Is a Health Care Reform Compromise Imminent?

The “PASS IT NOW, AND WE’LL FIX IT LATER” crowd/politicians sound a lot like the management team at Toyota in regards to the “speed-up, then try to slam on the brakes, then crash, burn and die” folks managing the PRIUS et al issues

From what I hear, they are trying to load it up, with unrelated issues, to coattail through.
Talk about your bad behaviors, by the Congress.
I hope it fails miserably.

In other words all the payoffs, bribes, and sweetheart deals are completed.

Nancy says we have to pass the bill to find out what’s in it.
Like the Stimulus Bill?
Obama signed it without reading it.
We’re still finding out all the crap that was in that.
Blatant incompetence and dishonesty.
How exactly has Obama changed how washington works?

Hugo Chavez would be proud of a maneuver this clever!
Posted by: The Chicago Way | Mar 11, 2010 12:20:03 PM
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Get you talking points right, you left out Stalin, Hitler, Mao, Jack the Ripper and Marie Osmond.

I have one question regarding health insurance reform.
Once everybody is required to buy insurance and this ‘market place’ is created – how do we know insurance companies are going to lower their premiums? What guarantee is there?

By the way, did you all know about a provision in the bill that gives the government the right to access and electronically transfer funds out of your bank accounts! I kid you not!
Posted by: jay | Mar 11, 2010 1:12:47 PM
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Which bill? Please show us the provision.

By the way, did you all know about a provision in the bill that gives the government the right to access and electronically transfer funds out of your bank accounts! I kid you not!
Posted by: jay | Mar 11, 2010 1:12:47 PM
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Which bill? Please show us the provision.
Posted by: tierra | Mar 11, 2010 1:15:44 PM
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The section of the legislation on which this claim is based states that the bill will “enable electronic funds transfers, in order to allow automated reconciliation with the related health care payment and remittance advice.”
The section is to “adopt standards for typical transactions” between insurance companies and health-care providers, and continues: “The legislation generically describes typical electronic banking transactions and does not outline any special access privileges.”
What it does is set up a voluntary automatic on line bill pay (like direct deposit, or automatic electronic loan payment).
It does nothing like jay thinks it does.

Why was Kennedy’s rant on the war in Afghanistan included in this story on health care…and presented as if it was part of the debate?

The House will pass the Senate bill that was passed in December with 60 votes – a supermajority! Shortly after they pass this particular piece of legislation, literally within hours, the fixes will be voted on by both the Senate and House and will be signed by Obama together with the original bill. The “fixes,” among other things, ELIMINATE sweetheart deals so odious to so many. For example, the ‘Cornhusker Kickback’ will be stripped, etc… While the end result may not be liked by some, and that is worth debating, please stop using unsubstantiated talking points created for you by others who smarter and richer than you. For example, this is not some kind of conspiracy and certainly is nothing related to “Pass it now, and we’ll fix it later” mentally equated to Toyota’s poor management of the current situation as described by JMo. The use of fear and terror through catch phrases that are disconnected to reality will surely harm our country. It is pure silliness and the end result is destructive. Perhaps it’s much easier for the perpetually ignorant to be duped by right wing talking heads. Does it at all feel weird to be controlled by others: to be told what to say and what to do? Can you or do you even want to think for yourselves?

the best campaign promise for the upcoming elections would be healthcare repeal..
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | Mar 11, 2010 3:16:07 PM
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Yes, lock the Republicans into that. Push it!!! Have them tell us exactly what they would do– repeal and then… what????
Get them on the record.

Shortly after they pass this particular piece of legislation, literally within hours, the fixes will be voted on by both the Senate and House and will be signed by Obama together with the original bill. The “fixes,” among other things, ELIMINATE sweetheart deals so odious to so many. For example, the ‘Cornhusker Kickback’ will be stripped, etc…
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Although no bill for “fixes” has yet been written or scored, the current proposal is to EXPAND the ‘Cornhusker Kickback’ to all states.
Making it very expensive.

Raising costs, denying coverage and claiming that your punishing insurance companies while enhancing their revenue base of clients, against their will… Doublethink at it’s finest? It MUST be another government program!!!

Posted by: jafo | Mar 11, 2010 5:39:04 PM
Bush’s Patriot Act is so evil that the Liberal dominated House and Senate just extended it by a year–with no significant revisions–and Obama signed it into law.
Hypocrites!

The insistence by the Administration and Congress that it is acceptable to use “reconciliation” to pass a bill that is so complex, pervasive, and UNPOPULAR WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, raises this issue to an even higher level.
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Nonsense, both the House bill and the Senate bill passed by majorities already. This is the point in the process where a reconciliation of those bills is SUPPOSED to happen.

A lot of the elected officials receive their health care from the Office of Attending Physician. They pay approximately $500 to $600 per year. They can get any specialist they want and that all they have to pay. That is probably why, they do not want to include themselves in health care reform.
FEHB most of the policies premiums went up this year. The Fee for Service 3 decreased and 4 stayed the same, the rest increased. Most of these are available to all federal employees and federal retirees (with certain requirements while employed). The increases ranged from 72 cents to $54.24 bi-weekly increase. (Employee portion)
The HMOs about 60 decreased their premiums but there are several hundred and not available in all areas.
For the most part the benefits are good but dental and vision are terrible. You have the option to buy vision and/or dental but the employee pays the whole premium.

“I’m STILL waiting for the pushback and/or explanation to my earlier question. All we’ve heard for the past year is healthcare, healthcare, healthcare. 2010, according to Obama is supposed to be about JOBS. Yet, today I read the Democrats are trying to work in the ‘Student Loan Reform’ act into the healthcare bill and pass them at the same time”
I realize right wingers are very slow but even they should realize that Congress has MANY things it has to address.
Senate Democrats are considering adding the student reform bill to the healthcare bill but it has not come to pass.
The Senate on Feb 24th has passed a $15B jobs bill creating tax credits for employers who hire those who have been unemployed for 6 months or longer.
Yesterday, the Senate passed a $140B jobs bill in addition to the previous one which extends unemployment benefits, extends some tax credits and helps states and doctor with medicaid/,edicare.
Now you can switch to whining about spending.

“Would anybody care to respond to my question? I thought the bill was about healthcare. WHY is student loan reform included with the healthcare bill”
Why did Republicans try to load the last Jobs bill with an estate tax repeal?
Why do budget bills often contain points that have little to do with the budget?
Did you just arrive in this country or something or are you not aware how Congress works?

Obama has wasted over a year pushing his HCR down our throats. He should have been working on more important issues (jobs, the wars, less spending, lower taxes, etc.). I don’t know anyone (personally) who approves of government-run healthcare. None of my family or friends want it. It appears Obama, Pelosi and Reid have no problem governing against the will of the people.

The Senate on Feb 24th has passed a $15B jobs bill creating tax credits for employers who hire those who have been unemployed for 6 months or longer.
Yesterday, the Senate passed a $140B jobs bill in addition to the previous one which extends unemployment benefits, extends some tax credits and helps states and doctor with medicaid/,medicare.
Now you can switch to whining about spending.
Posted by: Ryan C | Mar 11, 2010 7:57:45 PM
Why shouldn’t we whine about spending? After all we know a lot about it, and can’t believe we’ve been outdone simply because of little stupid things like an economic crisis, “inherited” sky high unemployment and years of neglecting things like infrastructure, medical inflation and millions of uninsureds.
Good heavens– who cares about job bills passed by the party of solutions, solutions, solutions. Solutions are overrated!!! We the real people are ticked off and want to whine and support those who just say no. And ask questions over and over again. And repeat debunked health care myths. And its a free country with free speech so your common sense cannot stop us.

Yes, lock the Republicans into that. Push it!!! Have them tell us exactly what they would do– repeal and then… what????
Get them on the record.
Posted by: progressive mama
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Now, it would be almost as stupid for republicans to do that as it would be for obama and his zombies to name the premiums, deductibles, and coverage of the obamanation/disaster they are threatening us with.
In all of my past lives I’ve never done one thing to democrats. What in the hell do they have against me?

All of those complaining about healthcare and it’s cost please keep this in mind: You pay taxes now, and don’t actually get the healthcare until 2018. That means your sick loved ones are still going to need medical care and youre still going to have to pay for it. Then you have to pay extra in addition to your premiums in addition to co-pays. So it will cost way more than what youre thinking. The effects of this bill will hit you so hard much harder than what you experience now. By taking away funds to allow businesses to pay workers (i.e. taxing the crap out of them), you are creating less jobs. California and NY did this to their buisnesses and lost a huge amount of money. Now they are running humungous deficit to feed people who either don’t make enough to pay taxes or people who just don’t work.

And its a free country with free speech so your common sense cannot stop us.
Posted by: adversus solem ne loquitor
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Well, without using worn out phrases like ‘we can’t afford to not do it’ or ‘granny was ran over by a medicare truck’, etc…, tell us about the individual benefits of this disaster.
Tell us how much premiums will cost.
Tell us about the deductibles and copays.
Oh, I’m sure premiums will be qualified by income but somewhere there is a benchmark.
What is that number?
When did it materialize?
Just don’t tell us this disaster pays for itself with savings. It’s getting to the point Borak Obamma can’t even bring himself to say that.

Just don’t tell us this disaster pays for itself with savings. It’s getting to the point Borak Obamma can’t even bring himself to say that.
Posted by: smartlillena | Mar 12, 2010 7:10:55 AM
Right on! I don’t have to tell you to get real because you get it! Don’t read the CBO analyses or what the best health economists and medical writers have to say about anything– c’mon! Thats for geeks!! Just ask the same inane questions over and over, say no and obstruct. Deny! Derail! Ask the opposition to define and be well-versed on the subject– but don’t bother ourselves! Don’t offer substance! Substance is dull! Be the questioner, not the one with answers or solutions!!! Its much easier!!!!! Solutions are overrated!!! Zero sum battle over wealth and resources for BIG corporations and the most fortunate members of society — the really rich ones–versus everybody else. I’m in!!! Who needs a middle class???!!!
(And never mind that the current insurance system is unsustainable or all those pesky moochers and looters who claim affordable health care and universal coverage are worthy goals– they can move to Costa Rica, or Europe, or just about anywhere else in the world for more affordable universal coverage on par with what the middle class gets here. The BEST care is for the Rich, as it should be in a nation founded on ideals it refused to live up to from the get-go in order not to tick off slaveowners. )

All I want is to know what it will cost ME (average joe)
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Right on!!!! We have to demonstrate that we haven’t read the bill and that we don’t care!! Just say no. Its easy!! And never mind putting forth what you pay now and what those premiums are likely to be in seven years!!! Just play dumb!!! The libruls have no idea what to do in a face off with dummies!!!It flabbergasts them!!! They can’t believe we live in the country, but we do and they can’t do anything to educate us! NO WAY!! We don’t WANT to be informed.

We don’t WANT to be informed.
Posted by: adversus solem ne loquitor
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Would you please inform us? Please.

Would you please inform us? Please.
Posted by: smartlillena | Mar 13, 2010 8:17:46 AM
NO!!!! Information turns people into those geeky libruls!!!! What you and I need are fearmongering, contrarian, sound bite TALKING POINTS!!!

It couldn’t possibly hurt to tell people what they’ll be paying and what they’re not going to get.
Posted by: smartlillena | Mar 14, 2010 8:13:48 AM
No, it wouldn’t hurt at all, but your questions make little sense. That’s par for the course given the lack of understanding of the reform for most average right-leaning citizens. They’ve fallen for the disinformation campaign, and those they vote for are wholly owned subsidiaries of the insurance lobby.
Read the bill. Its not a one size fits all bill or health care plan. The private insurance market will still be in operation. Hence, your question makes no sense in context. Rather, it shows willful distortion, disinformation and disingenuousness. If you have insurance now, you will be able to keep it. Its not that hard, really. If you’re interested in going on an exchange, there will be a range of affordable options, which will vary by state yet meet minimum standards for quality care. Price gouging will be prohibited. Your contract won’t be rescinded, nor will you be denied for pre-existing conditions. If you’re a small business owner, or self-employed, you will eventually be able to pool your risk in a larger group. In the mean time, there will be temporary high-risk pools.
If you’re at all familiar with insurance and the bill, you know that your question is a red herring as there is an underwriting process.
You’re question implies that the comprehensive reform package is actually an insurance plan underwritten by the government that offers everyone the same contract. That is not the deal.
Indeed, nearly half the bill is devoted to pilot programs designed to figure out how we can best bend the cost curve, getting at medical inflation.
The better question for you to ask is what the answers will be to your questions in seven years, fourteen years, and for your children if we do nothing. The current system is unsustainable and promotes inequity.

Health care bill was only for vote bank that’s it…

Since my latest trips to the doctor I have been a lot more concerned about my health.