Steele’s health plan: ‘Do the deal. It’s not that complicated.’ ‘Hello?! Am I missing something here?’
Steele’s health plan: ‘Do the deal. It’s not that complicated.’ ‘Hello?! Am I missing something here?’
While hosting Bill Bennett’s radio show this morning, RNC Chairman Michael Steele fearmongered about a government-run “health police” that would force Americans to get their annual physicals. The way to solve the health care crisis, Steele said in another portion of the show, is “not that complicated”: All we have to do is “figure out who” doesn’t have access to health care, “and give them access!”
STEELE: So if it’s a cost problem, it’s easy: Get the people in a room who have the most and the most direct impact on cost, and do the deal. Do the deal. It’s not that complicated.
If it’s an access question, people don’t have access to health care, then figure out who they are, and give them access! Hello?! Am I missing something here? If my friend Trevor has access to health care, and I don’t, why do I need to overhaul the entire system so I can get access he already has? why don’t you just focus on me and get me access?
Listen to it:
Who knew that, despite the years of delay and debate, all the president has to do is “do the deal” and “give [everyone] access!” Steele’s right — it’s not complicated! Steele should be supporting a public plan, which is the best path to ensuring increased access to health care for all.
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Mikey: Hello?! Am I missing something here?
Constantly.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:43 pmUhm… hi, it’s me, Trevor…
I do have access to Health Care and I still think we need to change the system… I don’t want to have to stay at a job I hate just to have health care. I don’t want to have to have both parents work to pay for deductibles. I don’t want to have to work until I’m 90 just to ensure I have premium health care, or because I had to pay for deductibles for 70years…
So Mike, have your Party step aside and lets do the deal!
June 19th, 2009 at 2:43 pm.
LIE-CHEAT-STEELE
The “NEW” G(no)P
.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:44 pmThe best way to ensure access to all is single-payer.
As for Steele, he’s a black H. Ross Perot without the money.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:45 pm.
Don’t fret Mike…
… Congress is workin’ out that deal with the Corporations.
.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:46 pmMichael must be past due for his colonoscopy.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:47 pmIf I could actually post what I really want to say about Mike Steele this asinine, buffoon of a person it would never get posted.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:48 pmMichale Steele isn’t complicated either.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:50 pmIs Steele’s obtuse existence intentional or unintentional ?
Guess we all know who was responsible , or at least had a big hand in the GOP’s laughable economic and health care counter-proposals ………..
June 19th, 2009 at 2:51 pmWith a leader like Steele it’s a wonder that the GOP hasn’t accomplished more. I mean that’s how he rolls baby, wearing his hat to get the deals done.
I hope he leads the GOP for a long, long time.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:51 pmDon’t you love how these SOBs constantly knock “Socialized Medicine” when they benefit from it? These guys get the best, for themselves and their families. Hypocrits! You wonder why all these old white fatrs are still kicking around in their eighties and nineties? Because WE pay for their excellent coverage. Pisses me off.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:52 pmCaption:
June 19th, 2009 at 2:52 pm‘RNC Chair Michael Steele introduces new lapdog to replace him.’
Oh, I love the gay Micahel Steele portait with his Boston Terrier — it was such a hit in his successful Senate run . . . oh, wait. Never mind.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:53 pmOver the past several months (years), liberals, progressives, and other common sense people have addressed you with substantive information and arguments a far greater number of times than the ten fingers and ten toes you use to count with. Sadly, substantive information and arguments have been, are, and always will be completely ignored by you. Therefore, addressing them to you is an exercise in futility and a complete and utter waste of time. Accordingly, you should be dealt with as one would deal with a dog infected with rabies and foaming at the mouth. You don’t try to coax or coddle it; you put it down (figuratively speaking in this context) and move on.
I was hoping to come into this thread and find zero responses, I think we should no longer respond to anything Steele related for he has shown to be unworthy of one, and I know he (as well as the other right wing rage pimps) monitor this site just to see how many of us respond. So this will be my last time commenting on anything Steele related, he is now deemed irrelevant.
RIP
June 19th, 2009 at 2:53 pmSGT Stephen R. Sherman
C CO 1-5 In (STRYKER)
KIA 3 Feb 2005
Mosul, Iraq
In that top picture, one is a drooling, begging creature, trying desperately to please his master(s) for a small treat.
The other is a dog.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:53 pmlike nonsmoking rights health care will have to impact over 50% of the voters.
americans are not a compassionate people. they at this time care less about those that cannot get or afford health insurance.
they must experience this lack of availablilty of health care for themselves to support health care and insurance for all.
that is why we live in this physical world to experience and learn as a soul.
we are the only industrialized country with universal health care for all of its citizens. that should tell anyone all they need to know about americans.
capitalism american style creates a very greedy and arrogant society and most americans worship at the altar of individualism.
yoyo: “your on your own”
and we call ourselves a christian nation. go figure.
christianity died on the cross.
“Advocates of capitalism are very apt to appeal to the sacred principles of liberty which are embodied in one maxim: the fortunate must not be restrained in the exercise of tyranny over the unfortunate” Bertrand Russell.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:53 pmI guess there is something to the notion that dogs and their owners resemble one another.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:54 pmIs this the Republican plan?
How much is it going to cost?
Will it be a public plan or will there be no-bid contracts going out to big health insurance companies?
Large or small deductible?
What if I can’t afford the deductible?
I suppose its not that complicated after you answer those questions.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:54 pmwhoops: we are the only country without universal health insurance for all of its people.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:55 pmresearcher Says:
Excellent, just like noone cared about the poor being kicked out of their homes until it started to affect UPPER CLASS people, then it was a crisis, when those who were living in $400,000 houses had to move into $200,000 houses the country went crazy.
RIP
June 19th, 2009 at 2:58 pmSGT Stephen R. Sherman
C CO 1-5 In (STRYKER)
KIA 3 Feb 2005
Mosul, Iraq
All MC Steele was missing from his “advice”, was to “lock the people in a room and bang their heads together until we get a deal”.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:59 pmI think that was Grumpy McCain’s solution to War on Terra, IranIraqNoKorea, Global Climate Change, Recession…
A public healthcare option for consumers is an essential part of a final healthcare deal, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) said Friday.
Daschle, rebutting earlier reports that he’d backed off support for the plan, which Republicans say is “government-run,” told the Washington Post’s Ezra Klein that compromises would be needed to get a deal.
“I have said emphatically I support a public plan,” Dashcle said, adding that he has no idea where reports that he didn’t support a public option came from.
June 19th, 2009 at 2:59 pmMichael Steele is an outstanding RNC Chairman……
….for me to poop on!
June 19th, 2009 at 3:03 pmOK, he’s addressing people who don’t have coverage, in his hip stream-of-consciousness jive talky way, but “you don’t overhaul the system” completely ignores the fact that people who do have health insurance are being bled dry and getting barely anything in return. The overhead on the health insurance industry in this country is completely insane. We couldn’t possibly afford to keep it that way and also cover everyone else.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:08 pmAIO Says:
——————————————————————————–
Michael must be past due for his colonoscopy.
So he can get a note from his doctor telling his republican cronies that his head really isn’t up there, he just acts that way.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:11 pmEverything is simple if your idealogy consists of a few market-tested buzzwords.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:11 pmspring heeled jack Says:
Most excellent Triumph reference.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:12 pmSTEELE: So if it’s a cost problem, it’s easy: Get the people in a room who have the most and the most direct impact on cost, and do the deal. Do the deal. It’s not that complicated.
If it’s an access question, people don’t have access to health care, then figure out who they are, and give them access! Hello?! Am I missing something here? If my friend Trevor has access to health care, and I don’t, why do I need to overhaul the entire system so I can get access he already has? why don’t you just focus on me and get me access?
Forgive me all of you progressives, but Steele is right. For many people cost is the problem. Get a public plan that is subsidized by the government to take care of the cost. At the same time, untie the plan so it can negotiate with providers for cost savings.
For many people access is a problem. Again, get a public plan that will accept people with pre-existing conditions at an affordable cost.
So Republicans, what do you say let’s “Do the deal. It’s not that complicated.”!
June 19th, 2009 at 3:21 pmIf it’s an access question, people don’t have access to health care, then figure out who they are, and give them access! Hello?! Am I missing something here?
This? Is brilliant! I think the GNOP should use this strategy across the board to solve all of our nation’s problems.
Housing for the homeless: If it’s an access question, people don’t have access to housing, then figure out who they are, and give them access! Hello?! Am I missing something here?
Poverty: If it’s an access question, people don’t have access to money, then figure out who they are, and give them access! Hello?! Am I missing something here?
Unemployment: If it’s an access question, people don’t have access to employment, then figure out who they are, and give them access! Hello?! Am I missing something here?
Hunger: If it’s an access question, people don’t have access to food, then figure out who they are, and give them access! Hello?! Am I missing something here?
Equal rights: If it’s an access question, people don’t have access to equal rights, then figure out who they are, and give them access! Hello?! Am I missing something here?
A nation without war: If it’s an access question, people don’t have access to peace, then figure out who they are, and give them access! Hello?! Am I missing something here?
Oh, how I could go on…
PEACE
June 19th, 2009 at 3:22 pmBrilliant spencer’s mom. Let’s hope the GOP hip hops into Congress with that.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:24 pmBWAHAHAHAHA!!
June 19th, 2009 at 3:26 pmThe problem isn’t getting “access” to health care. Everybody has “access” to health care as long as they live anywhere near a doctor — the problem is paying for it.
I have “access” to the finest restaurants in my city, but that doesn’t mean I can afford to eat there whenever I get hungry.
Steele’s is a typical Republican “let them eat cake” response to the problem — indicating that either A) he’s truly clueless, or B) he believes that we are.
But let’s pretend that by “access”, he means not only getting health care, but being able to pay for it without having to declare bankruptcy or defaulting on one’s mortgage. How does he propose to do this, if it’s “not that complicated”? Without involving the government in any way (since that appears to be the GOP third rail)?
June 19th, 2009 at 3:28 pmTP
Why is there a pic of a dog and what he shit out ?
June 19th, 2009 at 3:29 pmMan! What an idiot! I mean, will the Washington insider crown finally get that this guy is lacking a brain? And start looking for it?
June 19th, 2009 at 3:30 pmOT, but hilarious:
I’m riding my motorcycle on the way home from work and I get cut off by an SUV with McCain/Palin stickers. I get around them and we end up side by side at a light.
The light turns and they are trying to keep me from getting down the road, so they dive over into the other lane.
Their vision was blocked by another SUV, however, and they didn’t see the barriers blocking the lane they were going to use to cut me off from and smashed into them.
I would have stopped to make sure they were ok, but I was laughing too damned hard.
Right wingers are so stupid!
June 19th, 2009 at 3:30 pmMichael Steele – the face of the Republican Party: Complete idiocy.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:31 pmRantingTommy, what a perfect metaphor for the entire GNOP! So busy trying to keep someone from advancing that they’re not looking where they’re going. CRASH!
Rest assured, I’m sure they were fine, and that they have platinum healthcare paid for by someone else.
PEACE
June 19th, 2009 at 3:33 pmSo, the leaders of the Republican Party are a radio talk-show host and a substitute for a radio talk-show host. Amazing.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:33 pmMichael Steele reminds me of the Pakleds on Star Trek TNG.
“Make it go.”
June 19th, 2009 at 3:35 pmspencers mom Says
June 19th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
_____________________________________________________________
I wish I could give you 100 recommends for that post — you nailed the absurdity of Steele’s comments beautifully.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:35 pmIt’s not the first time a right winger has experienced instant karma when trying to impede traffic flow.
About a year or so ago, another right winger (Bush/Cheney stickers this time) in a minivan, tried to squeeze me out of a merge on a ramp and failed. I could see them in my mirror. They were mad as hell and trying to find something to throw at me. They finally grabbed a near full dixie cup (like a concession stand soda comes in) and hurled it out his window at me.
Being a right winger and not a fan of science or physics, he didn’t take into account the 15mph we were traveling or the wind resistance of a dixie cup and the cup flew back and exploded on his windshield, forcing him to stop.
I almost wrecked laughing at that one.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:41 pmDo you know whats funny???? Not one of the MSM has the guts to come to Canada and ask us Canadians what we think of our heath care system!!!!!!
The truth would hurt…no no …kill the insurance companies!! Bunch of panzies…true traders to the nation and its people ….politicians and MSM.
Keep fighting my friends….it’s worth it…trust us Canadians…have we ever dissapointed you, our American neighbors???
June 19th, 2009 at 3:46 pmDear Mr. Steele, the issue for most Americans is that health insurance costs more than the rent or mortgage, and yet the insurance companies fight most claims made against them.
I haven’t been to a doctor in 14 years, when I was leaving the Peace Corps. At $700-1000 per month, that’s $8.4-12K per year, or $117.6-168K in premiums.
Yet somehow I’m still required to co-pay for any visits, and I’m quite certain that anything beyond a band-aid will contested.
Socialized medicine? Bring it on. It certainly can’t be worse than the legalized extortion of the health insurance mafia.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:47 pmisn’t that sweet! how did they get anchor baby malkin to pose with mikey steele in that first pic?
June 19th, 2009 at 3:49 pmSeveral years ago (when the health insurance system in this country was bad, but not nearly as bad as it is now), one of our local citizens wrote a letter to the editor of our newspaper in response to an article about the growing number of people with no health insurance.
Her solution to the problem was for everybody to just get jobs with employers who offered health insurance as an employee benefit. Problem solved.
I didn’t think I would ever hear any comment regarding health insurance as dumb as that one. But Steele’s “give them access” routine comes pretty close.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:54 pmWhen asked about a vague public plan that costs $100 billion per year—–you got 33% approval. They were not asked about a fully-comprehensive single-payer plan that would SAVE $350 billion every year. That would get a near 70% approval. The MainStreamMedia will not tell how good every other developed country in the world has it.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:57 pm“If my friend Trevor has access to health care, and I don’t, why do I need to overhaul the entire system so I can get access he already has?”
You don’t, Mike — move to Iowa and marry him.
June 19th, 2009 at 4:01 pm…
i’m reminded of what
rick santorum said about
men and dogs…
:\
:}
June 19th, 2009 at 4:10 pmMikey would be singing a much different tune if he were a rep or sinator taking campaign funds from big business lobturds
June 19th, 2009 at 4:11 pmJust like the SNL skit…
“FIX IT!”
June 19th, 2009 at 4:14 pmAnyone who thinks the gov’t can run health care should not be allowed to vote or drive.
June 19th, 2009 at 4:17 pmAnyone who thinks that big business can run govt shouldnt be allowed to be a US citizen
June 19th, 2009 at 4:23 pmAmerican Patriot Says
June 19th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Anyone who thinks the gov’t can run health care should not be allowed to vote or drive.
___________________________________________________________
You’re ready to take away voting rights and driver’s licenses from everybody 65 and over? That might not be the best move if you’re a Republican — many of those senior citizens tend to vote conservatively.
June 19th, 2009 at 4:27 pmXisithrus Says:
——————————————————————————–
Anyone who thinks that big business can run govt
Show me where I have advocated that.
June 19th, 2009 at 4:29 pmSteele’s not missing something, he’s missing everything,
June 19th, 2009 at 4:37 pmjust like the historically illiterate Am Pat.
many of those senior citizens tend to vote conservatively.
And anyone of them will tell you that if they get their health care from the gov’t that it sucks! In liberal/laymens terms, the gov’t can’t run $hit!
June 19th, 2009 at 4:38 pmIf it’s not that complicated, how come when H. Clinton was sent to form a deal, she go shot down in flames, nothing was heard during the Bush Admin, and now the repubs are blocking everything now ?
June 19th, 2009 at 4:41 pmtombaker Says:
——————————————————————————–
Steele’s not missing something, he’s missing everything,
just like the historically illiterate Am Pat.
Coming from you I’ll take that as a compliment.
June 19th, 2009 at 4:41 pm…like I said, historically (and hysterically) illiterate.
June 19th, 2009 at 4:42 pmknock yourself out little hatriot. matters not to me.
June 19th, 2009 at 4:43 pmNice rebuttal. ;)
June 19th, 2009 at 4:43 pmSo American Patriot:
June 19th, 2009 at 4:49 pmI was thinking. Maybe we just got off on the wrong foot. Shall we let bygones be bygones and get right down to some really thoughtful discussions?
American Patriot Says:
Nice rebuttal. ;)
…
isn’t it?
:)
June 19th, 2009 at 4:57 pmAmerican Patriot Says
June 19th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
And anyone of them will tell you that if they get their health care from the gov’t that it sucks! In liberal/laymens terms, the gov’t can’t run $hit!
___________________________________________________________
Au contraire. My husband has Medicare, and I have a plan from a for-profit health insurance company that I get through my employer.
A portion of my husband’s Social Security check goes to pay for his Medicare insurance. That portion he pays is less than the portion I pay out of pocket for my premiums (and my employer still pays the lion’s share of the cost of my insurance).
My husband can see almost any doctor he wants to (very few doctors in our town refuse Medicare patients). I am limited to my insurance company’s “preferred provider network”.
My husband pays no co-pays to see his doctor. I do.
My husband can go see a urologist or a podiatrist or any other specialist without having to get permission from his primary physician. I have to get a referral, and I have to pay a co-pay to see my doctor to get one.
My husband’s doctor can give him the tests and the treatment he needs, usually without having to jump through the flaming hoops of insurance companies to do so. My doctor has to get authorization from my insurance company just to order a mammogram for me — and just about anything else.
We wait the same amount of time for an appointment, because we have the same doctor.
I have yet to talk to anyone on Medicare (and I know many people who are 65 and over — it’s not that far from my age group) who believes they would get a better deal solely with for-profit private insurance.
But since you are so convinced that Medicare “sucks”, and that the government “can’t run sh!t”, you shouldn’t have any problem with the government offering a public plan to compete with what’s already in the marketplace, should you? After all, if it would “suck” so much, the private for-profit companies would trounce a public plan on the field of competition. So what are you afraid of?
June 19th, 2009 at 5:04 pmWow, so let’s see the public policy proposals which will make this happen, Mr. Steele.
June 19th, 2009 at 5:04 pmthe gov’t can’t run $hit!
June 19th, 2009 at 5:06 pm—
Afterwards they wrapped themselves in the flag. Strange how that bipolarism works…
In liberal/laymens terms, the gov’t can’t run $hit!
June 19th, 2009 at 5:07 pm—
Then why should they be in charge of the wars?
like you’d know a rebuttal from a butt, little hatriot?
tee hee.
June 19th, 2009 at 5:15 pmjoe cant think-
Fox New is denying claims that Doug Hampton — whose wife Cynthia is the other woman in Senator John Ensign’s sex scandal — sent the network a letter pleading for help exposing the affair five days before the Senator announced it in a press conference and that Ensign came forward with the affair because he knew Fox was working on the story.
June 19th, 2009 at 5:18 pmSorry to explode your latest talking point, little joey….
June 19th, 2009 at 5:25 pmAmerican Patriot:
June 19th, 2009 at 5:28 pmI need to leave for work but will you be about betweenmidningt and one. I want to sort of bury the hatchet and really get into some respectful dialogues about the issues of the day. I hope that might suit you schedule. Have a nice night and I will look for you then…
American Patriot Says:
joe cant think-
Fox New is denying claims that Doug Hampton — whose wife Cynthia is the other woman in Senator John Ensign’s sex scandal — sent the network a letter pleading for help exposing the affair five days before the Senator announced it in a press conference and that Ensign came forward with the affair because he knew Fox was working on the story.
Right, cuz fox would have no reason to lie about trying to bury this story and tipping off ensign the whoremongering hypocrite, right? Cuz if they did do that, it might tarnish their journalistic reputation…
June 19th, 2009 at 5:36 pmDon’t waste your time Db, american patriot is a traitor who gives aid and comfort to the enemy during times of war.
June 19th, 2009 at 5:38 pmI bet AP drives an SUV
I wonder if he managed to get it home from running into that barrier
June 19th, 2009 at 5:38 pmAnd American parrot, by other woman, don’t you mean republican whore?
June 19th, 2009 at 5:40 pmDoes Bill Bennett ever actually host the Bill Bennett Show anymore? It seems like Michael Steele’s been “guest” hosting that show for months now.
June 19th, 2009 at 5:41 pmRantingTommy Says:
I bet AP drives an SUV
I wonder if he managed to get it home from running into that barrier
I bet he’s one of those suburban republican pussies who drives an SUV and has his wife iron his jeans so they have creases down the front. And he has a bad combover…
June 19th, 2009 at 5:42 pmSteele said:
1. You’re Michael Steele, so of course you’re missing something.
June 19th, 2009 at 5:48 pm2. A friend named Trevor is not exactly moving you into that hip-hop GOP makeover you yearn for.
k-k-k-karl can’t seem to drum up very sharp interns any more these days…
…best get your resume in order little hatriot, i think yer daddy’s gonna spring a little pink slip on ya pretty soon…
June 19th, 2009 at 5:50 pm#64 missmolly @ 5:04 — you are quite accurate in your description. Any troll who claims otherwise is totally out of touch with real people.
June 19th, 2009 at 5:58 pm“Am I missing something here?” Yes Mr. Steele, as usual you are missing something here. Couldn’t the Republicans at least find someone with an IQ over 80 for that job?
June 19th, 2009 at 6:44 pmSomeone on another board said that the Republicans are looking psychotic to the degree that they don’t even try to hide it anymore because the bugs are everywhere. I can see that. He’s an insanely upbeat nut, but a nut.
June 19th, 2009 at 7:49 pmthese poor insurance who charge a lot for a policy and does not pay anything when you get the bill from the hospital. Wake up america these business are makeing money hand or fist and deing any business makeing billons of bucks living in big houses makeing millon dollor pay checks every year thats why they are fighting and paying big money to those senators and congress men who dont give a crap about you because they have the best insurance for themselves and there familys.we the stupid taxpayers pay it.
June 19th, 2009 at 7:53 pmHey, there IS one good thing about Steele. He’s obviously a Boston Terrier lover.
The doggie is smarter than he is.
June 19th, 2009 at 7:57 pmAmerican Patriot
Jeezus, what a loser.
June 19th, 2009 at 7:58 pmcaption…
Underbites Anonymous Announces Annual Convention
June 19th, 2009 at 8:07 pm“So if it’s a cost problem, it’s easy: Get the people in a room who have the most and the most direct impact on cost, and do the deal. Do the deal. It’s not that complicated. If it’s an access question, people don’t have access to health care, then figure out who they are, and give them access! Hello?! Am I missing something here? If my friend Trevor has access to health care, and I don’t, why do I need to overhaul the entire system so I can get access he already has? why don’t you just focus on me and get me access?”
****************************************************
Gee, Mister Steele…maybe what you’re missing is the fact that some of the people whom you’re so eager to defend (like, say, the insurance companies) are some of the very same people who are making this process so “complicated” and so difficult that it’s preventing some people — an increasing number of people! — from receiving even basic healthcare. It’s not that hard — or at least, it shouldn’t be — to see that many insurance companies are starting to care far more about the bottom line than they do about the health and well-being of their customers.
For that matter, if the insurance companies are concerned about costs, why don’t they take at least some of their concerns up with the people who are in part responsible for these costs — namely, the physicians? The physicians are the ones who make the diagnoses and write the prescriptions, after all — and unfortunately, there are still a good many Americans still operating under the antiquated assumption that physicians belong to that class of people whose judgment should never be questioned.
In fact, there are moments when one is almost inclined to wonder if perhaps there might even a conspiracy between the physicians and the insurance companies to bleed the American public dry. The insurance companies are charging more and more money for less and less coverage, while the physicians are coming up with all kinds of new diseases and disorders which they then have to treat with all kinds of medications and procedures. Some of these the insurance companies decide not to cover, meaning that the entire cost (which is almost always considerable) has to come entirely from the patient’s own pocket — provided, of course, that they have the money to pay for it in the first place.
One of the factors which also makes this process more “complicated” is an unfortunate consequence of modern healthcare. We’re able to keep many people alive who might have otherwise died or died sooner, which in some ways is a good thing — but (and I realize that I may get verbally eviscerated for saying this) it also has some inevitable negative side effects, such as people with certain congenital conditions or predispositions which they pass to their offspring when they might not have had the opportunity to do so otherwise. I’m not suggesting that such people should be allowed to die or that they shouldn’t have children, since that’s when the subject of eugenics raises its hideous head…but it doesn’t change the fact that this is just one of the factors which inevitably make the issue of healthcare much more “complicated” than Steele’s simplistic (and rather flippant) comment would suggest.
June 19th, 2009 at 8:15 pmCONGRESSIONAL LEVEL HEALTHCARE FOR ALL!!
June 19th, 2009 at 8:16 pm“So if it’s a cost problem, it’s easy: Get the people in a room who have the most and the most direct impact on cost, and do the deal. Do the deal. It’s not that complicated. If it’s an access question, people don’t have access to health care, then figure out who they are, and give them access! Hello?! Am I missing something here? If my friend Trevor has access to health care, and I don’t, why do I need to overhaul the entire system so I can get access he already has? why don’t you just focus on me and get me access?”
****************************************************
Gee, Mister Steele…maybe what you’re missing is the fact that some of the people whom the Republicans so eager to defend (like, say, the insurance companies) are some of the very same people who are making this process so “complicated” and so difficult that it’s preventing some people — an increasing number of people! — from receiving even basic healthcare. It’s not that hard — or at least, it shouldn’t be — to see that many insurance companies are starting to care far more about the bottom line than they do about the health and well-being of their customers.
For that matter, if the insurance companies are concerned about costs, why don’t they take at least some of their concerns up with the people who are in part responsible for these costs — namely, the physicians? The physicians are the ones who make the diagnoses and write the prescriptions, after all — and unfortunately, there are a good many Americans still operating under the antiquated assumption that physicians belong to that class of people whose judgment should never be questioned and whose word is law.
In fact, there are moments when one is almost inclined to wonder if perhaps there might even a conspiracy between the physicians and the insurance companies to bleed the American public dry. The insurance companies are charging more and more money for less and less coverage, while the physicians are coming up with all kinds of new diseases and disorders which they then have to treat with all kinds of medications and procedures. Some of these the insurance companies decide not to cover, meaning that the entire cost (which is almost always exhorbitant) has to come entirely from the patient’s own pocket — provided, of course, that they have the money to pay for it in the first place.
One of the factors which also makes this process more “complicated” is an unfortunate consequence of modern healthcare. We’re able to keep many people alive who might have otherwise died or died sooner, which in some ways is a good thing — but (and I realize that I may get verbally eviscerated for saying this) it also has some inevitable negative side effects, such as people passing certain congenital conditions or predispositions to their offspring when they otherwise might not have lived long enough to have children. I’m not suggesting that such people should be allowed to die or that they shouldn’t have children, since that’s when the subject of eugenics raises its hideous head…but it doesn’t change the fact that this is just one of the factors which inevitably make the issue of healthcare much more “complicated” than Steele’s simplistic (and frankly, rather flippant) comment would suggest.
“Am I missing something?” You betcha, Steele…this plus a whole lot more.
June 19th, 2009 at 8:28 pmI wish I had an annual physical. Forced or voluntary.
The something he’s missing is the part where I go into debt if our provider’s medical advisor decides to deny coverage.
good comments.
June 19th, 2009 at 8:36 pm.
THE REPUBLICAN HEALTH CARE HORROR SHOW
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9n21d3n5j8
.
June 19th, 2009 at 8:49 pmTo suggest that Michael Steel is retarded would be an insult to developmentally disabled adults. He really is more like a terrier– very insistent about something that is only obvious to other terriers. I think that explains why he is seen in the photo with another idiot terrier. They are both about to bark at a paper bag that has blown into their yard. “Kill it! Kill it!”
June 19th, 2009 at 11:19 pmBobwurst Says:
No need to waste time with American Parrot. He probably stole that entire paragraph from someone else :)
June 19th, 2009 at 11:44 pmI was injured on the job in Sept 2002. Work Comp over looked tares in my Sacro Illiac Joint for three years. In 2005 my neurosurgeon referred me to a Sacro Iliac Joint specialist. In Jan 2006 I went to mediation with a judge to get authorization for that referral from 2005. The attorney argued that my neurosurgeons opinion was “Hearsay” and the Judge agreed and ruled in his favor.
Later in 2006 I developed Ulnar Neuropathy (cubital tunnel syndrome)in both of my arms.
The Ulnar Neuropathy in my arms is not directly related to my on the job injury, but I need surgery on my arms and lots of physical therapy at this point, before I would be able to handle recovering from surgery for my back and or tares, scar tissue in my sacro iliac joint.
I have to live without surgery and pain management because I don’t have access to health care. I can’t get well and move on with my life because the State of Florida’s workers compensation system works on behalf of the Insurance Industry and their profit margin.
Health care should be about health care and I think giving people access to health care is a pretty good idea. Especially when there is already insurance that is supposed to provide that health care.
In Florida, work comp money benefits stop after two years regardless if you are unable to return to work.
I get to live off 135 dollars in food stamps and 123 from VA for hearing damage I got 25 years ago.
I’ve been turned down by SSDI, Medicaid and Work Comp over the past 7 years.
The administrative abuses I have been through while being in pain 24/7, I can only amount to as torture.
In Florida how you feel has no bearing in a work comp claim.
There are far to many specific abuses and administrative delays for me to list. Also, it isn’t easy for me to relive all that stuff, which is what happens when I think about it in detail.
Health Care?????????? Bring it on Steele, I’d like to move on with my life!
June 19th, 2009 at 11:48 pmTo all those who make the assertion that ‘the government can’t run health care,” I maake a proposal:
Let’s try it.
If it doesn’t work, and it can’t be fixed, scrap it.
If governmeny health care turns out to be the dismal bureaucratically bound nightmare you say ir’s going to be, then people will soon be opting out of that dismal system and looking for private solutions. Then when you make your play for scrapping it, millions of people will agree with you.
But you guys just sit there and refuse even to test it. That’s neither rational nor fair.
But you don’t argue from pragmatism. You argue from ideology. You’re not interestted in finding the best solution_ you’re interested in vindicating capitalism. You’d rather see a miserable capitalism system than a successful sociaiist one.
It’s like wanting Obama to fail. If you were assured of your ideology, you’d be sitting back and comfortably pointing out that Obama will inevitably fail. You can sit back and munch your popcorn. If you know for sure that socialized medicine will be a disaster, then you sit back and watch Patton over and over again. and you’ll waltz into thw 2012 election.
But deep down you don’t believe it, do you. Your fear is not a nightmarish health system, but one that works. You’re scared that it will be fine and people will like it, and then the world will be that much less like a Heinlein novel.
The government beat the Nazis and Imperial Japan. It developed the atomic bomb and took us to the moon. It built the Golden Gate Bridge, the Interstate Highway System, and the Internet. To be sure, it also developed the Bradley Fighting vehicle, bad schools and a miserable Post Office full of psychos.
It’s entirely possible that national health care will be a disaster. If it turns out that way, you’re back in power. And if socialism is proven not to work, you really should be able to sit back and let us hand it back to you.
So why are you upset?
June 20th, 2009 at 3:00 amWell Mr. Steele does indeed prove, without doubt, that he possess the accumulated acumen of Paris Hilton’s Chihuahua. Repeatedly as well.
Sir! You have made your point.
June 20th, 2009 at 9:28 amGood thinking, Chairman Steele. With about 50,000,000 uninsured folks and an average yearly medical cost of nearly $7,000/person, only $350,000,000 a year (excluding inflation).
Let’s see: the Dems are being pounded for proposing one trillion dollars over 10 years and the Republican Chairman’s alternative is to propose a trillion dollars over the next 3 years.
Chairman Steele: Are you missing something here? Duh!
June 20th, 2009 at 2:53 pmAmerican Parrot
Anyone as stupid and pathetic as you should just kill themselves out of respect for the rest of the world
June 20th, 2009 at 4:55 pmWhy is it that only people who have a traditional job (or are married to someone with a traditional job) deserve access to healthcare? The capitalist model/system has its strengths but that doesn’t mean it should be used in every situation. I think people forget that capitalism is an amoral system (survival of the fittest anyone? Oh yeah, the Repubs don’t understand that evolutionary concept). We (US citizens)are so un-evolved (in a spiritual sense at least) if we cannot see health care as a basic human right that our country should be able to afford to provide (embarassing really). But our individualism run amok here has blinded us to that.
My father is a physisian and he used to rail against the idea of “socialized medicine.” Since then he quit as a partner in his practice because the rest of them were so greedy in a health care system that does not de-incentivize greed. He now believes that the system, in general, has lost its some of its free-market priviledges (couldn’t handle the immense responsibility it has in a capatalist system) and some form of national plan is needed.
My biggest question is why, at the very least, are we not enlightened enough to offer universal coverage to pregnant women and children? Oh yeah, that would require a long-term view of the issue. Again, capitalism isn’t necessarily interested in the long-run, as has become apparent in the financial crisis.
Some like to say that without capitalism we will stifle the innovation that comes from the competitive nature of capitalism. To that I simply say: I would trade some of the innovation for more compassion. And to be honest if a national plan keeps some greedy people from the medical field I say: Great!
This debate makes me realize how ignorant and unkind we can be as a nation.
June 20th, 2009 at 7:26 pmThank you..
Sesli Chat
June 22nd, 2009 at 2:50 amSesli Sohbet
Sesli Chat
Sesli Sohbet
Seslikent
SesliChat
SesliSohbet
My healthcare is great and I pay through the nose for it. The system must be changed, we cannot afford healthcare cost increases every year, it’s unsustainable. All Americans should have access to good, affordable healthcare…it’s that simple. Check out these opinions too http://www.counterpointnation.com/topic.home.php?id=23 and leave a comment.
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:03 am