4 from CNSNews on Stimulus, Health Care Rationing, Jobs

Stimulus Bill Raises Concerns Over Government Rationing of Health Care
(CNSNews.com) - Two provisions in President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus plan could give the federal government the authority to oversee the medical decisions made between doctors and patients, critics warn, which could result in the rationing of health care. The plan to make all health records electronic and establish an effectiveness board to review health care costs was part of the $838 billion economic stimulus bill that passed the Senate Tuesday. Critics note that the electronic medical records will be mandatory.

No Reason to Worry About Those Health Efficiencies in Stimulus Bill, Democrat Says
(CNSNews.com) – Democrats are downplaying concerns about health provisions tucked into the massive stimulus/spending bill now making its way through Congress. “There is nothing in this legislation that interferes with a doctor making a decision, with the patient, on what is appropriate care,” Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) told Fox News on Wednesday.

Senators Who Backed Stimulus Not Sure How Many Jobs It Will Create
(CNSNews.com) - In his press conference on Monday, President Obama said his economic stimulus package would create or preserve up to 4 million jobs, but on Tuesday, lawmakers on Capitol Hill who voted for the $838-billion stimulus told CNSNews.com there is no way to know how many jobs the bill will create. Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.), who voted against the bill, told CNSNews.com he doubts it will create as many jobs as the president and Democrats claim.

Top Senate Democrats Mum on How Many Jobs a Successful Stimulus Must Create
Washington (CNSNews.com) – Top Senate Democrats refused to say how many jobs the nearly $800 billion stimulus spending bill would have to create in order to justify spending an unprecedented amount of taxpayers’ money. CNSNews.com asked the question Monday of senators who plan to vote for the bill.