The Morning Flap: March 28, 2012
Attorney Paul Clement (R) argues on behalf of respondents challenging the constitutionality of U.S. President Barack Obama’s 2010 healthcare law, while standing before members of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, March 27, 2012
These are my links for March 27th through March 28th:
- Argument recap: It is Kennedy’s call – If Justice Anthony M. Kennedy can locate a limiting principle in the federal government’s defense of the new individual health insurance mandate, or can think of one on his own, the mandate may well survive. If he does, he may take Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., and a majority along with him. But if he does not, the mandate is gone. That is where Tuesday’s argument wound up — with Kennedy, after first displaying a very deep skepticism, leaving the impression that he might yet be the mandate’s savior.
If the vote had been taken after Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli, Jr., stepped back from the lectern after the first 56 minutes, and the audience stood up for a mid-argument stretch, the chances were that the most significant feature of the Affordable Care Act would have perished in Kennedy’s concern that it just might alter the fundamental relationship between the American people and their government. But after two arguments by lawyers for the challengers — forceful and creative though they were — at least doubt had set in and expecting the demise of the mandate seemed decidedly premature.
- The Second Day of the Supreme Court’s Hearing on the Health Care Law – After two days of oral arguments, it seems quite likely that the Supreme Court will rule on the ACA, and that the mandate may not survive. The court seems unlikely to dodge the issue by saying that the penalty for failure to carry insurance is a tax about which no one can sue until they have paid it, some time in 2015. And the line is rather clearly drawn between two major issues that will, I think, prove pivotal in how the justices rule on the mandate to carry insurance.
- Flap’s Dentistry Blog: The Morning Drill: March 28, 2012 – The Morning Drill: March 28, 2012
- Untitled (http://getglue.com/Fullosseousflap/stickers/chuvannah?s=ts&ref=Fullosseousflap) – I unlocked the The Daily Rundown sticker on @GetGlue!
- Americans angry with Obama over gas prices
| Reuters – RT @Drudge_Report: POLL: Americans angry at Obama for high gas price… - Presidential Swing States (FL, OH & PA) Poll * March 28, 2012 * Women Favor Obama In Florida, – Quinnipiac University ? Hamden, Connecticut – RT @jameshohmann: New Quinnipiac polls shows Romney performing better against Obama in PA than OH and FL.
- CNN Poll: Majority in GOP say Gingrich and Paul should end bids – CNN Political Ticker – CNN.com Blogs – RT @jameshohmann: In CNN poll, Romney lead grows to 45-30 against Santorum if Paul/Gingrich weren’t in the picture.
- Gingrich Campaign: We Need to Stay in To Prevent Romney Nomination – Jonathan Miller – NationalJournal.com – RT @nationaljournal: Gingrich campaign says conservatives “need Newt to stay in to prevent a Romney nomination.”
- US Supreme Court shuts down live tweeting from healthcare proceedings – A mini-scandal erupted yesterday at the US Supreme Court when right-wing non-profit group the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) was found to be live-tweeting oral arguments on the constitutionality of the ‘Obamacare’ healthcare law. Electronic communication is strictly forbidden from inside the court, but Casey Mattox, a lawyer for ADF, was caught “defending religious freedom, the sanctity of life, marriage & the family” by way of the Defense Fund’s official Twitter account.
- GOP 12: Gingrich floats spending his own money – RT @GOP12: Gingrich: I’ll spend my own money “if necessary”, and have “no incentive” to get out of the race.
- Democratic Campaign Treasurer Guilty of Embezzlement – RT @politicalwire: Feinstein campaign treasurer will plead guilty to stealing as much as $7 million from clients…
- Santorum Loses His Lead in Pennsylvania – RT @politicalwire: Santorum’s lead over Romney in Pennsylvania collapses…
- James Carville: Court loss ‘best thing’ for Democrats – Overturning President Barack Obama’s healthcare reform law would be a political boost for Democrats, veteran Democratic strategist James Carville said Tuesday.
“I think that this will be the best thing that ever happen to the Democratic party because health care costs are gonna escalate unbelievably,” Carville told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer of a possible Supreme Court decision to strike down the law. “I honestly believe this, this is not spin.”
- Santorum’s chances for VP slot slim – Santorum’s chances for VP slot slim
- Senate candidates queasy on healthcare – Senate candidates on both sides of the aisle have avoided embracing their party’s signature healthcare reform policies, a sign that few want to campaign on such a controversial issue.
Many Democratic candidates have sought distance from President Obama’s healthcare overhaul and a number of Republicans have dodged taking a stance on Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-Wis.) proposed Medicare reforms — even after Ryan and House GOP leaders tweaked those reforms to include bipartisan policies suggested by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
This comes as healthcare has re-emerged as a hot topic: Obama’s law just hit its two-year anniversary; the Supreme Court is holding hearings on whether it is constitutional; and Ryan introduced a revamped version of his budget from last year that House Republicans are likely to vote on later this week.
- Untitled (http://getglue.com/topics/p/los_angeles_angels_of_anaheim?s=tch&ref=Fullosseousflap) – Spring training game with Giants @GetGlue #LosAngelesAngelsOfAnaheim
- AM750 & 95.5FM News/Talk WSB – Atlanta’s news, weather, traffic | www.wsbradio.com – Individual Mandate in Trouble | Jamie Dupree’s Washington Insider |
- Individual Mandate in Trouble | Jamie Dupree’s Washington Insider | www.wsbradio.com – RT @jamiedupree: Today’s headline from the US Supreme Court – Individual Mandate in Trouble
- Untitled (http://getglue.com/tv_shows/eastbound_down?s=tch&ref=Fullosseousflap) – On the DVR… @GetGlue @hbo
- Relatively few use hospital ranking and doctor review sites. – Hospital and doctor review sites have not yet become health care decision-making tools for most consumers. One national survey found that only 6% of American adults are aware of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid’s Hospital Compare tool.6 Our current survey finds a similarly low usage of such sites among adult internet users, matching trends we first reported in 2009.7
16% of internet users have consulted online rankings or reviews of doctors or other providers.
15% of internet users have consulted online rankings or reviews of hospitals or other medical facilities.
4% of internet users have posted a review online of a doctor.
3% of internet users have posted a review online of a hospital. - Methamphetamine Lab Cleanup is Big Environmental Business | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – Methamphetamine Lab Cleanup is Big Environmental Business
- Toobin: Health law ‘looks like it’s going to be struck down’ – POLITICO.com – RT @politico: RT @politico44: CNN’s Toobin: Health care law ‘looks like it’s going to be struck down’
- President 2012: Newt Gives Dropout Date = June 26th after Utah – In Annapolis, Gingrich says he will support Romney after Utah votes on 6/26 if the Bay Stater has a majority.
- The Morning Flap: March 27, 2012 | Flap’s Blog – FullosseousFlap’s Dental Blog – The Morning Flap: March 27, 2012