’m against Obamacare, which is imposing radical change, and I would be against a conservative imposing radical change.”

Poor dumb Newt. He got it RIGHT, and was in a perfect position to point to this election to prove HIS point, and then build some semblance of a viable candidacy around a sensible rational middle ground approach,

but instead he let the Right scare him into flop flipping back on board this loser of an idea, and now he can go down with the ship with the rest of them.

Newt is a brilliant idiot...he must either be bipolar or he has a very short memory...LOL

If Newt were 1/10th as smart as he thinks he is, he'd make Einstein look retarded.

 

[Jroc]

Ryan wants to save Medicare, Obama wants to put a panel of unelected bearcats n charge of who lives or dies ,who deserves what care, tyranny and the libs love it.

Death Panels Crop Up Again as Obama Mentions IPAB in Medicare

The issue of death panels is cropping up again as President Barack Obama and members of Congress consider competing plans to budget the federal government and to curb spending, the debt and deficit.

Last week, President Barack Obama put the issue of death panels back on the table with a speech highlighting his desire to cut health care costs by giving more power to the Independent Physicians Advisory Board (IPAB), which is an unelected 15-member panel appointed solely by the president. IPAB has been a sore spot with opponents of Obamacare and pro-life advocates since the health care debate began in earnest in 2009.

They are concerned that, if the IPAB is anything like the Oregon model on which it is based, government health-care programs could effectively out private options and make it so the bureaucratic decision-makers in the government-run program are the final arbiters of who receives which treatments. If that happens, patients would have serious concerns about rationing of health care. Those concerns were so real that 72 Democratic House members joined Republicans last year in seeking the removal of the IPAB from the Obamacare legislation.

With the debate over the IPAB renewing, several conservative commentators have focused on the potential problems.

Stanley Kurtz, a columnist at National Review, examined the issue this way:

Democrats and Republicans are joining to oppose one of the most important features of President Obama’s new deficit reduction plan, a powerful independent board that could make sweeping cuts in the growth of Medicare spending. Obama wants to expand the power of the 15-member panel to rein in Medicare costs.

But not only do Republicans and some Democrats oppose increasing the power of the board, they also want to eliminate it altogether. Opponents fear that the panel, known as the Independent Payment Advisory Board, would usurp Congressional spending power over one of the government’s most important and expensive social programs.

Death Panels Crop Up Again as Obama Mentions IPAB in Medicare | LifeNews.com