Burr and Dole support better health coverage
The May 27 Counterpoint column by Viola Monroe is unfortunately typical of the misinformation being spread by opponents of S. 1955, the Small Business Health Plan (SBHP) federal legislation.
More than 43 million Americans have no health insurance. One reason is that many of these people lack access to more affordable group health plans. The SBHP concept simply allows non-profit trade associations to offer the same type of group health coverage enjoyed by persons who work for large corporations or government.
Critics claim that SBHPs will offer scaled-down benefit packages. In fact, SBHPs will be subject to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which makes it illegal to deny coverage to any eligible participant based on his health status. SBHPs will not be allowed to "cherry-pick," because sick or high-risk individuals could not be denied coverage. In addition, SBHPs will not be permitted to charge higher rates for individuals with pre-existing conditions, except to the extent already allowed under state law.
S. 1955 already has the support of 55 U.S. senators, including Richard Burr and Elizabeth Dole. Opponents have so far used election-year partisan politics, scare tactics and Senate filibuster rules to block a final vote.
Tim Kent
Greensboro
Comments (6)
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If you liked "W"s Medicare plan, you are going to love the SBHP! It is a joke.
Posted on June 4, 2006 10:25 AM
Mr. Kent,
You have not done your homework. Dole especially, cares little about anything other than prestige and power. She has not done ONE thing that reflects her quote, "North Carolina Values". She is as worthless as teats on a man.
I will Burr credit, as he proposed striking the law against low water use toilets. His point was that you end up flushing twice, so what good is it!
If the bill is supported by both Dole and Burr, you can bet it is a something Bill "I'll diagnose you via video" Frist told them to support. They have no clout, no brains and no guts. Not since Willis Smith, has North Carolina put up such sorry excuses for Senators. Oops, I take that back. JOHN EAST! Known to most as "Helms on Wheels", East was nothing more than a severely depressed parrot and pawn of Congressional Club politics. He never broke with Helms on ANYTHING and was rewarded by a huge out of state bankroll.
Do some homework, and you will find that Dole and Burr are nothing but field hands for Frist.
Posted on June 4, 2006 10:47 AM
"Not since Willis Smith, has North Carolina put up such sorry excuses for Senators."
You forgot John "The Breck Girl" Edwards.
At least Burr & Dole aren't using their Senate seats merely as a gateway to seek the presidency.
Gotta give Edwards credit for one thing however. He had the balls to forsake his Senate seat to seek the presidency & then vice presidency. His running mate, unfortunately, did not.
Posted on June 4, 2006 12:53 PM
Dan said: John "The Breck Girl" Edwards.
Fell out of my chair laughing after that one. I guess I should say that as FOOMCLATO or something.
I think I saw Edwards on Fox 8 last night. He changed his name to Jeff Varner, though.
Posted on June 5, 2006 1:22 PM
Dan,
Once again, you show your ignorance of the subject. Willis Smith ran against Frank Porter Graham, the President of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Smith made a famous statement whereby he said that "UNC stands for the University of Ni_gers and Communists". He beat Dr. Graham by appealing to the worst instincts of our citizenry. Jesse Helms did it thirty some years later with his "white hands" commercial with the voice overdub saying, "I lost my job because they had to hire a minority".
Now, that you have had a history primer, what exactly did Edwards say that resembles Willis Smith? Or the Jesse Helms?
By the way, Helms later used, in an editorial, the same phrase that Smith did, but he said, "Negras, and Communists"! Oh, and let me add, Jesse Helms never apologized for his racism. To some that makes him a hero. To many of us, that makes him a scourge of society. Do you just go around patting yourself on the back because you own a plane and an SUV, or do you have any substance to offer?
Posted on June 5, 2006 8:23 PM
Dan, how does it feel to be on the receiving end of liberal envy?
Posted on June 5, 2006 10:20 PM