GOP more concerned with insurance industry than consumers

[WillowTree]

SACHUSETTS HAS been lauded for its healthcare reform, but the program is a failure. Created solely to achieve universal insurance coverage, the plan does not even begin to address the other essential components of a successful healthcare system.

What would such a system provide? The prestigious Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academy of Sciences, has defined five criteria for healthcare reform. Coverage should be: universal, not tied to a job, affordable for individuals and families, affordable for society, and it should provide access to high-quality care for everyone.

The state's plan flunks on all counts.

First, it has not achieved universal healthcare, although the reform has been a boon to the private insurance industry. The state has more than 200,000 without coverage, and the count can only go up with rising unemployment.

Second, the reform does not address the problem of insurance being connected to jobs. For individuals, this means their insurance is not continuous if they change or lose jobs. For employers, especially small businesses, health insurance is an expense they can ill afford.








Third, the program is not affordable for many individuals and families. For middle-income people not qualifying for state-subsidized health insurance, costs are too high for even skimpy coverage. For an individual earning $31,213, the cheapest plan can cost $9,872 in premiums and out-of-pocket payments. Low-income residents, previously eligible for free care, have insurance policies requiring unaffordable copayments for office visits and medications.
MAS

Mass. healthcare reform is failing us - The Boston Globe

 

[WillowTree]

What? Where did you get that? I am advocating for a solution. You read it as me advocating for government.

cause thats what you are doing

"there is a problem, so the only solution is single payer(the government)"

Divey, seriously, have you been following this whole thread? Even if you believe that at this moment, I am telling you otherwise now. I DO NOT BELIEVE IN A SINGLE PAYER SYSTEM. Now, since we can't agree on a problem, let's talk about solutions that will work and not solutions that WILL NOT work. Ok? Go!

We gotta have some money.. where are we gonna get the money??? How high a tax rate you willing to go?? and do all citizens pay federal income taxes or just some citizens?? all citizens get health care all citizens pay federal income tax at the same percentage would be my vote.. say 20% for starters.. you up for that?

 

[WillowTree]

What would such a system provide? The prestigious Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academy of Sciences, has defined five criteria for healthcare reform. Coverage should be: universal, not tied to a job, affordable for individuals and families, affordable for society, and it should provide access to high-quality care for everyone.

 

[DiveCon]

What? Where did you get that? I am advocating for a solution. You read it as me advocating for government.

cause thats what you are doing

"there is a problem, so the only solution is single payer(the government)"

Divey, seriously, have you been following this whole thread? Even if you believe that at this moment, I am telling you otherwise now. I DO NOT BELIEVE IN A SINGLE PAYER SYSTEM. Now, since we can't agree on a problem, let's talk about solutions that will work and not solutions that WILL NOT work. Ok? Go!

how about we start with Tort reform, and relaxing some of the FDA nonsense

 

[jgbkab]

The "what" is being addressed in Mass. Mitt Romney instituted this plan,, check it out.. how's it working out in Mass.?

Fuck me. I'm asking what would work and not WHAT WOULD NOT WORK!!!!!!!!!!

Attn Everyone: I AM NOT ASKING WHAT THE FUCK WILL NOT WORK. I GOT ALL THAT. I AM ASKING WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL WORK EXCEPT LEAVING THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM LIKE IT IS.

Don't know

That's a start. Whew, it's like pulling teeth! Now, I advocate getting health care for the millions that don't have it. Not all of them are able to work and they're not all in the ghettos and on welfare like some would like you to believe. Some have jobs and still can't afford health care.

 

[DiveCon]

Fuck me. I'm asking what would work and not WHAT WOULD NOT WORK!!!!!!!!!!

Attn Everyone: I AM NOT ASKING WHAT THE FUCK WILL NOT WORK. I GOT ALL THAT. I AM ASKING WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL WORK EXCEPT LEAVING THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM LIKE IT IS.

Don't know

That's a start. Whew, it's like pulling teeth! Now, I advocate getting health care for the millions that don't have it. Not all of them are able to work and they're not all in the ghettos and on welfare like some would like you to believe. Some have jobs and still can't afford health care.

but many of those "millions" CHOOSE not to have it

 

[jgbkab]

cause thats what you are doing

"there is a problem, so the only solution is single payer(the government)"

Divey, seriously, have you been following this whole thread? Even if you believe that at this moment, I am telling you otherwise now. I DO NOT BELIEVE IN A SINGLE PAYER SYSTEM. Now, since we can't agree on a problem, let's talk about solutions that will work and not solutions that WILL NOT work. Ok? Go!

how about we start with Tort reform, and relaxing some of the FDA nonsense

I'm all for tort reform to a certain extent. I had a friend die on her 33 birthday because of the gross negligence of her doctor. I'll have to read up on the FDA and it's effects on the health care industry.

 

[WillowTree]

If you keep reading this article will tell you Medicare attains these criteria.. bunk.. and besides which medicare is wrought with fraud, waste and is almost bankrupt.. good look with 400 million people medicare..

 

[jgbkab]

Don't know

That's a start. Whew, it's like pulling teeth! Now, I advocate getting health care for the millions that don't have it. Not all of them are able to work and they're not all in the ghettos and on welfare like some would like you to believe. Some have jobs and still can't afford health care.

but many of those "millions" CHOOSE not to have it

That is true. I never had health care coverage in my 20s and I worked for BCBS. The costs of insurance didn't justify the coverage then. So I'm not really for making people get health care coverage.

 

[WillowTree]

Fuck me. I'm asking what would work and not WHAT WOULD NOT WORK!!!!!!!!!!

Attn Everyone: I AM NOT ASKING WHAT THE FUCK WILL NOT WORK. I GOT ALL THAT. I AM ASKING WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL WORK EXCEPT LEAVING THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM LIKE IT IS.

Don't know

That's a start. Whew, it's like pulling teeth! Now, I advocate getting health care for the millions that don't have it. Not all of them are able to work and they're not all in the ghettos and on welfare like some would like you to believe. Some have jobs and still can't afford health care.

see? no matter how much you whine about "civil debate" this is how we know you are full of shit.. you took two words and left the entire rest of the sentence.. nice try donkeyface.. nice try.

 

[Soaring]

cause thats what you are doing

"there is a problem, so the only solution is single payer(the government)"

Divey, seriously, have you been following this whole thread? Even if you believe that at this moment, I am telling you otherwise now. I DO NOT BELIEVE IN A SINGLE PAYER SYSTEM. Now, since we can't agree on a problem, let's talk about solutions that will work and not solutions that WILL NOT work. Ok? Go!

We gotta have some money.. where are we gonna get the money??? How high a tax rate you willing to go?? and do all citizens pay federal income taxes or just some citizens?? all citizens get health care all citizens pay federal income tax at the same percentage would be my vote.. say 20% for starters.. you up for that?

Welfare recipients don't make an income from working, so pay no taxes. If you force them to pay taxes as in a flat rate tax, all you are doing is having them return the money that the feds gave them in the first place. That would be a vicious circle. Nothing gained. The government gets money by encouraging new businesses to open by lowering taxes. Jobs are created and the economy improves by people being encouraged to spend. The government needs to draw back from interference with business transactions just like the credit card thing going on right now. The government has no business interfering with private business transactions. The government needs to stay out of the housing industry. The government needs to stay out of the auto and banking business. Those are all socialistic government things that have not worked in other countries, and will certainly not work here. Obama is taking us down the tubes. And, the sheeple of the United States are allowing him to do it.

 

[jgbkab]

Don't know

That's a start. Whew, it's like pulling teeth! Now, I advocate getting health care for the millions that don't have it. Not all of them are able to work and they're not all in the ghettos and on welfare like some would like you to believe. Some have jobs and still can't afford health care.

see? no matter how much you whine about "civil debate" this is how we know you are full of shit.. you took two words and left the entire rest of the sentence.. nice try donkeyface.. nice try.

No Willow, I'm not full of shit. That was the answer to the question I've been asking. I didn't know it was rude to cut up quotes. I apologize.

 

[WillowTree]

Fuck me. I'm asking what would work and not WHAT WOULD NOT WORK!!!!!!!!!!

Attn Everyone: I AM NOT ASKING WHAT THE FUCK WILL NOT WORK. I GOT ALL THAT. I AM ASKING WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL WORK EXCEPT LEAVING THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM LIKE IT IS.

Don't know

That's a start. Whew, it's like pulling teeth! Now, I advocate getting health care for the millions that don't have it. Not all of them are able to work and they're not all in the ghettos and on welfare like some would like you to believe. Some have jobs and still can't afford health care.

if they don't work and receive welfare they can pay 20% of their welfare,, a contribution to the common good. I'm up for that. how about you???

 

[WillowTree]

That's a start. Whew, it's like pulling teeth! Now, I advocate getting health care for the millions that don't have it. Not all of them are able to work and they're not all in the ghettos and on welfare like some would like you to believe. Some have jobs and still can't afford health care.

see? no matter how much you whine about "civil debate" this is how we know you are full of shit.. you took two words and left the entire rest of the sentence.. nice try donkeyface.. nice try.

No Willow, I'm not full of shit. That was the answer to the question I've been asking. I didn't know it was rude to cut up quotes. I apologize.

and it's you full of shit liberals who are always bitching about words "taken outta context" who'd a thunk it?? here' let me tell you exactly what you advocate.. cut to the chase,, you want everyone in America and Mexico to have carte blanche premium medical care and you want to soak the middle class Americans to get it,, in short you advocate "wealth redistribution"

 

[jgbkab]

What would such a system provide? The prestigious Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academy of Sciences, has defined five criteria for healthcare reform. Coverage should be: universal, not tied to a job, affordable for individuals and families, affordable for society, and it should provide access to high-quality care for everyone.

Do you think people should be able to opt out of certain coverages within plans?

 

[WillowTree]

Divey, seriously, have you been following this whole thread? Even if you believe that at this moment, I am telling you otherwise now. I DO NOT BELIEVE IN A SINGLE PAYER SYSTEM. Now, since we can't agree on a problem, let's talk about solutions that will work and not solutions that WILL NOT work. Ok? Go!

We gotta have some money.. where are we gonna get the money??? How high a tax rate you willing to go?? and do all citizens pay federal income taxes or just some citizens?? all citizens get health care all citizens pay federal income tax at the same percentage would be my vote.. say 20% for starters.. you up for that?

Welfare recipients don't make an income from working, so pay no taxes. If you force them to pay taxes as in a flat rate tax, all you are doing is having them return the money that the feds gave them in the first place. That would be a vicious circle. Nothing gained. The government gets money by encouraging new businesses to open by lowering taxes. Jobs are created and the economy improves by people being encouraged to spend. The government needs to draw back from interference with business transactions just like the credit card thing going on right now. The government has no business interfering with private business transactions. The government needs to stay out of the housing industry. The government needs to stay out of the auto and banking business. Those are all socialistic government things that have not worked in other countries, and will certainly not work here. Obama is taking us down the tubes. And, the sheeple of the United States are allowing him to do it.

I'm willing to go round that block,, people gotta learn they can't just be entitled to what other people work for.. caphiche?

 

[jgbkab]

see? no matter how much you whine about "civil debate" this is how we know you are full of shit.. you took two words and left the entire rest of the sentence.. nice try donkeyface.. nice try.

No Willow, I'm not full of shit. That was the answer to the question I've been asking. I didn't know it was rude to cut up quotes. I apologize.

and it's you full of shit liberals who are always bitching about words "taken outta context" who'd a thunk it?? here' let me tell you exactly what you advocate.. cut to the chase,, you want everyone in America and Mexico to have carte blanche premium medical care and you want to soak the middle class Americans to get it,, in short you advocate "wealth redistribution"

Willow, go back to the damn post. That was the answer to the question I asked. You don't know and neither does your congress or something. I wasn't asking congress, I was asking Willow. And I fucking apologized. How did I take your words out of context?

 

[WillowTree]

No Willow, I'm not full of shit. That was the answer to the question I've been asking. I didn't know it was rude to cut up quotes. I apologize.

and it's you full of shit liberals who are always bitching about words "taken outta context" who'd a thunk it?? here' let me tell you exactly what you advocate.. cut to the chase,, you want everyone in America and Mexico to have carte blanche premium medical care and you want to soak the middle class Americans to get it,, in short you advocate "wealth redistribution"

Willow, go back to the damn post. That was the answer to the question I asked. You don't know and neither does your congress or something. I wasn't asking congress, I was asking Willow. And I fucking apologized. How did I take your words out of context?

Congress is whom? or is it who?? you are supposed to be asking.. Hello,, make them have answers or don't step blindly where they lead you.. haven't we American citizens learned that lesson by now??????

 

[jgbkab]

and it's you full of shit liberals who are always bitching about words "taken outta context" who'd a thunk it?? here' let me tell you exactly what you advocate.. cut to the chase,, you want everyone in America and Mexico to have carte blanche premium medical care and you want to soak the middle class Americans to get it,, in short you advocate "wealth redistribution"

Willow, go back to the damn post. That was the answer to the question I asked. You don't know and neither does your congress or something. I wasn't asking congress, I was asking Willow. And I fucking apologized. How did I take your words out of context?

Congress is whom? or is it who?? you are supposed to be asking.. Hello,, make them have answers or don't step blindly where they lead you.. haven't we American citizens learned that lesson by now??????

Understood.

 

[Gunny]

very good blog worth the read!


by Chris in Paris on 6/05/2009 06:15:00 AM
But since when did they ever care about consumers? Their arguments about driving private insurance out of business is laughable and so far from reality. I know Republicans don't like to travel beyond their little world, but they might look into a little provincial company called AXA that somehow survives with operations throughout Europe where national health care systems exist. The little venture somehow - who knows how - managed to buy a US insurer despite being headquartered in France. How a business could prosper in socialist central and then manage to expand and buy into a capitalist market is a mystery because we all know that only brave, hot dog and apple-pie eating American capitalists can build world business empires. The plucky little upstart has also managed to be the 15th largest company in the world. Go figure.

Maybe before the Republicans start crying about their friends going out of business they ought to look around and see what is happening in the real world. They are being drama queens when they make such silly statements about driving the insurance business out of business. This is going to be a brutal confrontation and it's clear the GOP will stop at nothing to block reform and change. Telling lies is all they have so more will come but their starting point is completely false and typical scare-mongering.

Opponents say private insurers could not compete with a public plan that didn't have to make a profit. They argue that private health plans would end up going out of business, leaving only an entirely government-run health care system.

There appears to be little room for compromise, with Republicans contending that no matter how a public plan is designed, it would inevitably balloon and crush the private market.

"It's kind of a litmus test sort of thing," Grassley said. "It's just very, very difficult, but I suppose that somewhere out there there's something that's politically realistic that's not a public option that satisfies Republicans and Democrats. But it isn't a government-run system," Grassley said.

What exactly is so difficult about improving health care for Americans? Maybe Grassley and the GOP can temporarily give up their health care program while working through this problem and see what a great system is out there for everyone else.

A blog. Nice source document.