There needs to caution with the current bills of the House and Senate. They aren't strong enough to protect Americans from exploitation. He can't just stand by and be a cheerleader although I am confident he was relieved the House finally combined the three House bills into one. That is a good step, however, there needs to be careful consideration by President Obama about accepting the Bill as the best the House can deliver.
I really think President Obama is the only one that sincerely cares to actually deliver legislation that will work for Americans. We'll have to trust his justment to bring home a bill that is effective for Americans. He need not rely on his Treasury Secretary to review it either. He hasn't delivered the USA from the ravages of Wall Street yet so why believe he is WILLING to do anything productive with health care.
...THE HOUSE BILL (click title to entry - thank you)
Who's covered: About 96 percent of residents under age 65 -- compared with 81 percent now. A large portion of the remaining uninsured would be illegal immigrants.
Cost: $894 billion over 10 years, Democrats say, which is under President Obama's $900 billion goal. That mostly covers the costs of expanding insurance coverage and leaves out certain changes to Medicare and other programs that push the price tag above $1 trillion.
How it's paid for: $460 billion over the next decade from new income taxes on single people making more than $500,000 a year and couples making $1 million. There's also about $500 billion in cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, a new $20 billion fee on medical device makers, $13 billion from limiting contributions to flexible spending accounts, sizable penalties paid by individuals and employers who don't obtain coverage and a mix of other corporate taxes and fees.
Requirements for individuals: Individuals must have insurance, enforced through a tax penalty of 2.5 percent of income. People can apply for hardship waivers if coverage is unaffordable....
The SOLE issue of requiring every American to have health insurance with a very stiff penalty of 2.5% if they don't; opens them up to exploitation by Private Health Insurance Companies. There is no doubt about it. Companies will be required to cover all those that ask for coverage and they will use that as an excuse to raise their premiums. They will have corporate strategies to do that and it will be exploitive.
Morally.
There should NOT be anyone making profits for insuring the well being of Americans. Americans and their health are not a commodity. The people of this nation and their RIGHT to wellness is not a commodity to be toyed with in some Board Room of wealth merchants. There cannot be exploitation of the people of this country anymore. I profoundly believe when the 'pool' of insured becomes larger and all Americans receive health coverage the premiums from any source should come down.
There is no reason to believe otherwise.
If our medical infrastructure cannot deliver a healthy nation with everyone insured that actually brings down the demands for medical treatment while stopping increases in chronic conditions such as childhood diabetes that leads to huge problems with costs, then there is something very awry with the USA and its ability to link human need with profitable corporations. Basically, I see this 'melding' of government interest with the private health care industry as THEIR last chance to 'get it right.'
If it can't be done, then it can't be done and the government will have to realize that and move beyond the pressure by Wall Street to keep the USA out of their Board Rooms when it comes to the well being of its citizens. I hate to say this, but, if legislators in the USA can't adequately address the right of every citizen to have health care that actually is reasonable and effective, then sooner or later someone has to call it a human rights violation that gives way to profit taking over human well being.
I do not believe in 'negotiations' with physicians, nurses, health care workers, hospitals or health care institutions. The 'best idea' of any legislation is to 'contain costs' and harness the ability of this industry to run inflation out of control. Health care is a 'soft target' for greed. Just that simple. If the USA allows providers, such as health care system CEOs, to DICTATE health care costs, there will an unending inflation rate that will stifle economic growth.
Let me make it clear that I see the 'market share' of our GDP in regard to providing health care when it comes to the USA economy as a repulsive idea. There is no way health care of Americans should be seen as a portion of our economy for exploitation for increased tax base either by running up revenues to companies. There cannot be a 'feedback' loop that exploits Americans health care that also aids the income of companies and government. Absolutely not. That will inhibit the growth of the USA economy. Health care will contribute to the USA economy in the way of wages to health care workers and taxes from health care corporations, but, not to be viewed as an entity to economic growth. The cost of health care has to be contained and that means putting a cap on the amounts anyone can charge. It will be a healthy move for the country.
The so called 'cuts' to those receiving Medicare isn't about cutting services or reducing the quality of care, it is about REMOVING exploitive programs such as Medicare Advantage from the private industry market. There is a lot of jargon being tossed around about these Bills that is being used to scare people. The nation needs this reform. It needs it desperately. It has to be responsible to all citizens.
To oppose those that see 'health care' as a luxury for Americans that can afford it, they FORGET quite conveniently that our nation's documents state, "...the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." One cannot have life or happiness without a healthy body enough to deliver it!
I have every intention to read the Senate Bill. I have demands on my time that will open up the opportunity to participate in the discussion 'that way' by next week and I apologize for any delay, but, life has its demands even to activists. My sincerest apologies to those that feel as though I was abandoning the idea and was counting on my participation. Please be patient. Thank you.
