Parents and lawmakers speak out against Obama's speech to students

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

Yep. And I think this is why the initial big push to pass something without careful review and discussion of the final bill was really odd and to me suspicious.

See, I didn't find that odd or suspicious at all -- to me that seemed like business as usual. Congress passes monster bills all the time that lots of people (including too many members of Congress) haven't studied carefully. Something like this (typically) has to be done in an off-election year. It made perfect sense, while there was a "mandate" behind the president and while he has a majority in Congress to try and do something quickly, especially on an issue that historically generates lots of heat. And it's not like it came out of a vacuum or was unexpected.

As for the single-payer fear, I think it has less to do with a slippery slope per se and much more to do with deep-seeded (and sometimes rational, sometimes irrational) American distrust of anything that seems to have even a sniff of socialism or government control/oversight about it.

And sorry -- right now I don't know where to look for the latest versions of any bills.

[UGAalum94]

Politics as usual sure. Good government in an area of huge importance, probably not.

I think a lot of the changes I was thinking of are just in the proposed Senate version.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

Politics as usual sure. Good government in an area of huge importance, probably not.

All to often, the two do not go together, I'm afraid.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

Politics as usual sure. Good government in an area of huge importance, probably not.

I think a lot of the changes I was thinking of are just in the proposed Senate version.

Originally Posted by MysticCat

All to often, the two do not go together, I'm afraid.

FTW

Bottom line: if health care is to be universal, then every American citizen should have exactly the same health care plan as the President, both Houses, and their families. Anything less is an insult to our intelligence.

I'm going to add a link, but the way this computer has been acting, I'm posting this much now.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by honeychile

FTW

Bottom line: if health care is to be universal, then every American citizen should have exactly the same health care plan as the President, both Houses, and their families. Anything less is an insult to our intelligence.

I'm going to add a link, but the way this computer has been acting, I'm posting this much now.

But your proposing that everyone should have the same insurance and that is not what Americans want. We all want to choose our own insurance...which may be the policy that the President and Congress enjoy, but it may also be a cheaper policy that only covers catastrophic coverage so that we don't have to pay huge monthly bills for the policy. If health care is to be universal, then every American citizen should be expected to have some level of responsibility towards covering their own insurance needs. Leaving the health care expenses for the nation to the tax payers is ridiculous. Instead of buying expensive electronics and cars, first, we all need to cover ourselves for the very real threats to our health. For those that cannot afford coverage, the government can subsidize policies. I understand that paying for health insurance is an expense that doesn't seem to make sense when you don't make much money and you can't see the tangible benefits. Unfortunately, responsibility mandates that you buy the insurance anyway. I sure hated to pay for it when I lived off of $9000 a year in med school, but I didn't really have much of a choice since it was a requirement for enrollment.

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

But your proposing that everyone should have the same insurance and that is not what Americans want. We all want to choose our own insurance...which may be the policy that the President and Congress enjoy, but it may also be a cheaper policy that only covers catastrophic coverage so that we don't have to pay huge monthly bills for the policy. If health care is to be universal, then every American citizen should be expected to have some level of responsibility towards covering their own insurance needs. Leaving the health care expenses for the nation to the tax payers is ridiculous. Instead of buying expensive electronics and cars, first, we all need to cover ourselves for the very real threats to our health. For those that cannot afford coverage, the government can subsidize policies. I understand that paying for health insurance is an expense that doesn't seem to make sense when you don't make much money and you can't see the tangible benefits. Unfortunately, responsibility mandates that you buy the insurance anyway. I sure hated to pay for it when I lived off of $9000 a year in med school, but I didn't really have much of a choice since it was a requirement for enrollment.

I am so glad my coverage is through work and it comes out of my paycheck before I even get paid. I also have it set up to take out my car and renter's insurance as well, so it is a real budgeting boon to have that all taken care of so I know a) it is paid b) I am covered c) exactly how much money I have left for other crap. My prescriptions are pretty stable (other than a random illness) and I get my tax return in January so I always set aside enough to cover my deductible.

Furthermore my employer requires you to have our insurance, or show proof of coverage on another plan or you will be charged for insurance. They feel that people without insurance are less likely to go to the doctor, come to work ill, and not only get other people ill, but also have children who are sick longer. We get sick leave and two hours a month for medical appointments, and sick leave can be used to cover time for family member illnesses which most people with kids do.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

But your proposing that everyone should have the same insurance and that is not what Americans want. We all want to choose our own insurance...which may be the policy that the President and Congress enjoy, but it may also be a cheaper policy that only covers catastrophic coverage so that we don't have to pay huge monthly bills for the policy. If health care is to be universal, then every American citizen should be expected to have some level of responsibility towards covering their own insurance needs. Leaving the health care expenses for the nation to the tax payers is ridiculous. Instead of buying expensive electronics and cars, first, we all need to cover ourselves for the very real threats to our health. For those that cannot afford coverage, the government can subsidize policies. I understand that paying for health insurance is an expense that doesn't seem to make sense when you don't make much money and you can't see the tangible benefits. Unfortunately, responsibility mandates that you buy the insurance anyway. I sure hated to pay for it when I lived off of $9000 a year in med school, but I didn't really have much of a choice since it was a requirement for enrollment.

No, I'm not suggesting that universal health care is the way to go. I'm saying that, should our representatives deem universal health care necessary, then the citizens of America deserve the exact same coverage that others choose for us - but not themselves.

I say this as someone whose tax returns were lowered because the IRS decided that I didn't really spend that much on medical expenses - never mind the receipts.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by honeychile

No, I'm not suggesting that universal health care is the way to go. I'm saying that, should our representatives deem universal health care necessary, then the citizens of America deserve the exact same coverage that others choose for us - but not themselves.

I say this as someone whose tax returns were lowered because the IRS decided that I didn't really spend that much on medical expenses - never mind the receipts.

And to do that would mean lowering the coverage for congress not raising the coverage for the people...no one can afford that level of coverage universally....it's not feasible. Everyone hates to hear the word "rationing" but it's how reasonably priced health care is meted out with or without insurance as the payor.