FOURTH DISTRICT DEMOCRAT

MOVING ON UP

2009-08-21T16:15:42-05:00

Please note the change of .com to org.

Fourth District Democrat is on the move! We have decided to migrate from Typepad to Wordpress as our basic blog application program. This will provide readers with a much more user friendly format and allow us to grow faster and better on the internet. The editor is attempting to transfer the email subscription list to the new web site. Some of you will receive notices of new posts through Facebook and also through the old Feedblitz publisher. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please pick one of the services to subscribe to and unsubscribe to the other.

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Best wishes,

James M Fullerton

Editor

Fourth District Democrat

HEPNER SAYS TIME FOR REASON NOT ANGER

2009-08-16T00:00:00-05:00

Mickey Hepner
The Edmond Sun

EDMOND — Growing up, my parents taught me the old saying that “you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” After seeing clips from some of the health care town halls across the country, it is clear that some Republicans never learned that lesson.

Every year during the August recess, members of Congress head back to their home districts and host a series of town hall meetings where they can both speak and listen to their constituents.

This August, members have often been greeted by raucous, vitriolic and at times even violent crowds expressing their displeasure over President Obama and his health care reform efforts. In one extreme case protesters outside Maryland Democratic Rep. Frank Kratovil’s office hung an effigy of the congressman to illustrate their displeasure.

It is one thing to express one’s opinions. In fact, there is nothing more American than sharing one’s views with one’s elected representatives — especially the unfavorable views.

All Americans should be encouraged to attend these town hall meetings and to write to their elected representatives. But all too often the protests at these health care town halls have gone too far. Instead of providing a forum for a diversity of views, too many protesters are only allowing their perspective to be shared.

Instead of winning minds with a dazzling use of facts, these mobs are resorting to threats of violence. Instead of persuading others with information, these thugs are using intimidation. The town halls have become, in short, infested with bullies.

This is unfortunate because there are many good Republicans, and good conservatives, who are also good people. These are the Republicans who are both kind and considerate, who while confident in their own ideas, are also respectful of the ideas of others. These Republicans are the antithesis of the bullies dominating the debate right now. Yet the influence of these good Republicans is waning.

Of course, Democrats have had their share of bullies through the years — those protesters willing to disrupt an opponent’s speech and out-scream the opposition. But the Democratic majority we see today came about not because of those Democrats … but in spite of them.

After all, in order to win elections, Democrats had to gain voters’ trust. As most of us learned way back in kindergarten, you don’t win friends by being rude.

Likewise, Republican success in the health care reform debate will come not by embracing the vitriol spewing from conservatives like Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Ann Coulter and the town hall mobs. Instead, Republicans’ best hope for influencing the health care reform debate is by renouncing such people.

It is interesting that despite all of the criticisms, centrists still side with President Obama — even in Oklahoma. This last week the Gallup organization released a new poll showing that 53 percent of Oklahomans approve of President Obama’s job performance, compared to only 34 percent who disapprove.

These numbers should set off alarm bells for Oklahoma’s Republican leaders. After all, in order to achieve a 53 percent approval rating in Oklahoma, one must be very popular among centrists. Thus, even in one of the reddest states in the nation, centrists still like President Obama.

The Republican Party, with its trust in free markets and distrust in powerful government, can help make the eventual health care reform proposal much better. Therefore, it is time for Republican leaders to stop inciting anger and start working for a solution.

It is time for Republican leaders to stop appealing to extremists and start appealing to reason. It is time for Republican leaders to work with this president and this Democratic Congress to improve this health insurance reform bill.

Or, Republican leaders could choose to continue on their current path. In the end, though, Republican leaders need to recognize that bullying behavior will not help them regain the trust of voters. Instead, it only serves to remind us why we didn’t vote for you.

MICKEY HEPNER is an associate professor of economics at the University of Central Oklahoma

TYNER CORNBREAD AND BEANS - DR SAYS HEALTH CARE BROKEN

2009-08-15T13:53:58-05:00

Air Force Doctor tells Fourth District Democrats:
America’s current health care system is unsustainable.
See article below.

Health care system broken, Air Force doctor says

Norman Transcript
By M. Scott Carter
August 15, 2009
http://www.normantranscript.com/localnews/local_story_227011557

— America 's current health care system is unsustainable and must be fixed, a former high-ranking Air Force official said Friday.

Speaking to a standing-room-only crowd at the Cleveland County Democratic Party's weekly Tyner Cornbread and Beans luncheon, Dr. Katherine Scheirman, former chief of Medical Operations for the U.S. Air Forces in Europe , said the country's health care system is one of the most expensive in the world. "We don't have a system that works," Scheirman said. "The system we have now is unsustainable." Scheirman, who retired from the Air Force with the rank of colonel, said the current debate about health care "is not the type of debate we should be having."

"Some people are telling blatant lies," she said.

As an example Scheirman cited claims by some critics that the Obama administration was pushing for "socialized" medicine. "No one has proposed anything approaching socialized medicine," she said. "That's ludicrous." The United States , she said, spends over $2 trillion per year on health care -- more than 50 percent per person more than the next most costly nation. "Our country's health care costs are rising at two times the inflation rate," she said. And while Scheirman predicted the current measure working its way through Congress will "not please everyone" she said it would be "a tremendous, tremendous start."

"The bill isn't perfect," she said. "It's actually a very conservative proposal."

Scheirman also blasted claims the measure would establish "death panels, euthanasia, government-driven rationing and socialized medicine." "Those are blatant lies and completely false issues," she said. "Those ideas are offensive. This measure is supported by the AARP, and do you think the AARP would support a bill that called for killing old folks?" She said the only group that has tried to interfere in end-of-life issues was a group of Republican senators "who tried to overrule the family in the Terry Shivo case."

While the final version of the president's proposal won't be decided for a while, Scheirman said several components have been agree to, including:

· Expanding health care coverage
· Providing subsidies to middle income families to purchase health insurance.
· Requiring coverage.
· Making most employers contribute to their employees' health care.
· Some limited exemptions for small businesses.
· Reforming the insurance market
· No discrimination for pre-existing conditions.
· No exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses or co-pays.
· No cost-sharing for preventive care.
· No dropping of coverage if the policy holder becomes seriously ill.
· No gender discrimination.
· No annual or lifetime caps on coverage.
· Extending coverage to young adults, up to age 26.
· Guaranteed insurance renewal as long as premiums are paid.

"We have to improve the system," she said. "No other country lets its citizens go bankrupt over health care costs." The debate, she said, is a moral issue. "Our system is broken. No other country that is overhauling its health care system even looks at the U.S. as an example.

TYNER CORNBREAD AND BEANS - DOCTOR SAYS HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS BROKEN

2009-08-15T00:00:00-05:00

Air Force Doctor tells Fourth District Democrats:
America’s current health care system is unsustainable.
See article below.
Health care system broken, Air Force doctor says.

Norman Transcript
By M. Scott Carter
August 15, 2009
http://www.normantranscript.com/localnews/local_story_227011557

— America 's current health care system is unsustainable and must be fixed, a former high-ranking Air Force official said Friday.

Speaking to a standing-room-only crowd at the Cleveland County Democratic Party's weekly Tyner Cornbread and Beans luncheon, Dr. Katherine Scheirman, former chief of Medical Operations for the U.S. Air Forces in Europe , said the country's health care system is one of the most expensive in the world. "We don't have a system that works," Scheirman said. "The system we have now is unsustainable." Scheirman, who retired from the Air Force with the rank of colonel, said the current debate about health care "is not the type of debate we should be having."

"Some people are telling blatant lies," she said.

As an example Scheirman cited claims by some critics that the Obama administration was pushing for "socialized" medicine. "No one has proposed anything approaching socialized medicine," she said. "That's ludicrous." The United States , she said, spends over $2 trillion per year on health care -- more than 50 percent per person more than the next most costly nation. "Our country's health care costs are rising at two times the inflation rate," she said. And while Scheirman predicted the current measure working its way through Congress will "not please everyone" she said it would be "a tremendous, tremendous start."

"The bill isn't perfect," she said. "It's actually a very conservative proposal."

Scheirman also blasted claims the measure would establish "death panels, euthanasia, government-driven rationing and socialized medicine." "Those are blatant lies and completely false issues," she said. "Those ideas are offensive. This measure is supported by the AARP, and do you think the AARP would support a bill that called for killing old folks?" She said the only group that has tried to interfere in end-of-life issues was a group of Republican senators "who tried to overrule the family in the Terry Shivo case."

While the final version of the president's proposal won't be decided for a while, Scheirman said several components have been agree to, including:

· Expanding health care coverage
· Providing subsidies to middle income families to purchase health insurance.
· Requiring coverage.
· Making most employers contribute to their employees' health care.
· Some limited exemptions for small businesses.
· Reforming the insurance market
· No discrimination for pre-existing conditions.
· No exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses or co-pays.
· No cost-sharing for preventive care.
· No dropping of coverage if the policy holder becomes seriously ill.
· No gender discrimination.
· No annual or lifetime caps on coverage.
· Extending coverage to young adults, up to age 26.
· Guaranteed insurance renewal as long as premiums are paid.

"We have to improve the system," she said. "No other country lets its citizens go bankrupt over health care costs." The debate, she said, is a moral issue. "Our system is broken. No other country that is overhauling its health care system even looks at the U.S. as an example.

WHITE HOUSE REALITY CHECK WEB SITE

2009-08-14T10:19:44-05:00

Reality Check

WHITE COMMUNICATION

2009-08-14T10:02:47-05:00

geezeweb

White House Update for 4th District Democrats: truth and misinformation about Health Care Reform from CoChair Tim Mauldin

2009-08-13T10:55:54-05:00

From David Axelrod
Senior Adviser to the President

8 ways reform provides security and stability to those with or without coverage

Ends Discrimination for Pre-Existing Conditions: Insurance companies will be prohibited from refusing you coverage because of your medical history.

Ends Exorbitant Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Deductibles or Co-Pays: Insurance companies will have to abide by yearly caps on how much they can charge for out-of-pocket expenses.

Ends Cost-Sharing for Preventive Care: Insurance companies must fully cover, without charge, regular checkups and tests that help you prevent illness, such as mammograms or eye and foot exams for diabetics.

Ends Dropping of Coverage for Seriously Ill: Insurance companies will be prohibited from dropping or watering down insurance coverage for those who become seriously ill.

Ends Gender Discrimination: Insurance companies will be prohibited from charging you more because of your gender.

Ends Annual or Lifetime Caps on Coverage: Insurance companies will be prevented from placing annual or lifetime caps on the coverage you receive.

Extends Coverage for Young Adults: Children would continue to be eligible for family coverage through the age of 26.
Guarantees Insurance Renewal: Insurance companies will be required to renew any

policy as long as the policyholder pays their premium in full. Insurance companies won't be allowed to refuse renewal because someone became sick.

Learn more and get details: http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/health-insurance-consumer-protections/

8 common myths about health insurance reform

Reform will stop "rationing" - not increase it: It’s a myth that reform will mean a "government takeover" of health care or lead to "rationing." To the contrary, reform will forbid many forms of rationing that are currently being used by insurance companies.

We can’t afford reform: It's the status quo we can't afford. It’s a myth that reform will bust the budget. To the contrary, the President has identified ways to pay for the vast majority of the up-front costs by cutting waste, fraud, and abuse within existing government health programs; ending big subsidies to insurance companies; and increasing efficiency with such steps as coordinating care and streamlining paperwork. In the long term, reform can help bring down costs that will otherwise lead to a fiscal crisis.

Reform would encourage "euthanasia": It does not. It’s a malicious myth that reform would encourage or even require euthanasia for seniors. For seniors who want to consult with their family and physicians about end-of life decisions, reform will help to cover these voluntary, private consultations for those who want help with these personal and difficult family decisions.

Vets' health care is safe and sound: It’s a myth that health insurance reform will affect veterans' access to the care they get now. To the contrary, the President's budget significantly expands coverage under the VA, extending care to 500,000 more veterans who were previously excluded. The VA Healthcare system will continue to be available for all eligible veterans.

Reform will benefit small business - not burden it: It’s a myth that health insurance reform will hurt small businesses. To the contrary, reform will ease the burdens on small businesses, provide tax credits to help them pay for employee coverage and help level the playing field with big firms who pay much less to cover their employees on average.

Your Medicare is safe, and stronger with reform: It’s myth that Health Insurance Reform would be financed by cutting Medicare benefits. To the contrary, reform will improve the long-term financial health of Medicare, ensure better coordination, eliminate waste and unnecessary subsidies to insurance companies, and help to close the Medicare "doughnut" hole to make prescription drugs more affordable for seniors.

You can keep your own insurance: It’s myth that reform will force you out of your current insurance plan or force you to change doctors. To the contrary, reform will expand your choices, not eliminate them.

No, government will not do anything with your bank account: It is an absurd myth that government will be in charge of your bank accounts. Health insurance reform will simplify administration, making it easier and more convenient for you to pay bills in a method that you choose. Just like paying a phone bill or a utility bill, you can pay by traditional check, or by a direct electronic payment. And forms will be standardized so they will be easier to understand. The choice is up to you – and the same rules of privacy will apply as they do for all other electronic payments that people make.
Learn more and get details:
http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck
http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/realitycheck/faq

8 Reasons We Need Health Insurance Reform Now

Coverage Denied to Millions: A recent national survey estimated that 12.6 million non-elderly adults – 36 percent of those who tried to purchase health insurance directly from an insurance company in the individual insurance market – were in fact discriminated against because of a pre-existing condition in the previous three years or dropped from coverage when they became seriously ill. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/denied_coverage/index.html

Less Care for More Costs: With each passing year, Americans are paying more for health care coverage. Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have nearly doubled since 2000, a rate three times faster than wages. In 2008, the average premium for a family plan purchased through an employer was $12,680, nearly the annual earnings of a full-time minimum wage job. Americans pay more than ever for health insurance, but get less coverage. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/hiddencosts/index.html

Roadblocks to Care for Women: Women’s reproductive health requires more regular contact with health care providers, including yearly pap smears, mammograms, and obstetric care. Women are also more likely to report fair or poor health than men (9.5% versus 9.0%). While rates of chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure are similar to men, women are twice as likely to suffer from headaches and are more likely to experience joint, back or neck pain. These chronic conditions often require regular and frequent treatment and follow-up care. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/women/index.html

Hard Times in the Heartland: Throughout rural America , there are nearly 50 million people who face challenges in accessing health care. The past several decades have consistently shown higher rates of poverty, mortality, uninsurance, and limited access to a primary health care provider in rural areas. With the recent economic downturn, there is potential for an increase in many of the health disparities and access concerns that are already elevated in rural communities. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/hardtimes

Small Businesses Struggle to Provide Health Coverage: Nearly one-third of the uninsured – 13 million people – are employees of firms with less than 100 workers. From 2000 to 2007, the proportion of non-elderly Americans covered by employer-based health insurance fell from 66% to 61%. Much of this decline stems from small business. The percentage of small businesses offering coverage dropped from 68% to 59%, while large firms held stable at 99%. About a third of such workers in firms with fewer than 50 employees obtain insurance through a spouse. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/helpbottomline

The Tragedies are Personal: Half of all personal bankruptcies are at least partly the result of medical expenses. The typical elderly couple may have to save nearly $300,000 to pay for health costs not covered by Medicare alone. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/inaction

Diminishing Access to Care: From 2000 to 2007, the proportion of non-elderly Americans covered by employer-based health insurance fell from 66% to 61%. An estimated 87 million people - one in every three Americans under the age of 65 - were uninsured at some point in 2007 and 2008. More than 80% of the uninsured are in working families. Learn more: http://www.healthreform.gov/reports/inaction/diminishing/index.html

The Trends are Troubling: Without reform, health care costs will continue to skyrocket unabated, putting unbearable strain on families, businesses, and state and federal government budgets. Perhaps the most visible sign of the need for health care reform is the 46 million Americans currently without health insurance - projections suggest that this number will rise to about 72 million in 2040 in the absence of reform. Learn more: http://www.WhiteHouse.gov/assets/documents/CEA_Health_Care_Report.pdf

WHITE HOUSE UPDATE From CoChair Tim Mauldin

2009-08-13T00:00:00-05:00

White House update WHITE HOUSE UPDATE

OPEN DOOR POLICY

2009-08-11T17:33:55-05:00

It was a very long week as I hosted a delegation of political visitors from El Salvador for five days. They had a very good time and hopefully this will improve trade relations between not only Oklahoma, but the United States.
We also had the 65th Rush Springs Watermelon Festival, Lions Club Rodeo, the inaugural 5K run (thank you Richy Large for organizing this) and my 20 year class reunion over the weekend. It was great seeing old friends as they come home for a visit.
There has been a trend in Oklahoma of record turnouts at festivals as we have seen people visiting local places over a weekend rather than travel for a longer vacation. This is great since we get to highlight many great places right here at home. Thanks also to State Auditor Steve Burrage, Sen. Kenneth Corn, Sen. Don Barrington and Rep. Corey Holland for being at the Festival.

The local Lions Club does the organizing for this festival, as does the Fletcher Lions Club with much for their upcoming fair. Good luck to the newly-formed Elgin Lions Club also as they began meetings last week. You should check out these clubs, along with the Apache Rotary, the Cyril Rotary, the Marlow Lions Club and the various clubs in Anadarko, Chickasha, Lawton and Duncan if you are looking for a civic club to join and help your community. Also, don't forget to attend the Apache Fair and Rodeo this upcoming weekend, sponsored by their local FFA and the Elgin FFA ice cream social at Osborn Park.

I had the pleasure of attending Pioneer School's back to school breakfast and Apache Public School's teacher luncheon. Sen. Tom Ivester and I will also be serving teachers dinner in Cement at the invitation of their school board on Tuesday night. It is definitely time to get ready for school and my football schedules should be ready soon.

On Thursday, I will be participating in a Health Care Forum at Comanche County Memorial Hospital. I, along with other state legislators, will discuss successes and failures in state health care policy. I hope it will be a good discussion, but also I hope that the discussion will be civil unlike what we have seen on the local news.

On a final note, it looks like Rep. Kris Steele will be the Republican candidate for Speaker and Rep. Scott Inman has been designated to be the Democratic candidate. Both are good men and it should be a spirited race. Kris and I are working on an interim study on prison reintigration programs this summer also. I look forward to analyzing needs in this area and finding a solution across the party lines.

It is an honor to represent your views at the State Capitol. If you wish to contact me and discuss one of these or another issue, I can be reached at my office in Oklahoma City toll-free at 1-800-522-8502, or directly at 1-405-557-7305. My e-mail address is joedorman@okhouse.gov at work. My mailing address is PO Box 559, Rush Springs, OK 73082 and my website is www.joedorman.com on the Internet. Thank you for taking time to read this column and I look forward to seeing you soon.

A VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE FOR THE 4TH DISTRICT from Co-Chair Tim Mauldin

2009-08-11T10:36:55-05:00

Dear Friend,

Anyone that's watched the news in the past few days knows that health insurance reform is a hot topic — and that rumors and scare tactics have only increased as more people engage with the issue. Given a lot of the outrageous claims floating around, it’s time to make sure everyone knows the facts about the security and stability you get with health insurance reform.

That’s why we’ve launched a new online resource — WhiteHouse.gov/RealityCheck — to help you separate fact from fiction and share the truth about health insurance reform. Here's a few of the reality check videos you can find on the site:
CEA Chair Christina Romer details how health insurance reform will impact small businesses.

Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes tackles a nasty rumor about euthanasia and clearly describes how reform helps families.
Matt Flavin, the White House's Director of Veterans and Wounded Warrior Policy, clears the air about Veteran's benefits.

Kavita Patel, M.D., a doctor serving in the White House's Office of Public Engagement, explains that health care rationing is happening right now and how reform gives control back to patients and doctors.

Bob Kocher, M.D., a doctor serving on the National Economic Council, debunks the myth that health insurance reform will be financed by cutting Medicare benefits.
There's more information and a number of online tools you can use to spread the truth among your family, friends and other social networks. Take a look:

CEA Chair Christina Romer details how health insurance reform will impact small businesses.

Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes tackles a nasty rumor about euthanasia and clearly describes how reform helps families.

Matt Flavin, the White House's Director of Veterans and Wounded Warrior Policy, clears the air about Veteran's benefits.

Take a look: REALITY CHECK

We knew going into this effort that accomplishing comprehensive health insurance reform wasn't going to be easy. Achieving real change never is. The entrenched interests that benefit from the status quo always use their influence in Washington to try and keep things just as they are.

But don't be misled. We know the status quo is unsustainable. If we do nothing, millions more Americans will be denied insurance because of pre-existing conditions, or see their coverage suddenly dropped if they become seriously ill. Out-of-pocket expenses will continue to soar, and more and more families and businesses will be forced to deal with health insurance costs they can’t afford.

That's the reality.

Americans deserve better. You deserve a health care system that works as well for you as it does for the status quo; one you can depend on — that won't deny you coverage when you need it most or charge you crippling out-of-pocket co-pays. Health insurance reform means guaranteeing the health care security and stability you deserve.

President Barack Obama promised he'd bring change to Washington and fix our broken, unsustainable health insurance system. You can help deliver that change. Visit WhiteHouse.gov/RealityCheck, get the facts and spread the truth. The stakes are just too high to do nothing.

Thank you,
David

David Axelrod
Senior Advisor to the President