It’s your turn to express yourself on health reform
Like it or not, Congress passed health care reform Sunday.
Now the question is, do you like it or not?
How will the overhaul affect you? Your workplace? Will it make things better or worse? Why?
What do you think about the tortuous political process to get us to this point?
Will what happened affect your vote come November? How?
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1,329 comments Add your comment
Lizzie McGowan
March 22nd, 2010
7:40 am
The one thing all of you who are/were for this bill don’t realize: Even though you are REQUIRED to purchase health insurance or be subject to fines and penalties it doesn’t mean your health care will be any different than it is now. All of us who have insurance know that if a doctor DOES NOT accept the type of insurance we have then we have to hunt for one who does. Many docs are now refusing to accept Medicare and Medicaid patients. Is the government going to try to force doctors to accept your/their brand of insurance? It might try…but it will fail.
GAmom
March 22nd, 2010
7:41 am
Has the sky fallen yet? Wow, some of these comments are too wild to be taken seriously. Hopefully, more Georgians will get the psychological help they need now
For those with half a brain, maybe you should read David Frum’s take on it. As he said, this is a major FAIL for the Reps. (http://www.frumforum.com/waterloo) And he was Bush’s speechwriter so it’s safe to say he is a solid Republican that knows a thing or two about politics.
Over the next nine months, Americans will see just how many LIES were pushed by conservative press/politicians. Granny will NOT get the death panel. Obama will NOT take 1/2 your paycheck (most of us will get tax breaks for insurance!) This is NOT a government takeover. But, you will get to cover your child until they are 26 and insurance companies will not deny coverage because of your pre-existing mental condition
Old Dawg
March 22nd, 2010
7:46 am
m915, from your comments I would say that you are a non-worker, a smoker, a drinker (beer), and a generally uneducated person who has depended upon government resources (read, taxpayer money) your entire life. You are the perfect democrat and perfect socialist who thinks the rest of us rich folks owe you something. Tell me I’m wrong!
No working person who has sacrificed to buy health insurance for his family instead of smokes, beer and that Escalade would never be in favor of this legislation. And, you blame it all on the Bush Administration. The Congress, not the president, has control of the federal budget. In those eight Bush years the Congress was controlled by Dems. They oversaw Freddie and Fannie and the financial policy. Oh, you say? I didn’t know that! No, you didn’t. You only know what the Dems tell you. Now, they tell you Obamacare is good for the country. Yeah, right!
Thomas Payne
March 22nd, 2010
7:47 am
This bill is a tax bill disguesed as a health reform bill. Do any of you believe the quality of medical care you recieve will change? Specialist and the majority of doctors will still not accept medicaid. Many physicians are going to stop accepting (many already have) medicare.
And why the hatred for the insurance companies? Their profit was 4% last year. Many biotech and pharmaceutical companies are well over 20%. Medicare has a far higher refusal (to pay) rate than private insurance companies. I’m happy with my insurance plan. Many of you do not base you hatred on the facts, just conjecture.
Health care is a privilege, not a right. Nothing is free.
Socialist Law Rules!
March 22nd, 2010
7:48 am
Wondering how people make the jump from Republicans not wanting a socialistic health care bill passed beacuse of the race of the dumb ass in office. We didn’t want it when Cheatn’ Bill was in office and we don’t want it now. I believe Cheatn’ Bill was white.
Rick
March 22nd, 2010
7:49 am
about time we catch up with the civilized world!!
TRUTH
March 22nd, 2010
7:53 am
LMFAO!!! Yes, Yes, Yes!!! I kinda figured this blog would be a great place for Re-THUG-licans to gather and whine about how the bill passed without bipartisanship, Obamacare, Socialism, N***ers, and F***ots. Oh, my!!! (Again, more lies, but what else have we come to expect?). There are over 200 Re-THUG-lican amendments in the bill. Yet, the (R)’s voted against their own amendments in a political move to undermine this Presidency and try and position themselves for a return to power. Er…, hows that working out for ya?
I watched C-Span yesterday, ALL DAY, (especially since my brackets were blown to hell), and it was truly amazing. I really tried, and have tried, too understand the logic behind the (R) position. I cannot find any reform there that is significant. That is MY opinion. Tort Reform comprises 2 percent of total cost, however, the coverage of physicians for Medical Malpractice was through the roof. If you expand coverage, and made it available to more Americans, would that not reduce the amount of frivolous lawsuits?? The primary reasons that drive frivolous lawsuits are from greed, but also from a LACK OF ADEQUATE COVERAGE. Allowing folks to purchase over state lines, stop, WHAT EXACTLY WAS THAT GOING TO DO? There are a few states by virtue of its population could have lower premiums, so everyone was going to run those states only too purchase? Hmmmm….??
I applaud the House for getting this right and done. I think its profound for this country. I am sorry that the rhetoric in the run-up to the vote was so toxic. It served no one other than the special interests. Truly. The name calling of sitting congressmen and the racial and personal attacks on one another is and was reprehensible. The open threats by the Republican Party, its leaders, the special interests, the insurance lobby, Fox News, and others has nearly caused this country that I’ve defended in combat to be ripped apart. It became very clear that the “majority” of Americans who the above named claimed to represent, were under the impression that denying coverage for all somehow makes them more patriotic and American. I would seriously rethink that position. Most receive medicare, or have insurance under their employer. They just have not had a situation in which the insurance has NOT worked in their favor. And unfortunately, in the cases that have had coverage denied or cancelled, they are so blindly partisan and motivated by other issues (primarily racial), they would hold a position that clearly hurts them and others to prove an unwarranted point.
I am glad for and of this vote. If you think that your actions have set the tone for the mid terms this fall, bring it. The MAJORITY of Americans who voted in 2008 and put you in the wilderness are now reinvigorated. And there are more of us. The (R) party has been caught lying, time and again. And there are many former (R)’s running to the Democratic party. And we welcome them.
This is truly a great day in this country.
GAmom
March 22nd, 2010
7:53 am
“Thomas Payne” – What are you talking about? This bill does not force people onto Medicare. Even the exchanges involve private insurance companies. There is no takeover of insurance companies. They will continue the tradition of choosing profit over health (read: death panels) and you can keep serving them.
Mary
March 22nd, 2010
7:53 am
I am just glad that giggling silly Pelosooooooooo just wrote her ticket!!!! She is a joke– again can anyone on here not see that they DO NOT have the same insurance as we will have forced on us..Why are they elected by us but get different rules????
Howard
March 22nd, 2010
7:53 am
allyanna z.
Since you have so much compassion and love for the earth, come pay my bills! When you get what check you get give me half! Dental care should be a right too let you tell it. Big screen tvs and gucci should be a right let you tell it. Have compassion and get me a 72 inch and some gucci boots to match my food stamp card! All you and your president is going to do is make a damn speech and blame Bush 1&2 for everything! Gas just went up 16 more cents who fault is that???
Jim
March 22nd, 2010
7:54 am
I’m amazed at the vitriol in these posts. I get the feeling not many of the posters can think for themselves — and simply parrot the extreme, polarizing rhetoric that’s become standard in the Limbaugh-Boortz era. Congrats to the House for getting something done. Congrats to the President for seeing it through. Thank goodness enough of our leaders finally refused to let “perfect” remain the enemy of the “good.”
MKA
March 22nd, 2010
7:55 am
Okay…Okay…For once and for all!! I am SICK AND TIRED of you racist neanderthals shooting darts at “minorities”! Are you *$&$#@ idiots actually stupid enough to believe that EVERY “minority” is on welfare?? My husband and I work harder than any white person that we know and NEITHER of us has EVER been on welfare. We are business owners AND we pay taxes.
So pleeeaaase get off of your self-righteous a$$es, stop throwing stones, over-generalizing, stereotyping and labeling “minorities” as one in the same.
PATHETIC!!
Linda
March 22nd, 2010
7:56 am
70% of the American population did not want this health care. I don’t know about the rest of America but I am real tired of paying for the lazy no goods and illegals in this country to sit on their butts! Welfare and bills like this need to be halted. I can’t afford designer clothes but the no goods living off my money can. Seems to me that something is twisted. Just because you live in the United States does not mean you have the right to the same things hard working (retired military personnel) do. I don’t believe in abortion but now I am paying for the slutts of the world to have one. They either need to practice safe sex or have it fixed. All you that voted for Obama I hope you are happy with your choice. My taxes have gone up and up. He pushed health care – what about education? What about jobs? What about the economy? Nothing has gotten better. In fact your president will not even participte in the Health care he pushed for. If it is not good enough for him, why should we be forced to use it?!
dds
March 22nd, 2010
7:57 am
It’s about time! Healthcare is not a privilege, it is a right.
GoingBroke
March 22nd, 2010
7:57 am
GAmom.. WOW.. really??
Medicare Payroll tax on investment income — Starting in 2012, the Medicare Payroll Tax will be expanded to include unearned income. That will be a 3.8 percent tax on investment income for families making more than $250,000 per year ($200,000 for individuals).
Excise Tax — Beginning in 2018, insurance companies will pay a 40 percent excise tax on so-called “Cadillac” high-end insurance plans worth over $27,500 for families ($10,200 for individuals). Dental and vision plans are exempt and will not be counted in the total cost of a family’s plan.
Tanning Tax — 10 percent excise tax on indoor tanning services.
Just to name a few..
Howard
March 22nd, 2010
7:58 am
Gamom
Everything is for profit unless it’s non-profit! I bet you work for a check and not for the love of a job.
Bob
March 22nd, 2010
7:59 am
The true cost of this bill has not been published. Congress played games with the numbers, such as cutting Medicare reimbursement in the bill but then restoring them elsewhere.
The CBO did not include tax increases at the state level to fund expansion of Medicaid. States are already reeling from lost revenue caused by the recession. Now they have a new budget item to fund.
For all the talk, the push was really to extend health insurance to 30 million people, less than 10% of the population, and most of those don’t want health insurance . . . unless it is free.
The cost of the mandates will cause premiums to increase dramatically. Half a dozen states already have their own version of Obamacare and premiums there are 2x – 3x higher than comparable plans in neighboring states.
Gradually, over the next few weeks and months the truth about this change will see the light of day and it won’t be pretty.
GoingBroke
March 22nd, 2010
8:00 am
Individual Mandate:
In 2014, everyone must purchase health insurance or face a $695 annual fine. There are some exceptions for low-income people.
Employer Mandate:
Technically, there is no employer mandate. Employers with more than 50 employees must provide health insurance or pay a fine of $2000 per worker each year if any worker receives federal subsidies to purchase health insurance. Fines applied to entire number of employees minus some allowances.
Immigration:
Illegal immigrants will not be allowed to buy health insurance in the exchanges — even if they pay completely with their own money.****
*** BUT.. just as now.. they will still have FREE medical care.. they just dont have to pay for it..
Susan
March 22nd, 2010
8:00 am
I don’t know of anyone who wanted this healthcare plan but Obama, Pelosi and Reed!! But they won’t have the healthcare plan they want the American Public to have. I want their plan!! Come November we have the opportunity to send someone to Washington that listens to the American people that elected them!!!
Joey
March 22nd, 2010
8:00 am
The Health Care Debate was intriguing. I recorded it on C-Span every day so that I could watch, could participate in, the open debate and the bi-partisan discussions each evening and in the mornings before I left for work. It was, what can I say, just inspiring.
The way Democrats included Republicans and Republican ideas was especially comforting. And the way Democrats turned the doubters in their own party. Using valid arguments to pursuade those in doubt that this was the right thing. No bullying, no brow-beating, no bribing. It was a wonder to see.
American Government at its …………..
GAmom
March 22nd, 2010
8:02 am
@ Truth – EXACTLY. Most of these folks never approved of Obama. His approval numbers dipped because his supporters WANTED this bill and saw it slipping away. But, now it’s done and “yes we can” is back!
Socialist Law Rules!
March 22nd, 2010
8:04 am
Walgreens has already stopped accepting Medicare, most of the doctors around where I live at will not accept any new Medicare patients.
Do I think we need health care refore? Absolutely. But the bill that was just passed is not even a good start. Insurance companies aren’t the problem. Doctors, pharmacuticals and medical equipment manufacturers are by charging such high premiums for their services/products.
Say it aint so
March 22nd, 2010
8:05 am
Whats it mean? I means higher taxes when the Bush taxes expire. It means even higher taxes for the healthcare program, (someone has to fund it), It means small business will be letting their people go and working it themselves (with a 60% tax on everything over 200K, thats your normal small business employer) and hes not going to pay it. Whats it mean, A federal sales tax, because we cant afford this, whats it mean, higher unemployment then we have already, whats it mean, it means that Americans have just been sold out.
Ever hear the old saying “BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR”? Well this is terrible. Also, where in the constitution does it give healthcare as a right. You have the freedom to get up every morning and work and get healthcare though a employer or purchase a plan. It does not give you the rights to demand services of others for free. Thats slavery of ones talents. The democrates just took this country and sold us out. You will find out very quickly that this will not work and when your daughter of 21 comes home with a breast cancer and the government will not allow her the treatment because its to much money, talk to the democrates in power. They wont care because they have their own healtcare plan and their own retirement plan and its NOT WHAT WE WILL GET. You democrates are all a bunch of suckers living off the dream. God help you.
walter
March 22nd, 2010
8:06 am
Amazed at the lack of civility anymore in national discourse. Most of the comments on here follow the way of Glenn Beck, Limbaugh, Hannity and pretty much all the conservative “pundits” today. If you don’t get your way, start calling people names.
Our military is covered under universal health care from the government. How many of you people are ready to say “F” the military because they get universal health care? So the rest of America should not get what we give to our soldiers?
And those congressmen and women you were screaming at to defeat the bill. They have universal health care. So we shouldn’t get what they have either?
I find it amazing that people have no problems dropping $10 billion / month on a war in Iraq and Afghanistan going on, what 6 or 7 years now, but putting up money to take care of healthcare for all Americans is somehow going to bankrupt the country. I support President Obama and quite honestly would like to see the health care plan go further. True Universal Health Care for all citizens, once and for all. May for his second term.
Thomas Payne
March 22nd, 2010
8:06 am
GAmom…My point is this bill does nothing but raises taxes.
But since your asking, when private insurance companies cost go up (due to compaines being forced to insure bad health risk, chronic disease states, etc.), who pays for that? You and I do. What happens when we can not afford to pay premiums any more? We are forced to get our insurance through the federally regulated co-ops and the “evil” private insurance companies will no longer be able to make a profit (oh how evil that a private company has the right to make a profit) and there is no incentive for them to stay in business. At this point, we will have no choice but to join the co-ops that, at that point, will be run by the federal government because private insurance companies will no longer be around. What do you call that? Socialized medicine.
This is a chess game, try to think three steps ahead of you opponent.
Al Hastings
March 22nd, 2010
8:06 am
“They aint no rules up in dis house. We makes up duh rules as we go along…”
MKA
March 22nd, 2010
8:07 am
Boogers in Your Soup,
LMAO. No…I will NOT shut my mouth. As a a matter of fact, you can kiss my a$$ while I am on that toilet.
BUCKMASTER
March 22nd, 2010
8:07 am
AMERICA———-YOU JUST GOT PIMPED———-
Anna
March 22nd, 2010
8:09 am
For those of us who worked so hard campaigning for this President to help him will a landslide victory, to now see come to fruition one of the things we’ve fought for is truly gratifying.
For those of you who have bought into the scare tactics of the opposition, I feel sorry. The truth will prevail.
Boogers in your Soup
March 22nd, 2010
8:09 am
“…follow the way of Maxine Waters, John Lewis, Cynthia McKinney and pretty much all the liberal butt-monkeys today. If you don’t get your way, start calling people names.”
Kinda works in reverse eh…
Time for proof
March 22nd, 2010
8:10 am
Come November, I expect Americans to vote where it counts and clean the house and senate of the corrupt government. Then I expect, no I demand that the new elected demand to see a copy of a US Birth Certificate for Obama. I just really dont think it exists. I have never ever seen a man HATE America and Americans as much as this man Obama does. Spending over 3 million to prevent a birth certificate tells me everything I need to know. IT DOES NOT EXIST. Time to prove it too. Take over the house and senate and demand proof. Then take the proper action when we find out he was born in Kenya and is not American Citizen.
GAmom
March 22nd, 2010
8:11 am
@ Going Broke – Yes really. Last time I checked, <2% of American families make $250k. As I said MOST of us will receive tax credits for insurance. When will yall stop protecting the rich? Bush gave them one of the biggest tax cuts in history. What happened to all of the jobs that were promised from that debacle? lol.
BTW, anyone that still tans should pay taxes! We tax cigarettes because of the impending health care costs. So why not tanning?
Reality
March 22nd, 2010
8:11 am
Wow! The Sun rose today. I drove to work like usual. Apparently, the Earth really didn’t end because healthcare reform passed….
GAmom
March 22nd, 2010
8:13 am
anyone that still harps on Obama’s birth certificate is certifiable!! Or maybe they haven’t worked for the US government. To be a secretary at the DOD, you have to go through an intensive FBI background check. So, do you not trust that the FBI (under Bush/Cheney’s leadership) checked him out before he became senator? Please get help!!!
Boogers in your Soup
March 22nd, 2010
8:13 am
I said…GET BACK IN THAT TOILET!
Boogers in your Soup
March 22nd, 2010
8:14 am
GAmom. You are so naive and probably you are the reason your kids will be fags and failures.
Reality
March 22nd, 2010
8:14 am
@Time for proof: You have got to be kidding?!?!?! There really is someone like you out in the world? LOL! Do you have a brain at all?
The State of HA honored so many requests for copies of his birth certificate that it was costing them all of their budget for 2009. They finally had to stop the “repeaters” – those are the people that were requesting it multiple times.
Grow up. Get over it. Move on.
Cutty
March 22nd, 2010
8:14 am
Some of you are really showing your Georgia education. If you love freedom so much, why didn’t you rise up when the last administration was recording your phone calls and keeping all your emails? The outing of a CIA agent didn’t do much for you to protest your rights either. You all would rather continue to allow the insurance companies to accept all your premiums then deny you coverage for preexisting conditions for such crap as having acne or asthma.
The old system (as of yesterday) was wack. You paid more and got less. Where was the outrage when two wars were put on a credit card, if you cared so much about your children and grandchildren’s future? Get over yourselves. Go protest at the capital since the state legislature is doing everything in their power to diminish education as we know it. I guess keeping insurance companies from dropping you from coverage is a bad thing, let these nitwits tell it.
dub366
March 22nd, 2010
8:14 am
Let’s see how many of you used this if it so bad
MKA
March 22nd, 2010
8:14 am
Boogers in your Soup,
You are a scum-of-the-Earth, neanderthal. I will no longer entertain your stupidity. I can’t believe I stooped that low in the first place.
Greg Crawford
March 22nd, 2010
8:15 am
We are all sharecroppers now, and state governments are no more than tenant farmers. Our founders intended the federal government to be one of limited powers. Instead it is Leviathan.
dub366
March 22nd, 2010
8:17 am
Time for proof get a life
David
March 22nd, 2010
8:17 am
I’ve always realized how many truly ignorant, uneducated, and racist people lived in my home state of Georgia, and reading the unhappy comments here today only affirms that knowledge. Thank you, President Obama and Democrats for standing up and doing something, not because it was the best thing for the party, but because it was the right thing for our country, our people, and and children.
And Republicans, eat it and smile.
Cutty
March 22nd, 2010
8:19 am
Yeah Thomas Paine @ 8:06, insurance companies have really been putting a lot of sick people on their rolls lately. All of heard about is the sick people they’ve been refusing to cover for a number of reasons. There are no co-ops, only exchanges that will still provide coverage through private insurance. And I don’t believe anyone is against private companies making money, but when you raise premiums 40% and offer less coverage, thats a problem.
EMT
March 22nd, 2010
8:19 am
I hope that mental health care for retards is also included in this package because based on the number of stupid comments on here most of you need to see a shrink.
Boogers in your Soup
March 22nd, 2010
8:20 am
On a happier note we may now prepare for a tax increase, cut in services and delays in getting service. In this the dummycrats will also enjoy 100% participation while O-Dumb-Dumb and the capitol hill ass-clowns enjoy preferential treatment.
Reality
March 22nd, 2010
8:21 am
The truth to everything will unfold over the next few months and years. As a Democrat that voted for Obama, all I ask is….
Remember what has been said up to this point. Write them down if you must in order to remember. Remember how Hannity, O’Reily, and the rest of FOX news said how passing this bill would ruin America. How it will raise our taxes dramatically. How it will make America bankrupt. How it will drive doctors away from the profession. How you will not be able to select your doctor. How you will have to wait for years for any procedure. And, so on.
Remember this well. Because if these things DO NOT happen as they predicted, then you MUST call them liars. You MUST admit that the republican PR machine will do anything and everything to include scare tactics to get their way.
You MUST.
Deborah A.
March 22nd, 2010
8:21 am
Hurray hurray, if you look at the true polls the country is divided straight down the middle. Their are a lot of people who wanted this bill to pass. The news only showed the people who were the shouting the loudest that they didn’t want the bill to pass. There are millons of people who will now have coverage for themselves and their children. How can the American people feel symphathy for people in poor countries without medical care and don’t care about their fellow Americans?
Aquagirl
March 22nd, 2010
8:21 am
Ah, Birfers. Always good for a laugh.
BG
March 22nd, 2010
8:22 am
VOTE OBAMA OUT!!