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1,968 Reasons to Repeal
by Newt Gingrich
If you had any doubt about the importance of repealing the health
reform law, a new chart from the Center for Health Transformation will
give you 1,968 reasons to repeal the bill.
The chart, titled “The New and Expanded Secretarial Powers in the
Health Reform Law” reveals the ways in which the 2,700-page health
reform law grants 1,968 powers to the Secretary of Health and Human
Services.
Control over the largest single sector of the American economy (about
18% of GDP, or one out of every five dollars in the entire economy) and
a matter of life and death for every American, will be handed over to
one appointed bureaucrat.
Why Republicans Should Be
Worried
Stansberry & Associates
Here are five outrageous examples the Center for Health Transformation
found in the 1,968 grants of power:
1. The Secretary determines “clinical concern”of drugs -- Section 3307
-- (ii) IDENTIFICATION OF DRUGS IN CERTAIN CATEGORIES AND CLASSES. (I)
… the Secretary shall identify, as appropriate, categories and classes
of drugs for which the Secretary determines are of clinical concern.
(II) CRITERIA. The Secretary shall use criteria established by the
Secretary in making any determination under subclause (I). (iii)
IMPLEMENTATION. The Secretary shall establish the criteria … and any
exceptions … through the promulgation of a regulation which includes a
public notice and comment period.
Meaning: The Secretary will decide what clinical drugs seniors can
access.
2. Secretary decides how drugs are dispensed in long-term care
facilities -- Section 3310 -- (3) REDUCING WASTEFUL DISPENSING OF
OUTPATIENT PRESCRIPTION DRUGS IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES. The
Secretary shall require PDP sponsors of prescription drug plans to
utilize specific, uniform dispensing techniques, as determined by the
Secretary, in consultation with … any other stakeholders the Secretary
determines appropriate ... when dispensing covered part D drugs to
enrollees who reside in a long-term care facility in order to reduce
waste associated with 30-day fills.
Meaning: The Secretary will instruct physicians and nurses exactly how
to give a drug to their patients in long-term care facilities.
3. “Tooth-level surveillance” -- Section 4102-- (2) NATIONAL HEALTH AND
NUTRITION EXAMINATION SURVEY. The Secretary shall develop oral
healthcare components that shall include tooth-level surveillance for
inclusion in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey … the
term ‘tooth-level surveillance’ means a clinical examination where an
examiner looks at each dental surface, on each tooth in the mouth and
as defined by the Division of Oral Health of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention.
Meaning: The Secretary will determine how dentists and dental
hygienists should examine your teeth.
4. The Secretary may establish insurance premium ratings for states –
Section 1201 -- FAIR HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS … SECRETARIAL REVIEW …
With respect to the premium rate charged by a health insurance issuer
for health insurance coverage offered in the individual or small group
market … Each State shall establish 1 or more rating areas within that
State for purposes of applying the requirements of this title. The
Secretary shall review the rating areas established by each State under
subparagraph (A) to ensure the adequacy of such areas for purposes of
carrying out the requirements of this title. If the Secretary
determines a State’s rating areas are not adequate, or that a State
does not establish such areas, the Secretary may establish rating areas
for that State.
Meaning: The Secretary can overrule states on what insurance rates can
be whether they like it or not.
5. The Secretary may use comparative effectiveness research -- Section
6301(c) -- LIMITATIONS ON CERTAIN USES OF COMPARITIVE EFFECTIVENESS
RESEARCH… (2) Paragraph (1) shall not be construed as preventing the
Secretary from using evidence or findings from such comparative
clinical effectiveness research in determining coverage, reimbursement,
or incentive programs under title XVIII based upon a comparison of the
difference in the effectiveness of alternative treatments in extending
an individual’s life due to the individual’s age, disability, or
terminal illness.
Meaning: The Secretary can use comparative effectiveness research to
determine access to care for seniors, like they do for patients in the
British National Health Service.
To read complete story with reference links:
http://www.newt.org/newt-direct/1968-reasons-repeal
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