Debunking Health Care Reform Myths In The 11th Hour
by Ron Callari
While this blog was written one day prior to a watered version of the health care reform act moving to its final vote, there are still many in the U.S. who continue to wade through the misconceptions. Far from following the health care models of other countries and after over fifty years of fighting for some form of reform, if you're a 'dummy' like me, you may still not be as knowledgeable as you'd like regarding this revolutionary new legislation. However when dealing with the facts on some of the major issues, I was able to research some of the more topical myths that can be debunked. 
A Government Take-over. Dissimilar to Canada and Britain, the government will not take over hospitals or other privately run health care businesses - and physicians will not become government employees. The U.S. government intends to help those who purchase insurance from private companies, but not pay all the bills like the system in Canada. Medicare and Medicaid will stay in tact, and the government would create health insurance exchanges for those who have to buy insurance on their own. This will be done so that Americans will be able to comparison-shop. 
Employer insuranceEmployers Don't Need To Provide Insurance. Employers will not be required to buy insurance for employees, but larger employers with more than 50 workers may be subject to fines if they don't provide insurance. Congress apparently wants to encourage employers to offer insurance to all their employees, Fines will be issued to larger employers if their employees buy insurance on the exchanges and qualify for a low-income credit. Fines will be based on a sliding scale according to the number of employees, 50 and above. 
Insurance Companies Will Refuse Certain Coverage. By 2014, when the exchanges open, insurers won't be able to deny customers for pre-existing conditions. There will also be minimum services they must cover and they will have to pay out a certain percentage of premiums for patient care. This is not to say that insurance companies won't be able to charge more for those insured that require pre-existing conditions.
Insurance premiums will continue to increase. The bill will prevent health insurance from escalating at the current high double digit percentages. For the four out of five who get insurance through their employers, the savings would land in the 0 to 3 percent range by 2016, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Those who buy insurance on their own and don't qualify for government subsidies would incur a maximum increase of 13% (but the high end would be for policies that offer premium services).
Increase The Deficit. The most recent estimate of the plan, released by the Congressional Budget Office, said that it would spend $940 billion over 10 years. But new taxes, penalties and cost savings would offset that spending, the CBO said. So overall - the plan pays for itself, dropping the deficit by $138 billion over 10 years. Obama has said the plan will save more than $1 trillion in the second 10 years, but that estimate, according to the CBO, is highly speculative. 
Medicaid Will Be Restricted. Medicaid, a joint federal-state program for the poor, will cover all of the poor, instead of just a few groups. Right now, to qualify for Medicaid, a person has to be poor and also disabled, elderly, pregnant or a child. Under the new plan, all poor adults would qualify. 
Abortions Will Be Covered. The government won't pay for elective abortions. But under the Senate plan, people will be able to buy insurance that covers abortion on the insurance exchanges, as long as the insurance company pays for the services with patient premiums, not taxpayer subsidies. Medicaid has an exemption for cases of rape, incest or the life of the mother. 
Creating Death Panels. Numerous media outlets have now debunked right-wing claims that the House health care reform bill would encourage euthanasia of the elderly, including Sarah Palin's claim -- forwarded by the conservative media -- that the bill would create a "death panel" and the related claim -- initiated by Betsy McCaughey -- that the bill would "absolutely require" that seniors on Medicare undergo end-of-life counseling "that will tell them how to end their life sooner." Media Matters for America has identified more than 40 instances of media reporting that these claims are false.
A Universal Health Care Bill. Based on the final bill being watered down, what will become law is neither universal health care nor universal health insurance. According to the Congressional Budget Office:
* Total uninsured in 2019 with no bill: 54 million.
* Total uninsured in 2019 with Senate bill: 24 million.
Will Lead To Socialism. The same was said about Social Security back in the 40s and Medicare in the 60s. But what was proven over the course of the last 60 years, both of these programs were actually responsible for lifting millions of people out of poverty and have lived longer lives as a result.
Need To Start Over. On March 17, MyBarackObama.com issued the following YouTube video, with the message, "if we fail to act on health reform, everything stays the same, right? Wrong. If we turn back now, the health care system we currently have will quickly start to unravel.
I am sure there are many other myths that can be debunked. So I ask the readers to post those that I have not covered in this blog. Whether you are on the right or left of this debate, it is important that we work with the facts versus 'scare tactic' mentality and politically-twisted logic. Health care has proven successful in countries that pay dearly for it - and at greater costs than the watered down U.S. bill that will be passed into law. I just hope that after we are on the other side of the vote, and the dust settles, these debunked myths will fade quickly and we can all deal with the pressing matters of living longer and healthier lives.
Ron Callari
Social Media, Semantic Technology, Digitial Media & Trends Writer
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by Anonymous
Thank you
If only more people brought attention to the TRUE aspects of this bill.
kudos to you
by Anonymous
health care reform
Get a job not a handout. You are a marxist.
by Anonymous
I have read so many
I have read so many negatives about healthcare reform that this is refreshing to read some of the myths debunked with research and honesty. I have felt that all of this propaganda by the republicans is done as there is too much for them, lobbiysts, Dr.'s, and the healthcare industry to lose! Otherwise why would they not want this to pass? We cannot continue to sustain our Health Care at these ever increasing rates that insurance companies are charging. In reality they are the ones that dictate to us the type of care we receive by telling us we have to go to a Dr or Specialist in network otherwise we pay even higher costs. If we are diagnosed with a catastrophic illness insurance companies have the right to increase premiums so exhorbitantly we can't afford them but we can't afford to switch due to pre-existing illnesses. It has been a good experience for me to read that not everyone is bashing our President for trying to do what he feels will be for the good of the American people even if they don't see it.
by Anonymous
Hogwash
The "plan pays for itself". Pure hogwash!
by Anonymous
health care
Thank you so much for a well written synopsis. Please post this on craig list in "rants and raves" and every where else people are spreading wrong information.
by Anonymous
health care reform
I'm tired of paying thousands per year for health insurance (work sponsored) and still having to pay out thousands out of pocket for co-pays, non-covered services, co-insurance, deductibles and $210 monthly for MY part of prescriptions I supposedly have good insurance and make good money working full-time but still have to worry about whether I can afford to go to the doctor since I know I have to pay $35 up front plus whatever the prescriptions cost and if the doctor sends me to another doctor I have to pay that one $35 plus more if the insurance company says Oh you're not on our preferred list so we're only going to cover 1/3 of your charge. That might wind up being over $100 for 1 day of medical care. Then I'll have to deal with the bills sent from the labs that the dr sent my labwork to and the x-ray charges plus the doctor who charged to read the x-ray. Will any of these changes help me or those like me who are doing all they can and still coming out behind? I owe everybody and their brother right now when I was off work almost a month for an illness they weren't sure what the cause was. So my pcp sent me to have xrays and scans, then to other doctors with other specialties who also ordered tests which were inconclusive until I finally got better on my own (not well but enough to start working again) I wound up one week having 5 doctor visits to different doctors ($175 BEFORE insurance) When they finally figure out what was wrong I spent another month and 1/2 off work for surgery and now am out of time off work, out of paid time off, and on short-term disability which won't cover the bills I must pay much less the bills I now have from all the health care I have needed for my condition. I have several threatening lawsuits for past due bills; I said go ahead--I own very little to get since the bank and I own my car, I rent a studio apartment that is furnished. My books and clothing if sold would fetch very little money, so there is nothing for them to get. Everything I had worth anything was already sold to try to pay bills...
by Anonymous
Med student
Hate to say this, but your information is incorrect.
by Anonymous
Yet another attempt
at convolution, what the heck is everyone so numb that you cant figure it out for yourself. The boomer's are retiring, they want a free ride when it comes to health care. It has been about them since the 60's and you folks just don't get it.
Look weather this passes or not some facts need to be clear. Facts like this writer has only scratched the surface like most who are trying to inform themselves. If you are so naive to think you can rely on someone else for the true stipulations in the bill then...........
Bottom line is it is not constitutional to force people to buy something, ANYTHING.
by Anonymous
Re: Med student
Why don't you tell us which aspect of the information is incorrect?
by Anonymous
hogwash
Now, that was a well thought out response.
by Anonymous
Everyone who has posted up
Everyone who has posted up something critical about this article:
Explain why. Don't just say "You are wrong." Explain WHY this article is wrong. Otherwise, you just look ignorant, no offense.
by Anonymous
Which part of ...
an increasing number of jobs do not offer insurance plans anymore, do you not understand. I bet you call yourself a Christian, too.
by Anonymous
Not constitutional to force purchase
Automobile drivers are required to carry insurance. Do you want to drive on a street full of uninsured motorists?
by Anonymous
The writer needs no explaining.
You all need to know the facts for yourself. Read the bill and your constitution then tell us were "we the people" can force insurance on others poor or wealthy.
by Anonymous
Really too much?
940 billion over ten years for healthcare reform seems expensive but we spent over 700 billion this year on our defense department. Maybe we should only spend 600 billion on defense and then we can pay for healthcare.
by Anonymous
State laws and insurance.
Not our employees at the federal government. Please make the difference between laws and amendments thanks.
by Anonymous
Healthcare Reform or communist take over
Are you on the democratic payroll?
by Anonymous
Are you serious?
This is about a constitutional ammendment not the thousands that drive around you every day un-insured. Reguardless of the "states laws" that are in place.
by Anonymous
Constitutional Amendment? Really?
No, it's not about a Constitutional Amendment. Clearly, you have no idea how the Constitution actually gets amended if you make a statement like that.
by Anonymous
This is a layman's persuasion...
It is easy to say one way or the other...but the devil's in the details.
A government take over - thi bill may not directly lead to a government take over, but the process ensures that the government has total authority over its citizens.
Employers don't need to provide insurance - From my understanding, this is correct since the fine that many companies will face is smaller than the cost of ensuring their employers. The author cannot just make this claim (and many others) without inserting a little more fact checking.
Insurance premiums will continue to rise - they will continue to rise unless something is done. My insurance has not risen substantially since last year...so they are not rising everywhere by double digits. Of course the author even admitted that some will for certain experience a 13% increase.
Increase the deficit - This one is hard to figure. We already know that Medicare and Social security are in trouble and we will have to raise the deficit to pay for them. So it is kind of strange that you are denying historical facts. The only way not to raise the deficit is to decrease the quality of care...but the author dosen't mention that one.
Abotions will be covered - of course they will be! The good news is that they don't look to be covered more than they are today. So abortion coverage will not increase nor will it decrease. All in all...abortions will be covered.
Universal health care - Most people will have coverage at the expense of others. I'm not saying that is good or bad...but it is what it is. It is universal health care.
Will lead to socialism - This bill alone does not ensure socialism. Mandating that others buy something because they are citizens does not promote freedom and shackles the citizens and makes them more dependent on the government.
Overall, the author gives a sorry analysis of the myths and does a lousy job of disproving the myths. This analysis makes me think that the author is parisan and lazy.
by Anonymous
did you even read the bill?
did you even read the bill? BECAUSE YOU ARE WRONG ON 90% OF WHAT YOU WROTE
by Anonymous
Health Care
What are the provisions for the illegal aliens or the undocumented aliens?
dodger
dodger7215@verison.net
by always amazed
Let's be Honest
Healthcare for Dummies is the right name for what's going on in this
12th hour.
Ron sees it the way he wants to, gotta be a liberal koolaid drinker. That's okay, both extremes have their sheeple.
An honest administration and legislative branch, wanting real health care reform, would first undo all the giveaways to big PHARMA and others, already included in laws previously passed by REP AND DEM congressional vote-buyers, and then tackle the waste and fraud in the daily Medicare/Medicaid operations.
Sick the IRStapo on those cheats, not on the people, the victims who will be paying for this continuing DC scam for generations to come.!
by Anonymous
Vindictiveness and hatred in contemporary American politics
I continue to be amazed at the vindictiveness and hatred displayed by most spokespersons of the far right and some of the far left in America. There was some good advice given by a little known 18th century German political writer, Ludwig Boerne (1786-1837): "If you must hate, if hatred is the leaven of your life, which alone can give flavor, then hate what should be hated: falsehood, violence, selfishness."
It would be good, if all these folks who find simple slogans and misrepresentations satisfactory for action, to remember another writing from Boerne: "The difference between LIBERTY and liberties is as great as betwen GOD and gods."
Twentieth century Germany should have, and Twenty-first century America OUGHT to be especially sensitive to what Boerne forsaw and warned against. I've always said that if American ever surrendered to its dark side, the Nazis would be made to appear as amateurs. Better, I think, we should try harder to hear those "angels of our better nature" so beautifully and properly appealed to by Abraham Lincoln.
For myself, I join another historical figure, William Blake (1757-1827), English poet and artist, in asserting that --
"I care not whether Man is Good or Evil; all that I care is whether he is a Wise Man or a Fool. Go, put off Holiness and put on Intellect. . .
In some hope,
The Old History Professor
by Anonymous
the government cant fix this.
We need to find way to make healthcare more affordable, but almost every program run by the government is either bankrupt, incompetently run or provides minimum quality service to the people (UPS, SS, Medicare). What in the world make anyone think that the same politicians who have been solely responsible for running the all these (failing) government programs of the past could possibly create a whole new, all encompassing program that will be any better designed? Past behavior is the best indicator of future performance…and the back office deals are still being made…and we will suffer for it.
by Anonymous
America is better as a Communist Country
America is better as a Communist country.
This health care bill is a step in the right direction to bring about workers rights.
Most peole who don't want health care are right-wing nut jobs.
SEIU, The Working Famlies Party, The Democratic Party, The United Nations and the Communist Party USA all support a better America through health care for all.
Bring about change by uniting workers. Free America from capitalist control. Take back America from the banks, insurance, oil and manufacturing capitalists.
DESTROY THE CAPITALISTS - VOTE FOR HEALTH CARE
by Anonymous
The writer needs some facts -- of US constitutional law
Having read both the bill and the constitution (the later for 40 years) and the body of supreme court decisions that define and clarify the constitution for us, I suggest that "the writer" go look at the dozen or so definitive SC opinions that have, over the past couple of centuries, interpreted the commerce clause, the necessary and proper clause, and a few others to support the delegated powers of the federal congress to pass legislation which compels the citizens of the states to comply with such legislation as may be "necessary and proper" in the opinion of the elected representatives of the people (read that last phrase carefully) to insure the health and welfare of those citizens.
Moreover, "the writer" might also want to look at the opinions of the court which held that "nullification" of federal laws by state legislatures was not, with certain specific exceptions, constitutionally permissable. Any state wanting to push the matter to the limit might also want to consider the reaction of Abraham Lincoln, the outcome of the civil war, and the subsequent court opinions which hold the 10th amendment (suddenly discovered by the political right today) to be nothing other than a restatement of the principle of the delegated and reserved powers language of the constitution, and that it held no such states' rights interpretation as many Republican state legislators are asserting by passing state laws attempting, in anticipation of its passage, to nulify the health care reform legislation. It is, indeed, unconstitutional -- the actions of the reactionaries of the state legislatures, not the federal health care reform legislation.
The Old History Professor
by Anonymous
Wrong
This is the most inaccurate blog to date. Medicare will be going broke soon. The cut in Medicare payments will have the majority of medical people to stop taking medicare patients. You can't control what medical people do or will that be next a medical system controlled by the young Marxist.
We are really in trouble in the once great Republic. VA failed. AMTRAK failed. USPS failed. BIA failed. Socializing banks, autos and now health care and $trillions in debt. There is no way any government program can pay for itself or break even. Let me know of one.
LK
by Anonymous
This is ludicrous!
JAMA published a survey this week that up to 46% of physicians currently practicing would leave medicine if this passes. The so-called "doc fix" has been stripped out of the bill due to cost. Yesterday Pelosi said that doc fix would be addressed seperately after this bill is passed. Guess what? The "savings" will be wiped out by the additional $300,000,000,000.00 cost of doc fix. This is all smoke and mirrors!
by Anonymous
poorly written
Not a very accurate synopsis of anything here, the anonymous guy did a fairly good job breaking down a lot of the flaws. The biggest flaw I noticed was he said it was going to pay for itself. When ever has the proposed amount ever turned out even being remotely close to what it turns out to be. Most Americans still believe the bailout was only 700 billion still. and its already above 23 trillion. This bill also has provisions to garnish peoples wages and take their tax returns if they do not get insurance. It also makes you buy something from a private corporation.
by Anonymous
govt hasnt fixed anything
I'd be curious to hear from someone who thinks this is a good thing put down a list of what the govt has accomplished in our lifetime. IMO the govt is completely unsuccessful in everything its done since WWII. Its a corrupt bunch, and that list wont be hard to produce.
by Anonymous
driving without insurance
we already do, a lot of people on the street that don't have insurance
mostly illegals, that also can't read
by Anonymous
This bill turns me into a criminal
The myth-busting of this article is BS in its purest form. As for me, I am resigned to deliberately violate the law for the first time in my life because I will refuse to follow government mandates that order me to buy something and I will also refuse to pay any imposed fines for refusing to follow such a mandate. "Give me liberty or give me death."
by Anonymous
You mean I don't have to ay
You mean I don't have to ay income tax?
by Anonymous
Health Care Reality
While much of the legislation is righteously intented, it has so many unintended consequences.
For one, it doesnt tackle the true costs. The truth in American Healthcare is that Costs are fixed by the government, mandating prices on Medicare and Medicaid. And then stipulate that you cant offer a price within a percentage of the fixed price. IE, the market doesnt generate costs, the govt does.
Also, Costs are not transparent. You cant compare costs by insuranace company or doctor. You wont know what the costs are until you get the bill. Doctors submit to insurance companies by codes, and insurance companies price by these codes. Doctors know the reimbursement rates, but you dont.
Here's how it works: Insurance companies need doctors in their networks. To get them, they offer 'acceptable' reimbursements. This means that if doctors dont agree to the the reimbursements, they dont accept that insurance. Without the doctors network, they cant get the best plan to offer to employers. If they dont get enough employers, they cant collect enough premiums (with which to reimburse doctors at the highly demanded rate). Costs are driven up by the fact that insurance companies need high volume of employers in their plans and high volumes of doctors accepting. And for this to happen, they have to provide high reimbursements.
If you could price comparison shop for doctors, the leverage comes back to consumers. It forces the costs to be market driven, not fixed, and then raised by doctors.
Real reform must break the binds between doctors and insurance. Insurance also needs to be portable - so you can take it from one employer to another. The cost of a service should be the cost of a service, and the reimbursement should be based on that cost - not a behind the scenes negotiation you are not a part of.
Proce transparency will drive costs down and allow more people to afford insurance.
by Anonymous
America is better as a Marxist State to save the environment
Government Health Care will help us to stop global warming.
Once heath care is passed we can then use our mandate to pass Cap & Trade and save the earth from global warming.
The Capitalist will try and stop Cap & Trade and Health Care!
Workers of the world unite, help destroy the America Capitalist System bring about global equality. Support your leader Obama and follow the path to true equality for ALL!
by Anonymous
illegals
If 30,000,000 illegal alliens receive amnisty will they be covered? If so do you think my costs will rise? If pre-existing conditions are alowed does that control the rise of health care costs? I'm on board with the pre-existing conditons. I think thats a wrong we can right. However I don't want illegal alliens to receive amnisty because they are illegal. If you want to control the cost of health care tackle tort reform, tackle illegal imigration, and allow health insurace companies to compete accross state lines. I believe this bill will hit me in the wallet on my taxes and on my health insurance. Besides after Obama is gone whos to say they won't tax the middle class. This whole bill leads down a road I don't want to go. Everytime I look at my pay check I wonder if I'm going to see my social security (Currently paying more than it takes in). Medicare is broken...hmmm medicaid is broken.....California is broke (liberal state) Illinoise is broke (Liberal State) Hawaii is broke (Liberal State) Massachusetts is broke (Liberal State) and it has a form of health care that is similar to what is about to be pushed onto all of America. Statistically speaking the government doesn't have a good track record of telling you the truth about cost analysis. 940 billion in my mind is 2 times more and the savings is a lie. A bold face lie. I hope I'm wrong but I know I'm not. Social Security has been misappropriated for years and in my mind that is stealing. Isn't theft against the law? I am frustrated that republicans didn't do something about it before. I agree that they have been the party of no for so long however I'll take "no" over this proposal.
by Anonymous
constitutionality
The necessary and proper clause is not a blank check for federal authority to pass any law that "compels" citizens to do anything Congress wants to them to do, no matter how well-intentioned. I know of no federal statute that compels citizens to purchase a product, either from the government or a private corporation. States that require auto insurance also permit citizens to substitute cash liability -- the laws are in fact liability statutes, not compulsory insurance statutes -- but even if they were, the states have the power to pass such laws, while it is not clear that the federal government does. Lincoln justified emancipation and the repression of civil liberties under his war powers during a civil war. No such extremity exists right now, and no analogue of war is reasonable or justifiable to pass this health care bill. And I haven't seen an precedent cited for the use of the interstate commerce clause to compel people to buy a product they do not want. The feds can find ingenious ways to make people do things, but the mandates in this bill are highly questionable under the constitution.
Another not-so-old history professor
by Anonymous
good Democrat talking points cut and paste
Alright, so you're good at cutting and pasting from a self-absorbed congressmen's e-mail. Unfortunately, you're wrong on many levels. First, this bill is not a reform. It does nothing to curb the cost of health care. Realistically, it will increase the cost of health care. You want to know why, because this system will put more people with health insurance in the system. The story that was pushed was that if people had access to someone else paying their medical bills i.e. health care reform, that they'll have access to more primary (sold as preventative) care services. However, studies have shown that would actually cost more money. So, they stopped making that argument. The next argument and the one being pushed is equally fallacious. It's that people are denied health care and, therefore, they die. That's another fallacy, as was proven by the Cleveland Clinic last week when BHO trotted out the lady who claimed she couldn't get her cancer treatment because she lost her health insurance. The Cleveland Clinic called BS on that. They pointed to around 10 different resources that would help her pay her bills. The reality is people in this country have become a bunch of whiny, self-centered leaches expecting everyone else to pay their way.
Alright back to the fallacies of these talking points. CBO scores are based on assumptions presented by the Democrats in support of the bill. One of those assumptions is that there can be $500,000,000,000 in savings from Medicare. First, that's a load a crap. Second, if $500B could be saved from Medicare, why haven't they done it, yet, rather than Medicare being on the brink of insolvency just like Social Security. While I'm on the topic of Social Security, I contribute the maximum to SS and Medicare, both of which will be insolvent by the time I retire, so the government will have soaked me $8k per year to redistribute it to others. So, in essence they've taken from me to give to others. Sounds pretty damn socialistic if you ask me.
This will lead to a government takeover. Here's why. It will be a fine to not carry health insurance, but the fine will be much less than premiums would be. So, here's what a lot of slugs will do. They'll pay the fine, not carry insurance, and, then when they get sick, go buy a policy because they cannot be denied because they cannot deny coverage for someone with a pre-existing condition. The insurance carriers will then be on the hook because they're not permitted to deny someone because of a pre-existing condition. Now, the insurance carrier will have to pay out costs that have not been factored by an actuary. Leading to the private market drying up and next thing you know, we've got the single payer system that those in Britain and Canada hate but people who want to control others enjoy.
Death panels-They might not be called "death panels" but the practical effect of the end of life provisions will be death panels. When they're deciding whether to provide chemotherapy or some other type of expensive therapy and decide it's too expensive based on the person's health or age, that's a panel deciding life and death aka death panels.
by Anonymous
what are the doctors saying?
I guesss I care what the Dr's think. If this reform creates disgruntled Dr's or chases them into other professions, then we're all hosed. It will be the long term repurcussions, not the short term ones, that concern me. Hopefully America gets mad and votes in some common sense if this program fails.
FLEMINGTON, N.J., March 19 /PRNewswire/ -- A new media study among 900 physicians revealed that the majority of physicians (71%) reported that they are not in favor of the Obama administration's plans for health care reform.
by Anonymous
Comparing Auto Insurance Requirements to Health
It is not valid to use the requirement for Auto Insurance as basis to justify requiring everyone to buy health insurance.
First of all, auto insurance is not required unless you own a car and operate it on a public road. Owning a car is an elective activity and the insurance is tied to the car, not every operator who might drive it. If a licensed driver operates your car with or without your permission and gets into an accident and has no car insurance of his/her own, your policy covers them under the uninsured motorist rider.
Secondly, the only auto insurance your County or State (not Federal) government requires you to purchase for your car is liability which insures that the property and/or health/life of others will be covered. If you choose to finance a car (vs purchasing one for cash outright), the lender will require you to carry more coverage to protect their interest. This is not a requirement from the federal government.
Again, for emphasis, the requirement is for the protection of others, not yourself.
by Anonymous
America is run by Capitalists - America stole from Mexico
All Mexicans have a right to America as you took our land. We should get Health Care and education. This all will come to pass as America is being put in its place. America MUST pay for every person who is here as a LAW.
America will pay for it's crimes. WE WANT FREE HEATH CARE, EDUCATION, HOUSING AND MONEY FOR STEALING FROM MEXICO.
I voted for Obama for my people to get their rights. We have rights and we will get what is due to us!
My vote counts more than some rich guy because I'm a worker not a RICH PIG.
by Anonymous
It might be, it couldbe, it
It might be, it couldbe, it is a home run well done.
by Anonymous
Health Care is a Human Right even for Illegal Aliens are people
Any person should get free heath care. Why should only American's get it?
If you are in America you should get everything. With so many rich people why do we have to pay for their big houses and fur coats.
People should read Marx and Lenin to learn about equal rights
by Anonymous
laymen
And thats to say that they don't already. Where have you been?
by Anonymous
Sunday 3/20/2010 - WE TAKE OVER AMERICA
Workers of the world will once again take their right place in history.
America has become rich and fat on the back of the working class.
Now we can take control and bring about a better world.
Once we have our victory tomorrow in health care we must now move on to save the environment through stopping global warming.
by Anonymous
Tax the RICH and save America
The RICH are evil. It's time they pay their fair share. Health Care for should be paid for by those who live in big houses.
We'll see who wins! The FAT Americans or those who have rights as WORKERS!
Obama will change America so can be united and destroy the upper class that feeds off our labor.
by Anonymous
Debunking the Debunker
Increase The Deficit.
There are two side to every story. since this author is unable to think beyond the talking points, let me make a counter argument to his Utopian claim.
First of all, can anyone point to any social program that has not gone over budget or has not been mismanaged?
Social Security
Medicare
Military spending
Government
Post Office
Schools
Prisons
At this very moment some states are in financial trouble because they were as optimistic as this author when they enacted unsustainable legislation (California).
The way I approach the CBO numbers is by asking, can I trust these politicians? I know the people that work for the CBO are not politicians, but they can only calculate scenarios that politicians gave them. All the CBO numbers are good for, is to estimate what would happen in an ideal world. Reality is far from ideal. Look at Social Security, it has been constantly raided by politicians.
If we were living in Utopia the government might spend $940 billion less out of a $9 trillion projected deficit. Forgive me if am not to impress.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE57K4XE20090821
The author gleefully points to the CBO numbers to make his/her point, but fail to mention that the citizens of the US are going to be paying more for healthcare with all the new taxes and mandates. We are going to spread the wealth around. This might reduce cost for some, but some will have to pay into the system even if they don't want too.
So we have a plan that might save money, not by making health care cheaper, but by taxing and mandating. History tells us that it wont save us money.
More people would have been able to get health insurance if the cost of having insurance goes down. Instead of trying to fix health care, we are just postponing the inevitable. Some future politician will have to make the hard choices that we need to fix the deficit. This bill only adds to the problem.
All these government programs are unsustainable at this point, hopping that this would workout ten years from now on an estimate is been really, really optimistic.
This bill has noting to do with the deficit, it has everything to do with ideology. Some people think that everyone should have health insurance, so they support the bill. Others think that the government should not be in the health insurance business, so they oppose the bill. If some of the gimmicks in the bill are not enacted years from now, all the promises made today will mean noting.
by Anonymous
Massachusetts health care
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOMHbri292c&feature=related
by Anonymous
re:
who will pay for your medical bills if you get sick or injured and end up in the emergency room. Unless of course you are going to stand by your principle and refuse also taxpayers to pick up the tab
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