Health Care Bill will pass, despite OBSTRUCTION ! — Page 2

There is virtually no truth in Roxy's post. I can't tell if it's deliberate lying, or just the result of listening to bad information.

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Jane, the bill is available for you to read.

http://democrats.senate.gov/reform/patient-protection-affordable-care-act.pdf

All of this is public knowledge. No one is trying to hide anything on us. It is a very complicated issue-- one that can not be explained by the pundits. And of course politicians on both sides of the aisles are going to tell they want you to hear.
Also, check out the Congressional Budget Office's report.

Wendilin, I read for about 5 minutes, as I'm in the kitchen running back and forth trying to cook. But what I see looks too good to be true. for instance, if most of the goals promised are actually reached, then i don't see how quality of coverage can possibly be ensured, as is promised. If something is too good to be true, then it probably is. So far what I've read sounds like a bonanza for everyone.

However, you can't have it all without sacrificing quality and probably other things too. We'll see.

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Seems logical but: Can you imagine the doc who trusts another doc's tests, and misses something because of it? Or a whole diagnosis based on someone else's (erroneous) test results? Or a doc not being able to follow a hunch because someone else started on another course? Unless some tort reform happens so docs don't feel they need serious CYA, it's not gonna happen.

And how are we the voters to let our representatives know our opinion if we ourselves don't have the time to read the bill? The bill was crammed through; no one had adequate time to comprehend the whole thing. That in itself is a huge sticking point for many.

Perhaps this bill comes closer to affecting our lives (and deaths) than any other.

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bethnor, absolutely. I doubt anyone reads every bill except maybe paid lobbyists. But I at least expect (albeit idealistically) my legislator to be able, by reading the bills, to vote knowledgeably on a topic, particularly one with broadsweeping ramifications such as this one. IRS in charge of due dilligence? Chills my blood.

kelzama, you raise a fair point. I think there has to be some reform in the area of defensive medicine. Generally, I think I am OK at setting some reasonable standards at what does, and does not have to be done, and trying to limit liability and extra tests and expenses that way.

My Dr. is part of a large network, and they all do share the same test results, and can see the medical information. That only works because it is part of a huge network.

But, Dr. who are truly negligent and fail to meet reasonable standards of care should still be held responsible for their mistakes. It is a balancing act, and at some point, but we need to find a way to do so. Too much CYA is part of the problem in the system.

Here are ten (Nine) benefits which come online within six months of the President's signature on the health care bill:

1.Adult children may remain as dependents on their parents’ policy until their 27th birthday
2.Children under age 19 may not be excluded for pre-existing conditions
3.No more lifetime or annual caps on coverage
4.Free preventative care for all
5.Adults with pre-existing conditions may buy into a national high-risk pool until the exchanges come online. While these will not be cheap, they’re still better than total exclusion and get some benefit from a wider pool of insureds.
6.Small businesses will be entitled to a tax credit for 2009 and 2010, which could be as much as 50% of what they pay for employees’ health insurance.
7.The “donut hole” closes for Medicare patients, making prescription medications more affordable for seniors.
8.Requirement that all insurers must post their balance sheets on the Internet and fully disclose administrative costs, executive compensation packages, and benefit payments.
9.Authorizes early funding of community health centers in all 50 states (Bernie Sanders’ amendment). Community health centers provide primary, dental and vision services to people in the community, based on a sliding scale for payment according to ability to pay.

Link

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Updated On: 3/21/10 at 09:18 PM

I have to admit--as a teacher I have great insurance. But while in grad school (and still on my parents insurance) I was hospitalized for 5 days. it was over $40,000. It was a pain getting insurance to cover any of it, and our final bill was still over $1000. As a grad student, there was no way I could have afforded that.... I'd still have problems writing a check for a grand....
There is no doubt that the system needs to be reformed. I think that this is a good first of many, many steps.

Hopefully, Nancy Pelosi will now be able to afford Poli-Grip.

i honestly don't understand the use of the buzzward "socialism," while in the same breath, many of these people call for control of healh care costs.

i mean, if a pharmaceutical company has a product that americans want, and americans are willing to pay whatever to have it... excuse me, but that's the very beating heart of capitalism and a free market, and to attempt to regulate that in any way would be an assault on those principals.

so i guess i don't get how universal coverage is any less "socialist" than regulating rising costs of health care.

Namo's doctor died, rather than participate!