Thirty-two Million People

[FrenchieCat]

"32 million people are going to have health insurance because of this legislation. That's what this work is about. (Applause.) So that's what's going to happen.

Now, I want to just make this point. This legislation is not perfect, as you just heard. (Laughter.) This young man is dissatisfied with an aspect of it, which is fine. I mean, that's part of what democracy is about. But what this is, is a historic step to enshrine the principle that everybody gets health care coverage in this country, every single person. (Applause.)

And it's absolutely true -- it's absolutely true this is a middle-of-the-road bill. This isn't single-payer, which some people wanted. It's also not what the Republicans were looking for, which was basically to deregulate the insurance industry, arguing that somehow this would cut down costs -- something that defies the experience of everybody who's dealt with an insurance company out there. (Laughter.)

So, yes, this is a common-sense bill. It doesn't do everything that everybody wants, but it moves us in the direction of universal health care coverage in this country and that's why everybody here fought so hard for it. (Applause.)"

- President Barack Obama, 3/25/10, Iowa

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2010/03/25/obama_transcript_health_care_speech_in_iowa_city_104925.html

[Spazito]

1. I have been surprised at how little attention his reference to ....

universal health care has gotten:

"So, yes, this is a common-sense bill. It doesn't do everything that everybody wants, but it moves us in the direction of universal health care coverage in this country and that's why everybody here fought so hard for it."

I thought the "liberal" media would be all over that in their usual negative way but, so far, it seems to have just slipped by.

[lunatica]

2. Even Obama says it's a 'move' in the right direction

"It doesn't do everything that everybody wants, but it moves us in the direction of universal health care coverage in this country and that's why everybody here fought so hard for it."

This will be expanded upon. Maybe much sooner than we think because it affects every person, not just a few.

[FrenchieCat]

3. Yes he did.

[kestrel91316]

4. Local "tomcats" to pee all over this thread in 3...2...1...

[FrenchieCat]

5. Having an urge to pee on an OP titled 32 Million People

should mean one needs to see a doctor, IMO.

[boppers]

6. As much as the "Not good enough" people piss me off, we need them.

The ship is slowly being steered toward the right direction, but we don't have universal healthcare yet, so their endless harping and kvetching can help us get there.

[kestrel91316]

7. True. But their personal attacks on people for supporting the HCR bill

or for having the gall to benefit from it are beyond the pale.

[boppers]

9. Well, "Alert" exists for a reason.

Yes, personal attacks are lame.

[liberalpragmatist]

8. I actually would guess it may be more than that

First of all, by 2014, we may well have gotten immigration reform, which should bring undocumented immigrants into the system. And I think it's very likely that the funding for the programs will be increased routinely over the next few years as part of the regular appropriations process.

[FrenchieCat]

10. my point is simply that this President is being honest in his assessment

of this accomplishment, and is not trying to tout it as something other than what it is; a good bill, not a perfect bill!

I like that about him.

[eridani]

11. Too bad us disposable human garbage at the Bronze level

--won't be able to afford to actually use it.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

12. Like clockwork....

I'm not entirely certain how often it needs to be explained to you, but people who are poor are typically covered under Medicaid, which seems to be working quite well for them. This bill expands Medicaid so that more people can qualify for coverage. Now if you're not quite poor enough to qualify for Medicaid, you'll get subsidies that will reduce your cost of coverage to about 5% of your income. If you still can't afford it, then perhaps you could save some money by selling your computer and cancelling your internet service so that YOU CAN AFFORD YOUR FUCKING HEALTHCARE AND STOP YOUR INCESSANT WHINING ON THIS BOARD.

...just a suggestion.

[Ikonoklast]

13. That left a mark.

People will find a way to hate this law, even if it was totally free, no taxes, no premiums, because it is a win for Democrats.

They hate that.

[eridani]

29. If there were no tax money going to private insurance and no mandated premiums

--what would there be to hate?

[cornermouse]

14. check your "facts"

1. Medicaid payments to physicians have been cut for several years now.
2. Doctors don't want to take medicaid patients because they don't get paid for the work they do.
3. If you're on medicaid, you're limited to ERs and urgent care/walk in clinics.

"If you still can't afford it, then perhaps you could save some money by selling your computer and cancelling your internet service so that YOU CAN AFFORD YOUR FUCKING HEALTHCARE AND STOP YOUR INCESSANT WHINING ON THIS BOARD."

Just wondering if you can "hear" yourself the way others do.

[cali]

15. I don't know where you live, but that isn't even close to the truth re where I live

[cornermouse]

16. It is fact where I live.

Call a physician and tell them you have a disabled child on medicaid? You get offered a chance to fill out an application to be a patient. That's fact.

As far as reductions in payments to the provider? That's a nationwide fact.

[cali]

17. which shows that it varies. the 10 billion for CHCs should help

[cornermouse]

18. It won't change anything for people on medicaid

[cali]

20. huh? CHCs take Medicaid.

so yeah, dear, it will help those folks. duh.

[cornermouse]

27. And they should feel darn lucky they are allowed to have CHCs

instead of a regular doctor? Do you even realize how that sounds? And coming from the democratic party? Hello???????????

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

21. Wrong on nearly every count....

You're right on Number One & Number 2, but wrong in the fact that this bill increase Medicaid payments to hospitals.

You're totally and completely wrong on Number 3. Stupidly wrong. I-don't-know-what-in-the-hell-I'm-babbling-about wrong.

So if you're going to blow your disposable income on internet access rather than pay for your healthcare, you might want to spend a little of your online time getting better acquainted with the facts.

[eridani]

30. My shitty insurance now costs five times what my internet connection costs

And now I don't even have the option of dropping it if I run into serious financial trouble that would make it impossible to keep both the insurance and to pay for ongoing expenses.

[treestar]

25. That argument is so full of shit

It's as if you are trying to be miserable.

If you can't "afford" to "use" it, that means you aren't seriously ill!

Geez, Loooooooooooeeeez.

[eridani]

31. I have extensive ongoing expenses that my shitty insurance doesn't cover

As of the moment I can afford both, but what of those who can't? And why are you cheering the IRS going after me if I every have to drop the crappy insurance in order to pay for ongoing expenses?

[IndianaGreen]

19. Health bill leaves 23 million uninsured

Pro-single-payer doctors: Health bill leaves 23 million uninsured

A false promise of reform

For Immediate Release
March 22, 2010

As much as we would like to join the celebration of the House's passage of the health bill last night, in good conscience we cannot. We take no comfort in seeing aspirin dispensed for the treatment of cancer.

Instead of eliminating the root of the problem - the profit-driven, private health insurance industry - this costly new legislation will enrich and further entrench these firms. The bill would require millions of Americans to buy private insurers' defective products, and turn over to them vast amounts of public money.

The hype surrounding the new health bill is belied by the facts:

•About 23 million people will remain uninsured nine years out. That figure translates into an estimated 23,000 unnecessary deaths annually and an incalculable toll of suffering.

•Millions of middle-income people will be pressured to buy commercial health insurance policies costing up to 9.5 percent of their income but covering an average of only 70 percent of their medical expenses, potentially leaving them vulnerable to financial ruin if they become seriously ill. Many will find such policies too expensive to afford or, if they do buy them, too expensive to use because of the high co-pays and deductibles.

•Insurance firms will be handed at least $447 billion in taxpayer money to subsidize the purchase of their shoddy products. This money will enhance their financial and political power, and with it their ability to block future reform.

•The bill will drain about $40 billion from Medicare payments to safety-net hospitals, threatening the care of the tens of millions who will remain uninsured.

•People with employer-based coverage will be locked into their plan's limited network of providers, face ever-rising costs and erosion of their health benefits. Many, even most, will eventually face steep taxes on their benefits as the cost of insurance grows.

•Health care costs will continue to skyrocket, as the experience with the Massachusetts plan (after which this bill is patterned) amply demonstrates.

•The much-vaunted insurance regulations - e.g. ending denials on the basis of pre-existing conditions - are riddled with loopholes, thanks to the central role that insurers played in crafting the legislation. Older people can be charged up to three times more than their younger counterparts, and large companies with a predominantly female workforce can be charged higher gender-based rates at least until 2017.

•Women's reproductive rights will be further eroded, thanks to the burdensome segregation of insurance funds for abortion and for all other medical services.

It didn't have to be like this. Whatever salutary measures are contained in this bill, e.g. additional funding for community health centers, could have been enacted on a stand-alone basis.

http://www.pnhp.org/news/2010/march/pro-single-payer-doctors-health-bill-leaves-23-million-uninsured

[FrenchieCat]

22. Yeah...we know it's not perfect,

that was the point.

Still, it is a fucking big deal...even if some are pouting in the corner
stomping their feet and wanting more.

There's a difference in getting something done
and talking about how it isn't enough.
One is a tangible, the other one doesn't do much of anything.
I'l go with those who "do" as opposed to those who pout.

[IndianaGreen]

23. How quickly have you forgotten the promises for a robust public option!

How cheap have we become!

[FrenchieCat]

24. There are a lot of problems in America that need to be fixed,

and I refuse to get stuck in the mud.

You can sit in the mud if you want to....
have fun doing nothing while you are there.

[IndianaGreen]

26. I registered voters, knocked on doors, and demonstrated for peace

I won't be doing the first two this year.

[FrenchieCat]

28. Don't.

That will show us.

The Republicans won't be doing the first two for Democrats either,
so you'll be in like-mind company.

[IndianaGreen]

33. Get your DLC friends to register voters and knock on doors

let's see them park their BMWs in neighborhoods unlike any in which they ever lived before.

[CTLawGuy]

32. I'm heartbroken and despondent

:eyes:

[IndianaGreen]

34. Multiply me by tens of thousands that won't be registering voters and knocking on doors

We got shit from your corporatist crowd. You and your ilk will have to make up the difference. Good luck with that!

We are concentrating on those local races in which the candidate has a proven record of standing with the people, not with the powerful. Blue Dogs can all go to Hell!

[FrenchieCat]

35. I'm sure that you will show you!

You can always use this slogan...."May we all rot in hell"!

[IndianaGreen]

36. We are already rotting in Hell--betrayed by those we elected!

People are being killed in our many wars, while people back home are losing their homes and struggling to just stay afloat. Meanwhile those we elected have gone to the ends of the Earth to take care of the powerful and influential interests which they really serve.

[FrenchieCat]

37. You're rotting in hell, perhaps....but maybe you've considered America Hell for some time.

Me, I'm actually quite hopeful at the moment!