ObamaCare hits this week; reach for your wallet
ObamaCare will be back in the news this week, as some of the new coverage mandates begin to take effect.
Democrats who were hoping that seeing what’s in the bill would prompt voters to give them a boost will not be happy to see stories like this one appearing in the Hartford (Ct.) Courant:
The state’s largest health insurer was granted rate hikes Friday that will be well over 20 percent for some plans, drawing sharp criticism from the attorney general.
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Connecticut requested a wide range of premium increases, which will take effect Oct. 1, to cover the costs of new benefits required by federal health reform. Higher prices mostly affect new members shopping for a health plan on the individual market rather than people who have group plans through an employer or some other organization.
The Connecticut Department of Insurance approved Anthem’s request without changes, including a boost of as much as 22.9 percent just to comply with one provision: eliminating annual spending limits per customer. But it’s unclear how much more customers will pay because of the variety of plans and the complexity of other factors, such as a person’s age.
(snip)
All of Connecticut’s major health insurers filed proposed rate changes for new plans, or revised plans, to cover the new benefits. Besides Anthem, the only other health insurer that has been approved thus far was Aetna, which requested an average 24.7 percent increase over last year for small-group HMO plans. State regulators agreed to an average increase of 18 percent for all of Aetna’s small-group plans and 14.2 percent for large-group and middle-market plans.
People shopping for insurance on the individual market are, of course, the people who needed health reform the most. That doesn’t seem to be working out for them anywhere, which is no real surprise. (Btw, the attorney general, Richard Blumenthal, happens to be the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Connecticut.)
Closer to home, a writer at InsureBlog reports the following changes in the Georgia health-insurance market:
All but two health insurance companies have withdrawn from offering maternity benefits.
Only a handful of companies will still write “child only” health insurance plans.
As of this date, it is almost impossible to find a rate for children’s health insurance if they are under age 19 and you are looking for coverage to be effective on 9/23/10 or later.
Some companies have either withdrawn from offering major medical business or are dropping hints they will be out of that market in 18 months or less.
Many have already indicated higher premiums for the 4th quarter of 2010 and later, especially on children under age 19.
Companies are starting to push limited benefit plans as “more affordable” alternatives to true major medical insurance.
Several companies have introduced new plans with stripped down benefits in an attempt to make their product look more appealing.
Drug formulary’s are changing, so the drug that is covered under your plan now may not be covered in the future.
Doctor and hospital networks are shrinking in an effort to further control costs but also has the effect of limiting access to a wide range of medical providers.
One way to look at these changes is to view them, as numerous Democrats acknowledged during the ObamaCare debate, as the first step toward a single-payer health system.
Given that even Bill Clinton is now admitting that he was wrong during the debate to advise Democrats that the bill would be a political winner “the minute” it became law, I doubt this policy of willing a train wreck upon the health-insurance market will end up working — for patients or Democrats.
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158 comments Add your comment
Thurston B. Howell III
September 20th, 2010
1:06 pm
Who cares?
arnold
September 20th, 2010
1:10 pm
Republicans had their chance to help influence the bill. Now they want to make changes, but have yet to advance any concrete proposals. They are acting like the Democrats trying to get a consensus.
I wouldn’t mind seeing some tweaks to the program. Maybe if the sun rises in the west, there will be a change.
Not So Casual Observer
September 20th, 2010
1:18 pm
arnold,
The Democrats refused every amendment and every tweak offered by Republicans. The healthcare albatross is a totally Democrat legislation and even Harry Reid is starting to run from the bill.
carlosgvv
September 20th, 2010
1:32 pm
I certainly don’t want the Government helping me get health insurance either. I want to pay all those huge medical bills by myself and when I’m out in the street at least I can proudly say no Obamacare for me!!
The Aristocrat
September 20th, 2010
1:38 pm
Let’s poll working Americans(vs. non-working) and see how many of them want Obama’s proposed health care. That ought to be the tale of the tape.
Peadawg
September 20th, 2010
1:53 pm
“One way to look at these changes is to view them, as numerous Democrats acknowledged during the ObamaCare debate, as the first step toward a single-payer health system.”
That’s exactly what it is. Make private health insurance sooo bad that we’ll be begging for a single payer system.
Arnold, we tried. The Democrats refused pretty much everything we suggested.
Aquagirl
September 20th, 2010
1:58 pm
Let’s poll Americans who actually need/use health insurance (vs. non-users) and see how many of them want Obama’s proposed health care. That ought to be the tale of the tape.
BW
September 20th, 2010
1:58 pm
So what if it’s the first step to single payer? People are acting like NO ONE was mandating which procedures are covered….hello…your policy did that for you. In addition we know that prices were headed higher either way. I’ve yet to hear a convincing argument in favor of the status quo…health care will continue to be according to one’s means….those who have money will have the best care available. This is just another false argument. True freedom is a myth in an governed society…it’s simply a matter of who is telling you what to do and quite frankly there are too many people that are too stupid to understand that fact. Anger is not a governing strategy idiots.
The Aristocrat
September 20th, 2010
2:03 pm
Oh Aquagirl, you confuse the word NEED with ENTITLED. The two are not synonyms, those who pay are ENTITLED to the benefits of health care whether they NEED them or not. Those who do not pay into health care benefits are not ENTITLED to them, even if they NEED them.
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
2:05 pm
Obama is going down in flames.
ExRepublican
September 20th, 2010
2:05 pm
If the Republicans were a responsibly opposing party then we would have a healthy bill. Instead they decided to act like irresponsibly teenagers with fear mongering and voting NO at every opportunity.
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
2:06 pm
“Let’s poll Americans who actually need/use health insurance (vs. non-users) and see how many of them want Obama’s proposed health care. That ought to be the tale of the tape.’
Are these people legal or illegals?
JF McNamara
September 20th, 2010
2:06 pm
We’ll see soon enough. We’re officially entering part two of the Chicken Little phase. I’m sure if one guy in Rolling Fork, MS gets his premium hiked it’ll be national news. Spare me, because no one knows where this will all settle out. If it isn’t working in a couple of years, they’ll change it. If its completely bad, then they’ll repeal it. I refuse, however, to believe that we can’t implement a system that works well in other countries and is cheaper those countries.
AmVet
September 20th, 2010
2:06 pm
…as numerous Democrats acknowledged during the ObamaCare debate, as the first step toward a single-payer health system.
I guess Max Baucus and Nancy Pelosi never got the memo. They ensured that NO single-payer voices were even allowed to be heard in the debate of this latest debacle called the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 …
The Ghost From The Past
September 20th, 2010
2:09 pm
Here comes ObamaCare – better get the Vaseline.
sb
September 20th, 2010
2:14 pm
Kyle, please shut up. We were already reaching for wallets before ObamaCare, was passed.
The saddest thing is that people in this country who need it the most, are the ones yelling loudly they dont want it. Healthcare has it flaws and at least somebody had the power to change it, so please stop ranting and raving about how we need to reach for our wallet. We have and will continue to pay for it for years.
Peadawg
September 20th, 2010
2:14 pm
“If the Republicans were a responsibly opposing party then we would have a healthy bill”
Again, they tried but the Democrats said NO to everything the republicans wanted to do w/ the bill.
Peadawg
September 20th, 2010
2:15 pm
“We have and will continue to pay for it for years.”
Sounds like Obama lied when he said this bill will lower premiums for everyone.
BW
September 20th, 2010
2:17 pm
At best, it will slow the rate of increase…it’s called cost avoidance. No price ever remains static.
Bob
September 20th, 2010
2:21 pm
SB, the people that need it the most are doing the complaining ? Then give them what they want. When they complain about the 1099 provision that most dems did not even know was a provision, do they really need to send 1099’s to every vendor if they are in business ? Tell us who would need such a provision. The fact is that the people that needed it the most also need other gov programs the most.
Bob
September 20th, 2010
2:23 pm
BW, Obama said it would reduce premiums by 18%, what do you mean slow the increase ? How will forcing insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions help slow anything ?
AmVet
September 20th, 2010
2:25 pm
We were already reaching for wallets before ObamaCare, was passed.
True dat, sb. In fact it is in the running for understatement of the year.
Insane through the roof premium prices. Horrific service. Ungodly incompetence, waste, abuse and fraud by armies of fragmented, “free market”, profiteering, paper shufflers.
To the tune of $300,000,000,000.00 each and every year.
Thank gawd, I’m a socialist and have the VA…
markie mark
September 20th, 2010
2:27 pm
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you BOHICA…
Bend Over, Here It Comes Again.
BW
September 20th, 2010
2:28 pm
@ Bob
If you want to say Obama lied then he lied….I’m not even arguing that. My response is that at best the legislation will slow the increases that were coming anyway. Only a rabid partisan will say that the status quo would hold prices at the same level or lower.
Jackie
September 20th, 2010
2:29 pm
Wonder how the Obama Administration is responsible for the greed exhibited by the cost increases requested by the health care companies? Inflation is in the range of 1%, layoffs in many of those companies have taken place, medical providers and facilities cost have remained static, yet, they have asked for rate increases up to 49% in the case of California Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Smokewagon
September 20th, 2010
2:31 pm
I bet Carter’s healthcare bill would have been much better if not blocked by Ted Kennedy and the democrats.
JackLeg
September 20th, 2010
2:31 pm
Arnold are you on drugs? Not one revision or bill submitted by ANY republican has EVER made it off of Pelosi’s desk. That is because the speaker of the house determines what get brought to the floor for debate or vote. Funny how the dimacrats say how the GOP has no ideas, why not look on Pelosi’s desk, there are over 1000 bills submitted by the republicans. How many even made it to the floor, zero. Now that the dimacrats created a situation where they can dismiss any GOP bills then claim they have no ideas….. what a bunch of losers….
StJ
September 20th, 2010
2:37 pm
Regulate the insurance companies to death and you end up with a single payer system, even if not explicitly stated.
The insurance companies will make all the profit they can and then “retire” from the business. After that point, if you don’t like the quality or timeliness of your health care…too bad.
BW
September 20th, 2010
2:41 pm
@ StJ
And for some that would still be the status quo
Nancy Pelosi
September 20th, 2010
2:41 pm
But Ya’ll….We have to pass healthcare to see what’s in it
Intown
September 20th, 2010
2:42 pm
Gust Avrakotos: There’s a little boy and on his 14th birthday he gets a horse… and everybody in the village says, “how wonderful. The boy got a horse” And the Zen master says, “we’ll see.” Two years later, the boy falls off the horse, breaks his leg, and everyone in the village says, “How terrible.” And the Zen master says, “We’ll see.” Then, a war breaks out and all the young men have to go off and fight… except the boy can’t cause his legs all messed up. and everybody in the village says, “How wonderful.”
Charlie Wilson: Now the Zen master says, “We’ll see.”
left wing
September 20th, 2010
2:57 pm
What I didn’t see in Mr. Wingfield’s clip was an estimate of how much health insurance would have gone up in the absence of the government healthcare paln.
As someone who buys an individual insurance plan (I’m self employed) I can tell you that 7 years ago, my insurance (thru Blue Cross) cost $350/month, with a $1000/person deductible. As of this month, my new premium will be $1254/month with a $3000/person deductible.
As someone who has a child with a pre-existing condition (my daughter has crohn’s) I can tell you that I’m grateful that she’ll never be ‘recinded’ or denied coverage for a pre-existing condition, or that she’ll never have to worry about hitting limits on her policy.
My worst year was FY 2008, when I had about $16,000 in medical expenses (and no, that didn’t include insurance).
So, for those of you who want to demean the healthcare plan, I’m guessing that for you, life is pretty good. Your premiums are low and your kids are healthy. You probably have never had a problem with your coverage. The fact is that there are a lot of people in my situation, and you have little or no regard for us.
And I have nothing but distain for you.
Ezra
September 20th, 2010
3:07 pm
My family is healthy, we are poor by Kyle’s standards. We have a family history of diabetes and hypertension after the age 60. My sister died of diabetes after blindness. You can disdain me all you want but she never had government help nor did she beg for it. I do not want to pay for YOUR health care. If you need a second job to pay for it then vote Obama out and get jobs back.
Suckers
September 20th, 2010
3:09 pm
left wing- that’s your problem and your responsibility, not the taxpayers. Sure, you got dealt a crummy hand, but it’s yours to play. A 1000 violins are playing for you
Peadawg
September 20th, 2010
3:09 pm
left wing, I feel for you. I’m really sorry to hear about your daughter. But this bill won’t help in reducing your premiums. The bill sounds great and all in theory(especially the not being able to deny pre-existing conditions)!!!!!!! But it will just make premiums go up even faster than they would had before now that insurance companies are being forced to cover those with pre-existing condition.
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
3:09 pm
“The saddest thing is that people in this country who need it the most, are the ones yelling loudly they dont want it.”
No wonder the libs are in so much trouble.
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
3:10 pm
“And I have nothing but distain for you.”
It’s spelled disdain, not distain.
Linda
September 20th, 2010
3:20 pm
If the Dems had done the same thing to auto insurers that they’ve done to health insurers, we would all be paying thousands of dollars a year for old clunkers. Imagine if auto insurers had to insure our kids under 26 yrs. old, disregard our pre-existing driving records, cap our deductibles. etc. Maybe they are next.
left wing
September 20th, 2010
3:21 pm
that’s your problem and your responsibility Gee, I’m shocked that you feel that way. If it’s your daughter, how would you feel?
And Ezra I’m sorry to hear about your sister. Did she have decent health care? Did she ever have treatments or drugs prescribed by her doctor, only to have the insurance company deny it because it cost them too much? Did you have your premiums increased by 700% over the last 6 years (hard to compute because I’ve had to change deductibles twice to keep premiums semi-affordable)?
I’m not looking for a handout, and no one is paying for my premiums but me. What I want is to have a government that will protect me from corporations like Blue Cross.
You know what? I don’t think the health care plan is all that great. I’d love to have their ant-trust exemption revoked, for starters. But in this world where health insurance corporations line the pockets of both parties, I know that’s not gonna happen. So, I’m grateful for what I’ve got.
left wing
September 20th, 2010
3:22 pm
CAIR Bears – nice to have the spelling police looking out for me.
TINSTAAFL
September 20th, 2010
3:25 pm
Are you stupid Jackie? If you’re being forced to offer more services, your must of course demand a higher price. It’s okay though. I don’t expect you to understand it, seeing as our dear leader is a Harvard grad and can’t understand it himself.
Let me put it in terms you might demand. Let’s say you own a McDonalds and you make a lot of money on the dolllar menu. One day, the local government decides that you are being unfair with your choices on the dollar menu. Why is it fair that the rich people can go to McDonalds and get the Big Mac for $3.99, but the po’ folk can only get the standard cheeseburger? Obviously, this is a call for the government to intervene. In the interests of the public welfare, the local government mandates that everything be included on your dollar menu. Look now. You have to offer way more for the same price. In order to cover costs, you raise the price of the dollar menu to the $2 menu. Then Jackie comes along, hands on her hips, eyes bugging out, and red in the face screaming that it is absolutely unfair that the profiteers at McDonalds are raising prices. It could not have ever been the fault of the local government. They were, after all, acting in the interest of the public welfare.
Indeed Jackie. How can the Obama administration be blamed for the ‘corporate greed?’
Bob
September 20th, 2010
3:26 pm
BW, I never even implied that premiums would go down. I will argue that under this plan, premiums will rise faster. How can forcing a company to insure somone with existing health problems help slow premium growth ? What provision in the plan will help slow growth ?
BW
September 20th, 2010
3:27 pm
@ left wing
These people don’t understand that in some cases it is their tone and lack of empathy that prevent some from agreeing with them in spite of their sometimes valid points.
Peadawg
September 20th, 2010
3:27 pm
“What I want is to have a government that will protect me from corporations like Blue Cross.”
You’re going to be looking for a long time b/c this bill doesn’t really do that.
Dave
September 20th, 2010
3:29 pm
A little off topic… but I’m sure there are a lot in the ruling class who would love something like this here (because, you know, it’s not YOUR hard earned money in the first place):
UK Proposes All Paychecks Go to the State First
“The UK’s tax collection agency is putting forth a proposal that all employers send employee paychecks to the government, after which the government would deduct what it deems as the appropriate tax and pay the employees by bank transfer.”
http://www.cnbc.com/id/39265847
Bob
September 20th, 2010
3:32 pm
Left wing, that pretty much sums it up, I had problems so screw those that do not. Thats what the left is all about, 80% had no problem, 20% did, so lets screw the 80% so everyone is equally miserable. That is the take with Social Security also, a few will not help themselves so the rest get screwed out of 12.4% of our income.
BW
September 20th, 2010
3:33 pm
@ Bob
This isn’t a vehicle….the basic question is to me anyway is whether or not “affordable” health care is a right or privilege. One’s philosophy will determine the answer to that question. I cannot point to a specfic provision that will definitively do that which is why I said “at best”.
The larger issue is that Washington has become so polarized that it’s impossible to have a rational conservation about it. Both parties are at fault. When or if the Democrats are voted into the minority, this will not change. Democrats will have the same complaints about Speaker Boehner not allowing the issue to be voted on.
SB
September 20th, 2010
3:33 pm
@ BW
I agree.
BW
September 20th, 2010
3:35 pm
@ Dave
Seriously….how is what we do now any different? Well I guess you have a choice to cheat on your tax forms to have no tax withheld. Of course you have another set of problems with an organization named the IRS but hey you were free to make the choice right? LOL
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
3:43 pm
“nice to have the spelling police looking out for me.”
Hey, at least I won’t charge you or give you a ticket.
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
3:44 pm
“What I want is to have a government that will protect me from corporations like Blue Cross. ”
That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Instead of complaining about a company, go find another carrier.
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
3:45 pm
“Are you stupid Jackie?”
Yes, more than you’ll ever know.
Linda
September 20th, 2010
3:50 pm
BW @ 3:33, Check out the 1st couple of paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence. Our rights come from God & privileges come from the government. Our rights cannot be taken away, whereas privileges come & go. The difference between the two if THE foundation of America, the reason the American Revolution was fought.
ATLBadger
September 20th, 2010
3:50 pm
Can we just get rid of Medicare too? I mean, if we’re too cheap to support health care for young, productive people, why should we pay to support health care for old, unproductive people who are just steps from death anyways? No Medicare type vouchers either. Just nothing but the good ol’ free market for the old folks. Since the free market always works, I’m sure someone will come up with a way to profit off of health care and still provide old people with the diabetes, heart disease, and cancer treatments they need to stay alive.
Drifter
September 20th, 2010
3:51 pm
It’s hard for the GOP to whine about this issue when they had the opportunity to address it and did nothing. At the least the Democrats had the courage to address it. But the bottom line is that we’ll spend 50% more than any other country (as a percentage of GDP) on health care, we still won’t cover everyone and we’ll still get poor results.
Peter
September 20th, 2010
3:51 pm
Hey…….The Ghost From The Past…….why would a ghost need Vaseline ?
left wing
September 20th, 2010
3:52 pm
CAIR Bears That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Instead of complaining about a company, go find another carrier.
First, their anti-trust exemption means that in the Atlanta market, BCBS dominates the field.
Second, what makes you think that any other insurance company would act differently? They don’t have to.
Third, until now (at least as of Thursday), when the “pre-existing condition” kicks in, I would now have that option. I haven’t had it before.
BW
September 20th, 2010
3:58 pm
@ Linda
Theoretically all 300 plus million of us have the right to do whatever we want…in practice you know that’s not true. How many “rights” have been curtailed in the name of national security alone? Some issues will be decided on the needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few.
BW
September 20th, 2010
3:59 pm
@ CAIR Bears
This is not a true free market economy. It’s not as easy as going to another provider for service everytime.
Jefferson
September 20th, 2010
4:00 pm
1 insurance company is all we need.
left wing
September 20th, 2010
4:01 pm
I believe the preamble of the US Constitution says “. . . promote the general Welfare”. Which is what gives the government the right.
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
4:07 pm
“This is not a true free market economy. It’s not as easy as going to another provider for service everytime.”
Oh, then you’re going to hate Obamacare.
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
4:08 pm
“Which is what gives the government the right.”
There is nothing in the US Constitution that grants the government power to make anyone buy anything.
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
4:08 pm
HAHAHAHAH!!!!!!
More House Democrats stressing independence from Pelosi, Obama
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/19/AR2010091904585.html
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
4:10 pm
“First, their anti-trust exemption means that in the Atlanta market, BCBS dominates the field.”
You’re not looking very hard.
“Second, what makes you think that any other insurance company would act differently? ”
Competition.
“Third, until now (at least as of Thursday), when the “pre-existing condition” kicks in, I would now have that option.”
That’s what you think.
Jefferson
September 20th, 2010
4:10 pm
Is it the paying for insurance or not being able afford it that bothers you Kyle. I know a lot of people that can’t afford it, and many that love money so much they don’t like parting with it. What a decision.
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
4:11 pm
“How many “rights” have been curtailed in the name of national security alone?”
Are you an Al Quida operative? If not, none.
BW
September 20th, 2010
4:11 pm
@ CAIR Bears
One can argue that the requirement of car insurance isn’t forcing people to buy something because you don’t have to drive…but in Atlanta….seriously…
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
4:12 pm
“One can argue that the requirement of car insurance isn’t forcing people to buy something because you don’t have to drive…but in Atlanta….seriously…”
Bad example, BW.
BW
September 20th, 2010
4:14 pm
@ CAIR Bear
Am I an al-Qeada operative? If I’m not with you I’m against you huh? You’re no better than a “liberal” with that line of thought. If the government can’t do anything right in the first place then why did the Patriot Act have to be implemented? Conservatives aren’t for less government they are for their type of government.
Drifter
September 20th, 2010
4:14 pm
What about the government forcing you to provide for your retirement and to buy disability insurance (aka Social Security)?
BW
September 20th, 2010
4:16 pm
@ CAIR Bears
Explain the bad example for me.
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
4:16 pm
BW
What rights were taken away?
Algonquin j. Calhoun
September 20th, 2010
4:17 pm
Why do Republicans have a problem with rich people paying a fair share of taxes and poor people having medical care? It’s obvious the Republinazis are in the pocket of the insurance companies and the health care providers. Addison Graves Wilson, who famously called Obama a liar, is nothing more than a hand puppet for the health care and insurance vampires. The increases in premiums you spoke of are just the latest bit of dishonesty from the health care/insurance/Republinazi morons@
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
4:19 pm
“Explain the bad example for me.”
Car insurance and health insurance are totally different. The problem with all of this is the simple fact that we can’t get insurance across state lines. If that were to happen then you’d see more competition and less local monopolies. Yes, I hate dealing with insurance companies and yes, a lot of things they do is bad for customers, but to think that government will do a better job is just wrong.
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
4:19 pm
“Why do Republicans have a problem with rich people paying a fair share of taxes and poor people having medical care?”
Because Republicans work for a living instead of living off of welfare like Democrat voters. Also, we don’t believe in communism.
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
4:20 pm
“It’s obvious the Republinazis are in the pocket of the insurance companies and the health care providers. ”
Demotards are, too. Obama is in bed with big oil companies like BP.
Sucks, don’t it.
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
4:20 pm
“Addison Graves Wilson, who famously called Obama a liar, is nothing more than a hand puppet for the health care and insurance vampires.”
Proof please, not mindless opinions.
Linda
September 20th, 2010
4:26 pm
BW @ 3:58, “…men…are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness…”
Our inalienable rights, endowed by God, are natural & morally universal & cannot be taken away.
Our legal, civil or statutory rights are privileges & can be taken away, as we have seen more during the last 20 mts. than in the past 70 yrs.
TINSTAAFL
September 20th, 2010
4:27 pm
Algonquin j. Calhoun
The rich already pay more than their fair share of taxes.
Also, while we are at it, please define ‘fair’ by an objective value system. If you cannot objectively define ‘fair,’ I fail to see how it can be accurately codified into law.
CAIR Bears
September 20th, 2010
4:32 pm
Gotta love the left wingers who have wealth envy of those who worked hard to get what they have.
left wing
September 20th, 2010
4:32 pm
Algonquin j. Calhoun Nowadays, Republicans care about people making over $250,000. Democrats care about people making over $200,000.
One of the few things I can agree with tea partiers on, is that those we elect don’t do what we want; they do what corporations and people with really deep pockets want. Please never repeat that I agreed with them ever, ever again.
In today’s world, we have our choice of plutonomy or theocracy. Take your pick.
I’m leaning towards a system, where people are randomly selected, like a lottery, to take government office. Assuming that person’s taxes are paid in full, of legal age, not previously or currently a felon, etc, that person is now the new congressman/senator/govenor, etc. One term of office only. We would end up with some really stupid people and some really brilliant people, but they would be beholden to no one but their own opinions.
TINSTAAFL
September 20th, 2010
4:41 pm
Mmmm yes left wing. Tell me. How horrible was it living in the theocratic Bush years? What with abortion being banned, prayer time reinstituted in school, and a gay marriage ban amendment passed.
What? You mean the religious right has made absolutely no significant gains in any of their platform topics in over twenty years?
Hyperbole and disinformation you say. Ahhh! Explains everything. For a second there I thought you and I might be living in different universes. . . or one of us was delusional.
breasonable
September 20th, 2010
4:43 pm
Left Wing – “Promote” the general welfare does not mean “provide” for the general welfare. The central government has no business doing ANYTHING with health care – it’s not their job. The states are not prohibited though. But the states have made a mess by requiring certain coverages, therby raising costs. Free access across state lines would help EVERYONE. Pre-existing conditions, caps, all of that would improve with real American competition.
Aquagirl
September 20th, 2010
4:43 pm
@ left wing, yeah, tough cookies, you had the nerve to have a kid with a medical condition. Kindly just take your daughter out back and shoot her.
Better yet, wait until she gets critically ill, then take her to the ER, where they have to treat her. You can screw these wingnuts out of a lot more money that way.
TINSTAAFL
September 20th, 2010
4:46 pm
Aquagirl
I like your implicit admission that the ‘wingnuts’ are the ones that pick up all the slack. Might wanna get that head of yours checked out. We wouldn’t like you to start having ‘right’ ideas. (pun intended)
Linda
September 20th, 2010
4:48 pm
Mr. Calhoun @ 4:17, What exactly is your definition of a fair share of taxes for the rich to pay? Are you aware that the top 1% of the earners paid 19% of the taxes & that the top 10% of earners paid 49% of the taxes BEFORE the Bush tax cuts & that during the Bush tax cuts, the top 1% of the earners have been paying 36% of the taxes & that the top 10% of the earners have been paying 68% of the taxes?
Can you see that productive people pay more taxes when the tax rates are lower?
Are you aware that 3% of all taxpayers pay 98% of all taxes?
Rockerbabe
September 20th, 2010
4:49 pm
All of this stuff has been going on for years; my medical insurance policies offered by my employer has done almost all of the above things, but since it was done on the “down low”, it wasn’t noticed so much.
I’ve seen $5 copays for MD visits all they way up to $50 now.
I’ve seen most of my name brand meds be eliminated or a hefty charge unless generics are used. So classes of drugs have been eliminated altogether.
The kids used to be thrown off the parent’s plan at 18 or 21; at leas they can now stay covered untill 26.
Maternity benefits – what a shame, but that could be considered discrimination against women, because, men have few if any restictions on the type of care they can receive.
I even had one plan that allowed only one hospital here in Atlanta and no out-of-network benefits at all!
All of this has happened to me from the years 1990 to 2009. So please, stop blaming President Obama; this has been going on for a long time and just because YOU didn’t know it, doesn’t make it a new happening.
Linda
September 20th, 2010
4:50 pm
Mr. Calhoun @ 4:17, I saw those poor people who don’t have medical care laying on the side of the road, being turned away from hospitals & by doctors & clinics.
HL
September 20th, 2010
4:51 pm
What is with a real democracy – not a states based. Every vote should count, then it is easier for everyone.
However, what is the complaint about health care. I am from Germany and everything is more or less ok (compared to the US). No one needs to worry about coverage etc. Ok, including Social Service and Health care taxes can go up to 42% – but – why not when I do not have to worry about my health, my retirement (how many people lost there retirement in the last 2 years???) etc. Ok, I am not saying it is the far better system. I think that especially the unemployed money should be shortened (not indefinite anymore…) and more handled like in the US.
But a basic security in health would be good.
The argument that the best health care is in the US is not true anymore, you get only what you pay for – even if it is proven to be a wrong treatment. When you cannot afford the best treatment you won’t get it. In Germany or England you still would get it.
btw, – when I read things like “I don’t want to pay for other people’s health” – what happened to community, what happened to the christian idea of helping each other?
@Peadawg:
““If the Republicans were a responsibly opposing party then we would have a healthy bill”
Again, they tried but the Democrats said NO to everything the republicans wanted to do w/ the bill.”
Well, you are just totally wrong, the republicans denied to work together for a compromise, they didn’t want to change a thing.
No wings
September 20th, 2010
4:51 pm
When the Repubs take control of the House and puts a STOP TO HEALTH CARE REFORM
do you think the Insurance companies will lower the price.
How it affects you « ObamaCare 411
September 20th, 2010
4:51 pm
[...] How it affects you In How It Affects You, Obamacare on 09/2010 at 8:00 AM Sept. 20, 2010 – Brace yourselves as ObamaCare hits your wallets Starting September 23, expect the following provisions to take in affect. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) More > … [...]
left wing
September 20th, 2010
4:52 pm
Actually, TINSTAAFL the theocratic Bush years stopped research using stem cells (simply for religious reasons) which potentially could cure spinal injuries. I have no reason to expect it could cure Crohn’s, but I can always hope.
pat
September 20th, 2010
4:55 pm
Welp, since we are going to get even more screwed by the health care companies, I say we support the drug black market. Black markets make drugs cheap….
fair and imbalanced
September 20th, 2010
5:01 pm
Kyle,
How does this compare the the cost of Bushwar Iraq?
Aquagirl
September 20th, 2010
5:03 pm
Tinstaafel, no, everyone will pay for that kid’s care, including myself. It’s only wingnuts who will complain about those deadbeat sick kids. I would prefer the child get regular medical care. It’s not only common human decency, it’s cheaper to take care of people BEFORE they end up in the emergency room.
Funny how y’all had no problem when Bush provided a huge socialized medicine program to the wrinkled class. But then they can vote, so what’s a little bribery if it results in Republicans keeping political power? All those old geezers could trot off to town halls and scream about socialized medicine being the End Of America As We Know It.
Linda
September 20th, 2010
5:04 pm
HL @ 4:51, You asked what happened to community & the Christian idea of helping each other. We still have both although the Progressives in our government have tried extremely hard to pervert religion. The first hospital in the US was started by an individual & many in the US today are still maintained by Christians.
Please don’t confuse Robin Hood & Jesus Christ. The Bible says to render to Caesar what is his & to God what is His. It says nothing about giving God’s money to the government so that is can be recycled & redistributed. The fed. govt. is not a charity & does not “do” God’s work.
Left wing management
September 20th, 2010
5:05 pm
“Costs of ObamaCare hit this week”
Huh? Yeah, and?
This begs a question. Namely that we can do anything relative to health care without more COSTS. And LOTS more of them.
How do your market-fetishized (pseudo-) alternatives get us solvent on HC ny more effectively?
[ silence .................. silence ..................... ]
It’s what I thought. The answer is: It DOESN’T.
Jefferson
September 20th, 2010
5:11 pm
These are good provisons.
Aquagirl
September 20th, 2010
5:17 pm
Well, Linda, then why do so many people think the government should be poking about in people’s bedrooms, banning abortion, or this other junk? How about you and all these christians pay for the illegal immigrants who need dialysis, instead of making taxpayers of DeKalb and Fulton pick up the tab? Oh, that’s right, hospitals shouldn’t treat illegal immigrants, Jesus would kick their @$$es out of the hospital.
Poor HL has not figured out our christians are only christian when using the force of government as a bludgeon against those they dislike. Jesus should have a police badge. Using government to feed the poor is socialist-communist unAmerican behavior.
barking frog
September 20th, 2010
5:24 pm
Just like seatbelts. It’s the Law.
WAW
September 20th, 2010
5:26 pm
As someone sent home from the hospital at the direction of an Insurance Co Clerk (against the orders of my Doctor), I can have no problem with non-profit insurance. I do have a problem with the Republican plan which consist of limiting the results of these “medical errors” to a few cents. Give them the phillip’s head, put them out of business, let them suffer. I’m biased though!
midtownguy
September 20th, 2010
5:30 pm
As an Atlanta/Fulton resident, when will I quit having to support Grady? When everyone has health insurance they will no long need my annual involuntary contribution. Right?
Shaquandralishanickra
September 20th, 2010
5:41 pm
The AJC, and all of its’ “Opionators” are the largest group of liberal, Caucasian hating pustules on the planet. I’m sorry that in spite of being born poor, white and from a broken family, I put myself thru school, started a successful business, put my 3 kids thru college and never asked the government for a damn thing. I know, I know, the only reason I was able to accomplish this is because I’m light skinned. Bull S…unshine!
Jeff
September 20th, 2010
5:43 pm
BW- car insurance is mandated because of what my car can do (damage) to your car. Collision i s the mandate.
Ayn Rant
September 20th, 2010
5:49 pm
Kyle, the health care insurers have been raising premiums since private health care insurance was invented. Medicare expenses are also rising. Why blame it on the “health care reform bill”?
Don’t you know that medical care costs rise because people who can afford medical care live longer and require more expensive treatments?
Anyone who would like to do their part to control the rise in medical costs should drop dead at 64 1/2!
Linda
September 20th, 2010
5:57 pm
Aquagirl @ 5:17, Actually it’s the Dems. who think the fed. govt. should be poking around in people’s bedrooms as well as every room in our homes. The Dems.’s cap & tax bill passed in the house requires an energy audit & an energy rating assessment before we can sell our houses. It has a labeling program that penalizes sellers for having older windows, original fixtures & dated appliances, which will devalue our houses.
Christians value life & believe it starts with conception. Liberals have many different definitions of life & some would even abort a baby up to the day before the due date.
Christians are the most charitable people in the world & have always cared for others. The govt. should provide for orphans, widows, veterans, the disabled, the elderly, the sick & for those with emergencies, up to a point. The progressives have perverted religion with social justice. They have further used economic justice & ecological justice to advance their socialist agenda. The fed. govt. is not a charity. Progressives use an aura of justice to get money, votes & dependency.
Jefferson
September 20th, 2010
5:58 pm
Pay the man, Martha we are going to die anyway.
No More Progressives!
September 20th, 2010
6:02 pm
Aquagirl
September 20th, 2010
1:58 pm
Let’s poll Americans who actually need/use health insurance (vs. non-users) and see how many of them want Obama’s proposed health care.
There is a huge difference between needing and using. Many who don’t need it use it incessantly.
No More Progressives!
September 20th, 2010
6:03 pm
Jeff
September 20th, 2010
5:43 pm
BW- car insurance is mandated because of what my car can do (damage) to your car.
I don’t have a car, Jeff.
No More Progressives!
September 20th, 2010
6:05 pm
Shaquandralishanickra
Great name.
Linda
September 20th, 2010
6:15 pm
Shaq…@ 5:41, Imagine also having polio as an infant, never walking a step in your life, not being able to attend school, being pulled around in a little red wagon by your siblings & toted by your friends, not being able to afford a wheelchair until you’re 40.
My father accomplished many of your same goals without any govt. assistance but at the same time never meeting anyone less deserving than himself.
snoqualmiefalls
September 20th, 2010
6:22 pm
I can certainly sympathize with ‘left wing’, however some of the comments against ‘left wing’ and his hardship just blow me away. Some folks say they just don’t want to pay to assist the poorer among us, it’s everyone out for themselves. OK folks, how about those hyways you drive on, only drivers pay to drive those roads? I don’t drive, why should I have to pay? How about inspection of food? Well, I grow my own, why should I have to pay for inspections? How about police? Never had a run in with the law, never been a victim of a crime… why should I have to pay for police protection? And on and on. We are all in this together folks, it’s time to have some collective responsibility instead of a cult of screaming ME ME’s.
saywhat?
September 20th, 2010
6:25 pm
Midtown guy- that is pretty much the gist of it, yes. I just read recently (I can’t remember where, or I would provide a link) that 60% of Grady patients have no insurance. It will help all hospital ERs all across the country, not just Grady. Emergency rooms always lose money because of the massive amounts of overhead required to keep them open and staffed with specialists, diagnostic services etc. 24/7.It doesn’t help when they are the uninsureds’ primary medical provider as well.
Linda
September 20th, 2010
6:43 pm
We already have a shortage of doctors & a HUGE shortage of doctors who will accept new Medicaid patients which most of these new insured patients will be. When they get sick & can’t see a doctor, they will go to the ER, just like they always have.
If you are self-employed or for any reason do not receive health care insurance from your employer, why would try to have health care insurance? Under this new plan, you can just call an insurance company & get coverage on the way to the emergency room & save thousands of dollars per year since pre-existing conditions are covered.
Aquagirl
September 20th, 2010
7:18 pm
Linda, Most people on the way to the ER aren’t too keen on chatting with insurance agents. Right now people show up and are covered by taxpayer dollars. Those thousands (and millions) come right out of our pockets, either in taxes or insurance premiums.
And that’s why in 2014 you’ll *have* to buy health insurance. Let’s face it, a hospital can not turn you away, so we already have socialized medicine. Everyone does have insurance. The question is only the payment mechanism.
Imma Lib
September 20th, 2010
7:59 pm
OOOh Kyle, you shush! You wingnuts, neo-cons, nazi, brown shirt, Tea-bagging, xenophobes, Islamaphobic, homophobobic, Repugs, and name callers are always saying things like “reach for your wallet”.
Don’t you unintelligent ones lnow it is FREE Healthcare for everyone! The guvmint pays for it!
Linda
September 20th, 2010
8:00 pm
Aquagirl @ 7:18, Most people who plan to take advantage (scam) of this pre-existing condition exemption (8 1/2 mt. pregnant mamas, patients diagnosed with all kinds of stuff) will have their ducks in a row & will be a phone call & a credit card charge away from having health insurance on their way to the hospital. The Dems. knew it would force the insurance companies out of business & that’s one of the reasons hc insurance is going up right now.
The only people who use the ER & are not covered by insurance are young people who think they are invincible, illegal aliens & poor people who have not applied for Medicaid or who are covered by Medicaid & can’t find a doctor. The number of people being treated in the ER will RISE.
The provision that requires the purchase of hc insurance is being challenged in court by 22 states. Even if the provision stands, the fine is cheaper than buying insurance. Scamming the system will continue.
Everyone does not have hc insurance, but everyone has hc. Fewer people will have insurance.
Imma Lib
September 20th, 2010
8:03 pm
Aquagirl
September 20th, 2010
7:18 pm
Aquagirl–you go! You tell that Linda the exact Section of the Constitution that says that a Citizen MUST buy anything the Imperial Government so dictates! Go ahead, tell Linda! Set her straight! She her where the US Constitution states that! That’ll show her.
Democrits
September 20th, 2010
8:15 pm
I think Aquagirl swallowed too much pool water and Left Wing needs to suck it up with the whole insurance thing. No one told you to be self-employed – that was your decision and your’s alone. Anybody with half a brain knows that going the self-employment route has always equaled higher premiums. It’s time to deal with the consequences of your actions, as you obviously didn’t think that healthcare was such a big deal if you decided to go out on your own instead of working for a company that has a benefits package. And, no one is required to take care of your child. YOU made the decision to have the child so you are responsible for taking care of it, even if it’s more expensive than the next door neighbor’s kid. Start taking reponsibility, people, instead of depending on others to take care of you – it makes you look like a bunch of slackers!
Tall
September 20th, 2010
8:18 pm
To “Ayn Rant”: I used to sell health insurance plans in New York City during the early 1980’s and made a good living at it. There were numerous underwriters competing for the business and they offered a variety of plans that were tailored to the needs of the clients. They also competed on price.
That all ended in the late 1980’s when “community rating” was legislated so insurance companies couldn’t decline HIV positive applicants. The number of companies willing to underwrite health insurance shrank to just one. Remember the “be careful what you wish for” admonition.
The free market works if you let it. You’ve gotten your wish, enjoy it.
Newt Gingrich
September 20th, 2010
8:21 pm
Hi, Im newt and Im a hypocryte. I have a hardon for getting Bill Clinton in trouble for cheating on his wife and being a preachy christian republican. But I too cheat on my exwife, thus making me a good for nothing christian. I am a smear merchant just like my cohorts. I have nothing to offer but insults. I dont have any solutions. Im also going to vote for Sarah Palin in 2012 becuase shes a quiter and I follower her on facebook. You know Why? Because Im a Good Christian. We to mix religion with politics becuase this country was not founded on relgious freedom. I am a fat white man and when I dont know what to do, I turn my head down and close my eyes as hard as they will close and I pray! I Pray so Hard! I cant tell you how HARD I PRAY! Jesus is my best friend and I love him. He is inside of me!
Linda
September 20th, 2010
8:35 pm
Imma Lib @ 7:59 & 8:03, You are funny! Of all the things the Dems/Libs/Progressives have done during these 20 mts. such as nationalizing/socializing Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac (the residential lending industry), 2 of our 3 auto manufacturers, the largest insurance company in the world (AIG), the student loan industry, the financial market, the credit card industry, our health care industry, etc., the worst thing they have done is divide our country. They have pitted the races, the earners, the parties, the illegals against the sovereign citizen movement, the peaceful Tea Party movement against the new Black Panther Party, SEIU, ACORN & Code Pink.
Old Man
September 20th, 2010
8:37 pm
Thanks, Kyle, for once again standing up for those glorious, uber-patriotic insurance giants who have created so many jobs and done such wonderful things for business and families.
FACT: Health insurance is the leading cause of consumer bankruptcy.
FACT: Three-quarters of those people had insurance.
http://www.pnhp.org/new_bankruptcy_study/Bankruptcy-2009.pdf
Republicans have never done a dang thing about health insurance, except make certain their constituents’ Viagra is paid for.
Imma Lib
September 20th, 2010
8:41 pm
Linda
Love your posts! I agree with you 100%. Right out of the Saul Alinsky “playbook”.
Imma Lib
September 20th, 2010
8:49 pm
Old Man
September 20th, 2010
8:37 pm
“Republicans have never done a dang thing about health insurance, except make certain their constituents’ Viagra is paid for.”
Dayum right, Old Man!! You just wait til the same people that run Amtrak, Medicare, The US Post Office, The DMV, and Social Security get complete control of 18% of the US economy!! The wonderful Federal Government will show em how to do things! Like those $400 hammers! They’ll see.
And besides…like Clark Howard says “It’s ALLLL FREE!!!!
Linda
September 20th, 2010
9:00 pm
Imma Lib @ 8:41, Did you know that Obama had the audacity to include Saul Alinsky’s book “Rules for Radicals” on the first page of his program for our public school system to recruit his private army to “build on the movement that elected Pres. Obama by empowering students across the country to help us bring about our agenda?”
It’s amazing that dimwit Dems. still believe that the economic stimulus bill had anything to do with stimulating our economy (which it didn’t), that the health care insurance bill had anything to do with health care, that the financial reform bill will do anything to prevent another financial crisis since it didn’t include Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (which are still pushing sub-prime loans), etc. The most amazing thing is that dimwit Dems. actually believe that man-made global warming exits, that our breath causes it & that politicians can control it.
Imma Lib
September 20th, 2010
9:11 pm
Yes Linda, and I still don’t understand how to “buy” Carbon “credits” for my “footprint”?
Or things such as $800K Taxpayer $$$’s for genital washing in Africa, turtle crossings in FLA…$$$$’s to study why pigs “stink”? I don’t have a PHD, but, I have a very good idea why pigs stink. Just more “vote buying” schemes. Incredible.
For years we heard the mantra—-”Bush’s tax cuts for the rich”..now..they say if they just do away with the Bush tax cuts “for the wealthy, it’s only 2% the Bush tax cuts”. HUH? So, 98% of the Bush tax cuts were NOT for the wealthy? Which is it?
Linda
September 20th, 2010
9:12 pm
Old Man @ 8:37, I double dog dare you to do a little research & tell all of us what the health care insurance companies’ profit margin was in ‘09, ‘08, ‘07, etc. Obama & the Dems have people (who don’t do their own research) believing it’s huge & unfair. It averaged from 3 to 5%. Would you feel comfortable trusting your health care to a company who had a cushion of that small amount?
Drifter
September 20th, 2010
9:15 pm
When will people stop taking everything they hear on talk radio as gospel? The truth is that we pay 50% more for health care than anyone else, we don’t cover everyone and we get poor results. I haven’t voted for a Democrat in 20 years, but at least they haven’t ignored the issue like the guys I used to vote for.
My health insurance premiums go up every year and they have for at least the past 15 years. That isn’t news to any of us who have to pay their own way.
Linda
September 20th, 2010
9:25 pm
Imma Lib @ 9:11, I have a bachelor of science degree from one of the major universities in the Southeastern US. Big deal!. It was my fifth grade science teacher who taught me about CO2 & it’s the Farmer’s Almanac that is the most predictable on climate/weather & what causes it.
I’m saving some of the blogs on global warming for my great grandchildren so that they can see how gullible Americans were in our age.
Imma Lib
September 20th, 2010
9:26 pm
Drifter
September 20th, 2010
9:15 pm
We have the best Healthcare in the world, too, Drifter. Name a place that has better healthcare.
Sure, our healthcare could use some improvements, but not this Bill.
Why is Healthcare the Federal Government’s responsibility? Where in the Constitution is healthcare for everyone a “right”?
My premiums have gone up every year, too. Same with my Auto and Homeowners. Can’t think of anything that costs have actually gone down.
Just because the Dems didn’t “ignore” it, doesn’t make it a great and wonderful thing…does it?
Imma Lib
September 20th, 2010
9:30 pm
Linda @ 9:25
Amen to that. I’m afraid our great grandchildren will look back and damn us for the debt we are leaving them, as well as the Global Warming…er…Climate Change scam.
Linda
September 20th, 2010
9:33 pm
Drifter @ 9:15, People don’t listen to talk radio unless they are driving. The US pays more for hc because we live longer & provide all the research & development for the world. My family pays for our own hc out of our pocket.
Linda
September 20th, 2010
9:46 pm
Imma Lib @ 9:30, Why is it that that the Dems/Libs/Progressives cite the unemployed, the illegal immigrants, the poor, etc. that are needy today & refuse to cite our grandchildren, great grandchildren & great grandchildren, the innocent, the unborn, who will be responsible for paying back this irresponsible spending in 2010? Who is more entitled?
Drifter
September 20th, 2010
9:48 pm
Linda, you must not read much. The United States is nowhere near the top in life expectancy. Don’t take my word for it…turn off the radio and google it. Insurance companies obviously have to make money. Ask UnitedHealth’s CEO William McGuire who has options presently worth more than $1.5 billion. Sure, that’s reasonable. How many people had to die for that. I have more respect for a mob hit man than I do a health insurance executive or even a doctor on their payroll. At least the mob hit man faces the person he’s killing.
Imma Lib. That’s too easy. France. They cover everyone. They pay much less and they get better results on virtually any measurable statistic.
Really people. Read a book or even do a little research on the internet. We could do a lot better. Sticking your head in the sand and pretending everything is fine isn’t working.
Drifter
September 20th, 2010
9:53 pm
And one more thing. Look back over the national debt and what has happened to it when the President was a Republican versus what happened when the President was a Democrat. The GOP doesn’t address the deficit…ever. Listen, I can’t vote for a Democrat. I just can’t. But I’m done making excuses for Republicans and ignoring facts. This country is in dire need of a third choice.
md
September 20th, 2010
10:09 pm
“We are all in this together folks, it’s time to have some collective responsibility instead of a cult of screaming ME ME’s.”
“Collective responsibility” is a 2 way street. Many of those that “need” assistance are in their position due to choices. At some point, actions do have consequences.
There is a difference between can’t and won’t, and the won’ts will always be won’ts if enabled. Sometimes the aid/help is the problem and not the cure.
md
September 20th, 2010
10:11 pm
“The United States is nowhere near the top in life expectancy.”
May help to compare apples to apples. The US is also the most obese country in the world due to poor choices and abundance of fast food and unhealthy lifestyles. No healthcare system in the world can counter that…………….
Linda
September 20th, 2010
10:15 pm
Drifter @ 9:48, I don’t engage with people who insult me & inaccurately accuse me of where I obtain my facts from. You are not civil & are typical of liberals who can’t present facts. Your actions are childish & include desperate tactics during this time that Dems. who voted for the health care bill are running from their vote.
Drifter
September 20th, 2010
10:31 pm
That’s very adult of you Linda. I remember when my daughter was 5 and when to her room and pouted when I caught her making up “facts”. I presented a number of facts and you can’t dispute any of them.
md, I would agree that it’s complicated. I was mainly just disputing Linda’s “fact” that we live longer. We don’t. But it’s not just life expectancy where our record is abysmal, it just about any measurable statistic you can find on health. My point is that we for what we’re paying, we should be covering everybody and getting the best results in the world.
Linda
September 20th, 2010
10:34 pm
Drifter @ 9:53, I was raised as a Dem. in a family & town that was Dem. I’m still a registered Dem, & I voted Dem. for yrs. The older I become, the more conservative I become. There’s plenty of blame to go around for what caused the financial crisis for both Dems. & Reps., but the first thing that occurred was the Dems. deciding that home ownership was a right, not just a privilege, & requiring Fannie Mae to reduce their strict underwriting standards for decades to make loans to low & moderate borrowers in the name of Affordable Housing. It started the tsunami & led to a world-wide recession.
barking frog
September 20th, 2010
10:51 pm
How did Sarah Palin go from US VP candidate to
Tea Party spokeswoman? Did the big boys kick her
out?
Linda
September 20th, 2010
10:55 pm
Drifter @ 10:31, When your daughter was 5, did you insult her & inaccurately accuse her & expect her to respect you, as you did me? Did you listen? Did you take the time to question the “facts” she presented as her opinions? Did you try to understand her side? Did you try to explain your side in a civil manner? Did you understand where she was coming from?
ODDOWL
September 21st, 2010
3:00 am
The Democrats should add a “public option” amendment to the National health insurance plan immediately.. A public option will put the brakes on insurance companies’ rate hikes and drive down the cost of health insurance premiums even further. Who blocked the public option ??? Ol’ Joe Lie-berman, the turncoat Senator from Conn. who was bribed and paid off by the insurance companies to block the public option. Most insurance companies’ headquarters are located in Conn. The Neo-Con Republican Tea party are vehemently anti health insurance. The Republicans opposition to social security back in the 30’s was even more vociferous. In ten years Americans will love Obamacare the same way they love social security, medicaid and medicare today. Many non-rich White Americans who vote Tea party Republican apparently are experiencing severe cases of A.D.D.. They crave going backwards instead of progressing foreward. Its time for them to wake up and smell the Black coffee !!!
Larry Major
September 21st, 2010
5:00 am
Yeah, and in North Carolina yesterday the same company got increases of 5.37% and 2.06% on their two main plans and announced $156 million in refunds caused by the new changes: “State Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin and BCBSNC’s chief executive officer Brad Wilson also announced Monday the state’s largest health insurer would be issuing nearly $156 million in one-time refunds to more than 215,000 customers because of the new health care reform law.”
Makes what happened in Connecticut seem almost atypical.
stands for decibels
September 21st, 2010
7:37 am
May help to compare apples to apples. The US is also the most obese country in the world due to poor choices and abundance of fast food and unhealthy lifestyles.
md, you make it sound as if obesity were all about individual choice. And really, it is not. It is also about zoning laws, suburban sprawl, school funding, mass transit, the housing market collapse, and a bunch of other things that are decidedly collective in nature, and which contribute to this problem.
I’m perfectly willing to accept that individuals have the power to change their dietary and exercise habits and become healthier human beings. Of course they can. At the end of the day, it’s just calories in v. calories out.
But Americans aren’t overweight to the degree that they are, simply because way way way more of them somehow decided to make lots of bad decisions. They had a lot of help, a lot of incentives, to not eat healthfully and to not walk or bike to school, work, and shopping.
The day that my friends on the right can grasp this fact of American life fully is the day that we make real progress as a nation battling this problem.
Fat Cats
September 21st, 2010
7:56 am
Obesity is cause by capitalism. Look at 90 percent of our McRestaurants. Fat Fair is the only course available to Americans. Yes, it’s a marketing miracle and isn’t McMadison Avenue filled with ad-wizards, (and apparently, witches).
No, it’s bounty what killed our best.
We need regulation to save us from ourselves. We are a mob-thinking herd. We’ve always been one stolen sacred cow away from a national Ox Bow Incident. That’s why the Founding Fathers writ what they writ: to put the yolk on unbridled capitalism.
Not Funny
September 21st, 2010
11:13 am
I heard yesterday of a little known provision in the “Health Care Bill” that will tax home sales beginning in 2011. Is this true? If so, that fact needs to be added to the long list of reasons to vote the current leaders out in November and beyond.
Jefferson Jackson
September 21st, 2010
11:44 am
Once again the Democrats prove that neither they nor any current political group have the health needs of the American people at heart. Once again we get screwed. Thanks so much Washington.
retiredds
September 21st, 2010
11:52 am
Hey Kyle, I reach for my wallet every time the Republican GA legislature meets because I know I will get dumped upon. I also reached for my wallet during the Bush/Cheney years as they trashed the economy and ran up $6 trillion in debt. So you tell us to reach for our wallets. You’re a decade late and many dollars short. The deficit and spending damage was written in stone over many years by BOTH parties, and YOUR party did and does not have ANY answers, period.
I look forward to the Repubs possible gaining control of the House and maybe the Senate and the proof will be then demonstrated, again as in past decades, that your party is also part of the problem and has no credible solutions, period. And as that happens I will be very interested in your apologetics for the party of “no”.
Left wing management
September 21st, 2010
12:22 pm
The panicked, almost porcine squealing coming from those whose oxes were being gored – meaning, anybody within a mile of Limbaugh, meaning: all Republicans – when Obama’s modest health reforms were about to pass last year was, all in all, quite instructive.
What we can safely conclude now is that these people – and this seems to include Mr. Wingfield – have no interest whatsoever in any kind of reform to health care.
And therein lies everything that we need to know about these people.
Every morning they get down on their knees and say a few prayers to their god, the market, and then get on the business of rearranging the universe to fit their haphazard philosophy. And they send aspiring contrarians in well-pressed shirts off to think camps, I mean tanks, to learn to play with words and make all the pieces fit together real nice, meanwhile southern golfing good-ol boys get sent off to Washington to work with others with fine suits with names like Boiner, to man the trenches. And, as a result, all of us get a continuation of the status quo we deserve.
Kyle Wingfield
September 21st, 2010
1:23 pm
From Left wing management: ObamaCare opponents “have no interest whatsoever in any kind of reform to health care.”
Big Lie of the day, or non sequitur of the day? You decide.
Old Man
September 21st, 2010
1:30 pm
Linda, insurance does not do surgery on me, a Dr. does.
md
September 21st, 2010
1:47 pm
“But Americans aren’t overweight to the degree that they are, simply because way way way more of them somehow decided to make lots of bad decisions. They had a lot of help, a lot of incentives, to not eat healthfully and to not walk or bike to school, work, and shopping.”
Help?? Incentives??
Look closely at your post and you will see “excuses”. Not a single one of them were forced to make their choices, they made them on their own. No different than drugs, alcohol, etc etc.
We choose EVERYTHING we do…………………..
And granted there are many that have medical/genetic reasons, but to be fat and blame it on others……please……….
@@
September 21st, 2010
6:39 pm
Based on what I’ve read thus far, Kyle…the left-wingers have finally figured it out. Hate to say it, but conservatives warned ‘em early in the process.
How they can blame in on conservatives is beyond me. Some of the left-wingers are calling for government to place a cap on premiums charged. Chavez does it in Venezuela.
Nobel prize winner Milton Friedman said: “We economists don’t know much, but we do know how to create a shortage. If you want to create a shortage of tomatoes, for example, just pass a law that retailers can’t sell tomatoes for more than two cents per pound. Instantly you’ll have a tomato shortage. It’s the same with oil or gas.”
Oh, the unintended consequences of bad policy…
No More Progressives!
September 21st, 2010
6:56 pm
Fat Cats
September 21st, 2010
7:56 am
Obesity is cause by capitalism.
Have you and Dennis Kucinich been riding around on that spaceship again? Can’t find your way back to you home galaxy?
While you’re here visiting earth, see if you can fire off two (2) synapses simulatneously. A great challenge for you.
Brace yourselves as ObamaCare hits your wallets « ObamaCare 411
September 23rd, 2010
3:57 pm
[...] Brace yourselves as ObamaCare hits your wallets In How It Affects You on 09/2010 at 3:42 PM Starting September 23, expect the following provisions to take in affect. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) More > … [...]