Friends of the U.S. Chamber Discussion Board - Friends of the Chamber Discussions This forum is for discussing ideas, concerns, or questions related the U.S. Chambers commitment to fighting for American workers and small businesses. http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/list.php?2 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:24:16 -0500 Phorum 5.2.11 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,323,323#msg-323 Education Reform http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,323,323#msg-323
The organizations worked collaboratively to produce Leaders and Laggards: A State-by-State Report Card on Educational Innovation. This report grades the 50 states and the District of Columbia on how well they are creating the systems and opportunities necessary for educators and reformers to deliver schooling equal to the 21st century's challenges and demands.

View the report to see how your state ranks on education and for ways we can work together to address the innovation gap and embrace policies that provide children with the education they deserve – and our country depends on.

Add any ideas or observations about education in your state below.]]> egoulding Friends of the Chamber Discussions Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:35:51 -0500 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,322,322#msg-322 We all seem to agree... http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,322,322#msg-322
Here's what we don't seem to know... on a percentage, what is the amount spent in contemptuous lawsuits? This would be the number which cause so many doctors to practice health care in a formidable manner. And, if this percentage were to show as a large portion of our national squandering, perhaps a calling of attention to this number DIRECTLY is needed.

What do we do... to get this number to the general public? Have we again come to a time when people need to take a march on Washington for politicians to be reminded this is a "government by the people, for the people"? I ask not what my county can do for me, rather what I can do for my country.]]> scrantonian Friends of the Chamber Discussions Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:18:06 -0500 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,284,294#msg-294 Re: Obama wins nobel prize http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,284,294#msg-294
Perhaps they hope for peace. Not a bad hope really. :)]]> rfkolbe Friends of the Chamber Discussions Sat, 31 Oct 2009 12:53:24 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,271,290#msg-290 Re: Does Tom Donohue really not think global warming is real? http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,271,290#msg-290 rcpinkerton Friends of the Chamber Discussions Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:03:59 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,284,284#msg-284 Obama wins nobel prize http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,284,284#msg-284 Hard to believe that a U.S. President can win a peace prize while engaged in two wars.
Can some one please inform me as to why Obama has gotten a Nobel Peace Prize when he has yet to do what he has gotten the prize for?]]> thomaswos Friends of the Chamber Discussions Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:27:42 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,271,281#msg-281 Re: Does Tom Donohue really not think global warming is real? http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,271,281#msg-281
When the Chamber asked the EPA to hold a hearing on "endangerment" the goal was not to debate overall climate science, but to force the EPA to demonstrate, as a matter of law, that carbon is dangerous.

I think there's a distinction, especially when Donohue rebuked the above quote by saying that the allegation that we deny the existence of climate change is dead wrong.]]> egoulding Friends of the Chamber Discussions Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:08:47 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,271,280#msg-280 Re: Does Tom Donohue really not think global warming is real? http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,271,280#msg-280
Quote
Tom Donohue
Donohue refused to say if he believes the science behind global warming. “Is the science right? Is science not right? I don’t know,” he said.
What's dead wrong? Did Politico make up the quote? Or is Donohue really not sure?]]> stevenb Friends of the Chamber Discussions Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:45:54 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,271,278#msg-278 Re: Does Tom Donohue really not think global warming is real? http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,271,278#msg-278
However the claim that because we oppose specific climate change legislation (Waxman-Markey), we oppose all efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, or that we deny the existence of any problem is dead wrong.

The Chamber has in its public documents, Hill letters and testimony, as well as dozens of concrete policy recommendations, supported efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere while keeping our economy healthy.

Unfortunately, rather than a productive debate on common sense solutions for climate change and carbon emissions, we are left accused of denying it's existence -- which is simply not the case.

The Chamber continues to work for solutions that support the production and use of renewable and alternative energy, tax incentives and credits, appropriations, and stimulus funding to promote the accelerated development of new technologies.

To read more about the Chamber's efforts, visit [www.uschamber.com].]]> egoulding Friends of the Chamber Discussions Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:03:47 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,271,271#msg-271 Does Tom Donohue really not think global warming is real? http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,271,271#msg-271 stevenb Friends of the Chamber Discussions Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:36:08 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,191,265#msg-265 Re: Is the White House creating a "Nixon like" enemy list? http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,191,265#msg-265 Paul Friends of the Chamber Discussions Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:30:28 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,17,263#msg-263 Re: Legislation http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,17,263#msg-263 Wunderwhy Friends of the Chamber Discussions Thu, 22 Oct 2009 22:01:12 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,262,262#msg-262 Complimentary Alternative Medicine/modality http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,262,262#msg-262 lmtkelly Friends of the Chamber Discussions Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:04:51 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,260#msg-260 Re: LIVE NOW: Welcome to the Online Discussion on Health Care http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,260#msg-260 I do not want an employer between me and my health insurance. Many of us are self-employed and we are purchasing health insurance on own own at higher rates with fewer benefits. We are the ones who want a government health care insurance option, so we can have group health insurance plans.
IF there are illegal aliens in the US, of course they should be sent back. However, I bet they are working somewhere for low wages and living in slumlike conditions.....and as human beings, they deserve health care and food as long as they are here. Sending them back because they are here illegally, is a different focus than providing health care for all citizens. YOu don't decide to let people go with out food, shelter, and health care because illegal aliens might partake of it. America needs to move forward and recognize that greed has taken over the health care system and it needs to be fixed. It is no longer accessible as it was in the old days. IT's not socialism, it's being progressive.]]> curly Friends of the Chamber Discussions Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:14:27 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,226,259#msg-259 Re: Current medical care http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,226,259#msg-259 curly Friends of the Chamber Discussions Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:03:06 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,149,258#msg-258 Re: Health Care System NOT Broke http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,149,258#msg-258 curly Friends of the Chamber Discussions Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:00:23 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,257#msg-257 Re: James Gelfand: Submit Questions for Thursday's Health Care Reform Discussion http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,257#msg-257 curly Friends of the Chamber Discussions Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:54:13 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,252#msg-252 Re: Archive: Online Discussion on Health Care http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,252#msg-252 macosx45 Friends of the Chamber Discussions Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:54:34 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,251#msg-251 Re: LIVE NOW: Welcome to the Online Discussion on Health Care http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,251#msg-251 2. Why can't there be a separate bill that addresses making insurance portable across state lines, and over job changes?
3. In my prior experience with a large corporation, young, healthy (invinicble) employees often chose to take extra dollars in their take-home pay in lieu of even the most basic health insurance offerings. Should employers require employees to elect from available plans, or provide proof of other health coverage, instead of compensating the employees for not electing coverage?
4. What can the general public do to help ensure that meaningful tort reform is included in whatever measure passes?
5. Should we not be putting more emphasis on controlling the illegal immigration problem, rather than providing them health benefits that will only encourage more illegals to try to come here and further exacerbate the situation?
6. Some areas of the country already have pronounced shortages of doctors and other clinical providers. Adding x-million more covered people is likely to increase the existing shortages and cause shortages where they do not currently exist. Would it not be wise to provide incentives for training for more doctors, mid-level practitioners and nurses, spreading the implementation of the health care program over a longer period so that these individuals have time to be trained and ready to support the bulging enrollment that is part of the current proposals?
7. There may also need to be incentives for college and university teaching professionals so that there are adequate staff members to teach the increase in health care workers needed to implement the program. Why not start at the bottom and design the system from the ground up rather than throw the system open and create bottlenecks? There are not enough schools and programs presently existing to train the professionals that we will need.
8. Medicare is notorious for supposed fraud and mis-use. If there is fraud, and misuse with millons and millions of dollars that can be pulled out of the program, why do we need another bill to correct this problem? Just do it!
9. I am on Medicare with a retiree supplemental that is partially paid by my former employer. I realize that I am very fortunate to have the coverage that is available to me, but the periods during my lifetime when I had no insurance and could not have afforded to purchase it if I could have found an insurer, enable me to have empathy for the currently uninsured. I like my doctor and the freedom of choice that the current plan allows, even though I don't really care for the 8+% increase that will kick in next January. However if doctors continue to get the amount that they are reimbursed from Medicare cut so drastically year over year, will they eventually have to say "Sorry, I can't afford to treat Medicare patients."?
10. Regarding insurance companies, could there not be a system such as exists in some states for automobile liability, whereby the insurance companies have to take assigned risk cases that might include those with pre-existing conditions, known diseases, etc. Understandably the premiums would have to be somewhat higher, but those rates could be capped.

I have many questions and have not even addressed some of the scarier concepts in the HR3200 bill. As all of the proposed Senate and House bills stand, I am asking my elected officials in Washington to vote a resounding "NO!" especially if the final bill contains either a public or a co-op (back door) option.]]> bwright520 Friends of the Chamber Discussions Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:45:31 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,249#msg-249 Re: Archive: Online Discussion on Health Care http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,249#msg-249
1) I have not heard alot of discussion about Big Pharma and it's strong hold on the American public. Is there anything in these bills that covers reduction in the ridiculous increases that pharma is imposing on prescriptions every single year? I've seen one prescription of mine double in a year and it is a drug that has been on the market for years.

2) Could you expand on why 4.7 million will be losing jobs]]> rbesanceney Friends of the Chamber Discussions Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:17:31 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,248#msg-248 Re: James Gelfand: Submit Questions for Thursday's Health Care Reform Discussion http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,248#msg-248
are you serious?]]> arg Friends of the Chamber Discussions Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:17:10 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,247#msg-247 Re: Archive: Online Discussion on Health Care http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,247#msg-247 www.ResponsibleHealthReform.com, read the www.Chamberpost.com, check out the National Journal's healthcare experts blog (http://healthcare.nationaljournal.com), the Politico's health care arena (http://www.politico.com/arena/healthcare/), and follow JamesGelfand on twitter!]]> James Gelfand Friends of the Chamber Discussions Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:16:30 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,246,246#msg-246 Medicare Advantage http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,246,246#msg-246 Robert J Lamb]]> Buck Friends of the Chamber Discussions Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:06:45 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,245#msg-245 Re: LIVE NOW: Welcome to the Online Discussion on Health Care http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,245#msg-245
I think the bill needs to be broken down into manageable parts - each tested first before implementation. Then on to the next - much the way a computer programmer would operate.

I'm concerned that our President did covertly lie to the Congress about insuring undocumented persons. The day after the big "you lie" episode, the President said 'we need to do something to get these people legalized so they can get healthcare'. Joe Wilson was more correct than not.

The Federal Government has 100% failure rate in managing social programs (Medicare, Social Securigy, etc.), and these elablorate proposals out of Congress do nothing to help those whom they say they are fighting for, the uninsured. Why not try a concensus building approach rather than we-have-more-electorate-than-you-do-so-we-win. None of us likes arrogance.

SOME SIMPLE SOLUTIONS:
*DON"T RUSH this measure through Congress but instead issue temporary vouchers for those without insurance OR add them temporarily to Medicare until this can be worked out
*Work on the drug companies to supply drugs to this country at the same cost as to Canada - and maybe stop those stupid commercials to lower the prices
*Incentive programs for self-welfare - starting at kindergarten levels
*Incentive programs to restaurants to increase the healthful cooking measures
*Work with the Governors and State Regulartory agencies and insurance companies to develop across stateline cooperation
*Allow co-ops for the small businesses which are hurting from healthcare and will hurt from the proposals - since small businesses employ more people than large companies or unions.
*Work on the tort laws to limit payouts for injuries, except in extreme negligible situations
*Stop funding for legislators from those who gain from healthcare legislation - it is a conflict of interest
*More scholarships for doctors to reduce their out-of-college expenses which feed into their charges to patients

I prefer to offer incentives for change rather than legislation - the latter is demeaning and costly to support.]]> weatherc1 Friends of the Chamber Discussions Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:00:24 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,244#msg-244 Re: LIVE NOW: Welcome to the Online Discussion on Health Care http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,244#msg-244 Illegals Made Legal?: I don't know if such a bill exists or not. To be sure there are thousands of bills introduced every Congress, and some of them are usually extremely wacky - think Congressman Kucinich trying to outlaw "mind control devices in space" or create an "office of space alien communications". If a bill like you described actually exists, don't worry - no way would such legislation ever come up for a vote. Be more worried about bills that actually have legs - like the current health care proposals, like cap-and-tax, like an entire new regulatory agency... these are bills that will make a real difference in your life, and not for the better.]]> James Gelfand Friends of the Chamber Discussions Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:59:06 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,243#msg-243 Re: LIVE NOW: Welcome to the Online Discussion on Health Care http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,243#msg-243 www.youtube.com] (Humor)]]> James Gelfand Friends of the Chamber Discussions Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:56:23 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,242#msg-242 Re: LIVE NOW: Welcome to the Online Discussion on Health Care http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,242#msg-242 smrosson14 Friends of the Chamber Discussions Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:55:24 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,241#msg-241 Re: LIVE NOW: Welcome to the Online Discussion on Health Care http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,241#msg-241 JRELKHUNT Friends of the Chamber Discussions Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:52:58 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,240#msg-240 Re: LIVE NOW: Welcome to the Online Discussion on Health Care http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,240#msg-240 Common Sense Reform: FredMartin laid it out well. I will post again the Chamber's 3-point plan: [www.uschamber.com] - let's try simple stuff before we spend a trillion dollars and create permanent new entitlements that will lead to big tax increases later.]]> James Gelfand Friends of the Chamber Discussions Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:52:49 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,239#msg-239 Re: LIVE NOW: Welcome to the Online Discussion on Health Care http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,239#msg-239 Can We Avoid Government-Run Health Care?: Maybe. Only if we make changes to the system that create real transparency and accountability. As long as people think health care is almost free (employer pays 80% of premium, employee pays $5 for a $200 prescription) and are completely disconnected with costs, we will continue our march towards socialized medicine. If any of the current proposals become law, it will be impossible to scale them back or repeal them, and we will be several steps closer to a government-run single payer system like they have in Canada and the UK.]]> James Gelfand Friends of the Chamber Discussions Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:47:57 -0400 http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,238#msg-238 Re: LIVE NOW: Welcome to the Online Discussion on Health Care http://www.friendsoftheuschamber.com/forum/read.php?2,163,238#msg-238 Why wreck the overall system when fixing 3 things is all that are needed.,
Purchase across state lines
Control Tort issues, as in Minn or Wisc.
Cannot be denied
Maintain coverage for college childrem and family

How can the President sign any Bill that sets up a Department and it not impact the deficit? Do those in Wshington think we are all stupid?]]> FredMartin Friends of the Chamber Discussions Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:47:47 -0400