As a distinct non-expert on health care I found it hard during the past weeks

[howard112211]

to get good information about the health care bill from DU. The impression that I got was that it is either a disasterous bill that will
accomplish absolutely nothing but selling us all into serfdom, or that the health care critics are a bunch of covert tea baggers, depending
on who you ask. So I talked to some relatives who are more educated on the subject than me, and I came to conclude that probably the bill
is an improvement of the status quo. Although there are a lot of good things that could have been in the bill and that aren't in, it
is going to do some people some good, and that is enought for me to want it pass.

At any rate, the prospect of freepers and tea baggers shitting themselves for the months to come, is something I very look forward to.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. Instead of Square 1 to Square 30 it's

Square 1 to Square 2.

[Oregone]

2. But in what direction?

Its a start, but a start to where? People try and compare it to similar starts abroad, which started on foundations of socialism and egalitarinism; this "start" hinges upon privatized services and will still withhold the best care for the wealthiest. So what is the idealogical roadmap dictating where this is going, and upon what sound foundation is this built to ensure benevolent progression?

[bain_sidhe]

4. No, it's more than that

but it's surely not to 30.

First, it goes from square 1 to about square 15, I'd say.

It sets up the exchanges so that individuals and small companies can have a highly-regulated marketplace in which to buy coverage, provides a "hook" for a national "public option" or Medicare buy-in. It puts some limits on insurance companies' worst abuses. It provides an immediate "safe haven" for children with pre-existing conditions, offers adults with pre-existing conditions temporary gov't-sponsored insurance, and adds a lot of money to the free (or low cost) community health clinic system

Then it goes from Square 15 to about Square 10 with its pandering to anti-choice zealots, it's taxation of good insurance, and making the exchanges state based instead of national.

So, we're about a third of the way there, by my calculations. Not great, but ahead of where we are.

[mvd]

5. Question here

Weren't the regulatory powers in the bill curtailed? I mean the powers over price increases.

[bain_sidhe]

6. I'm not clear on that

The NYT had a great comparison chart between the Senate bill and the proposed "reconciliation" bill, and it indicated that they weren't (here). But I've read elsewhere that they were, and since I can't remember where I read it, I don't know if it's a reliable source.

[mvd]

7. Thanks - hope that can be explained

:hi:

[ChicagoSuz219]

3. It's a good bill that will get better in the near future. n/t