One of the greatest fears I have is that this HCR bill will be "fixed" later...

[Cleobulus]

but in the wrong direction.

Honestly, the fact is that Democrats aren't going to maintain a majority in Congress or hold onto the presidency forever. Let's assume that the bill passes, is implemented in 4 years without Republican interference, with the promise that the Democrats will fix it later. Let's give it 8 years or so, with 4 years of the bill being active. Let's say the Republicans win a majority in Congress, or even are in the White House. Imagine the opportunities they would have in basically destroying what little good this bill does.

They could lower the subsidies, they can raise the ceiling on Medicaid qualifications, they could screw around with the exchanges, eliminating the non-profit exchanges, remove the regulations on insurance companies, etc. There is a lot of damage they could do, and frankly I don't see this bill as immune from such interference from the Republicans.

The thing of it is this, there are certain programs the Republicans mess with, in the wrong direction, but the damage they can do to them is limited because they can't eliminate the effectiveness of the programs entirely. Republicans have been talking for years of privatizing Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, eliminating Welfare programs, and yet all of these are still around. I'm not saying they weren't damaged, but they are at least still around. The reason is because they are popular, and most Americans will end up using them on one level or another, and they generally know that they are better off with these programs in place.

We do not know if this HCR bill will rise to that level, and that's the danger. This bill, soon to be policy, can be used as political football, and even worse, I think Americans will tolerate it being used in that manner. Its already been conceded that the bill won't help everybody, and many people will want it "fixed" and they frankly won't care in which direction it will be fixed.

I don't see this policy as rising to the level of NHS in Britain where Margaret Thatcher had to reassure the British people that it will not be touched by her conservatives.

[Oregone]

1. This is their idea. They wont mess with the subsidies too much I don't think

Rather, theyll lower the minimum actuarial values of the plan

Republicans have wanted mandated and subsidized insurance for at least 40 years.

[Cleobulus]

5. I think the first thing they would do is deregulate the insurance companies...

so that, while they have to "cover" people with preexisting conditions they don't have to pay claims that relate to those preexisting conditions. Lowering actuarial values would be the next step, then eliminate the non-profits and co-ops from exchanges(this may happen sooner in conservative states), kick people who qualify for medicaid under this policy back off it, and force them to buy insurance as well. There are a lot of ways to screw around with the system, both on the state level and federal level.

[dflprincess]

6. They'll probably raise out of pockets as well (nt)

[FrenchieCat]

2. We'll get a public option.

and sooner than many want to believe, Medicare for All.

Just wasn't gonna get done in one swoop.

[Cleobulus]

8. The question is when? And I'm talking under what election cycle.

We weren't able to get it this time around with a Democratic Majority, even assuming they maintain that Majority for let's say the next decade, what assurance do we have that a single payer or public option system will be put in place in the meantime?

[Rosa Luxemburg]

9. If healthcare goes through now and troops come out of Afghanistan in 2011

I think we should get a public option through in a couple of years.

[Cleobulus]

12. How? As far as I can tell, the political will simply isn't there...

Even assuming the Democrats win an even bigger majority in the House in the next election, I don't see much change opportunity in change.

[walldude]

11. Many of the provisions in the bill don't get enacted for 3 more years

do you think they will "fix" the bill before that? Like they fixed NAFTA? Or Sunsetted the Patriot Act?

Not trying to be an ass here Cat, I respect you and your opinion but I just can't see the light here. Been burned too many times. I envy your optimism.

[SPedigrees]

13. I hope you're right. And I think you may well be. nt

[grahamhgreen]

18. Or what?

[Marr]

21. That really seems like starry-eyed daydreaming.

There's no reason I can see to expect that Medicare for All will become a reality anytime soon. It's like saying we'll all be flying around with personal jetpacks soon. It's possible, but there's no tangible reason to believe it.

[obxhead]

3. There seems to be a void with thinking

that Dems will remain in power forever. If anything, this bill is the death nail for the party.

It's a win for the insurance industry.
It's a win for the Republicans, although they need to tinker a tiny bit to make it perfect for their friends.

Give it time, the few this bill helps will be screwed right along with everyone else once they "fix" it.

[Uncle Joe]

4. I agree, when the Republicans come to power they will do what they can to make this bill worse

should it become law.

I also believe the passage of this bill will open the door for Republican return to power.

Thanks for the thread, Cleobulus.

[datasuspect]

7. this is a short-term cash grab/handout

they got our gas money, pay us stagnated wages, and have otherwise fux0red the economy in a way that redistributes wealth to the wealthy. these decisions have only ONE purpose in mind: to make us truly competitive with the third world. you can't have a middle class in our new feudal state.

sure, the bill/law will change, and it will skew further and further to the right. the republicans are still in power. the 2000 coup never actually ended.

[Warren Stupidity]

10. So we had better elect more progressive reps. nt

[AnOhioan]

14. Fixing in a negative fashion is the only "fix" that will ever happen

And you are right about the Dems not having a majority forever. Passing this piece of crap ensures that.

[Umbral]

15. It's unlikely the Democrats will ever lose that many Senate seats...

...enough to nullify the filibuster, unless they manage to change Senate rules. Of course, there is the distinct probability that the Republicans with a 'D' after their name would go along with the Republicans and dismantle Health Insurance Reform.

[readmoreoften]

16. Me too.

[grahamhgreen]

17. They will take your health care dollars, destroy the meager reforms, and leave you with nothing but

A mandate to buy a dham of an insurace policy.

How can this not be obvious to everyone?

[MellowDem]

19. Or you can have the status quo and more Repub policies later... nt

[tsuki]

20. Lawton Chiles' health insurance reform was fixed right out of existence in Florida

by Jeb Bush and Bill Nelson.

[western mass]

22. not so much a fear as a guarantee