Erectile Dysfunction Drugs for Sex Offenders: It's a Good Thing!

Via Memeorandum
Politico has the text of an amendment introduced by Senator Tom Coburn as part of the  GOP strategy to force Democrats to make some awful votes (in an election year) just to avoid sending the health care bill back to the House for another vote.   Senator Coburn gets serious props for the creativity put into this amendment:

No Erectile Dysfunction Drugs To Sex Offenders – This amendment would enact recommendations from the Government Accountability Office to stop fraudulent payments for prescription drugs prescribed by dead providers or, to dead patients. This amendment also prohibits coverage of Viagra and other ED medications to convicted child molesters, rapists, and sex offenders, and prohibits coverage of abortion drugs. (Note: the creation of exchanges could allow sex offenders to receive taxpayer-funded Viagra and other ED drugs unless Congress expressly prohibits this action – see additional background attached)

Watching Democrats vote against a ban on coverage of erectile dysfunction prescription drugs for rapists might be just the group therapy we need while we wait for the Supreme Court challenges to begin.  I have to applaud the inclusion of a provision to prohibit fraudulent prescriptions being written by dead providers to dead patients.  Lovely ads those will make this year when Senator Blanche Lincoln casts her vote against this masterful amendment.

Allahpundit  makes an excellent point as he explains what's in store for Democrats:

So anything the GOP proposes — anything — they’re basically bound to vote no on. And Coburn knows it. One tasty shinola sandwich, coming up! Although I’m confused: If, as the left has convinced itself, ObamaCare is pure win for them politically (see, e.g., today’s ridiculously overhyped Gallup poll), what’s the aversion to another House vote? In fact, why not ping-pong the bill back and forth between the chambers for another month, loading it up with ever more crowd-pleasing amendments? It’s time to own the glorious political victory that looms in November, liberals.

 Democrats should relish the opportunity to cast another vote for the still wildly unpopular health care bill they dare the GOP to make an issue of in the midterm elections.  Can we play poker with these liberals sometime?    How long before we see a Hitler finds out Harry Reid supports Viagra for Rapists parody?  The over/under for the “Why does Harry Reid want to give rapists erections”? video is two days after this vote.  I'd expect the Hitler parody to hit about the same time.

Senate Republicans Have a Warning or Two for House Democrats

Senate Republicans are plotting to stop this health care fiasco  first in the House while preparing for the reconciliation vote in the Senate as well, should it come to that.  The most important vote to stop, however,  is the vote currently scheduled for Sunday:

“Our initial goal is to stop the bill in the House,” said Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). “Part of convincing House members to vote for the Senate bill is that it can be fixed by reconciliation, and I think that is a highly questionable proposition.”

It’s a pre-emptive strike meant to scare jittery House Democrats into withholding their support from Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who needs 216 votes to pass the Senate bill and a companion measure that fixes unpopular elements of the bill. If she falls short, comprehensive health care reform dies.

Senate Republicans will advance their campaign Thursday with floor speeches detailing why a provision to delay the “Cadillac tax” — a must-have for House liberals in the companion bill — could fall victim to the chamber’s parliamentary rules.

Heaven knows the Democrats must do all in their power to please their union cronies.  Targeting the Cadillac tax is thus a key provision to be targeted, though there are definitely others.  There are other ways to telegraph to nervous Dems, who have made it clear they want to take as few painful votes as possible, they might not be done voting this Sunday.  It is rare for a reconciliation vote to make it through without amendments.  Republicans have a slew of amendments in store and should just one make it through, Democrats will need to vote again in the House.

That's not all, Senate Republicans took to the microphone to telegraph a few more warnings today as well.  Senator Tom Coburn warns vulnerable Dems considering switching their no vote from the fall to a yes, "sell your vote, and we will publish it."  Coburn draws a chuckle from his contingent when he warns that anyone in the House taking a dive for health care, their fabulous new job awaiting them as reward might just be hung up in the confirmation process.   Wouldn't that be sad?  Anyone who would sell out their constituents for a failed president on the promise of a glam job, deserves to wait at the back of the line behind all those who have lost their jobs while this administration focused on health care, health care, health care.

Gergen: GOP "Had Their Best Day In Years"

This was a surprising much talked about review from David Gergen on CNN today:


The Fix lists winners and losers from the health care summit as well:
Tom Coburn was indeed highly effective:

Tom Coburn: The Oklahoma senator is among the most conservative voices in Congress but his remarks emerged as a -- rare -- rallying point during the day. Coburn's comments on the necessity of eliminating waste and fraud from the health care system drew nods from the president and kudos from a handful of Democratic and Republican politicians gathered at Blair House. In a room dominated by politicians trying to score political points or vamp for the cameras, Coburn stood out.

I've already mentioned Paul Ryan but here is a bit more:

Paul Ryan: Speaking of the Wisconsin Republican, it was clear that the president regards him as a serious thinker and adversary while his GOP colleagues often deferred to him on matters of health care and budget policy. Ryan helped burnish his credentials a rising star within the Republican party; he was partisan but drove his attacks using data rather than pure political rhetoric.

There is little dispute on the left and right Harry Reid was one of the key losers today:

Harry Reid: Reid is the consummate behind the scenes player. And, today he reminded us again of why. Reid, who spoke within the summit's first hour, was extremely combative -- a tone that seemed out of step with the overall tenor of the meeting in which most attendees tried to pay at least lip service to the idea of bipartisanship before launching into the attacks. Not Reid. "Let's make sure we talk about facts," Reid scolded Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.). Later, he interrupted Coburn and said the Oklahoma Senator was trying to "filibuster."

Will update as I find new reviews
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