Although health care reform has been taking up a lot of blog space lately, there’s still some interesting bits of information (i.e. political gossip, rumor and blatant innuendo ) that’s worth repeating…

Lt. Governor Becky Skillman may not have formally stated she’s running for higher office, but I got an e-mail yesterday from Skillman for Indiana highlighting a Fox News Chicago story comparing the Indiana Lt. Governor’s position that of my home state of Illinois.

Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita’s 4th District Congressional campaign is taking to the airwaves.  Rokita’s ads went up this weekend.

Indianapolis City-County Council Democrats are trying to work out a strategy to counteract Mayor Greg Ballard’s proposed transfer of the city’s water and waste water facilities to Citizens Gas.  One issue they have to reconcile though is a division between more inner city Democrats versus those whose districts lie more in the townships.  The inner city Democrats are more intrigued by millions of dollars for crumbling streets and sidewalks than their counterparts.

Speaking of Council, the seat in District 22 is reportedly wide open.  Incumbent Bob Cockrum is reportedly retiring after this term and possible Democratic contenders Chris Jackson and Jon Easter are taking a pass.

If you’re looking for work, Indianapolis may actually be the place to look.  A new report shows 35 of the nation’s cities with unemployment rates above 15%.  Indianapolis’ unemployment rate is 9.7%.

Despite what you may think of him as an elected official,  7th District Congressman Andre Carson apparently does a pretty mean karaoke.  While in DC Carson was at the Democrat National Club and performed Rapper’s Delight.  According to my sources who were in the room, he did a pretty good rendition of the song.  Hopefully there’s a you tube clip out there somewhere.

Here’s more reaction to the passage of federal health care reform legislation…

Mitch Daniels – Indiana Governor

“Our two best hopes for more jobs are investment and small business.  The new ‘health care’ bill raises taxes drastically on both, and will harm our economic prospects badly.  Hoosiers will also face higher state taxes as Medicaid rolls explode. It will raise by trillions the crushing debt we already are leaving young Americans; any claims to the contrary are worse than mistaken, they are knowingly fraudulent.  In a life of optimism about America and its future, this morning I am as discouraged as I can remember being.”

Andre Carson – Congressman, 7th District

“After more than a year of debate and constant work to bring together the best solutions to our nation’s health care challenges, we’ve finally taken a monumental step toward a stronger, healthier America.  Simply put, today’s vote is nothing short of a game-changer for tens-of-millions of Americans-a life-saver for millions more. No longer will access to health care be just a privilege, inaccessible to millions; it will be a basic right for all Americans. No longer will the health insurance industry hold the power over important health decisions; the American people will be empowered to make their own health choices. And no longer will we let skyrocketing health care costs damage our economy and run-up our national deficit; we will rein-in rising costs and actually cut our deficit by $1.3 trillion over the next two decades.”

Dan Coats – Republican Candidate U.S. Senate

“I was frankly shocked to learn about Congressman Ellsworth’s decision to vote in favor of Obamacare because I’ve spent a lot of time in his district.  The good people there are strongly pro-life and are overwhelmingly opposed to the Obama-Pelosi plan.  So when Congressman Ellsworth says he’s been talking to Hoosiers, I’m not sure which Hoosiers he’s been talking to.  In my travels across the state there has been overwhelming opposition to this radical nationalized health care plan.

Here’s some  reaction to the U.S. House’s passage of the President’s health care reform plan…

Dan Parker – Indiana Democratic Party Chairman

“This health care and insurance reform bill is long overdue and brings much needed reforms to the insurance industry that will greatly benefit Hoosiers.  In addition to greatly reducing our nation’s deficit, it will help Indiana small businesses reduce their health care costs and allow them to invest those savings by creating jobs for Hoosiers. And finally, insurance companies will no longer be able to deny coverage because of pre-existing conditions or cancel coverage because of illnesses.

Murray Clark – Indiana Republican Party Chairman

“Unfortunately for Hoosiers, they must now live with the consequences of Brad Ellsworth’s, Baron Hill’s and Joe Donnelly’s short-sighted decision to put party loyalty ahead of Indiana’s interests. Because their votes helped this bill become law, Hoosier taxpayers are on the hook for billions in an unfunded expansion of Medicaid; 45,000 Indiana families will lose the insurance they currently recieve through the Healthy Indiana Plan, which will now be eliminated; and jobs will be lost as a result of the new $2,000-per-employee tax that will be levied on many companies.”

Carlos May – Republican Candidate 7th Congressional District

“It’s unfortunate that the Obama administration twisted enough arms and persuaded enough of the Democrat majority in the House to pass this bill along party lines, despite the opposition of the majority of Americans.  “This federal health care takeover is too costly and too complicated.  Our children will bear the cost of this $2.3 trillion burden, and that is simply unacceptable.   With this bill, we will lose jobs in Indiana and we will lose successful health care reform at the state level.

John Hosttetler  – Republican Candidate for the U.S. Senate

“Senate candidate Brad Ellsworth’s decision to betray the people of Indiana will be the  defining issue in this fall’s Senate race.”

President Barack Obama in an e-mail to supporters

Every American will be covered under the toughest patient protections in history. Arbitrary premium hikes, insurance cancellations, and discrimination against pre-existing conditions will now be gone forever.  And we’ll finally start reducing the cost of care — creating millions of jobs, preventing families and businesses from plunging into bankruptcy, and removing over a trillion dollars of debt from the backs of our children.  But the victory that matters most tonight goes beyond the laws and far past the numbers.  It is the peace of mind enjoyed by every American, no longer one injury or illness away from catastrophe.  It is the workers and entrepreneurs who are now freed to pursue their slice of the American dream without fear of losing coverage or facing a crippling bill.  And it is the immeasurable joy of families in every part of this great nation, living happier, healthier lives together because they can finally receive the vital care they need. This is what change looks like.

Marlin Stutzman – Republican Candidate for the U.S. Senate

“Hoosier voters have now learned, Brad Ellsworth is just a go along to get along liberal democrat. The health care bill that was passed in Washington this weekend is a train wreck for taxpayers and is the largest power grab by the Federal government in American history. The bill is in violation of the United States Constitution and will only worsen the prospect of any kind of economic recovery. It must be repealed.”

Thomas Cook – Democratic blogger

At the end of the day, though, it really is the history that makes last night’s vote something special. And as Democrats and Republicans alike return to their districts in the coming weeks, both sides will, in those immortal words, have some ’splainin’ to do. It will be a harder conversation for Democrats, who for a year have faced fear-mongering and absurd hypotheticals — (see: death panels, etc.) — but with that risk comes a much greater possibility for reward.   Those Republican talking points will have to compete with something new soon — real change, and real results. And I can’t help but think that in a few years, Republicans won’t be running on their health care votes so much as they will be running away from them.

Former Bush White House advisor Karl Rove was in Noblesville this evening promoting his new book, “Courage and Consequence: My Life as a Conservative in the Fight”.    Prior to his signing he chatted with us folks in the press about the current debate over health reform.   His comments are below…

Karl Rove

I’ll be closely watching today’s expected health care vote in Washington.  Frankly, I don’t think it will be as bad as its critics say it will, nor the panacea proponents want it to be.  However, I do think the history behind all this is fascinating.  The New York Times has put together an interactive chart on the history of health care reform.  Looking at old articles, all I can say is that the more things change, the more they stay exactly the same.

1912 – Teddy Roosevelt campaigns on national health insurance as part of his platform for President.

1929 – Baylor Hospital in Dallas creates what’s considered the first modern insurance program.

1931 – The first HMO is invented as a way to keep costs down for a farmers co-op.

1932 – The Wilbur Commission calls for “group insurance” as a way to keep costs under control.  The American Medical Association calls it “socialism”.

1938 – Early insurance plans offer “pre-paid” deals but leave out the elderly and unemployed.

1945 – Harry Truman calls for compulsory universal coverage and more hospital construction.  AMA calls is socialized medicine.

1946 – Congress passes Hill-Burton Act to expand hospitals into rural areas.  It also lays groundwork for most of today’s insurance regulation.

1949 – U.S. Supreme Court upholds a National Labor Relations Board ruling that health benefits can be part of collective bargaining.

1954 – IRS exempts employee benefits like health insurance from taxation.

1962 – John F. Kennedy proposes medical benefits for social security recipients.  Plan stalls in Congress.

1965 – Medicaid and Medicare are created.

1968 – With more Americans insured health care costs begin to skyrocket.

1971 – Richard Nixon and Ted Kennedy offer up competing health care plans.  Nixon plan would mandate employers provide insurance, but use private companies.  Kennedy’s plan would create a single-payer system.

1973 – Nixon signs bill creating HMO’s as a way to control health care costs.

1974 – Congress creates Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) exempting large employers who self-insure from state regulations.

1976 – Jimmy Carter campaigns on national health insurance.

1986 – Congress passes law requiring hospitals to treat and stabilize all emergency room patients.  It also creates COBRA, which allows employees to keep their health insurance after losing their jobs for up to 18 months.

1988 – Congress medical Catastrophic Care Act to protect seniors from financial ruin to health care costs.  Law repealed in 1989.

1993 – Bill Clinton introduces health care reform.

1994 – Clinton health care reform fails.

1996 – Congress passes Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act which protects people in group insurance plans from being discriminated against due to pre-existing conditions.

2002 – Health care costs continue to rise and employers pass those burdens on to employees.

2003 – George W. Bush expands Medicare to cover prescription drugs.

2004 – Health care spending tops $2 trillion, becomes 16% of the national economy.

2008 – You know where we are now.

Like I said, regardless of the outcome,  this entire process has been fascinating to watch, especially for the last 100 years.

I spoke this week with Carey Lykins of Citzens Gas on the proposed water deal with the city.  You can hear the interview here.  He discusses how the deal would work and impact your bills, as well as why he thinks Citizens was the best candidate for the job.

You should have received your census forms in the mail this week.   It takes about two seconds to fill the whole thing out and mail it back.  You don’t even have to pay postage.

Now I know there are some people who will get the form and throw it in the trash.  They believe the government has no business asking how many people are in their household.  Whatever.  If you are one of the people who fall into that category, let me give you something to ponder.

If  you and your friends don’t fill out the census form, the odds are pretty good that people with political opinions much different than yours will.  That means they will be counted and you won’t.  And if enough of them are counted, they will get additional representation in either Congress or the Statehouse because legislative maps are reapportioned based on population.  That means their political views will have more representation than yours.  You wouldn’t want that would you?

Of course not!  Now fill out the stupid sheet of paper and mail it back.   Because if you don’t someone you politically disagree with probably will and has.

I was looking over the data regarding Indianapolis Public Schools and suspensions and had a thought.  If 60-70% of IPS’ suspensions are repeat offenders, then maybe schools should adopt a “three strikes” and your out policy.

Why should students who came to school to learn have their education stifled because someone doesn’t know how act?   If that student doesn’t care about his education and his or her parents don’t care about their education, in an age of limited resources and limited time, then the school shouldn’t have to spend valuable time and resources on someone who doesn’t want to be there.

Of course you work with students to the best of your ability as an educator, but you can’t save everybody and to be honest not everybody is worth saving (you know I’m right about that one).

As someone who has taught for years I’ve had students who were willing to work, some who needed a little help, and some who were a waste of time.  I always give each student an opportunity to achieve and try to work with the ones who want to be successful.

But like I said, you can’t save everybody; just try not to live next door to them when they go off.

I almost missed this.  Indianapolis Public Schools  have released their 2010 State of the District report.    And although how you interpret data is in the eye of the beholder,  I think it’s fair to say that IPS has pretty much been flat when it comes to progress and achievement as opposed to the prior year.  Here’s a breakdown…

Demographics

• IPS had its smallest decrease in enrollment in six years, losing only 547 students from 2008-2009 school year.  Total enrollment is at 33,824.
• IPS is 55% Black, 23% White and 16% Hispanic.
• 52% Male, 48% Female.
• 84% of the students are on free and reduced lunch.
• 20% of the population is classified as special education
• 4% are homeless.

Academic Achievement

• IPS’ graduation rate went from 47% to 49%.
• The percentage of students passing ISTEP+ tends to drop as students go from grades 3 to 8.
• 45% of 3rd graders passed the Math and Science portion of the exam, while only 28% of 8th graders passed the exam.
• Sidener Academy was the best performing IPS school with 99% of students passing both the English and Math portions of the exam.
• In grades 3, 4,7,and 8 Black students performed near the bottom of English/Language Arts.
• White students in grades 3-8 performed dead last in English and Math.
• Hispanic students were the best performing group.
• Five IPS magnet schools received nationwide recognition as Outstanding Magnet Schools.

Administrative Supervision

• Twenty teachers were removed from the classroom because of poor instruction.
• Student compliance with IPS’ uniform policy was better at the elementary level than the secondary.

Student Discipline

• In-House school suspensions were down for the first semester from 3,753 last year to 2,082 this year.  However the percentage of repeat offenders went from 63% to 73%.
• Out of school suspensions  went from 2,473 to 2,082 and 62% of the suspensions were repeat offenders.

The report also cites IPS’s financial troubles such as it $26 million budget shortfall.  And it says the District will lose $12 million in its Capital and  transportation budgets due to tax caps.

You can see the full presentation here.

I spent some time yesterday observing both health care rallies at the Statehouse.   Nothing happened that I didn’t expect.  The anti-Obama health care crowd gathered on the Capital’s south side, the pro-Obama health care crowd was on the east side of the building.

There were more anti-Obamacare people (about 500-600 by my last count) versus the 150 or so pro-Obamacare  supporters, who had better visibility to passing traffic.

As I worked my way back and forth between both crowds I would hear individuals take shots at the other group.  One person in one group would call the other socialists and communists.   One person in the other group would opponents racists and ignorant.

And we wonder why the government is dysfunctional.

While I support citizens who express their opinions,  the rallies were classic examples of people not speaking to each other and problems not getting solved.  There was a lot of yelling and name calling, but no dialogue and no discussion.   The sad part is, they’re all in the same boat.   It didn’t look to me like anyone in the was independently wealthy so if they lost their job they’d be out of luck with no health insurance.  In addition, it would probably take only only real medical emergency to send that same person into the poor house.  And I’ll bet you a cigar and a martini they’re all paying higher premiums for health care.

It would have been nice if the 600-700 or so people who rallied on both sides of the issue actually got together and had a thoughtful, civil conversation about health care reform.  They might actually find that despite all the shouting, they’re a lot more conjoined at the hip than they think.