Is Norm's frequent discussion of healthcare issues just an election year epiphany as a result of polling that indicates Minnesotan's want healthcare reform? How has Norm protected the interests of the pharmaceutical industries? Norm flip flops on whether Medicare should negotiate for lower prices ... where does he stand now? Norm is more concerned with scofflaw MDs who get Medicare payments despite owing back taxes. Don't forget stem cell research, Norm isn't exactly for it. Worse for Norm, President Bush really likes his stem cell bill.

NormCare instead of real healthcare reform

(12/14/07) Instead of supporting any meaningful healthcare reform, Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) has introduced the National Health Literacy Act (S. 2424). This bill will attempt to improve Americans knowledge as patients and ability to navigate our byzantine health system. The most byzantine part is undoubtedly Medicare Part D which Norm supported. Part D has been confusing and enraging seniors since its inception. This new bill is actually a good bill -- Sens. Amy Klobuchar (DFL-MN) and Tom Harkin (D-IA) are co-sponsors -- but absolutely nowhere near enough.

This bill is the equivalent of pulling out a wind gauge to measure a hurricane's wind speeds then suggesting better brands of rain gear and improved techniques for dodging large flying objects like cars and trees. The solution, metaphorically, is to leave the island and go somewhere safe. Like some kind of universal healthcare system mainland far away from where the hurricane rages.

Read my analysis of NormCare here

Norm's election year conversion to healthcare reform

(11/28/07) There's so much going on I can barely keep up today. Over Monday and Tuesday he held three health care forums across the state. He uttered this astounding gem "there are aspects to Hillary Clinton's health plan that I agree with."

There's a boatload of Norm-speak^(TM) from these three forums. He said he's both for universal healthcare and against it. He promised that he'll work to help seniors confused by Medicare Part D, confusion which he helped create by helping pass Medicare Part D. He also said he wants to require people to have health insurance ... I wonder how that might be enforced?.

Read my analysis here.

Norm Coleman wants both to support medical research and prevent important advances

(6/27/07) In a classic Norm Coleman moment, the Senator from Minnesota is trying to have it both ways on the medical research front. The Cleveland Plain Dealers had an article about people demonstrating in support of a cancer research bill. Norm was quoted in support of cancer research. Unfortunately, Norm is not always in favor of medical research, but he'd like the voters of Minnesota to think he is.

Yet he attended President Bush's veto ceremony for the stem cell research bill. Norm has written a alternative stem cell research bill that the serious stem cell research community has called insufficient and not at all helpful. His Shrubness reminded everyone to support Norm's bill instead.

Read more about Norm talking out of both sides of his mouth ... a modern medical miracle

Norm flip flops on Medicare negotiating drug prices, now he's for it!

(4/18/07) Norm Coleman has voted with the pharmaceutical companies and against the better interests of senior citizens. Now facing a tough reelection campaign, he's flip flopping on this issue. Norm now thinks that Medicare should negotiate the lowest drug prices. Maybe that's because last December 85% and in February 87% of people think its a good idea. So it looks like Norm will be breaking with the Republican Party and representing the wishes of Minnesotans on this issue:

"While America's seniors continue to benefit from greater access to affordable drugs, there still may be room to improve the program and an appropriate role for the secretary of Health and Human Services to play," Coleman said, "without undermining the power of competition which has driven prices down."

He added: "However, I remain concerned about changes to this bill on the Senate floor or during conference with the House, which could undermine my support."
(In-Forum, thanks polinaut)

Hold on there. He "remains concerned about changes" that could "undermine his support"? That sounds like plenty of wiggle room so that Norm can keep his major donors from the pharmacetical industry happy by eventually voting against it. Will this be like his opposition to the surge? For our seniors sake, I hope not.

(4/04/07) AARP urges Norm to let Medicare negotiate drug prices.

Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., should vote to give Medicare the authority to negotiate with drug companies for better deals, three groups representing older Minnesotans urged Wednesday.

That would lower prices for older and disabled people enrolled in the Medicare Part D drug benefit, and ultimately for all Americans, said leaders of the Minnesota Senior Federation, AARP Minnesota and the ElderCare Rights Alliance.
(Mpls Star Tribune)

(3/21/07) Norm is crusading to prevent MDs with unpaid taxes from receiving Medicare payments while overlooking unpaid taxes from major corporations and the wealthy. Norm voted with previous Republican Congresses to slash the IRS's budgets causing this problem in the first place. This is normal behavior in that Norm wants to seem like a crusading reformer while avoiding any real reform especially since any real tax reform would negatively affect his donor base. Check out Norm Coleman and the case of the Scofflaw MDs for all the details.

MN Publius reports Norm doesn't want Medicare to negotiate the best possible medication prices. He's supporting the pharmaceutical industry. (1/12/07)

Stem cell research

(4/10/07) The US Senate is now considering stem cell research legislation and needs to pull together 67 Senators to override a presidential veto. Norm Coleman (MN-SEN) has gone to the conservative playbook and introduced a stem cell bill that the President will like. Norm's bill will hinder the cause of stem cell research. In 2001 Bush banned stem cell research and not surprisingly hasn't budged from his original position despite repeated pleas by conservatives like Nancy Reagan and Govs Arnold Schwartzenegger (CA) and Rick Perry (TX) as well as others. Tom Harkin's (D-IA) stem cell bill is supported by Republicans like Bill Frist (TN) and Arlen Spector (PA), but Norm will not join with the majority of Americans and Minnesotans who want stem cell research.

Read more about Norm's stance on stem cell research