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NBC's Mark Murray, Domenico Montanaro, and Chief Justice Correspondent Pete Williams discuss how the recent health care reform arguments affect the 2012 presidential race, and if the Supreme Court's decision could change the Massachusetts health care law.
Thanks to newdayDAWNING...RETURNED, winemaker-4308406 and Nathan-1680585 for their questions!
Video edited by NBC's Morgan Parmet.
TRANSCRIPT:
MARK MURRAY: Welcome to Inside the Boiler Room and Domenico, after the Supreme Court's oral arguments on health care, the issue of that and the politics are big for a lot of our viewers. We've got two questions.
One from newdayDAWNING who asks, "If the Justice rule against the healthcare law, which side benefits in the upcoming election?"
We got a related question from winemaker who asks, "If Obamacare is found to be unconstitutional, what does this legislation do for the image of the President?"
DOMENICO MONTANARO: Yeah, I think the politics of this are actually pretty tough to figure out. I think there's no question that if you put your historian hat on and this is struck down, that that's a body blow to the President's legacy.
The fact is that this is the signature accomplishment, the signature achievement. Now, but does that mean that he won't win reelection? That's the complicated part of this. I think the fundamental question, the reset, for us to be able to say I'm not sure how much it will actually impact because we're losing sight of the fact that the most important issue is the economy.
Unemployment, it is still is, all this other stuff that's happening below the surface. If unemployment is headed in a direction that appears to show that it's going down, that the economic indicators continue in a right direction for the country, then that's good for the President.
If it's the other way, then he's in a real fight and with a body blow on healthcare, maybe that deflates the base.
MARK MURRAY: Domenico, I think you nailed it. Absolutely. I think it hurts his image. Of course, it actually hurts the whole Democratic Party’s image as well. This is something they’ve spent an entire year on. That members of their caucus ended up losing in the midterm elections because of it.
If the Supreme Court were to strike it down, it would be a huge blow to the progressive community. It's pretty much the liberal left which over the last 40-50 years has been trying for universal healthcare. But the politics, I don't think we have any idea.
There also is the argument too on can Mitt Romney actually seize on this politically against President Obama since he actually also supported a mandate in his own state. That mandate that Romney had in Massachusetts actually is a question that we ended up getting from Nathan who wants to know, "If the Supreme Court strikes down Obamacare, does that pose any danger to the Massachusetts health care law?"
We're actually going to turn to our Justice Correspondent, Pete Williams, who has an answer on that to you Nation. Pete, take it away.
PETE WILLIAMS: If the US Supreme Court were to strike down the Federal health care law, it would probably have very little effect on Massachusetts laws and for two reasons.
First, the federal law is being challenged under the US Constitution. The question is whether congress had the authority to pass it. The challengers say the constitution's commerce clause gives the government broad power to regulate commerce, but not to regulate people not engaged in commerce.
They say that somebody who doesn't have insurance isn't in commerce and can't be regulated. The Obama administration says what it's regulating isn't the insurance market, it's the healthcare system and everybody's involved in that.
Now by contrast, the Massachusetts system was passed by state law. So there's no issue of the Congressional commerce clause because it wasn't passed by congress.
And by the way, the state law has already survived a challenge in state court based on state law.
There's a second reason. The state's generally have broader regulatory authority. They're actually called police powers. Then the federal government does. That's because under our constitutional system, all power not granted to the federal government are reserved to the states.
For those reasons, whatever the Supreme Court does, it probably won't mean much to the Massachusetts system.
Leave a Comment:
Yea Let's get Obama talking about his unconstitutional healthcare program. That is subject most American's are interested in. It will take strong leadership to repair the damage that law has done...
Yeah, let's roll back Obamacare and return to the Wonder Years of paying insurance premiums but having your claims denied due to pre-existing conditions. Those fabulous years of ranking 10th in the world when it comes to medical care ratings. The glory days where the number one reason for bankruptcy is medical bills. Gad, I long for the good old days of piss-poor coverage in exchange for high premiums and premiums that climbed year after year. Bring 'em back.
UAWPlease: Whenever I read comments like yours, against the healthcare reform bill, I think "my God, do you plan to never get sick and you are 100% sure you will always have health insurance, and that your health insurance company won't deny your coverage for one reason or another?"
I mean, who are these cocky people who are so derisive of President Obama's efforts to regulate the health insurance industry? I have self employed friends, who paid through the nose for insurance with high deductables - they pay out of pocket for things like their kid's MIR after a soccor injury. My nephew has a heart condition and can't go without insurance, but his employer dropped him during the recession. We have always worried he'd get denied for having a pre-existing condition. His parents paid for Cobra after his employer dropped coverage. I never had health insurance when I worked in a daycare, in retail stores or at the L.L.Bean call center (worked at that job eight years, and was never called "regular" because they would lay me off for a month every year.)
What world do you live in?
Yeah, let's roll back Obamacare and return to the Wonder Years of paying insurance premiums but having your claims denied due to pre-existing conditions.
you don't need a 2000+ page monstrousity to take care of that. We outlawed it up here in MA about 10 years before RomneyCare passed.
Well, Amy, it goes like this. UAW and others would be praising health care reform if it were called anything but Obamacare. So I recommend to the president that we call it NotObamacare. That will get the GOP/TP whiners to proclaim its virtues and praise it from the pulpits.
Amy, The first thing we need to do is stop confusing "Health Insurance" with "Healthcare" They are 2 completely different things. Insurance should be used to protect us from catastrophic expenses that would bankrupt us. Premiums would be much cheaper if they didnt have to include coverage for runny noses and routine items such as birth control. Dr's would not charge outrageous amounts for routine office visits if patients paid for those costs directly. Now that Obama wants to force everyone to buy "Insurance" you can expect healthcare costs to rise dramatically along with premiums.
It is no coincidence that the two fastest growing costs in America are Education and Healthcare. (both of these are also the most subsidized by the US Government) and Medical and Educational institutions and professionals exploit that gaurenteed subsidy....
UAW
I have heard it said the reason healthcare is so expensive is because of the existence of a product called health insurance. It isn't just that people with insurance over use healthcare, but that providers push more services and tests they can then bill companies for. Of course, any attempt in the HCR to control costs is labeled a "death panel" by the Republicans, who are using this issue as a political football, instead of addressing spiraling costs, and the fate of millions who go unisured.
Hopefully Pete Williams answer has put to bed the "My state requires me to have car insurance" question.
Yes Amy, not like the Democrats producing a commercial showing Paul Ryan pushing Granny over cliff.
Of course when the Insurance companies tried to introduce HMO's to manage care and cut costs it was a roaring success.
Uh, must of us purchase Health Insurance, not 'Catastrophe Health Only Insurance", or "Cover me only in the event of Bankruptcy Insurance". Every other industrialized country in the world can cover all of its citizens, this country needs to step up to the plate. The insured should not be expected to pay for the uninsured. The uninsured should never have to make the decision of death, bankruptcy, or let someone else pick up the tab.
And finally, citizens of this country should not have to play by 50 different sets of rules when it comes to healthcare. One system, one standard, one set of rules.
Your right Red, Most people buy "Health Insurance" and expect it to cover 100% of what ever pains them. Regardless of what those procedures cost. The patient could care less what it costs because either his insurance is going to get the bill or in the event of the uninsured he's going to throw the bill in the trash when it comes. Mandating the purchase of Insurance is a poor way to manage routine costs...
I support Health Care Reform Act. I think it is constitutional, after all they make you buy car insurance to provide liability coverage if you have an accident, why not liability coverage to protect the rest of us when you gert sick?
I would prefer a single payer plan like Canada and Europe to cover everyone at a uniform cost. I worked for a Monatna company with no coverage with a Candian affiliate under the Canadian system, They had lower absenteeism and turnover than we did since they had medical insurance to see doctors.
Dear Mark, Domenico and also Pete Williams. Thank you very much for answering my question. I think it may also come down to how big an argument that President Obama can make against a conservative court to rally the base.
In any case; that you take the time to answer our questions makes this site so interesting to come to visit.
Congrats NDD, winemaker, and Nathan for getting your questions selected. Good Job!!
Thanks, RedDevPS
Yay for NewDay having her question selected!
Congrats!
I agree, the interaction is much appreciated!
Congrats on having your questions answered.
Congratulations NDD. Excellent question. I disagree with Mark and Domenico, for a change. If the Supreme Court strikes down the Healthcare law, it won't be a blow to the Progressives, or the President, it will be a blow to the country, and to our general economy. Forget the millions who are uninsured in this country, and their lives. Healthcare costs are on track to eat up more and more of our GDP. It's costing employers more and more to offer coverage.
This is what bugs me about the media and politics. Everything is framed as though the only consequences are to certain candidate's political fortunes. Republicans are merrily anticipating the law being overturned - how will they feel when they then lose their insurance, or their relatives go bankrupt from medical bills, or, if they are in management, they have to decide which employees get coverage and which don't? This isn't just "politics" - this is life and death and real money.
Thank you for responding to my query.
While the ObamaCare issue is interesting to the image of the Progressive Party, I feel the real issues in this election will jobs, the economy and the potential risk of run-away inflation, and the ever increasing debt this man has brought to the nation.
ObamaCare is just another part of the rising cost of big government.
Thanks, all.
Congrats to NDD, winemaker and Nathan, all asked great questions.
Amy, well said. That's my thinking as well.
winemaker, the ever increasing debt brought to this nation is due to the unfunded Bush tax cuts and two unfunded wars not to mention all the other GOP unfunded legislation passed during the Bush years. President Obama has added far less actual debt than Bush did. The trouble for conservatives is that too often they look at the total debt amount without looking at the cause. Neither side is perfect but when it comes to debt, the GOP has not been fiscally responsible for most of the last 30 years.
Great questions all! Congrats NDD, nathan!
Jody,
It's that you run the numbers differently than I do. Yep, Bush helped to increase the debt, but since Mr. Obama began his administration, his spending inflated the debt.
As I see it, he borrowed much from China for his administration policies which were far greater than the Bush spending. And didn't Obama escalate the two wars while playing in a third?
Not to mention the large sums given as foreign aid to those who dislike us in the world. Are you happy building Muslim churches while many in the US suffer?
I can go on, but there is no point. You buy into the liberal left thoughts of blaming Bush, or the Republicans for everything, when Mr. Obama is the leader of this dysfunctional administration.
Time to get an adult in the White House.
Great questions you three. Congrats.
UAW, what damage has the law done? Most of the provisions haven't even gone into effect yet, including the mandate. Explain the damage done by ending discrimination based on preconditions, allowing children to remain on their parents plans, etc. This healthcare law is a conservative compromise and the mandate an idea that came out of the ultra-conservative heritage foundations aimed to get "free-riders" to start paying for their healthcare instead of passing the bill to taxpayers. If only we'd passed Medicare-for-all we'd have everyone covered and start saving money. It would be nice to not to have the worst healthcare in the developed world...
@BLmack1 - Me thinks we think alike - cheers mate.
"This healthcare law is a conservative compromise"
LOL, whatever you say...
Obama care is a radical government takeover of 1/6 of our ecomony...that is why Pelosi jammed it through without one GOP vote, and Reid couldnt get to 60 so pretended it was a budget measure...
Bob in Virginia, do you deny that Republicans were recently pushing for a mandate for employers to withhold from their employees earnings funds for healthcare insurance?
Respectfully, Dominico, Mark and Pete, if the ACA should be voted down in the Supreme Court, the Democratic party will be able to roll out literally thousands of testimonials as to how the Act has helped Americans in this nascent phase of its implementation. Further, when you suss out the number of people who are dissatisfied because the ACA didn't have a single payer provision but still want a national healthcare program, the number of people that support a healthcare program such as this turns to the majority (according to NYT/CBS, AP/Yahoo, Washington Post/ABC, Kaiser Family Foundation polling).
Given that the Mittronic Rombot is saddled with the success of his Massachusetts state initiative, this has to be a significant net plus for the President's re-election. The caveat, of course, is proper messaging.
During a recent visit to a store, the SEIU members were out in force to garnish those signitures for ObamaCare. You must hand it to the unions for their participation in driving those testimonials that ForePlinger talks about.
I guess the SEIU believes in voting for the Presidential label!
WE JUST CAN'T WAIT to correct the error of '08!
I'm with you winemaker.
We must correct the mistake of giving control of the House to Republicans. We must have a Democratic majority in both houses along with re-electing the President. I'm glad you'll be working to that end.
How much money will be available for Healthcare if every American is asked to contribute $ only $5.00 a month as health insurance premium?
I guess it will be by far more than what the few who are currently insured at a much higher insurance premium generate into the economy towards healthcare.
200 million Americans each paying $10 a month ------$ 2,000,000,000 per month. Good idea.
NDD, winemaker, and Nathan, Congratulations on having you questions selected "In the Boiler Room"
Thanks, lisa! Hope things are well with you!
At only $10. 00 contribution a month by each person, there will be $2,000,000,000 a month and $ 24,000,000,000 per year for healthcare. Very cheap and affordable.
A Healthy Nation. A big relief to all workers and tax payers in general. Common sense.
How much money will be available for Healthcare if every American is asked to contribute $ only $5.00 a month as health insurance premium?
I guess it will be by far more than what the few who are currently insured at a much higher insurance premium generate into the economy towards healthcare.
200 million Americans each paying $10 a month ------$ 2,000,000,000 . 00 available per month for healthcare. Good idea.
The President promised to go over the health care bill, "line by Line", with my congressman and any other law maker in Washington who requested. The President also said that all proceedings regarding the health care bill would be broadcast on CSPAN. While they are going over the health care bill "line by line" on CSPAN as promised by the President, they should discuss the law's constitutionality and what amendments will be needed if certain parts of the law are found to be unconstitutional. I have also heard that the health care law is now expected to add almost 500 billion dollars to our national debt over a 10 year period. This is contrary to what the President promised. This also needs to be discussed. I think that we will all understand the law better after the promised broadcasts have concluded. Does anyone know when the promised broadcasts are scheduled to begin?
At only $10. 00 contribution a month by each person, there will be $2,000,000,000 a month and $ 24,000,000,000 per year for healthcare. Very cheap and affordable.
A Healthy Nation. A big relief to all workers and tax payers in general. Common sense.
At only $10 a month for each employee in including millionaires and billionaires contributing only $10 a month, in 10 years we have $240,000,000,000 available for healthcare. That is just an estimated truth. With accuracy, it will be much more.
So that is 24 billion dollars a year for health care in a nation where the GNP is something like 15 trillion dollars, Does anyone out there know how much or what portion of our GNP goes to health care each year? It is a matter of whether our health care industry is prepared for a gross annual income of 24 billion dollars.
How did you get this gig and understand so little? The "Obamacare" bill is NOT a liberal or Democrat bill. It was invented and supported by self-labeled conservatives for years. When Obama decided he couldn't get universal single-payer health care, he went for what would pass. But among liberals, this law is far from popular. I personally think it's unconstitutional. I'd rather be back at square one, but with a Democrat ( NOT Blue Dog) Congress and pass a real national health care system. This may have been better than nothing, but not by much.
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911 was an INSIDE JOB!!! Still think Bin Laden is dead!? Seen a body lately!???
Think Obama's better then Bush!???
Research the NDAA executive order that Obama (your UNITED NATION'S president) signed on New Year's day so you'd never know about it, and which states that AMERICANS can now be DETAINED UNLIMITEDLY by authorities, NO JUDGE, NO JURY, and sent to a foreign jail like Guantanamo...FOREVER...No Reasons Given or Needed!
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KILL THE FEDERAL RESERVE and ALL CENTRAL BANKS!
As A COUNTRY CAN AND SHOULD PRINT ITS OWN MONEY without interest!
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Women’s employment is the subject of the debate. The question to ask is
"WHY ARE WOMEN ARE FIRED FROM JOBS RATHER THAN MEN?" The answer has
nothing to do with President Obama's policies, but it sheds light on our
Nation's overall attitude of disregard for women. Before Mitt Romney uses this
statistic to criticize Obama, he should do some more research. What were the
jobs lost? Were they school teachers who were fired because of budget cutbacks?
Would Obama’s jobs agenda include the rehiring of teachers? As we are
approaching a period of new hiring, is it possible that more women will be
returning to work than men?
No one should dispute the fact that managing a household and
raising a family is indeed a full time job. But Mrs. Romney should realize that
her employer is a faithful and wealthy man, and her “firing” would never
happen. This is hopefully true for all mothers and wives.
But the fact remains that many married women must work to
meet the needs of the entire household when the husband’s salary is not enough
to cover all the costs of living. Both Obama and Romney must address this
issue, and I think Obama will arrive at a better solution than Romney.