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Megapotamus wrote on Oct 17, 2009 12:14 PM:
What federal program is profitable and simple to access?
None - none of them have ever worked in a business or know how to operate a business!
US Public Education - is failing students daily - yet the federal government refuses to allow vouchers and give citizens the OPTION of where they want to get an education - they force them into the PUBLIC OPTION which is a failure. And tenured teachers are protected in a PUBLIC OPTION istead of performance based PRIVATE OPTIONS!
Department of Defense - a VOLUNTEER ARMY! And the VA Administration is broke and does a horrible job taking care of the sick veterans - forcing them into a beaurocratic system instead of CHOSING their own healthcare. And when the VA hospital removes a soldiers legs instead of his tonsils, he can't sue the Federal Government!
Private business owners get to buy into Blue Cross/Blue Shield - a risk pool for each state. BC/BS provides reasonable insurance rates for individuals.
No, it's not free, nor will be the PUBLIC OPTION!
None - none of them have ever worked in a business or know how to operate a business!
US Public Education - is failing students daily - yet the federal government refuses to allow vouchers and give citizens the OPTION of where they want to get an education - they force them into the PUBLIC OPTION which is a failure. And tenured teachers are protected in a PUBLIC OPTION istead of performance based PRIVATE OPTIONS!
Department of Defense - a VOLUNTEER ARMY! And the VA Administration is broke and does a horrible job taking care of the sick veterans - forcing them into a beaurocratic system instead of CHOSING their own healthcare. And when the VA hospital removes a soldiers legs instead of his tonsils, he can't sue the Federal Government!
Private business owners get to buy into Blue Cross/Blue Shield - a risk pool for each state. BC/BS provides reasonable insurance rates for individuals.
No, it's not free, nor will be the PUBLIC OPTION!
rianza wrote on Oct 7, 2009 10:50 AM:
Dear Keen,
Let's tax people based upon education level. If you don't graduate from high school you'll pay a higher tax rate than someone who has an MBA or PHD. That will incent everyone to get an education which will, in turn, significantly increase the odds they'll get a job or create some jobs, thus creating a larger tax base instead of tax drain. PLUS, we'll all enjoy a significant drop in naive and uninformed editorial dribble.
Let's tax people based upon education level. If you don't graduate from high school you'll pay a higher tax rate than someone who has an MBA or PHD. That will incent everyone to get an education which will, in turn, significantly increase the odds they'll get a job or create some jobs, thus creating a larger tax base instead of tax drain. PLUS, we'll all enjoy a significant drop in naive and uninformed editorial dribble.
Justice for All wrote on Oct 6, 2009 5:08 PM:
Look at who is on Medicare, old people mostly. You know, the people who have the most health problems. Now let's look at private insurers. They refuse to cover people with pre-existing conditions and don't cover most older people (because of Medicare and Medicaid). So it should really be no surprise that Medicare has a higher denial rate, since private insurers cherry pick the healthiest people to cover.
However, if you look closer you also see that most of the denied claims are actually due to incorrect billing codes.
The problem with private insurers is that they don't want to cover the sick. So who gets stuck with the bill when the uninsured end up in the hospital? We do. It's already happening, so doesn't it make sense to move the money from emergency room care to preventative medicine? It does, even if some lazy people get free care too.
However, if you look closer you also see that most of the denied claims are actually due to incorrect billing codes.
The problem with private insurers is that they don't want to cover the sick. So who gets stuck with the bill when the uninsured end up in the hospital? We do. It's already happening, so doesn't it make sense to move the money from emergency room care to preventative medicine? It does, even if some lazy people get free care too.
viva la 2010 wrote on Oct 6, 2009 1:12 PM:
The government run program (MEDICARE)denial rate is 76% higher than the average rate of the seven major private insurers.
The Brutal Truth wrote on Oct 6, 2009 12:13 PM:
KEEN you're full of it.
All that taxation is LAME LAME LAME.
I don't drink, smoke, nor do I eat McDonalds's, so its not like I'd be paying.
But, where does it end?
Should the government tax me because I like to run with scissors? It IS a health risk, afterall.
Maybe the fatties who are a drain on the healthcare system should get out and go for a run to get in shape? Oh, no wait, they might get hit by a car, or trip and skin their knee. Lets tax running & excersising! Its DANGEROUS!
All that taxation is LAME LAME LAME.
I don't drink, smoke, nor do I eat McDonalds's, so its not like I'd be paying.
But, where does it end?
Should the government tax me because I like to run with scissors? It IS a health risk, afterall.
Maybe the fatties who are a drain on the healthcare system should get out and go for a run to get in shape? Oh, no wait, they might get hit by a car, or trip and skin their knee. Lets tax running & excersising! Its DANGEROUS!
Dragonman wrote on Oct 6, 2009 11:51 AM:
Tax fast food?? Great, it will not take away anyone’s free will or choice, it just makes the crap cost more, like health care. I see no problem with this idea.. Maybe a higher cig tax, booze tax..Tax all life’s ill's to pay for health care.. Who really cares?.. No one said a word while insurance companies quadrupled their profits.. Why scream if a cheese burger cost ….00.10 more.. Gas used to only be pennies a gallon, now we pay $3.00 plus. This is how we take care of this country… We pay.
Fourth Amendment wrote on Oct 5, 2009 1:52 PM:
Keen, with all due respect, I disagree that taxing McDonalds and the like should be the way to go about this. You're forgetting free will and choice. People make and are presently making poor food choices, true, but that is their choice for themselves. I understand that collectively they may be pulling the rest of us down but I would not vote or support legislation to impede their food choices. The same for tv and such. If people are choosing to watch tv instead of exercising, so be it. The present health care situation sucks. I'm not wholly supportive of the changes Washington wants to make because I think other reform should be tried first, but there comes a point where you have to do all that you can for yourself if you need to see a doctor. I work hard to provide my family with what we have, health care included. I only ask the same of every other person within their own abilities.
Keen wrote on Oct 5, 2009 11:35 AM:
Since single payer health care works and works well in other countries, it will work good here as well.
If we'd stop invading other countries to steal their oil we'd have plenty of money to take care of the citizens of this country.
Last year alone the pharmaceutical companies spent over 4 billion dollars advertising on TV. They say their ad campaigns have been very successful. Let's make that illegal and use their money to go towards care for the poor.
Let's tax fast food heavily. They tax smokers heavily saying that they are adding to the cost of health care. Guess what? McDonald's and all the rest are doing that too.
Heavily tax the cable companies and satellite dishes that provide 100's of TV stations causing people to have couch potato lives.
The inactivity and high fat foods are causing way more health care woes then the smokers are. Only 10% of the people in this country smoke. 50% are obese.
Tax the rich, the truly rich, the fat cat corporations!
If we'd stop invading other countries to steal their oil we'd have plenty of money to take care of the citizens of this country.
Last year alone the pharmaceutical companies spent over 4 billion dollars advertising on TV. They say their ad campaigns have been very successful. Let's make that illegal and use their money to go towards care for the poor.
Let's tax fast food heavily. They tax smokers heavily saying that they are adding to the cost of health care. Guess what? McDonald's and all the rest are doing that too.
Heavily tax the cable companies and satellite dishes that provide 100's of TV stations causing people to have couch potato lives.
The inactivity and high fat foods are causing way more health care woes then the smokers are. Only 10% of the people in this country smoke. 50% are obese.
Tax the rich, the truly rich, the fat cat corporations!
Taxed to death wrote on Oct 3, 2009 4:54 PM:
Lrt me say goverment health care is not going to work. All our lovely president has to do is work on getting insurance co doctors,hospital,and drug companys to put a cap on their already out of this world pricing to a price people can afford and everybody can get insurance. Plain and simple but all he is doing is taking americans to pay for his rediculous health care plan that will do nothing but run thi country into the ground.
Barack Obama wrote on Oct 3, 2009 3:01 PM:
How do we pay for it?....Seriously. How far can we really extend our debt? When does China actually ask for us to pay? I will support the public option if several things occur. 1. Remove the troops from the over 130 countries we currently occupy. 2. Cut at least half the government programs which we waste money on. How many of these do we need? Cia, Nsa, Tsa, Faa, Fbi, Homeland Security, social security, ATF..how many do we need? 3. Abolish the Federal Reserve. Fiat money doesn't work. Inflation is a back alley tax. If we did even some of these things we would have more than enough money for healthcare. As of now we don't.
coquillian wrote on Oct 3, 2009 12:30 PM:
We wouldn't behaving this conversation if the average American didn't consume their body weight in sugar and white flour every year. We are killing ourselves with a fork and a spoon.
An American First wrote on Oct 3, 2009 10:19 AM:
The role of the federal government is to protect us from foreign invasion and to settle differences between the states. Nowhere in our Constitution does it call for the government to create health care or legislate the use of Judeo Christian values. Nor is the government supposed to fire corporate presidents or run major businesses. It is time for the American public to wake up to the intrusion by our government into our private lives. We are losing our liberty one step at a time. If we allow this to continue, it is only a matter of time before the Obama administration will take our guns, our Bibles, and or very freedom from us...all in the name of making our nation more fair and equitable.
rianza wrote on Oct 2, 2009 9:10 AM:
Anyone curious as to why private payers absorbed an average 101% increase in health care premiums in the past year? Anyone asking what - if anything - justified this kind of cost increase on a national scale?
Anyone curious as to why D.C. is the only big business hiring these days? Anyone curious as to why government and state employees have better coverage than the rest of us?
Anyone curious as to how our brilliant so-called leaders are dealing wtih a $12 TRILLION dollar debt load?
Obviously, not too many. It's the me, me, me generation. We're all acting like Afred E. Neuman - "What, me worry?" This isn't about healthcare, folks. Our government is BROKE and we can NOT afford this folly. End of discussion.
Anyone curious as to why D.C. is the only big business hiring these days? Anyone curious as to why government and state employees have better coverage than the rest of us?
Anyone curious as to how our brilliant so-called leaders are dealing wtih a $12 TRILLION dollar debt load?
Obviously, not too many. It's the me, me, me generation. We're all acting like Afred E. Neuman - "What, me worry?" This isn't about healthcare, folks. Our government is BROKE and we can NOT afford this folly. End of discussion.
just saying wrote on Oct 1, 2009 1:29 PM:
REEDSPORT -
Universal Health Care is not a lottery system. And it wouldn't be in the U.S. if you encourage preventative services, promote training more nurse practitioners and doctors by helping with their education needs, and control costs through regulation for medical services and pharmaceuticals. All of this should be considered necessary for the general welfare of our citizenry.
In some countries with UHC, not only is there an adequate supply of services, but doctors will make house calls. Amazing but true.
In any case, thank you for at least supporting the Public Option (you know, that part where the government steps in when private companies fail to supply a means of protection).
Universal Health Care is not a lottery system. And it wouldn't be in the U.S. if you encourage preventative services, promote training more nurse practitioners and doctors by helping with their education needs, and control costs through regulation for medical services and pharmaceuticals. All of this should be considered necessary for the general welfare of our citizenry.
In some countries with UHC, not only is there an adequate supply of services, but doctors will make house calls. Amazing but true.
In any case, thank you for at least supporting the Public Option (you know, that part where the government steps in when private companies fail to supply a means of protection).
Reedsport wrote on Oct 1, 2009 12:39 PM:
Some assume that medical/health care services have the capability of reaching 100% of people, 100% of the time. The truth is, they simply do not.
If you look at countries that implement UHC, you will see a shortage of both quality care and accessibility when compared to the U.S.
This is because medical services, like everything else on the planet, are finite resources.
The question becomes what is the most acceptable way to distribute these resources?
Many people believe it should be done on a "first come, first serve" or "lottery" type system.
This is akin to UHC.
I, on the other hand, believe it should be done in a capitalist manner.
For those who can NOT afford to pay for their own medical needs, then and ONLY then, the Government steps in.
If you look at countries that implement UHC, you will see a shortage of both quality care and accessibility when compared to the U.S.
This is because medical services, like everything else on the planet, are finite resources.
The question becomes what is the most acceptable way to distribute these resources?
Many people believe it should be done on a "first come, first serve" or "lottery" type system.
This is akin to UHC.
I, on the other hand, believe it should be done in a capitalist manner.
For those who can NOT afford to pay for their own medical needs, then and ONLY then, the Government steps in.
just saying wrote on Oct 1, 2009 9:54 AM:
TAG URIT,
The GOP has no health care plan and GPO minority leader has openly said that even if all of their proposals are met in legislation, they will oppose any bill's passage. With 44,000 Americans dieing each year because of no available health care, and the GOP offering no meaningful health care reforms that address that issue, Grayson's statements are demonstrably true.
The myths of "death panels", "...granny dies", and others, perpetrated by Palin and others however are widely documented and proven to be false charges.
Your disdain for government health care, despite Mr. Shanks saying that for basic care "it’s as good as it gets in most cases" while describing it's failings as being very much comparable to those of private insurance, shows little awareness of either the content of the letter or the reality of health care in America.
Your open disdain for poor people, the uninsured, children, and the plight of all of the aforementioned shows little regard humanity. Sad.
The GOP has no health care plan and GPO minority leader has openly said that even if all of their proposals are met in legislation, they will oppose any bill's passage. With 44,000 Americans dieing each year because of no available health care, and the GOP offering no meaningful health care reforms that address that issue, Grayson's statements are demonstrably true.
The myths of "death panels", "...granny dies", and others, perpetrated by Palin and others however are widely documented and proven to be false charges.
Your disdain for government health care, despite Mr. Shanks saying that for basic care "it’s as good as it gets in most cases" while describing it's failings as being very much comparable to those of private insurance, shows little awareness of either the content of the letter or the reality of health care in America.
Your open disdain for poor people, the uninsured, children, and the plight of all of the aforementioned shows little regard humanity. Sad.
Tag Urit wrote on Oct 1, 2009 6:54 AM:
Thank you for your service Mr. Shank
Beware: here come the lefties like Congressman Grayson from Florida "Republicans want you to die!!"
To the people who have run out of unemployment, are needing medical care and have no insurance:
Go to the local Welfare office, they will make sure that you have Government run health care.
See how much they like it!!
As far as children go, they are covered by the cigarette tax generated SCHIP program.
Beware: here come the lefties like Congressman Grayson from Florida "Republicans want you to die!!"
To the people who have run out of unemployment, are needing medical care and have no insurance:
Go to the local Welfare office, they will make sure that you have Government run health care.
See how much they like it!!
As far as children go, they are covered by the cigarette tax generated SCHIP program.
just saying wrote on Sep 30, 2009 4:02 PM:
John,
a)People don't pay into a pool of money that is later used for their Medicare treatments in their later years. They pay 1.46% of their pay into a pool of money that helps those under Medicare now. People don't earn their Medicare. It is socialized medicine and is invaluable to those who need it.
b) All of the problems associated with the (otherwise great) VA that you describe, (1) rationing in one form or another, (2) lack of a doctor familiar with our health history, and (3) delays in getting authorization for care, is exactly what most people experience with their private coverage because that's what insurance companies provide us with. In addition, private insurance kicks payers off who get too sick and deny coverage for unrelated issues.
c) The Public Option is just that, an option. Your private option will not disappear.
a)People don't pay into a pool of money that is later used for their Medicare treatments in their later years. They pay 1.46% of their pay into a pool of money that helps those under Medicare now. People don't earn their Medicare. It is socialized medicine and is invaluable to those who need it.
b) All of the problems associated with the (otherwise great) VA that you describe, (1) rationing in one form or another, (2) lack of a doctor familiar with our health history, and (3) delays in getting authorization for care, is exactly what most people experience with their private coverage because that's what insurance companies provide us with. In addition, private insurance kicks payers off who get too sick and deny coverage for unrelated issues.
c) The Public Option is just that, an option. Your private option will not disappear.
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