Research Briefing

Virginians Urging You To Stand Strong, Slow Down On Dems’ Health Care Experiment

VIRGINIANS OPPOSE DEMS’ HEALTH CARE EXPERIMENT

“54 Percent In Virginia Oppose Health Care Plan.” (Rasmussen Reports, 12/9/09)

In Virginia Gubernatorial Election, “Voters Expressed Angst About Major Obama Initiatives Such As Health Care ...” (Bob Lewis, “GOP Wins Va. Gov Race A Year After Obama Won State,” The Associated Press, 11/3/09)

• As A Result, Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) Said Dems “Got Walloped” In Virginia. (John F. Harris and Alexander Burns, “‘We Got Walloped,’” Politico, 11/5/09)

More Than 150,000 Virginians Would Be Have Medicare Benefits Reduced.  Louis F. Rossiter, Ph.D., Research Professor for the Thomas Jefferson Program in Public Policy at the College of William and Mary: “If certain provisions become law, Medicare payments to these plans will be cut, causing a reduction in benefits and physician networks… More than 150,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Virginia would be subject to these restrictions …” (Louis F. Rossiter, “Road To Revival: Preserve Medicare Reforms For Seniors,” Richmond Times-Dispatch, 11/1/09)

The Richmond Times-Dispatch’s Editorial Board: AARP Betraying Members By Supporting Bill That Cuts Medicare Funding. “[B]oth the existing House and Senate versions would eliminate so-called Medicare Advantage coverage for seniors. Medicare Advantage policies are optional coverage that seniors can currently purchase to improve upon the woeful coverage provided by federal Medicare … AARP knows full well that Medicare Advantage will be eliminated and that federal Medicare coverage will also be severely reduced … With its endorsement, AARP is betraying its constituents…” (Editorial, “Medicare Is Safe But Supplementals Aren't,” Richmond Times-Dispatch, 11/25/09)

The Daily Press’s Editorial Board: Virginians Should Tell Webb To “Slow The Process Down.” “The real action on health-care reform has moved to the Senate. Virginians should urge … Webb to try to slow the process down, so that the difficult issues — such as who will call the shots and who will pay for what, for whom — can get the debate and analysis they deserve.” (Editorial, “Tell Congress To Slow Down On Health Reform Until We Know Who Gets What Care, And Who Pays,” Daily Press, 11/22/09)

SEN. WEBB, WILL YOU STAND STRONG AND OPPOSE THIS $1 TRILLION GAMBLE?

In August, Webb Said Congress Should Slow Down Health Care Debate. “’My thought right now is to slow this down,’ the Virginia Democrat said. ‘Open it up. Have some hearings. Let people get their different viewpoints out in a very public way.’” (Bill Bartel, “Sen. Jim Webb Says Health Care Debate Has Overheated,” The Virginian Pilot, 8/28/09)

Webb Has Voted For Several Republican Amendments To Protect Billions Of Dollars In Medicare Funds That Were Defeated By Democrats. (H.R. 3590, Roll Call Vote #358: Rejected 41-59, 12/3/09; H.R. 3590, Roll Call Vote #360: Rejected 47-51, 12/4/09; H.R. 3590, Roll Call Vote #362: Rejected 47-51, 12/4/09; H.R. 3590, Roll Call Vote #364: Rejected 41-53, 12/5/09; H.R. 3590, Roll Call Vote #368: Rejected 46-53, 12/7/09)

Webb Says “It Is Important To Safeguard Access To Medicare And Protect The Program’s Fiscal Sustainability.” “During my time in the U.S. Senate, I have supported numerous initiatives to help protect Medicare… As Congress considers health care reform, I believe it is important to safeguard access to Medicare and protect the program’s fiscal sustainability.” (Sen. Jim Webb, “Ensuring Access To Health Care,” Press Release, 2009)

Webb Claims To Be Long-Time Supporter Of Medicare Advantage And Believes Cuts To Medicare Funding Are Unreasonable. Office Of Sen. Jim Webb: “Senator Webb voted in favor of the McCain and Hatch amendments because he does not believe it is reasonable to cut back on Medicare funding at a time when the pool for Medicare is going to expand as the Baby Boom generation reaches retirement age. Further, Senator Webb is a long-time supporter of Medicare Advantage programs which have in his view greatly improved services in rural areas such as Southside and Southwest Virginia.” (“Webb Sides With GOP On Failed Motion,” Inside Health Reform, 12/9/09)