Congressman Sam Graves claims to be working on his legislative reading. But where it concerns the 1,990-page health care reform bill, the lawmaker remains confident of his math.
The nation can't afford it, he says.
"You can't add a trillion dollars to the budget and not increase the deficit," Mr. Graves said Tuesday. "I don't think Speaker (Nancy) Pelosi is fooling anybody by trying to convince them that it's not going to."
His arithmetic skills fail, however, when it comes to this week's Washington exercise in vote counting as the U.S. House prepares to vote on the measure deemed the centerpiece of President Obama's domestic agenda. The Northwest Missouri Republican regards it a mystery how the week will play out.
Democrats hold a 256 to 177 majority in the House, but centrists in that party have been slow warming to the legislation some consider exorbitantly priced and a move toward governmentally managed medicine.
Congress-focused newspapers such as The Hill have compiled whip counts of 49 Democrats "leaning yes," "leaning no" and "undecided." From the extended region, Reps. Ike Skelton of Missouri and Dennis Moore of Kansas are included on the latter list.
Mr. Graves, long an opponent of the bill, said passage may yet come, but not without some travails for Ms. Pelosi.
"She's said she has the votes," he said, "but she hasn't run the bill yet."
During a call from Washington, Mr. Graves said he believes small businesses will suffer under tax provisions, mandates and penalties built into the legislation. Owners of such firms can exceed income minimums, thus kicking in an added tax, because of the way they file their returns.
"This is supposedly just getting after the rich," he said. "There are a lot of businesses out there, farmers included, that file their income tax as an individual, and they go above that threshold."
The lawmaker said he prefers a reform measure that makes it easier for small businesses to provide their employees with health insurance. He noted the House passed a measure for association health plans in a previous session, but the Senate never addressed the matter.
While continuing to study the most recent health care bill, Mr. Graves said it varies little, except for the length, from the one floated to constituents in the summer.
The vote in the House may come Friday. The Senate has its own health care bill to consider.
Ken Newton can be reached at kenn@npgco.com.
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Trixie says...
That Sam, he's like "Mikey" in the Life cereal ads, he hates everything.
November 4, 2009 at 6:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lunaticfringe says...
The underinsured and the uninsured can't afford Sam Graves.
November 4, 2009 at 6:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
10377586 says...
But we can afford a War? How about he donates a year of his benefit package to help someone denied for a preexisting condition get a little health care? Has the republican party really become that heartless?
November 4, 2009 at 6:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
There needs to be some type of health care reform in this country and it needs to happen now.Seen the bankrupucy list resently most of them are caused from people getting sick and not being able to pay these high medical bills.
They are paying a pretty high percentage of peoples COBRA that have lost their jobs and this is a hugh cost so why not pass something both sides can agree on that will help all americans from all walks of life.
Get it done by working together and quite acting like school children.
November 4, 2009 at 6:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
trish says...
Sam Graves is right, our country cannot afford the trillion of dollars in deficit that we have now. I would like to see more competition between insurance companies. The rich run this country. Without the rich you would have no jobs, welfare, etc. Let them go ahead with this obamacare and we will see where American Companies go then? We will see the most massive layoffs you have ever seen. Just wait until you cannot get your treatment for cancer or grandma cannot get that hip replaced. The government says no because you are either too sick or old. I will not let government tell me or my family that we cannot have a treatment or let them play God with my life! You think the economy is bad now, just wait and see what happens next!
November 4, 2009 at 6:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lamplighter says...
I can see the handwriting on the wall..Sam Graves's opposition to a national health care reform bill and getting re-elected to Congress is Jeff Roe's new project..he'll be back much sooner than in five years..
November 4, 2009 at 7:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yougottabekiddingme says...
Sam is right. It is time for our nation to start being more fiscally responsible. It is time to STOP mortgaging our children's futures.
There are other ways to bring down cost to make coverage more affordable for everyone. We have the best health care system in the world. Health insurance is not a right - it is a privelege.
Sam will have my vote in 2010. He voted against TARP, against the bailouts, against the stimulus. We need more like him. More who understand that our government can not keep spending money we don't have.
November 4, 2009 at 8:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
Personally, I don't have a problem with the health care proposals, but the problem is, there would be MANY covered, but few paying. If EVERYONE has to pay their fair share for the universal health care, it would be less of a burden on the few.
What the Dumbocrats are proposing is nothing short of socialism....and I don't believe that's in the best interest of our country. There are lots of other, better, ways to rein in the skyrocketing cost of health care. Making the few pay for all is NOT the right way.
Mr. Graves has my full support....
November 4, 2009 at 8:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
azmaggie says...
This is just another goverment take over! If it were truley health care reform it would include ALL Americans even the members of congress! They really don't care about the people they just care about the power.
November 4, 2009 at 8:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
xfiremanfarmer says...
To Trish, right now some clerk working for an insurance company decides if you can have insurance, if you can have a certain treatment that's is acceptable for payment, and If you have a pre-existing condition kiss that off on an individual policy. Dare not have any genteic defects for your new borns. Or develope some chronic illness.
Farmers, small business owners, and their employees have paid the most and All of us have paid for uninsured in the emergency rooms. Most employers have given up raises to pay for your insurance premiums. By the way Trish I almost lost my son last year due to acute Asthma , just where does he get insurance ? Those small companies can't afford to hire people with major health conditions they run up their rates.
Small businesses are creating what few jobs that are being developed in this economy.
As to my fellow Republicans, I'm conservative. I saw our man Bush sit on his hands when the Big 3 automakers told him on 1/2/08 they couldn't compete with foreign manufactures because of health care costs. Yet our man Graves goes up to the bank with money for his airplane use paid by our taxes and claims that he has a big district. A U.S. Senator represents the entire state and they don't get an airplane allowance> Now that is a big District !
Why does a congressman get to choose his health care insurance from a list of companies that bid to the government and that isn't called a public option when it comes to him. Graves/ the farmer has always got his insurance thru a government entity. Think about it. Does he really represent the 6 th district or the insurance companies ? And his talk about pooling small businesses together to get affordable insurance at 700 + per month.per individual isn't worth mention. LET US BUY INTO THE FEDERAL EMPLOYYEES HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN ..His idea I guess is like giving a cockleburr to a cow to eat in the winter and saying that's better rather than a snowball.
I never thought about anyone other than myself and family,yet I called myself a Christian, then I got diabetes, I walked in that other person's shoes. What would you, my fellow Republicans have Jesus do ?
November 4, 2009 at 9:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
c0uchtime says...
CORRECTION: America cannot afford the status quo, no matter how much that bites into the Congressional Gravy Train sponsered by the Health and Drug Industries. In fact, America probably cannot afford Sam Graves and his cronies who are stuck in the mud of GOP muck-raking and stalling and nae-saying to anything Obama is trying to accomplish for the non-rich public, the 95% who are encompassed by the 5% who are privileged to be filthy (in all senses) rich.
November 4, 2009 at 10:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
donaldo says...
if SAM graves would read the bill, instead of saying he doesnt like it until he does. i cant wait until SAM graves doesn't have anything else to worry about so he can do his job and get Edd pamir home from Canada. when can we expect that to happen?if this is all he had to do i would say he wasn't trying. i know he is a busy man and all and gave him some slack. but even a busy man would have had him home by now. get off your duff SAM. do what you know is right and get this little thing done, stop the insanity. get Edd back where he belongs. back to st. Joe, mo. with his family.
November 4, 2009 at 11:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rk92559 says...
We can't afford the bill., but we can afford to pay his health insurance. Did you get your envelope full of money from Blue Cross Sam?
November 4, 2009 at 11:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LibertyOrDeath says...
1077356648984,
No, we can't afford a war. What the hell are you talking about? Why do you think independents are the fastest growing political group in the US?
People are sick of all of 'em.
So now because you're against BO's health plan we must be for the war?
Good grief you libs make some stretches.
November 4, 2009 at 11:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lunaticfringe says...
trish
Grandma is already covered by government insurance ... it's called Medicare! If grandma has coverage why shouldn't everyone else ... especially children?
November 4, 2009 at 11:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LibertyOrDeath says...
Meidcare is bankrupt. Fool!
I mean seriously, do you think you have an opinion because you can type?
It's bankrupt! It's bankrupting the country trying to keep it afloat... THATS WHY.
Jeez friggin' louise the ignorance of few crippling the ability of the majority.
Judging from your lack of education on Medicare it's obvious you voted for Obama using the same ignorance (as in "uneducated").
November 4, 2009 at 12:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lunaticfringe says...
LibertyORDeath
I do support the President, I support universal health care and I vote. Live with it, because I do have an opinion and it is vastly different than your narrow minded view of the world.
November 4, 2009 at 12:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LibertyOrDeath says...
So that's it?
No rebutt on the comment of a bankrupt medicare? Could this be because you have no idea the conversation you're trying to be a part of? Maybe chimed in a bit premature?
Get the facts and come back for discussion.
November 4, 2009 at 12:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lunaticfringe says...
LibertyOrDeath
Perhaps in your rage you did not fully comprehend my post I support universal health care and I'm confident my President and forwardthinking members of Congress will figure out how to fund it. You can calm down now and return to your regularly scheduled propoganda on FOXNews. I hear they tell you the truth. Chime!
November 4, 2009 at 12:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
Universal health care, Lunaticfringe? You believe in that? OK....here are several questions for you:
1) How do you prevent ANYONE who is here illegally from participating?
2) Does EVERYONE have to pay their fair share? Here's the thing....if universal health care costs $1 trillion (is that per year?), and with roughly 300 million Americans in our country, that would basically cost every man, woman and child in America $3400 (possibly per year!). With a family of 4, that would be roughly $1000 per month.
3) The Dems say you can keep your present insurance. What do you tell all those on Medicare?
Just a few questions. I'm sure I could come up with more. I'm sure there are smarter people than I in this forum who could even come up with some questions I haven't thought of yet!!
November 4, 2009 at 6:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lunaticfringe says...
pops
Here are my answers:
1) I don't think aliens should be banned from health care. Universal means universal.
2) Yes, everyone has to pay his/her fair share.
3) Medicare or coverage for seniors and the disabled will continue to exist in universal health care.
My bottom line is the current system is broken. When something is beyond repair you take action and fix it.
November 4, 2009 at 8:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yougottabekiddingme says...
Lunatic - let's say your car isn't working. The shop determines that you need a new starter for a couple of hundred bucks. Do you go ahead and replace the starter and keep driving the car OR do you replace the entire car just because the starter isn't working with a new car made by a company with a track record of producing lemons that is going to cost you WAY more money than you will ever make leaving a debt to your kids and your grandkids?
No one here is going to argue with you that something needs to change. We just probably don't need to start with a block of stone and our chisels and re-invent the wheel. How about we fix what is broken and leave the rest alone? There are people who are uninsured who CHOSE to be that way. Let's leave them alone.
Let's try some options that will actually reduce the cost of healthcare making it more affordable for more people. One thing you might want to remember is that part of the reason private health insurance is so expensive is because they private insurers cost they pay to a doctor or hospital is more than what medicare pays because we have to subsidize it. Is that fair? You are acting like the insurance company is the bad guy, but you are forgetting that alot of the problems that we have have been created by CONGRESS through things like exempting health insurers from anti-trust laws, making private insurers subsidize medicare, etc.
Government is NOT the answer.
November 4, 2009 at 8:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
I disagree about illegals getting free health care. They're here, illegally, and should be prosecuted and deported, not allowed to stay indefinitely and soak up benefits that rightfully belong to citizens.
I don't have a problem with anyone, of any race or nationality, coming to this country....as long as they do it legally. Those who come here illegally are breaking the law. We don't reward lawbreakers.
The dems have already SAID that medicare would be abolished...at least in SOME of the plans they've presented.
You say everyone pays their fair share? How about those people who are already on Medicaid? How much to they pay? Why should I work hard, and earn a living, and pay into a health care system that others benefit from, but pay nothing?
My opinion is....you pay a percentage of whatever you make toward health care...if, in fact, this thing were to pass (which I doubt). That means the rich pay more, because they HAVE more. People who make minimum wage would pay the same percentage, but would be paying fewer dollars. To me, THAT would be fair. If you pay NOTHING....you get....NOTHING!! The current attitude of "entitlement" has got to stop. If you are legitimately disabled, that's one thing. To be homeless, unemployed and broke, as a matter of choice, is inexcusable and lazy. We have PLENTY of those kinds in our country. I don't feel it's fair for me to pay for people to do nothing.
November 4, 2009 at 9:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
azmaggie says...
obama will make the illegals legal. Just watch this will be the push before the mid year elections to get the latino vote!
November 5, 2009 at 7:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LibertyOrDeath says...
Pops, you can't talk to people like Lunatic.
They have been bred into a society that teaches them they are owed something they never earned. They cannot be convinced otherwise because they lack the capacity to even understand the discussion as a direct result of the propaganda they've been indoctrinated with.
This is just another reason my children will never step foot in a public (or private for that matter) school.
Thinking for themselves has become such a burden that it's actually discouraged. They have been convinced they don't understand the issues therefore they should leave it to the professional... politicians! As if they have any track record to speak of whatsoever.
People like Lunatic will be the downfall of the United States, it's already in the making and has been for some time. The only hope is to wake people from their comfortable slumber and usually it takes a hard dose of reality.
In this guys case it's hopeless. He said it himself he TRUSTS his president will find a way.
The number one rule of the founding fathers was don't trust any politician. Educate the masses, knowledge is power and a vigilant people are necessary for a thriving republic.
Those who can't be bothered will be the demise of us all.
November 5, 2009 at 7:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lunaticfringe says...
Because I am not a backward, homeschooling, right of center whackjob who believes everyone and everything is plotting against me ... I lack capacity to understand?
Seriously, LibertyORDeath ... you are so warped in your simple isolationist mind that you can't understand the philosophy I ascribe to it's not entitlement but rather "to whom much is given, much is expected." I believe it is my responsibility to help those who are in need, that includes the 47 million under and uninsured.
The founding fathers didn't have indoor plumbing or dental care. Times change, we have to change too.
November 5, 2009 at 10:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
OfCourseWeCan says...
Sam Graves hasn't been able to help Ed Pamir get home? Has he even tried?
Set the naysaying & nitpicking aside for a moment. What many of us would like to see is a change in national priorities. We spend too much of our blood and treasure taking care of, or trying to change, the rest of the world. Let's start putting Americans and American jobs first.
November 5, 2009 at 10:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
Lunaticfringe,
I'm not paying much attention to what was said about you. I WOULD, however, welcome a respectful dialog with you regarding illegal immigration and those who break the law to come here being given services and benefits that are paid for by tax-paying Americans. I promise to do all I can to keep the conversation civil...and I trust you will, as well. I'd be interested in seeing/hearing your take on illegal immigration, and your reasons for your opinion on the matter.
What I will NOT do is take part in a mud-slinging, name-calling "slap session". Mutual respect is what I ask for. Can we do that?
November 5, 2009 at 10:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
donaldo says...
pops, we are always seeing the same color, when we see blue, we both see blue. some see yellow. i have always had the same feeling of illegals breaking our immigration laws. i hope like heck that we don't let them in legal until after they are sent back and come back legally. this coddling the illegals has got to stop. it is easy, if they cant speak English they did not pass a citizen test. you cant be a citizen without reading and speaking Englisher. as far as a green card goes, stop giving them out for four years and start sending the illegals back now!they don't deserve welfare, they didn't work all of their lives to get it. stop letting them have drivers license, they cant read or signs, stop letting them have free health care, they are illegal. is it me or do i need help with my thinking also.
November 5, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
I agree, mostly, donaldo. I have members of my family who immigrated to this country, and do so legally. They are full-fleged citizens, and have been for many years. They are very offended at the current state of things. There are people here illegally who are from the same country my family members came from, and to my family, it makes no difference. Their opinion is: there ARE ways to come here legally and legitimately. It's not as easy, perhaps, as crossing a river in the dark, but it is possible to be legal. By viture of coming here illegally, the very first thing these people did when they crossed the border was break our law. Show me even one other country in the entire world that would allow this to happen!! While I feel badly for people who come here to find a better life, it MUST BE DONE LEGALLY!! Breaking the law is NOT the way....
November 5, 2009 at 4:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ApparentlySo says...
Let me see...
If it is happening to Jesus personally, he would just accept his fate (isn't that actually just what Jesus did?).
It it is happening to someone else, Jesus would heal them.
How about we leave religion out of the whole aspect of health care, it just muddies the waters.
As far as what Mr. Graves said, the nation can't afford the health care bill; conversely, there are way too many people in this nation that can't afford health care. For everyone that is on public assistance, their bills are written off, or that file bankruptcy to avoid payment: they are already being paid for by the rest of us.
As well, let's say someone gets a serious illness or has a serious injury from some incident or accident that health care could resolve; the person with health care usually gets back up and goes back to work. Or wiwthout health care, that person ignores or puts off proper treatment. He/she can then have a lasting disability and have to go on disability. Good call. Not only are they now unproductive; they are also utilizing the other resources, such as SSI and Medicaid, that we can't afford. On the bright side; if they do end up getting medicaid, they become insured. Of course, either way, the rest of us are still paying (that really is an inarguable fact).
I don't know the answer either. But then again, I'm not paid over $170,00.00 per year with the greatest benefit package in the country, to sit around and figure something out that will benefit the rest of the country.
November 6, 2009 at 6:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
There may be people who have no health care, but there are millions who are taking advantage of Medicaid NOW. I know this for a fact, because Heartland's ER is constantly full of these people....they don't pay a dime....no co-pay, no deductible, no bill. On the other hand, I'm overcharged for services and supplies, and my insurance leaves me holding the bag for 20% of the bill....and I HAVE insurance...and I pay for it. Now tell me...who has the sweeter deal?
November 6, 2009 at 7:11 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
10377586 says...
I didn't say you were for the war, but I bet Sam thinks we need more troops. I think we need to give them an objective to achieve, the manpower and equipment to achieve it or bring them home.
But that's just my opinion.
If Sam thinks our health care package as it now stands is so great why doesn't he opt out of congressional health care and get in the private sector with the rest of us. It's great as long as you don't ever have anything serious go wrong with you or any of your family members.
One of my friends has a 17 year old child that has come down with MS. He now pays 600.00 per month for family health care, him, his wife and two kids. He has already been informed his rates will at least double in the near future and will continue to increase exponentially at every renewal from here on out.
Welcome to the American health care insurance system.
November 6, 2009 at 7:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )