Americans are up in arms, decrying wasteful spending in the so-called stimulus bill. They should be. But one of the bill’s worst provisions has gone almost unnoticed, dangerously lurking below the radar of those exposing the bill’s flaws.
“Comparative Effectiveness Research,” sounds innocuous, but big-government programs always do. The $1.1 billion of the stimulus package earmarked for this project is a significant step toward government-run healthcare. Comparative effectiveness research is a tool for bureaucrats to decide which medical treatments Americans should or should not have access to.
In countries with government-run healthcare systems, comparative effectiveness is often used as an excuse to deny patients life-saving medical care on the grounds of cost-effectiveness. The healthcare board of the United Kingdom has repeatedly denied breakthrough drugs to citizens suffering with breast cancer, Alzheimer’s, and even multiple sclerosis on the grounds of comparative effectiveness. The British government has stripped citizens of the freedom to choose their own healthcare. Congressman David Obey, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, has already admitted as much. Just read his own words from the committee report on the stimulus, talking about this provision: “Those items, procedures, and interventions… that are found to be less effective and in some cases, more expensive, will no longer be prescribed.” We must not allow it.
Comparative effectiveness “research” presents a danger to freedom of healthcare choice in America. And if the potential consequences of the study alone don’t scare you, recall President Obama’s failed nominee to oversee the Department of Health and Social Services. In his own book, Critical, Daschle talks about his desire to create a federal planning board to make Americans’ healthcare decisions. While Americans may have dodged a bullet with Daschle, the fight against government-run healthcare is only beginning.
And it's only a matter of time...
Snake45 Tuesday, February 10th at 7:31PM EST (link)…until you won’t be able to get healthcare unless you’re a member of the “right” party, or have contributed to the incumbent’s re-election campaign….
Be afraid. Be VERY afraid.
Are we no longer a Democracy?
penguin2 Tuesday, February 10th at 8:17PM EST (link)Thank you for your posting. Each passing day has brought out the ugly facts of what this spending bill hides. The people do not like this bill, but the Democratic majority are not listening. All I can say Rep. Shadegg is join with your colleagues, stand on the capitol steps and speak out.
These horrendous provisions in this disguised bill are an abuse of power. Let no opportunity pass that will allow the truth to be told to the American people. We give you our support.
Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God.
Benjamin Franklin
Representative Shadegg, thank you for posting.
Kenny Solomon Tuesday, February 10th at 8:31PM EST (link)We’re not the ones needing any convincing.
I implore you to have your staff get you on as many mass media outlets as possible in the next few days and state the case that many individual items in the overall Bill, will bankrupt our nation economically and socially in a very short time and that taken as a single all-encompassing package, will literally destroy our nation from within.
You’ll need to offer up examples of how this destructive force will be unleashed and don’t be shy in doing so.
The time is now to fight and be unrelenting in purpose.
Those who ridicule you, please ask them one question: “Have you read and understood the entire package and what are your opinions on ….” …..pick a topic or two that will make them pale.
Representative Shadegg, thank you for being there.
Cheers !
Islamic Extremists are NOT dangerous - They are peaceful, caring and loving, which is in direct violation of the Quran.
The problem is with the pious Muslims - Those who believe and act as the Quran requires.
A solution to keep Social Security solvent?
Hammer2008 Tuesday, February 10th at 11:19PM EST (link)It certainly is another roundabout way (coupled with liberal and socialists support for legalized euthanasia) to save billions down the road… whittling down the baby boomer generation one (less) drip at a time.
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Too much noise! “Noise! You’ll have noise enough before long. The Regulars are coming out.” ~ Paul Revere (April 18th, 1775’s eve…)
This provision is the reason for all of the rush.
Lammo Tuesday, February 10th at 11:20PM EST (link)They couldn’t get it done even behind semi-closed doors under the Clinton Administration. They know that they could never get it done (at least not and keep their jobs) if there is full, free, fair and open debate. The only way they can start to nationalize health care is through a bill like this that:
1) completely hides it in the weeds,
2) lies about the real goal, and
3) is so loaded up with pork and earmarks (despite protestations of the FJSFTSOI* to the contrary) that we are all screaming so loud that they hope we won’t notice it.
If this remains in the final bill I will do everything I can to see to the defeat of Sens. Collins, Snowe and Specter. Based on primary results I might even have to move.
* FJSFTSOI = Former Junior Senator From The State Of Illinois, aka The One, PBHO, Commander In Thief or whatever else you choose to call the male individual over 35 years of age currently residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Wash., D.C., USA.
ACORN: Association of Criminals Obama Represented in the Nineties. (jupitersuite)
Don’t be so open minded that your brains fall out. (Fr. John Corapi, SOLT)
Crime never takes a holiday. (Dennis J. O’Shea, R.I.P.)
Unlawful is against the law. Illegal is a sick bird. (Ooold joke)
Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read. (Groucho Marx)
P. S. - - Thank you Rep. Shadegg.
Lammo Tuesday, February 10th at 11:22PM EST (link)n/t
ACORN: Association of Criminals Obama Represented in the Nineties. (jupitersuite)
Don’t be so open minded that your brains fall out. (Fr. John Corapi, SOLT)
Crime never takes a holiday. (Dennis J. O’Shea, R.I.P.)
Unlawful is against the law. Illegal is a sick bird. (Ooold joke)
Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read. (Groucho Marx)
It's true
JHancock Tuesday, February 10th at 11:24PM EST (link)In GB few people get angioplasty for MI, instead they get the old 1980’s stand in…Thrombolysis. “Cost effectiveness” dictated this as the preferred treatment, never mind the fact it carries a higher risk of mortality and also never mind the fact that angioplasty can open up narrowed vessels as well as take care of the heart attack clot, resulting in better quality of life after the hospitilization. QUALITY OF LIFE means very little to the government, unless of course the quality of life is functional enough to work and thus pay taxes.