Healthcare Reform Seen Critical For Rural U.S

It is time to leave ideologies behind and get something done on health care.

But what it's going to be? Last night's Sermon on the Mount left me as confused as I started.

earlpittsamurican wrote:

But what it's going to be? Last night's Sermon on the Mount left me as confused as I started.

That is what we need to work on. Don't throw a monkey wrench in the process. As far as "Sermon on the Mount", can you imagine GWB.....

I think your bias is showing. There was nothing that the President said that was not to the point.

I think he's involved in a pretty tricky dance - trying to point out the flaws in the current healthcare system, while trying not to alienate (too badly) those who are beginning to engage in the process, ie the AMA, the insurance companies, pharmaceuticals, etc.

I'm interested in Sen. Ron Wyden's (D-Oregon) ideas, but haven't had much luck yet finding anything written on them. He doesn't favor a government-run alternative, but thinks we should expand on allowing people to find their own affordable coverage, which could be helpful to smaller business owners, the self-employed etc. Here's one thing I dug up:

http://wweek.com/editorial/3535/12780/

Did he say what kind of coverage it would be? Other than like government employees, that is. I'm not a government employee, so I don't know. What is the cost to the country?
What is the savings to the tax payer?
Who is eligible?
Does one have to take it?
Will it guarantee that no one will be turned down for any condition? That's a question he was asked and he didn't answer it.
When corporations are taxed for it will there be a provision that forbids them from passing along the cost to their customers?
What does the medical arena say about it?
Those are just a few of the questions I have. Since I'm biased, I wasn't enlightened by his royal highness like you were, so please get me answers.

earlpittsamurican wrote:

Did he say what kind of coverage it would be? Other than like government employees, that is. I'm not a government employee, so I don't know. What is the cost to the country?
What is the savings to the tax payer?
Who is eligible?
Does one have to take it?
Will it guarantee that no one will be turned down for any condition? That's a question he was asked and he didn't answer it.
When corporations are taxed for it will there be a provision that forbids them from passing along the cost to their customers?
What does the medical arena say about it?
Those are just a few of the questions I have. Since I'm biased, I wasn't enlightened by his royal highness like you were, so please get me answers.

You are just going to have to wait and see what Congress comes up with. I am siting on pins and needles myself knowing of the millions that the insurance lobbyists are pouring into the fight to keep it like it is.

the devils in the details, and obama does not want you to know the details.

In other words, there is no plan. Obama was asked if he gave any direction to Congress on this last night and the best answer I could get out of his 10 minute line of drivel was, "No or Maybe." As hard as he's pushing to get this shoved down our throats, I'd think he have a plan.

earlpittsamurican wrote:

In other words, there is no plan. Obama was asked if he gave any direction to Congress on this last night and the best answer I could get out of his 10 minute line of drivel was, "No or Maybe." As hard as he's pushing to get this shoved down our throats, I'd think he have a plan.

If he did, then you probably would be against it, no mater what. His main outline was that what we have now is not good. That the plan needs to be something that would help us economically and not add to the terrible debt that we have acquired. It needs to be something that people can afford and not be cut out because of a preexisting condition or because we may be a higher risk. Something that will transfer from job to job. He wants to have a bill that will contain costs. He is intelligent enough that he wants to avoid the approach that the Clinton health plan took and work it through Congress.

Patriot AKA Bozo wrote:

<quoted text>
You are just going to have to wait and see what Congress comes up with. I am siting on pins and needles myself knowing of the millions that the insurance lobbyists are pouring into the fight to keep it like it is.

One thing is clear, the Congress has outlined a "end-of-life" policy for senior citizens. Section 1233 proposal on government requirements for "Advanced Care Planning Consultion". It is attempt to convince seniors to die. Obama administration is suggesting that medical care be withheld from seniors based on the expected years they have left to live. Page 425, Congress would make it mandatory every five years for people on Medicare to submit to counseling sessions. They would tell them to end their life sooner than later. Do you like Socialism now?
Read...Obamacare for old folks: Just 'cut your life short', by Bob Unrush, World NetDaily, 7/24/09.

earlpittsamurican wrote:

Did he say what kind of coverage it would be? Other than like government employees, that is. I'm not a government employee, so I don't know. What is the cost to the country?
What is the savings to the tax payer?
Who is eligible?
Does one have to take it?
Will it guarantee that no one will be turned down for any condition? That's a question he was asked and he didn't answer it.
When corporations are taxed for it will there be a provision that forbids them from passing along the cost to their customers?
What does the medical arena say about it?
Those are just a few of the questions I have. Since I'm biased, I wasn't enlightened by his royal highness like you were, so please get me answers.

Take for instance the employer health insurance plans. Will the employer take Obama's 7% incentive, and dump all his employees into the public plan? Do you really think they won't? Employers are interested in the bottom line. Very few care about their employees happiness with the healthcare provider they have. So you're going whether you like it or not. Welcome to Obamacare!

donkeyman wrote:

the devils in the details, and obama does not want you to know the details.

The content is slowly leaking out. What we know right now is not good. Its in committee now for debate. Sure hope those lawmakers on the committee are getting a great deal of citizen heat from home. So they understand the implications of what they do. They must be held accountable for their actions. Just like Obama. If they conform to Washington as usual politics, then rid them from office in 2010 and 2012.

Under the present Medicare rules, my mother, who is 91 and dying of cancer, was eligible for 100 days of rehab at $500 a day, every cent of which was billed, even though any meaningful rehabilitation was impossible. Such problems are what health care reform intends to address.

The above example also illustrates what is wrong with public health care.

Patriot AKA Bozo wrote:

<quoted text>
If he did, then you probably would be against it, no mater what. His main outline was that what we have now is not good. That the plan needs to be something that would help us economically and not add to the terrible debt that we have acquired. It needs to be something that people can afford and not be cut out because of a preexisting condition or because we may be a higher risk. Something that will transfer from job to job. He wants to have a bill that will contain costs. He is intelligent enough that he wants to avoid the approach that the Clinton health plan took and work it through Congress.

I might be or might not be against it. I have to see something in black and white to make a judgment. Unlike you, I don't place blind trust in anyone. I'm not that naive. I want to see what he's thinking about. I don't think that's too much to ask, since it is going to affect every person in the nation. How can you just accept that whatever he comes up with is going to be a winner? Would you buy a car you'd never seen let alone test driven? This is far more important than that.

Door King wrote:

Under the present Medicare rules, my mother, who is 91 and dying of cancer, was eligible for 100 days of rehab at $500 a day, every cent of which was billed, even though any meaningful rehabilitation was impossible. Such problems are what health care reform intends to address.
The above example also illustrates what is wrong with public health care.

We have a somewhat similar situation in our family, but rehab was denied, and rightfully so as it is not really even possible at this point. This person can hardly get out of bed. They did approve @ 100 days in a skilled nursing facility with minimal rehab available, with a potential review for rehab if he gains enough strength. I imagine it depends some on the facility you are dealing with - some follow the rules more than others. I've seen some isolated incidents of blatant disregard for those rules in taking care of other family members. There are those who will bend or follow the rules, regardless of the game and who is playing.

Toni wrote:

<quoted text>
One thing is clear, the Congress has outlined a "end-of-life" policy for senior citizens. Section 1233 proposal on government requirements for "Advanced Care Planning Consultion". It is attempt to convince seniors to die. Obama administration is suggesting that medical care be withheld from seniors based on the expected years they have left to live. Page 425, Congress would make it mandatory every five years for people on Medicare to submit to counseling sessions. They would tell them to end their life sooner than later. Do you like Socialism now?
Read...Obamacare for old folks: Just 'cut your life short', by Bob Unrush, World NetDaily, 7/24/09.

You have been listening to wacko RW propagandist again....

earlpittsamurican wrote:

<quoted text>
I might be or might not be against it. I have to see something in black and white to make a judgment. Unlike you, I don't place blind trust in anyone. I'm not that naive. I want to see what he's thinking about. I don't think that's too much to ask, since it is going to affect every person in the nation. How can you just accept that whatever he comes up with is going to be a winner? Would you buy a car you'd never seen let alone test driven? This is far more important than that.

Why do you insist that I place blind trust in anyone? I am hopeful that something good comes out of all this. I, like you have my reservations. Once the bill is hammered out, it is my hope that it be released for public scrutiny before it is voted on. My gravest concern is that the insurance lobbyists will have enough clout to keep it much like it is. At least the President recognizes there is a problem and has enough gumption to push for action.

What was the per-day billing; that's exactly what happened to mother, basically. Rehab twice a day for about an hour.

Hell, even I can recognize there's a problem. That doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that. I have a feeling that whatever they come up with will just be rammed down our throats, like most government programs.

earlpittsamurican wrote:

Hell, even I can recognize there's a problem. That doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that. I have a feeling that whatever they come up with will just be rammed down our throats, like most government programs.

I know Earl, we have been there before with things like NAFTA and senior drug coverage. I am the eternal optimist and hope something good will come out of this. There is not much we can do to make it worse than it is now....