Breaking: Obama says to slow down on health care
posted at 2:50 pm on January 20, 2010 by Ed Morrissey
Message delivered — message received:
Obama insisted today that the Senate wait for Brown to be seated before they make any changes to its version of the health care reform legislation. …
“Here’s one thing I know and I just want to make sure that this is off the table: The Senate certainly shouldn’t try to jam anything through until Scott Brown is seated,” the president said. “The people of Massachusetts spoke. He’s got to be part of that process.”
“I would advise that we try to move quickly to coalesce around those elements of the package that people agree on,” he said.
The president said there are “core elements” to the health care legislation that both Republican and Democrats agree on and they must come together to work for comprehensive reform.
“We know that we need insurance reform, that the health insurance companies are taking advantage of people. We know that we have to have some form of cost containment because if we don’t, then our budgets are going to blow up,” he said. “And we know that small businesses are going to need help so that they can provide health insurance for their families. Those are the core, some of the core elements of this bill.”
Suddenly, Obama sounds a lot less combative, does he not? As I wrote earlier, that was nothing more than empty bravado. Democrats on the Hill made it clear in the aftermath of Scott Brown’s victory that they would not march where Obama ordered them. This is nothing more than an acknowledgment of political reality, and nothing less than what we have repeatedly suggested over the last several months as the path to an easy legislative victory.
Expiration date of that Obama promise: 48 hours.
Now, if he gets a bill accomplished in this manner, Obama can’t even take credit for leadership. He got forced into this position and only offers this because it’s his only escape route. It’s a capitulation to a frightened Democratic caucus, and it calls into question whether Nancy Pelosi may wind up paying the political price for it. If Democrats were smart, they’d vote her out of her position as Speaker and install someone with more centrist sensibilities — and do it now. (via Yid with Lid, who has more thoughts)









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–You now can’t offer a plan in any state without the approval of that state’s insurance commission. And I don’t think even the Republicans were planning to get rid of state insurance regulations, so I don’t think this will happen under whatever the GOP proposes.
Jimbo3 on January 20, 2010 at 3:57 PM
–People who sue and lose pay their own legal costs, including any expert witness costs. You still have to convince a jury/judge of malpractice and many states have limited the amount that can be recovered for non-economic damages. There’s not a whole lot of incentive to sue unless the doctor has done something that is pretty clearly wrong or against standard practice.
Jimbo3 on January 20, 2010 at 3:59 PM
Are they calling Obama a racist yet?
pedestrian on January 20, 2010 at 4:00 PM
Perfect. Thank you.
rrpjr on January 20, 2010 at 4:00 PM
B+ on leadership for the messiah.
jukin on January 20, 2010 at 4:01 PM
That’s too far the other way, because then the insurance companies have an incentive to crush anyone who dares question their authority. Simply a cap so it is not worth it for the John Edwardses of the world to make a living off of it, but still the doctors have an incentive to keep their reputation good.
pedestrian on January 20, 2010 at 4:03 PM
Jerk-in-Chief, but we have knew that. What we don’t know is whether RINOs will move right because of yesterday’s message from Americans.
GaltBlvnAtty on January 20, 2010 at 4:04 PM
Let him be clear.
CP on January 20, 2010 at 4:04 PM
+1
We don’t want to accidentally give the insurance companies their own kingdom in the process of dethroning the suited parasites.
Dark-Star on January 20, 2010 at 4:05 PM
Which Clinton? Bill or Hillary?
They both tried this in 1993, and lost the House in 1994, so they knew the risks.
In retrospect, Obama’s big mistake was trying to marginalize Hillary by appointing her Secretary of State. If she had been HHS Secretary, she probably would have advised Obama of the pitfalls (learned from experience), and the Dems could have passed a less-ambitious and more politically palatable health care bill.
Obama bet the farm and lost, and somewhere in a foreign embassy far, far away, Hillary must be crying on her blue dress, saying, “I should have warned him!”
Steve Z on January 20, 2010 at 4:05 PM
Since I’m unemployed, I get to watch Fox all day. Just heard Shep say Megyn Kelly will have her own daily TWO HOUR show 1-3 Eastern called Kelly’s Court. Two hours gazing at Megyn. My prayers have been answered (other than the job thing).
Mr_Magoo on January 20, 2010 at 4:06 PM
O has a long way to go but at least this is an acknowledgment that he’s heard some distant echoes. Let’s hope for more of the same. Personally, I am for health care ‘reform’–just not the ‘form’ it’s taken in this crazy bill.
jeanie on January 20, 2010 at 4:07 PM
“Exploding”.
The Precedent’s a political suicide bomber. This is how it’s supposed to go.
neurosculptor on January 20, 2010 at 4:08 PM
I like loser-pays in theory, but one legitimate concern is an insurance company dragging out a lawsuit until an individual goes broke or gives up.
I’d prefer a combination of loser-pays and malpractice caps, the latter of which would reduce the cost of malpractice insurance for doctors and hopefully create lower costs for the consumer.
Side question – how are you feeling today?
BadgerHawk on January 20, 2010 at 4:08 PM
You’re most welcome. I wish I was kidding, but I’m not.
Opinionator on January 20, 2010 at 4:08 PM
It takes a big man to admit when he’s wrong, and Barry Soetoro is not a big man.
If I can use a sports analogy here, and I believe I can, this is akin to a football team calling a timeout because they don’t like how their opponents are lined up on the field, and they want to change plays to reach the same goal.
Left Coast Right Mind on January 20, 2010 at 4:13 PM
Dare I hope for that repulsive image to disappear from the front page of HA? It’s worse than the damn robots.
RedWinged Blackbird on January 20, 2010 at 4:17 PM
AP—Democrats lose power due to a Brown-out in 2010. Seriously concerned about a country wide black out in 2012!
chickasaw42 on January 20, 2010 at 4:17 PM
Yep Obama called time out. He is watching the offense and may call some intentional fouls. Now is the time to be working class and trade the limo for a middle class truck.
seven on January 20, 2010 at 4:18 PM
AP—Democrats lose power due to a Massachusett’s Brown-out in 2010. Seriously concerned about a country wide black out in 2012!
chickasaw42 on January 20, 2010 at 4:21 PM
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?!
ronsfi on January 20, 2010 at 4:21 PM
“We know that we need insurance reform, that the health insurance companies are taking advantage of people.”——Funny how he keeps forgetting that the insurance industry is on his side.
WarEagle01 on January 20, 2010 at 4:25 PM
I say no. The voters haven’t agree on anything. Hell, you won’t even let us read it.
Nope. See above answer.
My insurance is just fine. In fact, didn’t the polls show that for all the whining he majority of people were satisfied with their insurance? And, no, the insurance companies are not taking advantage of people. My costs aren’t exorbitant. However, you want to increase them by quite a bit. Are you saying that to contain the cost we had to raise the costs? Obama voodoo math! Small business? A month ago you were demonizing small business blaming the slum on them, calling them selfish and only interested in profit because they refuse to hire more people.
Obama is clueless and will say anything. What a jerk!
Blake on January 20, 2010 at 4:25 PM
Sounds like he is still going to try to ram something through. This man must be stopped…
Blake on January 20, 2010 at 4:26 PM
How Odumba$$ thinks anyone with a brain will believe him after lying 8 times about HC transparancy on CSPAN is beyond me… I don’t trust him and I suggest we all ramp up our game here… This is just the start of a new phase of the fight!
CCRWM on January 20, 2010 at 4:28 PM
he blamed bush again! dude! YOU CAN STOP THAT NOW!
unmeritedfavor on January 20, 2010 at 4:31 PM
Are those pigs flying out of Weiner’s butt yet?
d1carter on January 20, 2010 at 4:35 PM
So the senate will ram it through AFTER Scott Brown is seated ?
macncheez on January 20, 2010 at 4:36 PM
Yup. They should voter out of speaker. But they won’t.
Hear what Steny Hoyer said yesterday? To the effect of, “The reason voters are angry is republican obstructionism.”
Yeah, that was it. Nothing like a super-majority to fuel the flames of obstructionism.
Pablo Snooze on January 20, 2010 at 4:38 PM
Whoops. “voter” ==>> “vote her”
Pablo Snooze on January 20, 2010 at 4:39 PM
If they were smart?
If pigs could fly….
BobMbx on January 20, 2010 at 4:40 PM
I’m not buying the contrite Donkey line. I give the “new era of post-partisan politics” exactly one week at most. By Feb, we will hear all about the obstructionists from the “party of NO,” who are causing poor folks to die from lack of access to health care. If anyone thinks that the GOP will have a voice in the crafting of this or any other piece of legislation, I’ve got a bridge to sell you.
MJBrutus on January 20, 2010 at 4:42 PM
Well he is muslim.
royzer on January 20, 2010 at 4:45 PM
Either he’s kissin’up to the dems in MA or he knows he’s got a turncoat R in his back pocket. Don’t truth them, ever.
Kissmygrits on January 20, 2010 at 5:02 PM
DKos comment about what Obama should state is next
Most of them are lamenting that he is too right wing or too much of a sissy to do what is right
El_Terrible on January 20, 2010 at 5:08 PM
He has shown us what he is. Do not trust a word he says. Make sure you watch what the other hand is doing at all times.
anniekc on January 20, 2010 at 5:09 PM
Another comment, some of them are fuming
El_Terrible on January 20, 2010 at 5:10 PM
Thanks for asking. I’m fine. It was pretty clear to me this weekend that Brown would win so I didn’t watch the results last night. I still do think something toned down related to health care will pass in the next few months but maybe I’m too optimistic.
Jimbo3 on January 20, 2010 at 5:13 PM
If Democrats were smart…they wouldn’t be Democrats!
VelvetElvis on January 20, 2010 at 5:18 PM
+10 on the 1 – 10 Good One Meter.
redwhiteblue on January 20, 2010 at 5:27 PM
I’ve never, in my life, seen such a narcissitic person. He cannot take responsibility for ANYTHING. I guess we’ll have to continue to prove that DOOD – YOU ARE THE PROBLEM TOO! CAPICHE?
Yellowdog12 on January 20, 2010 at 5:31 PM
It looks like someone got a wake up call. The people DO get the obamunistcare bill, Bozo, and they do not want it.
They don’t like or want your socialist agenda. Do YOU get it?
dogsoldier on January 20, 2010 at 5:50 PM
Give it a week or so right mr president?
NY Conservative on January 20, 2010 at 5:50 PM
–So why are you Republican? People seem to like the GOP party even less than they like the Dem party in recent polls.
Jimbo3 on January 20, 2010 at 5:52 PM
Not a week! Seat Scott on Friday ram it Sat. Night!
Doubling Down On Dumb!
Stuck On Stupid!
The Fascists absolutely want to control 1/6 of the economy and your healthcare decisions thus your life!
One problem.
HE DOESN”T HAVE THE VOTES!
Hes’ got to bribe, cajole, threaten and lie to some Dems and maybe a Repub or two!
dhunter on January 20, 2010 at 5:57 PM
This is about as sincere as his C-Span pledges.
diogenes on January 20, 2010 at 6:03 PM
Utterly unprecedented,
January 20 2009, Obama sworn in as the 44th President of the United Sates of America.
January 19 2010, 8:00 PM ECT, Obama becomes a “Lame Duck” President.
Nuanced?
DSchoen on January 20, 2010 at 6:33 PM
I forgot to mention Happy Anniversary Pinnochio!
For the anniversary of your swearing ceremony the American Patriots gave you Scott Brown…. The 41st vote against your takeover and ruination of Americas’ Health!
Thankyou Massachusettes!
I hope the rest of us can live up to the Massachusettes Patriots very fine example!
dhunter on January 20, 2010 at 6:34 PM
Kinda like callin’ yer dog, and when he won’t come sayin’, “Stay. Good dog.”
Army Brat on January 20, 2010 at 6:40 PM
Words, just words………
bluegrass on January 20, 2010 at 7:02 PM
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Hee hee…
-
-
Keeping it real I see…
RalphyBoy on January 20, 2010 at 7:36 PM
Morris on OReilly thinks they are still gonna ram the Senate Bill through the house. The close vote was just so about 35 Dems didn’t have to vote yes and get it from thee voters. Morris thinks they were just waitin to see if they had to do it this way or if they could reconcile it no reconciliation so ramitation.
According to Dick Morris!
I’m sure there will be promises and bribes and threats galore and the closer to 11/10/10 it gets the tougher it gets!
Only Ten Months till we through the bums out!
dhunter on January 20, 2010 at 8:24 PM
through = throw
dhunter on January 20, 2010 at 8:25 PM
They still have a few aces in the hole…crises that shan’t go to waste I guess you could say:
Israel attacking Iran…a major attack in the U.S…any of several economic catastrophes…and probably stuff we haven’t even dreamed of yet.
At least now cap and tax might be done in (at least through Congressional legislation…bureaucratic regulations might be a surrogate) with the loss of the super majority, because of Climategate and folks just not buying into this as willingly as before.
Dr. ZhivBlago on January 20, 2010 at 10:53 PM
When a sitting President tells lie after lie right to our faces, it is really hard to take. More than that, it leaves us no direction to go in, being that Obama is setting the stage on a foundation of balsa wood that can hold no weight.
The CORRECT statement to the above is that there is nothing in the healthcare bill that Republicans want, so we have to go back and look at some of the issues the people across the aisle were talking about, like interstate competition and TORT reform.
Why oh why did we have to have such a President…
Danzo on January 20, 2010 at 11:19 PM
Next week Barry will start blaming all GOPs for blocking reforms.
bayview on January 20, 2010 at 11:42 PM
And two weeks ago for Obowma, EVERYTHING was a crisis and we MUST push this through ASAP because 5,000 people a day were dying!!!
What a difference a day makes, huh?
dthorny on January 20, 2010 at 11:53 PM
This is only a leftover Bush failure that never got used during W.’s term that Obama just inherited.
And Cheney’s suffering from senile dementia.
And Scott Brown was a nude model!
51 vote Health Care Push Now!
profitsbeard on January 21, 2010 at 12:29 AM
“We know that we need insurance reform, that the health insurance companies are taking advantage of people. We know that we have to have some form of cost containment because if we don’t, then our budgets are going to blow up,”
Um, Hello??
The Nebraska Cornhusker bribe between DEMOCRATS Harry Reid and Ben Nelson and the SPECIAL BRIBES for Florida & LA are “taking advantage of people”, no?? What about all the secret, closed door meetings the White House was involved in, with the DEMOCRAT leadership?
You Lie, Obama.
TN Mom on January 21, 2010 at 2:49 AM
All of those that are hopeful of some sort of a health bill will pass need to think about what the Communist/socialist have said since 1944 when they tried to get nationalized medicine passed in America as they did in other nations, to name one, Great Britian.
They said the only way that they will get the American people to accept socialism is through a national health bill, on the perception that no one in America would deny someone health care that needed it.
Obama has been groomed to be the one that made that possible. His mother was a radical; he never knew his father; his stepfather was muslim and rasied him to be muslim; his grandparents were far left socialist; his grandfather arranged for Frank Davis, a Moscow appointed leader of the Communist Party USA, to be his mentor. Later in life he associated or was introduced to numberous communist and socialist leaders, opened doors for him. If that is not concrete enough on his views and goals, look at who he appoints to be his advisors and czars.
He promises to contain cost of medical care, but the high taxes need to pay off the debt would insure that cost reduction would be through reducing the medical care provided. The hospitals and other medical options we now enjoy are provided by supply and demand in the private sector. A national health plan can only supply what congress can provid in its budget. For example, if the budget for a hospital that has 250 bed only supports the use of 100 beds, wings of the hopital will be closed off and not used. Patients who need to be in a hospital bed will have to wait on a list until one becomes available.
Great Britian spends 70% of its budget to pay for healthcare and welfare. To put tht into perspective, you could place entire country into the area of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropexes. If that becomes our future, how much of what we have today could we afford with 30% to spend on everything else? Better hope you live in Nebraska, or Lousiana or someplace with a good old fashsion democratic/socialist congressman who knows how to sell his vote to the highest bidder.
I recently sat down with a women who lives in a town outside of London, and asked her about the care she gets under their Nationlized health care. She told me that if she gets a cold or something common as that, she can go to a doctor and get something for it. By doctor she means someone in the health care that can take care of her. She said if it is more than that, everyone goes over to Europe and finds a doctor there, otherwise they would have a long wait for something to be done. She said our why we want something they have been trying to get rid of for years.
That bring up a closing point. Once we are saddled with nationlized health care, it can reach into every aspect of our lives and engrain itself so deeply that we can not get rid of it or the socilism required to support it.
Franklyn on January 21, 2010 at 5:03 AM
I agree! And I’d even go so far as to say what they do with Nancy Pelosi will determine their political fate next November. If they bag her and go with a centrist, they will hold control, if they stick with Nan, all other gestures will be window dressing, the American people will know they haven’t really changed, and they will lose control of the house if not the senate.
How’s THAT for going out on a limb!
American Elephant on January 21, 2010 at 5:24 AM
Ahh little troll
Republicanism as it is meant to be is still the best thing we have. We believe in freedom and the individual. We believe that less Federal government is better and undoubtedly the founders agreed. Has our party strayed ? Sure it has but they are still our best bet.
To be a Dem you must give up your power to think and your humanity. You must believe that the government, not you is how you become successful.
CWforFreedom on January 21, 2010 at 7:28 AM
Don’t be complacent . . . Brown’s win was good but this is only one skirmish. The left is insidious like a cancer and will be back with a new plan all greased and ready to cram into one or more of our orifices. Be vigilant and continue the fight.
rplat on January 21, 2010 at 7:37 AM
As I have stated…come the morning after Brown’s victory there will only be one question on the lips of all politicians….”How do I keep my job?”
They could care less about health, environment, global warming, jobs creation, etc., compared to their paycheck and cushy lifestyle…
right2bright on January 21, 2010 at 8:00 AM
A lot of the Democrats are now saying, What do you mean us, Kemo Sabe?
kingsjester on January 21, 2010 at 8:07 AM
Speaking of Hussein Obama… I heard this morning that Muslim groups have a BIG problem with these Bible Quotes being found on American Weaponry. Any one know as to which quotes in particular they find most offensive? Is there one that… for instance… Melts the Face? Like in Raiders of the Lost Ark? Not that I would use it on them… just wondering.
ronnyraygun on January 21, 2010 at 8:32 AM
Absolutely correct!! All this did was give us a moment to draw a breath, regroup and plan the next skirmish. We dare not rest on our laurels very long either, as rplat said, the left is insidious. They are just using this brief moment of “partisanship” to regroup themselves. The left was shocked and momentarily disoriented and they continue with the “right is so stupid” attitude that they think we’ll say “awww…. look, this senate majority loss made them rethink their values” BS…. just hearing their “OMG” comments should make us/we/you want to work that much harder to ensure that the far left America hating nuts are crushed in 2010!
ladyhawke53 on January 21, 2010 at 8:32 AM
Do you really believe this is an acknowledgment of hearing the people?? The man spews nothing but lies and bullsh!t – so this little lie leads you to believe that he finally “gets it”? Wow just wow.
ladyhawke53 on January 21, 2010 at 8:39 AM
I expect a return of more moderate “JFK” Democrats as they abandon the far left fringe out of sense of political survival.
Obama either becomes a President of ALL The People, or a caricature of Jimmy Carter. The latter is more likely since he is “The Won”.
Roy Rogers on January 21, 2010 at 8:43 AM
Ditto and Ditto.
We won, we celebrated. Now we continue to push the attacks until everything the enemy has built is destroyed.
ronnyraygun on January 21, 2010 at 8:43 AM
O may sound less combative but Nancy, standing bravely?(idiotically) alone I would guess, does not.
jeanie on January 21, 2010 at 8:59 AM
Obama is not planning on making any compromises with Republicans, you can count on that. This is nothing but a show for the American public. The only compromises that will be made are between the very far left House bill and the far left Senate Bill, and then they will blame the Republicans when it doesn’t pass.
Also, John Zeigler made a good point about Brown’s campaign. If it hadn’t been for the Haiti earthquake, does anyone doubt that the media would have unleashed a serious Palinesque attack on Brown? Would he have won if the media had been more focused on him? Will any Republican candidate in 2010 be able to overcome that kind of negative media attack? One of the reasons Brown won was because he had almost a “stealth” campaign, he snuck up on them.
mbs on January 21, 2010 at 9:02 AM
Does this same philosophy apply to the right? Just askin’. And…for both parties it depends largely on one’s definitions of ‘far’ and ‘moderate’.
jeanie on January 21, 2010 at 9:03 AM
Okay, this is the first play from scrimmage after Brown’s touchdown run. We have to give them something to bite on and show the dichotomy betwen healthcare reality and healthcare fantasy. We’ve said “NO” and the message has been heard loud and clear. We need to give the president a way to save his bacon and define ourselves as the party of YES to healthcare reform
YES TO:
tort reform
interstate insurance coverage
portability
choice
competition
tax incentives for pro bono health care work
NO TO:
government intervention
public options
govt coops
medicare and medicaid expansion
Ed, help give our guys something to give the POTUS something that he should say YES to. Once he says, NO, then we’ll see who the party of NO is.
Everybody on the line. *pass, run?*
ted c on January 21, 2010 at 9:08 AM
…they’d be Conservatives!
DanaSmiles on January 21, 2010 at 9:12 AM
Oh yes, there’s a plan I can get behind. What would we do with a conservative majority in the House AND the Senate in January 2011?
FREEDOM!
Blacksmith8 on January 21, 2010 at 9:16 AM
Hey y’all Ann Coulter comments on HotAir.
Blacksmith8 on January 21, 2010 at 9:19 AM
Agreed on tort reform. The problem with tort reform is that nobody knows what tort means. We should can it something akin to “limits on lawyer greed” or something.
The reason why there’s no reform is because the schmuck lawyers that run congress make their money that way.
Mojave Mark on January 21, 2010 at 9:21 AM
Ok, I admit it. I just had the hair on my neck stand up–check it out–on the front page of drudge, is a picture of Scott Brown standing in front of Paul Revere’s statue, that stands behind the Old North Church. I’m pretty certain that is the location. If that is true, it is utterly symbolic and a direct reference to the revolut!on and glorious cause that is underway across our country.
drudgereport.com
ted c on January 21, 2010 at 9:27 AM
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/50/62/f8/paul-revere-statue.jpg
There is a photo on drudgereport of Scott Brown giving a speech in front of Paul Revere’s statue behind the Old North Church. utterly symbolic.
The above link is the statue. It is in Little Italy in Boston.
ted c on January 21, 2010 at 9:29 AM
IF the “far” right EVER embraced Mao, Saul Alinsky, Che Guevara, homegrown terrorists such as Bill Ayers as has the far left, or proselytized about “terrorist rights”, you’re damn right it applies equally to them.
As far as one’s definitions of ‘far’ and ‘moderate’ are concerned or perceived, res ipsa loquitur.
Roy Rogers on January 21, 2010 at 9:37 AM
Keep running Mr. President, the cliff is in sight:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMZlr5Gf9yY
WordsMatter on January 21, 2010 at 9:38 AM
Mojave Mark on January 21, 2010 at 9:21 AM
yeah, let’s demagogue a truckload of trial lawyers, since demagoging is the cause du jur or whatever. Let’s use good ol’ lovin’ Baby Daddy Johnny Throckmorton Edwards as case in point. The message is, that the lawyer will screw you and leave you with the mess (not that kids are the mess but we can leave it unsaid and let ‘em read between the lines).
ted c on January 21, 2010 at 9:40 AM
For what it’s worth, I think Brown will be used as the ‘fall guy’ on the vote, which will let Reid off the hook, and he can say it wasn’t his fault….that’s how they will slink away from this….Brown will be blamed….mark my words……
RoxanneH on January 21, 2010 at 9:46 AM
Well considering that our “far right” mentor is Ronald Reagan or Thomas Sowell, and the left’s mentor is people like Pol Pot, Che, Mao, Alinsky, you tell me who is further away from the middle…
Your foolish “relativism” is exactly that, foolish.
You can’t compare Mao to Thomas Sowell…or can you?
right2bright on January 21, 2010 at 9:50 AM
The actions of President Obama lately are telling. They tell U.S. that he knows his ideas are loosers, but his handlers are just trying to buy time to find a win.
The best course of action is to find new leadership in the House and Senate NOW!
MSGTAS on January 21, 2010 at 10:02 AM
Never trust a snake oil salesman & the snake oil their selling. This administration can never be trusted.
redridinghood on January 21, 2010 at 10:05 AM
I had forgotten Pol Pot. All those folks buried in the Killing Fields must have been “truck driving racists” who refused to give “progressive socialism” a chance.
Che posters proudly displayed…
Special deals for unions…
Paying off political cronies for votes…
Very Merry Mao Christmas ornaments…
Acorn Christmas cookies…
kool aid drinking “Darwin” class of useful idiots.
America soundly rejects the far left.
Roy Rogers on January 21, 2010 at 11:01 AM
I guess you never examined closely the career of John Edwards? He made most of his money not in the courtroom but in settlements. Your point of wagering on losses applies not only to the patient, but to the insurance company as well. Note that Mr. Edwards got one-third of a $25M settlement for one malpractice case — which he won not on merit but by sympathy for him having recently lost a son. A few irons in the fire like that and he doesn’t have to worry about losing — for very small wagers, hours wise, he can make a lot of money.
Multiply Mr. Edwards by a thousand or so, and you have the reason why malpractice insurance is so high.
Finally, it is not the case that the loser pays all. That’s only in the case of vexatious litigation, which is rarely found. In most cases, each side pays its legal costs — which is why Mr. Edwards contracted with his client for one-third of the proceeds. Had Mr. Edwards lost, his client would have paid nothing (other than his time), while, if Edwards wins, the client gets millions.
unclesmrgol on January 21, 2010 at 9:38 PM
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