RJC opposes ‘Obamacare’

The Republican Jewish Coalition is the first Jewish organization to oppose Democratic-sponsored health-care reform legislation. The group sent out an action alert to its activists late Thursday urging them to weigh in with their members of Congress and providing a sample letter to help out.

The RJC argues that whatever legislation comes out of Congress, it will raise taxes and spending and eventually lead to move government involvement in health care. Here’s an excerpt of their alert:

The House and Senate bills are likely to include:

*mandates that every American purchase an approved health-insurance policy

*new taxes on employers if they do not provide government-approved coverage for employees

*establishment of a new Health Choices Administration within the federal government to regulate private insurers (currently regulated by state governments)

*imposition of new requirements for policies and mandatory benefits provided by private insurers

Based on the track record of government-run plans in other countries as well as in states like Massachusetts, we know that the consequences of Obamacare will include massive taxes, massive new spending and massive new debt, and more people losing jobs and/or coverage.

The ultimate destination: a government takeover of health-care, losing any choice at all with respect to your doctor and plan and, inevitably, government health-care rationing.

Here’s the full release [[READMORE]]:

TO:         RJC Members
FROM:     RJC Legislative Affairs Committee
SUBJECT: Time to Weigh in Against Obamacare
 
 
 Members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are enjoying their August recess.

August is traditionally the month when Congress closes up shop and the members of the House and Senate have time to hear from their constituents. 

It now appears likely that all 535 Members of Congress will be voting on massive health-care legislation when they return after Labor Day. 

That means impressions formed this month will be critical in determining whether the Obama plan is imposed in its entirety or cut down to size in the legislative process.

Even though more Americans oppose Obamacare than support it, the Republican Jewish Coalition is the only Jewish organization opposing Obamacare.  During this critical month, many Jewish groups have unfortunately lined up behind Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the most extreme versions of health-care reform. 

We are asking our members to use this month to weigh in to make it clear that many in the Jewish community reject the Obama prescription for putting the federal government in total control of nearly a fifth of our economy.Many Bills, One Big Idea: Obamacare

Democrat leaders in both chambers have vowed to pass measures that align with President Obama’s plan to put private health care on the "glide path" to extinction. 

The House and Senate bills are likely to include:

*mandates that every American purchase an approved health-insurance policy

*new taxes on employers if they do not provide government-approved coverage for employees

*establishment of a new Health Choices Administration within the federal government to regulate private insurers (currently regulated by state governments)

*imposition of new requirements for policies and mandatory benefits provided by private insurers

Based on the track record of government-run plans in other countries as well as in states like Massachusetts, we know that the consequences of Obamacare will include massive taxes, massive new spending and massive new debt, and more people losing jobs and/or coverage.

The ultimate destination: a government takeover of health-care, losing any choice at all with respect to your doctor and plan and, inevitably, government health-care rationing.

Take Action: Contact your Congressional Representatives

Please use the following sample letters to tell the individuals who represent you in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives that you reject President Obama’s plans.  You are obviously free to tailor and amend these texts as you deem necessary.

Information about how to contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives can be found at http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm (you will be directed to  list of Senators that includes mailing addresses, telephone numbers and email links) and https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml (you will be directed to a site where you can identify who your Representative is and send him or her an email) — or by calling 202-224-3121.

Sample letter for U.S. SenatorsDear Senator:

As you deliberate on health-reform legislation, I know that you have heard from countless individuals and organizations, including many purporting to speak for Jewish Americans. 

Please know that our community is diverse and that there are many Jewish Americans – including but not limited to retirees, health professionals and taxpayers – who are deeply concerned about the direction of leadership-backed legislation.

When the Senate considers health-care legislation, I hope that you will

Oppose HR 3200 and any similar bill

The bills passed by three House Committees will imperil our prosperity with crippling tax increases, onerous mandates, and unsustainable spending.Oppose any plan that would create a government-run health plan to compete in the private market

We need a bill that addresses real problems in health-care coverage without taking us down the road to a government takeover.

No Fannie/Freddie-style health plans

One idea that the Finance Committee may use instead of a "public option" directly administered by the government would be to establish a new system of government-sponsored cooperatives that would compete against existing insurers.

Critics note that this plan bears a disconcerting resemblance to the set-up that led to the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac debacle: taxpayers bear the risks assumed by the new "cooperative" but that entity would benefit from any profits.  Why would we want to repeat that mistake?

Support Full and Fair Debate

Senators must have a reasonable interval of time to review any legislation they will need to vote on.

I also oppose using special procedures designed to facilitate deficit reduction to establish new spending programs.

Health-care reform requires tort reform

We will never be able to control health-care cost inflation if nothing is done to curb the lawsuits that raise doctors’ cost of doing their jobs.

Please let me know where you stand on these critical issues.  My full mailing address follows:Sample Letter for U.S. House membersDear Congressman:

As you deliberate on health-reform legislation, I know that you have heard from countless individuals and organizations, including many purporting to speak for Jewish Americans. 

Please know that our community is diverse and that there are many Jewish Americans – including but not limited to retirees, health professionals and taxpayers – who are deeply concerned about the direction of leadership-backed legislation.

When the House of Representatives considers health-care legislation, I hope that you will

Oppose HR 3200 and any similar bills

The bills passed by three House Committees will imperil our prosperity with crippling tax increases, onerous mandates, and unsustainable spending.

Oppose any plan that would create a government-run health plan to compete in the private market
We need a bill that addresses real problems in health-care coverage without taking us down the road to a government takeover.

Oppose Health-Care "Co-Op" plans built on FannieMae/FreddieMac Principles

‘The idea of establishing a new system of government-sponsored cooperatives that would compete against existing insurers is also unacceptable.

Such a plan is too much like the scheme that led to the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac debacle: Taxpayers bear the risks assumed by the new "cooperative" but shareholders of that private entity would pocket any benefits.

Support Full and Fair Debate

Given the size and scope of this legislation, Congressmen from both parties must be given the opportunity to offer alternatives and amendments. 

Members should at the very least have a reasonable interval of time to review any legislation they will need to vote on.

Health-care reform requires tort reform

We will never be able to control health-care cost inflation if nothing is done to curb the lawsuits that raise doctors’ cost of doing their jobs.

Please let me know where you stand on these critical issues.  My full mailing address follows:

Thanks for weighing in on the most critical domestic issue Congress is likely to consider this year.