Michelle Bachmann Suddenly Quiet on Census

It's ironic that a Minnesota member of Congress, Republican Michele Bachmann, went so far last summer to declare her intention to only partially complete her census forms, and to suggest reasons for others not to comply with the census law. If Minnesota loses a congressional seat, Bachmann's populous Sixth District could be carved into pieces. She likely would have to battle another incumbent to hang on to her seat. We've noticed that her anticensus rhetoric has lately ceased. We hope she got wise: Census compliance is not only in Minnesota's best interest, but also her own. Link

Benefits of the Affordable Health Care for America Act In the 16th Congressional District of Ohio

The Committee on Energy and Commerce in the U.S. House has put together a fact sheet on the specific benefits Ohio District 16 will see from the Affordable Health Care for America Act passed on November 7.

In Congressman Boccieri’s district, the Affordable Health Care for America Act will:

• Improve employer-based coverage for 414,000 residents.


• Provide credits to help pay for coverage for up to 167,000 households.


• Improve Medicare for 111,000 beneficiaries, including closing the prescription drug donut hole for 10,200 seniors.


• Allow 15,100 small businesses to obtain affordable health care coverage and provide tax credits to help reduce health insurance costs for up to 13,200 small businesses.


• Provide coverage for 44,000 uninsured residents.


• Protect up to 1,700 families from bankruptcy due to unaffordable health care costs.


• Reduce the cost of uncompensated care for hospitals and health care providers by $102 million.

› View full report …

What Health Insurance Reform Would Mean For Ohio

As the reforms bills in Congress stand now, Ohio would see substantial improvements in their health insurance options. For example:

• 1.4 million residents who do not currently have insurance and 533,000 residents who have nongroup insurance could get affordable coverage through the health insurance exchange.


• 942,000 residents could qualify for premium tax credits to help them purchase health coverage.


• 1.8 million seniors would receive free preventive services.


• 325,000 seniors would have their brand-name drug costs in the Medicare Part D “doughnut hole” halved.


• 118,000 small businesses could be helped by a small business tax credit to make premiums more affordable.

› Learn more about what health insurance reform would mean for Ohio

Americans Most Admire President Obama; Republicans Admire the President More Than Glenn Beck

President Obama is the most admired man in the world by Americans, garnering 30% of the vote. No one else is even close. In fact, Obama is more admired by Republicans than Glenn Beck.

“What Liberals Don't Understand: The Health Care Bill Is the Greatest Achievement of Our Time”

This is the title of an article by The New Republic's Senior Editor Jonathan Chait, describing the health care bill that just passed the Senate.

At some level, it is possible to understand the roots of liberal frustration. The machinery of Congress has ground away at the health care bill, as it does to almost any bill. But at a broader level, the liberal mood is insane. What has emerged from that machinery is not merely “better than nothing” or “a good start.” It is the most significant American legislative triumph in at least four decades. Why can so few people see that? Link

Health Reform Illustrated

By Igor Volsky at the Wonk Room:

Glenn Beck: Media Matters' 2009 Misinformer of the Year

Glenn Beck's well of ridiculous was deep and poisonous before he launched his Fox News show, but the inauguration of the 44th president of the United States -- and the permissive cheerleading of his Fox News honchos -- uncorked the former Morning Zoo shock jock's unique brand of vitriol, stage theatrics, and hyperbolic fright, making him an easy choice for Media Matters' 2009 Misinformer of the Year.

› Read more …