Healthcare: 'Universal,' $600 billion

This article just highlights the fact that this administration can only achieve its ends by deception and manipulation. Rather than confront the completely unsustainable pricetag of socialized healthcare head-on, they resort to smoke and mirrors to try to snooker the American people into swallowing something that ultimately will choke the life out of our economy. This American, for one, is not so easily gulled.

It is a great day to see America, at work, for every-day citizens, many of whom, have been left out, or have been victimized, by our broken-down healthcare system !! All elected officials, from our President, President Obama to the junior Senator from Minnesota, Senator-elect Franken are to be thanked, for their efforts and compassion !!
Healthcare has become a right, not a privilege, because we are a nation of one and because everyone of us, contributes in making this a nation. Yes, there are those who do not pull their own weight, due to unfair life situations, from the underprivileged to the overprivileged, but the vast majority of our citizens give it their best shot !! Unfortunately, more often, than not, that has not been good enough. They still lack healthcare coverage, they still lack substandard educational opportunities, they still lack meaningful employment and yet, they still contribute, positively, to the life of our nation. We deserve a healthcare system that treats us like human beings, not like chattel. If that means, the reformation of our Insurance Corporations, than that is what must be done. They have pilfered from us, for too, too long !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.

I was surprised when I learned that the upper level of management got better health insurance than the average worker in one of my first jobs. Then the company decided that no worker was entitled to better health than the next, we were all human and each position was equal in the company's success in its own way. There was a radical change in coverage, people got scared they'd lose it all, but the worries turned out to be unfounded.

This is the way I view congress' resistance to finding a solution, they believe they are the elite and entitled to better healthcare than the rest of us; they are the chosen ones. Why do they think we do not deserve the same healthcare that we pay for and provide for them and their families?

Jeez, another Democrat fantasy figure taken right out of thin air. What no details on this plan? Oh right, they come in at 3 AM, just before the vote. That is the new protocol for the transparent WH and Dems.
Django, did you get that "watchdog" Helen Thomas chewing WH propaganda spewer's (Gibbs) butt about the so-called town hall with pre-arranged questions from planted Obama supporters appearing as average Americans concerned about healthcare? Even down to a sad tale with a pre-planned hug from the Prez? Guess he can practice answers beforehand too, thus not appearing hopeless wired to the TelePrompTer. Helen actually accused the WH of manipulating the WH press corps and misleading the American folks. Can you imagine the audacity! What cajones! Goodbye Helen, there goes her press credentials. Hope a few other Washington reporters pick up on her message! HInt, hint, to you know who! I'm sure the Swamp bloodhounds will be on top of this since the lefties and MSM always accused Bush of misleading Americans.

What happened to the discussion from several years ago that included the savings by transferring the money currently being spent into the equation. It seems to me we are starting at a sum zero as if no money were currently being spent. We are spending tremendous amounts of money today much of it being wasted to provide profits and large salaries to insurance companies and executives. What would be the difference if this were included in the discussion?

I'm sorry Mark, I think I want universal, or more heath coverage for Americans, but... 97% of all Americans ensured leaves 9 million plus un-ensured. And while I don't think that 600 billion isn't terrible, it is still alot of money.

The independently-funded healthcare policy research organization, The Commonwealth Fund, compared possible savings 'a health insurance exchange' could bring under three different scenarios. One would include a Medicare-like plan along with private insurance. Another would instead offer only a government-run plan with rates somewhat higher than Medicare. The final one would be private insurance with no government plan at all.
Commonwealth's study found cumulative health system savings between 2010 and 2020, compared with projected trends for that period, would range from $3.0 trillion under a Medicare-like plan along with private insurance paying providers at Medicare rates in competition with private plans, to $2.0 trillion for a public plan paying providers at rates between Medicare and private plan rates, to $1.2 trillion in the private plan-only scenario. All three options would help insure nearly all Americans, it said, with the number of uninsured dropping to about 4 million people by 2012. 'Such an exchange' would offer a central point for consumers to shop for and compare health plans.

Under the Medicare-like plan along with private insurance, all U.S. residents would be required to obtain health coverage. The plan would establish a new government-sponsored health program for people younger than age 65 who are not eligible for Medicare. More than 40 million people would be expected to enroll in the program, according to Cathy Schoen of the Commonwealth Fund.

The government-operated insurance exchange would be similar to an existing program in Massachusetts and would allow people to compare coverage offered by private insurers and the new public program. In addition, the plan supports wide adoption of health information technology, better disease prevention efforts and 'changes to the insurance payment system' that promote efficiency. Health spending would continue to increase under the plan, but at a slower rate than current projections over the next 10 years. The Commonwealth Fund said the plan would reduce annual health care spending growth from a projected 6.7% to 5.5% and save a cumulative total of about '$3 trillion' by 2020, adding a national health insurance exchange program that includes a federally managed health insurance option could potentially save $1.8 trillion more than a plan consisting only of private plans.
The group's analysis assumed other changes would also be made to the U.S. healthcare market. These include an expansion of existing government coverage and new regulations that would require insurers to cover a wider range of consumers. Hospitals and doctors would also see their revenues grow with any of the three exchanges but at a slower rate, the report said.

The proposal's advocates have argued that a government-sponsored insurance plan would offer the 46 million uninsured Americans an affordable alternative to costly private insurance, adding that It would provide a strong incentive for private plans to strealine, innovate and compete.

Fools, Republicans won't let you spend that much money on something that will help the country! You can only spend that much on wars that hurt the country!

Arguing about the "cost" for universal vs.health insurance exchange vs. status quo does no good unless and until we can define the actual costs involved, e.g., How does a doctor calculate what to charge? How does a pharma determine the cost of its medicine? After these calculations have been made, then we can make an intelligent decision on which way to go. Until then, all the rantings done by "the guy who hides" or "Don Fitz" or "Bubba" are just so much hot air. Can anyone help with finging out these costs?

Of course, you realize that this plan will lead not only to fewer people being covered in a health care plan, but also to more people being laid off. You had better believe that employers are going to go with whatever is the most economically feasible choice. In the case of a small business with few employees, firing a worker or two (and then paying some overtime to others) is clearly the cheap and effective way to get out from under the mandate. In other instances, giving an employee the option of going part time or being laid off is also the cheaper option. $350 a head is a cheap price to pay extra for part-time work when compared to the price of full medical coverage for everyone. In which case, the rest of us had better be prepared to pay a lot more in taxes to fund the subsidies the government is pledging to offer.

Jonny, so does that mean it' should be all or nothing??

First, we should be scared that the Waitress Sandwich twins are the geniuses behind this. When Teddy got sick recently, did he go to the local gov't run hospital in Boston? No, he hightailed it to Duke University. Chris Dodd, wasn't he involved in the mortgage meltdown by getting favorable treatment from Ciountrywide? I wonder if he will seek favorable treatment in the healthcare plan.

"A government-run health insurance option competing with private plans, and a $750 annual fee for employers for each full-time employee who is not covered with insurance at work, plus a $375 fee for each part-time worker uncovered."

If you were running a business that offered its employees helath insurance and you had an offer that the gov't would provide health insurance for a $750 annual fee. Would you keep providing insurance or wrire the check?

Guess - if this is the plan, the gov't has just inherited all of Corporate America's health insurance. What kind of care will one get for $750?

Bubba - Expect the details this Sunday morning at 3:00.

And then there is Paul - do you know the difference between teh expenditure for a war and for an entitlement? Only one has a finite life.

If you want to sell me insurance, sell me auto, life, accident, or property. DON'T SELL ME HEALTH INSURANCE. THAT IS A RACKET DREAMED UP BY THE INSURANCE COMPANIES. MADOFF SHOULD BE RUNNING THAT RACKET. THEY ALSO DON'T SELL HEALTH INSURANCE TO SICK PEOPLE, WHERE IS THE PROFIT? EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO HEALTH CARE. IF THE CITIZEN'S OF THIS COUNTRY DON'T GET NATIONAL HEALTH CARE, THE NO ONE SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO HEALTH CARE PAID FOR BY THE TAXPAYER!! THAT INCLUDES TEACHERS, POLICE OFFICERS, FIREMEN, FEDERAL WORKERS, STATE WORKERS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKERS, THE MILITARY AND ANYONE ELSE THAT GETS HEALTH CARE PAID FOR BY THE TAXPAYER! AND WHILE WE ARE AT IT, NO ONE SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO A PENSION PAID FOR BY THE TAXPAYER, PERIOD. IF GOVENMENT WORKERS WANT A PENSION, BAND TOGETHER AND GET YOUR OWN PENSION GOING, BUT WITH YOUR OWN MONIES!! whiteagle38

AMERICA’S NATIONAL HEALTHCARE EMERGENCY!

It’s official. America and the World are now in a GLOBAL PANDEMIC. A World EPIDEMIC with potential catastrophic consequences for ALL of the American people. The first PANDEMIC in 41 years. And WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES will have to face this PANDEMIC with the 37th worst quality of healthcare in the developed World.

STAND READY AMERICA TO SEIZE CONTROL OF YOUR NATIONAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

We spend over twice as much of our GDP on healthcare as any other country in the World. And Individual American spend about ten times as much out of pocket on healthcare as any other people in the World. All because of GREED! And the PRIVATE FOR PROFIT healthcare system in America.

And while all this is going on, some members of congress seem mostly concern about how to protect the corporate PROFITS! of our GREED DRIVEN, PRIVATE FOR PROFIT NATIONAL DISGRACE. A PRIVATE FOR PROFIT DISGRACE that is in fact, totally valueless to the public health. And a detriment to national security, public safety, and the public health.

Progressive democrats the Tri-Caucus and others should stand firm in their demand for a robust public option for all Americans, with all of the minimum requirements progressive democrats demanded. If congress can not pass a robust public option with at least 51 votes and all robust minimum requirements, congress should immediately move to scrap healthcare reform and request that President Obama declare a state of NATIONAL HEALTHCARE EMERGENCY! Seizing and replacing all PRIVATE FOR PROFIT health insurance plans with the immediate implementation of National Healthcare for all Americans under the provisions of HR676 (A Single-payer National Healthcare Plan For All).

Coverage can begin immediately through our current medicare system. With immediate expansion through recruitment of displaced workers from the canceled private sector insurance industry. Funding can also begin immediately by substitution of payroll deductions for private insurance plans with payroll deductions for the national healthcare plan. This is what the vast majority of the American people want. And this is what all objective experts unanimously agree would be the best, and most cost effective for the American people and our economy.

In Mexico on average people who received medical care for A-H1N1 (Swine Flu) with in 3 days survived. People who did not receive medical care until 7 days or more died. This has been the same results in the US. But 50 million Americans don’t even have any healthcare coverage. And at least 200 million of you with insurance could not get in to see your private insurance plans doctors in 2 or 3 days, even if your life depended on it. WHICH IT DOES!

If President Obama has to declare a NATIONAL STATE OF EMERGENCY to rescue the American people from our healthcare crisis, he will need all the sustained support you can give him. STICK WITH HIM! He’s doing a brilliant job.

THIS IS THE BIG ONE!

THE BATTLE OF GOOD Vs EVIL!

Join the fight.

Contact congress and your representatives NOW! AND SPREAD THE WORD!

God Bless You

Jacksmith – WORKING CLASS

Terry, great point. 750$ is a drop in the bucket compared to the cost of insuring a person for a year. Why would any company keep their health care plan if they can unload it this easily? Maybe that is the real goal of the Administration - a single payer government run system. This idea of a public option "competing" with private insurance also makes little sense. Obama has already indicated that the government would subsidize premiums for the public plan. How could any private plan compete with a public one where the premiums are subsidized? That's not competition. That is a stacked deck.

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Posted by: CommentsToday | July 2, 2009 5:10 PM
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I’m offering no opinion as to how “it should be.” I don’t frankly care to see it become anything. I made my comments to demonstrate that the plan is coming together in self-defeating manner. Run with that any way you want. Just run far.

If they can remove the word "trillion'' from the table, and add the word "universal'' to it, congressional leaders may...

Now, if they can remove the word fee -- read "taxes'' -- from the debate, they may... ~ Mark Silva
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Mark, good piece of work here, today. U are capturing the true essence of the message. The devil is in the details and those details contain socialists that have an insatiable appetite for an ever expansive federal government that will control every aspect of our insignificant existence. The real objective is not health care. democrats don't really care about any one's healthcare. With or without it, u still are going to die at some point, and sooner would be preferred to later, given the nature of limited resources. Only a total fool would believe that these elitists give a damn about you, your health, or in general, your dumb a&&.

Personal Property, Freedom, and Liberty are the real targets under daily assault, as the average Amerikan is absorbed in making the transistion from Amerikan Idol to the latest Michael Jackson sidebar. Good piece of work M.S. Walk away from the koolade and claim your Pulitzer.

AND ANYONE ELSE THAT GETS HEALTH CARE PAID FOR BY THE TAXPAYER! AND WHILE WE ARE AT IT, NO ONE SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO A PENSION PAID FOR BY THE TAXPAYER, PERIOD.

Nice try but all those people you mentioned in your shout-out are taxpayers too and pay into their own pensions. The governments (Fed & state) just manage pensions poorly and "borrow" from them for other spending unrelated to the actual purpose of the fund (think Social Security).

Herbie,

That is the ultimate goal - Socialism You Can Believe In