Aug 23, 2009 12:40pm
Roundtable: Are We “Out of the Woods?”
EmailA powerhouse roundtable this week …Reich, Krugman, Will and Frum..all under one roof.
Lots of spirited back and forth on the health care reform debate, the economy and a question posed by the New York Times today on whether Obama is taking plays from LBJ’s playbook on Afghanistan?
Watch all the action HERE.
- George Stephanopoulos
Can Mitt Romney Win Conservatives Back? 
Possible Contraception Compromise in D.C.
I think the conservatives lost big time. George Will has the same arguments against health care reform and frankly, he totally ignores the rising costs in the past 10 years compared to the mostly stagnant medicine of the last 10 years. He keeps comparing the 60′s to today. Everyone else is comparing the 90′s to today. The medicine is not that much different, but the premiums are much higher.
Posted by: The1337 | August 23, 2009, 1:16 pm 1:16 pm
the statement George Will made
are they really makeing to much money
( drug companies)
please please please George Will pull your head out of your ass . you have fallen short of using your brain with a statement like that . and you must be just so happy about Obamas popularity.being down .
you are a closed minded republican jerk
you just crack me up with your out of touch ideals ( jerk)
Posted by: gary davis Harbor Oregon | August 23, 2009, 1:59 pm 1:59 pm
I feel that america will wake up and begin to realize that the insurance companies need compatition in pricing
and if the health care reform doesn’t happen soon we as a country will be so deep in the hole we won’t see day light for a very long time .
the republicans and some of the weak democrates can’t stand on there on two feet and do what is right . because the insurance companies own them lock stock and barrel. its a sad day when america is under control of giant business and not the people
other countries used to look up to the way america did every day business . but now we are lower than most countries on standing true to our constitution. and human equal rights .
its business as usual and big business is winning as usual. but america will eventually take back our rights and lower cost for everything.
Posted by: gary davis Harbor Oregon | August 23, 2009, 2:05 pm 2:05 pm
Clearly George Will has never come across a doctor that operates based on the bottom line, I have.
I’ve been admitted to the hospital under false pretenses (as I learned when I finally got ahold of my chart), my doctor TOLD me that he was admitting me NPO (where I couldn’t eat or drink anything) because it was the only way to get MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO PAY for an admit, claiming I had nausea that kept me from taking oral antibiotics.
This same doctor took out one ovary, even though he had my consent to do a full hysterectomy, then walk into the waiting room and tell my family I’d need the hysterectomy very soon. He already had me opened up fully with a bikini cut, and he could have done it then. But he was looking towards another hospital stay. I found a new doctor.
There are doctors like this out there. Not all, but enough to watch out for.
Posted by: Grace Howe | August 23, 2009, 2:22 pm 2:22 pm
Basic fact….My part of employer provided insurance that has low deductibles went up so high in 2007 I was forced to take a lesser plan in 2008 which cost as much as the better plan the previous year.
The same plan went up 10% last year and probably will go up 10% this year. My salary increases in 2007 were 3%, in 2008 3%, and zero this year. So, I am basically losing 7%or more salary each year while paying more premiums for less and less coverage….Those are facts that I am sure many others have similar stories…Fortunately, I can handle by tightening my belt…with 3 kids in college it ain’t easy….but many folks cannot and drop insurance altogether. Health care reform must be done now or the problems will only get worse…..I believe something is urgently needed to be done…I feel a sense of urgency on the part of the President…I feel a sense of urgency from Democrats….I do not feel a sense of urgency from Republicans..I am not advocating a solution just pointing what I perceive. Republicans and Democrats need to stop posturing and work together…What I would suggest is for Republicans to publicly agree to support a public option in return for most (if not all) the reforms they are looking for. Democrats should accept with the caveat that the reforms Republicans want must hit measurable targets (reduced insurance premiums, more people insured) in two years or the reforms the Democrats want (public option) automatically kick in. Get the ideologues out of this debate…they are doing more harm than good..
Posted by: indy_voter | August 23, 2009, 2:23 pm 2:23 pm
I just don’t want to pay my money for health care to illigal aliens and poor people without jobs. I don’t want to pay for your health care if you cannot afford it or find someone to pay for HC. Why should it be my problem? If a person cannot afford health care…they cannot afford it!!! Next thing is helping poor people buy cars…(oh, I forgot we are doing that) I want to join a co-op or do something in my control to obtain heath care…Or maybe pay cash? Do we think health care is free?
Democratic voters look for a Government handout and people like Obama are more than glad to spend OPM (other peoples money) to get elected and stay elected. Spread the wealth he promised. Heck if it goes like they want it, I won’t have the incentive to work and I may just move to Mexico. Why should I work just to pay someone elses bills?
Tax the rich they say…well I think that golden egg is about tapped out. Throw the stupid carbon caps and sending Brazil 2B to drill for oil we will buy and all the other stupid crazy stuff our government does…well you get the idea. Maybe we can beg China for money.
Other than defense, what government does the government acually run well? Schools? Social Security? Medicare? All of these program are broken….so we want another program? The bottom line is this….we cannot afford it!!! At least us working people. It sounds cold…but it is reality.
Posted by: Dan Schwartz | August 23, 2009, 4:06 pm 4:06 pm
Dan Schartz:”I just don’t want to pay my money for health care to illigal aliens and poor people without jobs. I don’t want to pay for your health care if you cannot afford it or find someone to pay for HC. Why should it be my problem?”
Would you at least be a little merciful and allow ER security guards and first responders to accidents to shoot the injured who can’t afford care so they don’t have to suffer too much? Maybe you’d be willing to pitch in at least a dollar to help pay for the bullets? And are you willing to pay for their bodies to be hauled to the dump – I know it’s not really your problem, but it is something of a hygiene issue…
If you want to live in a country where the poor are left to die in the streets of easily treated ailments, feel free to move to a third world country. Most people in America do not hold Jesus’s words to love their neighbor in such open contempt and would like to see an efficient system in place to provide for the basic health of all people.
And you should know that illegals are EXPLICITLY excluded from the current proposed plans in very clear language.
Posted by: jhw539 | August 23, 2009, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm
The exchange between David Frum and Paul Krugman on Medicare Advantage may have been the most compelling argument for healthcare reform, which more accurately should be called insurance reform. Given free reign and pure profit motivation, insurance companies will naturally cherry pick the healthiest bodies and minimize their exposure to risky sick folks. That’s what they pay the guys in the actuarial department to do. But when the playing field is leveled with risk appropriate government subsidies, as Krugman pointed out, the perceived efficiencies of free market insurers suddenly evaporates.
Even Frum and Will agreed that the Republicans want a lot of what the Democrats propose: no rejecting people for pre existing conditions and no dropping people for developing expensivie problems. But Frum is also correct in saying that Obama’s framework for reform misses the public’s appetite. Rather than targeting the inefficiencies and rising costs created by the unregulated private insurance companies, Obama simply keeps talking about the morality of “being my brother’s keeper”, a distatefully socialist sounding agenda to most middle american ears even though many of them donate time and mone to faith-based organizations to take care of their less fortunate brothers. Ironically, the insurance companies argue consistently that they would love to cover the high cost folks if only the government would force healthy non participants to buy insurance to help them more evenly spread the risk.
Posted by: Bell County Democrate | August 23, 2009, 8:44 pm 8:44 pm
When the dollar crashes because of our decades of decadence, people will pay for their proceedures. It’s not an if, but a when. I wish healthcare was free, but it’s not.
The best transition to the lower level of lifestyle that we are destined to in America would be similar to auto insurance. Neither insurance companies, nor the government should pay for routine medical care. This, in and of itself, would bring down the cost of healthcare and that is the main point. Think about it.
By the way, nobody is talking about Afghanistan here. Where are the doves when you need them?
Ron Paul does not fit into the right because he would really bring troops home (God bless ‘em) and he does not fit in on the left or the right because he would really supply a free market. Too bad that is our only chance to climb out of the debt we are in. Sad days ahead…
Love, Jake
Posted by: Jake | August 23, 2009, 9:08 pm 9:08 pm
I have often criticized your show for it’s obvious Republican tilt. Indeed, how many times has the shadow president McCain been a guest? Begs the question-why not Gore or Kerry? Might be worth an explanation from George?
However, this morning, you had strong liberal voices that put the intellectual lightweight Republicans in their places. I have never seen George Will so sullen-he just had no response to the Krugman and Reich tag team. Please PLEASE continue to have these guests for your roundtable!!!!! Just one suggestion-follow up and make a Republican actually ANSWER a question-Krugman made some pretty devastating charges-no reply from the Republicans and no followup from George Stephanopuous?
Thanks for a very good program-hope to see more like it.
Posted by: Jim | August 24, 2009, 2:20 am 2:20 am
Just once, I would like to see data analyzed properly. Does anyone remember the percentages cited regarding whether those who are currently insured would be better or worse off w/ Obama’s health care reforms? I don’t remember all the percentages but it was something like 14% better vs. 40% worse.
The percentages must total to 100%. I’m assuming that they’re leaving out those who said “the same.” In order to total to 100%, that would be 46%. The CORRECT way to analyze this data is to say that 60% say it’s “better or the same.”
Posted by: Paulette Hebert | August 24, 2009, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm
Remember, On the health care issue, it’s NOT cost or do we need it, it’s
“Can we trust what’s been presented”
Currently its larger than a blank check.
Real provisions and interpution would come AFTER passage. This is the real reason for the rush to make it law. This is where the real movement to the left will come. It’s a subterfuge in it’s present form. Any restrictions or specifics kill the loop holes, so despertly sought after by the presidents agenda.
Posted by: DK | August 24, 2009, 2:12 pm 2:12 pm
I was under the impression that we had health care for the poor and elderly (Medicare). Under our current system, no person can be denied medical treatment. The Medicare system has been rapped, pillaged, and plundered and no one has stepped in to stop it. Had the system been used as it was designed then we would not be having these healthcare debates. So what is going to keep this new government sponsored health care program from repeating the same results? Washington could have stepped in long ago and placed caps and regulations on the Medicare system but nothing was done.
I live in America, a land governed by the people for the people but somehow the government has lost sight of this. The general consensus is that once I am in office I no longer have to serve the will of the people. I personally can’t see how the American public can stand idly by while our country drowns in a sea of debt that our children’s grand-children will be paying for.
How are the American people, who are over-taxed as it is, going to pay for this new health care program? Cap and Trade, more taxes, cuts in the Medicare system, etc… are not going to happen and most definitely won’t cover a fraction of the cost. All I see coming out of this is more unemployment, diminished quality of care, and an even larger national debt! America needs to concentrate on the reducing unemployment and wasteful spending, lowering taxes, and promoting education. People don’t need a hand-out, they need a job!
It is my opinion that if you stop the abuses in our current healthcare system, then Medicare will not fail. That’s just the way this American citizen sees it!
Posted by: Scott B | August 24, 2009, 5:28 pm 5:28 pm
Does anyone else see dust fly out of George Will’s mouth when he speaks?? He thinks he’s clever with that snide tone in his voice as he compares the past with today. He was put on the ropes today by Reich and Krugman. He knew his flip comebacks wouldn’t work at this roundtable. Mr. Will is as outdated as his bowtie and should consider retirement.
Posted by: pfr | August 25, 2009, 9:16 am 9:16 am
How is health care reform going to affect the 75% of employers, aka entrepreneurs? I know it’s unpopular to care about business, until there are long unemployment lines. Think ahead..
Posted by: JJM | August 25, 2009, 10:08 pm 10:08 pm