HHS report: Obamacare will raise costs

Health and Human Services has released a report concluding that Obamacare will raise the cost of healthcare by at least 1% over 10 years. The increased costs could be higher since the Medicare cuts may be "unrealistic and unsustainable". This negates the major reason for Obamacare in the first place: bending the cost curve down.

The American Spectator is reporting that the report was available a week before the crucial Sunday Healthcare vote but held back until now. Although Politico interviewed the Chief Medicare Actuary, Richard Foster who called the development "completely inaccurate", his reasons highlight why the Democrats were in such a rush to pass Obamcare:

"We began working on the reconciliation bill for the health reform legislation once it was publicly issued on March 18 – three days before the House vote took place on March 21. Because of the details and complexity of the legislation, it wasn’t possible to estimate the package before the Senate vote. We began work on the estimates right away, but we didn’t finalize them until the afternoon of April 22. We finished our memorandum on the health reform act later that same day and immediately sent it to those individuals and organizations that had requested it, including Congressional staff, HHS staff, and media representatives."

That is why the Democrats kept the final language a secret until 3 DAYS before the vote! That is what Nancy Pelosi meant when she said "we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it!" The ignorant Democrats now will act surprised that instead of lowering costs, it increases them! Who knew!?

Washington will spend $31,406 per household this year while collecting $18,276.

We typically hear about Washington DC overspending, but the following article really got my attention:

"Washington will spend $31,406 per household in 2010 — the highest level in American history (adjusted for inflation). It will collect $18,276 per household in taxes. The remaining $13,130 represents this year's staggering budget deficit per household, which, along with all prior government debt, will be dumped in the laps of our children."

The powers that be are acting as if nothing is wrong while spending 31k, collecting 18k, and borrowing the rest. Will the average American still be sleeping while Obama slams their household with another $13,130 of debt in 2010? I guess we'll know come November. . .

Link to full article in St. Petersburg Times

5 more states join lawsuit against healthcare law

Attorney Generals from Arizona, Indiana, Mississippi, Nevada, and North Dakota join 13 other states challenging the recently signed healthcare law. This brings the total to 19 states: 18 states filing with Florida, plus Virginia filing separately in Virginia.

Related articles:
5 more states join lawsuit against healthcare law (Businessweek)
Florida says challenge to healthcare reform widens (Reuters)

Idaho passes Health Freedom Act

Idaho Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter signed into law the Idaho Health Care Freedom Act on March 17, 2010, which bars any government from compelling individuals to buy health insurance or face a fine.

Idaho Healthcare Freedom Act PDF

Important Bill Text:
"The power to require or regulate a person’s choice in the mode of securing health care services, or to impose a penalty related thereto, is not found in the Constitution of the United States of America, and is therefore a power reserved to the people pursuant to the Ninth Amendment, and to the several states pursuant to the Tenth Amendment. The state of Idaho hereby exercises its sovereign power to declare the public policy of the state of Idaho regarding the right of all persons residing in the state of Idaho in choosing the mode of securing health care services."

Virginia AG sues Feds over Obamacare

Virginia AG Ken Cuccinelli filed a lawsuit against the individual mandate in Obamacare on March 24, 2010. This is separate from the other 14 states since Obamacare violates a recently passed Virginia Healthcare Freedom Act. Indiana joined the multi-state lawsuit led by Flordia yesterday, April 5.

Virginia Healthcare Lawsuit PDF

Update: July 2, 2010 Judge Henry Hudson heard oral arguments from the Federal Government and Virginia and will decide if the case can proceed in 30 days. The Federal Government contends that not buying health insurance affects the insurance market (commerce) and as such, is covered by the commerce clause. This would represent a dramatic expansion in Federal power, and could allow the Federal government to compel citizens into any activity. Virginia Solicitor General argued "the [Federal] government can’t draft an unwilling citizen into commerce just so it can regulate him under the Commerce Clause".

Related Articles:
Blast Off! Health-Care Challenge Gets Airing in Virginia
Virginia, Federal Government square off over healthcare

Virginia healthcare reform case commences, awaiting standing decision

Virginia Passes Healthcare Freedom Act

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell signed into law the Virginia Health Care Freedom Act on March 24, 2010, which bars any government from compelling individuals to buy health insurance or face a fine. Virginia Healthcare Freedom Act PDF Text below:

No law shall restrict a person's natural right and power of contract to secure the blessings of liberty to choose private health care systems or private plans. No law shall interfere with the right of a person or entity to pay for lawful medical services to preserve life or health, nor shall any law impose a penalty, tax, fee, or fine, of any type, to decline or to contract for health care coverage or to participate in any particular health care system or plan, except as required by a court where an individual or entity is a named party in a judicial dispute. Nothing herein shall be construed to expand, limit or otherwise modify any determination of law regarding what constitutes lawful medical services within the Commonwealth.

18 states join in lawsuit challenging Obamacare

Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum and Attorneys General from 17 other states sued the Federal Government on March 23, 2010 over Obamacare and the individual mandate. The states suing over the unconstitutional parts of Obamacare include Arizona, Florida, South Carolina, Mississippi, Nevada, Nebraska, North Dakota, Texas, Michigan, Utah, Pennsylvania, Alabama, South Dakota, Idaho, Washington, Colorado, Louisiana, and Indiana. The case is State of Florida v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 10-cv-00091, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida (Pensacola) before U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson.

Update 4-5-2010 Indiana joins the legal challenge, brining the total to 14.

Update 4-7-2010 Arizona, Mississippi, Nevada, and North Dakota join the legal challenge, bringing the total to 18. This does not include Virginia, which filed separately in Virginia.

Healthcare Reform Lawsuit PDF
Healthcare Reform Lawsuit Text