Just so that everyone understands that I am not against any changes, I've been thinking about things that could be done without turning over so much of the economy to the government. There are a few things that could be done fairly easily and would help the economy and the health care industry.
Allow small employers to join together in their purchase of health insurance in order to gain the types of savings on health insurance that larger companies get. This would help many of the smaller companies and their employees allowing them to save money all across the board.
Allow the purchase of health insurance similar to the purchase of auto insurance. In many states you can not purchase health insurance from an out of state insurer. Allowing the purchase of insurance from any company would create more competition and drive prices down.
Tort reform. We can do this while at the same time ensuring that people with valid concerns continue to have the right to do so yet end the absurd lawsuits that do exist. Part of the reason that doctors order so many tests is that they are afraid of being sued for not performing tests that are out of the ordinary on the outside chance that it may find something. Doctors would no longer have to pay such high insurance costs of their own and would be able to drop their prices proportionately.
These are just a few ideas that have come to mind. I am sure that many others have valid ideas as well, share them with us. Let me know what you think, add that comment and let anyone who comes by see what we can all do, together.
August 14, 2009
August 12, 2009
A little help here
Can anyone explain to me why, with the history of the Veterans Administration, Medicare, Medicaid, and the US Postal Service, we should believe that the government is going to be able to do a viable job with health care? Seriously, we know that Medicare, Medicaid and the Postal Service are all incapable of meeting the needs of those they serve at a viable price point. The Veteran's Administration, to include the hospitals, is filled with all kinds of questionable service practices. I really just don't understand how anyone who can add 1 and 1 to get 2 would believe that the government can help.
Then we have the President's town hall meeting yesterday. The young lady who asked why people are saying bad things about health care reform is one interesting point. I won't say that she was a set up, I will say that it has been reported that her mother did campaign for the President last year, that her mother was a senior member of Massachusetts Women for Obama, and that her mother donated to the campaign. Then we have the AARP question. Mr. Obama made a point of saying that they were on board with the plan. According to the AARP site that isn't quite the case. Part of their statement reads "While the President was correct that AARP will not endorse a health care reform bill that would reduce Medicare benefits, indications that we have endorsed any of the major health care reform bills currently under consideration in Congress are inaccurate."
I am ever so glad to know that it is only those that are against the bill that are circulating "rumors" about health care reform. I would also like to remind everyone that they should take the time to actually read HR 3200, the only bill that has moved through any of the committees in congress. Do not take my word for anything, do not take the media's word for anything, read the bill yourself and make up your mind. I know that it scares me.
Then we have the President's town hall meeting yesterday. The young lady who asked why people are saying bad things about health care reform is one interesting point. I won't say that she was a set up, I will say that it has been reported that her mother did campaign for the President last year, that her mother was a senior member of Massachusetts Women for Obama, and that her mother donated to the campaign. Then we have the AARP question. Mr. Obama made a point of saying that they were on board with the plan. According to the AARP site that isn't quite the case. Part of their statement reads "While the President was correct that AARP will not endorse a health care reform bill that would reduce Medicare benefits, indications that we have endorsed any of the major health care reform bills currently under consideration in Congress are inaccurate."
I am ever so glad to know that it is only those that are against the bill that are circulating "rumors" about health care reform. I would also like to remind everyone that they should take the time to actually read HR 3200, the only bill that has moved through any of the committees in congress. Do not take my word for anything, do not take the media's word for anything, read the bill yourself and make up your mind. I know that it scares me.
August 10, 2009
One question on the health care initiatives
Some may feel that I am overstating the situation but I can't help but questioning why there is a need to move so fast to effect changes to something that is anywhere between 1/7 and 1/5 of our economy. I am truly confounded by this.
It takes one to two years to decide on who will even run for the Presidency much less who will become president. It took the Obama family six months to decide on the type of dog that they wanted. It takes most people several months to decide on what type of vehicle they are going to buy next but our illustrious leaders have decided to affect a major part of our economy in a matter of two or three months. They are in such a hurry to pass some type of legislation, perhaps to make it look like they are actually doing something, that they aren't even willing to read the legislation that is being proposed in detail.
People tell me that I am playing "chicken little," that I am over-reacting to the situation. I have to wonder though, would any family move so quickly to do something that could adversely affect their incomes by 1/7 to 1/5? I rather doubt it.
It takes one to two years to decide on who will even run for the Presidency much less who will become president. It took the Obama family six months to decide on the type of dog that they wanted. It takes most people several months to decide on what type of vehicle they are going to buy next but our illustrious leaders have decided to affect a major part of our economy in a matter of two or three months. They are in such a hurry to pass some type of legislation, perhaps to make it look like they are actually doing something, that they aren't even willing to read the legislation that is being proposed in detail.
People tell me that I am playing "chicken little," that I am over-reacting to the situation. I have to wonder though, would any family move so quickly to do something that could adversely affect their incomes by 1/7 to 1/5? I rather doubt it.
August 07, 2009
Facts ARE stubborn things, Mr. President
This is a direct link to a White House blog in which it is suggested that anyone who comes across "fishy" information regarding health care reform it should be reported to a white house email address. In fact, the exact wording is:
"There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov."
I have seen many things in my life, many of which made me scratch my head but to see the White House ask people to report dissent is absolutely astounding. I could have sworn that we had a Constitutionally protected right to free speech. I thought that political dissent was a good thing, that is what the Dems were saying for the past eight years. Now this! I am utterly sickened by what we have come to.
"There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov."
I have seen many things in my life, many of which made me scratch my head but to see the White House ask people to report dissent is absolutely astounding. I could have sworn that we had a Constitutionally protected right to free speech. I thought that political dissent was a good thing, that is what the Dems were saying for the past eight years. Now this! I am utterly sickened by what we have come to.
Racism in disagreement?
I've just had the dubious privilege of reading Paul Krugman's Op-ed piece in the New York Times today. While there are many issues that could be taken with the piece, one paragraph in particular left me feeling particularly concerned, it reads:
"That is, the driving force behind the town hall mobs is probably the same cultural and racial anxiety that’s behind the “birther” movement, which denies Mr. Obama’s citizenship. Senator Dick Durbin has suggested that the birthers and the health care protesters are one and the same; we don’t know how many of the protesters are birthers, but it wouldn’t be surprising if it’s a substantial fraction."
Mr. Krugman evidently feels that those of us who are against HR 3200, please note sir that it is NOT the President's proposal but that of congress, are racist at heart. Let me assure you that, at least in my case, nothing could be farther from the truth. My objections to the bill are all based on my reading of the actual bill. Something that I would have to wonder if Mr. Krugman has done. I wonder how Mr. Krugman feels about the concept of being forced into the "Public plan" should he change jobs after the bill is signed into law regardless of whether or not his new employer offers a health-care plan? I wonder if Mr. Krugman has noted how well the government has done running Medicare, Medicaid or the VA health plans?
Seriously sir, if you want to disagree with us that is certainly your right. However to infer that it is wholly based on race when you don't even know the individuals in question lowers the viability of your arguments to the level of high school gossip.
"That is, the driving force behind the town hall mobs is probably the same cultural and racial anxiety that’s behind the “birther” movement, which denies Mr. Obama’s citizenship. Senator Dick Durbin has suggested that the birthers and the health care protesters are one and the same; we don’t know how many of the protesters are birthers, but it wouldn’t be surprising if it’s a substantial fraction."
Mr. Krugman evidently feels that those of us who are against HR 3200, please note sir that it is NOT the President's proposal but that of congress, are racist at heart. Let me assure you that, at least in my case, nothing could be farther from the truth. My objections to the bill are all based on my reading of the actual bill. Something that I would have to wonder if Mr. Krugman has done. I wonder how Mr. Krugman feels about the concept of being forced into the "Public plan" should he change jobs after the bill is signed into law regardless of whether or not his new employer offers a health-care plan? I wonder if Mr. Krugman has noted how well the government has done running Medicare, Medicaid or the VA health plans?
Seriously sir, if you want to disagree with us that is certainly your right. However to infer that it is wholly based on race when you don't even know the individuals in question lowers the viability of your arguments to the level of high school gossip.
August 06, 2009
I am somewhat amused
Primarily by the leaders of the Democrat party and their insistence that the "protesters" at the various and sundry Health Care "Town Hall" are being put up to it by others. Their abundant and obvious hypocrisy is hilarious, or should I say it should be, considering the way in which they use ACORN and other organizations like it to "protest" in support of their varying issues. They bring in these folks who have had these health care "problems" to speak at these meetings so they automatically assume that anyone who has a concern on the other side had to have been brought in as well.
What the supporters of HR 3200 don't seem to understand is that at over 1000 pages these servants of the people will, once again, enact legislation that they have no desire to read or understand and the people don't like it. The party of the people doesn't seem to understand that the people are actually reading the document and they are finding it wanting in many, many ways. The potential for abuse is astounding but don't just take my word for it, go to thomas.loc.gov and read it for yourself. You can look it up either by the bill number or as "Affordable Health Choices Act" and do what your members of congress refuse to do, read the bill. While you are at it, follow the link on thomas for the congressional budget office report and the directors blog on this subject. It is enlightening to say the least.
What the supporters of HR 3200 don't seem to understand is that at over 1000 pages these servants of the people will, once again, enact legislation that they have no desire to read or understand and the people don't like it. The party of the people doesn't seem to understand that the people are actually reading the document and they are finding it wanting in many, many ways. The potential for abuse is astounding but don't just take my word for it, go to thomas.loc.gov and read it for yourself. You can look it up either by the bill number or as "Affordable Health Choices Act" and do what your members of congress refuse to do, read the bill. While you are at it, follow the link on thomas for the congressional budget office report and the directors blog on this subject. It is enlightening to say the least.
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