Whether you are Republican or Democrat, I don't really care. The House and Senate health care bills have become so watered down that i have to ask, "What is this bill actually going to accomplish?"
WHAT IS ACTUALLY BEING REFORMED???
At this point, President Obama is adamant about getting a bill passed as soon as possible. ANY bill! It doesn't matter if it is the best possible solution or not...he just needs to save face and say that he has accomplished something.
What is really being reformed, in my opinion, is health-insurance reform; NOT the best possible health care for all Americans.
On this very day, the state of Massachusetts is voting for their new Senator. Clearly, Democrats are fighting hard to keep the 60 necessary votes required to pass this legislation.
But you know what should really upset the American public? The backdoor deals and set of bargains that have been made in order to get these 60 votes!
These include: 1) The Senate has agreed to cover 100 percent of the extra Medicaid costs in Nebraska in order to get Sen. Ben Nelson's vote. WTF???? 2) Deals were also made to get Senators in Vermont, Louisiana and Connecticut to get on board. Who is paying for this? YOU! ME!
And get this... The plan would require EVERYONE to buy insurance....like car insurance. If you don't, you will be penalized. Good luck with that!!! We all know that to this day many people do not carry vehicle insurance, even though they are supposed to. Do you know why? Because they can't afford it!
This plan clearly profits the Insurance companies. Since the Public Option has been scrapped, ordering the 30ish million Americans who currently are not covered to purchase insurance clearly keeps the power with the insurance companies.
The plan also expands the Medicare program so that more people can be insured. This means that the States will have to cover the costs and will be required to allocate more funds, many of which are already facing a major budget crisis.
Sure...there are some good things that will come out of this. Insurance Companies will not be able to exclude coverage to people with pre-existing conditions. Also, people who become sick later will not lose their insurance.
But how are we going to pay for this? Through Medicare cuts and more taxes, of course!
Look...this is basically a political victory that really doesn't reform our healthcare system. The American people are the real losers here.
Thanks to heavy bi-partisanship and numerous back door deals, real health-care reform has taken a backseat.
But its politics. What did you really expect?
Your feelings actually kind of resemble mine. We would be living in Fantasy land if we thought that true reform was going to happen. But then again, many people are living in fantasyland with the election of Obama. We can't keep giving him a pass on everything.
ReplyDeletealways the same, the little guy always stepped on... sad but true;(
ReplyDeleteWell said, my friend. Very well said!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I'm not sure true reform can ever happen. There is too much money and pressure coming from the other side.
ReplyDeleteYou hit it right on the money with this one. I have been feeling the same way. Sure, any health reform is better than what we have now, but we could have really hit it out of the park with a fantastic plan. But congress found a way to put themselves first once again.
ReplyDeletei dont know if we could ever get health care reform that will make everyone happy...i dont think this one will make anyone...nicely said.
ReplyDeleteIsn't the answer clear, Paul?
ReplyDeleteWe all just have to not get sick.
*sigh*
-Dean
Things should get better not worse, is that even possible? Satisfying everyone is a tough one.
ReplyDeleteBtw Thank you very much for your last comment on my blog. :)
I feel ya. A healthcare reform bill should be written by independent health specialists in Canada who are immune to the influences of American pharma companies, insurance companies, politicians, etc. Maybe THEN we'd have healthcare for everyone.
ReplyDeletePaul, this package certainly is not reform. There are a few measures left in the bill that are beneficial, but they are for outweighed by the negative aspects. You are absolutely right in saying that this will only put money into insurers pockets due to mandatory coverage. I'm terribly disappointed at this botch job.
ReplyDelete