MINUTES OF HCTT MEETING 10/3/2009

Attendees:

Harry Sims

Stan Thompson

Margaret Zucco

Laura Mullaney

Franklin Sullivan

Nita and Jon Kaplan

Cynthia Konicek

Sharon Hall

Gloria Johnson

Deputy Team leader, Jon Kaplan, opened the meeting with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.  Jon welcomed new HCTT member, Gloria Johnson, who came to us from the 2^nd Amendment Tiger Team.  Gloria is a Physician Assistant who brings much to the table of the team’s understanding of health care in the trenches.  Jon recapped the Four Prong Strategy that the team adopted at its previous meeting.

1. Congress

2.  State

3.  Judiciary

4.  Private Sector

1.  Congress

Jon  reported  on Steve Baysinger and Jon’s meeting with Shannon Cantrell, District Manager for Congressman Lamar Smith and Jonathan Huhn, aid to Senator John Cornyn.  He shared that he and Steve made clear that the SATP saw them as allies in the Health Care debate in Congress and hoped that they saw the SATP as an ally.  Jon and Steve asked how the SATP could help them.  The aids said that until the bills were more solidified, they did not know specifically.  We also asked them if they had sources of Constitutional law input to ascertain where the bills could be vulnerable Constitutionally.  They said that they may have a source that gave them input in DC and that if the SATP were to present a letter to them asking for direct contact with that source, they might provide us with access to it.  In the same breath, however, they said that they saw no Constitutional challenge until and unless a health care bill became law.  We all observed that both the Tea Party movement and they were in the minority at this point in the effort to slow or defeat existing bills under consideration.  The main accomplishment of this meeting was to open the door for further coordination as we all go forward.  They seemed to appreciate that open door.

2.  State

Jon reported in behalf of Hope D’Amore her meeting with Doug Miller, Texas Representative for Comal County, who is also an insurance broker, which fell into three categories – State Sovereignty, Texas Politics, and Healthcare.  See Attachment 1 for a summary.  Hope also has a meeting scheduled for Tuesday of this week with State Representative Frank Corte.  She has a positive email response from Constitutional Scholar, Richard Epstein, who will contact her soon for a discussion.  Hope is working on contact with San Antonio Constitutional lawyers, Allen Parker, and Clayton Trotter, of the Justice Foundation.  Allen has spoken before the SATP and at the Alamo and may offer a local source of input.  Jon reported that he had spoken to Mike Ariens, a Constitution Law Professor at St. Mary’s Law School, who offered insight into the Supreme Court’s historical position on Tenth Amendment issues. Ariens said that since the 1940’s the Supreme Court has broadened the federal government’s authority in its interpretation of the Constitution.  One would therefore need new and persuasive arguments to pursue challenges from states based on 10^th Amendment rights.  There was discussion in the HCTT about proactive State pushback against federal intrusion into state’s rights, eg.  getting the Governor to declare that Texas was going to relieve the federal government of the burden of administering Medicare and collect that portion of Social Security withholding allocable to Medicare, ie. play offense, rather than defense.  Hope will follow up and report back to the HCTT on options.

3.  Judiciary

Jon shared the idea of “using the law to enforce the law”, eg.  trying to get a judge to issue a ruling that directly challenged or enjoined the federal government from creating an unfunded mandate to the states.  This dovetails with the need for good Constitutional law input to know if this can be done.  The general rule is that federal law, if Constitutional, trumps state law, but either by going to court or by governors acting de facto and throwing down the gauntlet to the federal government to try to enforce what they may assert as their authority is worth considering.  Jon shared that Mike Ariens said that the Supreme court has upheld the authority of the federal government to regulate health insurance, but has delegated that authority to the states.  As the Tea Party movement connects within Texas and eventually the nation, the fundraising resources to retain legal services for advice and action will be more supportable.  SATP cannot finance this type of effort on its own.

4.  Private Sector

Jon, Harry Sims and Laura Mullaney reported on efforts to first understand and second to make allies of the health related private sector, including the AMA, TMA, Bexar County Medical Society, doctors, hospital associations, and others.  Laura and Jon attended the Bexar County Medical Society’s meeting where AMA(and former TMA) President, Dr. James Rohack, a cardiologist and a Texan spoke.  Dr. Rohack says that the AMA has been characterized as supporting OBAMACARE and the public option.  He backed off from that absolute characterization by saying that the AMA did not endorse HR 3200, but simply wanted to be a player at the negotiating table over how health care reform was ultimately done.  He did a Power point presentation on the increased cost of Medicare by 2017 when more of the baby boomer generation reaches Medicare age.  He said that if reform is not accomplished enough in advance of that point, Medicare will go broke.  He said that he is concerned that Medicare reimbursements are not reduced as a cost saving measure by any of the bills.  He said AMA was for tort reform which benefits doctors.  He said that AMA was for mechanized medical records systems and alluded to $44 million that was allocated in the TARP for this purpose.  He referred to the concept of an “accountable care organization” that would presumably decide what medical and diagnostic procedures were acceptable and what weren’t.  He said that without tort reform to protect the doctors, this would both violate anti trust laws and place doctors in greater exposure to medical liability.  He addressed the impact of illegal immigration in only the most cursory way by saying that illegals could buy insurance if it was affordable.  He said the AMA was for Health Savings Accounts owned by the individual and for preventive care.  He said AMA was for lowering health care administrative costs, but did not get specific on how this should be done.  He referred to the Declaration of Independence(versus the Constitution) giving the citizenry ”the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”.  I believe he was making the case for health care being a right, rather than a privilege.  Dr. Rohack will be back in San Antonio for a presentation at the Health Science Center on 10/19/09 from 5-6PM.  Perhaps we might piggyback a private visit with him.

Other topics discussed were as follows

1. Tiger Teams Leader/co leader meetings planned once per month to coordinate.

2. “NO SOCIALISM” signs.

3. Terrell Hills neighborhood meeting, which Jon and Nita attended, showing (T. R. Reed of Washington Post)PBS video of “Sick Around the World” in which the socialized healthcare systems of Japan, Taiwan, England, Germany, and Switzerland were compared to the American system.  It was actually informative and something the HCTT might want to view at some point.  All of the systems have cost containment problems.

4. Sharon Hall explained the workings of the Texas Board of Insurance.

5. Dr. Stan Thompson and Gloria Johnson will work on finding out where the waste and fraud in Medicare is and how it can be eliminated.  As of the date of these minutes being written, there was an item presented on Fox news that addressed a wheel chair that can be bought on the open market for $1800, which Medicare reimburses for $4600.  The federal procurement program needs to be looked at.  Gloria also reported on medical procedures that are not allowed to be reimbursed doubly for two in the same day, even though it would be efficient to do so for the patient.  Therefore, providers make the patient return later for a separate appointment, so they can get reimbursed by insurance, ie. we reward inefficiency.

6. Texas Tea Party leaders will meet with SATP leaders in San Antonio later this month to coordinate our efforts.

7. We all need to recruit new members.  (At the SATP General Meeting on Sunday, 10/4/09, we met Davis Jackson, who will join our Tiger Team).  Welcome, Davis.  If anyone knows lawyers, Constitutional and otherwise, who have an interest in our movement, please recruit them for the HCTT.

8. I have attached a wikipedia list of health insurers in Texas and Blue Cross’s FAQ for your review.  Harry Sims and Laura Mullaney will be working to make contact with them so that we may get an opportunity for Q & A.

A closing prayer was said and the meeting adjourned.  Next meeting will be at Eyes Of San Antonio (thank you Stan and Joyce) from 2-5PM on Saturday, 10/10/09.

Blue_Cross_FAQ_on_Health_Care_reform_Oct-05-2009.pdf

PBS-Video-Sick-Around-the-World-Oct-05-2009.pdf

Texas-Health-Insurers-Oct-05-2009.pdf

Agenda for General Patriot’s Meeting – Sunday, August 23, 2009

1) Opening Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance

2) Opening Remarks
a) mail “pink slips” postmarked on 9-11-09 to Congress – all of them!
b) reminder: timing speakers: “T” sign and in front of microphone
c) Health Care Tiger Team update – Steve Baysinger
d) Media Tiger Team update – Tom Kennedy
e) John Watson:
1) call for members of fraternal and professional organizations
2) call for volunteers to attend city council, commissioners court, etc.

3) Issues updates: status in Congress
a) letter from Bob Sabia to Congressman Rodriguez

4) July 4th bills remaining and upcoming sales
a) short outline of what remains to be paid – less than $1,000 now!
b) future sales locations  – update

5) Report from the trenches of NAFTA – Mr. Crossland

6) Introduction to the U.S. Constitution – Joe Ware

7) Upcoming elections
a) primary season – has the most impact, State and Federal races
b) organize block by block – need to form teams
voter roll project – teaming with Dallas – funding angels needed!
c) candidate forums – Medina, Perry, Hutchison notified – in person;
in active search for venue
d) American Majority activist training – possible September and October

August and September events
a) August events
1) Hannity special: Obama background was pulled, Click Here to watch
2) Congressional Town Halls – Click Here for events
b) September 3rd Tea Party Express at The Alamo – Diane Eagan
c) September 5th rally ‘Stand Up for Texas’ in Austin – Diane Eagan
d) September 11th – mail “pink slips” to Congress
reminder: they work for US!
e) September 12th in Washington, D.C. – Susan Watson

9) New business from the floor
a) question / suggestion / answer time

10) Closing Prayer

Protestors Demand Public Healthcare Meetings
By Christian Bove
Posted by Elizabeth Ruiz

Members of the San Antonio Tea Party are tracking down local Congressmen and demanding Town Hall meetings on Healthcare reform.

More than a dozen protestors gathered Wednesday outside the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel, where Congressman Charlie Gonzalez addressed the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.

“They better grow some courage and they better look us in the face ’cause we ain’t going away. They’re going away in 2010 if they don’t start listening to us,” said Steve Baysinger.

Gonzalez says everyone will have their say on healthcare if it’s done in an appropriate way. He hopes to have a town hall meeting without the disruptions that have been occuring at other gatherings across the country.

“People say it’s freedom of speech. I’ve never heard of freedom of speech defined by denying other people their right to speak,” said Gonzalez.

Gonzalez says his office is organizing a tele-town hall, as well as a public meeting, perhaps as early as next week.

“We’re still trying to get the venue because we don’t know how many people are going to show up. And the other thing, too, is there are people who are very serious about having a constructive dialogue and then there are others that are there just to disrupt. You’ve got to figure out how you’re going to handle that,” Gonzalez said.

Got this email from Steve Baysinger.  Thanks Steve.

August 3, 2009

Dear Friend of Liberty,

For the first time in nearly 100 years, the secretive Federal Reserve is a mainstream topic for debate.

Results of a recent survey released by Rasmussen Reports show that 75% of Americans support thoroughly auditing the Fed.

Read our press release about this great news here.

Before Campaign for Liberty started just a little over a year ago, no one could have imagined that such a survey result would be possible.

In less than six months since Ron Paul’s Audit the Fed bill was introduced, we have reached millions of Americans through phone calls, mailings, and radio and television interviews. Combined with tremendous grassroots efforts including having a presence at events, contacting Congress, spreading the word on the internet, and petitioning, we are achieving true, lasting change by fighting for accountability from the cause of so many of our nation’s struggles.

The House of Representatives is already out for its August recess, and the Senate will follow at the end of this week. This month-long recess gives us a perfect opportunity to challenge those who have not yet cosponsored to join the growing national movement to require transparency and accountability from Washington’s most shrouded institution.

Members of Congress will be hosting townhalls and appearing at fairs and other local events as they travel their districts to promote their agenda. C4L members should be at every stop along the way to push Audit the Fed.

Stay tuned to CampaignforLiberty.com in the coming days for more information on how we intend to take advantage of the August recess to promote issues including Audit the Fed.

One indication of our success has been the number of ardent Fed supporters who have recently attacked both Dr. Paul and the idea of a thorough audit.  When HR 1207 was first introduced, many of them believed it was a fringe bill that would never gain traction.  Your efforts have proved them wrong.

Click on the video below to see Congressman Paul respond to Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and these other critics in his latest speech on the House floor.

http://echo4.bluehornet.com/ct/5115408:6044923655:m:1:379778286:1A15E3C7363F77E9D54AA699D93009DA

If you have not yet signed our Audit the Fed petition or need contact details for your members of Congress, check out our Audit the Fed action page here. You can also find information on which representatives and senators have cosponsored HR 1207 and S 604. Be sure to send the link to family and friends and ask them to spread the word!

We are winning this fight, and Audit the Fed is only the beginning of our national efforts. With our membership continuing to grow by leaps and bounds as more Americans dedicate themselves to reclaiming their neighborhoods and their country, the political establishment hasn’t seen anything yet.

Together, we can continue to push back big government tyranny and restore the freedoms our Founders fought to give us.

Thank you for all of your time and dedication, and keep up the great work!

In Liberty,

John F. Tate

President

P.S. Don’t forget to visit our Audit the Fed action page for congressional information, our petition, videos, letters to the editor, grassroots actions, event reports, and more!

On August 4th Steve Baysinger and Dagne Florine met with Jesse Hereford, San Antonio Regional Director and State Outreach Director for Kay Bailey Hutchison. Here are the notes from their meeting.

Steve Baysinger and I met with Jesse Hereford, San Antonio Regional Director and State Outreach Director for Kay Bailey Hutchison on Tuesday, August 4, 2009. We spent approximately 30 minutes with him.

The purpose of the meeting was to follow up on our previous meeting about the Petitions and to address several new issues.

Regarding the petitions, Hutchison has signed S.B. 604 to audit the Federal Reserve. She currently intends to vote no on Cap and Trade legislation and no on Socialized Medicine. Jesse said that she “is basically in line with us on the rest of the issues”. We did not go into the other issues, as legislation is not pending. The Senator has not returned a written response to our Petitions because she has not yet received them. Due to increased security since the anthrax attacks, it takes 8 weeks for actual documents to get to a legislator. Jesse said he did write a summary of our previous visit and the Petitions and had sent those to her.

We discussed the insanity of “Cash for Clunkers” and asked Jesse to state clearly to Hutchison that the program needs to stop, as it only encourages more debt and is more Socialism.

We discussed the state of the economy and provided several papers showing that the economy is not in great shape and is getting worse. Dagne emphasized that “green shoots” are another disconnect between Washington and the people. We are tired of lies out of Washington.

Jesse said that at this time, the Senator does not have plans to hold a “meet-and-greet” in the San Antonio area during August recess. Both Dagne and Steve stated in no uncertain terms that that would be a huge mistake, that the voters need to have an opportunity to talk to her (especially about healthcare) and to hear what she has to say. We said that the voters are both angry and afraid. We both stated that the legislators that do not go out to meet the people are perceived as cowards and that will make the voters even more angry. It seems that Texas legislators are attending “sanitized”, costly luncheons rather than going out to deal with the wrath of the voters. Jesse is going to pass on our stern comments/recommendation to the Senator.

Lastly, we received important information about upcoming luncheons that will be attended by Henry Cuellar, Ciro Rodriguez and Charlie Gonzalez.

It was a VERY VALUABLE meeting.

Dagne

Please call Sen. Hutchison’s office and politely request that the senator add a San Antonio meeting during the recess.  After all, she does have a whole month off.  Her local office is located at 3133 General Hudnell Drive, Suite 120 San Antonio, Texas 78226.  210-340-2885, 210-349-6753 (FAX)

Also call her Washington office at 202-224-5922.