Gingrich On Private Health Insurance Companies: ‘They Have It Done Well’
Gingrich On Private Health Insurance Companies: ‘They Have It Done Well’
Newt Gingrich, one of the de facto leaders of the Republican Party, gave an interview to ABC Medical editor Dr. Timothy Johnson last week to discuss health care reform. Gingrich predictably went into scare-mongering mode, making arguments against measures that aren’t even part of the debate. He said the U.S. should not adopt a “single national health system” such as in Canada or the UK. “If I have to choose between my doctor and a government bureaucrat, I have zero doubt which one I want,” he said. Of course, no such choice is being offered.
But Gingrich also touted the success of private health insurers. When Johnson noted that it is insurance companies that are coming between patients and needed care, Gingrich claimed, “If you don’t like your current insurance company, you can change insurance companies.” He later argued that private insurers have done “well”:
GINGRICH: They have it done well. And the fact is, overall, 71 percent of Americans are relatively satisfied with the health insurance.
JOHNSON: But we have 46 million uninsured.
GINGRICH: Right. And we have — you know, that means you also have 260 million insured.
Perhaps Gingrich hasn’t been paying attention to how private insurance companies have been doing it. They continually deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions and drop coverage for many who have insurance (and have paid monthly premiums) when they become ill. In fact, just this month, the CEOs of the nation’s top three health insurers told a House committee that they would continue the practice of canceling medical coverage for sick policy holders, a controversial measure called “rescission.”
Moreover, many of those who have health insurance really aren’t “insured” from the financial burdens of rising health care costs. A national study released this year found that while medical debt contributed to 62 percent of the bankruptcies in 2007, 78 percent of those bankruptcy filers had health insurance but “still were overwhelmed by their medical debt.”
Perhaps because he hasn’t had to shop around for health insurance for quite a while, Gingrich doesn’t know that it’s not that easy to just “change insurance companies” if you’re unhappy with your current provider. Aside from the fact that insurer consolidation has resulted in limited choice and higher profits for insurers, those seeking insurance on the individual market face higher costs, as the Commonwealth Fund has noted:
Insurance in the individual market is often impossible to obtain or unaffordable. Nearly nine of 10 people who explored obtaining coverage through the individual market never bought a plan, citing difficulties finding affordable coverage or being turned down.
If private insurance companies have “done well” and a public plan is no option, how does Gingrich plan to reform health care?
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I WANT HEALTHCARE NOT INSURANCE!
Nationalize Healthcare NOW.
Newts a Nitwit.
July 1st, 2009 at 4:57 pmWhy the news media would ask this lying crook, who has proven to be a failure at every turn, anything about healthcare is beyond me. Newt is a worthless candidate for expertise.
July 1st, 2009 at 4:57 pmGingrich claimed, “If you don’t like your current insurance company, you can change insurance companies
right. Tell that to my employer. They seem to offer a plan from one and only one insurer…??
Newt Dumas.
July 1st, 2009 at 4:58 pmHe meant to say, “They have done quite well.”
Of course they have, ever since Gingrich and his band of criminals ended the not-for-profit status of health insurance companies.
That scumbag is a major reason that I will never vote for any repiggie, even for local office. They are all in on the scam. They are destroying our population and reducing it to penury and illness.
July 1st, 2009 at 4:59 pmSo, Newt…lead the way. Set the bar in Congress by giving up your socialized healthcare and try to obtain a policy for you and your family.
Then come back and tell us what a thrilling success it was.
Gasbag.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:00 pmHe’s at the age where his fat ass is going to be getting a lot sicker these days.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:02 pmLucky him…he still has that sweetheart deal for former congressmen so that the
taxpayer picks up the tab for his fat butt.
I suppose that all depends on what “it” is!
July 1st, 2009 at 5:03 pm71% are satisfied? Newt better go back to school and learn how to read.
Either that or get the dollars out of his ears.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:03 pm“If I have to choose between my doctor and a government bureaucrat, I have zero doubt which one I want,” he said. Of course, no such choice is being offered.
How about it you have to choose between your doctor and an insurance company employee who is rewarded for denying your claim?
July 1st, 2009 at 5:04 pm…
private health insurance is going
to kill the republican party.
***
thank you dr. gingrich.
º:=)
…
July 1st, 2009 at 5:04 pmHe said the U.S. should not adopt a “single national health system” such as in Canada or the UK. “If I have to choose between my doctor and a government bureaucrat, I have zero doubt which one I want,” he said.
I agree with Gingrich! They should get doctors in Canada and the UK. I don’t want a government bureaucrat operating on me!
July 1st, 2009 at 5:05 pmHe’s a fat old whore.
That pathetic old has-been is the best reason I can think of to support vociferously the public option in health care.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:05 pmTime to tell Congress, give us your health care plan or you take ours.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:05 pmThe democrats are killing a viable public option:
The dems are the majority party, with a dem president and a 60-vote advantage, yet they are conspiring to screw up this legislation in favor of a monolithic industry. The dems are consigning Americans to sub-par care, bankruptcy and possibly death.
Just like the republicans did. Meet the new sellouts, same as….
July 1st, 2009 at 5:06 pmI know someone who had two detached ligaments in his knee.
His doctor had to intervene because his insurance company would only approve the procedure to re-attach his ligaments if they were done as two separate operations! On the same knee!
Grrrrrrrrrrrr
July 1st, 2009 at 5:07 pmGINGRICH: They have it done well.
He’s right. Their profits are through the roof and executive compensation is at an all-time high!
Raising premiums nearly 100% in just eight short years while cutting benefits, denying care and increasing member out-of-pocket is a sure-fire way for the private insurers to do very, very well.
Have they done well by Americans? No.
PEACE
July 1st, 2009 at 5:08 pmEvery time I see this big headed ahole I think of the muppets.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:10 pmThink about it, do you remember the two old guys in the balcony? Newts that old fck on the left.
Get ready for bed
July 1st, 2009 at 5:10 pmLook in your funhouse mirror
Turn out the lights Newt
Good news all. Losing your retirement because the banking industry was incompetent and too big to fail is not a problem.
The health insurance industry is working hard to insure you will never get to the point where you will need it.
Send a thank you card to Congress.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:12 pmMy insurance coompany still won’t pay for an emergency room visit for my wife who had terminal brain cancer because they say I’m not the executor of her estate. So, the hospital is trying to make me pay for it. Isn’t that a nice little catch 22?
July 1st, 2009 at 5:13 pmWhy is this man still talking? He was booted out of his job for ethics violations.
And he is hoping to sweep this and two of his three marriages under the rug and be President. He has converted to Catholicism and wants to have two of his marriages declared annulled. He thinks if he does this and the church will say this current mistress, sorry this current wife is the true one. This man is a serial cheater. This may not keep him out of the White House, but his ethics violations that forced him from government should.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:13 pmThis is further proof that Republicans equate failure with success, and success with failure. Systemically.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:13 pmI think he meant to say that 71% are UNsatisfied.
Either that or he is claiming that 71% are both satisified with their insurance and want a public option…which does make a little bit of sense, as I am satisfied with my insurance and still support a public option.
Although, I’m one of the 119 million that would drop their private ins and sign up for a public option. I support that type of plan, and I figure if it’s good enough for me to support, it’s good enough for me to participate in.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:14 pmHere’s a wakeup call:
The majority party’s watered down, industry-conciliation version is a joke. Demand single-payer healthcare or the congressmen who object can pay for their own at their new jobs…
July 1st, 2009 at 5:14 pmThe dems are the majority party, with a dem president and a 60-vote advantage, yet they are conspiring to screw up this legislation in favor of a monolithic industry. The dems are consigning Americans to sub-par care, bankruptcy and possibly death.
Just like the republicans did. Meet the new sellouts, same as….
Hanshiro you are a liar, and a hack. The senate dems plan is a non-starter in the House, but to hear you tell it, all senate and house democrats have sold us out. Liar.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:15 pmMore hackery:
The majority party’s watered down, industry-conciliation version is a joke. Demand single-payer healthcare or the congressmen who object can pay for their own at their new jobs…
Liar.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:17 pmWhy is anyone from networks, newspapers or ANYWHERE asking this lying washed-up philandering loon ANYTHING about health care and insurance? HE HAS NO CREDENTIALS WHATSOEVER!! The closest he has gotten to healthcare and insurance is his cozy relationship with the lobbyists who continue to line his pockets with cash.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:17 pmThat’s weird. You know. What with him having had, um, government health care for, ah, 20 years and all. And what with him, ah, having continuing health benefits under the Federal Employee Health Benefit for being, um, retired and all. But, um, I guess The Market knows best. Or something.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:20 pmCheck out Dylan Ratigan, host of MSNBC’s new show “Morning Meeting” blame everybody but the healthcare industry for the high costs of healthcare.
Here is the clip.
http://progressnotcongress.org/?p=1990
July 1st, 2009 at 5:20 pmWhat’s the matter Hanshiro? Embarrassed about being exposed as a liar? Or do you wish to defend your lie?
July 1st, 2009 at 5:21 pmSince single payer and the public option is not on the Congressional agenda at present, just who is lying?
Over 70% of Americans support the public option and it isn’t on the Congressional agenda. Just who is doing the zooming?
Hanshiro, keep it coming.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:23 pmSo we can have a public option, and the insurance companies can continue to do well.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:23 pmWhat’s wrong with that Newt?
The majority party’s watered down, industry-conciliation version is a joke.
The Senate’s plan, not acceptable to the House. But I won’t hold my breath waiting for you to clarify your error.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:24 pmIf one American family has to file bankruptcy to pay medical bills, the system is broken.
And if the Insurance companies can spend millions to continue a system that allows that to happen, the system is beyond broken.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:29 pm26. barfly Says: Hanshiro you are a liar, and a hack. The senate dems plan is a non-starter in the House, but to hear you tell it, all senate and house democrats have sold us out. Liar.
Where? Show me where what I posted was wrong or STFU.
Only in your cramped world barf-ly could you imagine that typing “liar” makes it so. I brought information and facts, you brought epithets.
I win.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:32 pmC’mon, barf-ly. I will slap you down so hard your grandchildren will have a handprint…
July 1st, 2009 at 5:33 pmHanshiro, do not make me regret backing you by acting like a spoiled kid. You have made some valid points. Don’t blow it.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:36 pm39.Hoodathunktick Says: Hanshiro, do not make me regret backing you by acting like a spoiled kid. You have made some valid points. Don’t blow it.
Then tell idiot barf-ly to back off and put facts where his ignorance is. I’m not here to garner backing but to post on issues. Calling someone a liar with zero facts will elicit a less-than-receptive reply.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:41 pmContributions, via Opensecrets.org
Max Baucus:
Health Industry Total: $1,720,449
DETAILS:
Health Professionals $499,641
Pharmaceuticals/Health Products $494,313
Health Services/HMOs $345,500
Hospitals/Nursing Homes $344,326
Barack Obama:
Health Industry Total: $18,803,350
DETAILS:
Health Professionals $11,532,962
Hospitals/Nursing Homes $3,205,041
Insurance $2,211,348
I’m sure they don’t expect anything in return…right?
July 1st, 2009 at 5:44 pmSo if you are here to post on issues, hanshiro, something you are pretty good at, stick to the issues. You will catch flack but the information is more than the flack.
And if you feel someone calling you a liar, particularly when they haven’t a factual rebuttal, deserves a response, what does that say about your stance?
You obviously believe what you post and what you post is factual. Stick to the high ground.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:46 pmCareful, Newt. How many of the 260 million are covered through private insurers? Don’t leave out the people (including dependents) covered through Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare (military health), state programs, and the federal civil system.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:47 pmC’mon, barf-ly. I will slap you down so hard your grandchildren will have a handprint…
—————————————————
Where? Show me where what I posted was wrong or STFU.
—————————————————
The majority party’s watered down, industry-conciliation version is a joke. Demand single-payer healthcare or the congressmen who object can pay for their own at their new jobs…
“The Majority Party” is all inclusive. You have continually attempted to conflate the Senate’s opposition to single-payer, as reflecting the feelings of congress as a whole, including House democrats, who are still vigorously in favor of a single-payer option. Your lie is one of omission, as you well know. So go take your imaginary victory lap, and I’ll be here when you come around again.
Liar.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:48 pmHouse Democrats and single payer? Are these the same House Democrats who had single payer protesters arrested for trying to have a voice at the table?
July 1st, 2009 at 5:51 pmAnd, to re-iterate:
The majority party’s watered down, industry-conciliation version is a joke. Demand single-payer healthcare or the congressmen who object can pay for their own at their new jobs…
Before you try to slip out ouf your past weasel-worded statement, I’ll point out in this very quote that you again attempt to conflate the feelings of the senate as representative of the entire congress.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:55 pmActually, hospitals, nursing homes and especially health professionals would all gain from a single payer system, only insurance companies would lose.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:56 pmI am sure you know this and are being intellectually disingenuous in order to justify your ranting and raving.
House Democrats and single payer? Are these the same House Democrats who had single payer protesters arrested for trying to have a voice at the table?
Ok, government option, if that’s more clear.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:56 pmSimple solution: Give every US citizen the opportunity to have the SAME coverage as Newt and his congressional friends, for the same price. Problem solved.
Oh wait, Republicans only believe in “Socialism” for themselves. Capitalism is for the rest of us.
July 1st, 2009 at 5:58 pmCalling someone a liar with zero facts will elicit a less-than-receptive reply.
I believe I made the case that you lied. If not, show me my error, or just simply apologize.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:00 pmIf someone can post a link that details how any plan currently under consideration in Congress involves a public/single payer option and is not a morphodite appeasement of the current status quo where insurance companies continue to make money while having control over who gets health care, do so now.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:02 pmCome on. Someone in Congress is listening to the 70% Americans who want affordable, single payer health care. Some CP or Senator has put this option on the table.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:07 pmHow ironic that the nation that leads the world in medical breakthroughs and procedures has such a dismal reputation when it comes to actually delivering health care to it’s own population.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:08 pmNo? Then I would say barfly, hanshiro isn’t a liar. He is a concerned citizen who sees the manipulation in Washington, the buying of influence by the insurance companies who are willing to spend millions of dollars so they can continue to make billions of dollars off the pain and suffering of American citizens.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:11 pmIf someone can post a link that details how any plan currently under consideration in Congress involves a public/single payer option and is not a morphodite appeasement of the current status quo where insurance companies continue to make money while having control over who gets health care, do so now.
http://rawstory.com/news/afp/US_Democrats_unveil_healthcare_plan_06192009.html
Not really that hard to find. I’m wondering how lazy you really are.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:13 pmAnd sticking up for a liar? Tsk, tsk.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:14 pmI guess Paul Krugman is a liar too…
44. barfly Says: “The Majority Party” is all inclusive. You have continually attempted to conflate the Senate’s opposition to single-payer, as reflecting the feelings of congress as a whole, including House democrats
You are splitting hairs, trying to prop up the very source of “taking impeachment off the table,” and the very people who slipped 300 pages into the Climate bill at the last moment (3:00 a.m.) and with no review by the American people.
What did that 300-page, 11th-hour insert say?
Color me unconvinced that the House dems are suddenly possessed of altruistic spirit, barf-ly. The House plan still leaves the insurance industry in charge of the henhouse, and the house cannot enact any legislation by itself, so the majority party is responsible for the continued gutting of a true, single-payer option.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:16 pmHe is a concerned citizen who sees the manipulation in Washington, the buying of influence by the insurance companies who are willing to spend millions of dollars so they can continue to make billions of dollars off the pain and suffering of American citizens.
Who, when making his case, uses half-truths, and lies of omission. Then he attacks those who point out his trollish behavior. If he wants to present a case that more accurately reflects political reality, you won’t hear a peep from me.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:19 pmAccording to House Democrats their proposals would cover 95 percent of population.
Close but no cigar, barfly.
If Medicare is good enough for the 65+ crowd, let us just quit the age discrimination thing.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:20 pmI used to respect Dr Johnson’s opinion.
What the HELL was he thinking!?
Why couldn’t he interview a DOCTOR, from a country that HAS single payer ? THEN maybe people would have an idea how efficient it is.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:24 pmThe real risk is that health care reform will be undermined by “centrist” Democratic senators who either prevent the passage of a bill or insist on watering down key elements of reform.
I guess Paul Krugman is a liar too…
No, just you. Nowhere in your posted bit does he mention House democrats by their designation, as either members of the house, or as congressmen. You added the little bit of conflation of house and senate members – or did you not read the article that closely?
If you just plain miss the fact that Krugman never mentions house dems as against a government option?
You are splitting hairs, trying to prop up the very source of “taking impeachment off the table,” and the very people who slipped 300 pages into the Climate bill at the last moment (3:00 a.m.) and with no review by the American people.
And now you’re attempting another nonfactual conflation between issues.
Just give up. You can’t win.
But I guess the semantic two-step you”re about to perform will at least be entertaining.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:29 pmMore for barf-ly:
Let me repeat:
Asked if the administration’s program will be drafted specifically to prevent it from evolving into a single-payer plan, Sebelius says: “I think that’s very much the case…
So the deck is stacked in favor of the entrenched corporations even before the debate has begun, despite the fact that an overwhelming majority want it.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:30 pmHoodathunktick Says:
——————————————————————————–
According to House Democrats their proposals would cover 95 percent of population.
Close but no cigar, barfly.
If Medicare is good enough for the 65+ crowd, let us just quit the age discrimination thing.
————————————————Hoodathunktick Says:
——————————————————————————–
If someone can post a link that details how any plan currently under consideration in Congress involves a public/single payer option and is not a morphodite appeasement of the current status quo where insurance companies continue to make money while having control over who gets health care, do so now.
When you move those goalposts, you really push them quite an impressive distance.
Your challenge said nothing about insuring 100 per cent of Americans, but I guess since I showed you as being lazy and uninformed, it was time to rethink your original challenge.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:34 pmBarfly? The Secretary is saying no no to single payer. Congress is saying, what are you fu9cking nuts to single payer. 70% of America is saying go for it.
Wake up and smell the coffee.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:35 pmMore for barf-ly:
Oh, you’ve wounded me to the quick, with your rapier-like wit. Still says nothing about house dems. You and Hooda should team up on those goalpost repositionings; I wouldn’t want either of you to strain something, with all the sudden movement.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:37 pmWhen you move those goalposts, you really push them quite an impressive distance.
Your challenge said nothing about insuring 100 per cent of Americans, but I guess since I showed you as being lazy and uninformed, it was time to rethink your original challenge.
Wrong. My challenge was as stated. No goalposts. Single payer coverage for every single American. Public prefered, nonprofit to allow us to get equal with the rest of the world.
If you want goalposts, play football.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:38 pmWake up and smell the coffee.
You have proven that there is no bottom to your ability to disregard reality. Nothing in anything you guys have posted hase refuted my contention that Hanshiro lied by omission. nothing. You are both intellectual frauds. It’s just good to know, for future reference.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:40 pmHEALTHCARE to the people should NOT be a commodity to be traded on the basis of cost vs. receipts.
HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES manage their BUSINESS to TURN A PROFIT.
The HEALTH OF THE POLICY HOLDER BE DAMNED
July 1st, 2009 at 6:41 pmMiss one policy payment and they won’t EVEN talk to you.
Their advice is to take 2 aspirin and go die quietly somewhere far away.
Wrong. My challenge was as stated. No goalposts. Single payer coverage for every single American. Public prefered, nonprofit to allow us to get equal with the rest of the world.
This was your original challenge:
If someone can post a link that details how any plan currently under consideration in Congress involves a public/single payer option and is not a morphodite appeasement of the current status quo where insurance companies continue to make money while having control over who gets health care, do so now.
That is moving the goalposts. You said nothing about “Single payer coverage for every single American. Public prefered, nonprofit to allow us to get equal with the rest of the world.”
Liar.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:44 pmSo to recap:
Hanshiro = liar;
Hoodathunktick = liar;
barfly = still correct, and unsuccessfully rebutted.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:46 pmMust be rough being pwnd by an intellectual fraud.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:46 pmhow any plan currently under consideration in Congress involves a public/single payer option
You said nothing about “Single payer coverage
barfly, I know you aren’t a troll, so why are you acting like one?
July 1st, 2009 at 6:47 pmMust be rough being pwnd by an intellectual fraud.
I wouldn’t know.
Liar, and fraud. Quite a combination.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:48 pm61.barfly Says: And now you’re attempting another nonfactual conflation between issues. Just give up. You can’t win. But I guess the semantic two-step you”re about to perform will at least be entertaining.
How do you propose that any legislation will pass without a majority? The House dems plan includes a trigger that will make it less competetive after a few years:
You seek to brand someone a liar because the process is sending very clear signals that the plan will certainly be an industry-driven and watered-down shadow of what the public wants. You claim that the House isn’t acting like the Senate. That is irrelevant, particularly if the House knows little of this ‘ambition’ will get past the Senate, making them look like heroes, but not risking their lobbying dollars.
As my first post said, clearly about the dems taking away the very option, single payer, the public wants:
The dems are the majority party, with a dem president and a 60-vote advantage, yet they are conspiring to screw up this legislation in favor of a monolithic industry. The dems are consigning Americans to sub-par care, bankruptcy and possibly death.
That makes me not a liar, but just way more informed than you. Meanwhile, see if you can buy into that House-only version of healthcare (that is still run by the insurance and pharma industries.) Good luck.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:51 pmHoodathunktick Says:
Barfly? Congress is saying, what are you fu9cking nuts to single payer.
Wrong. The Senate is saying that, but not the House. I guess hanshiro was contagious; now you’re make the same false case he was.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:52 pmI think someone needs a paper bag. Deep breathes. House, Senate, neither is pushing single payer. Nor public plan..
July 1st, 2009 at 6:55 pmNo to mention the fact that Obama is against single-payer.
July 1st, 2009 at 6:58 pmAnd barfly, hanshiro is making noise because he feels Congress is backing away from universal health care. Don’t you want that? Do you want to keep paying insurance companies for piss poor care?
I get the feeling you both want the same thing and are getting all macho about how it happens.
July 1st, 2009 at 7:01 pmSebelius (thanks Hanshiro): “… discouraging more employers from coming into the marketplace, …”
Alleviating the burden of health care costs would discourage employers from creating jobs? What planet is she living on? She’s not governor of Kansas anymore, she doesn’t have to tip-toe around a swath of conservatives.
July 1st, 2009 at 7:01 pmbarfly, I know you aren’t a troll, so why are you acting like one?
Well excuse me for pointing out factual inaccuracies which call into question a poster’s assertions, especially when they pertains to political issues.
I’ve been here at least as long as hanshiro, and I don’t like to see people trying to present a false case, while assuming a progressive personna. Wingnuts tell half-truths, and refuse to acknowledge inaccuracies, and I attack them as well. Hate me for my stance, I really don’t care; but this former carny has a finely attuned bullshit detector after having spent time with short-con grifters, and felons on the run, and my progressive viewpoint precludes me from remaining silent, when I see another “progressive” bullshitting the board.
July 1st, 2009 at 7:07 pmwecome to america
yoyo
your own your own
and most of these folks call themselves christians
christianity died on the cross
profits over people the american way
“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.
as the country self destructs with its cherished capitalism that americans worship at the altar at they whine about a bab economy
46 millions americans without health care insurance does not faze most americans as long as they have insurance.
folks that is capitalism in action
capitalism by its very nature creates a selfish materialistic society. ie greed is good
with communism man exploits man with capitalism it is the other way around
July 1st, 2009 at 7:10 pm79. Hoodathunktick Says: And barfly, hanshiro is making noise because he feels Congress is backing away from universal health care. Don’t you want that? Do you want to keep paying insurance companies for piss poor care?
Exactly.
I think barfly is seeking to score on semantics, not reality. I’ve no love or trust for House dems after the capitulations of the past 8 years. Claiming I should not include the House dems in the majority that is slowing progress in healthcare is to, imo, claim a car isn’t a piece of sh¡t when it breaks down again and again;
…after all, the tires still have air, the windshield isn’t broken…etc. The unfortunate fact is, all that is irrelevant if the car doesn’t function properly, and the majority is still necessary to get to the destination.
July 1st, 2009 at 7:10 pmAll I can say is if two progressives (barfly and hanshiro) can raise holy hell with each other over details, no wonder we have Republican control.
I give up, you two just chew on each other while the toads laugh.
July 1st, 2009 at 7:16 pmActually, dummy, you have 260 million LESS those on Medicare/Medicaid, less those who are dependents and don’t buy their own insurance, and less those on state plans and so on and so on. I haven’t looked up the numbers, but USA Today says only 67% of non-elderly have private insurance (down from 80%), and another source says 1/3 of Americans are already on a “public” plan. Bottom line, Newt’s 260million figure is way off.
July 1st, 2009 at 7:23 pmThey have done well according to the neocon definition of good capitalist company:
They’ve taken exhorbitant amounts of money for the company while returning a pittance to those who are paying the money.
July 1st, 2009 at 7:37 pmbarfly, if you want clarification or disagree with how something is stated, calling someone a liar is the last selection that will guarantee you a civil discourse, not to mention any furthering the discussion.
Citing an initial version of a House bill is naive. Watch what happens to that ‘resolve,’ when the Senate slices it to ribbons and sends it back to the House.
If the House fights and substantially defends their initial version (even despite their craven surrender on what the public actually wants), I’ll wholeheartedly apologize;
however,
If they capitulate to giveaways and accede to Senate additions that favor the industry, then you owe me an apology.
July 1st, 2009 at 7:42 pmNewt and the other Republicans find themselves in the unenviable position of trying to derail health care reform. There are 40 million uninsured and that represents a lot of votes. You don’t need to speculate which party these people will vote. If Republicans fight health care they will surely get beaten up so badly in the next few elections that it will be comparable to FDR in 1932. If they don’t fight health care they lose their campaign contributions. Kind of damned if you and damned if you don’t.
July 1st, 2009 at 8:29 pmThis just shows how horribly out of touch with America Newt has become. Apparently he’s fine with 1 in 6 American citizens not having good health care…what a classy guy. It’s no wonder the Republican Party is considered to be a joke by the vast majority of people in America today.
July 1st, 2009 at 8:43 pmThey’ve done what well? What have they done well? Pushed more of our hard-earned money uphill to the economic rentiers making money off of their money than Medicare or the V.A.?
What else, that can reasonably be describe as “well”, in the context of corporations being given charters, and subsidies by the government, a.k.a. we the people, have they done “well”?
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:18 amAnd may I add Hawkeye, what country pays more per capita for healthcare but has poor outcomes ?
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:20 amHow much more are the people writing comments here willing to pay per month to cover the uninsured? $500 a month?
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:08 am.
I
W A N T
C O N G R E S S
C A R E !
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July 2nd, 2009 at 2:44 amI think barfly is seeking to score on semantics, not reality. I’ve no love or trust for House dems after the capitulations of the past 8 years.
I could have quessed that you’d try a reversal. Next time, don’t use overblown hyperbole. That’s the only thing I have problems with. You could have made an unassailable case, if you’d only used precise wording to get your view across. You don’t have to tar all democrats with the senate brush, which you seem to do, perhaps without realizing it. Waxman in the House isn’t going to buckle under to pressure from the Senate, and conflating the two, when that really isn’t the case, weakens your point.
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:34 amhanshiro the antlion Says:
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barfly, if you want clarification or disagree with how something is stated, calling someone a liar is the last selection that will guarantee you a civil discourse, not to mention any furthering the discussion.
Citing an initial version of a House bill is naive.
Perhaps, if you didn’t do it repeatedly. That makes it hard to believe that your assertion isn’t an attempt to make all democrats in both houses look bad. And saying that I am naive for citing an original house bill, when we both know the conciliation process will ensure much of the house bill will remain intact, makes you look like a concern troll. We also have other posters who occasionally let their rhetoric outpace reality, and I call them on their non-objectivity as well.
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:41 amWhy isn’t Newt giving up his Gov’t health insurance first before opening his filthy mouth?
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:07 amJesus Christ, Gingrich is such a prick! I wonder how he’d feel if he and his family members were one of the 43,000,000 uninsured. But of course, as a Republican whose got his, he never thinks of that. Is there any greedier, more self centered, egotistical bastards than Republicans like these.
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:14 am“…the fact is, overall, 71 percent of Americans are relatively satisfied with the health insurance.”
Stupid Americans. What do they know?
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:55 am94. barfly Says: I could have quessed that you’d try a reversal. Next time, don’t use overblown hyperbole. That’s the only thing I have problems with. You could have made an unassailable case, if you’d only used precise wording to get your view across.
History is on my side, barfly. You want to chide anyone for claiming the House dems aren’t as bad as the Senate dems.
Really? That’s your position and disagreement?
Because the House dems have already sold us out by removing single payer, there’s really not much defending you can do. The bill is and will be industry-conciliation, as I said. In fact, it already is since the industry stands to not only benefit, but collect subsidies in the dems effort to “require” (read enforce) all people to purchase insurance.
Let me clarify: You’ve already been screwed, barfly. You’re defending the House for keeping the insurance industry in control of the problem. The very people who have caused the disaster are still calling the shots, with a few marginal concessions. You’re having the dems impose, with penalties, an edict which demands that you buy into the idioti who run the insurance industry.
I’ve been looking into this for so long, I’ve forgotten, frankly, that there are still people like you who really don’t understand what is happening or what the industry-owned majority party; both House and Senate, are doing.
Grow up, barf-ly. You could not be more wrong. The House just made a huge effort to kill single payer, and to consign the public to dealing with the same monstrous private insurers for decades more.
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:51 pmHow can Newt say just change insurance companies. I have insurance through my employer, satisfied or not , I have to stick with the insurance company my company has chosen.
So satisfaction has nothing to do with staying with my current insurer…
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:47 pm