Laura Bush endorses Obama ....

[rheffron]

You make great points and I did not know that insurance companies don't pay for smoking cessation drugs! That is incredible!

I guess it all boils down to fairness. Healthy lifestyles should be rewarded. Good driving records too maybe? Is this too big brother like? Or, in truth, actuarily sound? I know that car insurance companies give discounts for good grades, probably because the actuaries say it makes fiscal sense.

I was ready to quit, got the prescription and found out it would cost $128.00 per month and they say you need to be on it for 6 months to a year. Seems like it would be cheaper for the insurance companies in the long run to pay for this. Your other points are valid, but it does seem a bit Big Brotherish.

 

[scooterbug44]

Abortion and elective (non essential) cosmetic surgery should not be covered for anyone, period, unless the surgery is for reconstruction purposes and abortion for the life of the mother.

Do I get to pick and choose what medical procedures you are allowed to get?

Regardless of your personal views, an abortion is a $$ medical procedure and many "elective" cosmetic surgeries aren't being done just for vanity, but for a valid medical reason.

 

[TooFarTampa]

Do I get to pick and choose what medical procedures you are allowed to get?

Regardless of your personal views, an abortion is a $$ medical procedure and many "elective" cosmetic surgeries aren't being done just for vanity, but for a valid medical reason.

If there is a public option, a majority of lawmakers are not going to vote for federal dollars to go to elective abortions (ie not for the life or health of the mother). That seems clear and also fair.

I also mentioned reconstructive elective cosmetic surgery in the post you quoted, which seems to cover most if not all the valid medical reasons, other than the deviated septums, some breast reductions and skin removal after lap band procedure and subsequent weight loss. I am not sure how they normally word it. You know what I mean. (Most) boob jobs, botox and lipo = not medical procedures. Some opponents do love to throw the words "abortion" and "cosmetic surgery" around as if none of this stuff would be restricted.

 

[scooterbug44]

I guess I just think taking medical decisions out of the dr's hands to appease political groups is a bad way to start.

What if I have horrible scars and am pregnant because I was violently raped - should I not be able to get treatment because my life isn't in danger and it would be "elective" cosmetic surgery?

If abortion is not allowed, is a contraceptive like the birth control pill or the morning after pill (which pharmacists are already refusing to fill) next on the chopping block?

I understand (and agree with) not wanting our tax dollars to pay for 100% unmedical boob jobs, Botox etc. but I also think there is a lot of fuzzy/grey area.

 

[30ashopper]

Is health insurance a right? I have a right to free speech because by speaking my mind I do not negatively effect the people around me. If I do, I can be punished (hate speech crimes). If health insurance is a right, it should not negatively effect those around you. If you have to take income from someone to pay for it, are you negatively affecting them in any way?

To put it another way, slavery as a right is wrong because it takes rights away from someone else. Is taking money away from one person to provide a right to another the same, or different? What about doctors, should they be forced to treat those that have government coverage even if they don't want to? Is that a restriction their freedoms? Is that right?

 

[Lynnie]

Serendipity! I thought this was the school speech thread and wanted to see last comments. I am watching the President's Address to Congress regarding health care reform now.......so, I get to catch up on both!

I want a million dollars. Is that a right? Does everyone have a right to home ownership? I am not going to bat this one around because I believe everyone should have insurance. I also believe, have studied universal health care, written papers on the topic (which does not make me an expert by any means whatsoever), but I don't believe in its ability to work properly in this country without higher taxation and limited care delivered to patients.

I do believe in reform (from many angles); and, if the left and right could simply sit down at the picnic table with a few cocktails, they might be able to agree upon something.......at least for a few minutes. I do hope we reach an agreement and I do hope it isn't government operated.

 

[Lynnie]

Now, on to the Beatles~~~~~~

 

[30ashopper]

help me here...so if one does not carry health ins. and gets caught, they pay a fine and still don't have health insurance?

Yes. The fines in the current bills are based on a percentage of income and would likely be treated as tax owed. So if you didn't pay, property seizure, account seizure, that kind of thing would be the result, just like back taxes.

 

[poppy]

Is health insurance a right? I have a right to free speech because by speaking my mind I do not negatively effect the people around me. If I do, I can be punished (hate speech crimes). If health insurance is a right, it should not negatively effect those around you. If you have to take income from someone to pay for it, are you negatively affecting them in any way?

To put it another way, slavery as a right is wrong because it takes rights away from someone else. Is taking money away from one person to provide a right to another the same, or different? What about doctors, should they be forced to treat those that have government coverage even if they don't want to? Is that a restriction their freedoms? Is that right?

To help you sleep better think of your tax dollars being spent on the programs you agree with and my tax dollars being spent on all the social programs you find appalling. I know this is simplistic, but we can't track each and everyone of our tax dollars.

Yes. The fines in the current bills are based on a percentage of income and would likely be treated as tax owed. So if you didn't pay, property seizure, account seizure, that kind of thing would be the result, just like back taxes.

Or you could just purchase insurance and avoid the penalties. We are required to carry auto insurance to prevent financial hardship on other drivers in case of an accident, is this also considered a form of socialism?

 

[Andy A]

There will always be a lot of fuzzy/grey areas in any government run program, and in fairness, privately run ones as well. Maybe that is why you shop for coverage.