Republicans threaten to block 10 White House nominees over Medicare "gag order"

By GottaLaff

Rushpublics sure do seem to hate America. Holding 10 nominees hostage is a rather hostile undemocratic act. How can a government function under these circumstances? Oh that's right! Rushpublics don't like government either.

And by making sure it doesn't work properly, they can tell everyone how right they've been the whole time! Aren't they the clever ones?

It’s no news that Republicans are up in arms over the recent White House decision to bar insurance companies from encouraging their customers to oppose the Democrats’ health reform plans. But today they upped the ante.

In a letter to the White House, Republican leaders have threatened to block confirmation of 10 White House nominees to various posts in the Health and Human Services Department unless the “gag-order” is rescinded. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) reiterated that threat today on Fox News.

“None of those people will get through the Senate easily until they lift the gag order,” McConnell said. [...]

The ruckus began last week when the federal Medicare agency announced an investigation into Humana for letters the insurance giant had mailed to seniors warning that the Democrats’ health reform plans were threatening their private insurance coverage, called Medicare Advantage. The letters urged the seniors to contact their lawmakers opposing the legislation.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services claim those letters represent a breach of contract, because CMS requires MA sponsors to screen such mailings through the agency. [...] Republicans, though, say the First Amendment trumps the CMS guidelines.

Aw, come on. HHS didn't need those people anyway. What possible repercussions could this have, right?

Hang on to your hats, there's a storm a-brewin'...