Sen. Roberts: We Need To Give Health Insurance Lobbyists ‘At Least 72 Hours’ To Read The Bill
Sen. Roberts: We Need To Give Health Insurance Lobbyists ‘At Least 72 Hours’ To Read The Bill
During the Senate Finance Committee’s mark-up session of the health care reform bill today, Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) — who has had a hard time staying awake during these meetings — offered an amendment that would have delayed “a committee vote for two weeks.”
Bunning requested that the Committee put-off a vote on the health care bill until the final legislative language of the bill is made available on the Committee’s website for at least 72 hours. The amendment failed, with all of the Democrats except Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) voting against it. But had the amendment passed, it could potentially have halted the health care debate for weeks.
Before the vote took place, Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) offered a defense of Bunning’s amendment by arguing that the 72-hour provision was critical because it provides time for senators to consult with health insurance lobbyists:
All the Senator from Kentucky is asking is for 72 hours to determine the cost. Senator Snowe has spoken eloquently about sunshine, and the openness, and the fact that the American people would support this 90 percent, 95 percent. But the thing that I’m trying to point out is we would have at least 72 hours for the people that the providers have hired to keep up with all of the legislation that we pass around here, and the regulations that we pass around here, to say “hey, wait a minute. Have you considered this?” And that’s all I’m asking for — is not only cost, but also the content of a bill. And that 72 hours, I think, is highly, highly important.
To be clear, Roberts is referring to health insurance lobbyists when he references the “people that the providers have hired to keep up with all of the legislation.” Watch it:
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Roberts has received over $172,000 in political contribution from insurance companies over the last five years. Unsurprisingly, Roberts opposes a public option because, he claims, “it won’t work.” Presumably, that’s because that’s what health insurance lobbyists have told him.
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September 23rd, 2009 at 1:30 pmIn a variation of my post on a previous thread:
How many uninsured Americans will die during the 72 hours Senator DunceCap suggests the lobbyists need to read the bill?
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:35 pmSen. Robber,
We’ve been waiting 72 years you fool!
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:35 pmAs if the lobbyists haven’t been receiving every draft directly from Baucus.
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:36 pmIs this standard procedure? That any party that might be affected by legislation gets to read the legislation before it’s voted on?
Well, guess what? As an American, I could be affected by any health care reform legislation. Where’s MY 72 hours?
This is ridiculous. Just STFU and do your job. When you whine that the person who pulls your strings isn’t being given enough consideration, you just look like an incompetent fool.
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:37 pmRoberts opposes a public option because, he claims, “it won’t work.”
He is absolutely correct. The public option won’t work for the insurance companies.
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:38 pmRoberts has received over $172,000 in political contribution from insurance companies over the last five years
– - You’re some cheap whore, Pat.
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:38 pmJust like the Senate demanded 72 hours for the Patriot Act…
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:39 pmMore like “hey, wait an eternity!”
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:39 pmDoes anyone believe that the relevant lobbyists haven’t already read the bill? Does anyone believe that Senators and Representatives haven’t already talked and talked and talked to relevant lobbyists and directly to insurance executives? If you find one that doesn’t believe that the insurance industry is fully informed and aware, I’ll bet you found someone who couldn’t tell you when the War of 1812 was.
Yeah, Jackass, let’s let the Lobbysists into the Hallowed Halls to WRITE IT, like the Republi-SCUM did w/ the Medicare Prescription bill that enriched Billy Tauzin by $2 MILLION dollars.
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:40 pmSen. Roberts: We Need To Give Health Insurance Lobbyists ‘At Least 72 Hours’ To Read The Bill
“… and another 72 hours for nap time.“
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:40 pm72 hours
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:41 pm72 virgins
Coincidence?
Yes, because.
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:42 pmtombaker says: because?
So they can take phrases out of context and have time to prepare the media blitz to defeat it.
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:44 pmWTF for??
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:45 pmGive them three days to read it and tell the the repugs how to vote? The man is crazy. Lobbyists are not legislators — if repugs haven’t been bribed sufficiently by the lobbyists, that’s their problem.
This is a ridiculous propositoin from Roberts and I hope he hasn’t heard the end of the outrage from other Senators.
“because, because, because…because of the wonderful things they’ve done”
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:45 pm“It won’t work. It hasn’t worked in other countries,” the Kansas Republican told reporters…
_____________________________________________________________
I don’t suppose Roberts would mind giving us some examples of specific countries where a public option “hasn’t worked”?
Thought so.
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:47 pmI say give their lobbyist 72 hours. If they take the worst bill in Congress, and make it even worse, they will just be shooting themselves in the foot.
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:47 pmPatrioticLiberalChristian says:
“because, because, because…because of the wonderful things they’ve done”
– - Appropriate, since Roberts is from Kansas.
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:48 pmOf course they need to check in with their masters.
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:49 pmHey, at least you cant accuse the GOP (and Lincoln, apparently) of not being transparant. I mean, this is pretty much an admission that they serve only the corporations which pay them the most and NOT the people who elected them in the first place.
Of course, if the majority on the Supreme Court has its way, Aetna/Wellpoint/Cigna and the others could physically buy a senator. Roberts can walk proudly with one of their logos on his suit or postered to the door of his office.
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:49 pmWe represent the Insurance Guild,
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:50 pmThe Insurance Guild,
The Insurance Guild.
And in the name of the Insurance Guild,
We wish to welcome you
To Oppositionland.
Badmoodman, I didn’t think of the Kansas angle – but, yes, appropriate!
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:52 pmWHAT?
What about giving the lobbyists 72 hours to read your proposal to give them 72 hours to read the bill?
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:52 pmHypocrite!
The argument that people need time to read the bill is bull. Congress, no doubt, has a computer network and these lobbyists are getting the bill in real time. Every time amendments and portions of the bill are drafted, the lobbyists get a copy from their lackeys. I would not be surprised if the lobbyists have a direct computer connection to a Congressional office. At the very least, the lobbyists have a runner who provides them with updates to the bill every hour. This bill is already in the insurance lobby’s hands and they are already analyzing it. The delay is so that the insurance companies can get out ads before the vote.
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:52 pm“the people that the providers have hired …”
You know, he might be referring to himself …
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:53 pmRemember the little twerp in grade school who would never give the ball back?
Those are the guys who grew up to be Republicans.
Sad About the Young
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:54 pmI think this is less for the lobbyists than for the FAUX News pundits and wingnut bloggers to pick through it and make up things to complain about. They need their news cycles to survive.
.
shoeless says:
If they take the worst bill in Congress, and make it even worse, they will just be shooting themselves in the foot.
I don’t think they have any feet left at this point.
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:55 pm“Slow down, you legislate too fast. You gotta make the opposition last. Just kick the can down the road. Lookin’ for cash and feelin’ groovy.”
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:55 pmThey are trying to find different ways of convincing the ignorant sheep why health care reform is bad for them. It takes 72 hours to show the lobbyists that they are doing their best to earn the payoff money.
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:58 pmOH…my…GOD. What’s so absolutely funny is they aren’t even pretending to be working for the people anymore. It is now so outside the realm of what we thought was possible, there’s nothing left to do but disconnect completely. What’s the point of voting for these smarmy shills? Let’s just have the corporations put there peeps in the Congress and stop wasting money on having elections. (It’s probably going to go that anyway once the Roberts Court let’s the corporations have no limits on campaign donations.)
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:58 pmOf course, there are no towering paragons of intellect on the right, but they do know haw to count. Right now they’re counting on being on the losing side of the debate and any votes that may arise, so they’re stalling for all they’re worth.
This is the same situation we had before the congressional recess, where they were adamantly opposed to a vote before the break. Max Baucus and his five member artery clot are in league with the Republican agenda, because, believe it or not, as strange as it may sound, their asses have been bought by the insurance industry.
It’s high time to scrape this Finance Committee dog dirt off of our shoe and step forward without it.
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:59 pmHey Roberts, you unAmerican piece of garbage, why don’t you let every American take a look at that health care proposal?
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:00 pmNo, say it ain’t so! They’ve been bought by the insurance industry? Whoda thunkit??
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:01 pmonly reinforces who is really running the show.
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:02 pmThese senators apparently overlooked the satire
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:02 pmin the new Will Ferrell/move on video.
Two words: HELL NO!
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:02 pmOT, but too good not to share:
The 9/22/09 WSJ poll shows that only 18% of Americans consider themselves to be Republicans, that’s down 2% in the last three weeks. At this rate, they will be gone by 2010!
Generally speaking, do you think of yourself as a Democrat, a Republican, an independent, or something else? (IF “DEMOCRAT” OR “REPUBLICAN,” ASK:) Would you call yourself a strong
(Democrat/Republican) or not a very strong (Democrat/Republican)? (IF “INDEPENDENT,” ASK:) Do you think of yourself as closer to the Republican Party, closer to the Democratic Party, or do you think of yourself as strictly independent?
Strong Democrat..……….…………………. 22
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:02 pmNot very strong Democrat ………. ……. 9
Independent/lean Democrat..………... 10
Strictly Independent ……….………..……. 22
Independent/lean Republican ……….. 11
> Not very strong Republican……….….. 8
> Strong Republican ……….……….……… 10
Other (VOL)…..……….……….………….….. 5
Not sure…………….……….………….…….. 3
Because if the American people were allowed to read it, then it would get a great big razzberry and they’d then have to include a public option, which the insurance industry is going to make sure is stripped out before it ever gets to a vote. The only thing keeping that ‘option’ alive is Pelosi telling the Blue Dogs to go screw themselves, and Obama half-heartedly continuing to say it would be ‘nice’ if the public option was part of the package.
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:04 pmOne thing I don’t understand about this whole health care reform issue is why isn’t corporate America firmly behind solving our health care crisis in this country. The high cost of health care makes American businesses less competitive on the world market and they know it. So why don’t they see the sense in a universal health care system?
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:04 pmGeeDubs says:
OH…my…GOD. What’s so absolutely funny is they aren’t even pretending to be working for the people anymore.
You do have a point. It takes a lot of chutzpah to make such a public statement. But the brazenness of the politicians may be swinging public opinion the other way. I think the argument that everyone should have a medical plan as good as Congress is making headway with the public.
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:05 pmThe only thing keeping that ‘option’ alive is Pelosi telling the Blue Dogs to go screw themselves….
I have to say that I have been very impressed with Nancy Pelosi’s performance since Obama’s election. I was disappointed in her refusal to put impeachment on the table with Bush, but I did understand her concern that by doing so, they could have lost the election. But now, her tigress has come out and I am impressed. Now, if we could only get rid of that toad Reid, I would be very happy.
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:06 pmIn fact, according to a report released this summer by Common Cause, Sen. Bunning is #11 among recipients of health care industry contributions between 2000-2008, receiving $2,589,660 during that time.
The figure Faiz uses above is just the tip of the iceberg.
A PDF of the report is available here.
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:08 pmI suppose it’s now many businesses that are looking forward to getting out of the insurance game altogether vs. the insurance companies that need things to stay the same. So, who’s got the juice (or the Congresscritters by the balls)? Business? “Health Care Industry?” Oh, well…at least the people don’t have to worry their pretty little heads about it. This mano y mano fight is between those titans, not the little guy.
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:09 pmMy mistake above- the article refers to Sen. Roberts, not Bunning.
Roberts has received $844,569 from the health care industry between 2000-2008, according to Common Cause (source: Center for Responsive Politics).
Quote from the report:
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Exit Stage Left
In a variation of my response to your previous post on a previous thread:
45,000 die every year.
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:17 pm525,600 minutes per year, which comes out to 1 death every 11.68 minutes. 4,320 minutes in 72 hours = 369.86 deaths in 72 hours.
ccreformer
To your credit, all these Republican congressmen and senators are pretty much the same and thus easily confused….old, white, and clueless…..
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:18 pmIt is time for a new Emancipation Proclamation.
“And by virtue of the power, and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated Congress, and parts of Congress, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons from the dread oppression of corporate lobbying.”
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:20 pmShorter Roberts: The lobbyists need 72 hours to tell their strumpets what to do.
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:22 pmA good start would be demanding the lobbyists had 72 hours to get the hell out of town, forever….Blessings
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:25 pmIts official, congress has now admitted they have sold their souls to Mammon [materialism]
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:27 pmHow did I get this beautiful house?
I sold my constituents to the highest bidder!
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:28 pmDumb question: How many hours did they give the ACLU to read the anti-Patriot act ?????????>
BTW – 2. Exit Stage Left (Snagglepuss ?), I calculate 45,000/year * 3 days / 365 days/year at around 370. Or about 1/8 the number that died in the World Trade Center – New York on 9/11.
Of course, if the bill doesn’t pass and it takes longer, it will only take around 24 days to get up to a number equal to the number who died in the WTC
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:29 pmTo be fair “people that the providers have hired to keep up with all of the legislation” probably is not just the health insurance industry, but the American Hospital Association, Federation of American Hospitals, American Medical Association, American Nursing Association, and the thousand other trade associations, corporations and interest groups that are involved in the medical and health industry. But the main point is well taken. Roberts certainly didn’t ask for 72 hours so that the general public could look at it. Just the providers.
Also, note that they asked for 72 bunning hours (i.e., hours in which Bunning was actually awake). According to my calculations, that would be 3 years, 9 months, 6 days, 5 hours.
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:31 pmRoberts, Bunning, Coburn, Inhofe, Hatch, Enzi, ad nauseum are the REASON the Republic party is down to less than 1 in 5 of us.
They don’t believe this, but they DO believe insurance corporations.
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:31 pmOur Lawyers need time to review this
The Insurance companies need 72 hours to read it
.
.
Remind anyone of a kid trying to keep from going to bed by throwing out ideas at random in the hope that one will stick ?
Waaahhhh,, I want a glass of water.
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:34 pmRoberts had ’secret holds’ on some legislation awhile back…
anyone recall what he was holding up?
September 23rd, 2009 at 2:49 pm#57 Zimzone, Roberts is like a bank robber, he’s holding up the american public. that what they paid him to do…Blessings
September 23rd, 2009 at 3:00 pmWe’ve been sold down the river, folks.
Matt Taibbi sums it up beautifully.
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/29988909/sick_and_wrong/print
September 23rd, 2009 at 3:03 pmBut the thing that I’m trying to point out is we would have at least 72 hours for the people that the providers have hired to keep up with all of the legislation that we pass around here, and the regulations that we pass around here, to say “hey, wait a minute. Have you considered this?”
Sen Roberts,
Why should it matter to them? It’s not like any of the new laws are going to take effect the instant the bill is signed into law. As you correctly noted, the American people are behind this. Isn’t what we want more important than what the health insurance industry wants? Tell us, Senator, who’s in charge in this country? The health insurance corporations or We the People?
September 23rd, 2009 at 3:14 pmWe need to give Health Insurance Lobbyists nothing– NOTHING!
September 23rd, 2009 at 3:36 pmWhere in the fcuk does the U.S. Constitution mention lobbyists or corporations???
Michael Moore is DEAD-on, Captitalism is a flawed system that is at odds with Modern Democracy.
The topic of this thread is uncanny proof of such.
September 23rd, 2009 at 4:26 pm“We the people”pay your salary so please earn it without input from the same people who have spent over $250 million in 2009 to defeat health care reform.
September 24th, 2009 at 12:23 amSurely Roberts knows that even Republicans like me will note that his attempt to let people who are regulated take part in regulating health care rules is in fact, insane. It is one of the “duh” sorts of ideas that tells so much about Robert’s thinking and who actually owns him. I note he did not invite his constituents and others to comment on the pending regulations. Just the guys who are now gouging the system.
September 24th, 2009 at 7:30 pmRoberts, you work for your constituents or the health insurance lobbyists? What’s the matter? You too dumb to read it? The idiot has some nerve.
September 24th, 2009 at 10:53 pmWhy should the lobbyists read it? Roberts, you are going to vote against it anyway. So, why bother the lobbyists.
His father must have masturbated in a flower pot to get a bloomiing idiot like him. ;)
September 24th, 2009 at 10:55 pmThank you for your sharing.!
September 29th, 2009 at 7:02 amRepublicans demand time for insurance Lobbyists to “suggest” their own changes. gögüs estetigi
September 30th, 2009 at 11:45 am