Democrats don't think their health care bill can stand public inspection

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Democrats are trying to rush the largest entitlement expansion since LBJ into law with a truncated debate and as little public scrutiny as possible. At this point all they've released are the vaguest "policy options," not concrete specifics. Yet the Senate plans to begin marking up legislation next week, maybe hold a hearing or two, then have something to the floor by the end of the month, votes by the August recess and a bill to the Oval Office by Thanksgiving.

...

It's not hard to see why Democrats are trying to hew to this full-speed-ahead timetable. Their health overhaul will run up a 13-figure price tag at a time when spending and deficits are already at epic levels and hook up the middle class to an intravenous drip of government health subsidies for generations to come. These are not realities that Democrats want the American people to mull over for very long.

This is especially true for the majority of Americans who are generally satisfied with their coverage and doctors but worried about cost. They might get scared off if they were allowed the chance to realize that Democrats will do almost nothing to restrain rising health spending. Based on the leaks so far, this year's legislation will hone in on traditional liberal concerns of social equity -- covering the uninsured.

...

Democrats are contemplating the most sweeping restructuring of the health markets since Medicare in 1965, and ... they don't want to let the details let others slow them down. Better to grab what they will portray as a major domestic achievement while President Obama is at the height of his popularity and before anyone understands what it will mean in practice. The consequences and the cost can be explained later.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124398857510379561.html

[AlHayatZween 2]

They might get scared off if they were allowed the chance to realize that Democrats will do almost nothing to restrain rising health spending.

Well, yeah...

Wish they would take their time with this one... This needs to be done right, and there is no reason why it can't be, (other than bungling politics).

Also, i don't think Congress should get that long of a recess. Two weeks like the rest of us drones.

Edited June 3, 2009 by AlHayatZween

[justashooter 430]

it's OK. they don't have to pay for it.

those of us who already have health insurance that we pay for will just pay for everybody else's, too.

[Scott & Lai 12]

it's OK. they don't have to pay for it.

those of us who already have health insurance that we pay for will just pay for everybody else's, too.

And then many of us will end up in that "everybody else" category when our employers can no longer afford to keep us due to the increase in insurance costs....

[mawilson 2,133]

Also, i don't think Congress should get that long of a recess. Two weeks like the rest of us drones.

[justashooter 430]

it's OK. they don't have to pay for it.

those of us who already have health insurance that we pay for will just pay for everybody else's, too.

And then many of us will end up in that "everybody else" category when our employers can no longer afford to keep us due to the increase in insurance costs....

see how great this "change" is gonna be?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

it's OK. they don't have to pay for it.

those of us who already have health insurance that we pay for will just pay for everybody else's, too.

And then many of us will end up in that "everybody else" category when our employers can no longer afford to keep us due to the increase in insurance costs....

see how great this "change" is gonna be?

clairvoyance must be fun

[Peikko 1,575]

We already do pay for those who are without insurance, we just pay for it in the most expensive and haphazard way. IE, we pay for them to be cared for in the context of the ER room. Nice and logical.

[AlHayatZween 2]

it's OK. they don't have to pay for it.

those of us who already have health insurance that we pay for will just pay for everybody else's, too.

And then many of us will end up in that "everybody else" category when our employers can no longer afford to keep us due to the increase in insurance costs....

see how great this "change" is gonna be?

This would have happened anyway. Politicians and health insurers are crooks the lot of them. That's why this whole insurance thing is so scary. Any of us could end up without it, or underinsured...even if you have good insurance now. It's the rising costs that have to be addressed. If they don't do that, then it's politics as usual...

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

We already do pay for those who are without insurance, we just pay for it in the most expensive and haphazard way. IE, we pay for them to be cared for in the context of the ER room. Nice and logical.

When an emergency occurs, they will still need to go to the ER. On top of paying for their ER, we will now have to pay for doctors visits.

To use Medicare terminology, we're already paying for Plan A. We're about to add Plan B to the bill.

[Peikko 1,575]

Preventative medicine is demonstrably cheaper. The ER will be used for ER and not for flu.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Preventative medicine is demonstrably cheaper. The ER will be used for ER and not for flu.

When people don't have insurance, they usually only go for emergencies. They will still do that and now they will also seek out treatment for the flu.

[Peikko 1,575]

When people only seek help in an emergency, they generally allow what could be an easily and inexpensively treated illness to become something needing expensive emergency care. I'll happily pay for a few flu shots if it'll stop them ending up being treated for pneumonia.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Obama wants a public option...

The White House, following up on yesterday's discussions with lawmakers on health care reform, sent a letter today to Sens. Edward Kennedy (chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee) and Max Baucus (chairman of the Senate Finance Committee). President Obama has voiced tacit support for a public option before, but notice the renewed emphasis.

"The plans you are discussing embody my core belief that Americans should have better choices for health insurance, building on the principle that if they like the coverage they have now, they can keep it, while seeing their costs lowered as our reforms take hold.

"But for those who don't have such options, I agree that we should create a health insurance exchange -- a more market where Americans can one-stop shop for a health care plan, compare benefits and prices, and choose the plan that's best for them, in the same way that Members of Congress and their families can. None of these plans should deny coverage on the basis of a preexisting condition, and all of these plans should include an affordable basic benefit package that includes prevention, and protection against catastrophic costs.

I strongly believe that Americans should have the choice of a public health insurance option operating alongside private plans

. This will give them a better range of choices, make the health care market more competitive, and keep insurance companies honest." [emphasis added]

Again, this isn't new, but the more the president steps up and shows some leadership in support of a public option, the more likely it is the measure will be included in the final bill. Which is why I'm encouraged by this letter -- Obama could have stuck to broad generalities about his core (but undefined) beliefs. Instead, the president reminded the senators, who are not entirely on the same page on the issue, what he wants to see.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

[Peikko 1,575]

Which I still have to pay for...