Opponents of a Health Insurance Mandate Mobilize

[StarfarerBill]

By James Oliphant, Los Angeles Times

WASHINGTON - If there is one thing in the proposed congressional healthcare overhaul that sets Michael Cannon's libertarian teeth on edge, it's the requirement that all Americans get health insurance.

"The federal government does not have the power to force you to purchase a private product," said Cannon, a health policy analyst at the Cato Institute, a free-market think tank in Washington.

But with Congress poised to do just that, the mandate for near-universal coverage is generating opposition not only from libertarians like Cannon, who object to the guiding hand of government regulation in almost any form, but from some liberals -- and even from some members of the insurance industry, which stands to gain millions of customers.

Both the House and Senate versions of the healthcare revamp contain a requirement that everyone have health insurance, through a job, the government or the private market.

In theory, the justification seems simple: A large number of people pay relatively modest premiums, creating a pool of money big enough to take care of those who need help.

Having people of all ages participate is especially important with healthcare, analysts note, because the major medical problems that result in big claims are found disproportionately in middle-aged and older Americans. If younger, healthier people go without insurance, premiums for the others would be driven higher.

But even as right-wing critics talk of legal challenges, critics on the left complain that Americans will be locked into buying a product that threatens to become ever more expensive -- especially if, as seems likely, the final bill does not contain a government-run insurance program to compete with private firms, the so-called public option.

"We'd like to see the individual mandate stripped," said Jim Dean, chairman of the liberal Democracy for America, which was founded by his brother, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean.

More:
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/01/02-0

[chimpymustgo]

1. This is very good news. We must fight back. K&R

[thotzRthingz]

2. I am incliined to agree, it is *good news* ... even though it may appear to be

an attempt at derailing "health care reform" it still must be pursued.

There is no way in hell that OBAMA and the Senate DEMs will allow landmark "health care reform" to simply and ultimately FAIL! There are members of both the HOUSE and SENATE who support a PUBLIC OPTION, and without same--the current tendency (giving the FOR-PROFITs 30+ million more mandated customers, no mandate that CLAIMS DENIALS will be abated, and absolutely CERTAIN higher premiums, co-pays, deductibles... along with higher TAXES on "good health care plans") is an aberration, a scourge, upon every American (save for those who will pocket BILLION$ by preying on an unavoidable human condition).

So, let's call upon those in CONGRESS with some backbone to ACT TO DEFEAT this legislation... it is the only way to FORCE needed compromises (in a "reform" that, in the final analysis, simply can not and will not fail)!

(also see: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7378507)

[chimpymustgo]

3. Exactly. We can force compromise - for TRUE reform. Obama needs this win. "The People" are

holding more cards than the powers that be want to admit.

[Goldstein1984]

4. I'm just glad the debate is continuing without Congress

The repulsive mandate for citizens to become unwilling insurance industry costumers is being challenged by citizens. If it passes, it will be challenged again in court. I hope there is enough pressure to undo the damage done by industry pressure.

In the interim, this whole thing has made me think more about how I manage my own health. I'm looking for alternatives to how I manage my own health.

How many of the half-dozen prescription medications I've acquired over the past decade can I eliminate by changes in lifestyle?

How many of them can be replaced with better diet or nutritional supplements?

Do I really need my expensive "cadillac plan," or can I save myself some money by paying more out of pocket and using the health care system less?

To what degree have I become part of a system designed less to provide health care than to maintain a continuous market for products?

[thotzRthingz]

5. this journey, upon which you've set out, is one which you will never regret!

The repulsive mandate for citizens to become unwilling insurance industry costumers is being challenged by citizens. If it passes, it will be challenged again in court. I hope there is enough pressure to undo the damage done by industry pressure.

In the interim, this whole thing has made me think more about how I manage my own health. I'm looking for alternatives to how I manage my own health.

How many of the half-dozen prescription medications I've acquired over the past decade can I eliminate by changes in lifestyle?

How many of them can be replaced with better diet or nutritional supplements?

Do I really need my expensive "cadillac plan," or can I save myself some money by paying more out of pocket and using the health care system less?

To what degree have I become part of a system designed less to provide health care than to maintain a continuous market for products?

BRAVO!

My wife is a licensed RN, but has not worked in any field of contemporary medicine for many years now. We are both "into" alternative medicine (a metaphysical and holistic approach to life: spirit, mind, and body). She started out as a medical/surgical primary care nurse (quit that, when the hospital moved toward being FOR-PROFIT rather than FOR-PATIENT)... she then moved into PSYCH nursing at a different facility (and quit, when that too went sourly FOR-PROFIT)... she then went to work for CHAMPUS, *approving* far more than "denying" requests for coverage/treatments. But she tired of fighting the system (read that as her bosses), and finally quit what I call "contemporary medicine" (read that as FOR-PROFIT) altogether!

I'm a fully retired Navy enlisted type, but have NOT seen a doctor or hospital since I transferred to the fleet reserve, some 20+ years ago). We are both nearing our 60th b'day... have no intention of changing our current path (a metaphysical and holistic approach to life: spirit, mind, and body)... and are willing to "go naturally" when the time comes... and I realize that not everyone can, should, or will do likewise. But your apparently newfound resolve, to take-back control of your life/health, should be an inspiration for others!

Peace & Light

[Goldstein1984]

6. Thanks! I would be lying if I said that the health care reform debate

was the primary reason I've started this.

I was having a bad reaction to a statin drug, and after being off the medication for a month, many of the symptoms (body aches, weakness, dizziness, headaches) disappeared. All I had known until then was that with the statin drugs I could eat anything I wanted and go for long periods without exercise and my cholesterol stayed low.

To replace one statin drug, my doctor prescribed TWO medications--one was a prescription form of niacin (B3), the other was a medication to lower triglycerides. I never filled the prescriptions. I just picked up some good over-the-counter vitamin supplements, including a good B3, and changed my diet.

I have a couple of injured shoulders, for which I've been taking prescription Naproxen. The Naproxen was tough on my stomach, so I also took a prescription medication for acid reflux. Without the statins, most of the pain in my shoulders disappeared, the need for the Naproxen disappeared, the need for the antacid disappeared.

Now I'm down to two medications--one for hypertension and one for restless legs. I gained 40 pounds after I injured my shoulders in a fall while alpine hiking, and I'm betting that taking weight off eliminated the need for the hypertension medication. I've also noticed that since I started the nutritional supplements and improved my diet my restless legs bother me much more. I'm hoping that continues to improve as I go along.

I haven't had my cholesterol checked since my changes. But I'm not sure I believe cholesterol is even the real problem. My aunt lived to 91 with a cholesterol level of 300. I've been reading some literature that suggests blaming cholesterol for heart disease is like blaming bricks for a wall--but the bricks didn't cause the wall.

Thanks for the good wishes. And suggested reading would be very welcome.

[thotzRthingz]

7. re: "suggested reading would be very welcome"

sorry for the delay in getting back to you.

it has become obvious to me that many long-time frequenters of this forum do not appreciate my "alternative" thinking. that's really no surprise at all, to me... i've encountered same in many other online (and offline) forums. i take same with a grain of salt (and an occasional "ignore").

the above said, perhaps it is better that i take my intended response to a different location... and it seems that DU's Religion & Spirituality -- "Seekers On Unique Paths" forum may be the more appropriate location.

i'll post something over there, after i have posted post this reply.

Peace & Light