Research Briefing

Arkansans Urge You To Stand Strong, Slow Down On Dems’ Health Care Experiment

SEN. BLANCHE LINCOLN (D-AR): “I Am Responsible To The People Of Arkansas, And That Is Where I Will Take My Direction.” (Carl Hulse, “3 Democrats Could Block Health Bill In Senate,” The New York Times, 11/17/09)

ARKANSANS OPPOSE DEMS’ HEALTH CARE EXPERIMENT

Nearly Two Our Of Every Three Arkansans Oppose Obama-Reid-Pelosi Health Care Experiment. “The really bad news for Lincoln is that 56% of Arkansas voters Strongly Oppose the congressional health care plan. Just 18% Strongly Favor it. When those with less intense opinions are included, 32% of Arkansas voters support the proposed health care legislation and 65% oppose it …” (“Election 2010: Arkansas Senate Race,” Rasmussen Reports, 12/3/09)

Arkansas Medical Society Opposes Government-Run Health Insurance. “WHAT WE OPPOSE … The AMS does not believe a government-run option is the best way to expand coverage or create competition in the marketplace. Any plan of this type should not be federally subsidized or funded and should be subject to the same rules and regulations as private plans. Participation must be voluntary and reimbursement rates should be negotiated, not set by the federal government or tied to Medicare.” (Arkansas Medical Society, “Priorities For Health System Reform,” Press Release, Accessed 12/9/09)

• And Says Cuts To Medicare And Medicaid Would Hurt State’s Ability To Recruit Doctors, Harm Arkansans’ Access To Care.  “WHAT WE OPPOSE… Medicare and Medicaid Cuts -- Arkansas has the lowest Medicare reimbursement in the nation. This fact has made it increasingly difficult to recruit physicians to our state and has negatively impacted access to care. Further cuts in Medicare or Medicaid would have a devastating impact on Arkansas’ most vulnerable citizens.” (Arkansas Medical Society, “Priorities For Health System Reform,” Press Release, Accessed 12/9/09)

Gov. Mike Beebe (D-AR) Says Dems’ Bill Burdens State With $205 Million In Unfunded Mandates While Arkansas Already In Budget Crisis.  “The day before the House approved a $1.2 trillion health care proposal, Beebe said his office had determined that it would add $205 million to the state’s Medicaid budget by 2015 … he said he was definitely opposed to the price tag it would bring the state.  ‘We’re running a pretty tight budget now, and I don’t know where we’d get that,’ Beebe said.” (Andrew DeMillo,” Analysis: Beebe Playing Role In Health Care Debate,” The Associated Press, 11/15/09)

Rep. Mike Ross (D-AR) Agrees: “This Is Not The Time To Impose New And Costly Mandates On Our Local School Districts And City, County And State Governments, Which Would Likely Require Tax Increases On Working Families.” (Andrew DeMillo,” Analysis: Beebe Playing Role In Health Care Debate,” The Associated Press, 11/15/09)

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s Editorial Board: Lincoln Will Own Any Vote For Government-Run Health Care. “The senator says she’s against a public option-that is, a government-run insurance scheme with all its dangers to private insurers, and to workers who could be dumped into it by employers unwilling to go on paying their employees’ insurance. Yet it may be Blanche Lincoln’s vote that opens the way for just such a drastic change … Whatever the ramifications of the new health-care system that finally emerges from all this confusion, Blanche Lincoln is going to own it.” (Editorial, “Blanche Lincoln’s Game,” The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 11/24/09)

SEN. LINCOLN, WILL YOU STAND STRONG AND OPPOSE GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE?

This Month, Lincoln Said Public Option Creates Long Term Risk For Taxpayers. “I have the fear that it will create a long-term risk for taxpayers. And I think that comes on the heels of this orgy we’ve had of government spending -- whether it’s bailouts for multiple people, multiple groups. I think it’s critical for us to look at how fiscally responsible we can be on behalf of taxpayers.” (Ken Strickland, “Lincoln Talks Health Care, Public Option,” MSNBC’s “First Read” Blog, 12/4/09)

• In November, Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) Made Clear She Opposes “New Government Administered Health Care Plan.” “Let me be perfectly clear, I am opposed to a new government administered health care plan as a part of comprehensive health insurance reform, and I will not vote in favor of the proposal that has been introduced by Leader Reid as it is written.... I’ve already alerted the Leader and I’m promising my colleagues that I’m prepared to vote against moving to the next stage of consideration as long as a government-run public option is included.” (Sen. Blanche Lincoln, Floor Remarks, 11/21/09)

• In October, Lincoln Ruled Out “Government Operated Plan.” Sen. Lincoln: “I’ve ruled out a government-funded and a government-operated plan.” (NPR’s “Morning Edition,” 10/21/09)

• In September, Lincoln Said We Can’t Afford Public Option. “U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln said today she opposes a public health insurance option because it would be too expensive. ‘For some in my caucus, when they talk about a public option they’re talking about another entitlement program, and we can’t afford that right now as a nation ...’” (John Lyon, “Lincoln: Public Option Too Expensive,” Arkansas News, 9/1/09)

Lincoln Said She Will Oppose Bill That Increases Deficits, Raises Costs. “I’m not going to vote for a bill that’s not deficit-neutral, and I’m not going to vote for a bill that doesn’t do something about curbing the cost in the out years, because it would be pointless … I would not support a solely government-funded public option. We can’t afford that.” (John Lyon, “Lincoln: Public Option Too Expensive,” Arkansas News, 9/1/09)

• Lincoln: “I Am Committed To Crafting A Bill That Is Fully Paid For And Does Not Add To The Deficit.” (Sen. Blanche Lincoln, “Lincoln: Health Care Reform Will Help All Arkansans,” Press Release, 7/23/09)