Charles Krauthammer's piece today is a must read to give much-needed clarity to the debt ceiling battles consuming Washington. He explains that the battles are a reflection of "the distinctive visions of the two parties -- social-democratic versus limited-government" and that these very different visions "have underlain every debate on every issue since Barack Obama's inauguration: the stimulus, … [Read more...] about Clarity, Confidence, and Governing with a Vision
Archives for July 2011
A Health Spending Crisis
House Republicans will be blamed if a deal isn’t reached on the debt ceiling, and they will be held responsible for the fallout. The White House is looking for every opportunity to blame someone else for the miserable economy — including today’s economic numbers showing we are dangerously close to another recession.Speaker Boehner recognizes this risk more than anyone, and he is doing everything … [Read more...] about A Health Spending Crisis
Washington’s Rebate Tax Would Be Paid By Seniors
Leading congressional Democrats appear ready to impose a new tax on prescription drugs for seniors -- a tax that would increase Medicare drug plan premiums for some seniors by as much as 40 percent.Those lawmakers wouldn't describe their plan that way, of course, but that would be the effect of their proposal to require drug companies to pay Medicaid-style rebates to Medicare.Pharmaceutical … [Read more...] about Washington’s Rebate Tax Would Be Paid By Seniors
Where Are the Jobs? Gone to ObamaCare
Maybe not every one, but, from my conversations with business owners and entrepreneurs across the country, it is inescapable that ObamaCare is killing job creation and smothering the recovery. And now we have a study that shows the correlation: The Heritage Foundation's James Sherk compared job growth before and after the health overhaul law passed in March of 2010. Job creation has basically … [Read more...] about Where Are the Jobs? Gone to ObamaCare
Jobs Gone to Obamacare
The conclusion is inescapable that Obamacare is killing job creation and smothering the recovery, and now the Heritage Foundation’s James Sherk has produced a study that clearly shows the correlation.He compared job growth before and after the health overhaul law passed in March of 2010 and finds that it basically flatlined after the law was signed.Before Obamacare passed, the number of new jobs … [Read more...] about Jobs Gone to Obamacare
Sebelius in the Hot Seat over IPAB
Tempers are flaring in Washington’s sweltering July heat over the looming government default. The debate is also heating up over one of the scariest parts of Obamacare: the powerful, unelected, 15-member Medicare payment board.Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius testified before two hearings in one week about the controversial Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB). She did everything she could … [Read more...] about Sebelius in the Hot Seat over IPAB
Sebelius in the Hot Seat over IPAB
Tempers flared this week in Washington's sweltering July heat over the looming government default and the hot debates over one of the scariest parts of ObamaCare -- the powerful, unelected, 15-member Medicare payment board. House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan asked Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to testify on Tuesday about the Independent Payment Advisory Board, and he challenged her to … [Read more...] about Sebelius in the Hot Seat over IPAB
U.S. Senate Finance Committee Field Hearing: “Perspectives on Medicaid from Select Governors”
I would like to commend the committee for traveling to Salt Lake City to hear testimony from governors about the huge impact that Medicaid has on their state budgets. States are desperate to find savings to get their budgets in balance. Medicaid spending has nearly doubled over the last decade, and for many it consumes the first or second biggest share of state expenditures, threatening education, … [Read more...] about U.S. Senate Finance Committee Field Hearing: “Perspectives on Medicaid from Select Governors”