world

Republicans in charge take aim at health overhaul

74 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

74 Comments
Login to comment

But you want to take that away from them, meaning, the cost for drug makers go up or stay the same, while the reward decreases significantly. If the US goes socialist the way you and your shortsighted liberal friends want, this will lead to bankruptcy of many of the drug companies. And, no new drugs.

OH, what a red herring. No new drugs at all? Like this can not be OUTSOURCED to India or China and this all done for a tenth of the price? Come on Molenir! You are a free marketer. Why stand up for a monopoly that is overcharging you. When I donated my kidney to my sister, her transplant meds were 600 dollars a day. Yeh, she is on insurance, but that cost, if you are on the same plan, is passed on to YOU! YOU are paying for these outrageous profits! YOU are missing out on that extra bottle of wine that you COULD have had but the profits of the insurance companies and big pharma come before you, RIGHT? I think 600 hundred dollars a day for some pills is beyond LOGIC, reason, and humanity, but you right-wingers are not wired to think that way, are you? And the cost of the surgery for both of us was half a million dollars! Here, it would have been a tenth of that cost! But Americans are just plain stupid. As long as someone is making a buck, the high cost is worth it!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yes, single-payer would have been infinately better. But we couldn't do that be cause it was SOCIALISM!! in some manner that has yet to be explained to me.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Wow, this sounds like 2 years ago, when people, including Sushi, were saying the Republican party was dead. Hows that prediction working out for you?

Never underestimating the foolishness of a significant percentage of the American people, I, for one, never made that prediction.

As a small business owner, I totally support the new health care bill and only wish that we as a nation could have gone directly to a single-payer system. As for predictions, I will predict that the US will have such a system within the next two decades. It will born out of circumstances much as the current legislation was born: from a Republican misled and mishandled economy resulting in crisis.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Also we renegotiate generic drugs at a lower gov't cost, so in doing so they can't charge us as much for their drugs here. If a company can't spend $5million in advertising their product then they save that money and we don't have to be milked for it when we pay the medications. Seems to work. My health-care-industry employed sibling (more than 30 years in the business) goes to Mexico for her meds. If she has the time, she scoots up to Canada to take in the scenery. Why? SAME MEDS produced by the SAME PHARMACY companies at a QUARTER of the price.

Both Canada and Mexico shortchange drug companies. They do so with the understanding, that drug companies will make up the difference by charging more for their drugs in the US markets. But you want to take that away from them, meaning, the cost for drug makers go up or stay the same, while the reward decreases significantly. If the US goes socialist the way you and your shortsighted liberal friends want, this will lead to bankruptcy of many of the drug companies. And, no new drugs. The alternative, is that other countries will have to pay more for their medicines. If you want an example, look at what happened to the makers of the flu vaccine when Hillary decided it should be free for schoolkids. Note precisely how many makers of the flu vaccine are left in the US.

Get ready to watch the GOP fail.

Wow, this sounds like 2 years ago, when people, including Sushi, were saying the Republican party was dead. Hows that prediction working out for you?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The health bill is a bloated monster but what I question is whether the Republicans will have the guts to keep the good parts. The reason the insurance companies went along with ending coverage limits, ending recisions, and not denying pre-existing conditions was because the Obama bill delivers new customers that more than pay for these losses. Will the Republicans have the guts to repeal the bill and still demand these protections for consumers, I can't see it happening.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The GOP leadership has said they will keep bringing up votes to repeal the healthcare bill. Obama's going to keep on shooting them down and they know it. Can't the Party of No find something more productive to do? I doubt it. They just want their hardcore base to gullibly believe the GOP actually stands for something.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

My health-care-industry employed sibling (more than 30 years in the business) goes to Mexico for her meds. If she has the time, she scoots up to Canada to take in the scenery. Why? SAME MEDS produced by the SAME PHARMACY companies at a QUARTER of the price. Yeah, let's get rid of that socialized medicine so that hardworking Americans can't afford to get sick, can't afford the hospitals if they do get sick, and can't afford insurance. Thanks, GOP for looking after your lobbyists' interests.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Let's get our priotiries right, I haven't felt this bitter since old man McCain bit the big one!

And don't forget the Lemmings!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"Obamacare needs to repealed and if he had any sense he'd lead the charge to do it."

I agree.

Be damned with the jobs or the economy. Let's waste time trying to repeal the healthcare that Obama can veto anyway. Let's get our priotiries right, I haven't felt this bitter since old man McCain bit the big one!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Not saying Obama-care is good, it could use some serious adjustements. Even us non-americans got that.

According to reports America now has the highest poverty rate(~16%) in decades and unemployment is rising too = many people that won't be able to afford privatised health-care. Pay the Doc or the Mortgage?

Social welfare don't mean removal of privatised care, etc.

Look at Japan, by the law EVERYONE needs to be covered may it be goverment fund, company fund, private fund or a mix of them.

The choice is still there if you don't want goverment and can afford/prefer private you can have it.

Too many people see it as either goverment or nothing decision.

Granted privatised will have to pull up their socks to compete with goverment fund on prices, etc.

Me and Wife used to be covered on company with a top-up scheme. Son was on goverment as all his medical needs to age 6 were FREE and even now I still only pay 20%.

No need to pay for him on a private fund that will charge me 30% vs 0/20% on goverment.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

My apologies but..........SHEESH.........Don't the 'progressives' get it? It isn't about ADDING more GOV'T to healthcare, its about REFORMING the system we Americans have already got through our private insurance and getting the lawyers and the GOV'T out of the way to LOWER costs.

Once that is done, then and only then can we even consider adding other folks into the system.

Talk about getting it backwards.......... I mean if electing Scott Brown to block Obamacare, and this election Nov 2nd to repeal it doesn't get your attention..what will????

Obamacare needs to repealed and if he had any sense he'd lead the charge to do it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Lasik cornea surgery does have issues and many people have problems. The newest procedure does not need the cornea "flap" cut. -That (should) reduce the complications drastically. Before any elective surgery you need to do some research on the surgery/doctor and talk to some people that have had the procedure done.

Search "Lasik problems" "lasik disaster" "lasik forum" and the FDA approval (diopter success) ratings for the Lasik machine being used.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I am sure Republicans will go back to their traditional policies, NO MONEY, ok, die, but do it silently. You have money, pay through the nose and try to make it look like Republicans actually care. I Ithink jeancolmar makes very good points, Americans will not protest and somehow rejoice that they have nothing to do with socialize medicine, but I must add, those in the US CONGRESS, all of the US armed forces do have socialized medicine, fully paid by you and me, with all of our taxes.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Goodbye almost universal health care in the US. The combined capitalist interests cannot even stand the watered down Obama version health care for everyone.

When the Republicans finally slaughter almost universal health care, the American will not take the streets and demonstrate like the French. They'll eat it, they'll rejoice they don't have "socialized medicine." Then they will pray to Jesus to help them, blame their troubles on illegal immigrants and kill each other. When they get sick they'll just curl up and die.

In your face conservative American plague lice. We in Japan, Canada, France, Germany, Scandinavia and even the UK have it better than you.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

SuperLib

Well actually, thousands of Americans go to Mexico for procedures every year, and not just for boob jobs. Prices are about half; a bypass costs about US$ 24 000 in Mexico.

Conversely, rich Mexicans travel to the US for surgery.

Like everything, it sucks to be poor.

One thing I think everyone can agree on is that the baby boom generation threatens to bankrupt every "rich" country unless health care costs are slashed.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

proxy: TimRussert Canadians going over the border is a meaningless argument as millions of Americans go to Mexico or cross state lines for care.

Um, no...heh. Americans do not go to Mexico for care. They go to Mexico for cheaper medication. I don't think I've ever heard of someone going to Mexico for an actual procedure and I lived in Arizona where I know quite a few people who did the "day trip" to Mexico and bought a nice little statue plus some other things not reported.

Proxy: Steve Job had to travel half way across the country to get his liver transplant but that may not be an indictment on care in California.

My guess is that someone like Steve Jobs chose the best doctor he could find which happened to be located out of California. For major medical procedures like transplants you still have quite a few people from around the world who come to the US to have that done.

Every country has the same problem whether you're using an insurance based system or a tax based system...and that's that costs are rising. Unless the costs are somehow contained you're going to see problems/failures everywhere in the future.

I supported Obama's plan because it's a start and coverage can't be denied. That's what I'd like to have in the end. But it is true that tort reform is needed and Democrats simply will not stand up to lawyers because of the contributions that they get. Part of the reason insurance is so expensive is because of the costly lawsuits and we don't need medical innovations to reduce that cost.

In the end the Republicans can work to eliminate the new system if they want to. One of two things will happen: They will either come up with a better plan (which is good) or they won't in which case they will look like partisan hacks (which is good). If they spend the next two years trying to unravel this thing, get nowhere, and unemployment is still high, then they've basically walked in the same trap that the Democrats fell into. They already seem to be heading in that direction. All of their statements have been about going after Obama and nothing on the economy. It's just baffling to me. Maybe they don't want to even acknowledge the economy and just pretend that that had nothing to do with their reelection since they know there's not much they can do to change things.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Which one would that be? Or are you just making stuff up because you don't have a point? :-)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Get ready to watch the GOP fail.

Your prediction from last week so quickly forgotten?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"I would suggest three litmus tests to gauge whether the Republicans are serious about deficits:

1) Are they prepared to stop with the tax cuts? Because the deficit will keep widening with more of them.

2) Are they prepared to cut middle-class entitlements? Because the only places to find real reductions in federal-government spending are in the large, popular programs like Medicare and Social Security.

3) Are they ready to take on the Pentagon? Because at $717 billion, defense spending — more than half of all discretionary spending — has to be trimmed.

These are not political statements. They are mathematical ones, and it is on understanding math, not politics, that the third Republican revolution now rests."

From TIME magazine article: The Republican Revolution: Real This Time?

======================================================

Get ready to watch the GOP fail.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Tim, you might gain a bit of credibility if you stop blaming the perceived faults of the other side, stopped running away and started facing up to some of the massive problems your votes for conservatives have caused.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

TimRussert - "Spoken like a true socialist."

No. spoken by someone who realizes the U.S. political system is busted.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Actually no I said what I meant to say. ;)

If you think an insurance company wants to cost and underwrite lots of options you're the one being naive :)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

what is more important, cost or service? Canada chose cost, America chose service. There's no argument since we both went different ways to satisfy a particular goal. But the irony is that neither one of us can get both at once. There's always room for improvement but at least cost makes the right of the citizen more important the the right of the corporation. And that's what any arguments one way or another are really talking about.

How do you put a price on your family? By choosing cost we don't have to ask that question but have to answer for service delays. By choosing service Americans have to answer for the costs and that causes the ethical dilemmas faced there.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

TimRussert Canadians going over the border is a meaningless argument as millions of Americans go to Mexico or cross state lines for care

Thank you. You make my case for me. People want choice. They are willing to go to Mexico or to the States from Canada. Central planning never works.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Insurance policies have multiple options and factors all charged based on underwriting models that are non- transparent to the buyer.

What you meant to say was the policies the state and now federal gov't allow you to buy have certain options.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

TimRussert Canadians going over the border is a meaningless argument as millions of Americans go to Mexico or cross state lines for care. Steve Job had to travel half way across the country to get his liver transplant but that may not be an indictment on care in California.

I do agree that the, hack, hack, government should set up some sort of no fault insurance system for all medical procedures modeled on the adverse reaction fund for vaccines.

Most medical mistakes are due to systems and procedures and hospitals and doctors need to come forward to improve the system.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

what kinds of procedures? Had a family member get over prostate cancer recently with the requsite radiation treatments and recovered thankfully.

It's all about people, not profiting off them. That's why it makes sense to pay it off in taxes and work for the best prices. American system is faster but expensive. Canadian system's cost is spread out across the citizens but slower. Mix and match to taste.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Aren't Americans lining up to go to Mexico on medical tourism groups?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Complex in choice as buying a cup of coffee. There is one lasix surgery. Insurance policies have multiple options and factors all charged based on underwriting models that are non- transparent to the buyer. So looking at that yer example is still not looking to good :|

0 ( +0 / -0 )

TimRussert at 03:15 PM JST - 8th November

The Canadian system is so pragmatic our border state hospitals are flooded with Canadians paying cash.

Yep, again best of both worlds. If it's a common thing to manage then the Canadian system works fine, free as in pre-paid beer. If you need specialized gizmos because your Type II Diabetes your Canadian doctor suggested changing your lifestyle over didn't materialize in self changes that were needed, then yeah I'm sure many go to the US if they can afford it.

Actually dentistry comes to mind again, it's quite expensive here. $130 a tooth filling last time I had it. Probably gone up by now.

More to come too. The Canadian dollar is now at par with the greenback ;) Medical tourism?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The country needs a semi-dictatorship to get anything done of any real benefit.

Spoken like a true socialist.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Tell us how we can jump from something simple like elective surgery to buying a whole comprehensive policy.

I offered you an example of a complex, once-risky and expensive procedure that has benefited millions and in contrast to nearly every other major operation just gets cheaper and cheaper. It is far less regulated than most surgeries. Apparently, doctors performing laser surgery are also not restricted in number by state licensing boards or by medical schools, as is the case with specialists in other areas of medicine.

Do you have any such examples for your position?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

After witnessing the GOP takeover last week, I'd go as far as to saythat democracy has failed in America.

The country needs a semi-dictatorship to get anything done of any real benefit.

America can't afford a gridlocked political process for the next 2 years, but that is what will very likely happen - under the democratic process currently in existance in America.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The Canadian system is so pragmatic our border state hospitals are flooded with Canadians paying cash.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Note in Canada drug manufacturers are forbidden to advertise. Also we renegotiate generic drugs at a lower gov't cost, so in doing so they can't charge us as much for their drugs here. If a company can't spend $5million in advertising their product then they save that money and we don't have to be milked for it when we pay the medications. Seems to work. Busloads of American seniors had to be stopped coming in because the agreements with the companies were for Canadians only. No hard feelings but there's no reason why you can't basically negotiate similar terms.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Well Tim, you just don't explain what you're thinking very well. You kind of sound like a snooty elitist :)

Tell us how we can jump from something simple like elective surgery to buying a whole comprehensive policy. You might as well be saying buying a cup of coffee is the same thing as buying a Boeing jet. :|

0 ( +0 / -0 )

It has been asked many times - - if the health care that the Dems forced on the country is so good why did they exempt themselves and their families from having to enroll in it?

Why is it not a single Democrat contender for office in this last election ran on being party to the unconstitutional monstrosity they shoved down our throats????

0 ( +0 / -0 )

TimRussert (Rip)

much of what you say is correct. But bear in mind the Canadian system is about pragmatism, not the end of research. So if continued research reduces cost overall then that also gets factored in over time and also produces the skills. It's not like once a health process is available that's it for research.

That being said as I understand it laser eye surgery isn't currently covered so we'd pay the real cost anyway. Since there are different systems of eye surgery Health Canada would help with standards in equipment but that's about it.

I think it's being handled like dental care. Note that dental care in Canada is not under health care and is an insurance based full cost system. Often you ask your employer to cover it and is a choice benefits package to have. This is in contrast to the UK whose National Health Service includes dental care.

So from my perspective I see the US system as an entire dental care system here and can't imagine anyone can ever really afford it.

There's pluses and minues on both though, no reason to not accept the best of both systems.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

genji17.

You got it reversed, adding jobs don't helpo when a 1/4(ballpark figure) of workers can't attend due to health problems, etc.

Check into the stats how much money is lost by companies, etc due to people calling in sick, etc. How many people go bankrupt because they cannot medical care for BIG or chronic sicknesses. And those can hit ANYONE, ANYTIME and just pray you will be covered.

Ditto for education no need to provide jobs for people that can't fill them because they lack the needed education.

Good medical care should cover needed procedures NOT porcelain fillings, teeth whithening, etc.

Decent medical care will get you back on your feet fast and thus also back to your job, etc. Where you can earn and benefit your family and the economy.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

A company spends about $7000 per yer per person plus what the employee puts pout and the insurance company investigate a $200 medical claim. It goes to show the insurance company is greedy.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

TimRussert, Do you have any idea how ridiculous it sounds using elective cosmetic surgery as your shining example of the merits of private health care when you admit that it's not even covered by private insurance? The extra taxes paid in Canada are far FAR less than what you would pay for private insurance. But I guess it doesn't matter as long as you can afford it... I really don't understand where you are coming from on this argument???

0 ( +0 / -0 )

"...laying the groundwork for gridlock until their 2012 goal: a new president and a “better Senate” that will get rid of the health care reform law."

Once again, the Republicans state flat out they have no goals but personal, partisan politics. Not a word of any policies of their own, just, 'stopping Democrats'. Get ready for absolutely NOTHING to happen in the nation for the next two years.

"Republicans have made clear they plan to work stridently against what they view as a White House out of control and out of touch."

Since it's the Republicans saying the White House is out of touch, that means it's perfectly in touch.

Sushi: "The GOP says they want to scrap the healthcare bill and replace it with 'something better.' What exactly?"

BINGO! They have no plans except to stall and claim the Democrats are to blame for everything under the sun. Sadly, I believe they will accomplish their goal of gridlocking everything, and nothing will pass for the next couple of years except time. They will then, when campaigning, claim that it's the fault of the Democrats that nothing got done and will constantly cry, "We will fix things!" but never how. And if they DO regain the WH in 2012, they'll then just sit on their hands and say they can't do anything because of the Dems.

Looking at the state of US politics and 'democracy' it really makes you shake your head in disbelief.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Makin the same mistaking as the liberal socialists...dont focus on the health care bill...focus on jobs and economy. Once those show hope, then whack the health care bill. Priorities kids.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I understand other cosmetic surgery has come down in price too.

But do you understand the reason why? No, you don't. And that is why you conclude that I want to end insurance policies. Nowhere have I advocated such a thing. You are free to choose from a number of companies offering car and home insurance, why don't we have the same range of choice when it comes to medical insurance?

State licensing boards restrict the number of doctors allowed to practice medicine. What do you think is the effect of this????

0 ( +0 / -0 )

sf2k: In Canada about an extra $200 bucks a year in Ontario over my taxes. For all healthcare. I pre-paid in effect so I can't be refused. Even if that was $400 a year, it's still worth it. American pay no where close to this even at $400 a year for all the benefits I have in comparison. It's quite sad

Health insurance as of right now. Hospitals and emergency room can not denied medical service to anyone. Sure the person will be stuck with the bill.

A single employee pays $600 for a year. The employer pays $6,708 a year to cover an employee. It's $100 for emergency room. There are other deductibles. With the new health care law, employees will see an increase in their health insurance. Employees will still pay more not less.

People who don't have insurance will have the money taken out of their tax refund.

The only new thing the health care reform brings is coverage for pre-existing medical condition. Obama could have regulated the insurance companies to cover that without having a universal health care. Why is it that the health insurance companies are willing to cover pre-existing medical condition now when everyone is required to have health insurance?

The quality of health care will vary from state to state. Also, from private to public health care facility. It's hard enough to see your doctor. It's a 3 months schedule for the next appointment already. People will wait in a longer line and rooms at a clinic or an emergency room.

What about all those people who are in the country without the proper paperwork?

Regardless of the universal health care, the health insurance companies won. Obama was the one passed it.

I leave you with this.

@politico.comThe truth about Massachusetts health care reform

"As an experiment, however, the Massachusetts law has revealed certain weaknesses in the plan. Three areas of concern are: overreaching social planning by the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority (the “exchange”); double-digit increases in health insurance costs for many employers and individuals, and too much taxpayer money still underwriting free care."

0 ( +0 / -0 )

So that means.... We should put an end to insurance policies? I understand other cosmetic surgery has come down in price too. I wonder if people would feel different about major operations or life threatening conditions where you don't have the option to gave the surgery or not :|

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Now I don't really care if the US has universal health care or not, but the idea that there is a free market solution for a free market problem is just another example of how far the US has strayed off basic ideas of economics and capitalism.

I do not know about Canada but in the States most insurance policies do not cover Laser eye surgery, which means this procedure and those who choose to undergo it are - gasp - at the mercy of market forces.

Care to guess what has happened?

Laser eye surgery reportedly has the highest patient satisfaction ratings of any surgery. In 1998 you paid about about 2,200 dollars per eye. As of 2004 the average price was 1,350 - - a decline of 38 percent. A recent check on the net shows the lowest rate is now about 500 dollars per eye.

Canadians here might have this procedure done "for free" (though this is never really the case). I do not know, but I know the wait is far longer than would be the case in the States and, whether they are willing to admit it or not, the advances in this field were made in the States, where the free market and of course a vastly larger body of patients meant greater competition, resulting in lower costs and more surgeries performed, resulting also in a greater expertise.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Triumvere

well maybe for those who can think for themselves. But the Faux News and such will make sure that everything the Republicans do is being stonewalled by Obama and anything Obama does is a capitulation of something or other. Murdoch really has the USA is a ever increasing tempest. By making sure enough mud is thrown around without the slightest accountability, sadly in another two years no one will know the difference.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The priority should be jobs. Do that first.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Molenir

don't worry. The Chinese will let you at least eat Chinese food when the loans no longer come.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

laying the groundwork for gridlock until their 2012 goal: a new president and a “better Senate” that will get rid of the health care reform law.

We can't afford this. No, I'm not talking about the healthcare bill; we can't afford to have a congress that does nothing for the next two years. We are in the middle of an economic crisis, and the major parties need to roll up their sleeves and work together to actually govern the nation.

"Shut down the govenment" is not a viable option. "Freeze all spending" is not a viable option. We need legislators balancing budgets, making careful cuts to entitlements, and spending on programs vital to the national intrest.

If the Republicans do nothing but obstruct progress and create gridlock for the next two years, then there won't be a Republican Senate, a Republican President, or even a Republican House two years from now. All Obama will have to do is look like he was willing to compromise and the GOP wasn't. Raise the electorate's expectations and then fail to deliver and you will be punished for it. Obama got his on Nov 2. If Republicans can't get their act together they'll get theirs in 2012.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Tort reform and truly free markets are a big part of the solution

One more time. The free market can not provide full health insurance as it can not provide the insurance at a price that is affordable to the customer, while still making a profit. That is why the USA does not have universal private sector provided health insurance.

Now I don't really care if the US has universal health care or not, but the idea that there is a free market solution for a free market problem is just another example of how far the US has strayed off basic ideas of economics and capitalism. The reason for that is either ignorance or greed, I am betting on greed. Lots of money to be made serving only the profitable parts of the market.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Fat people are a Republican demographic now? You learn something new every day, I guess.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Maybe if America made the Double Down (illegal) and had a war on heart disease instead of oil they'd have a fighting chance at a healthy life. No medical system on the planet could possible handle that.

So, your response shows that you are in fact, a food nazi. Deciding what we are allowed to eat. Ooh, hey since we're at it, lets outlaw alcohol and tobacco too. Those are bad for people as well. Perhaps you'll like to require we get a certain amount of exercise per day. Tell me, what gestapo like tactics would be acceptable to prevent people from consuming foods that aren't good for them?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

motogaijin: "What does a large man who walks by himself have to do with morbidly obese Republican voters on motorized scooters mostly paid for with social security (read 'tax') money?"

You just get sillier and sillier.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Tort reform and truly free markets are a big part of the solution, but the socialist New Left that has high jacked the Democrat Party aren't gonna have any of that.

The Dems are overwhelmingly the party of lawyers.

Not one single Dem supporter can tell you why, though there are over a thousand health insurance companies in America, citizens of California, for example, are only allowed to choose from a predetermined five. Why can't we buy from a company in a neighboring state? Whatever happened to competition?

Why are Democrats so opposed to tort reform? When over seventy percent of MD's admit to practicing "defensive medicine" (to avoid malpractice suits)and medical supply companies and services readily admit to tailoring product lines and procedures in order to maximize the profits the current third party payer system offers it is clear that the incentives the current system creates need re-examining, but this is something socialists never get...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

What is Michael Moore weighing in at these days?

I don't know. What does a large man who walks by himself have to do with morbidly obese Republican voters on motorized scooters mostly paid for with social security (read 'tax') money?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The GOP says they want to scrap the healthcare bill and replace it with 'something better.' What exactly?

The GOP says they want to cut taxes. What they aren't saying - and this is so obvious I shouldn't have to state it - is that doing so will increase the very same deficit the GOP/TP say they want to reduce. I'm left wondering...just how dumb can conservative voters get?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

after double down add "illegal"

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Maybe if America made the Double Down and had a war on heart disease instead of oil they'd have a fighting chance at a healthy life. No medical system on the planet could possible handle that.

Check out the website nation master regarding obesity statistics. If you're in Japan, relish it. You can lose a ton of weight and still feel full and enjoy good meals. Get detoxed. Worked for me.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

sf2k

I wonder how close government revenue from resources from the land comes to covering health care costs in your country?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

skipbeat at 11:13 AM JST - 8th November

My understanding from nations that have health care it is a burden on the government and the people

Right you are. Oh, what's my burden? In Canada about an extra $200 bucks a year in Ontario over my taxes. For all healthcare. I pre-paid in effect so I can't be refused. Even if that was $400 a year, it's still worth it. American pay no where close to this even at $400 a year for all the benefits I have in comparison. It's quite sad.

I'm suffering more in watching America implode than on any actual suffering myself.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Republicans said they were willing to work with President Barack Obama but also signaled it would be only on their terms.

which is an oxymoronic statement. Sigh

If you don't have perspective and you belong to the conservative universe which cannot accept contradictory evidence then really, whatever man.

Yes it costs money. Yes I pay taxes for it, and gladly so. (Canadian) It's not about knowing the price of everything and the cost of nothing. It's worth the cost, it's worth the taxes at twice the price to keep your fellow citizens healthy. Actually after watching the American movie "Sicko" I suddenly had reason to be proud of being Canadian. Thanks for that.

In Canada we do spend a lot on health care but no where close per capita of America. Cut the profit motive and all the low lifers and lawyers and how can you possible not save money? Baffling that this needs an explanation.

But then the public option was removed. hand palm

Really at this point. Who cares? Do whatever you want. Not point in complaining if you voted the Republicans back in.

America just keeps falling.

Is there a bottom?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If I was an American voter, I would want Obama's health care law repealed too. I would not want to pay twice as much as other industrial nations with no better outcomes.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

My understanding from nations that have health care it is a burden on the government and the people. Also, their health care service is not even on par with America's current health care system. The heath care will go down the drain because Insurance companies will want to make a profit.

People would be for health care reform if my premium goes down, but that is not the case. People are paying hihger premium, emergency room visit, doctor office, urgent care office, and prescription. People are asked to take a physical exam or a health assessment test to get a discount. The only one who won is the health insurance companies and Obama.

The Republicans can do their best to repeal the health care, but Obama and the Democrats will not repealed it.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

motogaijin "Nope, I'm pretty sure that the 350lb=er in the motorized scooter headed to the poll with the name of the Republican candidate in my area on a lapel button was probably a pretty typical republican voter."

What is Michael Moore weighing in at these days?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

lol @ motogaijin

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I have heard that the Republicans will be trying to repeal over and over again. That is playing politics instead of governing. I do think that getting insurance across state lines would also be helpful. But nooooooooooo they will want total repeal or nothing.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Sounds to me like you have our hefty new Surgeon General and the Smoker-in-Chief who appointed her confused with the so-called Republican base.

Nope, I'm pretty sure that the 350lb=er in the motorized scooter headed to the poll with the name of the Republican candidate in my area on a lapel button was probably a pretty typical republican voter.

What you got for me next big boy?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Well after demonizing Obama/Romney health care reform as "socialism", they now have to appear to be making an effort to repeal it. But their insurance industry sponsors are very happy with having the government deliver millions of new customers, so of course nothing will actually be done. I am sure they have a plan in place for how to look like they are doing something without doing anything, probably blame Obama for vetoing it and then let the issue fade away by 2012 and go off on other tangents. These guys are good if you hadn't noticed.

Basic rule of capitalism - things that can not be provided at a profit will not be provided. If those things are wanted they must be provided by government, and they are called infrastructure, not socialism. Simple stuff understood since the time of Adam Smith, but of no interest to the corporate socialists who rule the USA.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If the Republicans would want to take a look at paper work reduction for the health care bill I would commend them. However, they want to repeal the whole ball of wax or nothing at all. That's not governing that is playing politics. Of course the conservatives have been getting away with playing politics for a long time now. So why should they quit? Certainly not for the good of the country.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I wonder if the overweight, chain-smoking, couch potatoes who make up the Republican voter base understand that without the new health care laws, insurance companies will be able to deny them coverage for being morbidly obese.

Sounds to me like you have our hefty new Surgeon General and the Smoker-in-Chief who appointed her confused with the so-called Republican base.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I wonder if the overweight, chain-smoking, couch potatoes who make up the Republican voter base understand that without the new health care laws, insurance companies will be able to deny them coverage for being morbidly obese.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

We must all do our best to dismantle the tyranny that the Libs, Bush and Obama have tried to implement.

Resisting the airport radiation scanners is a good start by asking to "opt out" when in the radiation line. -but be prepared for a rough physical touchdown.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites