House healthcare bill draft released

[Lynnie]

One thing is for sure, there's blood in the water over this thing right now. Democrats bumping into each like bumper cars trying to figure out what they want, how to pay for it, and how to pass it. Republicans are talking with centrist dems about bi-partisan legislation, but every time something gets put down on paper Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid grabs it and rips it up. The CBO is running around proclaiming the current bills as complete and total failures at reigning in costs. It's a comedy of errors up there in Washington right now - all in all pretty entertaining stuff if you ask me. 1994 all over again.

The sad thing is we really do need some reform, but this Congress doesn't seem capable of working together to deliver anything that actually solves even a few the core problems. Politricks as usual apparently.

I know! Can't tell you how many times I've thought of '93-'94. Have you noticed the polls today? But, Pres. Obama is using that tactic again of pressure. 'We've talked this problem to death....year after year. Unless we act and act NOW, none of this will change."

I just don't agree with the subtle/overt pressure he verbalizes.

So much progress took place after Hillary's plan failed. This President is going/moving way too fast. Groups are asking for more time and he isn't granting it.......it will fail.

 

[TooFarTampa]

Thanks for clearing that up. I'm still of the opinion that insurance should be for unexpected accidents or illnesses. BTW, you know we currently are able to put money in a health savings account, tax-free, for medical expenses, right? It's a great tool. Better than insurance for regular planned expenses.

I am all for government subsidized birth control (including vasectomies and hysterectomies) and prenatal/maternity education/care. I think those would be great investments of tax dollars. Or even a worthy charitable goal.

But, that is not at all the same as everyone having insurance that covers an annual check-up, dental care, eye exams, etc. I don't mind at all people purchasing those types of policies if they feel it is worth it to them. I do oppose government mandating such coverage and tax money subsidizing it for those who can't afford it.

Both of those students are English majors (more or less) so I guess Columbia can't be blamed for their fiscal ignorance.

These are interesting ideas. You and me and everyone here might do well with this kind of plan, because I would guess that most of us are pretty responsible.

But people are funny, especially about their health. If routine preventive visits were not covered, there is probably a surprisingly high percentage of people -- educated and not so educated -- who would not go to the doctor for wellness checkups because they "feel fine" and don't want to pay for it. Many children would not be seen yearly except for when they need updated health cards for school.

Preventive and wellness visits are cheap! We should be encouraging them as much as possible. People should have a relationship with their doctors, at least to the extent that they can. I really don't think we want a high percentage of people visiting their doctors only when they get sick, as they are likely to do if they have to pay out of pocket for routine visits.

Also, as much as people talk about the out-of-control costs, insurance plans actually help with the costs for smaller things like mammograms and doctor visits. If you didn't have the insurance "umbrella" you would be paying more. You could leave for another doctor, but it might be hard to find another place to get a mammogram. I don't like the idea of a free market let loose in health care anyway -- it seems like a lot of our problems began when hospital companies started treating health care like a profit center.

 

[Bob]

it is much more costly economically to treat our bodies as we do our cars, but this is precisely the way most people act facing the outrageous cost of routine healthcare.

 

[Winnie]

These are interesting ideas. You and me and everyone here might do well with this kind of plan, because I would guess that most of us are pretty responsible.

But people are funny, especially about their health. If routine preventive visits were not covered, there is probably a surprisingly high percentage of people -- educated and not so educated -- who would not go to the doctor for wellness checkups because they "feel fine" and don't want to pay for it. Many children would not be seen yearly except for when they need updated health cards for school.

Preventive and wellness visits are cheap! We should be encouraging them as much as possible. People should have a relationship with their doctors, at least to the extent that they can. I really don't think we want a high percentage of people visiting their doctors only when they get sick, as they are likely to do if they have to pay out of pocket for routine visits.

Also, as much as people talk about the out-of-control costs, insurance plans actually help with the costs for smaller things like mammograms and doctor visits. If you didn't have the insurance "umbrella" you would be paying more. You could leave for another doctor, but it might be hard to find another place to get a mammogram. I don't like the idea of a free market let loose in health care anyway -- it seems like a lot of our problems began when hospital companies started treating health care like a profit center.

I wish we could legislate intelligence. You are correct, preventive and wellness are cheap. The only way to get people who "feel fine" to take care of themselves if they don't already, would be to make them, not just to offer to pay for it.

Insurance plans are a big part of the cost problem IMO. The price of a particular service (mammograms for instance) should be within 10% for everyone. Nobody should get a 90% discount for having insurance. The prices should be available before the procedure is scheduled so a patient can 'shop around.' That is the real beauty of the free market, competition, and capitalism.

In fact, it would be nice if you could choose which services you want covered on your policy. My understanding is that each state currently mandates that certain things be covered in any policy.

Again, I am in complete agreement that our healthcare system needs work. I absolutely oppose the solution of just providing insurance to everyone. That fixes nothing. I read that over 70% of people already have health insurance and that after the proposed reform, 10 to 15% will still be uninsured. That is not a good solution, particularly given the cost.

I'm really glad Congress is working on it. I hope they will take the time to discuss and find real solutions, instead of just doing "something" to say they did something. Let's have town hall meetings and televised debates about the choices they make just like during the elections. This is important stuff. It shouldn't be so complicated and convoluted that those voting on it don't even know it's repercussions. Slow down. Take it one step at a time. Lets do it right so we don't have to fix it later.

 

[Miss Kitty]

So, in trying to ascertain why oh why this has to be rushed through before August recess, I have been told that the faster the Congress is told to act, by Mr. Obama, the less time there is to read and argue. I understand promises have been made, but whoa, Nellie...this is way too big a deal to be speed training it through! Are Obama/Pelosi jsut wanting a bill, any bill?

scootyb...I, for one, am po'ed that bcontrol (with a co-pay) is not covered for women under all policies. Would a man be covered for Viagra under your plan?

 

[Yarmap]

Tomorrow night the Telepromter will explain it to the little people-------President Obama will tell us what it says & take questions.

 

[idlewind]

Hannity is having an hour long special this week on the healthcare bill(s)

 

[TooFarTampa]

So, in trying to ascertain why oh why this has to be rushed through before August recess, I have been told that the faster the Congress is told to act, by Mr. Obama, the less time there is to read and argue. I understand promises have been made, but whoa, Nellie...this is way too big a deal to be speed training it through! Are Obama/Pelosi jsut wanting a bill, any bill?

Sadly it seems like this has become a political you-know-what match on both sides. Many of the Dems are greedily trying to bend this thing to their will, and most of the Repubs are stonewalling, period. The talking points have been leaked (and some of the senators don't know when to stop talking). Halting this thing by any means necessary is the goal -- they want to hurt Obama politically and make him look weak. They don't seem to give a damn about offering solutions, compromise or collaboration.

I trust that the reason Obama is pushing this so hard is because he shares Teddy Kennedy's passion and truly wants to make it happen now, before the House and much of the Senate starts preparing for re-election. Teddy Kennedy has been banging the drum for health care for decades -- saying the same things we have been saying now about making good health care accessible to families, and very little has been done. It is truly amazing when you look at it. We last covered this ground in 1993. It seems like yesterday.

I wish there were a mandated waiting period between the time the bills are hammered out and the time Congress gets to vote. That would give all Americans time to think about it and contact their representatives. Right now it is ugly sausage making and nothing looks good. But I also think there is no "perfect" solution that will look good out of the gate.

I agree with Winnie that slowing down and giving this thing the time and the gravity it deserves would be ideal. However that is only possible if we have mostly grownups in Washington. We do not.

Tomorrow night the Telepromter will explain it to the little people-------President Obama will tell us what it says & take questions.

You do know that Obama doesn't use the teleprompter to answer questions at a press conference, don't you?

 

[Miss Kitty]

TFT...thank you for a wise and non-partisan reply! How refreshing. I hear you on the reasons for the push of this bill. Does it not look and feel like a "payback" to Ted K for his years of sounding the alarm? Can Mr. K not be honored in another way other than pushing through such an important bill? IMO, just saying one is for national healthcare at all costs, does not make that person more "humane" than someone else wanting this bill to be well thought out and accomplished in a responsible manner. Personally, I want my taxes (higher, if need be) to be used w/o waste and agendas that create more problems.

I am, once again, saddened by the reality of political stonewalling, but still hope the freshman demos are successful in being heard and a more reasonable/workable solution can be had.

BTW, and this is really important stuff! ;-) I LOVED Mr. Obama in jeans and I LOVE that Mrs. Obama wears the same thing twice (well, except for those ridiculous Lavin tennis shoes!).

 

[Lynnie]

I agree that there needs to be reform, but when there is this much disagreement AND uncertainty, that's a red flag to slow it down and do it properly. Ignore the President's Pressure. This is getting attention and it will get done, but it does not need to be rushed. Could it be that part of the push from this President is the power of the party right now? He might not have such opportunities after 2010....don't think this minor/major fact hasn't come up in behind the scenes discussions. I want to see this done methodically and it should be a requirement that the Bill is actually read.

On another note: haven't all of the Presidents worn jeans? Obama looks good...no doubt, but I can remember Reagan, Clinton and Bush (W) wearing jeans......I don't recall Bush (HW) wearing jeans. However, I do specifically recall Carter wearing jeans AFTER his presidency....working on his Habitat House . What's the hype with the Levi's?