If ten years ago we put the time and money into universal healthcare instead war in Iraq we the people would be better off both physically and fiscally today.
Obamacare is to healthcare the same as raising the debt ceiling is to fixing the deficit. It keeps the system from failing immediately, but is not a long-term solution. Let me tell you from experience: doctors want out of health care in general, regardless. As health care costs go out of control, only one group of people takes a hit, and that’s the people who are paid to keep you healthy. Insurance company executives and workers all get increased pay, benefits, and vacation. Stockholders get dividends. Doctors and hospitals get more responsibility and less pay. Obamacare did not start that; it’s been going on since the early 80s, and will not stop until insurance companies are not part of health care. Single payer is the only way to go, and it’s only a matter of time until the powers that be will have to move to it, regardless of how much bribery the insurance industry provides.
Fact is, there isn’t a medical system anywhere in the world, America included, which has no incompetence or neglect anywhere in it. But the next fact is, American healthcare has been profoundly broken for years, and tens of millions of people with no insurance meant a stupidly high and utterly preventable level of mortality, as well as a huge cost to the economy.
Just a note for “Ramit-to-ez”, the ACA isn’t three years old, as many of it’s provisions don’t even kick in until next year. HOwever, my dead friends, and all those killed in “Bush’s wars”, have been dead for some time, and won’t be coming back. Those wounded will be costing us at least another TWO TRILLION DOLLARS, and that still doesn’t consider the cost of replacing destroyed equipment, or lives both in the U.S., and Iraq, and of course, Afghanistan.
The ACA will save lives, and cost less than “private” insurance companies want, which is exactly why the canary in that coal mine is being strangled by “conservatives”.
In addition to Lynne’s point about fewer uninsured, I believe that it will be harder for insurance companies to reject on the basis of preexisting conditions. That’s good. There are some other points that are probably good — but the biggest benefit, in my opinion, is simply that the conversation has been changed (I hope) once and for all — the principle is now established (again, I hope) that there should be some form of “universal” coverage — this system isn’t the best, but it can be improved. Before Obama, this principle was not established, now it is. That’s a huge achievement, and Obama deserves a lot of credit for that. A number of presidents before him tried, and failed.
Yes, the ‘Dems" with complete and total support from the Republicans screwed up by getting us (including ME) into Viet Nam. It was NIxon and Kissinger however who really screwed the pooch, and ran that war longer than Johnson did, for profits to their friends. BTW, Viet Nam also had oil, quite a lot of it, and other natural resources, we NEVER went there to “save them from communism”. Which, they’re doing pretty good today, including making our clothing, shoes, and parts for Huey helicopters (that’s an irony!).
Are you still beating that dead horse? Only a few idiots fail to accept the fact there were no WMDs in Iraq by 2003, but I’d expect you would be one of them.
The mail difference between Romneycare and Obamacare is that Romneycare was at the state level, as all forms of government healthcare. I feel that Obamacare is unconstitutional because providing health care to citizens is the state’s job under the 10th amendment.
Odon Premium Member about 11 years ago
If ten years ago we put the time and money into universal healthcare instead war in Iraq we the people would be better off both physically and fiscally today.
Chillbilly about 11 years ago
Yes. Obamacare is going to make my health insurance even more complicated than the private madmen who are running the company now.
Odon Premium Member about 11 years ago
Have I forgotten 9/11? No, I have a vivid memory of it but what does that have to do with Iraq?
dannysixpack about 11 years ago
^oh yes, just what america needs, another endless war. and i know how we should pay for it! GO SHOPPING!
oneoldhat about 11 years ago
do not worry obamacare will save social security and medicare [independent payment advisory board]
frodo1008 about 11 years ago
Why on Earth do you continue to make these incredibly stupid and internet troll like statements????
I Play One On TV about 11 years ago
Obamacare is to healthcare the same as raising the debt ceiling is to fixing the deficit. It keeps the system from failing immediately, but is not a long-term solution. Let me tell you from experience: doctors want out of health care in general, regardless. As health care costs go out of control, only one group of people takes a hit, and that’s the people who are paid to keep you healthy. Insurance company executives and workers all get increased pay, benefits, and vacation. Stockholders get dividends. Doctors and hospitals get more responsibility and less pay. Obamacare did not start that; it’s been going on since the early 80s, and will not stop until insurance companies are not part of health care. Single payer is the only way to go, and it’s only a matter of time until the powers that be will have to move to it, regardless of how much bribery the insurance industry provides.
lbatik about 11 years ago
As opposed to the wonderful care America offers?
Fact is, there isn’t a medical system anywhere in the world, America included, which has no incompetence or neglect anywhere in it. But the next fact is, American healthcare has been profoundly broken for years, and tens of millions of people with no insurance meant a stupidly high and utterly preventable level of mortality, as well as a huge cost to the economy.
lbatik about 11 years ago
Fewer people uninsured, at least.
Dtroutma about 11 years ago
Just a note for “Ramit-to-ez”, the ACA isn’t three years old, as many of it’s provisions don’t even kick in until next year. HOwever, my dead friends, and all those killed in “Bush’s wars”, have been dead for some time, and won’t be coming back. Those wounded will be costing us at least another TWO TRILLION DOLLARS, and that still doesn’t consider the cost of replacing destroyed equipment, or lives both in the U.S., and Iraq, and of course, Afghanistan.
The ACA will save lives, and cost less than “private” insurance companies want, which is exactly why the canary in that coal mine is being strangled by “conservatives”.
lonecat about 11 years ago
In addition to Lynne’s point about fewer uninsured, I believe that it will be harder for insurance companies to reject on the basis of preexisting conditions. That’s good. There are some other points that are probably good — but the biggest benefit, in my opinion, is simply that the conversation has been changed (I hope) once and for all — the principle is now established (again, I hope) that there should be some form of “universal” coverage — this system isn’t the best, but it can be improved. Before Obama, this principle was not established, now it is. That’s a huge achievement, and Obama deserves a lot of credit for that. A number of presidents before him tried, and failed.
Dtroutma about 11 years ago
Yes, the ‘Dems" with complete and total support from the Republicans screwed up by getting us (including ME) into Viet Nam. It was NIxon and Kissinger however who really screwed the pooch, and ran that war longer than Johnson did, for profits to their friends. BTW, Viet Nam also had oil, quite a lot of it, and other natural resources, we NEVER went there to “save them from communism”. Which, they’re doing pretty good today, including making our clothing, shoes, and parts for Huey helicopters (that’s an irony!).
PlainBill about 11 years ago
Are you still beating that dead horse? Only a few idiots fail to accept the fact there were no WMDs in Iraq by 2003, but I’d expect you would be one of them.
oneoldhat about 11 years ago
sorry doc Dr. Anne Doig, President of Canadian Medical Association, relates how the Canadian Health Care System is imploding
lbatik about 11 years ago
Incidentally, yeah, 83% of doctors are not going to quit.
inferno1818 about 11 years ago
The mail difference between Romneycare and Obamacare is that Romneycare was at the state level, as all forms of government healthcare. I feel that Obamacare is unconstitutional because providing health care to citizens is the state’s job under the 10th amendment.