October 28, 2009 5:27 PM

Moderate Senators Oppose Long Term Health Care Proposal

By
Stephanie Condon
Topics
Health Care
(AP)
A group of moderate Democrats sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid today, asking him to leave out of his health care bill a measure that would create a nationwide insurance program for the disabled, Politico reports.

Senators Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) wrote in the letter that they are concerned the CLASS Act would increase deficits.

The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act would create a new government fund to insure people in the event they become disabled. The new, nationwide insurance program would be financed through payroll deductions with opt-out enrollment.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the CLASS Act would actually reduce the deficit by $73 billion over 10 years, but the senators point out in their letter that the program would not begin paying out benefits until 2016. Furthermore, they said, it would increase the deficit after the first decade.

"We have grave concerns that the real effect of the provisions would be to create a new federal entitlement program with large, long term spending increases that far exceed revenues," the wrote.

The CLASS Act was sponsored by the late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) and has strong support in the House.


Add a Comment
by stn_sage October 29, 2009 12:24 AM EDT
I like the fact that these "moderate" Democrats and various U.S. Congressional politicians are coming out and voicing their disdain for and refusal to act on a health care bill for the public!

Yes! Because it's like turning a light on in the basement and 'watching all the cockroaches scurry across the floor'! They're exposing their TRUE
feelings! That, they don't give a 'tinker's d*a*m*n' about the public!

And, that's OK! Because, hopefully, come NOV 2010, some of them, both Dem and Rep incumbents, will get THEIR 'pink slips' from the public for the lousy jobs they DON'T do!
Reply to this comment
by fedup12 October 28, 2009 8:10 PM EDT
you know I can hear the behind door talk in Liebernutz's office....

OK Obama if you dont protect and go to war for Zion I refuse to pass your health care bill.

A little *** for tat.

As soon as Obama commits to new troops in Afghanistan all will be right with the world. If Obama bombs the Iranians then ol Joe will be his forever.
Reply to this comment
by stn_sage October 28, 2009 10:00 PM EDT
Great comment! You may be talking about something that's ALREADY taken place! Wouldn't that be interesting to know?

If there's anyone to be suspected as a 'security leak', the senator from Connecticut would be at the top of my list!
by ToolMangler1 October 28, 2009 7:24 PM EDT
"A group of moderate Democrats sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid today, asking him to leave out of his health care bill a measure that would create a nationwide insurance program for the disabled,"
"Senators Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) wrote in the letter that they are concerned the CLASS Act would increase deficits."



I have a solution to these Senators problem, Just enlist the disabled in the Armed Services and they will be "kept alive" Just like the Soldiers are and at half the cost. (No disability payments)
Reply to this comment
by stuart-johns2 October 28, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
I think all these Democratic legislators who sent this letter should be sent to the front lines.
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