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When something is NEEDED, it DESERVES the utmost knowledge of ALL the parts of the plan. Noone knows at this time What All the parts are a
If it does not save billions of dollars to have the government run healthcare then why should we change? The current proposals are a joke!
This is the Fault of the lobbyists' which is nothing more than legalized corruptions! The lobby system is the worst thing for this country.
What the hell are the Democrats thinking about. Voting on bills that no one knows what in them. Not even reading them. Shame, Shame!
No question. The non-partison CBO said it will INCREASE costs. We need to slow down if not start over. Needs to be done but done right!
The public option, the savings "gimmicks," and the failure to fund by taxing health ins. benefits is killing this bill. Get real!
It's so good to see that people are doing their homework on this issue. I am worried that the public will fall for the smoke and mirrors. Please contact your congressmen and ecourage them to vote NO on this crap! It's the only way to save the country that so many of us love. Here we go again with the Dems hurting everyone to save the few! BTW, I am the few without insurance and I still think this is the wrong way to go!
#41 - Sat Jul 18, 2009 1:50 PM EDTAfter watching my husband die of colon cancer, I know without a shadow of a doubt that I do not want the government to dictate which treatments I can have. It should be between my doctor and myself as to how long I stay in the hospital, what meds are available and what's best for my condition, as well as what quality of life I am okay with. I also strongly believe that as bad as it sounds money is what keeps that scientist searching for a cure...if you take away his reward you may not get the same competition to find cures and antedotes.
#42 - Sat Jul 18, 2009 1:51 PM EDTThe cost of Obama's health care proposal is too high. It would be much better to help the private sector provide basic coverage at a price everyone can afford.
#43 - Sat Jul 18, 2009 1:52 PM EDTThey've had their chance and failed. Since 2001, industry profits have grown 450%, premiums 80-some%. Why have premiums risen at all with profits like that?
And why on earth should taxpayers "help the private sector?" You're talking about government sponsored re-distribution of income from the middle class to the rich.
How long will we let them keep our premiums so high that they can afford to spend a million dollars a day of our money persuading Congress to let them keep on raising our premiums?
Monte Asbury #43.1,
I understand your concerns, but name those areas where the government has been more efficient than the private sector.
The military, post office(now obsolute but still). Medicare until GWB raped it support his war in Iraq.
Democrats, Just wait until 2010 and see what happens. Happy elections returns.
All I have to say is the Democrats are one big bunch of Idots. Just keep going the way Nancy directs and we shall see what happens when you run for relection. I shall work and give money to defeat all of you and anyone else who votes for this bill.
Perhaps the Senate and the House will go on the same policy as they have crammed down our throats, but I doubt it.
#44 - Sat Jul 18, 2009 1:54 PM EDTWhy not slow down? Easy: The longer the bill stays on the table, the longer the insurance industry can lavish its billions on propagandizing America and pressuring Congress. The GOP and a few conservadems have millions of industry dollars backing them; they do not intend - and have never intended - any compromise; it is not in their Tom Delay genes. And they know if they can stall long enough, Democrats will cave in, as they often do.
If America is to get what American voters say they want, resisting the GOP/big insurance war machine is the name of the game. That machine is spending $1.3M a day, and fielding an army of hundreds of lobbyists. We, the people, can't do that.
The longer we wait, the more the money talks.
#45 - Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:02 PM EDTNo question. The non-partison CBO said it will INCREASE costs. We need to slow down if not start over. Needs to be done but done right!
Obama has far better ideas on this than the Dems in Congress. He even has better ideas on how to save costs & pay for this. But he does not seem to want to get involved except in very general ways. Those who call this Obama's bill are missing this point. He needs to get involved! That said, one of the only specifics that he did jump in on - he was wrong. Sen. Baucus wanted to end the long-time tax exclusion for businesses for health care. Surprisingly many conservatives are in favor of this logical step including Sen. McCain (it was part of his plan during the campaign - which is why Obama is against it) and the conservative think-tank Tax Foundation. It could be done in such a way as not to hurt small businesses. It is the only real way to pay for this and Obama won't allow it.
#46 - Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:03 PM EDTno they should not slow down , they should STOP!!!!!!!!!!!! while its not perfect it is the best healthcare system in the world . 1.you can see any doctor of your choice 2. if you dont like the treatment you can see another doctor, or seek a second opinion. drive by any government housing project or drive through any indian reservation and then ask yourself do you really want the government running our healthcare system
#47 - Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:04 PM EDTMany of those in housing projects and indian reservations do not have any insurance and medical care. If you wish a fair comparison, look at the other Western countries. While we have good healthcare available, it is not so for everyone. Not all HMOs give their patients the opportunity to chose their own doctors. Most do not. I suggest you look at the statistics at what we pay per capita on health care and our low standing on infant mortality and other measures of a system. For example, the US ranks number 67th in those receiving necessary immunizations, right below Botswana. We rank no. 21 in overall life expectancy and no. 12 in infant mortality rates. So, who is benefitting? Follow the money.
i used government housing and indian reservations to illustrate the governments inability to run anything responsibly, i guess i should have pointed out social security,medicare , medicade, food stamps and our public education system also. as for statistics its all smoke and mirrors. the fact that people who can afford it routinely come from Canada and Great Britian to get the health care that their country's socicalized system can't or want provide. as for following the money congress and the senate are made up of some of the wealthiest people in america , the president and the first lady are millionaires and they made sure that they were exempt from this great health care plan. well i happen to think our leaders should lead by example, they should be the first to sign up for it and its biggest contributor
We should have learned by now.....if the federal government tries to fix it.....we will all be in trouble. Health care will be beyond repair.
#48 - Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:05 PM EDTThere is an old saying about burning the candle at both ends, Obama has so many fires going that "HE" wants pushed through right now it is impossible for any of the halfwits in congress to look at any of them. Sure health care needs something, as it is all the folks out there already getting tax payer health insurance use it very well with emergency room visits for every percieved ailment along with the free ambulance ride that costs the rest of us with insurance a thousand bucks or more above what the insurance pays to even it out. Now add the next numbers including all of the illegals and see what the rest of us have to pay. I say yes work on the system, set realistic goals and timelines and attempt to do something half way right without blaming the republicans. And you democarts out there if you want to start getting stuff cut back start with Pelosi hell she embarresses me with her stupidity.
#49 - Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:06 PM EDT1. Fix the economy first. Get spending of the stimulus package done right to create jobs. Don't add more spending until then.
2. Wasn't healthcare simpler in the 70's before the huge malpractice awards and class-action suits? Examine and fix Tort law, poor judgment in insurance companies, un-necessary and ass-covering medical practices. That shouldn't cost $1.X trillion. THEN see what remains to be fixed.
#50 - Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:06 PM EDTIf Congress isn't willing to take the same healthcare options as the Obama plan, why should I! Write, call, email your representatives and ask why they aren't willing to take the same plan offered to us.
#51 - Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:09 PM EDTHistorically, if you slow down something like Healthcare reform it would mean the same as killing it. Congress is working on it now and we should finish the process by passing it now! Anyone who thinks waiting would make it better does not know history.
#52 - Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:14 PM EDTits amazing ....the sam people that are saying slow down ......wouldnt open there traps when they threw the country into war in iraq. as for your judgement on issues i think you people lack credibility. when you have been wrong so many times , maybe you people should just sit back and let some other people make decisions. its not crazy to think maybe they are doing it correctly.
we have discussed health care for 20 yrs .....enough .
i have a compromise ....all insurance companies wave all premiums for 6 months while congress sorts it out .add to that by having all politicians pay for there public benefits and i will agree to wait .
i didnt think so.
ram the bill right down the throats of the leaches which we call insurance companies and the bought out members of congress.
#53 - Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:15 PM EDTUnfortunately- wolverine- the insurance companies are the ones who will profit by the gov forcing you to buy insurance that you can't use.
If Congress isn't willing to drop their current healthcare plans in favor of Obama's plan, why should I? Please call, email, write your congressman and ask why he/she is not willing to take the new proposal!
#54 - Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:15 PM EDTSlow down! First, clean up waste in all current gov. programs and eliminate those that are not working . Remember that campaign promise? Save some money for a "change".
#55 - Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:20 PM EDTHealth care reform has been needed for decades. Each time we approach a change, fear mongers scare people using boggie words like "socialism." Our leaders need courage. If you wonder who is opposed, follow the money. It's always the way - insurance companies, pharmaceuticals - they will be the ones to lose as they will have competiiton from a federal program. After all, medicare and medicaid are govt. programs. I've had increasingly more services denied to me from private insurance each year. Those providers are in this to make a large profit. We are the ONLY industrialized western country not to provide health care for all of its citizens. Approximately 100,000 people die in this country every year because they do not have health insurance. In addition, think how much money could be SAVED if there was not such a complex payer system that doctors must deal with. They could cut their staff in half. This is not only a financial question but a moral one. A young relative is suffering with advanced cancer. His private insurance agreed to pay for chemo but not radiation. His radiation bill is 40k! It was an arbitrary decision based on profit motive.
#56 - Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:22 PM EDTHere's an idea. Why don't they set up a system for those who are uninsured or those who wish to sign up VOLUNTARILY unstead of trying to ram this down everyone's throat. If the government is so good about lowering costs, then the uninsured will be able to afford the govt. plan and PAY FOR IT THEMSELVES. Believe me, if this thing goes through, we will all suffer for it.
#57 - Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:22 PM EDTDemocrats are rushing because they must know they won't hold majorities after the 2010 elections. This time period is their one chance to cram their points through (this, and Cap&Trade). Hopefully there will be ways after 2010 to amend or repeal these to something more healthy for the country, and hopefully they won't tank the economy further in the meantime by pushing these through.
#58 - Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:23 PM EDTThere are problems- but slow down- The insurance issue is that the companies do not offer the plan most people want- Catastrophic/hospitalization coverage. We do not want to have to limit our options about who we see or what services we want. We can pay for those things handily. The Insurance companies want us forced into buying the coverage they offer KNOWING that we will stll go to our own docs and pay out of pocket!! No coverage for what you want- if you can you will still pay for it- just look at plastic surgery-
As for the health care delivery system, the biggest problem is that the system does not fit the modern American lifestyle. We move, we grow, and we do not have the same family doctor our whole life!! Many of the ER visits which are supposedly the poor downtrodden are actually busy mothers with sick children and no other option as they did not know the child was sick until they got home from work themselves. Imagaine when mom gets sick- can't wait to see a primary care doc for two weeks.. go to the ER. Urgent care centers do a booming business.
Lets STOP- have a real discussion with the actual people involved and get the show on the road. PS Medicaid and Medicare are a total failure- and that is why Obama wants this now- they have spent all the medicare money and need a new revenue stream. They will spend this money too, and there will never be money for health care!!!!!!!!!!!!
#59 - Sat Jul 18, 2009 2:23 PM EDTYour comments are interesting. However, how many people can afford to pay out of pocket for services denied by insurance companies? 60% of all current bankruptcies in this country are due to medical costs.
We've discussed this for 20 years. The AMA has joined other physician organizations in supporting the presidents' plan. This is after their campaign to defeat the Clinton proposal based on the Canadian system.
I have traveled in Europe where my husband has needed medical care. There was no wait and no charge. It was excellent care. Other friends go to Europe for medical care, even when it is private. In NY, a number of doctors no longer accept any insurance payments because of the red tape and excess staff required to deal with it.
Slow down. Our House and Senate have passed enough bills under the Obama Rush Syndrome- burdening our Great-Grandchildren with debt with bills these guys have not even read, before they all started sticking riders and pork in them. This process has to stop. in 2010 a lot of incumbents will be surprised that they will be given pink slips (just like a lot of us have been).
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This needs to be well thought out. Whenever Obama wants to do something it is "Vote Now - Think Later"