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Notable? Yes. Historic? Not yet, Congress.
Though notable, Saturday's vote by the House of Representatives on health care reform doesn't pack the same historic punch as the landmark creations of Medicare or Social Security. The bill lacks the momentum to get past the Senate, much less echo through time.
Still, the House bill is important because it moved the process forward. The Senate now has a strong foundation for its deliberations, which will likely focus on two points: employer mandates and the public option.
The first should stay. Influential voices such as Sen. Olympia Snowe do criticize the mandates, which would compel employers to offer coverage to workers, as bad for business. However, they would also ensure level competition in the private sector. Employers should either pay by offering insurance, or pay a significant penalty for failing to do so — simple, and without conditions.
If the goal is the lowest possible number of uninsured Americans, this seems the most straightforward path to it, given the constraints of our employer-based system.
A public option, however, remains a dangerous idea. If there is one idea that could cause reform to stall between the House and Senate (where 60 votes are likely needed), it is the option. On this point, there must be negotiation.
Democrats cannot allow the pursuit of their perfect plan (the public option) to stand in the way of more important reforms. The House bill is packed with sensible, powerful ideas to help more Americans get, and keep, health insurance coverage.
Near-universal coverage could also provide the leverage necessary to bend the proverbial cost curve in health care. The current bill does nothing to specifically address cost reduction; rather, it offers a framework for controlling ever-increasing medical spending.
As the Massachusetts insurance reforms show, a public option is not necessary to broaden coverage at an affordable cost. Yet, as the Maine insurance reforms show, a public option is no miracle drug for the chronic ailments of spiraling health care and insurance premium expenses.
If the coming debate in the Senate hinges on the public option, the possibility exists that all of reform could come crashing down. Congress must pay attention to the much bigger picture, which is passing the most complete, innovative package of reforms as politically possible.
On Sunday, in the vote's aftermath, there was much touting of its place in the Pantheon of social reforms. It's way too soon for that.
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Poorman is typical liberal.
Poorman is typical liberal. He loves spending other peoples money. Maybe Poorman could change his name to Richman if he worked for a living
I'd ask you if you knew what
I'd ask you if you knew what a pen name is, but your handle is Arse so there is no point.
Any problem that can't be solved with taxcuts, republicans pretend doesn't exist.
Quote from poorman......
Quote from poorman...... Any problem that can't be solved with taxcuts, republicans pretend doesn't exist.
Tax cuts didn't cause all the problems we got, spending by idiots who think like you did.
Cornholer: "Tax cuts didn't
Cornholer: "Tax cuts didn't cause all the problems we got, spending by idiots who think like you did."
As usual wrong. The fiscal problems we are currently facing can be traced directly to three blunders of the Bush presidency. 2001 taxcut for the richest 1% of the population. A medicare drug benefit which actually provides no benefit except to line the insurance companies pockets and a war against a country that never attacked us.
Backup materials if you are able to read:
2001 taxcut cost: $2.7 trillion: http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=1508
Medicare Part D to cost $900 billion: http://tinyurl.com/y9rmzo7
Iraq war cost: $700 billion and climbing, and this doesn't include legacy veteran benefits: http://costofwar.com/
That would add up to $5.3 trillion in dumphuckery.
Now that you have been definitively shown to be a complete Arse, you might think about STFU and giving your arse, and us, a break from your idiocy.
KTHNXBAI!
Any problem that can't be solved with taxcuts, republicans pretend doesn't exist.
Poorman, you red diaper
Poorman, you red diaper dopey
Democratic Stimulas plan cost over $300,000.00 for each job created. (Money borrowed from China)
Democratic Cash for Clunkers cost over $20,000.00 for each car sold. (Money borrowed from China)
Can't wait for Health Care bill cost?
And you say Bush was a big spender!!!!
"Tax cuts didn't cause all the problems we got, spending by idiots who think like you did."
Even if you added up your
Even if you added up your Faux News "data" on the cost for Obama's plans it would be a fraction of the money Bush wasted. And why are you so concerned about borrowed money from China? Bush increased the deficit more than all preceding presidents COMBINED and that is why our trade deficit with China is so bad. Plus without the money from China you never would have been able to refi your trailer.
Any problem that can't be solved with taxcuts, republicans pretend doesn't exist.
The Sun Journal again
The Sun Journal again showing a complete lack of knowledge about what is going on: "A public option, however, remains a dangerous idea."
Dangerous because it would provide coverage to people who don't have it? Dangerous because it will put a dent in health insurance industry profits? Dangerous because businesses who currently cannot afford to offer their employees health insurance would be able to?
Yeah sounds like a horrible idea. Is Arse69 on the editorial board? The writing of both indicates similar intellect..........
Any problem that can't be solved with taxcuts, republicans pretend doesn't exist.
Mr poorman; it seems as
Mr poorman; it seems as though that you are trying to convince yourself that you have a superior intellect? My guess is that you haven't read this bill either? Typical liberal spin without any substance! Yes this bill is dangerous, it's about rights or are you one that would give up your freedom for control of others? and you always blame it on health insurance profits. Poorman maybe you need a class in Business ya think?
ratings: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune500/2009/performers/compan...
Also you may want to do some research on Health clinics that has been going on since the 60's. These clinic's have been providing health for indigents which is federally funded. Maybe they don't give real good health care but remember they are federally funded.
Certainly you are misled about how the gov. would take care of patients better than the health insurance companies. As you have stated before that medicre is much more efficient, my dear man, you really do need to take a course in business, I am sure you would be able to get a federal grant, just tell that you are a liberal and you shouldn't have any problems
til next time Mr Poorman.
Alot of other things were
Alot of other things were slipped into that 2000 page bill. Just like the stimulis bill which has created or saved only 600,000 jobs at a cost of over $300.000.00 each. And just as a stupid clash for clunkers program, having cost over $20,000.00 for each car sold, with money we borrowed from China. This so called Health Care bill will cost more for taxpayers, and make health care worst. Everyone needs to call Snowe, and tell her that this Government BS needs to die in the US Congress. If Olympia votes for a bill with a so called trigger, it will still lead to Government run health care. Call her, email her tell her to join the oposition to Gov run health care.
What allot of folks don't
What allot of folks don't realize:
H.R. 3962 provides that an individual (or a husband and wife in the case of a joint return) who does not, at any time during the taxable year, maintain acceptable health insurance coverage for himself or herself and each of his or her qualifying children is subject to an additional tax.” [page 1]
“If the government determines that the taxpayer’s unpaid tax liability results from willful behavior, the following penalties could apply
Prosecution is authorized under the Code for a variety of offenses. Depending on the level of the noncompliance, the following penalties could apply to an individual:
• Section 7203 – misdemeanor willful failure to pay is punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year.
• Section 7201 – felony willful evasion is punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment of up to five years
So much for Freedom of Choice and other freedoms.
verified Using your logic, if a
Using your logic, if a person fails to pay their income tax, then they'll be sent to jail for working. It's that type of logic that debases the debate of most topics, when right wing wackos get involved.
It's clear that you and your
It's clear that you and your left wing friends don't have a clue what this means, am I right? cause if you did you would not have replied. Try reading it again and if don't get it after ten times and if you are real good I'll tell you what it means.
Good Luck :)
An employer mandate puts
An employer mandate puts small businesses at a huge disadvantage. The house bill exempts businesss with fewer than 25 employees but anyone I would bet my shirt that the exemption will be removed before long. At least half of the problems with the insurance industry are directly related to the way most people get their insurance through their employers. Employees who have insurance through their employer don't know how much the coverage actually cost. They lose coverage when they lose their job. They have little if any choice of plans. Health insurance should be sold more like auto insurance is sold now, with real competition between insurers and many companies to choose from. Insurers should also be able to charge higher premiums for existing conditions that are a direct result of the insured persons behavior such as obesity or smoking.
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