Health Care Bill Will Fund State Vaccine Teams to Conduct ‘Interventions’

[Raineyrocks]

http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=51115

Health Care Bill Will Fund State Vaccine Teams to Conduct 'Interventions' in Private Homes
Thursday, July 16, 2009
By Terence P. Jeffrey, Editor-in-Chief


President Barack Obama announces Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, left, as his nominee for Health & Human Services Secretary, Monday, March 2, 2009, in the East Room at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
(CNSNews.com) - There is a knock at the front door. Peeking through the window, a mother sees a man and a woman, both in uniform. They are agents of health-care reform.

"Excuse me, ma'am," says the man. "Our records show that your eleven-year-old daughter has not been immunized for genital warts."

"And your four-year-old still needs the chicken-pox vaccine," says the woman.

"He will not be allowed to start kindergarten unless he gets that shot, you know," says the man—smiling from ear to ear.

"So, can we please come in?" asks the woman. "We have the vaccines right here," she says, lifting up a black medical bag. "We can give your kids the shots right now."

"We are from the government," says the man, "and we're here to help."

Is this a scene from the over-heated imagination of an addlepated conspiracy theorist? Or is it something akin to what is actually envisioned by the health-care reform bill approved this week by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee.

The committee's official summary of the bill says: "Authorizes a demonstration program to improve immunization coverage. Under this program, CDC will provide grants to states to improve immunization coverage of children, adolescents, and adults through the use of evidence-based interventions. States may use funds to implement interventions that are recommended by the Community Preventive Services Task Force, such as reminders or recalls for patients or providers, or home visits."

Home visits? What exactly is the state going to do when it sends people to "implement interventions" in private homes designed "to improve immunization coverage of children"?

The draft of the bill posted on the committee Web site provides more details.

Title III of the bill is entitled, "Improving the Health of the American People." It includes four subtitles. They are: "Subtitle A: Modernizing Disease Prevention of Public Health Systems," "Subtitle B: Increasing Access to Clinical Preventive Services," "Subtitle C: Creating Healthier Communities," and "Subtitle D: Support for Prevention and Public Health Information."

The program authorizing home "interventions" to promote immunizations falls under "Subtitle C: Creating Healthier Communities."  This subtitle directs the secretary of health and human services to "establish a demonstration program to award grants to states to improve the provision of recommended immunizations for children, adolescents, and adults through the use of evidence-based, population-based interventions for high-risk populations."

The bill lists eight specific ways that states may use federal grant money to carry out immunization-promoting "interventions." Method "E" calls for "home visits" which can include "provision of immunizations."

Says the draft bill: "Funds received under a  grant under this subsection shall be used to implement interventions that are recommended by the Task Force on Community Preventive Services (as established by the secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) or other evidence-based interventions, including—"(A) providing immunization reminders or recalls for target populations of clients, patients, and consumers; (B) educating targeted populations and health care providers concerning immunizations in combination with one or more other interventions; (C) reducing out-of-pocket costs for families for vaccines and their administration; (D) carrying out immunization-promoting strategies for participants or clients of public programs, including assessments of immunization status, referrals to health care providers, education, provision of on-site immunizations, or incentives for immunization;(E) providing for home visits that promote immunization through education, assessments of need, referrals, provision of immunizations, or other services; (F) providing reminders or recalls for immunization providers;(G) conducting assessments of, and providing feedback to, immunization providers; or (H) any combination of one or more interventions described in this paragraph."

Many vaccines routinely administered to children in the United States are utterly uncontroversial. But in recent years there have been controversies about the chicken pox vaccine and the vaccine for HPV, which causes genital warts, which can cause cervical cancer.

On March 15, 2007, Bloomberg news summarized a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which discovered that the chicken pox vaccine does not provide permanent protection against chicken pox, leaving children who have been immunized vulnerable to getting ill with the virus later in life when it can cause a more serious bout of the disease.

"Merck & Co.'s chickenpox vaccine weakens as children age, possibly leaving them vulnerable to a more serious infection as adults, a U.S.-sponsored study in California found," reported Bloomberg. "The power of the vaccine, Varivax, the only one available in the United States against chickenpox, starts to fade after five years, according to the study in today's New England Journal of Medicine. The results suggest that children should get a second dose, which advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended in June."

Bloomberg quoted the study as saying, "Waning immunity is of particular public health interest because it may result in increased susceptibility later in life, when the risk of severe complications may be greater than that in childhood."

In March of this year, the Washington Post reported about the controversy sparked when the Merck pharmaceutical company campaigned to have states mandate that school girls receive Gardasil, its vaccine against HPV.

"Merck also began an ambitious marketing campaign and lobbying push to persuade states to add the vaccine to the list of those required for children to attend school," reported the Post. "But the company eventually abandoned the strategy in the face of an intense backlash from critics who argued that the decision should be left to parents. Although many states considered such mandates, so far only Virginia and the District have imposed one, and [a Merck official] said the company has no plans to pursue that strategy again."

The Post's report noted that at least some experts questioned the wisdom of promoting use of the vaccine when its long term impact is still unknown.

"Federal health officials, Merck and others say they are confident that the vaccine is safe," reported the Post. "But some experts said they are concerned that there is insufficient evidence about how long Gardasil's protection will last, whether serious side effects will emerge and whether the relatively modest benefits for boys are worth even the small risks associated with any vaccine."

[NHTPC]

Obamacare Analysis

Pg 16: SEC. 102, lines 3-26, PROTECTING THE CHOICE TO KEEP CURRENT COVERAGE: Outlaws private insurance by forbidding enrollment after HR 3022 is passed into law.

Pg 21-22: SEC. 113. INSURANCE RATING RULES of the HC Bill MANDATES the Government will audit books of ALL EMPLOYERS that self insure!!

Pg 29, SEC. 122, ESSENTIAL BENEFITS PACKAGE DEFINED: On lines 4-16... Your health care is rationed!

Pg 30, SEC. 123, HEALTH BENEFITS ADVISORY COMMITTEE: There will be a government committee that decides what treatments/benefits you get.

Pg 42, SEC. 142, DUTIES AND AUTHORITY OF COMMISSIONER: The Health Choices Commissioner will choose your health care benefits for you. You have no choice!

PG 50-51, SEC. 152, PROHIBITING DISCRIMINATION IN HEALTH CARE: Health care will be provided to ALL NON-US citizens, here legally or otherwise.

Pg 58, SEC. 163, ADMINISTRATIVE SIMPLIFICATION: Government will have real-time access to individual's finances and a National ID Health Card will be issued!  (So much for Carol Shea-Porter being against Real ID!)

Pg 59, SEC. 163, Lines 21-24, ADMINISTRATIVE SIMPLIFICATION: Government will have direct access to your BANK ACCOUNTS for electronic funds transfer. This means the government can go in and take your money right out of your bank account.  (They already do -- many are victims of this currently)

PG 65, SEC. 164, REINSURANCE PROGRAM FOR RETIREES: A subsidized plan for Union retirees and their families, and to community organizations (think ACORN).

Pg 72, SEC. 201, Lines 8-14, ESTABLISHMENT OF HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGE; OUTLINE OF DUTIES; DEFINITIONS: Creates an "Exchange" to bring private health care plans under Government control.

PG 84. SEC. 203, BENEFITS PACKAGE LEVELS: Government mandates ALL benefit packages for private health care plans in the Exchange.

PG 85, SEC. 203. BENEFITS PACKAGE LEVELS Line 7 HC Bill – SPECIFICATION OF BENEFIT LEVELS FOR PLANS = The Government will ration your Healthcare!

PG 91: SEC. 204, Lines 4-7, CONTRACTS FOR THE OFFERING OF EXCHANGE-PARTICIPATING HEALTH BENEFITS PLANS: Government mandates linguistic appropriate services. (Example – Translation for illegal aliens!)

Pg 95, SEC. 205, Lines 8-18, OUTREACH AND ENROLLMENT OF EXCHANGE-ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS AND EMPLOYERS IN EXCHANGE-PARTICIPATING HEALTH BENEFITS PLAN: The Government will use groups (i.e., ACORN and Americorps) to sign up individuals for Government plan.

PG 102, SEC. 205, Lines 12-18, OUTREACH AND ENROLLMENT OF EXCHANGE-ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS AND EMPLOYERS IN EXCHANGE-PARTICIPATING HEALTH BENEFITS PLAN: Medicaid Eligible Individuals will be automatically enrolled in Medicaid. No choice!

PG 124, SEC. 223, lines 24-25, PAYMENT RATES FOR ITEMS AND SERVICES: No company can sue the GOVERNMENT on price fixing. No "judicial review" against Government Monopoly!

PG 127, SEC. 225, Lines 1-16, PROVIDER PARTICIPATION, DOCTORS / AMA: The Government will dictate the income of doctors and other health care professionals.

PG 145, SEC. 312, Line 15-17: EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS EMPLOYEE AND DEPENDENT COVERAGE: An Employer MUST auto enroll employees into public option plan. NO CHOICE!

PG 146, SEC. 312, Lines 22-25, EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS EMPLOYEE AND DEPENDENT COVERAGE: Employers MUST pay health care coverage for PART-TIME employees AND their families.

PG 149, SEC. 313, Lines 16-24, EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS IN LIEU OF COVERAGE: ANY Employer with payroll of $400,000 and above, who does not provide public option, will pay an 8 percent tax on all payroll.

PG 150, SEC. 313, Lines 9-13, EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS IN LIEU OF COVERAGE: A business having a payroll between $251K – $400K, who does not provide the public option, must pay a 2 – 6 percent tax on all payroll.

PG 167, SEC. 401, Lines 18-23, TAX ON INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT ACCEPTABLE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE: ANY individual, who does not have acceptable health care, according to the Government, will be taxed 2 – 5 percent of their of income.

PG 170, SEC. 401, Lines 1-3, TAX ON INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT ACCEPTABLE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE: Any NONRESIDENT Alien is EXEMPT from individual taxes. (Americans will pay)

PG 195, SEC. 421, CREDIT FOR SMALL BUSINESS EMPLOYEE HEALTH COVERAGE EXPENSES: Officers and employees of the health care administration (GOVERNMENT) will have access to ALL Americans financial and personal records!

PG 203: SEC. 441, Line 14-15, SURCHARGE ON HIGH INCOME INDIVIDUALS: "The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax" It actually states that in writing!

PG 239, SEC. 1121, Line 14-24, SUSTAINABLE GROWTH RATE REFORM: Government will reduce physician services for Medicaid. Seniors, low income, poor affected.

Pg 241, SEC. 1121, Line 6-8, SUSTAINABLE GROWTH RATE REFORM: Doctors, it does not matter what specialty you have, you will all be paid the same.

PG 253, SEC. 1122, Line 10-18, MIS-VALUED CODES UNDER THE PHYSICIAN FEE
SCHEDULE: Government will set value of Doctor's time, professional judgment, etc. Literally, the government will determine the value of humans (The philosophy of Karl Marx)

PG 265, SEC. 1131, INCORPORATING PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENTS INTO MARKET BASKET UPDATES THAT DO NOT ALREADY INCORPORATE SUCH IMPROVEMENTS. Government will mandate and control productivity for private health care industries.

PG 268, SEC. 1141, RENTAL AND PURCHASE OF POWER-DRIVEN WHEELCHAIRS. Federal Government will regulate rental and purchase of power driven wheelchairs

PG 272, SEC. 1145, TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CANCER HOSPITALS: Cancer patients, welcome to rationing!

PG 280, SEC. 1151, REDUCING POTENTIALLY PREVENTABLE HOSPITAL RE-ADMISSIONS The Government will penalize hospitals for what Government deems preventable re-admissions.

PG 298, SEC. 1151, Lines 9-11, REDUCING POTENTIALLY PREVENTABLE HOSPITAL RE-ADMISSIONS: If doctors treat a patient during initial admission, that results in a readmission... the Government will penalize them.

PG 317, SEC. 1156, Lines 13-20, LIMITATION ON MEDICARE EXCEPTIONS TO THE PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN PHYSICIAN REFERRALS MADE TO HOSPITALS: Incredible! A PROHIBITION on ownership and investment! Government will tell doctors "what and how" much they can own!

PG 317-318, SEC. 1156, Lines 1-3 and 21-25, LIMITATION ON MEDICARE EXCEPTIONS TO THE PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN PHYSICIAN REFERRALS MADE TO HOSPITALS: A A PROHIBITION on expansion – Government is mandating hospitals cannot expand!

PG 321, SEC. 1156, Lines 2-13, LIMITATION ON MEDICARE EXCEPTIONS TO THE PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN PHYSICIAN REFERRALS MADE TO HOSPITALS: Hospitals have option to apply for exception BUT community input required. Can you say ACORN?

PG 335, SEC. 1162, Lines 16-25 and Pg 336-339, QUALITY BONUS PAYMENTS: Government mandates establishment of outcome-based measures. Health care the way they want, aka... rationing.

PG 341, SEC. 1162, Lines 3-9,. QUALITY BONUS PAYMENTS: Government has authority to disqualify Medicare Advantage Plans, HMOs, etc., thus forcing people into Government plan.

PG 354: SEC. 1177, EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY OF SPECIAL NEEDS PLANS TO RESTRICT ENROLLMENT: Government will RESTRICT enrollment of Special needs people!

PG 379, SEC. 1191, TELEHEALTH EXPANSION AND ENHANCEMENTS: Government creates more bureaucracy, the Telehealth Advisory Committee. Can you say health care by phone?

PG 425, SEC. 1233, Lines 4-12, ADVANCE CARE PLANNING CONSULTATION: Government mandates Advance Care Planning Consultations. Think Senior Citizens end of life (euthanasia)

PG 425, SEC. 1233, Lines 17-19, ADVANCE CARE PLANNING CONSULTATION Government will instruct and consult regarding living wills, and durable powers of attorney. This is Mandatory!

PG 425, SEC. 1233, Lines 22-25, PG 426, Lines 1-3, ADVANCE CARE PLANNING CONSULTATION: Government provides approved list of end of life resources, guiding you in death!

PG 427, SEC. 1233. Lines 15-24, ADVANCE CARE PLANNING CONSULTATION: Government mandates program for orders for end of life. The Government has a say in how your life ends! (euthanasia)

PG 429, SEC. 1233, Lines 1-9, ADVANCE CARE PLANNING CONSULTATION: An "advance care planning consultant" will be used frequently as patients health deteriorates. Can you say government-induced euthanasia?

PG 429, SEC. 1233, Lines 10-12, ADVANCE CARE PLANNING CONSULTATION "advance care consultation" may include an ORDER for end of life plans. AN ORDER from Government!

PG 429: SEC. 1233, Lines 13-25, ADVANCE CARE PLANNING CONSULTATION: The Government will specify which doctors can write an "end of life" order.

PG 430, SEC. 1233, Lines 11-15, ADVANCE CARE PLANNING CONSULTATION: The Government will decide what level of treatment you will have at end of life.

PG 469, SEC. 1302, MEDICAL HOME PILOT PROGRAM: Community Based Home Medical Services equals Non profit organizations. Hello, ACORN Medical Services here?

PG 472, SEC. 1302, Lines 14-17, MEDICAL HOME PILOT PROGRAM PAYMENT TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORG: 1 monthly payment to a community-based organization...like ACORN?

PG 489, SEC. 1308, COVERAGE OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST SERVICES AND MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR SERVICES: The Government will cover Marriage and Family therapy... They will insert Government into your marriage!

Pg 494-498, SEC. 1308, COVERAGE OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST SERVICES AND MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR SERVICES: Government will cover Mental Health Services, including defining, creating, and rationing those services.