Open Letter to President Obama on Healthcare and the Economy

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I've been a reader of this guys blog for years. I think this is worth a read

Dear Mr. President,

Wednesday evening we heard you address the nation on health care and the economy. I was hoping to hear some tough answers to tough questions. Instead we were treated to one hour of tap dancing on eggshells where it seemed your primary intent was not to break any eggs.

You spoke of the need for sacrifices but failed to mention any. You said Medicare benefits would not be reduced and everyone would be covered.

Mr. President where are the sacrifices? By who?

The press seemed concerned with a fear of rationed health care. Some republicans have raised the issue as well.

Mr. President I am concerned there will be no rationing of health care. It is axiomatic that there is unlimited demand for free services.

Here are some tougher questions I am sure everyone would like to know.

* Will the plan cover a transplant procedure with a $50,000 cost for someone who is 80 years old with a life expectancy of two years? One year? Who decides? Or is everything free for everyone regardless of the odds of success?

* Will the plan cover fertility treatments? Abortion?

* Will the plan address issues that arose in the Terri Schiavo case?

* To what extent must doctors provide generics instead of prescription drugs?

Mr. President, unless something is done to rein in costs taxpayers will be footing the bill for a lot of things they shouldn't. In every county that has a single payer system, there is come degree of rationing.

Somehow you have us believe benefits will not be reduced, everything will be covered for everyone, there will be no rationing and somehow health care will cost less because of reduced paperwork. Mr. President, no one believes that, not even the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

Mr. President, to prevent costs from spiraling out of control rationing is mandatory. Unfortunately, you do not have the courage to admit it. Yet until you do, it can't happen.

Mr. President, a heart operation in the US might cost $100,000 whereas the same operation in India, in a world class hospital might cost $20,000. Will we fly people to India for non-emergency medical operations if they save taxpayer money? If not, why not? Shouldn't the primary concern be getting the most benefits for the least cost?

Mr. President, you noted that the AARP and doctor's groups were in favor of your plan. You failed to mention the $245 billion "sweetener" it took to get them to do so. Moreover, you did not even count that $245 billion while calling your plan "budget neutral".

Mr. President, with numerous states blowing up over the issue, it should be clear the US cannot afford the defined benefit programs promised government workers. Starting with Congress, what is your proposal pension reform?

Similarly, when does Congress share the pain of this recession?

Mr. President, you called the cancellation of additional F-22 planes a victory. This strikes me as odd given the Pentagon does not even want more of them. Why is canceling a military program that the military does not want such a big victory?

Mr. President, the savings on the F-22 program is $2 billion. The 2010 Pentagon budget is $534 billion, a $21 billion, four percent increase over 2009. Total defense spending is $780 billion. Mr. President, is this sustainable?

Mr. President, history is replete with examples of great nations spending themselves into oblivion attempting to maintain their empires. It should be crystal clear the US can no longer afford to be the world's policeman. So, Mr. President, when will you start bringing the troops home from Europe, Japan, and the Mid-East?

Mr. President, I did not vote for you nor did I vote for Senator McCain. I voted for Ron Paul. However, I did expect and frequently said that I expected you to get some things correct.

Instead, I see you carrying out the same failed stimulus and bailout plans of President Bush. You promised transparency on spending and did not deliver.

The proposal to Audit The Fed is languishing in Congress even though it has overwhelming support of both Congress and the public. You broke a promise to release details of military torture. Where are significant charges against anyone? I was positive you would handle the torture issue correctly, but I was wrong.

Mr. President, you placed your faith in the same set of folks at the Fed and Treasury as President Bush, in spite of the fact they all failed to see this coming.

Mr. President it frequently appears as if Goldman Sachs is running your administration just as it ran the last.

Mr. President, other than a sketchy health care plane with no details and no cost constraints, exactly what change have you delivered?

Thank you Mr. President, now can we have some answers please?

Mike "Mish" Shedlock

http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com...t-obama-on.html

[Peikko 1,575]

Not holding anything back is he?

Do you believe that the system of government is partially at fault or is this a case of a president putting a fear of unpopularity in front of necessary reform? Or, is this muddle me along system the best we can ever expect?

Answers on a postcard please

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Answers on a postcard please

What does that mean?

[Ban Hammer 13,345]

Answers on a postcard please

What does that mean?

keep them short and sweet.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I can do short but sweet ain't my thing.

[Peikko 1,575]

Edited July 23, 2009 by Madame Cleo

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Well, it really means answer if you feel like it. It's an old UK radio/tv expression really.

Answer if I feel like? That needs saying? I always answer if I feel like.

[Peikko 1,575]

It doesn't have to be sweet, and only respond if you feel like it - they are sort of complicated questions really. I still find US politics quite difficult to grasp in a lot of ways.

Well, it really means answer if you feel like it. It's an old UK radio/tv expression really.

Answer if I feel like? That needs saying? I always answer if I feel like.

Fair enough.

Oh, and I meant to say, Charles was more right than I was

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Charles was more right than I was

[Heracles 417]

Here are some tougher questions I am sure everyone would like to know.

* Will the plan cover a transplant procedure with a $50,000 cost for someone who is 80 years old with a life expectancy of two years? One year? Who decides? Or is everything free for everyone regardless of the odds of success?

* Will the plan cover fertility treatments? Abortion?

* Will the plan address issues that arose in the Terri Schiavo case?

* To what extent must doctors provide generics instead of prescription drugs?

Here is a good example of what's Australia's system covers.

-------

Medicare is Australia’s universal health care system introduced in 1984 to provide eligible Australian residents with affordable, accessible and high-quality health care. Medicare was established based on the understanding that all Australians should contribute to the cost of health care according to their ability to pay. It is financed through progressive income tax and an income-related Medicare levy.

What does Medicare cover?

The benefits you receive from Medicare are based on a Schedule of fees set by the Australian Government. Doctors may choose to charge more than the Schedule fee. The Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS)External link lists all the Medicare item numbers.

Better Access to Mental Health Services

New Medicare items available from November 2006 will provide families, schools and health professionals with more support in recognising and addressing mental illness. The items, part of the Australian Government's Better Access to Psychiatrists, Psychologists and General Practitioners through the Medicare Benefits Schedule initiative will cost $538 million over five years.

Out-of-hospital services

Medicare provides benefits for:

* consultation fees for doctors, including specialists

* tests and examinations by doctors needed to treat illnesses, including X-rays and pathology tests

* eye tests performed by optometrists

* most surgical and other therapeutic procedures performed by doctors

* some surgical procedures performed by approved dentists

* specified items under the Cleft Lip and Palate Scheme

* specified items for allied health services as part of the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) program

You can choose the doctor who treats you for out-of-hospital services.

In-hospital services

Public Patient

If you choose to be admitted as a public (Medicare) patient in a public hospital, you will receive treatment by doctors and specialists nominated by the hospital. You will not be charged for care and treatment, or after-care by the treating doctor.

Private Patient

If you are a private patient in a public or private hospital, you will have a choice of doctor to treat you. Medicare will pay 75 per cent of the Medicare Schedule fee for services and procedures provided by the treating doctor. If you have private health insurance some or all of the outstanding balance can be covered. You will be charged for hospital accommodation and items such as theatre fees and medicines. These costs can also be covered by private health insurance.

What's not covered by Medicare?

Medicare does not cover such things as:

* private patient hospital costs (for example, theatre fees or accommodation)

* dental examinations and treatment (except specified items introduced for allied health services as part of the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) program)—contact Medicare for more information

* ambulance services

* home nursing

* physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, eye therapy, chiropractic services, podiatry or psychology (except specified items introduced for allied health services as part of the Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) program)—contact Medicare for more information)

* acupuncture (unless part of a doctor's consultation)

* glasses and contact lenses

* hearing aids and other appliances

* the cost of prostheses

* medicines (except for the subsidy on medicines covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme)

* medical and hospital costs incurred overseas

* medical costs for which someone else is responsible (for example a compensation insurer, an employer, a government or government authority)

* medical services which are not clinically necessary

* surgery solely for cosmetic reasons

* examinations for life insurance, superannuation or membership of a friendly society

* eye therapy

You can arrange private health insurance to cover many of these services.

-------

Edited July 23, 2009 by haza

[Ban Hammer 13,345]

Charles was more right than I was

i'll mark today on my calendar.