Orszag: Some who are advocating delay on health care are just trying to kill it.
Orszag: Some who are advocating delay on health care are just trying to kill it.
Late this week, a group of Blue Dog Democrats in the House and six “centrist” Democrats urged their leadership to delay action on health care reform. The White House has been insisting that Congress send him health care legislation by August, a deadline that seems to be fading. CNN’s John King asked White House budget director Peter Orszag about these developments:
ORSZAG: We have to remember: there are some who are advocating delay simply because they don’t have anything to put on the table. The typical Washington bureaucratic game of — ‘if you don’t have a better alternative, just delay in the hope that that kills something’ is partly what’s playing out here.
Orszag clarified that he wasn’t speaking about Blue Dog members or other “members of Congress and Senators who are actually actively participating in the debate.” But, he cautioned, “there are those who are advocating delay just as a desperation move to try to kill this.” Watch it:
A strategy memo authored by GOP consultant Alex Castellanos suggests that “it is crucial for Republicans to slow down what it calls ‘the Obama experiment with our health.’” The memo concludes, “If we slow this sausage-making process down, we can defeat it, and advance real reform that will actually help.”
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Health care reform will be passed without them, and those who obstructed and argued against it will go down in history as shit-weasels.
July 19th, 2009 at 10:16 am“If we slow this sausage-making process down, we can defeat it, and advance real reform that will actually help.”
… except that they don’t have any ideas that will actually help.
July 19th, 2009 at 10:19 amIs that memo suggesting big government interference in the sausage-making industry?
July 19th, 2009 at 10:24 amEither you believe that everything is just fine with health care in the United States and that nothing needs to be changed, or you are part of the solution.
July 19th, 2009 at 10:29 am“If we slow this sausage-making process down, we can defeat it, and advance real reform that will actually help.”
“Help” their corporatist masters not the people.
July 19th, 2009 at 10:32 amPresident Obama made his priorities on health care reform quite clear even before he was elected. Everyone knew a change was coming. Just because they have nothing to present as an alternative is no reason to stop what the president is doing. Instead of working on their own proposal, they put all their efforts into making sure nothing got done. Too bad on them.
July 19th, 2009 at 10:33 am“If we slow this sausage-making process down, we can defeat it, and advance real reform that will actually help.”
I hope you drag as many of your treasonous GOPers to take a look into the sausage making machine so we can push you in. Just like the pig rectums, snouts, knuckels and genitals that do get mixed into the sausage grinder in real life.
July 19th, 2009 at 10:35 am“If we slow this sausage-making process down, we can defeat it, and advance real reform that will actually help.”
When Clinton left office there were 38 million uninsured.
July 19th, 2009 at 10:36 amAfter Bush left office 47 Million.
They had their chance. They lost their cred on this subject.
Get out of the way.
If they were interested in “real reform” that would “actually help,” why is it that the issue was never addressed in a government wholly in the hands of the GOP?
“Shut up liberals! That’s why…”
July 19th, 2009 at 10:40 amDuring the George W. Bush years, Republicans were in a big hurry to wage war on the men, women, and children of Iraq and Afganistan, to cut taxes for America’s wealthiest 1%, to outsource millions of American jobs to China and India, to drill for oil in our national parks, to privatize social security, and to give trillions of taxpayer dollars to Wall Street millionaires and billionaires. But they’re not in any big hurry to help Americans who are sick or dying because they don’t have health care coverage.
July 19th, 2009 at 10:48 amHey Congress…are you for us or corporate interests on this life and death issue?
We are watching.
July 19th, 2009 at 10:49 amThe Moderate Squad says:
“If we slow this sausage-making process down, we can defeat it, and advance real reform that will actually help.”
If they were interested in “real reform” that would “actually help,” why is it that the issue was never addressed in a government wholly in the hands of the GOP?
That is the obvious question, isn’t it? Why would they “reform” something they were perfectly happy with?
July 19th, 2009 at 10:53 amI find it interesting that the GNOP would equate the desire for real healthcare reform with a process that takes the remnants of slaughtered animals, grinds them up and shoves them into the intestines of other slaughtered animals.
A bit of a “tell” on their part, n’est pas? I’d love to play poker with these dolts.
PEACE
July 19th, 2009 at 11:17 amObama will sign ANY soi-disant “health care reform” bill that gets to his desk.
He is desperate for a VICTORAY!!! and will take any shred the Pukes ane blue-dawgs give him…
July 19th, 2009 at 11:18 amThe only sausage these Dems are interested in making is blood sausage. Work on Snowe, Collins and others and forget about Ben Nelson. He only likes Mutual of Omaha sour pickles with his Con-Agra frankenfurters and his annual picnics lead to many cases of gastro-intestinal distress among Dems. Ben’s health plan will have you running for days.
July 19th, 2009 at 11:29 am1. How can anyone support an expensive, temporary, non-portable Sickness & Injury Medical Insurance industry that makes their profit not by PROVIDING care, but by DENYING care?
2. How can anyone support an expensive, temporary, non-portable Sickness & Injury Medical Insurance industry that PROFITS from excessive costs in providing care by passing along the continuing increases in cost and then adding an additional 30% on top of each cost increase while providing NO healthcare at all?
3. Would it not be better for Americans to INVEST in a lifetime HEATH CARE plan that provides cost control and covers every American from cradle to grave?
The time for a Universal Single Payer Healtcare System is NOW!
INVEST in Universal Single Payer Health Care, it lasts a lifetime!
Without a PUBLIC OPTION, there is NO health care reform!
July 19th, 2009 at 11:29 amdelafield: But they’re not in any big hurry to help Americans who are sick or dying because they don’t have health care coverage.
You seem surprised by this?
Why?
Neither major party conceives its responsibilities to primarily be about improving the lot of the average citizen. Both are slaves to monied, private interests, and act accordingly.
Isn’t that obvious?
July 19th, 2009 at 11:30 amWhat they need time for is to try to stop the American Public from having their way. I’m quite sure that most of these obstructionist legislators are getting an earful from their constituents on this subject. When you have 72% of Americans in favor of something and our legislators not pushing for that something tells us that there is something very broken in our legislative system.
I am writing Harry Reid daily telling him to get off his ass and do something about these turncoat Democrats. I’m not holding out a lot of hope, but who knows, he may finally rise to the occasion and do the right thing.
July 19th, 2009 at 11:33 amtokin librul says:
Obama will sign ANY soi-disant “health care reform” bill that gets to his desk.
He is desperate for a VICTORAY!!! and will take any shred the Pukes ane blue-dawgs give him…
Why would President Obama be “desperate for a victory”? He’s already had major victories so I doubt he’s desperate for another. I don’t think he will sign any health care reform that doesn’t provide for coverage for all Americans.
July 19th, 2009 at 11:34 amWhat kind of health care do lawmakers and Obama get?
By WILLIAM DOUGLAS AND MARGARET TALEV
McClatchy Newspapers
WASHINGTON — Throughout last year’s presidential campaign and this year’s debate over fixing the nation’s health care system, lawmakers have delivered the same refrain: that the American people deserve the same kind of health care that members of Congress get.
[...]
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/1148166.html
not as in-depth as i’d hoped, but still helpful…
July 19th, 2009 at 11:39 amThis conversation is happening and moving right now. If what you imply was true it would not be even discussed.
What’s obvious is your defeatism.
July 19th, 2009 at 11:41 am“…and advance real reform that will actually help”?!!
Republicans had their chance to advance whatever they saw as “reform” when they were in power. They didn’t seem to think it was an issue until Democrats had the ball and decided to run with it. Bi-partisanship is a myth that should be killed.
July 19th, 2009 at 11:45 amYea they do, give rich people tax cuts and remove regulations on corporations. Bush’s mess just didn’t go far enough….yea that’s it!
July 19th, 2009 at 12:05 pmtokin librul says, “Neither major party conceives its responsibilities to primarily be about improving the lot of the average citizen. Both are slaves to monied, private interests, and act accordingly. Isn’t that obvious?”
I live in Wisconsin. At one time in the past, we had two people representing us in Congress, Sen. Bill Proxmire and Sen. Gaylord Nelson. If we elect people like this, who care about us, good things can happen.
Senator Gaylord Nelson was the creator of “Earth Day”. Nelson was the trailblazer for the environmental movement in Congress. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_Day
Senator Proxmire was a watchdog for wasteful spending, especially military spending. Proxmire created the “Golden Fleece Award”. The award was given to public officials who wasted large amounts of taxpayer dollars. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Fleece_Award
When was the last time you heard someone brag about their Senators in Congress? By the way, they were both Democrats.
July 19th, 2009 at 12:08 pmIt is obvious that the Republicans are trying to stall the bill and the Blue Dogs are aiding them. There is no sense in waiting for Republicans to offer anything because they will not vote for the bill. The Dems should craft the bill and tell the Republicans to take a hike. More than 100 amendments by the Republicans have been adopted. The Dems should not allow them to offer any more amendments. Republicans are trying to water down the bill and then vote against it. Dems should just ram it through and tell the Republicans that all other legislation will be done the same way. If the Republicans want to have input then they need to show good faith.
July 19th, 2009 at 12:12 pmIt’s incredibly annoying that all these nay-sayers who want to delay/defeat health care reform have absolutely nothing to offer as an alternative. They should be honest & admit they just don’t want any change.
July 19th, 2009 at 12:14 pmWhen it comes to treating health care access in this country as a right rather than a commodity, velocity of reform is important.
What’s more critical is the vector. How would Enron design health care reform?
The smartest guys in the room are back.
July 19th, 2009 at 12:15 pmSlate looks at all those pesky republican amendments to the health care bill:
http://www.slate.com/id/2223023/
July 19th, 2009 at 12:37 pmBill Bennett, noted repiggie “heavyweight” in every sense of the word, was on CNN
this morning, giving his “expert” opinion on the possibility of a public option in health care, totally anathema to him.
My goodness! Bill Bennett seems to a an “expert” on everything – politics, war strategy, morals, education, sexuality, film, physical activity, etc…
Why do these 24 hour “news” channels continue to book repiggie “experts” non-stop? Why are the views of these nonprescient nincompoops trotted out before the viewers constantly?
Bennett, Kristol and the rest of the repiggie noise machine have been wrong on virtually everything they have been yapping about these past ten years, from the
July 19th, 2009 at 12:37 pmIraq nonsense all the way through to the November 2008 elections.
And in addition to the Blue Dogs, the Republicans are saying they are trying to rush it through… well after 15 years since the last attempt to fix this mess, and virtually no activity on the matter while the Repubs held control of Congress, don’t you think a little speed is necessary?
July 19th, 2009 at 12:37 pm“If we slow this sausage-making process down, we can defeat it, and advance real reform that will actually help.”
Help whom…?
July 19th, 2009 at 12:38 pmPictures and a couple videos I took at the rally yesterday in Portland, Maine:
http://whitenoiseinsanity.com/2009/07/19/pictures-from-the-health-care-09-rally-in-portland-maine-on-july-18-2009/
Around 500 people attended. It was a great day!
July 19th, 2009 at 12:38 pmI hope that progressives will back candidates to challenge the Blue Dog incumbents in some of the upcoming primaries.
Punish them, and kick them out of Congress.
July 19th, 2009 at 12:39 pmThis comment has been voted down. Click to read.
Please read, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/17/big-pharma-winning-most-o_n_237106.html. This bill does not help us. Tell Congress that the public option is off the table. Tell Congress single payer option or die.
July 19th, 2009 at 12:47 pmIf private insurance is so great what are these politicos worried about?
If the public wants to spend its tax dollars on public health care isnt that a form of investment? And when politicians work to keep the public from investing in health insurance how is that ‘free markets’?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I just read that lobbyists are paying homeless people 11-35 dollars to stand in line, up to 30 hours, to occupy the 10 available public seats to get face time with congress.
Fine, the homeless have a way to speak to power, I think thats good. But the same homeless people are standing in line time and time again blocking others who are not paid by lobbyists. This practice needs to stop.
July 19th, 2009 at 12:56 pmWith a public option, the private insurance option would still exist.
That “industry” would just have to start behaving like mature adults, for a change.
July 19th, 2009 at 12:59 pmLook, everyone. Wake-up, we are being duped by both parties. Vote Independent.
July 19th, 2009 at 1:00 pmevangenital says:
With a public option, the private insurance option would still exist.
That “industry” would just have to start behaving like mature adults, for a change.
July 19th, 2009 at 12:59 pm Add Karma Vote Up | Subtract Karma Vote Down | (0) | Report Abuse
If you read the bill, private insurance do extremely well the passing of this bill. Stop promoting public option, the only option is single payer (like Europe).
July 19th, 2009 at 1:03 pmi found this at C&L and posted it yesterday – worth a repeat:
Zappatero at DKos:
A simple word of advice from me to our United States Senators on health care reform and their “centrist” colleagues: just say “No” to Ben Nelson if he comes a-callin’ with scary stories about getting all our citizens covered by health insurance this year:
Arbitrary?
Because 15 years after the last attempt at meaningful health care reform is too soon?
Maybe the 44 years after Lyndon Johnson signed the Medicare Act is rushing it for Senator Nelson.
Arbitrary could be the 64 years since Truman said this:
[...]
http://crooksandliars.com/nicole-belle/beware-definition-arbitrary
July 19th, 2009 at 1:09 pmlooktothehills says:
Stop promoting public option, the only option is single payer (like Europe).
July 19th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Right. You’d be totally in favor of single payer, Daryll?
Isn’t that socialism?
July 19th, 2009 at 1:09 pmI hope the real Democrats burn rubber on those DINOs and pass healthcare legislation. We can’t afford to wait another 40 years.
July 19th, 2009 at 1:11 pmZooey says:
looktothehills says:
Stop promoting public option, the only option is single payer (like Europe).
July 19th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Right. You’d be totally in favor of single payer, Daryll?
Isn’t that socialism?
July 19th, 2009 at 1:09 pm Add Karma Vote Up | Subtract Karma Vote Down | (2) | Report Abuse
Realistically, the public option will not efficiently take care of American citizens.
July 19th, 2009 at 1:20 pmThe public option is important. Far too many people have no jobs, no income and no chance of paying anything.
When the medical emergencies occur, the only current option those folks have is to go to emergency rooms all over this nation. This accounts for a huge amount of the rise in medical costs, which of course are passed on to those who are currently able to pay health insurance premiums.
Our society has a moral obligation to help those who need help. I am constantly disappointed in the utter disregard for the poor exhibited by the most “religious” folks in society today.
July 19th, 2009 at 1:27 pmsince when did daryll get “religion”?
July 19th, 2009 at 1:34 pmevangenital says:
The public option is important. Far too many people have no jobs, no income and no chance of paying anything.
When the medical emergencies occur, the only current option those folks have is to go to emergency rooms all over this nation. This accounts for a huge amount of the rise in medical costs, which of course are passed on to those who are currently able to pay health insurance premiums.
Our society has a moral obligation to help those who need help. I am constantly disappointed in the utter disregard for the poor exhibited by the most “religious” folks in society today.
July 19th, 2009 at 1:27 pm Add Karma Vote Up | Subtract Karma Vote Down | (0) | Report Abuse
Right, the public option is just as expensive as the private option. You will still be charged ridiculous costs. Read the bill. Read this, http://www.cnsnews.com/Public/Content/Article.aspx?rsrcid=50756. Only 7 democrats agree to support this resolution. Is the public option really that great?
July 19th, 2009 at 1:34 pmlooktothehills says:
Realistically, the public option will not efficiently take care of American citizens.
July 19th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
So basically, you’re in favor of doing nothing.
July 19th, 2009 at 2:26 pmDaryll, a true single payer system would cost the taxpayers far less than anything that’s being considered right now.
Medicare (without that boondoggle Medicare Advantage) has a 2% administrative overhead, and has the ability to negotiate rates far better than any private for- or not for-profit private carrier.
Today’s insurance companies have admnistrative overhead in the 20% range, and farm out many services to other for-profit companies.
But I appreciate that you’re at least looking into alternatives that don’t benefit insurance companies at the expense of We the People. If you can spare me the “Praise the Lord” opening remarks and stop damning homosexuals to hellfire, we could reach detente.
PEACE
July 19th, 2009 at 3:02 pmVote Independent?
July 19th, 2009 at 3:37 pmWhy? They though Barr was viable…and a libertarian. Fools twice?
What “real reform”? The only thing Republicans would do differently is to allow deductibility for individuals purchasing health insurance. What the Republicans fail to tell anybody is that nearly all of those not currently covered file the short form so they might not get that much help from the Republican proposal, meaning they still lack affordable coverage and would most likely remain uninsured. Secondly, the Republicans don’t say how they would pay for this anyway other than their usual borrow and spend. So where too is the analysis of the Republican counter proposal. It certainly isn’t “real reform”.
July 19th, 2009 at 4:06 pmThe Republican proposal is not really geared toward the uninsured or underinsured. You get a credit for medical but it doesn’t help with the non-covered expenses or pre-existing conditions. It would put more money into the insurance companies hands without any reform. The insurance company is free to drop your medical insurance so if you have a lot of expenses, you may find it difficult to find any insurance.
July 19th, 2009 at 5:56 pmThey have no ideas — only objections — only Luntz-provided arguments designed to cause the death of the legislation.
This is what the repugs do — This has nothing to do with what’s best for the public, what they need, nor for the nation as a whole, for its security into the future, no — this is all simply partisanship. This is what repugniscum do – they stoop so low that they scrape the floor in their attempts to keep what they have and prevent others from getting anything.
Blue dogs are not much better than they — too rich and too well-supported by campaign donors to care about the public.
May they all burn in the hell that they believe in. For those of us who don’t believe in heaven or hell — I hope they all suffer here on earth, before they die, in agony.
July 19th, 2009 at 6:04 pmWith repugs, everything is how much it will cost THEM!!
July 19th, 2009 at 6:10 pmForget what it costs everyone in the system, forget what it costs everyone who can’t afford to see a doctor, forget what it costs a family whose breadwinner has lost his job — that doesn’t matter to these selfish jerks — all that is important is that they don’t have to pay a nickel to something that they are too blind to see actually benefits them in the long run — all they see is the short term and that the rich bastards may have to pay more of their share for making it so good in America. You’d think they’d be grateful for the opportunities they had — NO — they think they did it all on their own with no government help whatsoever and therefore they don’t care about anyone else.
Katy @40
Not to mention that even before Truman, Republican Teddy Roosevelt called for Universal Health care in 1912. Bully for him!
TR had it right:
“I stand for the square deal. But when I say that I am for the square deal, I mean not merely that I stand for fair play under the present rules of the game, but that I stand for having those rules changed so as to work for a more substantial equality of opportunity and of reward for equally good service…
When I say I want a square deal for the poor man, I do not mean that I want a square deal for the man who remains poor because he has not got the energy to work for himself. If a man who has had a chance will not make good, then he has got to quit…
Now, this means that our government, National and State, must be freed from the sinister influence or control of special interests. Exactly as the special interests of cotton and slavery threatened our political integrity before the Civil War, so now the great special business interests too often control and corrupt the men and methods of government for their own profit. We must drive the special interests out of politics…
For every special interest is entitled to justice, but not one is entitled to a vote in Congress, to a voice on the bench, or to representation in any public office. The Constitution guarantees protection to property, and we must make that promise good. But it does not give the right of suffrage to any corporation.
The true friend of property, the true conservative, is he who insists that property shall be the servant and not the master of the commonwealth; who insists that the creature of man’s making shall be the servant and not the master of the man who made it.
The citizens of the United States must effectively control the mighty commercial forces which they have themselves called into being.”
July 19th, 2009 at 6:46 pmRepublicans have no ideas?
July 19th, 2009 at 8:32 pmOk then here ya go! First off, there is absolutely no way to reform healthcare without incurring more debt, especially since some of our “so called” govt officials believe in nationalized healthcare. Second, the entire reason healthcare costs are so high is strictly due to the govt interferance that already exists. I truly believe most Americans have really no idea how hospitals and healthcare actually work. Any hospital which accepts Medicare as payment, must cap those procedures and equipment charges that are paid by Medicare. Not just to Medicare patients, but to everyone. Because of this, all other procedures and equipment that is not covered by Medicare, must be extremely jacked up in price to cover the losses from Medicare. With that being said, insurance companies are forced to raise their rates to compensate for the ballooning prices. Soooo…here’s the solution you all want. The govt needs not force everyone into being insured by one company or a group of companies. Instead, they need to increase Medicare payments across the board. This will allow the hospitals to charge more for these procedures, and lower the costs everywhere else. This will also allow insurance companies to be able to lower premiums, therefore, making healthcare coverage more accessible to everyone.
Also, to those of you who think Republicans are only self-serving money mongers…don’t fool yourselves. That is what makes the world go round. Most everone I know has themselves and families as first prioriy. Most of you have jobs yourselves and like most people, I’m quite sure you don’t do it for the fun of it. Your in it for the money, just like everyone else. Not to say that is a good thing, it just happens to be reality.
Did anyone ever stop to think that maybe there are uninsured people out there by choice? Some people would rather put the money aside themselves, others have no spouse or children and don’t feel the need to carry insurance because they are relatively healthy…there are a million reasons why some people would choose to have no insurance.
The govt has enough control over our lives now as it is. This is the last thing we need. I certainly don’t want anyone telling me when and where I can get my healthcare. I don’t like my insurance company doing it, and I sure as heck don’t want Obama dictating to me! This country is supposed to be a democracy, not a dictatorship…which is exactly where we are headed!
Hey, Jaim, your comment: “Second, the entire reason healthcare costs are so high is strictly due to the govt interferance that already exists.”
Here’s some info you didn’t bother to mention:
Compensation packages of CEOs in 2008:
Ron Williams, CEO of Aetna Insurance: $17.4 million
H. Edward Hanway, CEO of CIGNA: $11.4 million
John Hammergren, McKesson, (largest health care company in the world): $29.7 million
Stephen J. Hemsley, CEO UnitedHealth Group Inc., $3,241,042
J. Michael Pearson, CEO Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, $20,172,115
Wayne T. Smith, CEO Community Health Systems Inc., $10,677,267
Joel F. Gemunder, CEO Omnicare Inc.,$23,847,016
David B. Snow Jr., CEO Medco Health Solutions Inc., $14,363,610
Miles D. White, CEO Abbott Laboratories, $28,253,387
Now don’t tell me the government arm-twisted these honorable men to take their handsome salaries (which my premiums helped pay).
Your corporate spin is stunning.
July 19th, 2009 at 8:55 pmLet them stall……….with 134,000 people loosing healthcare benefits each month…it is only a matter of time
July 19th, 2009 at 9:00 pmbefore it really will not matter.
Aaahhh…please tell me this is any different than any other corporation in the world!
July 19th, 2009 at 9:08 pmThis is why costs are jacked up for any product you buy, there’s no difference. And furthermore, can you please tell me how it would differ from a national run healthcare organization? Obama would be the CEO of that and don’t kid yourself…his salary is right up there!
Beyond that, this crazy idea for national healthcare is just another way of saying “legalized euthanasia”
# 55
Go tell those on Medicare to pay more for their coverage…
while you are at it, tell everyone that works for the government or some large corporation that since your coverage is almost FREE, why not chip in and help those that are getting raped or denied coverage.
You don’t want the government involved, you would rather have your “Profit Driven” insurance company tell you…well guess what..your insurance company does not care about you…they care about stockholders….
WAKE UP
You think your blessed to have good insurance but the REALITY is you have no control over it…It is all about who you work for and you are at their mercy…your whistle will change if your employer gets fed up with this scam.
July 19th, 2009 at 9:09 pmTodays world is all about profit! For any company, not just insurance companies. And yes I’m blessed to have good healthcare coverage, but I have the same options as everyone else. If I’m not happy with it, then I shop around and see what’s out there. If I can afford it, fine. If not, I’m stuck with what I’ve got!
July 19th, 2009 at 9:19 pmI never said Medicare recipients should pay more. If you paid any attention at all, you’d notice I said the govt should pay more in reimbursment. Big difference!!!
I agree 100% we need medical reform, but this is certainly not the way to do it!!! To have a healthy economy you need to have free market. Which, in case you haven’t noticed, our wonderful govt is trying very hard to stomp out!
July 19th, 2009 at 9:22 pm# 60
Where does the govt get the additional revenue to increase the reimbursements ???
You really do not have other options if you have pre-existing conditions…you will only get a policy with riders or waivers…
July 19th, 2009 at 9:24 pmWhy are medical bills the # 1 reason for bankruptcy in the US
Free Market….answer this
Why does your employer have to buy you health insurance at all ???
July 19th, 2009 at 9:25 pmI can only speak for the state in which I live, but I know here that you can’t be turned down for pre-existing conditions if you were previously covered by another company and there was no lapse in coverage.
July 19th, 2009 at 9:41 pmI also know that in my state, hospitals, dr. offices, etc., cannot come after you for unpaid medical bills as long as your making a reasonable attempt at paying. If you can only afford $20 a month, then thats what they get and they can do nothing. They might not like it but thats reality. And furthermore, must banking companies do not consider medical bills that have been sent to collections. Most times they are overlooked. Mind you, I’m just speaking from my experiance and the area where I live.
However, my employer (which happens to be a hospital) does not have to buy my health insurance. We pay for it ourselves! And please let me remind you that some companies don’t even offer insurance? That’s their choice and it’s also the choice of the employee to take that job or continue employment. I work with several people who only continue to work here just for the medical benefits. What makes them any different than anyone else? You do what you have to do to protect you and yours! Our govt officials are certainly not looking out for my best interests, so I have to rely on myself.
If you are hurt or injured at work , or you become sick within the course and scope of your employment…Does your health insurance cover you ???
July 19th, 2009 at 9:44 pmAs for the govt getting the money for more reimbursement…tell me where its getting the money for any of this! The govt is gonna tax us til we can’t afford to live anymore. I don’t agree with that and I don’t like it better than anyone else, but its reality. I am very much a realist and I won’t hide behind the lies the govt is spitting at everyone! I know its going to happen and I’m just waiting…
July 19th, 2009 at 9:46 pmIf I am sick or injured at work, then no. My insurance will not pay. That’s called worker’s comp!
July 19th, 2009 at 9:47 pm# 67
Exactly..so why is your employer buying this coiverage…why don’t they also provide your auto insurance, homeowners etc…
July 19th, 2009 at 9:51 pmThat makes absolutely no sense! The gross majority of the time you need insurance is not because of work injury or illness! I use my insurance all the time…I have 4 kids 6 and under and they certainly are getting hurt at work! I have insurance because it’s a necessity to protect my family and I. And again…my employer does not buy our health insurance. We pay for it ourselves!
July 19th, 2009 at 9:55 pmjaim
What we have here in the US is an Employer Based healthcare funded system. You may be paying a portion of the cost, but your company is also covering part of it.
Where the problem lies is in the size of the company. Large groups ( govt, large corps) self insure part of the risk and keep their premiums down..small to mid size do not have this capacity.. so their costs are higher..
The worst is the individual market…your answer on # 64 applies ONLY from group coverage to group coverage..If you lost your job and had to obtain individual coverage…you would be subjected to the pre-existing condition clause and so would your 4 kids….
Trust me, many of the bankruptcy’s are related to this.
July 19th, 2009 at 10:02 pmSmall employers and self employed people are struggling to get health insurance…and the cost is very high…that is why 50 million people are un insured…sure some people refuse to buy, but very few.
I have a small company and each year my premiums are based on loses….so if one of my employees gets hurt OFF the job, my group health insurance is penalized…everyone else pays more.
Does that sound FAIR…why should I be responsible for an employee OFF the job.
A single payer system will Level the playing field.
July 19th, 2009 at 10:08 pmThis. Is. Worse. Than. Water. Boarding.
July 19th, 2009 at 10:10 pmI understand that and that is why I said “no lapse in coverage!”
July 19th, 2009 at 10:14 pmI also understand the employer based healthcare. However, in my case (and in many others) we pay the full amount.
I don’t like the fact that many Americans are losing their jobs and health insurance. But at this time, it’s a fact of life. Do I have to be responsible for taking care of you, my neighbor, etc.? No! I have my own responsibilities. I will not sit back and say “OK Obama! Give me everything so I don’t have to work for it!” That is just insane! If you have medical bills that you cannot pay, then I am truly sorry. But it’s not my responsibility to take care of it, nor is it the govt’s.
I realize quite a few bankruptcies are due to medical bills. My mother happens to be one of those, but again, I told her like I’m telling you, in this state, you pay what you can and they can do nothing!
Charmed
I agree…the current Employer Based System is promoting Socialism. Kids leaving school today want to work for the government or some large monopoly so they can get health insurance.
Even jaim states that she knows people that stay at work only for the insurance, and reminds me that some companies do not even offer it >>
Wow…is that how America was built..Where is the Free Market
July 19th, 2009 at 10:16 pmjaim
Obama is not going to GIVE you anything….what He is trying to do is offer another plan for you to choose from.
Opponents say that it will drive the private insurance carriers out of business and that it will drive prices up>
Well if that is the case, do not choose it. Keep what you have
July 19th, 2009 at 10:21 pmJaim, your expressions of selfishness must stop. Your words are vile and hateful.
You enjoy public-funded entitlements such as roads, libraries, airports, dams, bridges, street lights, fire departments, 911, and on and on and on, and you have the gall to draw the line at a person’s health and well-being?
Get this straight, you boob: Nobody in the rest of the civilized world has the predatory healthcare system that the US has because a person’s health is considered a RIGHT, not a privilege. Without good health, a person has no ability to survive, to earn a living. You would have them die. Only a selfish prick would think this is ok.
God, I don’t know how people like you can look in the mirror and like what you see.
July 19th, 2009 at 10:25 pmOMG!!!! Exactly my point!!!! If you own a small business, you should be all for competition! It makes for a good economy! Not to mention…free market? What free market? If the govt takes over health care then there goes the free market! It will no longer exist and there will be no turning back!
July 19th, 2009 at 10:31 pmNo one said life was fair! You, as an employer, have options. Just like everyone else! You choose to carry insurance for your employees and good for you. But you do have the option to drop it if you don’t like it!!!!
Again, people around here (obviously not everywhere) take care of themselves. That is why they continue to work. I DO NOT believe the govt or anyone else owes me anything! That right there is the problem in this country! A good majority of people expect a hand out!
Charmed
My son is a parmedic and He would be very proud of what you said.
The EMS crews believe that healthcare is a RIGHT, not a privilege.
He has held babies while they died in his arms because of poor access to healthcare
WAKE UP AMERICA…The slogan is In GOD we Trust
July 19th, 2009 at 10:35 pmnot In GREED we Trust
Talk about hateful! Everyone has opinions! As for govt funded entitelments…I pay for those just like you do. It certainly was not just handed to me!
July 19th, 2009 at 10:38 pmSocialist medicine does not work! It’s a proven fact. All you have to do is look around.
And as for letting someone die? I think not! Thats exactly what the govt is hoping for. I said it before and I’ll say it again, this is legalized euthanasia! It’s the govt’s way of controlling the population! You just wait and see what happens, and I feel for all of us if this goes through!
I also work in medicine. I am a respiratory therapist. So I do know a little about what I’m saying! As for the In God We Trust…not anymore in this country! That right has also been taken away from us thanks to our wonderful govt, the atheist, and the liberals!!!
July 19th, 2009 at 10:42 pm# 79
If we currently have a Free Market in healthcare, explain to all of us WHY it is not working ????
July 19th, 2009 at 10:43 pmUmmm…told you before, it’s because the govt already has its hands in it! Enough said! Anything the govt gets involved in loses all control. It is then owned!!!
July 19th, 2009 at 10:44 pmThanks jaim
One good thing about this country is We can Agree to dis-agree
Have a good evening
July 19th, 2009 at 10:47 pmjaim says:
Republicans have no ideas?
Ok then here ya go! First off, there is absolutely no way to reform healthcare without incurring more debt………
You have no clue what you are talking about. Health care should be for everyone even if we incur more debt. The system should not be just for the rich and the healthy. Insurance companies cherry pick their clients and even then there are a host of restrictions as to what the company will pay. This is unacceptable when it leaves the middle class bankrupt for major medicals. Some day when you get older or you have a medical problem you will understand the issues, particularly when you have to pay out of pocket or denied coverage.
Medicare has a low overhead and doctors are paid a fee which is less than the insurance company will pay but there is sufficient money for doctors and other health care providers to make money. People who have Medicare are capped with costs but not other patients who have private insurance as you claim. Nor do the other patients have to pay to make up for Medicare patients. The doctors make money because without Medicare, the doctors would not have a large number of patients. Very few people on Medicare have one doctor; they are more likely to be treated by a medical group.
Finally, I don’t know anyone who is voluntarily uninsured. Most of my friends can barely afford their family coverage through their employer. Most people are uninsured because they can’t afford medical coverage and they are not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid. The government is not going to come between you and your doctor any more than a private insurance. Private insurance companies control your medical care so the argument fails. Nor will the government ration care. Your claims about government controlling your medical care is straight out of the Republican talking points and it is a lot of hooey.
July 20th, 2009 at 12:46 amThere should be a net savings from implementing an Universal Health Care plan. Yes, it will shift around some of the costs but other costs will be reduced drastically. For instance, how much money is spent attempting to collect bill not covered by insurance. That is a big piece of the collection agency business. Also, bankrupcy courts are clogged with health cost related filings so think of the savings from a sharp reduction in that work load, including the attorney’s no longer needed to represent both sides. It will also keep productive Americans productive rather than involving them in all kinds of non-productive ventures.
July 20th, 2009 at 9:07 am#84
You are the one who doesn’t know what your talking about! I work in the hospital and I know you are so incredibly wrong! In point of fact, a hospital that excepts Medicare for payment (not all do mind you) is legally forbiden from charging a privately insured patient anymore than what Medicare will reimburse! Also, I have no idea where you live, but I would say a good majority of people I know and who live in this area, are uninsured by choice! Just a fact! Take it as you will!
July 21st, 2009 at 6:47 pm#76 vs. #79
All you need to look at is the neg. votes on my blog vs. the other. Enough said! This website is very biased! People really need to keep an open mind!
July 21st, 2009 at 6:51 pmJaim
# 77
Think you are missing my point. Many people believe that healthcare or rather, ACCESS to healthcare is a privilige, not a right. As an employer, I beg to differ.
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:17 pmFor those who think it is a privilige, most have access to healthcare thru employer sponsored “Group” coverage.
Listen carefully….the reason they are currently “Priviliged” is because of their employer. For my company, I (employer) decide if you are “priviliged”…you ( employee) do not make this decision. If you are going to tell me, well I will just quit and go somewhere else to become “priviliged”…go ahead…I get 30 to 40 applicants a day and we are not hiring.
It is very foolish for you or anyone else to think you have control over employer sponsored health insurance….you don’t.
Any employee out there…you would have a much more secure future with a single payer system that follows you wherever and you go.
Group coverage is much different than individual coverage.
UnitedHealth Group Inc.’s second-quarter earnings more than doubled amid prior-year charges and an increase in revenue, though enrollment continued to decline as U.S. unemployment mounts and health-care overhaul looms.
United Health Group insures 25% of the total insurance market. Think about this…increase revenu on declining enrollment…means your premiums are going up, up, up
I hope Obama shoves a public plan up their ass !
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:12 pm