Healthcare Reform: Stephen Fraser Letter Controversy, More Truth Than Fiction?
Ok folks the Stephen Fraser letter has made it’s way to factcheck and they have decided that it is not accurate. In addition they claim to have traced the originator through twitter and determined that a conservative blogger constructed this letter and there is no Dr Stephen Fraser. Now the liberals have debunked the letter and they can move on and continue to support this terrible bill.
But wait a minute why don’t we look a the full context of what the bill is saying? Is this letter truly inaccurate? First this letter is about HR3200 but the contents are in HR3962 so it is relevant.
Lets look at one of the letters claims about HR3200: Claim: Page 30: A government committee will decide what treatments and benefits you get (and, unlike an insurer, there will be no appeals process). This in now found in HR3962 page 111.
Factcheck determination: False: Actually, the section starting on page 30 sets up a “private-public advisory committee” headed by the U.S. surgeon general and made up of mostly private sector “medical and other experts” selected by the president and the comptroller general. The advisory committee would have only the power “to recommend” what benefits are included in basic, enhanced and premium insurance plans. It would have no power to decide what treatments anybody will get. Its recommendations on benefits might or might not be adopted.
This is true, but if one looks at this section of the bill in full context one might wonder if there is more truth than fiction here.
While it is true that the committee will make recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services concerning benefits, one should ask the question where else will the benefits be decided other than the committee? While it is true that they are not empowered to decide what benefits you will receive, their recommendations will certainly carry a tremendous amount of weight and will probably be accepted. The bill states that the Secretary of Health and Human Services SHALL adopt the benefit standards through a process governed by section 553 of title 5, United States CodeS, which reads as follows:
“This section applies, according to the provisions thereof, except to the extent that there is involved – (1) a military or foreign affairs function of the United States; or (2) a matter relating to agency management or personnel or to public property, loans, grants, benefits, or contracts. (b) General notice of proposed rule making shall be published in the Federal Register, unless persons subject thereto are named and either personally served or otherwise have actual notice thereof in accordance with law. The notice shall include – (1) a statement of the time, place, and nature of public rule making proceedings; (2) reference to the legal authority under which the rule is proposed; and (3) either the terms or substance of the proposed rule or a description of the subjects and issues involved.
Except when notice or hearing is required by statute, this subsection does not apply – (A) to interpretative rules, general statements of policy, or rules of agency organization, procedure, or practice; or (B) when the agency for good cause finds (and incorporates the finding and a brief statement of reasons therefor in the rules issued) that notice and public procedure thereon are impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. (c) After notice required by this section, the agency shall give interested persons an opportunity to participate in the rule making through submission of written data, views, or arguments with or without opportunity for oral presentation.
After consideration of the relevant matter presented, the agency shall incorporate in the rules adopted a concise general statement of their basis and purpose.
Page 118 of HR3692 clearly states that the Secretary SHALL adopt an initial set of benefit standards and provide for period up dating of those standards.
So, given this would it not follow that the committee will determine your benefits? Worse yet would it not follow that the Secretary of Health and Human Services will determine your benefits? THE GOVERNMENT will determine your benefits period.
Lets look at the us of the terms treatments/benefits used in the context of this letter. Isn’t the term benefits a word used to describe the collective treatments, surgeries, prescription drugs, out/in patients services and other things you will receive through your plan? If so then the committee recommendations and the Secretary of Health and Human Services (GOVT) will determine the “treatments” and other services you will receive.
If carry this logic further you will see that they will also determine the price of these services via what they are willing pay as compensation for these services. If you take the next step you might ask yourself if this will also control the salaries of our medical professionals. Medicare already sets the limits of compensation for services, the insurance companies use the Medicare model to negotiate the benefit compensation with their preferred providers. Logic dictates that if the Government controlled healthcare program is the only one in town the medical professionals will have to settle for these limits.
I would say there is more truth in this letter than one would suspect. I will leave you to make your own decision on that subject. I have read the bill and have my own interpretations and opinions on what I have read. I will leave you to make your own.
I post these chain letters once in awhile to stimulate the debate in order to get people discussing the issues, to read the bills and determine on their own if these laws are to our benefit. I would hope folks would use things like Factcheck as a starting point and determine on their own whether a bill or and issue is good for the citizens of the United States. Please folks read the bills and formulate your own opinion.
Finally, It is well documented that there is a Dr. Stephen Fraser, Did he write the letter? I don’t know, if he did at least he is engaged in the debate. If it was written by the conservative blogger: I condemn your actions, you are undermining the argument and all of our credibility when you hide behind a false identity. If you read the bill and these are your concerns stand behind them and identify yourself as what you truly are. Stop the crap and man-up.
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The Common Man: I am just that, someone who spent 30 plus years working for the government as a mid-level manager and program manager. This forum allows me to have a voice and share my concerns. I have been a voting member of the silent majority my entire adult life, now however it seems voting is not enough and being silent is a bad idea. This forum is an attempt to move the conversation from the kitchen table, friends and families to people who would also like to voice opinions and Participate in a civil debate.
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I have read this bill and I have listened to all rational people trying to reason with the Dem’s. in Washington, and it does no good. The more people voice alarm, the faster they go. I started pondering this fact when I heard Henry Kissenger state in an interview that a group he belonged to is preparing Obama to be the leader of the coming One World Order. To get a “One World Government”, the United States of America would have to relinquish its sovereignty. Their one road block would be the last of the true Americans who know what it means to give their all for love of country.
That would mean those of us who are 50-60 and over. They don’t want to march all of us out to the ditches and mow us down, that could cause bad PR. Look at how Mao, Stalin, Hitler, Sadam Hussein and history’s many others are remembered. We refer to them as butchers, maniac, madmen, evil, and if nothing else, deserving of death. People of this type character are meant to be fought not followed.
No Obama can’t take that chance, so he gets a medical system put into place that put us, the old guys, in the position of doing the “RIGHT THING” and laying down our lives for the good of the country. He may even establish an annual holiday to commemorate those of us who laid down our lives and got out of the way for the evolution of America into the World Community.
So I say again, they are not going to listen to your warning;
they know that they are going to be killing off the “Greatest Generation”.
THAT WAS THE WHOLE IDEA FROM THE START.
Just a thought, but it sure explains lots things to we. I just couldn’t figure out how the largest out cry against any legislation I’ve ever known came into Washington, and they passed it any way. That same sentence can apply to the bank bailouts, the automotive industry, the stimulus, and yes, the Obama-care.
They don’t represent us or The US anymore, so who is driving this train?
Wow. I had no idea the conspiracy theories were this crazy. I thought the birthers were about as crazy as they get, but Sharon has taken it to a whole new level of batsh*t craziness. If this is your target audience Rod, I’m definitely on the wrong Web site.
Bridgid, we at yes-23 try to post all comments and promote discussion. We do not necessarily agree with all of the comments and only screen them for appropriate content. ie no profanity or offensive content. I can tell you that the only target audience we have is people with an interest in current political events and a willingness to discuss them. I hope you understand this is an open forum and continue to provide input. I truly enjoy our debates.
Rod
I didn’t mean to take a shot at you or your Web site. The level of violent rhetoric, such as the garbage Sharon posted, does concern me though. It is impossible to reason or debate with someone who thinks like that. When radio talk show hosts, cable news talking heads–and yes, even elected US congressional representatives–routinely use terms like “terrorist” and “enemy” and “bloodletting” when referring to the president of our country, it’s only a matter of time before someone takes them seriously:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/06/us/06threat.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1
RodZ is patently wrong in his first paragraph. Just put [Stephen E. Fraser] into Bing and the first two hits are for Dr. Stephen E. Fraser, an Anesthesiologist from Indianapolis, IN. Needless to say, I didn’t bother reading the rest of Roz’s letter.
http://www.healthgrades.com/directory_search/physician/profiles/dr-md-reports/Dr-Stephen-Fraser-MD-97FA35E7.cfm
http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Stephen_Fraser.html
I just found this site and at first I thought wow I finally found somewhere for everyone to go to seek out information and rally together as one to stand up and fight as ONE. Perhaps I was wrong yet again, the last post was in December. In the next 24hrs the health-care bill will be signed by Obama before voted on and no one is saying anything here. You have got to be kidding me we can no longer walk threw the clouds only thinking of ourselves and expect everything to work it’s self out! Our rights are quickly leaving and mark my words by the time we can get Obama out of that office the mess he has made as well as prior Presidents will be to devastating. Our country is in dire need of reform but not like this. Come on people opinions are a dime a dozen and we all have at-least one so share if you want to or predict if it makes you feel better. The point I am trying to make is we have got to focus on now and stand up and do it together to save what freedom we have left.
Sonai thank you for your comment. Yes 23 has been posting on several issues. The health care reform went behind closed doors in Dec and it was hard to find issues that we had not discussed. We have been posting on many other issues in the mean time but let assure you we are back to healthcare and trying to sort our what is happening.
Annon what are you trying to say, Frazer doens’t exist? look again. Stephen E. Fraser (MD)
Ste 400, 3600 Woodview Trce, Indianapolis, IN 46268
(317) 870-0482
We are not sure if this particular Dr. posted the letter but he does exist. I’m sorry you didn’t read this post because you certainly missed the point. It was not if Frazer wrote this or if he exists. The point was that there was a lot of truth in the letter depending on how you looked at what it said.
Your opening letter is excellent. What strikes me is incredible complexity of the bill. If passed, it will take an army of lawyers to understand it. Hmmmm, aren’t a lot of politicians lawyers? So instead of stopping at the receptionist desk you’ll have to first stop and the legal dept. first before you can see the doctor? Seriously, big government is BAD government. Just look at what they did to the railroad industry, as just one example. They pretty much destroy our passenger rail system in this country. And shat happened to States Rights? In a way I almost hope they pass the bill – payback will come in November.
I sent that letter to factcheck two days ago, glad someone else did too, i had concerns over it’s validity and how people were believing it at face value, it’s dangerous either way, if it’s true or if it’s false, who knows what to believe anymore.
Stephen Fraser does exist…he is an anesthesiologist and one of my partners. Yes, he did write this letter and submitted a copy to all the members of our group for discussion. Obviously, factcheck is useless! I guess I can no longer believe what they say!