By Lloyd Graff
First of all, I consider myself an Independent fiscally conservative Republican. I voted for Reagan, Dole and George Bush (both of them). But I am disgusted with the negativity of the Republicans on health care reform. The decision to demonize the Democrats for political gain saddens me. As I read the key features of the final law, it is a lot more centrist than the “sky is falling” GOP partisans have labeled it. There is no public option, it gives help to small businesses and aids less affluent uncovered people. It eliminates the insurance blackball for a pre-existing condition, which has imprisoned so many people in jobs they do not want. This new law could unleash an entrepreneurial rush, because a lot of people will feel empowered to start a practice or a business if they know they can still obtain health insurance.
Am I worried about the unintended consequences of health care reform? Sure. Will the lefties regard this as the nose of the camel under the tent and attempt to expand it into a Canadian system? Of course. But the present system stinks. It begs for reform. The Republicans were cynical Rovians to turn their backs on the process. I fear it will backfire on them—badly.
Question: Do you think the new law will help you or hurt you, personally?
You are right. Republicans are crying wolf. They are suffering from “why didn’t we think of that” remorse. So it will cost a few billions more. It will at least fix the things you mentioned.
I’m sorry to say but you don’t sound like a republican or independent have you read
the bill you are writing the democrats talking points. you should read the bill,I have always
pay my own insurance why should I pay for someone else we have enough entilments on
this country.
Sorry Lloyd, but this will not fix anything. There will be years of work ahead to correct this screw-up when all is said and done. I predict that after all the individual parts are chipped away, in ten years there will be nothing recognizable left of this bill.
Lloyd, before we all decide that Republicans are cynics using the healthcare issue for political gain, I would urge you to look at HR 3790, introduced by Representative Mark Kirk, a moderate Republican from Chicago’s North Shore suburbs. No debate was allowed on the measure. The only choice the House was given was to vote on the Senate bill. Republicans don’t need to “demonize” Democrats here. The majority’s own repugnant behavior has accomplished that, all on its own. I consider myself politically independent. I look at this situation and wonder why anyone thinks that the minority party has to say one word to sway opinion about the bad behavior and unethical conduct exhibited by those in power. Americans are a lot smarter than you think. They read, listen watch, and think. And they don’t like the conclusions that have been reached. By the way, I think that this reform bill is a bad bill, and I don’t think it will improve my health care, or the healthcare situation of most Americans in the near or long term.
I disagree.I am worried about the long range cost with the bill .
The tax burdens that are falling and will continue to mount on we the contributing working people..
Next is the 21st.century civil rights imigration reform. matter .I t is shaping up to be another welfare program.
The progressive party is determined to give America away.
No longer is this country going to be the land of opportunity but a land of every thing free to all that make it inside our pourous borders.
Take the track record of our government for instance.
The U.S. Post Service was established in 1775. You have had 234 years to get it right, and it is broke.
Social Security was established in 1935. You have had 74 years to get it right, and it is broke. You spent all the funds set aside for this program.
Fannie Mae was established in 1938. You have had 71 years to get it right, and it is broke.
War on Poverty started in 1964. You have had 45 years to get it right; $1 trillion of our money is confiscated each year and transferred to “the poor”, and they only want more.
Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965. You have had 44 years to get it right, and they are broke. You spent all the funds set aside for this program.
Freddie Mac was established in 1970. You have had 39 years to get it right, and it is broke.
The Department of Energy was created in 1977 to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. It has ballooned to 16,000 employees with a budget of $24 billion a year, and we import more oil than ever before. You had 32 years to get it right, and it is an abysmal failure.
You have FAILED in every “government service” you have shoved down our throats while overspending our tax dollars
Best Regards,
Danny Hogge
Lloyd,
No one is arguing that there are good points to the bill. The Republicans agree with those good points. What they know that you do not is the rest of the story in that 2200 page bill.
They are up in arms because that bill was not necessary to fix the problems you state.
The rest of the story is that the bill is a big Trojan Horse, justified by a garbage-garbage-out CBO score.
Listen, Obama is interested in 2 things: redistributing wealth and increasing the size of the government payrolls.
In the fullness of time you will see that this is why they need a 2200 page bill.
I can’t believe you are so naive.
Wow – where to start? I don’t care who’s bill this is – Republicans or Democrats – it’s a violation of the Constitution. I’m going to be penalized for NOT buying something? How Communist/Socialist is that!!!
First it was Social Security – we must take care of old people, who were too stupid to save for retirement for themselves. Then it was Medicare – wait a minute… isn’t that government health care? Both of which, by the way are beyond bankrupt. Then of course the government goes after smoking, drinking etc. -all of which were the governments attempts at legislating morality or compassion.
And look where that’s gotten us – No personal responsibility anymore…No worries about whether we work or not… We’re being told BY THE GOVERNMENT what we can and can not do. Hell, we don’t even need to be parent’s anymore – the government will take care of our children for us!
Th anger isn’t about “health care” – the anger is about every law that’s being passed that further restricts our freedom, and lessen’s our need to learn common sense and personal responsibility. You want “free” healthcare? Join the military and serve our country like I did. Maybe then you will comprehend what it means “To protect and defend the Constitution.”
We have had this mandated insurance in Massachusetts now for four years. The treasurer here (Tim Cahill) says the state run plan is 4 BILLION dollars in the hole, after 4 years. Our insurance rates went up 35% this year. The Feds have been subsidizing this plan so far which is why it hasn’t gone bankrupt yet. Now this health care plan is going nationwide. Who is going to subsidize the federal plan, the Chinese? This plan does absolutely nothing to control the costs and therefore will not cause businesses to rush out and hire people.
I believe that this bill is far from perfect. But it does bring some much needed changes. I am one of those that would have started his own business but can not due to a pre-existing condition, and no, it’s not some thing I brought on myself by an unhealthy lifestyle. It will allow me to keep my kids covered until the can find jobs coming out of college. When I started work 35 years ago. You got health insurance the day you started. My daughter has to wait six months. The Republicans did nothing to be included and the lack of decorum has turned me off of their type of politics to the point where they will have to work hard to ever get my vote again. If they wanted to be included in the process then they had to show they were willing to embrace some of the good ideas in this bill. Even if they agreed, the could not bring themselves to admit it. That’s not statesmanship, that just being more concerned with your own political life than the country and citizens they purport to represent. The Dems stuck their neck out even though they obviously realize this is unpopular with a very vocal section of the populace.
Where has your head been during this obamacare fiasco? Republicans, one after another offered simpler, easier and more affordable fixes from day one. Were you not listening? I feel like I have a car that needed an oil change and the service tech put on new tires, replaced the upholstery, installed a new radio, tinted the windows and dropped in a new engine then handed me a bill for more than the car was worth! I don’t usually go in for name-calling so God help me in this time of need!
Way to go Lloyd i too believe it is a good thing that has needed to be done.
The politicians have been too afraid of loosing their jobs to do the right thing. Cost? what about 2 wars we are fighting now–I suppose our grandchildren wont have to pay for those for years–what about 6 lobbyist for every congressman I wonder where that money is going and who is paying them!!
I am disappointed in the way this whole bill and all the stimulus packages are being presented to the American people. We seem to get the idea that the US Government is giving all these packages to the people and the Government is going to pay for them. Did we forget that We The People are the Government. Wake-up People if you don’t pay for it your children and future generations will. I think I would sooner have the private sector in charge of our money then the US Government. I haven’t seen a good job of money management yet when it comes to Government spending. I feel we have lost faith in what we as people can accomplish and it will lead to a generation of looking for every handout the Government will give and no drive to work for goals for ourselves. God must look down from Heaven and just shake His head in disgust. The only people that will be paying for this are the ones working and paying taxes at a rate they have never seen before. At least by 2014 they can blame it on the next administration in office.
This is another huge step to Marxism. I cannot believe the path we are taking. If you believe the government can handle this, what successful performance have they ever demonstrated? NONE.
All I want to do is buy my own insurance just like I buy car insurance. It is very simple but then they would not have their hand in our pockets.
Disgusted
Lloyd,
You need to check yourself when you say that it will empower people to start business! What you’re really saying is that it’s ok for one citizen to now legally steal from another. Because that is what this bill does. It redistributes the wealth.
The republicans gave many helpfull changes to the bill. They were all rejected. Do you see tort reform? NO! If I drive like an idiot I should pay insurance for it. If I abuse my body I should pay for that also. Remeber that no one will get anything for 4 years, but you’ll be paying. Lloyd you’ve put your chips in with a man that has done nothing in life.
A couple of lies from the President:
I’ll post every bill for 5 days. It was 36 hours before he signed the bill.
It won’t cost the middle class anything. If you believe that you can add millions to a program, and it’s not going to cost anything you need your head checked.
It will not add a dollar to the deficit. What government program hasn’t been overspent. They only get deficit neutral by everyone paying ten years for six years of services. Sounds like that will work.
Lots of Luck folks. The American people didn’t want this bill, but the liberal elite (Lloyd) made them choke it down.
No benefits until after the next Presidential election. I wonder why that is the case if you have millions dying because they have no insurance.
Steve
Lloyd,
I fear all you will accomplish here is to further stoke the flames of partisan opinion. What has been completely missed along the way is how completely broken our entire system for Health Care is. This bill does not solve the problem, nor would any of the other alternative “ideas” proposed – whether they were offered up by Republicans or Democrats.
We may have the most talented medical professionals, and more advanced treatments and equipment than anywhere else on earth, but our “system” is not the best. How does one measure what is the best healthcare? It seems more than logical to measure the success of the health of a nation by looking at life expectancy.
———————————————————————————————————————According to “the Economist”:
The total US spend on healthcare is 15.4% of GDP including both government and private. With that we get 2.6 doctors per 1,000 people, 3.3 hospital beds and our people live to an average age of 78.2
UK – spends 8.1% of GDP, gets 2.3 doctors, 4.2 hospital beds and live to an average age of 79.4. So for roughly half the cost their citizens overall get about the same benefit in terms of longevity of life.
Canada – spends 9.8% of GDP on healthcare, gets 2.1 doctors, 3.6 hospital beds and live until they are 80.6 yrs
Looking at the more social model in Europe the results become even more surprising:
France – spends 10.5%, 3.4 docs, 7.5 beds and live until they are 80.6
Spain – spends 8.1% , 3.3 docs , 3.8 beds and live until they are 81
As a whole Europe spends 9.6% of GDP on healthcare, has 3.9 doctors per 1,000 people, 6.6 hospital beds and live until they are 81.15 years old.
——————————————————————————————————————-
The truth is that in many cases, health system treatments are better in the US than in some other countries – but US citizens must therefore get ill more often than any other country in the West in order to achieve the truly appalling statistic that we are the 41st longest living nation on earth with France, Spain, Norway, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Andorra, Holland, Greece and Sweden all featuring in the top 20 longest living nations and the UK and Germany at 22.
This is the big failure of the US system and it is unforgivable. We may get a better chance of recovering from certain diseases but as a whole we will die younger in the US than most developed countries.
FACT: The “richest” nation on then planet cannot provide adequate healthcare to millions of our citizens. That is ridiculous and shameful. No excuse.
Should we fault Obama for taking on the problem? Should we admire his tenacity in sticking to his guns to get something done? I fault congress for producing version after version of a bill that is more flawed than the last one. And the fault lies equal with Republicans and Democrats. Every last one of them is unable to execute their job description (in my opinion).
Proper healthcare should be considered a “right” in all civilized societies. I challenge anyone to deny that proper healthcare should not be a “right”. It cannot be reserved for “only those that can afford it”. Where the system is right now – only the top 5% of the population can truly afford it. Then, there is a large part of society that hopes their employer provided plan would assist them through any major health crisis. Unfortunately, 62% of all personal bankruptcies are caused by Medical Costs. And of those people bankrupted, over three-quarters (78%) had some form of health insurance. And for everyone who is not either rich or insured adequately, through his or her employer,… our “system” has said – well tough luck for you.
Show me any plan that any member of congress, Republican or Democrat, has offered up that will address these core problems.
Repealing the current bill is not the answer, nor is the current bill the answer either. But no one wants to face up to what the answer is.
Everyone should invest a couple of hours of their time and watch two programs online (with an open mind) – and then carefully think about what they learned:
1- http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundamerica/view/
2- http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundtheworld/view/
No one is brave enough to really address the core problem with our system and offer up the real solution. I may not want a system like those in every other developed country – but it is the only solution.
I think it’s safe to say that back in 1944 there were quite a few guys that weren’t exactly champing at the bit to take a boat ride to Normandy either. But sometimes we have to do things that maybe aren’t exactly what we would like to do. We all pay taxes for a Federally funded interstate highway system in 50 states – yet do we drive on every highway across the country? We all pay for a military that protects every citizen equally, and sometimes even citizens of other lands. We do these things because they are the right thing to do.
The alternative is to continue with an unsustainable patchwork system that will drive our economy to ruin. When we get to the next decade, four line items will account for the virtually the entire Federal Budget (at the current revenues to GDP percentage). 1) Interest on the Federal Debt, 2) Social Security, 3) Medicare 4) Medicaid and Veterans Health Benefits. Not exactly a sustainable path to be on, just as the 76 million Baby Boomers will join the ranks of the retired over roughly the next two decades.
Whether we all like it or not, we simply have to pay less for healthcare. Certainly the government expenditures will have to become less per capita – unless we plan on enacting excruciating taxes on our children. And I doubt there are many business (or employees) that feel they can continue with health insurance cost increases that far outpace the rate of inflation. And I’m not talking about “bending the cost curve” either. (Funny, never heard that silly expression until it came out of Washington DC). I am talking about reducing our percentage of healthcare costs as it relates to GDP. That means we have to pay less. And that will not be accomplished with our current system, or anything this new bill promises.
I am not saying this is what I want. We all need to accept that it cannot be about what each of us as individuals wants in this situation – it has to be about what has to happen for the greater good. And it impacts every one of us – from before birth, until our last breath, and that what makes it so personal and stirs up all kinds of awful rhetoric. So – my advice Lloyd is to shift off the opinion polling on the current bill… instead focus on the view from 50,000 feet. That’s really what we all need to do. Accept that we will eventually have to have a very very different looking system. Will it stink? Parts of it will. Is it what everyone wants? No way. But we will have to bite the bullet because it is the only real solution, whether we like it or not. The alternative is a bankrupted nation. The good news is that if the statistics hold firm, a new system should mean we will all live longer on average – and that’s kind of the point is it not?
What can each of us do individually? Step 1 – Vote against ALL incumbents in every election, REGARDLESS of their party. That is the only way we will get our government back to “of the people, by the people, and for the people”. Once that happens we might just be able to solve some the serious challenges our nation faces.
Nancy said I had to buy it to read see it. How can that be a good thing? Everyone has to buy this? I thought this was a free country. Does anyone really think another socialist
entitlement program is going to be paid for by all, or just those who work.
This is about America and what it stands for. The Republicans offered reform but the democrats closed their ears to it. I paid for my own health insurance since I was 19 then later my company offered it to me but it is part of my overall compensation- – nothing free. Why Am I being forced to pay for another persons insurance ? This bill does nothing to reform health care but it will make government bigger which makes us less free.
Essentially, there will be some shifting of medical costs from the public aid rolls back into the paid insurance pool. Plus those without insurance will be put into the pool. Generally, this should raise insurance rates much the same way that no fault insurance (your own insurance company paying claims that were caused by people without insurance) raised our prices because additional people are thrown in the pool.
It is the right thing to do, after all. The problem is that in today’s politics, upon inspecting this “right thing to do” legislation we are going to find all the things that had to be horse traded to get the votes to win. And that will be an ugly process.
One other point, it is interesting that zero Republican’s voted for the bill. No offense to the Republicans, but it is hard for me to believe that the their votes were based on belief that that health care reform was not needed. I believe that the unanimous Republican vote was a party vote, when it should have been an issue vote.
I agree with Lloyd. However, what is going to be irritating is that the sniping is not going to stop. This bill will be the gift that keeps giving. Because the problem is so convoluted and this effort at solving it is equally convoluted and HUGE, there will be new problems. The Republicans will take every problem created and hold them up as proof that health care reform has failed.
I remember when my company changed health insurance carriers. Some drugs that were formulary and costing my employees $15 as copay, became non-formulary and cost $50 as copay. I heard every complaint about that change. Yet, for some, their non-formulary drugs under the old carrier became formulary and they saved $35 per prescription. No one told me about that balancing factor. It took a meeting to find that out, beauuse the focus was on the new problem, not the new benefit. I suppose it’s human nature, but I am not looking forward to another year’s worth of sniping. Rome is burning and Congress is fiddling. We have serious issues (and that does not include the use of steroids in baseball) that deserve immediate attention and action.
Great points, Lloyd.
John F
My point with this blog was to get a sense of where the readers of this blog are on the health care reform bill.
I have to admit that I am so biased against the Democratic majority that I was hoping the bill would fail, but then it hit me that the current system is so bad it begs for change and I did not want a lot more years where people with pre existing conditions were blackballed at the whim of insurance clerks. I know the new law has many imperfections and may even be unconstitutional but I prefer that we start with something on the books rather than wait another decade to challenge the lousy status quo.
Mr Graff
I share your business interests , your political take, and your age group.
With a 17% approval rating of Congress, no way can we dump it all on the Demos. The whole thing is sickening, and we must clean house and toss out all the apples – good and bad. At least it would take the news ones a couple years to get spoiled
I worry about the package because we are a 4 person consulting business, and are at the mercy of the insurance companies. At this time we have no clout at all. If (when) they get bottom line problems they are going to come after us.
I’d appreciate not receiving any emails with a photo of a COMMUNIST ignorantly drinking to the demise of the United States on it.
OBAMACARE; no one has read the bill; I fear this I fear that;marxist ;reverse racist ; Obama is a Muslim ; He wasn’t born in America; Socialism”
Have I missed any Fox Noise TALKING POINTS?
Health care as Lloyd said needed fixing, so now it is on the right path. So whats the problem here folks the CBO has said this bill will reduce the deficit.
Lloyd, I am convinced you mean well but somewhere along the line your desire to “do good” has clouded your thinking. This bill will fiscally enslave our progeny for generations to come. And it will remove the option for significant end of life care for the simple reason the system will not be able to afford it.
Further, the Ex. Order to prohibit the use of Federal Funds for abortions will be successfully challenged in the courts so we will end up paying taxes to fund abortions.
I am a life long practicing Catholic and as I understand you are a life long practicing Jew. We share a common belief in the sanctity of life so it dismays me when other wise good people allow themselves to be morally compromised by the maneuvers of a few politicians.
I will continue to work to elect legislators at both the State and Federal levels who will work to either overturn this terrible bill or at the least modify it to remove the obnoxious sections.
Steve Baranyk
Carmel, IN.
Mr. you don’t know what you’re talking about. Read the Law first and then comment you commy.
Lloyd,
I love your writing and look forward to your magazine each month. I have attached some information for you to look at regarding this health bill from the NFIB – National Federation of Independent Business. I think this is troublesome.
Thanks,
Andy Ellard
Manda Machine Co., Inc.
Dallas,Texas 75220
Phone: 214-352-5946
Fax: 214-351-0615
E-mail: andy@mandamachine.com
Web: http://www.mandamachine.com
I believe it will help me and my 2 employees. We will no longer have the cloud over our heads of “if I get sick, my insurance will drop me, and I’ll be bankrupt”.
Change is scary, but this is a first step in the right direction.
Best regards
Laura Schneider
AMSTCO LLC
An American Science and Technology Company
http://www.amstco.com
Tel: (512) 351-1807
Fax: (512) 868-3459
Billing and Sales:
114 Mahogany Ln., Georgetown TX 78626
Shipping and Manufacturing:
40134 Industrial Park Cir #105, Georgetown, TX 78626
Lloyd,
I agree Health Insurance needs an overhaul. But know this, this bill (by design) is certain to bankrupt the insurance companies, it was smoke and mirrors, saying no Public Option to ease people’s minds, but that’s what we’ll get when the insurance companies go BK.
Mike Dorfman
President
Trick Percussion Products, Inc.
17 E University Dr. Arlington Hts, IL. 60004
PH: 847-342-2019
FX: 847-342-5001
Dear Mr. Graff,
I did not sign up recently to receive your views on Health Care or for that matter any social issues. Of course all informed citizens favored reform to keep the cost of Health Care in check, but with full fiscal disclosure and accountability. The entire process was a disgrace and only served to further the ideology and ego’s of the current leadership.
Kindly remove me from your mailing list as I receive enough amateur analysis from the established media outlets.
Regards,
Larry Evans
Dear Lloyd,
It is my oppinion that people in a position such as yourself should stay away from writing political editorials one way or the other. There are enough political commentators that we do not need the additional analysis. And independent fiscally conservative republicans
don’t throw a trillion dollars at a problem without proper analysis and discussion. When did “Todays Machining World” become a political/health-care publication? We certainly need the reform, but the law as was passed, is not a positive change for our nation in my humble opinion. Surely opinions differ and such is the nature of democracy. As is, the government now owns a majority of what used to be private industry, has tossed billions at creating more bureaucracy, owns your body itself (arguably the provider of healthcare has the ultimate say over your health), and is well on its way to creating the same kind of fiscal unsustainability that our great state has already experienced. Not a change for the better, but certainly a pathway to the VAT that would make the progressive movement happy.
I understand that I voluntarily receive your e-mails etc. however by signing up for a industry news publication, I am not signing up to be part of the Today’s Machining Worlds political audience. I’m sure many other readers of your e-mail list feel the same. Certainly the health Legislation affects our industry as much if not more than others, however an analysis of the sections that could apply to entrepreneurs such as myself would probably be better received than chastising of one political party over another there is enough of that going on in DC and Hollywood.
That all being said, I am neither republican nor democrat. Maybe I should keep my oppinions to myself as well.
Best Regards,
Stefan Wyss
My advice to you is that you should stay away from politics in Today’s Swarf. Your definition of “fiscally conservative” must vary quite a bit from mine. I don’t care about the “key features” you read about. The dangerous parts are in the fine print. The Senate is changing the bill as we speak. How long do you think the public option will be left out? Furthermore, if you think that this will not have a negative affect on small business, I fear that you are gravely mistaken. I’m sorry, but you’ve just lost a customer.
Ben McConaha
Lloyd, and who would you suggest pay for this? You are completely wrong. Small businesses will get hurt in the long run because of higher taxes and the government imposition that is sure to come. Do you realize that there will be 16,000 extra IRS people to just to police the requirement (mandate) for individuals to carry Health Insurance? You are crazy to think having the government involved in anything will make it better. It has never happened before and it will not happen with this government. Did you check out the part of the Health Care bill that takes over Student Loans? Tell me why that is even remotely part of this bill. I can give you one reason to increase the interest rates on loans to help pay for the bill. So now students will be paying more for student loans to fund health care, the health care they will be forced to buy after they enter the work force…only the Federal Government can think of this stuff.
This could have been done so much easier than how it was done with little or no government intrusion. Read the entire bill and you will see it has really nothing to do with Heath Care and everything to do with big Government. Unbelievably the socialist European Nations think we are nuts moving their way when they are trying so desperately to move more toward democracy.
If you think this is good for the country I would suggest you rethink how you view yourself politically.
Glen Galloway
President – Bema Incorporated
630-279-7800 ext. 208
Please note new e-mail
glen@bemaprint.com
Lloyd: The fact is: The Democrats control both houses and the Presidency. Why was it necessary to offer their own people gifts at the expense of the rest of the nation in order to pass this simple act of good will. If it was so good it should have passed last July. What happened; we were told we don’t have to now what is in the proposal. And to compound it we were told that the members of congress don’t have to read it. Now this type of culture may be alright for the Boomers and their descendants of no skill and no wit, but my generation requires a better performance from the people we employ and the Congress are our employees. So in the least our demand for full transparency turned out to be milk glass. The bill signed into law still contains all the goodies President etal had to promise to get a Bill. Rebublicans demonizing those sweethearts in the Whitehouse and on Capitol Hill. We didn’t have to, they did it to themselves. Talk about demonizing, the last five years has had more than enough. Each day I am coming to regret my and my comrades sacrifice which saved our country from having to learn German or Japanese as a primary language. It sure is turning out to be a worthless effort. Jack Frost WWII Combat Fighter Pilot
Lloyd,
You need to consider the consequences of:
The new plan is so good that Congress and government employees are exempt from it. What does that tell you?
1) No benefits until 2013-4 but taxes start next year
2) So many deals were struck to get votes that there is no uniformity to benefits among states A lot of very ugly deals were cut.
3) They forgot to put the pre-existing exclusion in the final version so it’ll require more legislation
4) IRS’s budget is said to increase $10B to enforce the provisions and 16,000 agents. It is said it will take 179 new agencies to implement this plan.
5) Small businesses will bear the brunt of the tax/cost
6) Health insurance is not a right any more than having a house (see where that got Barney Frank and Fanny Mae) or a new car (cash for clunkers added no jobs) or a beautiful spouse or a college education or citizenship for illegals.
7) Taking money from Medicare and eliminating Medicare Advantage to pay for this thing punishes seniors
9) The law of supply and demand cannot be violated. With 30M more people going into the medical system, the demand is likely to exceed the supply of services. Since the government intends to fix prices, the outcome will be rationed and/or delayed services. This is what exists in Canada and England. Do we want really want that?
10) States do not have the money to pay their increased part of all this, an awful, not-discussed much issue.
11) Last but not least: JOBS ARE THE #1 ISSUE. Taking over the healthcare industry will only create jobs in the federal government. This administration has made taking over private industry – financial, automotive, healthcare and soon energy – its number #1 issue. Jobs in the private sector is what needs to priority #1.
As I see it less benefits for more cost and time to get those benefits. And jobs will have to wait.
Best regards,
Tom
P.S. Your fiscal conservativism credentials are under review.
Jon Giles , I believe what I research and gleen from both sides of the fence. You on the other hand certainly believe what Fox news and the like tell you to believe.
And you may call me MR. Moore.
This whole thing is nothing but socialism! Big government! It’s junk.
Mr.Blomquist comments are 100% correct and said it all.
Mike
Anyone who believes this bill will somehow reduce the deficit is drinking the koolaid. It will serve to do nothing more than kneecap caregivers, reduce the quality of care and increase the roles of nonpaying recipients. Another attack on the guaranty of Life, Liberty and the Persuit of happiness. I feel sorry for my children and the challenges they will face. If any of the complainers have actually spent any real time outside this country, even in developed countries in Europe they might have a greater appreciation for our founding principles and not be so flippant in its destruction.
And…seriously, any reasonable person can’t possibly believe that this bill not only pays for itself, but reduces the deficit! Give me a break! We already have systems in place to pay for the uninsured. Reforms to reduce costs would be tort reform and medical savings accounts. Let consumers take charge–the American way!
I feel a reform of some sort was needed but the main points could have just been brought by regulation now shoving this whole big act up everyones nose. I think more to the fact is our government is way to large, a country doesn’t survive with more chief than indians to put it simply and we have given, sold, wasted all of our competitive edge starting with NAFTA and on and on to where the USA can no longer meet the jobs needed for the average class people. I think spending… tieing up our government in times like these for an entire year is insane, all while the rest of the country goes down the toilet! Lets get a seasoned business man in the seat and see what we can do, first off cut all the government and it’s programs in half!! Second remove all illegal immigrants, toughen laws, Tax imports or at least promote buying american products! Let’s get America working again!
Lloyd;
You really don’t get it. Obama Care is not about health care reform. It’s about MORE government control of the everyday lives of American citizens, and their businesses. And, it will accelerate the bankrupting of the United States of America. That’s their plan, Lloyd.
You state that portability will create an “entrepreneurial rush” of people to leave jobs that they are “locked into”, and start new businesses. Gee, is that all it takes – portability? What happened to talent, ability and availability to borrow, tenacity, the ability and conviction to live on peanuts (while paying the full boat to the new hires) etc., etc.?
Yes, the camel’s nose is under the tent, and your head is up your @#%^. The structure and context of our Country is under attack. Our Constitution is being trampled. You are apparently incapable or unwilling to see this fraud for what it is.
I suggest that you, your buddy Obama, Reid, Pelosi, and Soros move to another country with a political and medical structure more in concert with your desires, i.e. a government entitlement state with very poor quality, rationed health care. While you’re on the way, why not stop by Israel, and make an attempt to rebuild the Obama damaged relationship with one of the United States’ greatest allies.
To Bill Moore;
You, too sir, have your head totally up your ass. Do you know when the sun is out? You probably check with the CBO for confirmation.
Lloyd,
You stated that the republicans turned thier backs on health care reform? The republicans that you and I both voted for were silenced by the way the liberals handled gettin it through behind closed doors.
Bob Prieto