Senate Republicans' Version of a Christmas Carol

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

You actually believe that?

They're not even in the chamber while the thing is being read to them. They're obstructing. And it's futile.

Just think, your family will be so much better off. To win now is far better than the result? Right?

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

SledgeHAMMER!

Edited December 20, 2009 by ={Rogue}=

[natty bumppo 297]

You actually believe that?

They're not even in the chamber while the thing is being read to them. They're obstructing. And it's futile.

point made ... even those who vote for it don't read the thing .... and they sure aren't working either ....

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

point made ... even those who vote for it don't read the thing .... and they sure aren't working either ....

Bumpy, it dont matter whats in the bill! Its the victory that counts. They will worry about the reality later.

Edited December 20, 2009 by ={Rogue}=

[SMR 368]

To be perfectly honest, I have somewhat lost track of what the current health care bill that is passing is going to be doing besides giving Pork to the centrist Democrats who held out.

I try to follow these things, but I would really appreciate if someone would make a concise, understandable summary of what this bill is supposed to do. There has been a lot of talk of all the things that have been taken out, but as far as I can tell, it's still over 2000 pages long, and I don't really know what it does.

In general, there are three basic goals to health care reform in my opinion.

1. Extend health care to those who don't have financial access to it. (I don't necessarily agree with this goal, but I understand it)

2. Reduce/contain health care cost.

3. Increase quality and availability of health care (this is distinct from point 1 since I am talking about increasing the number of doctors, etc., not about increasing financing for those who don't have healthcare.)

How does the current healthcare bill do these three things?

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

To be perfectly honest, I have somewhat lost track of what the current health care bill that is passing is going to be doing besides giving Pork to the centrist Democrats who held out.

I try to follow these things, but I would really appreciate if someone would make a concise, understandable summary of what this bill is supposed to do. There has been a lot of talk of all the things that have been taken out, but as far as I can tell, it's still over 2000 pages long, and I don't really know what it does.

In general, there are three basic goals to health care reform in my opinion.

1. Extend health care to those who don't have financial access to it. (I don't necessarily agree with this goal, but I understand it)

2. Reduce/contain health care cost.

3. Increase quality and availability of health care (this is distinct from point 1 since I am talking about increasing the number of doctors, etc., not about increasing financing for those who don't have healthcare.)

How does the current healthcare bill do these three things?

It aint a healthcare bill its a a take over of you freedoms!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

It aint a healthcare bill its a a take over of you freedoms!

What freedoms, precisely? The freedom to be robbed blind by the medical/insurance industry? The freedom to pay for perceived security that has a good chance of not materializing when you actually need it? The freedom of having your employment options limited by health care insurance benefit considerations? The freedom to lose your health care insurance when you lose your job (there's just nothing quite like that double whammy)?

So tell me, which freedoms is this bill taking away?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

What freedoms, precisely? The freedom to be robbed blind by the medical/insurance industry? The freedom to pay for perceived security that has a good chance of not materializing when you actually need it? The freedom of having your employment options limited by health care insurance benefit considerations? The freedom to lose your health care insurance when you lose your job (there's just nothing quite like that double whammy)?

So tell me, which freedoms is this bill taking away?

Don't expect a reply anytime soon. He's still recovering from last night.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

What freedoms, precisely? The freedom to be robbed blind by the medical/insurance industry? The freedom to pay for perceived security that has a good chance of not materializing when you actually need it? The freedom of having your employment options limited by health care insurance benefit considerations? The freedom to lose your health care insurance when you lose your job (there's just nothing quite like that double whammy)?

So tell me, which freedoms is this bill taking away?

The freedom to choose! So you dont mind if the government robs you? This bill is so vague not one person can say what it will or wont cover. It was written that way for a reason so that it can be interpreted anyway they choose to allow or disallow what and what will not be covered.

Why are you willing to give your tax dollars to the government for four years and HOPE your gonna get what you HOPED for? What that saying about a fool and his money?

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Don't expect a reply anytime soon. He's still recovering from last night.

Your keyboard must be awful sticky? Or do you wear a bib?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The freedom to choose!

Choose what? Don't sit there pretending that people have actual choices beyond either enrolling in employer sponsored coverage or decline that coverage. Far too many don't even have that choice.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Choose what? Don't sit there pretending that people have actual choices beyond either enrolling in employer sponsored coverage or decline that coverage. Far too many don't even have that choice.

Alot of ppl choose not to have HC! They will be forced into buying it and wont recieve shite for four years! How do you like that choice.

Im not gonna get in a back and forth with ya but believe me you better be careful for what your wishing for. Cuz what you have in your head on what this plan does is incorrect!

Think about it for just a second, Why does it take 1200 pages to provide HC? I just hope you or your family doesnt get really sick.

Only a beggar accepts whatever is handed to them!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Alot of ppl choose not to have HC!

Yes, and I end up paying for their care when the unexpected sickness hits. ** the free riders.

[scandal 951]

To be perfectly honest, I have somewhat lost track of what the current health care bill that is passing is going to be doing besides giving Pork to the centrist Democrats who held out.

I try to follow these things, but I would really appreciate if someone would make a concise, understandable summary of what this bill is supposed to do. There has been a lot of talk of all the things that have been taken out, but as far as I can tell, it's still over 2000 pages long, and I don't really know what it does.

In general, there are three basic goals to health care reform in my opinion.

1. Extend health care to those who don't have financial access to it. (I don't necessarily agree with this goal, but I understand it)

2. Reduce/contain health care cost.

3. Increase quality and availability of health care (this is distinct from point 1 since I am talking about increasing the number of doctors, etc., not about increasing financing for those who don't have healthcare.)

How does the current healthcare bill do these three things?

I don't think anyone actually offered a serious response to this post. Marc's predictable response of "they're all out to getcha!" does not count, obviously.

I haven't read the legislation either, obviously - I know only what's in the papers and covered by the Sunday talk shows.

"Face the Nation" this morning had Olympia Snowe (R ), Lamar Alexander (R ), Mary Landrieu (D ) and Sherrod Brown (D ) discussing the bill.

Yes, there is still controversy surrounding its contents, how it will be paid for, and the accelerated passage prior to Christmas.

However, what I take away as the main provisions of the bill are the 1. and 2. points you mention above (extending coverage to most of those who currently don't have it and cost containment), as well as:

4. Eliminating the pre-existing condition exclusions used by the insurance industry today - you will not be denied based on pre-existing conditions

5. Capping the profits of insurance providers, thereby insuring that more of the premium dollars are spent on healthcare and not on administrative overhead or corporate profits.

I don't believe your point 3. above is a primary goal of the bill. Most observers would say that the quality of care in the US system is generally good - it's the access and cost that are at issue.

The bill is obviously a compromise that does not satisfy anyone completely, but it does seem to be a substantial improvement over the unsustainable situation at present.