A sickly health care bill
June 21st 2009 09:02
Obama's prospects for reforming health care took a major hit last week:
We would spend more than a trillion dollars and only reduce the number of uninsured by 25%? What's the point? At that rate, it would take more than four trillion dollars to cover everyone who's uninsured. That's a tall order for a country that is already drowning in debt. We just can't afford it.
This is what I don't understand. Instead of trying to guarantee health care for everyone, why doesn't Obama focus like a laser on addressing the runaway costs associated with health care? There are lots of actions that could be taken. Streamline forms and set standards for medical records. Encourage digitization of those records. Open competition up by allowing companies and individuals to shop for health care from providers all across the country. Increase the number of doctors in the country by opening additional medical schools and/or expanding existing medical schools. Address the high costs resulting from often frivolous malpractice suits. Incentivize doctors to only perform necessary procedures. Incentivize individuals to improve their health through wellness programs. Eliminate bureaucratic red tape in government health programs like Medicaid and Medicare. Either deport illegal immigrants who are getting free health care in emergency rooms or start billing their home countries for the services they receive. There are so many things that could be done to bring down the cost of health care. Get busy working on that and health care could be more accessible and affordable for everyone.
As it is, I don't think Obama will be able to get any kind of meaningful health care reform passed. The costs of reforming health care are staggering and it would just be too big of a pill to swallow. Add in the fact that the aforementioned proposal would still leave nearly 40 million people uninsured and the whole effort just seems ridiculous and reckless.
The Congressional Budget Office, described as the judge, jury and final arbiter on health care reform, cut the legs out from Sen. Kennedy's health reform plan, one of two that will begin moving through the Senate.
The summary table at the end says it all: a six percentage point drop in the number of uninsured -- from 49 million in 2010 to 37 million in 2019 -- is all you get for $1-plus trillion.
The summary table at the end says it all: a six percentage point drop in the number of uninsured -- from 49 million in 2010 to 37 million in 2019 -- is all you get for $1-plus trillion.
We would spend more than a trillion dollars and only reduce the number of uninsured by 25%? What's the point? At that rate, it would take more than four trillion dollars to cover everyone who's uninsured. That's a tall order for a country that is already drowning in debt. We just can't afford it.
This is what I don't understand. Instead of trying to guarantee health care for everyone, why doesn't Obama focus like a laser on addressing the runaway costs associated with health care? There are lots of actions that could be taken. Streamline forms and set standards for medical records. Encourage digitization of those records. Open competition up by allowing companies and individuals to shop for health care from providers all across the country. Increase the number of doctors in the country by opening additional medical schools and/or expanding existing medical schools. Address the high costs resulting from often frivolous malpractice suits. Incentivize doctors to only perform necessary procedures. Incentivize individuals to improve their health through wellness programs. Eliminate bureaucratic red tape in government health programs like Medicaid and Medicare. Either deport illegal immigrants who are getting free health care in emergency rooms or start billing their home countries for the services they receive. There are so many things that could be done to bring down the cost of health care. Get busy working on that and health care could be more accessible and affordable for everyone.
As it is, I don't think Obama will be able to get any kind of meaningful health care reform passed. The costs of reforming health care are staggering and it would just be too big of a pill to swallow. Add in the fact that the aforementioned proposal would still leave nearly 40 million people uninsured and the whole effort just seems ridiculous and reckless.
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Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Health care and education are two long-time favorites of politicians...
Comment by Lester Caudill
Round Politics
Comment by rickb_georgia
The system needs revision including all of the things you pointed out PopCon ... nice job.
I would like to see the politicians and their activists and the media use more accurate information in their presentations.
As SL pointed out, Obama and his gang have picked a popular topic to hijack.. Obama's public plan would put him in control of our healthcare within a couple of years at the most as the insurance companies will be history. In short order he has gained control of our banks, much or our manufacturing industry and is trying to control our health care dollars. That represents most of our money and that scares me. Freedom will be the exception rather than the rule in this country.
Comment by PopulistConservative
Angry Electorate
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by PopulistConservative
Angry Electorate
Comment by PopulistConservative
Angry Electorate
They claim they want to have a public option because it would "keep the insurance companies honest" by providing competition. Like you, though, I'm also concerned that it would drive private insurers out of business. How does a company compete with the government when the government doesn't have to turn a profit and has an almost endless supply of money to spend? It can't compete. If the Democrats REALLY want competition, then loosen rules about buying insurance and let the people choose from a wide variety of providers. I heard this morning that there are 1300 insurance providers in the US. If the Dems want competition, let them all compete against each other. If that happened, prices would certainly drop.
Comment by PopulistConservative
Angry Electorate