5:08 am March 22, 2010, by Henry Unger
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?
For instant updates, follow me on Twitter.
Get inside Atlanta's and national business news and how it affects you.
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,329 comments Add your comment
guest user
March 22nd, 2010
9:18 am
Boogers:
My mother is fighting cancer right now and worried that her employer-provided insurance raising her deductible to $3,000 means she won’t be able to get the treatment she needs.
So forgive me, but I think she’s a little too busy to KISS IT.
I hope no one in your family ever has to deal with the reality of having a catastrophic disease and being worried about getting treatment.
Voteumout
March 22nd, 2010
9:21 am
People should not be afraid of their Government, Government should be afraid of the people!
” Remember , remember the 2nd of November”.
This is going to be the day that you sold out Dems will be voted out! You sold us out, now you will have a price to pay.
Tired of BS
March 22nd, 2010
9:21 am
Any congressman or woman who voted for this plan will probably face strong opposition from their district. The american people spoke, but NO ONE WAS LISTENING TO WE THE PEOPLE! They were more interested in making history. This is going to get very ugly.
I am truly afraid that the radical left, who wishes to have a reprise of the tumultous 60’s, are going to get it. My biggest fear is that someone is going to seek their own justice against the people who they know did not care about their wishes.
Winger
March 22nd, 2010
9:21 am
This is not about health care. It’s about legacy. Obama wants to be remembered as something besides the forty-somethingth president. If you actually study Marxism, there’s no way you can’t see the parallels with Obama. If you can’t see it, then you deserve to live in the reborn USSR.
guest user
March 22nd, 2010
9:23 am
It is all true. Do you need me to tell you how many months she has been on Sutent, a drug that makes her sick and causes her hair to fall out while costing thousands of dollars. Do you want me to tell you that the kidney cancer that has spread to her lungs now is growing larger and she’s going to have to switch to an even more expensive drug that is part of a clinical trial? Do you want me to tell you that she has had a cough the entire winter? Do you need me to describe to you the sleepless nights she has because of her non-stop coughing?
Or do I have to post the results of her latest CT scan that shows the cancer?
If you don’t have anything intelligent to post to here then perhaps you should move on.
Howard
March 22nd, 2010
9:23 am
guess user no disrespect but do you think that odumba care is going to help? I wish you well but odumba is not the answer and may prove to be more of a hassle than easy coverage. Take care.
Oh Please
March 22nd, 2010
9:24 am
I guess Obama’s main campaign pledge to bring the country together is working. I have never seen this country more split apart. Great work its been this way 3 months after he took office and getting worse by the day. A president who tears apart this country isn’t getting my vote of confidence.
My mother is happy tho since her auto union is excluded from the cadillac health care tax. Just commmon workers without union votes have to pay the tax.
Catman
March 22nd, 2010
9:24 am
Its amazing how you people are responding to something that will help you in the long run. The only thing you people keep saying is that they crammed it down your throats and wait till November 2010. But you all forget that healthcare payments around the country have increased heavily. Has anyone read the bill, or do you just watch the commercials that the republicans and the healthcare industries have been putting out there.
And this thing with socialism, you all are the dumbest people ever when it comes to that. I see no one complaining about the police officers who patrol your streets, “Socialism”, The roads you have built, “Socialism”, the public school system, “Socialism”. When government has a hand in the industry it causes the private sector to lower their own cost, example the postal service versus FedEx. You wonder why fedex can come down so cheap is because of the postal service but I don’t see people complaining how their mail gets delivered. Ignorant people if u feel your gonna get robbed, you always can leave the country. But please keep your mouth closed, every time ignorant people speak you make the country look dumber.
Bye Bye Rush
March 22nd, 2010
9:24 am
Has Rush Limbaugh borded the plane to leave the country yet? Is he going to lie like the rest of the Republicans aka The New Ku Klux Klan and stay here? That one big side of beef I would love to see leave.
Jason T
March 22nd, 2010
9:24 am
It’s definitely officail. The lunatics are running the asylum.
PETE
March 22nd, 2010
9:24 am
If your mad at Obama go to Iraq and live in Bushes WAR torn country I am sure Dick cheney can help you Facist start over again.
Just an American
March 22nd, 2010
9:25 am
Well I could attack you but then I would be a hypocrite. I am sorry that you feel so bad that you have to lash out at others. If attacking me gets you to a better place then go for it.
For It
March 22nd, 2010
9:27 am
I am so very proud to be an American now that this bill has passed. There was much bad publicity that the ignorant among us listened to completely without reason. The majority of reasonable, intelligent Americans were for the reform and are happy. Most of you that are commenting will not have to pay any additional taxes unless you make 200K a year or 250K per household. I worked for a major corporation for 25 years and do have health insurance that is really bad.,
Guess what? Any government employee is entitled to the same plans that Congress has, so if you want those benefits apply for a government job.
Just stay tuned and see how this bill works. I bet that some of the complainers will be the 1st in line for the new improved benefits.
It really makes me sad to see such anger and bad behavior by the ignorant opposition. But as the saying goes, “IGNORANCE IS BLISS.”
wwjd
March 22nd, 2010
9:27 am
Readers, at this point it would probably be best to not respond to “Boogers…” (The name is an indication of the mindset.) It’s best to take the high road.
Jim Warren
March 22nd, 2010
9:28 am
“Let me get this straight……we passed a health care plan written by a committee whose chairman says he doesn’t understand it, passed by a Congress that hasn’t read it but exempts themselves from it, to be signed by a president that also is exempt from it and hasn’t read it and who smokes, with funding administered by a treasury chief who didn’t pay his taxes, all to be overseen by a surgeon general who is obese, and financed by a country that’s broke.
What the hell could possibly go wrong?”
Just an American
March 22nd, 2010
9:29 am
I have that plan For It. And it does work
Jason T
March 22nd, 2010
9:29 am
For it
You’re quite a “blissful” person, aren’t you?
Fed Up
March 22nd, 2010
9:29 am
Hey, Obama. Can I get dental, car, house, disability, and life insurance too?
Socialist Law Rules!
March 22nd, 2010
9:29 am
If you want to see the outlook for this country in 3 years just take a look at Africa, Haiti, Clayton Co, Dekalb Co and Fulton Co.. Broke, uneducated and one huge disaster!
GAmom
March 22nd, 2010
9:31 am
Why do the “patriots” and “real Americans” hate America so much?
howard
March 22nd, 2010
9:31 am
This bill is not perfect but it is better than doing nothing which is what Republicans did for the eight years that Bush was in office. This bill is a good start to moving us toward an improve healthcare system in America. This bill is not the end, it is the beginning of health care reform. The insurance industry no longer controls health care in America….the people do and that is change we can believe in.
CB JONES
March 22nd, 2010
9:31 am
It is amazing how upset you people are over getting healthcare reform passed but when the vote for the illegal war was cast there was no outcry amoung you. It’s okay to spend money on killing but helping to save a life or improve someone’s health you are up in arms, I can clearly say, Jesus would not wabt you to be this mean and hateful trying to help someone. If you believe in God, please read your Bibles and see how horrible you sound, God would not be proud of all the hate and mean comments being made about our President, thank God for allowing him to do the right thing.
Just an American
March 22nd, 2010
9:32 am
My entire family benefits from my health plan. I could be selfish but what about other families? I don’t care what they look like I just want them to live a healthy live, yes as God intended. This is neither a showstopper or panecea. But it is better than nothing
Robert
March 22nd, 2010
9:32 am
Welcome to the Socialist Republic of America! I along with millions of other working Americans have been waiting for this president to address the immediate concerns of this country, unemployment. Are you people idiots, it’s the rich and upper middle income people that provided you with a job. Instead of terminating employees, I’ve used my savings to keep employees and pay for their insurance. Business math 101, I work 60 hours get paid for 40, they work 30 and get paid for 40. I went through my parking lot this morning and looked for Obama campaign stickers. Add four to the unemployed and entitlement program with no remorse or regrets on my part. They’ll be at the unemployment office next week. Where are they going to get insurance now! I’ll suggest they apply for a job at the IRS I understand that entitlement program is hiring. I’ve owned my own business for over 20 years and the only regret I have is that it wasn’t a cash only business. Democrats you’ve successfully taken away the American dream of working hard and succeeding.
Democrats, you’ve shown the American public how corrupt this country has become, you’ve sealed your fate. For those that are naive, the definition of a third world nation is one puts the bribes under the table the other puts the bribes on the top of the table. Thank you Obama you’ve succeeded in showing the world we are now truly a third world nation.
The New Three Stooges
March 22nd, 2010
9:32 am
Larry – Nancy Pelosi
Moe – Obama
Curly – Barney Franks
guest user
March 22nd, 2010
9:33 am
Amen, Howard! It is a start, finally. And while not perfect, it is about time that something was done to address the issue. As someone pointed out earlier, we’re too great of a country to have people dying just because they couldn’t get health care.
Harvard Business School Comment on this bill
March 22nd, 2010
9:35 am
The health care legislation laudably expands coverage but its costs, more than $900 billion, will put another nail in the coffin of the U.S. economy and open the door to a U.S. government-controlled health care system that gravely injures the sick along the way.
The problem is the absence of control of costs that already cripple U.S. global competitiveness. As a percentage of gross domestic product, the U.S. spends roughly 70 percent more on health care than other universal coverage nations, yet we cannot point to commensurate superiority in value.
?Q
March 22nd, 2010
9:37 am
Funny how a few people think they speak for everyone. Maybe you should go back and look at the vote count from the last presidential election. You are no better than the Islamist Extremists who try to run everyone else’s lives. Grow up cry babies.
Thomas Payne
March 22nd, 2010
9:38 am
@For It. You are a fool if you think that only those who make over 200K will be taxed. EVERYONE will be hurting from the tax burden. Your employer passes taxes on to you in the form of demenished wages.
And why is it right for those who make more than 200K (through hard work, continued education, and sacrafice) to pay higher taxes, while others get a free ride?
Hellbent
March 22nd, 2010
9:38 am
The GOP & the Tea-Baggers have now shown their true colors! I just love it! It’s bad enough that they felt the need to heckle a Parkinsons patient on film at one of their rallies, but now their screaming racist/homophobic slurs at distinguished members of Congress. Shame, shame, shame! What low-life scum! ANYONE who associates themselves with this lot is now and will be forever doomed to failure. Bye-bye GOP, and take Faux News with you!!!!
BR549
March 22nd, 2010
9:39 am
The guberment shouldnt mandate charity. Lets face it food stamps, medicade, public housing, social security and now a complete take over of health care is all charity. Charity shouldn’t be forced upon people to give. Let those who want to support it do so and those who do not don’t. I should not be forced to give up my hard earned money because some lazy bum doesn’t want to work but demands free healthcare. On the other hand I have no problem donating to someone when I can do it on my own free will. This government needs to be take back down to size.
Juice
March 22nd, 2010
9:40 am
PEOPLE GET A LIFE!!! People talking about race and politic. We all knew when Barack was elected he would have a hard time with Congress. The real issue here is not healthcare reform, it’s race. If Barack was fully black or AFrican-American as nyou would call it we wouldn’t be having this conversation. GO BARACK!!!!!!.
I don’t hear anyone talking about car insurance that is a requirement and other required issues facing the American people such as our children’s education and lack of jobs. Furthermore, there are a lot of people that do not have health care coverage and will need the coverage in the future. God forbid any of the people with these negative attitudes on the this issue get sick.
The past presidents did what they wanted to do and look at what America become. Nobody is looking at the f-up they’ve made or even talked about. Take it for what is and move on. I say, Damn if you do or damn if you don’t.
Mike
March 22nd, 2010
9:40 am
I feel like I was just given an enema. Thanks Mr. President & Ms. Pelosi. I’ve already started campaigning for womever runs for President in 2012! God help America.
Max
March 22nd, 2010
9:42 am
I support Health Care Reform, not the bill that passed last night.
We don’t need any bill passed that gives more power or duties to the IRS.
What happened last night was due in part to the failure of the Republicans to fix Health Care when they defeated Clinton’s Universal Health Care plan back in the nineties.
The hard lesson to learn is that when we don’t do the right thing, Government will come in to fix it and they will always go too far. When it comes to Health Care, Government needs to be at the table, but they don’t need to own the table.
conservative democrat
March 22nd, 2010
9:43 am
4 Jacks,
1) an end to the denial of coverage due to pre-existing conditions;
2) an end to the denial of coverage for becoming sick;
3) young people graduating from college can be insured on their parents’ policy even if they can’t immediately find a job in post-Bush era economy.
If you had ever had a denial of coverage because of one of these insurance company ploys, you would understand.
Unicorn
March 22nd, 2010
9:43 am
What strikes me the most in the comments presented in this forum is the degree to which people are simply echoing the sound bites and jaded viewpoints which dominated the debate on this issue.
No one can honestly and objectively defend what has been the stat-quo with regard to health “BENFIT” plans or the heath care delivery system in this country in general as being a system without considerable flaw. All would agree the stat-quo was unsustainable, thus the question becomes what reforms do you introduce. The democrats had their viewpoint and being the majority in congress finally stepped up to stand behind their viewpoints. There is nothing established last night that cannot be further refined as time moves forward. The measures which take immediate effect are budget neutral and will have some positive benfit to millions of american’s some with insurance today and some without.
For all those that are today ranting and raving about their disgust and priming themselves to vote in a flood new Republican candidates into congress in the forthcoming election cycles, ask yourself this simple question, Do you really think the “good” Republican’s you plan to vote in will have the fortitude to expend their poltical capital to reverse these measures when they are in power? I think not, but time will tell.
America welcome to the 21st century, some sort of universal health care coverage was a concept whose time had come in this country. As with all things the next 4 years as these measures get phased in the devil is in the details. In the immediate moments expect the Insurance companies to grab all they can out of us and head for the hills !!!!
GaGrl
March 22nd, 2010
9:43 am
Its the end of the world as we know it………
Dave In Tampa
March 22nd, 2010
9:43 am
Well good morning America! We use to be land of the free. However, we wake up this morning under a new form of government called “Dictatorship” We are no better than a Communist country now. The majority, MAJORITY, of the US said no to this Health Reform, but the Democrats wanted to show their butts and prove that they could push it through using strong arm tactics.
The America we once new will never be again. It’s not a Government for the people anymore. It’s how can I pad my wallet and be in control. Obama is the most pompous, arrogant individual ever to be an elected official in any way shape or form. His person has no concern for the American people. He even stated in one of his books, if it came down a war between Muslim and the US he would side with the Muslims….. Yet, let’s still elect him President.
President was not the best President I agree, but at least the man had the country’s best interest at heart even if some of the ideas were not the best. He did not take private corporations and turn them into government run institutions like this moron has.
Socialist America… get use to it America until we make our voice heard loud and strong!
Steven
March 22nd, 2010
9:44 am
George Bush and the republican party ran this country into the ground in 8 years. the only thing that changed for me over the last eight years are my expenses going up and my income going down. On the other hand, all the major companies had huge profits and are still profiting from the war in IRAQ. Here we have a president that took drastic action to avoid the second great depression and is now trying to reform a healthcare system that is broken and will bankrupt the country. The reason why the Republicans don’t want it is because they are heavily financed by big businesses. If you can honestly say that the republicans are looking out for the best interest of the people then why are we the people in this big hole from the BUSH years? President Obama had to bail out the banks because we the people would be eating rats for dinner if some of those big institutions that employ us were to go under. The president has looked out for the common man since day one and continues to do so. Republicans are good at only two things. 1) Inciting fear and 2) lining the pockets of big institutions. We need balance in our system and the vote last night shows that democrats have that balance (some did vote against the bill) but republicans are single minded.
BR549
March 22nd, 2010
9:44 am
Juice, where has this been made about race? Yes a few ignorant idiots yelled a few things that they shouldn’t. I don’t condone that, but I do defend their right to free speech. The Bill of Rights does not say you have a right to health care.
Dave In Tampa
March 22nd, 2010
9:45 am
Max:
I agree and I believe most do that we do need to reconstruct the health care of the country, but not this!!
JohnnyJumpstart
March 22nd, 2010
9:45 am
All of you guys that work out there, don’t waste your breath on the moochers. They have been inbred to believe that everything in life is owed to them – you will never convince them otherwise. They are the same as the idiots in New Orleans who after years on the government teat couldn’t even bring themselves to get out of the way of a hurricane – they had to wait for the goverment to do something. Thats the same mentality of those celebrating today. They aren’t capable of providing for themselves so they want the government to take your money to support them.
I earn over $200k
March 22nd, 2010
9:46 am
I work two jobs, paid all my way since I was 18 y/o. My wife works full time. My car is 16 years old and my wifes is 6. We have old furniture, live middle class as make it month to month. With child care costing a bunch each month, Shirley Franklin raising property taxes, water taxes, etc. now Obama taxing us three to four more times just to pay for me getting a govt doctor? what a joke and this one isnt funny. I cant afford anymore taxes. If I was making less I would get it all for free. What an incentive to work…
Get Real
March 22nd, 2010
9:46 am
Well Obama, Pelosi and Reid just keep putting more nails in America’s coffin! Obama has got to be the most arrogant president ever and he’s the first president that makes me want to puke when I hear him reading from his teleprompter! What a dangerous joke he is to America! I just wonder how long it will be when all the people that were for this healthcare actually realize they are going to have to go out and actually get insurance now or be fined $2,500? The government will add IRS employees to inforce this and seize and tax refunds they may have had if they don’t have coverage! Now, amnisty for all immigrants so they will have healthcare is next on OBOZO’s Agenda!
RedStateFan
March 22nd, 2010
9:46 am
The health insurance companies have only one mission: To take as much money from you as they can — and then work like demons to deny you whatever coverage and help they can should you get sick.
cmurphyga
March 22nd, 2010
9:47 am
Wow, it is amazing how many people are so afraid of change! News flash, what was in place wasn’t working. Hense the need for change, get a grip, the government already provides universal health care, now they are just give the rest of us a chance to enjoy it!
TY
March 22nd, 2010
9:47 am
Steven
Someone has been feeding you the wrong information. You are way off, but God Bless you my brother!
First Sergeant
March 22nd, 2010
9:48 am
Howard
March 22nd, 2010
7:16 am
Georgian you’re a true sucker! You claim to be a minorty all because of color, you’re the racist! Rick Cole you my friend nailed it! The takers have scored a big one.
So Howard, let’s say that “Georgian” is of a “non-caucasian” background. Does this not constitute being of the minority? Also, could you please explain your conclusion of classifying Georgian as being “a sucker”. As I see it, you have no basis for making that statement. Simply because your views aren’t shared, a person has to be a “sucker”. Your statement contains no substance nor validity. You see, this is exactly the reason why the rest of America view you all here in this state as being uneducated and backwoods. It is people like you, and many others throughout the state of Georgia, who argues/debates against their own best interest, simply because of ignorancy.
And by the way, everything “Georgian has said” is absolutely true; I know first hand!
Howard
March 22nd, 2010
9:48 am
howard @835 you can take all your government programs and wipe ya A$$ with them! Don’t use my name to post BS in favor of Gov’t.
gamom will you use your masters degree if so will it be for income and profit or for the love of your profession?
Sensible
March 22nd, 2010
9:48 am
Good God people you act like the world is ending. This president is providing health care to more Americans. This is a good thing. You act like he just made Osama Bin Laden his Vice President.