But then you look at how many millions Senators like Orrin Hatch have received from the insurance companies, and you realize that they’re going to do their best to kill any chance we have for universal coverage.
“Hatch has received nearly $1.3 million from the employees and political action committees of drug and health products companies since 1989, making the industry his largest contributor, according to data compiled by the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics.”
Universal health care would be the best thing for this country since Medicare. The insurance companies that get fat at the citizen’s expense have to have limits and regulations set.
Then, there’s the Gov’t health coverage that the Congress and family enjoy…we never seem to hear about that; and I’ll bet they will never give that up…fringe benefits that allow them to talk out both blow holes
“Common welfare” in the Constitution was never meant to mean government re allotment of wealth. It doesn’t mean give everyone food, housing or health care. Thomas Jefferson would be turning over in his grave. You want a Big Brother? Emigrate eastward
“For other purposes” allows some of the most bizarre amendments and riders to be tacked onto something that, especially, is a must pass, like military appropriations.
How ‘bout a One Subject At a Time Act? And a Read The Bills Act?
Back to health; Single Payer. Sure, that’s covered. So’s that. The savings would allow business, big and small, to get back to what they do best, and pay for it.
I would LOVE to see a “One Subject At A Time Act”.
I hate the way completely unrelated riders get enacted this way, because they’re almost always ones that (1) the author knows bleeep well wouldn’t otherwise have a chance, and (2) benefit only a few of the author’s contributors, or advance his social agenda.
But due to the flaws inherent in our system, I doubt this will ever be stopped.
People in the United States might be wise to keep their eye on the ball - the facts in the matter are that nearly one sixth of the US population is uninsured, that the US spends a greater proportion of its GDI on «health care» than any other OECD country, while enjoying a lower life expectancy and a higher neo-natal mortality. The prescription is, for any physician with eyes to see, obvious : a change in the manner in which health care is administered and financed in the United States to a single payer system. But just as it seems impossible to put an end to the imperial wars which are bankrupting the country, it seems impossible to implement an effective health care system. Why ? In both cases, because the changes required are in the interests of ordinary people, while today’s systems serve the interests of the rich. In a plutocracy, it is the interests of the latter which prevail….
The “other purposes” referred to in the opening statement is where your average American will get ripped off. That is always how it happens.
The writers and editors of these bills do not want our congressmen or the average citizen to read them. That is why they inflate them to an ungodly length. Its objective is to decieve and slip things under the table. The strategy is working well for our elected officials at the expense of We The People. Wake up and smell the garbage that they dumped in your own front yard!
H.R. 3200 will not address the things that are increasing our healthcare costs by leaps and bounds. Instead they will simply transfer the costs to the taxpayer. Bottom line: you’re still paying for the same corrupt and overinflated system except you’re paying for it at tax time rather than at the window in the doctor’s office.
Our healthcare costs are kept artifically high because of excessive malpractice lawsuits and relentless lobbying by insurance, drug companies, hospitals, and the American Medical Association.
We need tort and lobbying reform in healthcare first thing. Sadly, don’t count on it. The Trial Lawyers of America are the biggest contributors to the Democratic Party and will not hesitate to yank the money away if tort reform passes because it cuts into the lawyers’ cash cows. Then there are the insurance and drug companies, the hospitals, and the American Medical Association that are paying people off on both sides of the aisle.
Our government does not have the solution to our healthcare problems because too many of them are in bed with the very people who are destroying our system.
Wake up people! We are foolish to think that those who broke this system and made a lot of money doing so will fix it! We are truly out of our minds to trust these people!
The only way we could get a really good health care bill is if (1) we were a dictatorship, and (2) we had a benevolent, wise and intelligent dictator.
But under our compromise-based system, most bills like this will try to please everyone, and end up pleasing no one. It’s the Harrison Bergeron effect.
“Wake up people! We are foolish to think that those who broke this system and made a lot of money doing so will fix it! We are truly out of our minds to trust these people!”
Ironically, this applies even better to the party currently in the minority. I always found it strange to have people put in government when their favourite saying is that the government is a problem, not a solution. What if they decide to show everyone how right they are?
MaryWorth Premium Member almost 15 years ago
It ain’t Congress… it’s the AMA and the insurance companies in DRAG!
cjr53 almost 15 years ago
I’ve voted in every election over the past 38 years. I don’t recall being asked about healthcare.
I would have voted in favor of every American having coverage.
Right now, too many are using the “Emergency Room” at hospitals for their primary care. It is just too expensive.
Adora68 almost 15 years ago
Congress paying attention to the voters? Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! That’s a good one ANandy!
riley05 almost 15 years ago
But then you look at how many millions Senators like Orrin Hatch have received from the insurance companies, and you realize that they’re going to do their best to kill any chance we have for universal coverage.
“Hatch has received nearly $1.3 million from the employees and political action committees of drug and health products companies since 1989, making the industry his largest contributor, according to data compiled by the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics.”
http://tinyurl.com/nk8eum
deadheadzan almost 15 years ago
Universal health care would be the best thing for this country since Medicare. The insurance companies that get fat at the citizen’s expense have to have limits and regulations set.
nomad2112 almost 15 years ago
More government intrusion into our lives in the name of what’s good for us …
http://money.cnn.com/2009/07/24/news/economy/health_care_reform_obama.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2009072410riley05 almost 15 years ago
This article seems to confuse the bills Congress is working on with what Obama wanted. From what I’ve read, there’s little similarity between the two.
Jam_t78 almost 15 years ago
Then, there’s the Gov’t health coverage that the Congress and family enjoy…we never seem to hear about that; and I’ll bet they will never give that up…fringe benefits that allow them to talk out both blow holes
lewisbower almost 15 years ago
“Common welfare” in the Constitution was never meant to mean government re allotment of wealth. It doesn’t mean give everyone food, housing or health care. Thomas Jefferson would be turning over in his grave. You want a Big Brother? Emigrate eastward
nomad2112 almost 15 years ago
From the opening statement of H. R. 3200
To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes.
OTHER PURPOSES ? ! ? ! ? ! ?
pbarnrob almost 15 years ago
“For other purposes” allows some of the most bizarre amendments and riders to be tacked onto something that, especially, is a must pass, like military appropriations.
How ‘bout a One Subject At a Time Act? And a Read The Bills Act?
Back to health; Single Payer. Sure, that’s covered. So’s that. The savings would allow business, big and small, to get back to what they do best, and pay for it.
riley05 almost 15 years ago
I would LOVE to see a “One Subject At A Time Act”.
I hate the way completely unrelated riders get enacted this way, because they’re almost always ones that (1) the author knows bleeep well wouldn’t otherwise have a chance, and (2) benefit only a few of the author’s contributors, or advance his social agenda.
But due to the flaws inherent in our system, I doubt this will ever be stopped.
mhenriday almost 15 years ago
People in the United States might be wise to keep their eye on the ball - the facts in the matter are that nearly one sixth of the US population is uninsured, that the US spends a greater proportion of its GDI on «health care» than any other OECD country, while enjoying a lower life expectancy and a higher neo-natal mortality. The prescription is, for any physician with eyes to see, obvious : a change in the manner in which health care is administered and financed in the United States to a single payer system. But just as it seems impossible to put an end to the imperial wars which are bankrupting the country, it seems impossible to implement an effective health care system. Why ? In both cases, because the changes required are in the interests of ordinary people, while today’s systems serve the interests of the rich. In a plutocracy, it is the interests of the latter which prevail….
Henri
dshepard almost 15 years ago
The “other purposes” referred to in the opening statement is where your average American will get ripped off. That is always how it happens.
The writers and editors of these bills do not want our congressmen or the average citizen to read them. That is why they inflate them to an ungodly length. Its objective is to decieve and slip things under the table. The strategy is working well for our elected officials at the expense of We The People. Wake up and smell the garbage that they dumped in your own front yard!
H.R. 3200 will not address the things that are increasing our healthcare costs by leaps and bounds. Instead they will simply transfer the costs to the taxpayer. Bottom line: you’re still paying for the same corrupt and overinflated system except you’re paying for it at tax time rather than at the window in the doctor’s office.
Our healthcare costs are kept artifically high because of excessive malpractice lawsuits and relentless lobbying by insurance, drug companies, hospitals, and the American Medical Association.
We need tort and lobbying reform in healthcare first thing. Sadly, don’t count on it. The Trial Lawyers of America are the biggest contributors to the Democratic Party and will not hesitate to yank the money away if tort reform passes because it cuts into the lawyers’ cash cows. Then there are the insurance and drug companies, the hospitals, and the American Medical Association that are paying people off on both sides of the aisle.
Our government does not have the solution to our healthcare problems because too many of them are in bed with the very people who are destroying our system.
Wake up people! We are foolish to think that those who broke this system and made a lot of money doing so will fix it! We are truly out of our minds to trust these people!
riley05 almost 15 years ago
The only way we could get a really good health care bill is if (1) we were a dictatorship, and (2) we had a benevolent, wise and intelligent dictator.
But under our compromise-based system, most bills like this will try to please everyone, and end up pleasing no one. It’s the Harrison Bergeron effect.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrison_Bergeron
4uk4ata almost 15 years ago
“Wake up people! We are foolish to think that those who broke this system and made a lot of money doing so will fix it! We are truly out of our minds to trust these people!”
Ironically, this applies even better to the party currently in the minority. I always found it strange to have people put in government when their favourite saying is that the government is a problem, not a solution. What if they decide to show everyone how right they are?