Press

Fleitman Comments on the Financial Reform Bill
July 16,2010
NORTHAMPTON - Jay Fleitman, Republican Candidate for Congress, released the following statement on the Financial Reform Bill:
"The finance reform bill is the expansion of this government into yet another broad part of the American economy. It completely misses and is crafted to misdirect attention from the true causes of the financial meltdown, which was in the first place poor government policy.
This 2700 page bill has created yet more government bureaucracy and is full of regulations which include community banks that were not part of the meltdown, as well as new regulations on airlines, utilities, and non-financial businesses. There are new regulations governing hiring practices for minorities and women.The New Consumer Protection Board is expected to impose costly rules that will dry up credit for small businesses, and increase banking costs to consumers while eliminating services consumers want. Worst of all, the US taxpayer is still on the hook for the future failures of large institutions, with the FDIC still guaranteeing the value of their assets.
Financial reform should streamline government agencies, not cause them to multiply. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should be removed from the public dole, and forced to re-enter the competitive free market. Regulations that force lenders to make loans to consumers that can't support those mortgages need to be removed from the books. Once again, don't compound the problems for our economy by adding more bad government regulation on top of bad government."
Fleitman calls on Massachusetts Medical Society to reverse their support for 'Obamacare'
June 23, 2010
NORTHAMPTON - Following the story in yesterday'sBoston Globe that "some Massachusetts residents might end up facing higher premiums" as a result of Obamacare, Jay Fleitman, Republican candidate for Congress, called on Richard Neal, the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) and the AMA to reverse their support of Obamacare.
"Every day we hear about new costs for Obamacare," said Dr Fleitman. "We in the medical community already knew that this bill will bankrupt America and will actually raise the cost of Health Care. Now we are seeing it first hand."
Dr. Fleitman has pledged that the first bill he will introduce in Congress is the immediate repeal of Obamacare.
"Richard Neal and this Congress moved to have government supersede the personal choices of Americans over the health care decisions we make for our families. The expense will be extraordinary, and it will lead to higher costs, higher taxes, and the loss of jobs due to the increasing costs to businesses. It must be repealed," said Dr. Fleitman.
Noting that Physicians across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts did not support the passage of Obamacare, Dr. Fleitman reached out to the Massachusetts Medical Society - an organization that should exist to represent the interests of its members, the fellowship of practicing physicians in Massachusetts and patients.
They refused to help stating "your position on the issue is not consistent with that of the MMS or the AMA."
"The refusal of the Massachusetts Medical Society to pass on to the AMA the recommendation of one of its members who is a candidate for U.S. Congress, while then offering financial support to his opponent, speaks to the nature of the MMS," said Dr. Fleitman. "I have a career of accomplishment as a physician in Massachusetts, and yet as I have a different approach to the issue of this health care reform. It's clear that they have a political agenda to advance that does not include Health Care reform."
Dr. Fleitman has been a member of the MMS for over 20 years and was a prior 6-year representative to the legislative committee of the MMS.
Dr. Fleitman has served his medical community through efforts which included the Medical Directorships of respiratory therapy, the critical care unit, and of inpatient services of the Cooley Dickinson Hospital.
Dr. Fleitman was the past president of the medical staff at CDH, and took over at a time of great distress to the medical staff.
Dr. Fleitman was a trustee of his hospital and was the founder and first president of the PHO, a healthcare corporation charged with organizing health care in Hampshire County. Now, 12 years later, he is the president of the PHO again.
Dr. Fleitman represented physicians in the greater community, having been a member of the School Committee of the City of Northampton, and having recently finished his term as the Chairman of the Board of Health of the City of Northampton.
"Now, the MMS has a chance to redeem themselves. I am calling on Richard Neal, the MMS, and the AMA to reverse their support for Obamacare and do what is in the best interest of Heath Care reform and the American people,said Dr. Fleitamn. "Anything less suggests to me that the MMS is not a professional organization putting the best foot forward for its members, but is a political organization representing the Democrat Party."

FLEITMAN TURNS IN 3,817 CERTIFIED SIGNATURES
Becomes 1^st Candidate in the 2^nd District to officially qualify for the ballot

May 10, 2010
NORTHAMPTON - Dr. Jay Fleitman, republican candidate for congress, submitted 3,817 certified signatures to the Secretary of the Commonwealth on Monday morning - making him the first candidate to officially qualify for the ballot in the 2nd District.

"Congress is endangering our core principles of freedom and suppressing the creativity and initiative that has built this country," said Dr. Jay Fleitman.   "Today, we move one step closer to taking back our government."

Fleitman noted that he had over 100 volunteers collecting signatures across the district.

"The fact that we had so many people helping us collect signatures shows the strength of our grassroots,"  said Dr. Fleitman.  "People across the district are tired with business as usual in Washington, DC and are sending a message to Richard Neal that the voters are not going to take it anymore."

Fleitman on House Health Care Passage: An Assault on Liberty

March 21, 2010

NORTHAMPTON - Following the Health Care vote in the House of Representatives, Jay Fleitman, Republican candidate for congress, released the following statement:

"The political and economic fabric of our nation has been greatly damaged by the unthinkable arrogance of Democrats in Congress. Elected to represent their constituents, they have instead given priority to calculations by the Democrat leadership for their own political gain by choosing to ignore the will of the American people.

We have witnessed the unimaginable move to have government supersede the personal choices of Americans over the health care decisions we make for our families. We will now have to buy health insurance or be penalized, and we will only be able to have insurance plans dictated by the government. Unelected bureaucrats now have the power to decide what health care will be available, and we can no longer even appeal. The expense will be extraordinary, and it will lead to higher costs, higher taxes, and the loss of jobs due to the increasing costs to businesses.

The well being of seniors has been sacrificed, as this new middle class entitlement is funded by a cut of 500 billion dollars from Medicare. We will be paying the price of this night's actions for the foreseeable future.

Folks, do not forget this night. You will be hearing lies and distortions from those who voted to take away your freedom in the effort to "sell" what they have done. At this point, there is only one course of action. We must remove this coming November every one of those responsible for this assault on the liberty of the individual American."

JAY FLEITMAN'S STATEMENT ON THE PRESIDENT'S LATEST HEALTH CARE "REFORM"

MARCH 4, 2010

NORTHAMPTON - Dr. Jay Fleitman, republican candidate for congress, issued the following statement on the President's latest Health Care "Reform" proposal.

"Here it is for real....LIPSTICK ON A PIG! The President adds the words "Republican Ideas" to a big government, $2.5 Trillion Dollar bill that offers more government control of our health care. Do the Democrats and President Obama really think that adding a few cosmetic touches of some watered down versions of Republican ideas will fool us into thinking that this monster of a bill is now a good one?

The bill is largely unchanged from the one which Americans clearly told Washington we do not want. It still comes complete with increasing the cost of health care with rationing, to be paid for by a $500 Billion Dollar cut from Medicare that will limit access to our seniors.

The President adds $50 million dollars for the states to use for experimentation with Tort Reform. That's 1 million dollars per state, and how far will that go to reform the system? We will now have undercover fraud investigation for Medicare, which is easy for everyone to get behind, and should have been done decades ago. There's bipartisanship for you.

To show that the Democrats can reach across the aisle, they will allow for the sale of "certain" large deductible insurance plans in the government regulated insurance exchange. Think about this: the government in this bill continues to dictate what insurance you can buy, and is now throwing us a crumb by allowing us the choice of an approved high deductible plan. Folks, this is America, and the free market should give us choice of a broad array of insurance options, limited only by what we as consumers wish to pick for ourselves and our families.

Sorry Mr. President, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Richard Neal. we didn't buy what you were selling last summer, and it's still a pig. And now you are going to try and force it down our throats with reconciliation."

Hampden RTC Chair Endorses Jay

January 27, 2010

NORTHAMPTON - Dr. Jay Fleitman announced the endorsement of James Smith, chair of the Hampden RTC and of the 9/12 group in East Longmeadow.

James Smith: "Dr. Fleitman supports a positive and conservative message that very closely reflects my views on the critical issues facing our nation. His medical, business and local political background gives him the ability to speak with the voice of experience on a variety of issues. His straight-forward and candid approach to campaigning makes me believe that he will be an effective leader and that he will hold true to the values we need to move our country forward. It is my pleasure to endorse Dr. Jay Fleitman as my choice the next Congressman of Massachusetts Congressional District 2."%u2028 %u2028

Jay Fleitman: "This congress continues to show us that they are irresponsible with our money and simply can't be trusted to protect our future. The Stimulus Bill threw away hundreds of billions of our dollars, with nothing to show for it. This is not the way government is supposed to work. We need new leadership in Washington. We need to get government out of the way. To create jobs, we need to lower the cost for businesses to do business so they can start hiring. We need lower taxes and less regulation. We need to foster an environment that promotes health care competition, not an expensive Government takeover. And we need Health Care reform that actually lowers health care costs. I am honored to have Jim join me in defeating Richard Neal and letting Nancy Pelosi know that enough is enough."

GOP candidate sees duty to US, Big-government fears prompt bid

By Donna Boynton
TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
Thursday, November 26, 2009

Dr. Jay Fleitman is a successful doctor, and has been a member of the Northampton School Committee and Board of Health. But when Dr. Fleitman, 57, was contemplating his retirement he opted for a change of direction. Instead of retiring, Dr. Fleitman is launching a bid as a Republican candidate for the 2nd Congressional District.

"It occurred to me that we are sending our 20-year-olds off to war to defend this country," said Dr. Fleitman. "If I can take the professional and financial risk to defend my country, how can I not do that? It is my duty to my country."

Dr. Fleitman is one of two Republicans seeking to challenge U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield. The other Republican is Tom Wesley of Hopedale.

Dr. Fleitman made his decision to seek the office in the spring, after growing concerned when the federal government started taking over banking institutions, parts of the automobile industry and health care.

"I began wondering about what was the nature of the society that we were going to pass on to our children," said Dr. Fleitman. "What we have now is a government aimed at expanding itself, insinuating itself on individual lives through regulations."

Dr. Fleitman's parents were first-generation Americans, and he is one of three children. Dr. Fleitman graduated from Brown University in 1974 with a degree in psychology. He worked as a psychiatric aide in the maximum security ward of McLean Hospital, and attended medical school at State University of New York at Stony Brook. Dr. Fleitman completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Long Island Jewish Hospital/Queens Medical Center, and received specialty training in pulmonary diseases at Montefiore Hospital/Albert Einstein Medical Center in the Bronx.

Dr. Fleitman is board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary medicine, and he is one of only 1,375 board certified physicians in sleep medicine in the country.

"What makes us an exceptional nation is that we are based on the premise of freedom and liberty; that is the reason our society exists," said Dr. Fleitman. "This government is focused on expanding. It has become a government-dominated society, which is not the government we grew up knowing."

In addition to his family medical practice, Dr. Fleitman has also served several years on the Northampton School Committee, and served as its chairman when his children, now adults, were attending Northampton public schools, saying it was better to serve and try to effect change than complain and do nothing.

In addition to health care reform, Dr. Fleitman said he is concerned with "cap and trade" and unemployment levels.

"There's nothing worse for someone's health than to be out of work and have anxiety about paying rent," said Dr. Fleitman. "Our deficit spending has been enormous; it has put our economy in the hole, taxes have gone up and all that has put a wet blanket on business and economy."

Dr. Fleitman said the current push for a public option in health care reform debate is a "Trojan horse."

"It is a Trojan horse upon which we are building a government-run health care program where the government runs the decisions that should be left between individuals and their physicians."

The 2nd Congressional District stretches from Northampton to Bellingham, and includes many communities in southern Central Massachusetts.

The Realities of the Health Care Reform Bill

by Dr. Jay Fleitman

Mr. Richard Neal hit the airwaves last night in order to defuse the public’s outrage over the pending Congressional overhaul of our health care system. Over 250 million Americans currently have health care coverage, and the vast majority are happy with their insurance. Why is this Congress in such a rush to tear up this successful system and start from scratch, rather than take the more prudent bipartisan approach of fixing the most glaring problems first, such as portability, allowing for pre-existing conditions, and requiring all Americans to carry health insurance? Lets look at the major spins put out by the bill’s salespeople:

The public option will keep private insurers honest. Nonsense. The insurers are already in intense competition for your and your employers business. How can the private insurer compete with a plan that has no need to turn a profit, and has no worries about losing money as it will always be subsidized by taxpayer dollars? This is the seed on which a government run plan will be built.

You can keep your insurance if you like it. Most of us do not chose our insurance plans, our employers do. This new bill eliminates ERISA protections, which means that the self insured large business that could craft less expensive plans for their employees will have to conform with greater costs as determined by government regulations. Taxes on small business is set to go up to support this bill. Smart businesses will have to protect their bottom lines, and will take cost savings in dropping their employees into the public option. There goes the insurance that you’ve enjoyed for all of these years.

There will be cost saving in the efficiency government will bring to healthcare. Really? Medicare and Medicaid are going broke, social security is heading towards insolvency, and we just saw how well the feds handled cash for clunkers. Do we want to see them now control 15% of the total economy?

This will be budget neutral. The price tag on this is now down to 900 billion dollars. Of course this is on top of the 4 trillion dollar deficit hole Mr. Neal and his colleagues have already dug in which our children will have to live. They plan to save 500 billion by reducing payments to providers, meaning hospitals and doctors. Expect more hospital closures. The only real choice the government has is to raise taxes, this on an economy already reeling from a recession and contraction.

Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Preventative Care will save billions. Not true at all. EMRs are very expensive, time consuming, do not improve physician efficiency, and studies have shown that they raise costs. Any future cost savings may be years away. Preventative care as a part of this healthcare reform bill will not save money either. Do they think we physicians are handing out cheese fries and cigarettes in their offices? As a physicians, we have been intensively involved in preventative care for decades.

There will be no rationing. The only way Canada and England control costs in their government run systems is by rationing. Our current government has signaled that it fully accepts rationing. President Obama’s response to the 100 year old woman getting a pacemaker was that we could not use subjective considerations like her vigor to decide who gets procedures, and he later commented that 75 year olds shouldn’t get joint replacements, but be put on pain medications. Obama said “Under my plan, you will get the healthcare you need” Who exactly decides what you need? And who gets rationed? Those who use health care, primarily the elderly.

This can be done correctly Our current health care system has significant problems, but it is not a disaster. We need to be careful and not turn it into a catastrophe. Please call your current representative and senator, and express your concerns about a government demolition of health care as we know it. With time and careful consideration, I know that a plan can be crafted that maintains good medical care, full access, cost control, and with the decision making remaining where it belongs, in the hands of the individual and the doctor.

FLEITMAN TO NEAL: CALL ON PELOSI TO POSTPONE ACTION ON HEALTH CARE REFORM UNTIL AFTER AUGUST RECESS

July 29, 2009

NORTHAMPTON – Dr. Jay Fleitman, Republican candidate for Congress in Massachusetts 2nd Congressional District, called on Richard Neal to call on Speaker Pelosi to postpone action on Health Care reform until after August recess.%u2028%u2028

“As a physician, no one knows more acutely how terrible our current system is for our patients and for fellow physicians. But Washington is more concerned with getting something passed rather than getting the right thing done. We must be careful in choosing what replaces our current system. I no more want a healthcare system in which a government bureaucrat decides what care gets delivered than I want that power in the hands of an agent of some insurance company. %u2028%u2028

Washington is looking in the wrong direction in the health care debate. The options being considered by Congress will reduce the healthcare budget on the backs of physicians and hospitals, massively raise taxes, while imposing a federal system of rationing. This is a threat to the future quality of healthcare.%u2028%u2028Real healthcare reform can only be achieved if we have the consumer interested in the price of medical services, and directly involved in the choice of how those limited medical resources are utilized.%u2028%u2028

Members of Congress should go back to their districts and listen to their constituents, a majority of whom oppose this bill. Its time for Richard Neal to do what is right for Massachusetts and call on Speaker Pelosi to postpone action on Health Care until after the August recess.”

Worcester Telegram & Gazette Op-Ed

CONSUMER KEY TO HEALTH CARE

June 18, 2009

By Dr. Jay Fleitman

Health care isn’t a privilege or a right. Health care is a necessity. What makes it different from most other necessities is that on occasion it can be of critical importance and extraordinarily expensive, which is the reason we seek health insurance. However, health insurance is becoming increasingly costly, health care is getting less accessible, and the health-care system has become a financial drain on our entire society.

A major reason health insurance and health care in general is becoming more expensive is the way our system pays for services. Imagine if a different necessity, food, for example, were similarly covered. After paying a $30 co-payment, every consumer would be able to enter a supermarket and buy whatever they want. The lines at the butcher counter for filet mignon would be long, and few people would be buying chicken or hamburger. This is how we pay for health care in the U.S. at the present time. If rationing were imposed, the payer would tell you what you are having for dinner, and that you are allowed only one box of cereal per week. You can appeal. We are headed in this direction unless we dramatically change the conversation in Washington over health-care reform.

Regardless of whether private insurance or a single payer government system pays for health care, if the current set of incentives in financing coverage remains unchanged, then the cost to society will continue to escalate, and rationing of services will be the only way to control costs.

Washington is looking in the wrong direction in the health care debate. Real healthcare reform can only be achieved if we have the consumer interested in the price of medical services, and directly involved in the choice of how those limited medical resources are utilized.

Under my plan, the patient makes the informed choices with his or her doctor, in a manner far more suitable to the complexity of their lives and interests, rather than a government or insurance functionary, who often know little and care less about the individual, making these decisions of rationing.

I would propose that every American have catastrophic insurance, with full coverage starting after a certain yearly expenditure is met. The consumer is responsible for office visits, tests, X-rays and medications until the threshold is reached. As people have different financial resources, the threshold at which the insurance kicks in can be indexed each year to the individual income tax return. Basic preventative care, such as childhood vaccinations and prenatal care, would be covered fully. Medicare and Medicaid are maintained for the poor, elderly and the disabled.

As patients start asking the right questions — is there a cheaper drug, what are the advantages of the more expensive option over the less costly, do I really need that test now, what is preventative care worth to me — utilization will go down. This will drive down costs. Drug costs will also drop, as pharmaceutical companies will for the first time actually have to compete on price.

This system can be much simpler to administer and more understandable for all players. The physician and patient would welcome the end of meddling by insurers and bureaucrats, and the endless paperwork.

The cost of this insurance is low, and the cost of administering this program will be much less than our current types of coverage, saving billions.

Some will argue that this will cost Americans more out of pocket. The truth is that this insurance will cost employers far less — resulting in either an increase in salaries or the cost of products and services will go down with the lowering of overhead. If this is a government-based system, the tax burden needed to support such a system is much less than simply reproducing our current system while only changing who pays.

Contributing to the high cost of medical care in the U.S. is the cost of medications. The U.S. government must negotiate with our allies to have them absorb a fairer share of these costs so that the cost of medication development is not solely carried on the back of the American consumer.

If we expand access to medical care on a national level, we have to be prepared for the same problem we confronted when Gov. Mitt Romney’s health care reform plan was enacted in Massachusetts. We simply did not have enough physicians to care for this expanded population. I propose that we have our medical schools increase class size by ten percent, and that these new slots can only be filled by students who will be required to do primary care for a given number of years after training. By implementing a health-care system that is patient driven, we can lower the cost of insurance, increase care and improve services. Washington needs to stop playing politics with our health care and start looking at real solutions that will actually work.

Jay Fleitman, M.D, is a candidate for Congress in the 2nd District, president of the Physician Hospital Organization of Cooley Dickinson Hospital, and chairman of the Northampton Board of Health.

DR. JAY FLEITMAN'S STATEMENT ON THE PASSAGE OF THE BUDGET

April 29, 2009

NORTHAMPTON - Dr. Jay Fleitman, Republican candidate for congress in Massachusetts 2nd Congressional District, issued the following statement on the passage of the budget in the U.S. House.

"This budget is irresponsible and the wrong approach to get our economy moving again. Congress is recklessly and negligently squandering our savings, and is mortgaging our children's future in a manner that borders on the criminal. It is directing a federal takeover over huge sections of the economy, and if the government is allowed to take over the health care system, it will threaten to put our personal medical decision making in the hands of government bureaucrats. Imagine going to an agency like the Department of Motor Vehicles to appeal a denial of medical care.

By putting politics over the people and partisanship above sound policy, and by pursuing radical politics, our government has left us facing tough economic times, and a worrisome future."

DR. JAY FLEITMAN TO CHALLENGE RICHARD NEAL IN MA 2ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

April 22, 2009

NORTHAMPTON - Dr. Jay Fleitman announced that he is seeking the Republican nomination to challenge Rep. Richard Neal in Massachusetts 2nd Congressional District. Dr. Fleitman issued the following statement:

"America is dedicated to the respect and protection of liberty and freedom for the individual above all. But today, Congress is taking a different approach. Decision making in Washington has taken a turn which endangers our core principles of freedom and suppresses the creativity and initiative that has built this country. They recklessly and negligently squander our savings while they mortgage our children's future in a manner that borders on the criminal. They are expanding their role and size by directing a federal takeover over huge sections of the economy and want to grow even larger by nationalizing the healthcare system.

As the government grabs more power and sway over our institutions, and sucks up and then gives away increasing amounts of tax dollars that are the product of our neighbor's hard work and ingenuity, these basic principles are eroding before our very eyes. "We need our elected representatives to protect our heritage while ensuring the future for our nation that is bright and without limit."I am running for Congress because I want to leave behind for our children the nation we have always loved, whose dedication to individual liberty has drawn the world's imagination."

Press

Fleitman Comments on the Financial Reform Bill

FLEITMAN TURNS IN 3,817 CERTIFIED SIGNATURES

Becomes 1st Candidate in the 2nd District to officially qualify for the ballot