Report from the bloggers' health care conference call with Sen. John Thune

Yesterday morning I listened in on a bloggers' conference call with Sen. John Thune (R-SD), who was discussing the Democrats' health care plans, or what Thune called "the $2.5 trillion expansion of the federal government." Interestingly, while I'm writing this post, I'm watching President Obama on Fox News talking about creating new jobs, but Thune told us that the Senate bill is being "financed with tax increases that are job killers."

I work in sales and the one constant theme I encounter is that people want to pay less for products and services. Of course I'm no different. But Thune cited a Congressional Budget Office study "ninety percent of the people of this country would have at best their premiums stay where they are." He continued, "In other the would words year over year increases that are double the rate of inflation. Or at worse, see their premiums go up 10 to 13 percent."

But that doesn't pass Thune's "smell test" of lower health care costs, which is something the president and his minions are promoting as the key selling point of ObamaCare.

But it will increase taxes.

I remember when the Democrats' began their push for health care reform they sounded the alarm that anywhere from 30 to 45 million Americans lacked health insurance, hence it was urgent that their remaking of one-sixth of the economy immediately commence. But Thune told us "about 24 million Americans still won't be covered" by the Democrats' proposal.

What to do? Thune says we "should start this over again and do it right, in a step by step way that doesn't include this massive governmental expansion and 72 government programs that the bill calls for financed by tax increases and Medicare cuts."

What else to do? Be active and vigilant. "The only thing that stands between this country and government-run health care right is the American people." Contact your senators with your thoughts.

Oh, one of the bloggers asked Thune if he is running for president in 2012 He replied that he is only running for reelection next year.

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