Decision Sets The Stakes For November’s Election

Two years ago Congressman Joe Donnelly gave President Obama a key vote to pass ObamaCare, claiming the bill would not raise taxes, and today the Supreme Court has affirmed Donnelly’s decision to put President Obama’s agenda ahead of Indiana seniors and small businesses.  In doing so, the Court has made clear what is at stake in November’s election.

“The Supreme Court’s decision makes clear that the only way to stop the massive tax increases, government spending, and cuts to Medicare contained in ObamaCare is to ensure Joe Donnelly does not make it to the United States Senate,” National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Lance Trover said today.  

BACKGROUND….

Donnelly Was Initially Hesitant About Voting for Health Care…Until Nancy Pelosi Called

In A 2008 Debate, Donnelly Said He Didn’t Agree With Then Presidential Candidate Barack Obama’s Health-Care Plan.  “Donnelly said he doesn’t agree with presidential candidate Barack Obama’s health-care plan, but favored a proposed plan that would be revenue neutral, extend coverage and expand insurance pools through the private sector.” (Ken de la Bastide, “Donnelly, Puckett Spar At Debate: Economic Issues Take Center Stage,” [IN] Kokomo Tribune, 10/30/08)

Nancy Pelosi Was Able To Help Convince Donnelly To Vote Yes By Getting The Roman Catholic President Emeritus Of Notre Dame To Call Donnelly On Behalf Of The Bill. “With others, she delegated. A knowledgeable Democratic official said that Pelosi, a Roman Catholic, asked the Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, president emeritus of Notre Dame and frequent appointee to presidential commissions, to call Rep. Joe Donnelly of Indiana on behalf of the legislation. In the end, Donnelly voted yes.” (Laurie Kellman, “On Health Care, Pelosi Kept Democrats Thinking Big,” The Associated Press, 3/22/10)

And Then Joe Donnelly Proudly Voted For ObamaCare…Saying It Was The Right Decision 

“Donnelly’s Support Gives Democrats A Key Vote,” Said An Indianapolis Star Headline. (Maureen Groppe, “Donnelly’s Support Gives Democrats A Key Vote,” Indianapolis Star, 3/22/10)

“Indiana Rep. Joe Donnelly’s Decision Sunday To Back A Health-Care Overhaul Package Helped Give Democrats The Votes Needed To Pass The Bill. The outcome became assured after a group of anti-abortion Democrats that included Donnelly announced Sunday afternoon that they had reached an agreement with the White House over abortion coverage.” (Maureen Groppe, “Donnelly’s Support Gives Democrats A Key Vote,” Indianapolis Star, 3/22/10)

Donnelly Affirmed His Support For ObamaCare By Calling His Vote “The Right Decision.” “Donnelly said his votes for health care reform and the stimulus were tough decisions, but they were the right decisions. ‘You don’t get to cast just easy votes,’ he said.” (Kevin Allen, “Race Could Grab Nation’s Attention,” [IN] South Bend Tribune, 5/17/10)

Donnelly Said ObamaCare Would “Not Raise State Taxes”

“Finally, Donnelly Said He Believes The Bill Will Not Raise State Taxes, Nor Will It Take Away Jobs. ‘I See This As Adding To The Employment Rolls,’ He Said.” (Kim Kilbride, “Donnelly Explains ‘Yes’ Vote On Reform,” South Bend Tribune, 3/23/10)

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND…. 

The Cost Of ObamaCare To Indiana Alone

Obama’s Government-Run Health Care Harming Indiana

The Center For Medicare & Medicaid Studies (CMS) Estimates From 2014 To 2020 ObamaCare Will Cost Indiana An Additional $328.2 Million. (Edmund Haislmaier and Brian Blasé, “Obamacare: Impact On States,” www.heritage.org, 7/1/10)

Indiana Sued The Federal Government Challenging The Constitutionality Of ObamaCare’s Individual Mandate. (Brandon Stewart, “List Of 27 States Suing Over ObamaCare,” The Heritage Foundation’s “The Foundry” Blog, blog.heritage.org, 1/17/11) 

Indiana One Of 34 States To Lose A Child Only Insurance Policy Since ObamaCare Was Signed Into Law. (US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Minority Oversight and Investigations Staff Phone and Email Preliminary Survey, www.politico.com, 1/27/11)

ObamaCare Could Increase Indiana’s Health Spending By $3.6 Billion Dollars. “Confronted by severe budget crunches because of the recession, many governors are complaining that they cannot afford to meet current obligations to fund Medicaid, the state/federal health scheme for the poor—never mind the increased contributions that will come in under the law after 2014. [Mitch] Daniels, for example, claims that the new legislation will increase his state’s health spending by as much as $3.6 billion by 2020, a lot for a state whose entire budget is only $13 billion a year. Other Republican governors are making similar claims.” (“The appeal of repeal,” The Economist, 6/24/10)

The Obama Administration Rejected Indiana’s Request For A Waiver From ObamaCare.  “The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has rejected Indiana’s bid for an exemption from federal health care overhaul rules that require insurers selling policies to individuals to essentially dedicate 80 percent of the premiums they collect to medical care. In other words, business costs and profits cannot total more than 20 percent of the premiums the insurers collect, or else they must pay rebates to policyholders the following year.” (Ken Kusmer, “Feds Reject Indiana Request For Health Care Waiver,” Insurance Journal, 11/30/11) 

“The Indiana Department Of Insurance, Arguing The 80 Percent Rule Was Discouraging Insurers From Selling Individual Policies.” “The Indiana Department of Insurance, arguing the 80 percent rule was discouraging insurers from selling individual policies, requested permission to allow the companies to devote just 65 percent of premiums to medical care this year, about 69 percent next year, 72 percent in 2013 and 76 percent in 2014.” (Ken Kusmer, “Feds Reject Indiana Request For Health Care Waiver,” Insurance Journal, 11/30/11)

“Exodus” Of Insurance Companies Will Likely Result In “Fewer Choices And Higher Costs For Consumers.” “However, consumer advocates say the exodus of Aetna and other companies likely will result in fewer choices and higher costs for consumers under health insurance exchanges to be established in 2013 under the federal health care overhaul.” (“Aetna Latest Out Of Ind. Individual Market,” The Associated Press, 8/3/11)

Aetna And Cigna Corp. Have Recently Withdrawn From The Individual Health Insurance Market In Indiana. “Hartford-based Aetna Inc. and Philadelphia-based Cigna Corp., which are the third- and fifth-largest health insurers respectively, have announced their departure from Indiana’s individual health insurance market.” (J.K. Wall, “Five Individual Insurers Leaving Indiana,” Indianapolis Business Journal, 8/8/11)

The Exit Of These Insurance Companies In Indiana Leaves Over 20,000 Hoosiers Without Health Care Coverage. “In addition, Illinois-based Pekin Insurance, Michigan-based American Community Mutual Insurance Co. and New York-based Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America also have decided to leave the individual market. The five companies covered more than 20,000 Hoosiers, or about 10 percent of all those who have individual health insurance.” (J.K. Wall, “Five Individual Insurers Leaving Indiana,” Indianapolis Business Journal, 8/8/11)