Giuliani Falsely Claims Obama Rejected ‘Bipartisan’ Health Care By Taking ‘Tort Reform’ ‘Off The Table’
Giuliani Falsely Claims Obama Rejected ‘Bipartisan’ Health Care By Taking ‘Tort Reform’ ‘Off The Table’
On CNBC today, former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani claimed that President Obama made health care reform “an entirely political program” when he “took tort reform off the table.” “How can you ask Republicans to be part of a bipartisan group” without discussing tort reform, asked Giuliani:
GIULIANI: I thought when President Obama took tort reform off the table, you know, doing something about the excessive cost for doctors being sued, he made it an entirely political program. I mean how can you ask Republicans to be part of a bipartisan group when you take tort reform, which is one of the major causes of expense in the health care system off the table? Shouldn’t that be part of, shouldn’t that be part of a whole re-ogranization of health care?
Watch it:
While it’s true that Obama told the American Medical Association last month that he’s “not advocating caps on malpractice awards,” its been reported that he told AMA representatives in private that it “should be considered as part of any health care overhaul.” Additionally, Time’s Karen Tumulty reported in May that Obama specifically put it “on the table” in negotiations with Republicans, but the GOP wasn’t willing to deal:
So, right there in the Cabinet Room, the President put a proposal on the table, according to two people who were present. Obama said he was willing to curb malpractice awards, a move long sought by Republicans that is certain to bring strong opposition from the trial lawyers who fund the Democratic Party.
What, he wanted to know, did the Republicans have to offer in return?
Nothing, it turned out. Republicans were unprepared to make any concessions, if they had any to make.
Additionally, Giuliani claims that medical malpractice lawsuits are “one of the major causes of expense in the health care system.” But in 2004, the CBO “pegged medical malpractice costs at 2 percent of U.S. health spending” and found that “’even significant reductions’ would do little to reduce the growth of health-care expenses.”
“Medical malpractice dollars are a red herring,” Harvard economist Amitabh Chandra told Bloomberg News last month. “No serious economist thinks that saving money in med mal is the way to improve productivity in the system. There’s so many other sources of inefficiency.”
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I’ve posted before about the lawsuit I had with an insurer over a health issue. They spent over 10mm dollars to make sure they wouldn’t have to dole out maybe 500k – you know precidents and all.
Fuc* mr. 9/11. The only thing he knows about is having an affair and moving his mistress into the Govenors mansion – and fancy dresses of course.
July 28th, 2009 at 5:39 pmMalpractice lawsuits are not the problem — they are just a sensational scare tactic.
There is such a thing as malpractice — not all doctors are good doctors. We must have the right to sue for malpractice.
July 28th, 2009 at 5:43 pmDanged Rudy has tort and tart mixed up again. He thinks the gummint might be about to interfere with his love life…
Idiot.
July 28th, 2009 at 5:44 pmI had a client who was hobbled during a hip replacement. Because nerves regenerate slowly, she burned up the year she had to sue, doing physical therapy and hoping.
I now recommend hiring a lawyer before having major surgery done. No doubt, the number of people who have a case but don’t make one is much, much larger than the number of frivolous malpractice suits.
(Dang it’s hot.)
July 28th, 2009 at 5:46 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
This comment has been voted down. Click to read.
Rudy has nicely been out of the public eye for a while. What happened Rudy, wore out that nice new dress you got at christmas?
July 28th, 2009 at 5:48 pmHmmm… this from Giulani, the biggest flip-flopper, liar, cross-dresser in politics? Why do we care?
July 28th, 2009 at 5:50 pmthursday,
don’t be an idiot. If it was government provided healthcare I wouldn’t have had to sue because I wouldn’t have been denied treatment.
July 28th, 2009 at 5:54 pmMmm, torts. Oops.
Well, huff, umm… tort law, yes… I’ll send an urgent telegraph and catch a steamer right there! Huzzah!
July 28th, 2009 at 5:56 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
- – GIULIANI: I thought 9/11 when President Obama took 9/11 tort reform off the 9/11 table, you know, doing something about 9/11 the excessive cost for 9/11 doctors being sued, he made it 9/11 an entirely political 9/11 program.
July 28th, 2009 at 5:57 pmconservative guy says:
Of course the Dems took Tort Reform off the table. The trial lawyers donate tons of money to the Democrat Party.
Reading this knee jerk response is interesting; it’s almost as though “conservative guy” hadn’t actually read the post.
Nah, that can’t be right.
July 28th, 2009 at 5:57 pmthanks
July 28th, 2009 at 6:04 pmReally? So There won’t be a commission to determine which procedures you may have and which ones you can not have? Interesting.
There will be doctors determining that, yes.
Why do you prefer it be determined by accountants again?
July 28th, 2009 at 6:06 pmYeah, but Rudy’s a Republican. as we have seen they lie as easily as the rest of us breathe.
They are Republicans, they have no shame
July 28th, 2009 at 6:06 pmHere is the only health care plan an idiot like Sean Hannity can understand.
This is pretty funny.
http://progressnotcongress.org/?p=2316
July 28th, 2009 at 6:10 pmIdiots like watchpuppy and 54thursday will be the ones screaming the loudest if a doctor botches a procedure on them or their family, and would be pounding on the door of the nearest attorney the next morning.
We’re the ones who support that they have the right to do so.
You’re welcome.
July 28th, 2009 at 6:14 pmconservative guy says:
Why are you so proud of your stupidity. Tort reform is a gift to corporations. The GOP wasnt willing to negotiate on it just demand it be part of the bill though economists dont think it will help in any way. I know morons like you think the GOP just ought to get everything they want even though they LOST the last two elections but it doesnt work that way.
July 28th, 2009 at 6:17 pm54thursday says:
My GOD you morons are stupid. Of COURSE you can. Depts of the federal government are sued all the time moron
July 28th, 2009 at 6:19 pm54thursday says:
Why should there be? There isnt in Canada there isnt in France. There isnt in Japan. Why would there be here?
July 28th, 2009 at 6:20 pmThis twerp got what 12 votes in one primary when he ran for President and didn’t have the balls to run against Hillary for senate in NY, who the hell cares what he says or thinks…
July 28th, 2009 at 6:25 pmLOSER.
This comment has been voted down. Click to read.
So Obama puts Tort reform on the table and the Reich wing……once again has no answer. They must have been caught off guard with that because usually they would be salivating over something like Tort reform along with fear mongering about it.
July 28th, 2009 at 6:27 pmSo Rudy 911 claims the key to curbing rising health costs is for the federal government to pass legislation preempting state medmal law (forget the fact that if malpractice rates had a material effect on cost you would presumably see substantially lower health costs in states with so-called tort reform which you do not)? Isn’t it funny how the Republics favor state’s rights, declarations of state sovereignty and grandstanding governors turning down stimulus money their states need unless it involves taking guns across state line or preempting state laws that actually help consumers?
July 28th, 2009 at 6:30 pmUmm… Why is Guliani being asked anything? Isn’t he a former Mayor? Who gives a sh*t what he thinks? It is like when I see Tom ‘The Hammer’ Delay on T.V. Can’t they go away?
July 28th, 2009 at 6:32 pmNot a ’single payer’ system but SlappyBastinado may be shocked to learn that this issue has already been dealt with quite successfully in other countries…
http://www.electoral-math.com/archive/200504/20050423.html
Apparently EVERY FREAKIN’ OTHER INDUSTRIALIZED NATION IN THE WORLD figured this out some time ago and has UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE already… interesting.
July 28th, 2009 at 6:33 pmFor the mentally challenged.
Right now we have a system that is set up to deny healthcare.
And will go to court to enforce their right not to provide healthcare.
And they will spend more money making sure they can deny your right to healthcare than they would if they provided the care in the first place.
Because they don’t want to set precedents where they are actually liable for providing said healthcare.
Is that clear enough thursday? Should I type a little slower for you?
July 28th, 2009 at 6:36 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
Rich H says:
Is that clear enough thursday? Should I type a little slower for you?
___________
You’re trying to talk to ***TROLLS*** here, Rich…
Can you say that in one syllable words?
Maybe draw it out w/ stick figures….
Grunt a little… gesticulate wildly…
DUMB. IT. DOWN. IfyaknowhatImean…
July 28th, 2009 at 6:42 pmSlappy, Conservativeguy and 54thursday…
here’s who you’re defending:
http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jun/17/business/fi-rescind17
Read it. Let it sink in. This is killing people and it’s wrong.
July 28th, 2009 at 6:42 pmSlappyBastinado says:
What do you get in Germany whan a doctor cuts off the wrong arm??????? You would be satisfied with THAT!
___________
Dunno, slappy… what would you get in this country after tort reform?
Would you be satisfied w/ that?
July 28th, 2009 at 6:43 pmLot of trolls tonight. I think I’ll grab a beer.
July 28th, 2009 at 6:43 pmThe forces trying to prevent health reform only seem to be growing. Obama clearly knew this would be a problem, which is why he tried to fast-track the bill and set a deadline. He knew the lobbyist money trying to prevent reform would only grow and grow. There is too much profit being made for the greedy to just give it up. There are too many unscrupulous politicians willing to take a piece of that money.
If I were Obama, I would make an “end run” and announce a major new effort at CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM. Have Republicans or any of these Blue Dog traitors take a more direct stand with the lobbyists instead of doing it indirectly on this health reform issue. Let them take the political heat.
Want to use bribes to prevent programs that help the people? Ok, then we’ll target your bribes/campaign donations.
You might even get a few of the Libertarian-minded Republicans to support the effort.
….or take it even further and go for fully publicly funded elections/campaigns.
July 28th, 2009 at 6:44 pmThe Republic of Stupidity,
I keep trying to gesture at my computer, but for some reason it doesn’t translate to the written word.
But the intents there, if you know what I mean.
July 28th, 2009 at 6:45 pmSlappyBastinado says:
lacca….better read your link again…. What do you get in Germany whan a doctor cuts off the wrong arm??????? You would be satisfied with THAT!
from the link:
Yep. I’d be satisfied if we took care of everyone, all the time. Are you now arguing that the big ‘payday’ of medical malpractice suits… I’m confused.
Wait, that’s you. You’re confused. And wrong.
July 28th, 2009 at 6:45 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
insert:
…big ‘payday’ of medical malpractice suits is a good thing?
Don’t want you more confused.
July 28th, 2009 at 6:46 pmPoor SlappytheMORON begging us to pity him because he is so stupid and pathetic. He is a one trick pony. No self respect no dignity. All begging all the time. Never an attempt to talk to us. Always heaping contempt on us. This is how stupid he is. He thinks it clever when he hears Rush try to make a joke by heaping contempt on liberals so like the retarded monkey he is he tries the same. Of course Rush is trying to get him to laugh at US and he is trying to get US to laugh at US. Not the same thing and only a moron as stupid as Slappy cant see the difference. His moronpost will go to the sewer like all his posts do like all his posts deserve but still he cant help himself. He knows he is too stupid to do anything else.
July 28th, 2009 at 6:46 pm“Giuliani Falsely Claims Obama Rejected ‘Bipartisan’ Health Care By Taking ‘Tort Reform’ ‘Off The Table’”
Mr. Noun, a Verb, and 9/11 shag queen ex-Mayor is spewing as usual crapola spin on Obama’s healthcare reform. Pass the popcorn please…
July 28th, 2009 at 6:46 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
SlappyBastinado says:
lacca…..what’s one of your arms worth to you?
So you’re against tort reform then?
July 28th, 2009 at 6:47 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
SlappyBastinado says:
http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jun/17/business/fi-rescind17
What’s living worth to you, Slappy?
July 28th, 2009 at 6:53 pm‘Cause it’s not worth a whole lot to the insurance companies…
Many years ago I had a friend in high school rushed to the hospital because of collapsed lung. While she was under anesthetic the nurse walked out of the operating room and “forgot” the mask was still over her face.
She never regained consciousness, and died a few weeks later.
Any shi*head here want to tell me what her family should have settled for? What they did settle for?
You’d be surprised.
July 28th, 2009 at 6:55 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
So the President puts tort reform on the table and wants the GNOPers to put something on the table in return. But they say… wait for it… NO!
Typical. The GNOPers in Congress do not want to work out a deal, any deal, that could possibly make the President look successful.
And if we get fcuked over in the process? Collateral damage in the war against Obama and the Dems.
They don’t give a damn about this country or it’s citizens. For the GNOPers, it’s all about power and money.
PEACE
July 28th, 2009 at 6:56 pmor did you read it?
Did you?
Here… let me post the relevant bit, yet again:
Would you like me to explain this?
July 28th, 2009 at 6:57 pmGuiliani needs to shut the heII up! I wish this has-been would disappear too. These politicians – Rethuglican and DINOs alike – have no morals! It’s all about money and not about the people.
July 28th, 2009 at 6:59 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
“Tort reform” is Republican code for supporting the insurance industry over the health of the American people. Once again Republican support corporate interests over the good of the country. Republicans are expert at code talking. There are so many examples of their code talking. The whole birther thing is an example of code for racist hate, refusing to acknowledge what all responsible investigators say about the subject, that Obama’s was born in Hawaii. In the face of overwhelming evidence they deny can only be logically explained by racist hatred.
July 28th, 2009 at 7:02 pmSlappy what is someone WITHOUT health insurance and no means LIFE worth to them. 18000 Americans a year DIE from lack of access to healthcare. There isnt any reason we couldnt sue doctors under a single payer system just because you cant in Germany.
In Canada they still have malpractice suits. In England they do. So your argument is moot
July 28th, 2009 at 7:03 pmslappy
fuc* off
ignore the troll
July 28th, 2009 at 7:04 pmYes, what is your arm worth in Euros, Dollars, Pesos whatever!
In Germany or other EU countries it is worth a disability pension for life…
That’s because they don’t use the courts to compensate the victims… they rely on the social contract of shared risk to take care of EVERYONE… not just those who are lucky enough to afford a malpractice attorney and win their cases.
Isn’t that what you’re arguing for? No more rich malpractice attorneys, right?
July 28th, 2009 at 7:06 pmSlappyBastinado says:
TROS….not a issue…not going to happen.
____________
Oooooooooh… that’s a coward’s reply!!!!!!!
July 28th, 2009 at 7:11 pmHey Rudloph! Tort reform constitutes 0.46% of healthcare cost. Nice try you ignorant, cousin marrying, wife cheating freak. I can’t wait for this clown to try to run for NY Govenor. We’ll get that ad up of him trashing community organizers at the Republican convention. How’d that work out Rudoph? Mr, Noun, Verb and 911. Oh, and Judy has the face of a dog. Donna Hanover was much better looking!
July 28th, 2009 at 7:13 pmHMMMM.
July 28th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
There isnt any reason we couldnt sue doctors under a single payer system just because you cant in Germany.
Actually, you can sue your doctor in Germany. They have a ‘loser pays’ system though and there are no real ‘punitive’ damages assesed… the victim is cared for by the social safety net regardless of the outcome of the lawsuit.
Which seems to be the type of ‘tort reform’ that Slappy’s in favor of… he’s just to ‘Slap-Happy’ to realize it.
July 28th, 2009 at 7:13 pmRich H says:
July 28th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
I’m so sorry about your friend, Rich.
Sadly, her family probably had to settle for very little. A teen-aged girl, no dependent children, no work or income history, etc. It all boils down to numbers for the actuaries.
July 28th, 2009 at 7:13 pmThe actual tort reform issue is to do something about tort law, not to benefit the insurance companies, but to keep the insurance companies from further jacking up doctors fees because of the excessive charges for malpractice insurance.
With a more concerted and focused effort in quality assurance, malpractice can be reduced, but you can bet that the insurance companies won’t reduce malpractice insurance fees.
July 28th, 2009 at 7:31 pmwhat’s one of your arms worth to you?
July 28th, 2009 at 7:31 pm—
I don’t know. Why don’t you ask Cundalini…
belaccifer lacca says:
Thanks I didnt know that.
July 28th, 2009 at 7:31 pmdbadass says:
I don’t know. Why don’t you ask Cundalini…
____________
Cundalini wants his hand back! …
July 28th, 2009 at 7:34 pmFolks, don’t worry about Slappy’s question about them cutting off the wrong arm. With the system we have they would never get close to it. Cutting things off costs money!
July 28th, 2009 at 7:36 pmCundalini wants his hand back! …
Until someone makes a claim for it, I just consider that ‘lost property.’
July 28th, 2009 at 7:37 pmI don’t know about Germany, but I do know when I broke my foot when I was a kid, the doctor almost put the cast on the wrong foot.
July 28th, 2009 at 7:38 pmatony and lido
Really starting to wonder how many times President Obama is going to extend his hand, only to withdraw a bloody stump from the woodchipper.
July 28th, 2009 at 7:43 pmRUCeriousMaggot! says:
Really starting to wonder how many times President Obama is going to extend his hand, only to withdraw a bloody stump from the woodchipper.
Only as long as it takes him to become White. And a Republican.
July 28th, 2009 at 8:05 pmRudy really needs to STFU and take up cross-dressing full time…He’s clearly gone over the line where lunacy takes over from reality…(he’s got a LOT of company…)
July 28th, 2009 at 8:34 pmI see someone’s been “slapping his bastinado”* again…
*- also known as “shaking the devil off” in some circles
July 28th, 2009 at 9:32 pmWell done, RHF.
July 28th, 2009 at 10:46 pmRudy 9iu11iani? Rudy? The Cross-Dresser? The man who demands a cool million before he’ll appear anywhere, even for a fundraiser for a candidate? That Rudy 9iu11iani?
Hey, quick riddle: What’s the expiration date on all of Rudy’s credit cards?
9/11, of course.
July 28th, 2009 at 11:16 pmSo, Rudeee, dear, *do* tell us what 9/11 has to do with healthcare.
We’re ALLLLLLLLLL ears.
July 29th, 2009 at 12:38 amSlappyBastinado says:
This comment has been voted down. Click to read.
Hummm….in a “single payer” system if you had a bad doctor and he took out your lazy bone instead of your crazy bone could you sue him? I guess it would not matter, you would still be nutz and due for another operation. And what about bad government approved medications and procedures…… that for the most part would end class action suites and the “Silkys” of the world have to find a real job………the amendment process would take care of that little problem and anything else that might hinder the flow of trial lawyer moneys to campaigns. I guess the government could provide and pay for your representation with council against its self and come to agreement on a reasonable amount of compensation..that should hold down costs if you use a government lawyer.
Apparently your doctor accidentaly removed your brain.
July 29th, 2009 at 4:39 amGuiliani? Is he still alive?
July 29th, 2009 at 8:05 amWow — I missed a troll-fest last night, it appears.
The first thing that came to my mind when I read this item was how similar the scenario is to the whole birth certificate absurdity. Compare these two scenes:
SCENE 1:
BIRTHER: Obama needs to prove he was born in the United States.
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Here’s my birth certificate, plus signed statements from most of the officials in Hawaii, including the Governor, stating that this information is true and correct.
BIRTHER: (ignoring Obama) Obama needs to prove he was born in the United States.
SCENE 2:
GIULIANI: Obama needs to put tort reform on the table.
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Here’s tort reform. On the table. What will you concede in exchange?
GIULIANI: (ignoring Obama) Obama needs to put tort reform on the table.
It occurs to me that Giuliani shouldn’t be taken any more seriously than the birthers.
July 29th, 2009 at 8:57 amHey Rudy- How many times has your wife been married?? What a knucklehead…
July 29th, 2009 at 9:13 amALL of us get penalized if we make mistakes, at work, driving, making a repair around the house or whatever we are doing and doctors should be NO different. Leaving surgical instruments or a sponge in a patient is unacceptable, as is a doctor that performs a surgery while drunk, sleep deprived or any other damn excuse they try to use.
July 29th, 2009 at 10:55 amIt is amazing to me reading the comments that not one of you has read the health care reform bill. If you had, you would not be in such support for it. Secondly, Giuliani’s comments are taken out of context. Yes, Obama did put tort reform on the table ONLY if the republicans agreed to leave in the grandfather clause. OF COURSE, they would refuse such an offer, it would undermine the millions of Americans that like their health care. Specifically, the clause states that if you loose your job or change jobs you will no longer be able to apply for private health insurance. You must be put on public option, even if your new employer has private insurance coverage. You will find this clause on or about page 584 of the “Public Option” health bill. This is a single payer system and seeks to FORCE everyone over a period of time onto one government run system. This is a Socialist Health Insurance. I know for most of you the urge to sit and blog about something you know nothing about may seem intellectual to you. However, you need to read this bill! It is available on opencongress.org, you should also know that certain types of Tort reform have been shown to immediately lower insurance premiums and costs by as much as 2%. This was a study concluded by Northwestern University in the spring of 2008. These types of reform allow malpractice cases to be tried, but if they are found to be frivolous suits then the claimant will be charged for the court costs and lawyers fees. This is the way that most car insurance claims are made, as well as, municipal court claims/ civil claims. It seems to me you will need to educate yourself on what certain politicians are considering reforming. LEARN! Knowledge is the key to understanding!
July 29th, 2009 at 12:37 pm89. Tallgacutie, “It is amazing to me reading the comments that not one of you has read the health care reform bill.”
Hour initial assumption would be wrong.
July 29th, 2009 at 12:50 pmThis is a single payer system and seeks to FORCE everyone over a period of time onto one government run system. This is a Socialist Health Insurance.
I’m afraid these two sentences alone prove you have not read the bill, tallgacutie. This is far from single-payer or socialist… more’s the pity.
Read. Learn. Knowledge is the key to understanding!
Do you support rescission?
July 29th, 2009 at 1:06 pmThese types of reform allow malpractice cases to be tried, but if they are found to be frivolous suits then the claimant will be charged for the court costs and lawyers fees. This is the way that most car insurance claims are made, as well as, municipal court claims/ civil claims.
As my links above demonstrate, this is how malpractice is dealt with in Germany, France and the U.K. now. Quite successfully and under universal coverage systems. You agree that this is where we as a country should go? Great!
Universal Health Care lowers costs across the board! Learn! Knowledge is the key to understanding!
July 29th, 2009 at 1:10 pmMedical malpractice suits don’t cost a lot of money.
What costs so much money is malpractice insurance. The cost is so high that doctors have to pass it along to patients.
Somehow the ABA and democrats aren’t squealing about the high cost of malpractice insurance. Wait. The ABA gives money to democrats to oppose tort reform.
My bad.
July 29th, 2009 at 1:48 pmThe president can meet with republicans and make all kinds of promises, but it is congress that drafts the legislation.
And republicans were locked out of the drafting process.
Can someone explain to me how the republicans had any reason to bargain with Obama?
July 29th, 2009 at 2:12 pmCan someone explain to me how the republicans had any reason to bargain with Obama?
The American people need better health care?
July 29th, 2009 at 2:19 pmHow’s that?
Thank you..
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