Why is there no tort reform in any of the House or Senate bills? This would be the easiest way to save about $200 billion dollars without changing anything. Doctors are forced to spend an enormous amount of money on mal-practice insurance due to the ever-growing number of frivolous lawsuits filed. The increase of cost to the doctor trickles down to the patient, which then increases the cost of medical insurance. It is a vicious unending cycle that tort reform could combat.

Howard Dean, former Democratic National Chairman, explained at a town hall meeting why tort reform was not part of the proposed health care reform bill. He said, “This is the answer from a doctor and a politician. Here’s why tort reform is not in the bill. When you go to pass a really enormous bill like that, the more stuff you put in it, the more enemies you make, right? And the reason that tort reform is not in the bill is because the people who wrote it did not want to take on the trial lawyers in addition to everyone else they were taking on. And that is the plain and simple truth.”  For once he told the truth. In the proposed bills, doctors and hospitals are to take a $500 billion hit on Medicare, while the lawyers get a free pass.

The United States Constitution, that has served us so well for over 200 years, is 4,000 words long. So why does any bill in Congress have to be over 1,100 pages long? When I write a Letter to the Editor of the Roanoke Times, I cannot have more than 200 words. Why don’t they pass a law that no bill can be longer than the Constitution? Then maybe they would have to choose their words carefully and actually create legislation that we could read without having lawyers at out side to understand it.

There are over 250 web sites from individual law firms trolling for perceived victims of medical malpractice, with over 100 reasons to sue doctors or hospitals for everything from Mesothelioma to birth defects. If former Senator John Edwards is the poster boy for trial lawyers, he is also a testimonial to the need for limiting caps on medical malpractice.  President Obama was booed by doctors in a speech to the AMA in Chicago on June 15 when he said he was not in favor of limiting outrageous jury awards against doctors or hospitals.

Lawyers are one of the only profession that Jesus publicly reproved.  In Luke 11:46 He said, “Woe to you lawyers! For you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers”. His words ring as true today as they did 2000 years ago.

A former governor of Wisconsin had it right, when he reportedly said “The only three things I want the federal government to do for me are – deliver the mail, keep any enemies out of my yard, and stay out of my life”.

The hall was filled beyond capacity, and Mr. Goodlatte spoke and answered questions for more than two hours. A wide range of opinions were shared, but we were heartened to note that not only was the overwhelming majority of the crowd opposed to the bills currently working through the Congress, but that the Congressman was opposed as well.

He warned about governmental interference in insurance choices and voiced grave concern about the fiscal disaster facing Medicare as the baby boom generation begins to reach retirement age.

Here is a video report from Carson Krislov on WDBJ.

We can’t say whether Ms. Krislov did so with any agenda in mind, but she did go through the audience and hand-pick people who had posed questions to the Congressman for her to interview.

The Roanoke Times has coverage of the meeting online that struck us as very accurate and complete. It included this list of suggestions from Goodlatte:

That prompted Goodlatte to cite some of the “targeted changes in our laws” that he’d like to see:

• Leveling the tax playing field to offer the same incentives for individuals that are now offered to large corporations.
• Tort reform that would reduce operating costs for doctors, as well as “defensive medicine” that results in unneeded tests and procedures.
• More transparency of health care information and costs.
• Expansion of pooled coverage that would allow individuals and small businesses to band together and take advantage of economies of scale, even across state lines.

WSLS also aired a report, which included an interview with Chip Tarbutton, a member of our interim Board – though they did misidentify him as “Tearbutton.”

If anyone has their own photos or video from this event, please contact us.

With the “Baucus bill” being passed out of the Senate Finance Committee today, work is expected to begin to reconcile it with the bill passed earlier from the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Majority Leader Harry Reid has indicated that he expects the full Senate to take up these two bills by October 26.

The Roanoke Tea Party will be holding a number of events during the month of October to demonstrate to Senators Warner and Webb that residents of southwestern Virginia are opposed to top down implementation of government health care.

If you are not already on our mailing list, please sign up if you would like to be notified as our plans develop.

Former Governor George Allen will speak, and Patients First have invited the members and supporters of The Roanoke Tea Party to take part in this event. Local media will be present and we are requested to bring our signs and posters and be ready to make some noise.

Please consider meeting the bus on Thursday morning in Salem, in front of City Hall. The weather may not be terrific, but we need to be as visible and as vocal as we can in opposition to these health care bills. Don’t let people think the Tea Party movement has gone away!

Bring your signs, your ponchos and your umbrellas and help us welcome George Allen back to the Roanoke Valley.

We the People of Virginia demand that the Federal Government remain within its Constitutional boundaries on health care. We reject any of the following: Government-run health insurance; One-size government-dictated package of health benefits; New job-killing mandates on employers; Federal medical mandates that violate State Sovereignty; Requirement on individuals to buy medical insurance coverage; Federal institution that controls private health insurance; Government intrusion into our medical privacy; Taxpayer dollars for euthanasia, or life ending services; Medical coverage for illegal immigrants at taxpayer expense.

When they requested brief meetings with their representative and Senators, the request was denied. Wonder what 6,000 signatures look like end-to-end? Watch the video.

The first aspect of our Week Of Health Care Action involves contacting Senators Webb and Warner to express our concerns. We are asking everyone to dedicate an hour or so during the week to call, write, fax and visit the Senators’ offices to explain why you object to the proposals now before the Senate.

Senator Warner’s office is in downtown Roanoke and Senator Webb’s just off Rt. 419, near Tanglewood. If your travels will take you near either office this week, won’t you stop in for just a moment to share your thoughts with their staff?

In addition, will you compose a letter to each of them to be delivered this week? Our goal is to have a strong showing of opposition, so we ask you to mail the letters and also send a copy by Fax and email.

We also hope that you will take the time to contact the Senators’ offices in Washington.

Perhaps you could call one day, email the next, and write another? If this bill is passed, rescinding it will be extremely difficult, even if the majority of the people oppose it. Now is the time to voice your opposition!

Remember to be positive as well as negative – don’t just holler “no.” A few suggestions you might consider as reform proposals:

• Allow insurance companies to sell across state lines
• Allow the sale of ‘no frills’ catastrophic coverage policies
• Expand the use of Health Savings Accounts
• Tort reform to limit malpractice liability abuse
• Allow taxpayers to deduct individual premium costs without itemized deductions
• Allow individuals, small business and states to form voluntary pools to negotaite insurance rates
• Use refundable and advanceable tax credits to allow low income workers to purchase health insurance

Our Week Of Health Care Action will culminate in a public protest on Friday (10/30), between 4:00-6:00 p.m. in SW Roanoke County. We will announce the exact location in the next few days. Please plan to join us and help make a visible statement that Virginians do not want government mandated health insurance.

Bring the kids in their Halloween costumes, and come in costume yourself if you like. Save the date and time, get your signs ready, and exercise your rights to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly!

We depend on your participation to make this work!

Many members voice their passionate opposition to the bills that have been reported out of committee in Congress, and our concerns were noted by the Senators’ staff. They also accepted letters for the Senators.

Please keep up the pressure this week, writing, faxing, emailing, calling and visiting their Roanoke offices.

During the visits, we heard from Senator Warner’s representative that he has formally come out in favor of tort reform as a part of needed health care reform.

Senator Webb’s representative told us that the Senator has not yet declared his intentions on the Senate health care bills, but that he would be doing so in the next few days. Once his position is declared, you will be able to get details by calling his DC office at 866-507-1570.

Keep it up – this is the time when our Senators are deciding whether to support the proposed health reform legislation!

Our Say No To Government Health Care rally is scheduled for this Friday (10/30) from 4:00-6:00 p.m. We will meet at Cave Spring Corner, at the intersection of Rt. 419 and Brambleton Avenue in SW Roanoke County, and start by occupying the grassy area in the northwestern quadrant of the intersection (just near Walgreens). As more people arrive, we will spread along the right of ways of 419 and Brambleton.

See the areas in red on the map below:

If this area is completely filled when you arrive, please move down to another intersection such as 419 and Chapparall, 419 and Ogden Road (Republican Headquarters), or the Oak Grove intersection (419 and Grandin extension). Just be creative and find a nearby spot to start a new gathering.

The Roanoke Tea Party is running an advertisement this week on WFIR to promote this rally.

Here are a few very important things to keep in mind:

• Stay in the grassy areas along the side of the road.
• Stay out of the road – do not impede traffic in any way.
• Bring signs about health care reforms – and be positive as well as negative.
• This is not about President Obama – we are trying to influence our local Senators.
• Understand that our presence could be a hindrance to nearby businesses. Please try to keep that to a minimum, and consider patronizing merchants where you may park or set up.
• Bring your still and video cameras to capture the spirit of our rally. We would love to get any images or video you may capture to display on the Roanoke Tea Party web site.

Here are a few suggestions you might consider as positive reform proposals:

• Allow insurance companies to sell across state lines
• Allow the sale of ‘no frills’ catastrophic coverage policies
• Expand the use of Health Savings Accounts
• Tort reform to limit malpractice liability abuse
• Allow taxpayers to deduct individual premium costs without itemized deductions
• Allow individuals, small business and states to form voluntary pools to negotaite insurance rates
• Use refundable and advanceable tax credits to allow low income workers to purchase health insurance

We have arranged for an aerial photographs to be taken of the rally site, so please join us for an hour or so on Friday afternoon to help us make a strong showing!

Tell your friends… bring a neighbor… take a stand.

We depend on your participation to make this work!