Poll: Majority Of Americans Support Mandates Requiring The Purchase Of Health Coverage
Poll: Majority Of Americans Support Mandates Requiring The Purchase Of Health Coverage
When Medicare was being created in 1964, Ronald Reagan said, “I think we are against forcing all citizens, regardless of need, into a compulsory government program.”
To this day, conservatives continue to resist universal programs. In his 2008 State of the Union address, President Bush once again mentioned private health savings accounts, despite the fact that they may increase the number of uninsured Americans. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) similarly touts private plans, saying he wants people to “go out and choose their insurer anywhere in America.”
A new poll from NPR, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and the Harvard School of Public Health, however, finds that most Americans reject conservatives’ approach to health care. In fact, the majority of the public supports mandates requiring Americans to purchase health insurance. NPR reports:
When asked whether they would support a broad proposal that would require everyone to get coverage, 59 percent said they would support it. Such a proposal would require employers to provide coverage or pay into a pool. The government would help low-income people get coverage, and insurance companies would be required to take anyone who applies. People who don’t get coverage through one of these channels or purchase it themselves would pay a fine.
As Jonathan Cohn of The New Republic notes, “In a system based on private insurance, a lot of people won’t obtain even affordable insurance without some sort of requirement.” This point is backed up by prominent health care experts such as Columbia’s Sherry Glied and former Clinton administration adviser on Medicare Bruce Vladeck, who have criticized the tactic of scaring Americans into thinking mandates will force them to buy unaffordable health coverage.
For a practical approach to guaranteeing an American right to affordable, quality health coverage, the Center for American Progress has more here.
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This is the second time this site has attempted to show some reasoning behind the insurance industry getting huge profits off the American public.
What in the hell are you thinking?
Health care should be free for all of us, every god damned stupid one of us. There are no compromises and the thought of it from a “progressive” site is beyond comprehension.
February 29th, 2008 at 2:07 pmThere isn’t a government program conservatives liked…………unless it feeds the military-industrial complex.
February 29th, 2008 at 2:13 pmThat will be the final nail in America’s coffin.
February 29th, 2008 at 2:16 pmFirst get rid of the “For Profit” Insurance companies, they take 35% off the top to pay their executives hugh salaries.
I already pay 500 bucks a month, which is too damn much, I am never sick, never hurt, but I pay for the “just in case I need it”.
February 29th, 2008 at 2:21 pmWhy does the debate always use the word “coverage”? The cost of healthcare looms increasingly large in America’s noncompetitiveness. Give the insurance company paper-pushers real jobs and go single-payer! It’s not perfect but it’s better. Ask Canada or Cuba.
February 29th, 2008 at 2:23 pm#1. AGREED! There is no way that the concept of private corporation and healthcare can harmoniously coexist. Nor should they. Healthcare should be for all or for none. When profits come into the picture, there is no healthcare. There is selection of the fittest to make the fattest profits. Period.
Healthcare should be free and for all. Take all the money we pay in premiums, copays, etc., and put it into a national pot where it is administrated by the largest institution to get best costs and give the best care.
That is a win-win for all healthcare providers and anyone needing care.
February 29th, 2008 at 2:24 pmComment by orbro — February 29, 2008 @ 2:23 pm
Yeah, orbo- I’ve always wondered why GM and the rest of America’s Manufacturing sector won’t get behind single-payer… better for their workers, better for competitiveness, better for America.
February 29th, 2008 at 2:27 pmThis plan isn’t nearly as acceptable as a universal, single payer system would be.
The first sentence — “When asked whether they would support a broad proposal that would require everyone to get coverage, 59 percent said they would support it.” — sounds like the solution to insuring the uninsured is to make them buy insurance. Wow — problem solved! Let them eat cake!
Admittedly, there are some aspects of the plan that would be a vast improvement over what we have now:
1) Government would help low-income people to get insurance. A good thing.
2) Insurers would be required to take anyone who applies. An even better thing.
I don’t think that employers should be required to provide insurance for their employees or contribute to a pool for that purpose. Employers should be taken out of the mix altogether, and health insurance should have nothing to do with one’s employment.
Profit should also be eliminated from the system. As long as somebody’s pockets are getting filled, costs will continue to skyrocket.
And finally, it’s true that just telling people they must buy insurance doesn’t mean they will do it. California tried that with auto insurance. It doesn’t work, and the insured wind up paying for the uninsured — just as it is with health insurance.
However, I suspect that this proposal (and other ones) are intended to be temporary and grease the way to a true universal single-payer system. If that’s the goal, I would give it a chance. It’s still better than the mess we have now.
February 29th, 2008 at 2:29 pm.
And when I can not afford “MANDATORY INSURANCE” because dairy, produce and the like has doubled at the store due to the price of crude oil… when the price of living outpaces my wages how in the hell am I supposed to afford, affordable mandatory health insurance?
You know America is way off track when it becomes more important to keep the companies/corporations fat and happy and NOT the people of America.
FASCISM = CORPORATISM
Profiting from illness and death, the new American way?
#1 Comment by oldtree — February 29, 2008 @ 2:07 pm
I totally agree!
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February 29th, 2008 at 2:30 pmSingle payer government administered and financed health care is the only thing that makes sense. Take all of the money wasted on the Shrub’s war and weapons we don’t need and provide all Americans with cradle to grave health care–just as most modern industrialized countries do.
This would give true meaning to the phrase “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” whether or not you wear an American flag lapel pin.
February 29th, 2008 at 2:30 pmHOW ABOUT MAKING THE DEBATE ABOUT HEALTH CARE AND NOT ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE!
Once again we allow conservatives to frame the debate. Health insurance doesn’t get people health care, in fact, it stands athwart health care holding it back in the name of the profit motive.
Did you watch SICKO? The private insurance industry is the problem, not part of any workable solution. how does it benefit people to be beholden to private insurance that can kick them off the roles?
Kaiser was part of this study, really? Wasn’t Kaiser responsible for the whole idea of HMOs in the first place.
Why would PUNISHING people who are unable to purchase insurance be a GOOD idea? Would the private insurance companies still be allowed a VETO on health procedures? Would
Why wouldn’t universal government health care, just inefficient enough to induce RICH people to maintain private insurance, not be a much better idea?
There may be some things “Free-Market” does well, I can’t think of any off the top of my head, but health care isn’t one of them. Neither is education. Neither is politics.
February 29th, 2008 at 2:33 pmAnybody with two brain cells should know that the cost of prevention is vastly lower than the cost of treatment. Of course, your mileage may vary, but it is clear that a healthy citizenry is vital for our economic future – and our security situation.
As long as the Health Care industry operates as a profit center – decisions will always be made to benefit the corporations, not the public and our grandchildren will (again) be stuck with an enormous debt to pay. Ask most old (bell weather) companies what their largest expenses are and they would invariable say: health care for their retirees. This is a ticking time bomb just waiting to go off. We need to address it sooner, rather than leter.
February 29th, 2008 at 2:33 pmComment by republicans hate facts — February 29, 2008 @ 2:31 pm
I know, but I think the way to FINALLY convince the people that Single Payer is really the best option is to get business involved- Healthcare is a huge cost for all businesses- and not just insurance payments but also in lost productivity due to America’s aversion to paying for preventative medicine, administrative cost, etc.
February 29th, 2008 at 2:38 pmNot to mention that managed care and middle men becoming rich on the backs of the ill is immoral and disgusting…
StratRat, the healthcare industry is for profit industry in every industrialized country, and they do just fine with universal health care…
Comment by republicans hate facts
Understood….I didn’t want to imply that they should not earn a ‘reasonable’ return on their investments (drug companies, also) but there does need to be a way for all Americans to have access to quality care to minimize the huge costs of delaying that treatment. Heart disease and diabetes are major reasons for not delaying the routine visits to a healthcare professional.
February 29th, 2008 at 2:41 pmRequiring the purchase of health coverage is a boon for the insurance industry. Favoring everyone to buy health insurance is for those who love the insurance industry. How about real health care reform instead of giving the insurance industry everything they’ve ever dreamed of?
February 29th, 2008 at 2:45 pm.
#15 Comment by republicans hate facts — February 29, 2008 @ 2:33 pm
I’m speaking from experience. Currently, if I were to have health insurance, it would take my savings. I’m one of those screwed if you do, screwed if you don’t types.
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February 29th, 2008 at 2:52 pmHow about real health care reform instead of giving the insurance industry everything they’ve ever dreamed of?
Comment by Willy
Fair question. As it is, I don’t think anybody truly knows what type of deal – if any – will be struck. I don’t believe it would be a true giveaway to the insurance companies nor a true giveaway to the taxpayers and citizens. We are all living longer and the bills will need to be paid. Who is going to pay, and how much they pay are the major questions.
February 29th, 2008 at 2:54 pmI wonder what else you folks want the government to require it’s (formerly) free people to do?
February 29th, 2008 at 2:54 pmThe only way a mandated health insurance program is acceptable is if the insurers are also mandated to provide actual health care. Insurance companies currently spend huge amounts trying to avoid providing care. There is no reason to think that will change with mandated programs that don’t also require insurers to provide care. Large deductibles, restrictions based on “pre-existing conditions” and other fraudulent strategies to avoid paying claims are not acceptable in a universal health care system.
I have no problem with a system like medicare that is partially funded with deductions similar to social security. I do have problems with simply giving a gift to the insurance industry with no requirement that they provide real coverage.
February 29th, 2008 at 2:55 pmbelac – my understanding is that Toyoto built their latest North American plant in Canada BECAUSE OF THE HEALTH INSURANCE ISSUE.
Since the Canadian gov’t pays for it for Canadians, Toyota’s costs were lower and Canada got a bunch of new jobs. How civilized!
This whole mandating thing sounds like a minefield. It’s all fine and dandy to say that Hillary’s plan will require that everyone is covered but at what cost? When I was laid off in 1991 from a big corporation I was “offered” COBRA. I was young and healthy and COBRA would have cost me over $1,000 per month! So the corporation could say that they offered all of their ex-employees health insurance coverage but who could afford it?!
February 29th, 2008 at 2:59 pmIs TP now a DLC front? Why isn’t there a post demonstrating the popularity of not-for-profit, single-payer insurance? This is clearly a stealth pro-Clinton post, which is disturbing to say the least considering her partnership with the banking industry, insurance companies, and defense contractors.
The next time clusterbombs wipe out a village, will TP post applauding the military?
I mean, really.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:03 pm“A new poll from NPR, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and the Harvard School of Public Health, however, finds that most Americans reject conservatives’ approach to health care. In fact, the majority of the public supports mandates requiring Americans to purchase health insurance.
Surprise, surprise, How ASININE! Henry J. Kaiser founded both Kaiser Permanente and the above ‘touted’ Kaiser Family Foundation.
I love the bogus attempt at portraying Kaiser’s “non-profit” front group as some sort of ‘independent voice.’ Doesn’t exactly take Nostradamus to predict the outcome of that “poll.”
Kucinich was the only candidate who had it right…and he was shoved off the stage by MSNBC, ABC and the Texas dems. Whose side are they on I wonder?
February 29th, 2008 at 3:03 pmAnd I’m going to pay for “mandated” health insurance with what?
I already stopped driving my little ranger truck except for basic trips to a grocery store and combine all errands for anything else and bike to work.
We already are baking our own bread now and shop and buy meat only on sale.
We keep all lights off during the evening except two with flourescents and use little or no heating (Florida) and wait till the iside of the house gets to 80 before we turn on the ari.
We paid self health insurance for 15 years (self employed) and lost it because we moved (regional plan) and never got it back due to preexisting condition (diabetes).
Jobs are non existent in South Florida except for undocumented workers.
Wake up America, this part of “mandated” health insurance is a crock if you can’t afford to live/own/rent a home and you can barely pay utilities / property taxes/ dwelling insurance (much less wind) and food.
This nation is IMPLODING…….now. …….as we speak…….it’s happening…….and our government is doing what about it??
Does anyone else hate Bush as much as I do??
February 29th, 2008 at 3:03 pmMary, no kidding. I had the same thing happen. I had another job lined up because I saw the downsizing/rightsizing/fu(k employee writing on the wall, but when I was leaving and the offered e COBRA – at better than $1k a month, I almost fell out of the chair. I said to the woman, You have got to be kidding? She wasn’t amused. I didn’t care.
Don’t force me into private insurance. I am already there. And it’s an unhappy place.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:04 pmAnd finally, it’s true that just telling people they must buy insurance doesn’t mean they will do it. California tried that with auto insurance. It doesn’t work, and the insured wind up paying for the uninsured — just as it is with health insurance.
However, I suspect that this proposal (and other ones) are intended to be temporary and grease the way to a true universal single-payer system. If that’s the goal, I would give it a chance. It’s still better than the mess we have now.
Comment by missmolly — February 29, 2008 @ 2:29 pm
I don’t know how California did it, but here in Alabama, state law mandates that you MUST have proof of auto insurance (liability, at the very least) in order to get a new car tag, and as every auto must have a VALID tag to be on the road (a temporary tag is allowed but it must be replaced with a valid tag within 30 days).
February 29th, 2008 at 3:05 pmOddly enough, no one’s insurance rates has gone down in the years since the law was passed while accident rates haven’t increased to warrant the rates staying so high.
Apparently they didn’t survey any Reichwingers for this poll because they believe it’s ok for McCain, Bush and all the other idiots in their sick party to have FREE HEALTH CARE, but not them. Two of my brothers in law and my father in law are Republicans, and they all think it’s ok for the elite electec officials to have health care and they have to pay for it. My father in law is disabled and his insurance doesn’t even cover my mothers health needs, but he still continues to vote against his own interest.
One of my Republican brothers in law is a doctor and he’s got his head up the Republicans azz too, and is against universal health care because he’s a racist azzhole who only wants to treat whites. The other idiot brother in law is also bigoted and cares only for the rich. I can’t believe I married into such a screwed up family of idiots.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:06 pmPollsters also predicted that Obama would win California by double digits. That is just one recent example of why I don’t put too much weight in them.
Comment by good_golly
Not sure what point the moronic troll is trying to make, but it misses the point that 1) this was way before the Obama tidal wave started and 2) the poll didn’t take into account the huge number of people who voted way before the actual primary (early voting). I’m willing to bet that if the primary in California was run again, Obama would obliterate Clinton.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:09 pmDoes anyone else hate Bush as much as I do??
Comment by civil behavior
More, much more…he is the only person that I have hated this much, war criminal, liar, thief, the destroyer of America.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:09 pmGet the insurance companies out of the picture! We’re talking about health care, not the insurance industry. That’s one reason health care is so expensive — middlemen! Stop screwing around in imperial ventures and wars so we can fund a single payer system. Cover everyone automatically. Problem solved.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:10 pmLet me be clear:
FOR PROFIT HEALTHCARE IS IMMORAL!!!! For an allegedly “Christian” nation, we sure aren’t living up to what Jesus taught us.
What good would it do to just force everyone to buy coverage? Does that solve the problem? NO!! Preserving for-profit insurance companies does nothing to change or improve the system. Insurance companies must be come a thing of the past.
If people could afford to buy private health insurance, they would already have done so! Many people – especially those who don’t have nice white collar jobs or work in a union shop – don’t get health insurance benefits from their employers. How can people who work minimum wage jobs be expected to pay the high premiums for private health insurance.
The solution is simple: NATIONALIZE OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM AND MAKE IT AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE. This would also include the pharmaceutical industry. I would even go so far as to call for an all-out socialist system in which doctors, nurses, etc. work for the government and not for private employers. This same nationalized system would be responsible for recuiting and educating healthcare providers – providing an opportunity for middle and lower class Americans to go to medical school or nursing school and have a decent government job waiting on them upon graduation.
If the wealthy want to continue to pay for private insurance, they are welcome to pay for it. But people who have to rely on emergency rooms (or no medicine at all) would be happy to have a real solution for their family’s healthcare needs without worrying about bankrupting themselves or not having enough money to house and feed their family.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:11 pmLet me explain the Spaniard mixed system:
- Salaried people pay taxes off their salary into the Social Security system. The Social Security in our country pays for a couple things: mainly, for universal healthcare, for you and your direct family, if you’re salaried or unemployed or retired. Secondly, for an unemployement insurance, to pay people while they find a job. This isn’t unlimited, of course. Thirdly, to pay for training for salaried people and unemployed, to help them better its skills. And fourthly, for a retirement pay for elderly or disabled people.
- Self employed people pay a far smaller tax to cover their unemployement and retirement, but are required to buy a minimum private insurance.
Of course, everyone, salaried or self employed has the freedom to buy additional health insurances.
It’s another approach, and shows how a different system is possible and let’s room for freedom and an fairer system for unemployed, uninsured and disabled people.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:13 pm.
Kucinich was so right on this issue…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLtUDeoRQe4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOB0f3I1AXk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8vds2dlfuM
… that he was dismissed by the Corporate Dems to protect their profit margins and stock porfolios.
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February 29th, 2008 at 3:18 pmConsidering some of the new posters here on this thread I’m thinking that Hillary’s health insurance mandate is not exactly popular!
February 29th, 2008 at 3:18 pmTell the drunk driver, driving on a revoked license, with no insurance about mandates. $12,000 damage to my car. And my insurance, which I have paid for for 30 years – and used twice – paid for it.
Mandartes are a joke.
Private health insurance is a joke – on us.
Har har har de har har.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:18 pmI don’t know how California did it, but here in Alabama, state law mandates that you MUST have proof of auto insurance (liability, at the very least) in order to get a new car tag, and as every auto must have a VALID tag to be on the road (a temporary tag is allowed but it must be replaced with a valid tag within 30 days).
Comment by JosephW — February 29, 2008 @ 3:05 pm
California had sheer numbers working against them.
1) Too many people + too expensive insurance rates = too many violators, and no way to keep up with them all.
2) Insured driver + uninsured driver + collision = insured driver’s insurance picking up the tab (even if the insured driver wasn’t at fault), which resulted in higher premiums, which resulted in more uninsured motorists.
And this could be a problem with mandated health insurance, too. It’s basically what’s happening now.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:19 pm.
#35 Comment by jpopphan — February 29, 2008 @ 3:11 pm
EXACTLY!
How much did Jesus charge and profit from His social services?
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February 29th, 2008 at 3:22 pmI think it’s relatively safe to say that the problem with health care in this country is, for the most part not the facilities but the access.
While the rate of care received may increase with more Americans carrying an insurance card, continuing to let the cesspool of profit-driven bureaucratic insurance companies stand — cheaper premiums or not — would still leave expensive copays and deductibles, and would still fall short of how much the rate of care would increase under a free, universal health care system.
Either implement Rep. Conyers’ bill or make accessible the exact same health plans our members of congress receive. It’s going to have to happen sooner or later, and the aging population in America will only keep reminding us.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:24 pm.
#42 Comment by republicans hate facts — February 29, 2008 @ 3:18 pm
Is this before or after my savings was drained because I was mandated to have health insurance?
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February 29th, 2008 at 3:25 pm.
#48 Comment by republicans hate facts — February 29, 2008 @ 3:23 pm
You answer a question I didn’t ask and failed to answer the question I did ask. I didn’t ask how much did it cost Jesus, I asked how much he profited and charged for it.
Address the issue and stop diverting the issue.
.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:28 pmIt’s ridiculous to compare Medicare and Social Security with mandates for health insurance through for-profit insurance companies. Medicare and Social Security are mandated programs, funded through tax dollars and administered by the government. Mandated “universal health care,” as either candidate is envisoning is only a boon to the insurance industry. I completely support the idea of single-payor health insurance, but believe me, it’s not “free.” It WILL be paid for with taxes. But so be it! The happiest country in the world? Denmark. Pretty much security from cradle to grave. Taxes are high. They also have a 99% literacy rate. Last time I looked, Denmark wasn’t some kind of dangerous “communist” country…or even socialist except for health care and education. I don’t mind high taxes…I DO mind ANY tax I pay used to enrich corporations, especially via war.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:29 pm.
52 Comment by republicans hate facts — February 29, 2008 @ 3:28 pm
Incorrect…
I’m not breaking any laws by not having healtyh insurance…
STRAWMAN!
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February 29th, 2008 at 3:30 pmInsurance IS mandated.
I was subpoenaed to go to court against him which I most definitely will do (HEAR THAT MEIRS AND BOLTON??)
Assuming this guy even has a job (since he was drunk at 5:00 pm on a work day) tell me the likelihood that my insurance company will recoup their losses let alone my deductible? So, off to jail he goes (which would make me happy – one less drunk driver on the road!) and then what?
I will preface the following by saying that GEICO handled the claim quite well. Couple of bumps but thankfully I choose a good shop who was really looking out for fixing my car.
Mandated auto insurance was a boon to the auto industry. My insurance hasn’t gone down. I know Allstate was involved in some very shady things regarding payments. And I don’t want private insurers involved in healthcare.
Profits and sickness do not go together. Forcing people to give to those profits does nothing. I want mandates that they are going to actually care for people!
Screw private healthcare! I have no pity on the companies or the workers. The companies screwed themselves. I hope they all go out of business.
Think I am being a b!tch? Ask the woman who took her $20,000 bonus for canceling 300 policies one year. Oh wait, she canceled 301. policies.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:31 pmComment by impeachcheneythenbush — February 29, 2008 @ 3:29 pm
Agreed!
Health premiums are a waste of time. It’s not security, it’s just a private company’s cash flow. They hate it when you try to get out more than what you have to put in. Eliminate insurance companies for a more healthy, lively population. The funding model can be conveniently deducted, additionally, in the form of taxes from our paycheck.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:35 pm.
#54 Comment by republicans hate facts — February 29, 2008 @ 3:29 pm
I’m a tard because I replied to someone else’s post about the hypocrisy of this supposed “CHRISTIAN NATION” we live in?
I’m a tard because I don’t agree with you?
I know you hate facts, but…
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February 29th, 2008 at 3:35 pmrhf – please don’t call Max-1 a “TARD”.
Sometimes you come on here and start yelling at everyone and yet your posting name implies that you’re not a republican. I don’t get it.
Back in the early 90’s when I was laid off and could not afford the $1,000 per month COBRA I had no choice but to go without health insurance for about a year and a half. I just didn’t go to the doctor! I didn’t cost my fellow taxpayers one penny.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:35 pm.
#58 Comment by republicans hate facts — February 29, 2008 @ 3:32 pm
Once again, your refusal to recognise FACTS…
READ POST #56…
LOL…
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February 29th, 2008 at 3:37 pmfacts, I completely disagree with you. impeah is 100% correct.
And not just Denmark. I travel extensively both within the US and overseas. I always ask people in other countries about their healthcare. We are sadly behind every other industrialized nation.
We need single payer, government administrated health care. No privatization of the health of the people in this country.
Let Blackwater kill if you want privatization (which I know you don’t, btw). Don’t let privatization kill US – which it is.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:38 pmFacts, they use private health insurers as add ons to the government.
Canada
England
Belgium
All are VERY happy with their systems.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:41 pmComment by Ms_Joanne — February 29, 2008 @ 3:31 pm
Agreed. I have never liked the money gamble with health care. So much can go wrong with the human body, and most Americans cannot have the cash on hand in advance to cover the costs of every incident. Even with most forms of insurance.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:43 pmAnd, BTW, I am not referring to Clinton or Obama proposals in specific. I am saying I do not want private companies involved in healthcare. And I don’t care who proposes it.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:43 pmI am COMPLAINING about private healthcare.
Jesus Christ on a crutch.
I don’t want private companies involved. And I don’t want mandates.
And I am done.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:45 pm.
#65 Comment by republicans hate facts — February 29, 2008 @ 3:37 pm
Look, you’re doing a great job with the adhominim attacks against me.
According to you, I’m not only a tard who lives off of other people but now smoke Hopium?
Look dude/ette, you “think” you know me, but you do not. You can call me names, attack me for what you think I am or not, accuse me of things I don’t do… etc.
But in reality, you’re discrediting your character.
ADVICE:
STOP WHILE YOU’RE AHEAD!
You’re making Frank M. look charming and warm.
.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:46 pmPoll: Majority Of Americans Support Mandates Requiring The Purchase Of Health Coverage
February 29th, 2008 at 3:46 pmThis is the only area in which I support Hillary. Still for Obama, but he would have a perfect 10 if he too adopted this mandate.
If health coverage is not mandatory, there will be some people who do not purchase it and then subsequently get sick.
Who will pay for their care ? The folks who have already purchased their own health coverage. In short, an open free market will guarantee that a certain percentage will sponge off others. The only way to make it fair is to see that everyone gets it.
February 29th, 2008 at 3:51 pmIf you’re really interested in getting people to take a second look at Hillary’s Health Care Plan, Heckava job, RHF!
February 29th, 2008 at 3:53 pmYour points are overwhelemed by the flood of name calling, LOL’s, and charges of ‘hopium’
I actually agree with you that Hillary’s plan is better than Obama’s but I gotta tell ya, you’re making it hard for me to agree with you…
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#78 Comment by republicans hate facts — February 29, 2008 @ 3:49 pm
INCORRECT!
You’re the one who has a problem with it. Why engage with unwarranted character assaults if you didn’t have a problem with my POV?
Please, I’m not going to be responsible for your loose tongue… er… fingers. If you can not engage with others respectfully, then yes, you discredit your character and deserve me flagging any posts made by you toward me that aren’t respectful.
PERIOD!
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February 29th, 2008 at 3:57 pmI’m not offended or avoiding reality…
February 29th, 2008 at 3:59 pmI’m trying to have a conversation about this issue- if you’re going to get vicious and rude when ever you THINK that someone disagrees with you maybe you should join the Republican Party… or have you already?
You’re either with Hillary or you’re with enemy, huh RHF?
February 29th, 2008 at 4:01 pm.
#86 Comment by belac — February 29, 2008 @ 3:59 pm
Remember… he hates facts… and a whole lot more too.
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February 29th, 2008 at 4:02 pm.
#87 Comment by republicans hate facts — February 29, 2008 @ 4:01 pm
Now I’m a whinny little moron… ?
Is that comment of yours served with Bree or Swiss?
If we were all reading each other’s posts we would have known what and who I support, but you haven’t and didn’t. So, out of courtesy, please reread post #39 and refer to: http://www.house.gov/conyers/news_hr676.htm
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February 29th, 2008 at 4:13 pmComment by Max-1 — February 29, 2008 @ 3:18 pm
Dennis Kucinich has two funtimental problems, he is more articulate and more intelligent than anyone else in the field. That scares the neocons and corporate interests more than anything else.
We have a potential savior in our midst and special interests are out to crush him.
The only reason that he was excluded from the debates from Super Tuesday 1 to today is that he would make the rest of the crop (both parties) look like a bunch of idiots.
February 29th, 2008 at 4:14 pm#92 Comment by republicans hate facts — February 29, 2008 @ 4:04 pm
Where did I call you a liar?
QUOTE ME PLEASE!
I’m merely repeating you ID back to you.
YOU HATE FACTS!
That’s a far cry from calling you a liar.
You make a weak victim.
TRY HARDER NEXT TIME!
.
February 29th, 2008 at 4:16 pmI guess we’ll find out Tuesday night which way the healthcare blows, eh?
Hillary may have a good plan, too bad she’s a born b!itch.
February 29th, 2008 at 4:16 pmYou’re either with Hillary or you’re with enemy, huh RHF?
Comment by belac — February 29, 2008 @ 4:01 pm
ROTFL!! Spoken like a TRUE HOPIUM ADDICT! I’ll vote for Obama if he’s nominated, I doubt many of the Obama supporters would say the same. Sad, all of the projection coming from the Hopium crowd..
Comment by republicans hate facts — February 29, 2008 @ 4:04 pm
Nope- just trying to point out that absolutism doesn’t win you a lot of friends… ya catch more flies with honey and all.
I think that there are many Democrats who will vote for whomever the nominee is, I know I’m one. Come to think of it- I think most people will vote for whomever the Democratic nominee is…
But it’s a long way to November, so I propose to talk to as many people as I can about our need for responsible Government and my belief that the Democrats are the party to get it done… but beating them with their ’stupidity’ will only drive them away…
February 29th, 2008 at 4:17 pmComment by republicans hate facts — February 29, 2008 @ 4:04 pm
No the real “tards” and trolls are the ones that don’t like coffee…. why? Because I like coffee.
Could you actually be more petty?
February 29th, 2008 at 4:18 pmMaybe you should try a bit harder.
‘funtimental’ sb ‘fundimental,’ sorry. The reference to Alan Funt of Candid. Camera may have been a Freudian slip – there is nobody more candid than Dennis!
February 29th, 2008 at 4:19 pm# 97
And now I’m a bad speller too…
Let’s recap:
According to you I’m:
LAZY
A MORON
SMOKE HOPIUM(what the hell IS Hopium anyway)
WHINNY
A POOR SPELLER
ILLITERATE(i can’t read)
Yet, you don’t even know my name…
Who’s the fool?
.
And BTW,
(s)Hillary does NOT support NOT FOR PROFIT!
Read the plan…
.
February 29th, 2008 at 4:21 pmK, GETTING insurance in this country isn’t the problem being able to afford it is.
February 29th, 2008 at 4:24 pm#103 Comment by republicans hate facts — February 29, 2008 @ 4:20 pm
What you don’t seem to understand is that insults aren’t respectful and I would be doing myself and you a disservice to tolerate it. I have more pride in myself than to allow others to disrespect me so, as you have done.
You’re embarrassed because I bring it out of you. However revealing your chacter is, it’s yours. NOT MY FAULT!
.
February 29th, 2008 at 4:25 pmI agree with you. It will drive some away, it will wake others up. But your ‘It has to be my way’ is ironic, considering how much you say you hate that! You can use your kindness all you want, but your insistence that this is the ONLY WAY is very “With us or Against usâ€. Ah the irony!
Comment by republicans hate facts — February 29, 2008 @ 4:22 pm
No, I’m not saying it has to be done my way…
February 29th, 2008 at 4:26 pmI’m merely pointing out that YOUR way doesn’t seem to be yeilding very good results… for evidence view the above 100 posts…
these people are on our side and even they are starting to disagree with you…
how’s this plan gonna work when you are talking to someone on the fence? Or, horror of horrors, on the other side?
Comment by republicans hate facts — February 29, 2008 @ 4:24 pm
You must be an Evil Tea Drinker then….
Back to Hell with ye, then.
**eyes rolling**
February 29th, 2008 at 4:28 pmTP is once again shilling for Hillary. Shocking. I’m glad people on here seem to be pissed off at it for the most part.
The reason politics suck in this country is because of behavior like this, where orgs see a benefit in backing a candidate, and uncritically support their entire platform, despite the readership’s opposition.
Stop being a Hillary echo chamber, TP. You guys are really pissing me off with your election coverage.
February 29th, 2008 at 4:29 pm#106 Comment by republicans hate facts — February 29, 2008 @ 4:23 pm
Please address where (s)Hillary supports NOT FOR PROFIT!
She mandates coverage through either private insurance companies(FOR PROFIT INDUSTRY) or the default for the poor, Medicare.
#108 Comment by republicans hate facts — February 29, 2008 @ 4:24 pm
… Oops…
Forgot to add to that laundry list of character revelations:
TARD!
p.s.
What is this Hopium you think we’re all smoking?
.
February 29th, 2008 at 4:32 pmComment by republicans hate facts — February 29, 2008 @ 4:27 pm
You insist I’ve called you a LIAR.
QUOTE ME PLEASE!
Or drop the accusation. It’s making you look bad.
.
February 29th, 2008 at 4:36 pmComment by republicans hate facts — February 29, 2008 @ 4:27 pm
I hate to get into a food fight, but, some of Max-I’s comments do carry a semblance of intelligent thought. I came of age during the JFK era and would like to relive it before I die. There is no-one left in the current field capable of creating that environment.
February 29th, 2008 at 4:37 pmBefore I posted, max-1 probably would never have looked at or cared about the specifics of Hillary’s plan, but now he’s SO MAD he’s probably actually gone to the website and looked at it…
Comment by republicans hate facts — February 29, 2008 @ 4:29 pm
Okay, he may… but what’s he gonna do with that information? My guess is that he’s gonna go looking for holes in your argument, not be won over by the beauty and grace of the language in Hillary’s plan to fight autism…
February 29th, 2008 at 4:38 pmLike it or not, RHF- that’s reality…
It is NOT a fact that Hillary’s plan is the best one, it’s a conclusion that you’ve reached based on your FEELINGS… it’s a conclusion that I happen to share but to argue that election politics is not about FEELINGS is either IGNORANT or PETULANT… (or both)
… exactly what are you hoping to achieve???
.
I think RHF is really Rush Limbaugh.
He uses ad homonyms in the very same manner… NO?
.
February 29th, 2008 at 4:40 pmIt’s IRONIC that folks like Wayne and belac want congress to STAND UP AND FIGHT against the republicans, but as soon as any conflict comes close to them, they whine that people are being evil. Get over it folks! If you can’t handle conflict (especially within your ranks) then you have some serious maturing to do!
Comment by republicans hate facts — February 29, 2008 @ 4:32 pm
Oh, I can handle conflict just fine, thanks. And my skin is much tougher than your third grade barbs… but I ask again… what are you hoping to achieve here? Calling people names? Check. Insulting the intelligence of your opponents? Check. Convincing people of the validity of your argument? Uhhh… get back to me.
February 29th, 2008 at 4:43 pmI’m starting to doubt whether you really do support Hillary’s plan ’cause it kinda sounds like you just want to fight and cause trouble…
.
Q U E S T I O N:
Since our taxes pay for Congress’ private insuance coverage, why can’t Congress pay for mine?
.
February 29th, 2008 at 4:45 pmIt’s IRONIC that folks like Wayne and belac want congress to STAND UP AND FIGHT against the republicans, but as soon as any conflict comes close to them, they whine that people are being evil. Get over it folks! If you can’t handle conflict (especially within your ranks) then you have some serious maturing to do!
Comment by republicans hate facts — February 29, 2008 @ 4:32 pm
It’s funny that you refer to my sarcasm this way, o’ evil tea drinker.
The Irony is strong with this one, yes it is.
February 29th, 2008 at 4:48 pmComment by imorgan82 — February 29, 2008 @ 4:29 pm
Oh don’t worry about us, we do our own research.
Don’t you just love the way Obama is fighting back when attacked unfairly?
I do.
Tuesday to McCain: “But I have some news for John McCain,” Obama added. “There was no such thing as al Qaeda in Iraq until George Bush and John McCain decided to invade Iraq. … They took their eye off the people who were responsible for 9/11 and that would be al Qaeda in Afghanistan, that is stronger now than at any time since 2001.”
Wednesday to Bush: “Obama shot back that the next President must show the world “a new era is being ushered in, and that we are not afraid to talk to anybody, including those who we have great problems with.”
February 29th, 2008 at 4:51 pmIt’s funny that you refer to my sarcasm this way, o’ evil tea drinker.
The Irony is strong with this one, yes it is.
Comment by Wayne — February 29, 2008 @ 4:48 pm
Still, I fear he may be too old to begin the training…
February 29th, 2008 at 4:51 pmQ U E S T I O N:
Since our taxes pay for Congress’ private insuance coverage, why can’t Congress pay for mine?
.
Comment by Max-1 — February 29, 2008 @ 4:45 pm
It would be nice if they paid my taxes as well! ;)
February 29th, 2008 at 4:52 pmIf the majority truly believes they have the right to FORCE me to spend my money one way or another, then that falls under the tyranny of the majority. See wikipedia.
~Sean
February 29th, 2008 at 4:58 pmAs long as you make this new socialist medicine cheaper, better quality, and with faster service then my current private insurance, I am in favor.
If the quality is not better, if it is a penny more in price, or if I need to wait any extra time for care, I alone with most Americans will be against it.
Pretty simple.
February 29th, 2008 at 5:01 pmComment by SeanC — February 29, 2008 @ 4:58 pm
Tyranny is one-man rule! Geez, that sounds like the system we have now!
February 29th, 2008 at 5:01 pmQ U E S T I O N:
Since our taxes pay for Congress’ private insuance coverage, why can’t Congress pay for mine?
Comment by Max-1 — February 29, 2008 @ 4:45 pm
It would be nice if they paid my taxes as well! ;)
Comment by WaltTheMan — February 29, 2008 @ 4:52 pm
Just a few days of the cost of the Iraq war would cover every uninsured child in the US.
But, this is in a society that thinks watching a murder or torture on television is entertainment. Think about that for a minute.
The taking of a life is entertaining, yet the act of creating life is considered obscene.
February 29th, 2008 at 5:03 pmIs it any wonder that War is so important and making sure children have healthcare is considered obscene?
well… it has been a while since ThinkProgress has done any
cheerleading for hillary clinton, so i guess it’s due…
especially after those last 2(?) threads devoted to slurring OBAMA…
at least it may have gotten a good discussion started…
but, at over 100 posts, so far i doubt i get into it…
my 2cents: single pay must be the goal.
February 29th, 2008 at 5:10 pm.
#131 Comment by WaltTheMan — February 29, 2008 @ 4:52 pm
That logic would work if we’re paying Congress’ taxes… but we aren’t.
What we are paying them is their salary and health coverage. Hell, our taxes have saved Cheney’s life more than once.
I DEMAND CHENEY CARE.
But, they seem to think they work for the Administration and NOT America or Her People…
Got Habeas Corpus?
Got the Fourth Amendment?
Got the Eighth Amendment?
Got innocent UNTIL PROVEN guilty?
Got free assembly and petition?
Got redress and descent?
.
February 29th, 2008 at 5:18 pmwell, i am reading some of the comments… to the 30s now…
why do people keep saying “FREE HEALTH CARE”???
here, i had to argue with my ditto-head-in-law that “no one says FREE”…
so STOP IT!
NOTHING’S FREE… you know that!
February 29th, 2008 at 5:24 pmComment by katy — February 29, 2008 @ 5:24 pm
Actually there is such a thing as a free lunch – just become an executive. Not only is it free, but it is not reported on you 1099. Catered Lobster Newburg with white asparagus (Imported from Germany.) drenched in Hollandaise sauce. Green salad plus a warm chocolate mousse for desert, topped with real hard sauce. No soup or nuts, though.
February 29th, 2008 at 5:44 pmActually it IS A FACT based on the CURRENT STATE of both POLITICS and the health care industry. Your CONCLUSION about ME however as reached based on your FEELINGS. Nice PROJECTION! exactly what are you hoping to achieve, considering your attacks against me are in fact IDENTICAL to what you say I’M DOING? Hypocrisy, the other WHITE MEAT HOPIUM ADDICTION!
Comment by republicans hate facts
Ok, I get it. RHF is having a hissy fit because his candidate, Hillary Clinton, is going to lose.
So, to all the Obama bashers on this thread and the other one, what are you going to do in November? Are you going to vote for McCain? There’s always Nader. Or, you can sit home and pout because Hillary didn’t win.
Obama was not my first or even my second choice (Kuchinich then Edwards), but I think he is a fine candidate and will do a fine job. He is also much more electable than Hillary Clinton. I was once a Hillary fan but she has pretty much destroyed my admiration for her at this point as has Bill Clinton destroyed my admiration for him. They are both willing to trash the Democratic party because they can’t win.
February 29th, 2008 at 5:44 pmNice try, Hillaryites. Obama’s plan makes far much sense.
February 29th, 2008 at 5:52 pmAh the IRONY! ;)
Comment by republicans hate facts — February 29, 2008 @ 5:35 pm
Okay, seriously- is this a joke? I wish you well, RHF… I sincerly hope you are right and you wake up the masses with this act… I just think you’re turning off more supporters than you’re turning on…
February 29th, 2008 at 6:02 pmComment by bilbobaggins — February 29, 2008 @ 5:44 pm
My favorites are in this order: Gore (Mission, intellect), Kucinich (Candor, charisma, intellect), Barrack (Charisma, selling it), Paul (No corporate connections), Hillary (Bill again, experience). McCain (Senile).
February 29th, 2008 at 6:04 pmForcing people to buy health insurance is just not the right answer. So how are they going to make it affordable? And if you still cannot afford to buy health insurance then they will fine you. WTF?!! That sounds like they are saying, “We’re going to get your money either way you want to have it, you poor dumb bastard!”
Why is it that every other industrialized nation has figured out how to provide health care and our politicians are stumbling around trying to protect their biggest contributors with a plethora of ways to keep the health insurers enriched? Is that all we are, just a nation of money grubbers? If universal, government (our gov’t.) paid health care is so terrible everywhere else then why don’t I read on a daily basis how many people are dying and getting sicker in all those other countries? I’ve never seen anyone from a country with universal, cradle to the grave, health care complain about it. The only ones I’ve seen complain about it are the only ones that have never experienced it. Americans.
February 29th, 2008 at 6:20 pmI have some new questions.
Let’s assume Hillary is President and she’s able to get her plan passed. 50 million new people now are forced to purchase a health insurance policy. And because they’ve been on the sidelines for awhile they’re going to need more care. So they finally start seeing their doctor. And the insurance companies start to lose money from these 50 million new policies.
These companies exist to make a profit. So they start denying claims. They tell a patient we won’t pay for this test or that doctor. Does Hillary or Obama’s plan mandate that the insurance companies MUST pay claims? Who will resolve these inevitable conflicts? What good will these policies be if your claims are denied. These companies exist to make as much profit as possible. So the pieces to this puzzle don’t seem to fit.
Also, a person is forced to buy a policy. What type of policy? What will this policy cover? Just emergencies? Maybe a few doctor visits and tests. What if this person, who followed the law and bought a policy got a terrible disease. And the bare-bones policy he bought doesn’t cover this condition? What then? He/She is still in a bind.
February 29th, 2008 at 6:22 pmThis is the second time this site has attempted to show some reasoning behind the insurance industry getting huge profits off the American public.
What in the hell are you thinking?
Health care should be free for all of us, every god damned stupid one of us. There are no compromises and the thought of it from a “progressive†site is beyond comprehension.
Comment by oldtree — February 29, 2008 @ 2:07 pm
You were the first poster on this topic and you nailed it. I remind you that just because Dennis Kucinich is no longer running for President his Healthcare Plan can still be enacted into law. It’s HR 676.
When AARP excluded Dennis from the Presidential debate they sponsored the writing was on the wall. They take billions of dollars from Insurance companies and didn’t want the audience to hear Dennis’ radical idea that Health Care is a human right and insurance companies shouldn’t be the gatekeepers. The letter I sent to AARP would not be fit to print on this website.
February 29th, 2008 at 6:31 pmwhew! i got through it… the fast forwarded version, anyway…
They’ve been smoking Hopium for too long! ;)
-rhf
the first time i read that, i thought it was funny… then i read some more,
then i had to scroll through just to get outta the hassle…
jeez, hate, you are one RUDE DUDE…
and you probably ripped off that joke too…
…
i didn’t learn much at the thread, except that whoever is taking the “Poll”
is not talking to the representative collection of citizens at ThinkProgress…
hopefully they are reading this though…
February 29th, 2008 at 6:42 pmPretty simple.
Comment by Roger_Roger — February 29, 2008 @ 5:01 pm
You are indeed. Very simple, actually; you’re to stupid to know when you’re being screwed by the “free market”. the government would do a far better job of providing cradle-to-grave health care than any private company would, just becasue that would be their mandate, not trying to figure out how not to pay people’s claims. The shame of it is that the “free market” is killing Americans at a faster rate than Bush is.
February 29th, 2008 at 7:24 pmAngrybear ran a column a few weeks ago on the Mass. statewide health care system which costs folks $2000 a month for the best package.
Is that what you want families to pay per month for coverage?
February 29th, 2008 at 10:17 pmAngrybear ran a column a few weeks ago on the Mass. statewide health care system which costs folks $2000 a month for the best package.
Is that what you want families to pay per month for coverage?
Comment by muckdog — February 29, 2008 @ 10:17 pm
no, you stupid shit, it’s got to be free for everybody, at the same level as Cheney’s. Why are you so thick?
February 29th, 2008 at 10:34 pmThe insane neoclown posse.
They would be funny is they hadn’t caused so much damage to America.
There is nothing funny about burying American in a mountain of debt.
March 1st, 2008 at 12:42 amThere is nothing funny about the trashing of American politics, the Constitution, the traditional American way of government and the Federal Government.
There is nothing funny about starting and trying to instigate wars causing death and destruction, violence, hatred and misery, orphans and widows.
There is nothing funny about about $103 a barrel oil……and we’re just getting started.
There is nothing funny about covering for pedophiles and other sexual deviants.
There is nothing funny about our government being taken over by cowardly draft dodgers, liars, thieves, incompetents, pathologically disturbed closeted homosexuals and war profiteers.
Is this the “Privatization of Universal Health Care”?
March 1st, 2008 at 12:27 pmWe really should just go ahead and make universal healthcare coverage official in this country- we’re already paying for it. The costs of the care that the uninsured are already covered though the higher prices that are charged to those with coverage.
Did you also know that hospitals frequently get government grants to help defray the costs of charity care for the indigent? That’s your tax dollars at work, folks.
And did you know that one of the current things being drummed into hospital staff is customer service- not for the sake of good service- but to ensure REPEAT CUSTOMERS??? Last time I looked, most people would rather NOT have to go to the hospital even one, let alone be a frequent customer!
We need a paradigm shift in this country toward our attitudes toward healthcare. First, we need to focus more on preventative care, as the current model in this country is to treat the symptoms and not the cause, leading to that repeat business (and more revenue).
Secondly, we need to control costs- medical products are ridiculously overpriced anyway, and then compounding this is the limited resources created by the restrictions on where and how hospitals can be built.
Ever hear of a “Certificate of Need” ? This is basically a permit from the government that declared that yes, community X needs a hospital, so one can be built. Hello, we need hospitals more than say, a McDonalds (or hmm, more of those = more healthcare consumers?) Why can we have competition between fast food companies, who frequently engage in price wars, saving the consumer, but we have no such system in place for our healthcare?
Third, we need universal access, but not through private insurance. Private insurers have too much of a profit motive to ensure that it is enacted fairly.
I believe an eloquent solution to the healthcare crisis looming would be to:
a) Enact universal healthcare coverage, with parity for both mental and physical disorders.
b) Encourage competition in healthcare services. With the competition, prices will go down, more services will be available, and with the universal coverage, access will continues to be available, and the hospitals will still get paid for their services.
c) Refocus the healthcare model to emphasis on preventative care, which will further lower costs by treating diseases before they get out of hand and end up requiring a hospital stay.
d) Tie any healthcare reforms to federally mandated nurse – patient ratios, such as the ones enacted in California.
One thing I have NEVER seen addressed in any debate over universal healthcare is: Where will the extra nursing staff come from to take care of the extra people that will have access to care with universal coverage?
If you think this does not concern you, think again:
In some states, it is already commonplace to push nurses to take care of nine or ten patients at a time, which is stressful for us but DANGEROUS for you. If you think waiting on the call bell takes forever now, wait until we have universal healthcare and a profit driven hospital. I would not be surprised to see caseloads pushed even higher than that, if the hospitals think they can get away with it. And they will, unless the public is educated why this is dangerous.
The hospitals cry “nursing shortage’ and here is why– nurses are leaving in droves from the profession because of these unrealistic and unreasonable work demands, and you are not likely to see any return anytime soon. Bring in foreign nurses? Sure, go ahead. But it will drive down wages, and drive out the nurses that are there now, and eventually there be fewer nurses altogether. Why would you want to be a nurse with impossible work demands and low wages when you can cut your stress level in half and get paid better doing something else?
So remember this, when you consider healthcare changes:
Imagine yourself lying in a hospital bed, recovering from abdomincal surgery and needing pain medication. Your nurse has eight other patients to take care of besides you, all of whom need things just as urgently, and your nurse just got slammed with an admission, on top of everything else.
(FYI- an admission usually eats up at least an hour’s time, b/c of having to take history, do head to toe assessment, start IV’s, and a thousand other things that need doing, plus more if the patient is in severe distress. And all of these things take priority because with a new admission, there are too many variables to consider, that could be dangerous for the patient if made to wait. ).
As the nurse attends to the admission, who is short of breath, your abdominal incision begins to bleed profusely, soaking the bandages taped to your skin. Your breathing is shallow and rapid, and your skin breaks out into a cold sweat from the pain. You ring for the call bell. How can the nurse be in two places at once? A nurses’ aide might be able to help you with the bandage (if they have time– their caseload is usually twice that of the nurse’s, and there are only one or two per floor) but only the NURSE can give you that pain medicine you need.
Remember to demand patient ratios when pushing for healthcare coverage reform. Your very life might just depend on it.
March 1st, 2008 at 3:01 pm#157, you think health care should be free for everyone?
Are the doctors and nurses going to work for free? How about the companies that make medicine; will their workers work for free? And the buildings, equipment, and land; are these also free?
How about where you work, would you work for free?
March 1st, 2008 at 5:24 pmAre the doctors and nurses going to work for free? How about the companies that make medicine; will their workers work for free? And the buildings, equipment, and land; are these also free?
How about where you work, would you work for free?
Comment by muckdog
you miss the point because you choose to miss it. We are already paying more for less health care than any other country in the world….this is a fact and you can choose to deny if but that won’t keep it from being a fact.
Just because you are not paying the government right now for your health care doesn’t mean you are not paying for it….4 or 5 hundred dollars a month is still taxing whether it is payed in taxes or to an insurance company……it now amounts to privitized taxation…..guess that’s ok with you because it’s not paid to the government……..it’s not ok with me and I want it changed and if enough Americans agree you will have to deal with it.
March 2nd, 2008 at 10:24 amI can’t believe this website would support mandates!! When are Progressives going to start acting progressive and when are Democrats going to stop being wimps!!
Mandates — forcing everyone to buy health insurance — is not universal health care, no matter how often Hillary Clinton claims it is. Insurance is not the solution. Insurance is the PROBLEM. Hillary’s health care plan is really Mitt Romney’s plan, and it’s failing big time in Massachusetts. It turns out you can’t force people to buy insurance they KNOW is a bad deal. It costs way too much and it covers way too little. Despite the mandate and the fines, people in Massachusetts are refusing to buy. One story said only 7% of people who did not get subsidies have purchased insurance.
But, hey, if we can solve our health care crisis with mandates, maybe we could apply that to other social problems. Why don’t we use that same idea to eliminate homelessness. Let’s just mandate that everyone have a home! Wow, that was easy! Maybe we can do the same with joblessness Say, didn’t the Democrats try that some years back — wasn’t it called the Humphrey-Hawkins bill? Gee, that worked really well.
It’s time to wake up and take the profit out of health care! When are we going to DEMAND what the rest of the civilized world has — government-funded non-profit health care, with everyone automatically enrolled, regardless of health status or employment status… health care that doesn’t go away because you lost your job or got cancer.
Mandates are nothing more than a huge give-away program to the insurance industry.
March 24th, 2008 at 8:52 pmUnderstood….I didn’t want to imply that they should not earn a ‘reasonable’ return on their investments (drug companies, also) but there does need to be a way for all Americans to have access to quality care to minimize the huge costs of delaying that treatment. Heart disease and acer travelmate 620 battery,acer travelmate 630 battery
October 15th, 2008 at 2:47 amdiabetes are major reasons for not delaying the routine visits to a healthcare professional.