Is it really such a big deal over there?!?

[Aspen]

Didn't Obama say that insurance companies will have to insure people with pre-existing conditions?

[adhocisadirtyword]

They're backing out of Sebelius' statements today saying that a public option is a requirement. Who knows what the real truth is. I guess only time will tell.

[goddessoflubbock]

Didn't Obama say that insurance companies will have to insure people with pre-existing conditions?

That was part of his plan - the original plan. Seriously I can't see the government being able to tell private companies how to run their business (as long as they aren't in bankruptcy and getting bailout money that is!).

[Charlie]

Didn't Obama say that insurance companies will have to insure people with pre-existing conditions?

That was part of his plan - the original plan. Seriously I can't see the government being able to tell private companies how to run their business (as long as they aren't in bankruptcy and getting bailout money that is!).

And I'm sure these companies would be willing to insure just about anyone for a mere $1M a month.... I guess all they would have to do is offer insurance to someone, even if it is at a very high premium, and then they can turn round to the government and say that they were willing to insure them but they did not take up their offer

[goddessoflubbock]

The part of the plan that scares me is the provision that all Americans be insured and that if you are uninsured the government can fine you.

If you aren't going to give me a plan that I can afford (and will cover that which ails me from day 1)how can you fine me for failure to have insurance?

Furthermore, all this communist/socialist fear-mongering is ridiculous. Obama should have taken a stronger hand against it.

Everyone seems to forget, our veterans are on a government-run plan.

If it's good enough for those who stood up to save our asses, why isn't it good enough for the rest of us??

[Aspen]

Part of the fear is from doctors, I think.

Some people who propose a single payer system say we should base it on Medicare reimbursements.

Last year, the Medicare reimbursement was $38.09 per RVU (Relative Value Unit, a somewhat arbitrary but useful index of physician work) and this year that rate has been cut 5.3% to $36.07 per RVU. Private insurance pays between $50 and $100 per RVU, so some doctors restrict the number of Medicare patients they see and see more patients with private insurance. Medicaid pays even less, somewhere around $22 per RVU, and it is sometimes very difficult to find doctors who will even see Medicaid patients.

[goddessoflubbock]

My kids are on CHIP, and I can't get anyone to take DS. They all say all their CHIP slots are full.

The problem I have with that is one of the CHIP choices is an HMO plan. Docs receive payments every two weeks (capitation) for HMO patients - regardless of whether they see the patient or not.

So DD's doc is getting capitated for her (she's been twice in 2 years) but won't take her brother on. Ugh.

[Sophist]

The part of the plan that scares me is the provision that all Americans be insured and that if you are uninsured the government can fine you.

That sounds familiar... Wasn't that Hilary Clinton's idea???

[goddessoflubbock]

The part of the plan that scares me is the provision that all Americans be insured and that if you are uninsured the government can fine you.

That sounds familiar... Wasn't that Hilary Clinton's idea???

I am not sure, but heard it brought up again the other night on Wolf Blitzer.

[adhocisadirtyword]

I believe Obama's plan that he mentioned during the campaign was to fine parents who did not insure their children. It was Clinton's plan to leverage fines for all. But they would only be able to do this if insurance was available at a reasonable price for all (no cost increases or denial for pre-existing conditions).

They would do this because it is the healthy young adults who don't get health insurance now that could actually help bring down and even out COHC (cost of health care).

I don't necessarily agree with leveraging fines, but I do see the logic in it.

And I also don't trust the air that comes out of Wolf Blitzer's mouth. Too much media hype over this whole health care debate is certainly not helping matters.

[Charlie]

At least you are getting better albeit slowly in some places. Hope you get better soon, it sounds like you had a rough month/few weeks.

Just for future reference, if you insist on walking into each other, then it my be safer to fall on top of GA

[goddessoflubbock]

The part of the plan that scares me is the provision that all Americans be insured and that if you are uninsured the government can fine you.

If you aren't going to give me a plan that I can afford (and will cover that which ails me from day 1)how can you fine me for failure to have insurance?

Furthermore, all this communist/socialist fear-mongering is ridiculous. Obama should have taken a stronger hand against it.

Everyone seems to forget, our veterans are on a government-run plan.

If it's good enough for those who stood up to save our asses, why isn't it good enough for the rest of us??

Today brought more bad news. The latest bill for health insurance includes a fine for ANY American who doesn't have insurance - the fine is on a sliding scale.

Works out nicely as it seems coverages available will also be on a sliding scale. If you are 60, you will pay 5 times what a 20 year old pays. Smokers will pay more.

One can only assume those with terminal illnesses and other medically-needy conditions will be up-charged out the wazoo.

It is bad enough I am now forced to get my care at UMC - you know - United Malpractice Center - what do I do when that goes away?

Will Medicare even be there in aug of 2010?

[Sophist]

Frankly, good luck with them trying to get blood out of a stone. If people don't have the money to afford insurance, who the hades thinks they'll have money to afford fines for not having it??

[goddessoflubbock]

At this point, best case scenario, the plan will be in place by 2013. The next election is in 2012.

Then a republican senator comes out with some lovely rhetoric - all about how the people who have had insurance all along, who worked to get insurance, and the employers who provide their insurance, are all going to be somehow penalized for it?! And that it's not fair that the 15% of Americans who couldn't get their crap together to get insurance (he implied) don't deserve it.

Hopefully none of his constituents are without insurance.....

I guess all the people who worked for years and years and recently got laid off are too lazy? I guess people who work at the many jobs that don't offer insurance just should have followed another path?

It really shouldn't be a moral or ethical battle.