Surprising. Slate isn't a bastion of either economic or conservative thought. Its generally considered fairly liberal.
A very valid set of points though. Even if one stretches real hard to assume Obama is serious about not breakting the bank, Congress has shown no inclination to care nor is there anything saying that future congresses/administrations will either.
There's something I don't get. Even without the "public" option, the healthcare bill is said to cost billions. If we are regulating industry, requiring people to buy (not be given) insurance, reworking to more efficient methods of supplementing payments for those who can't afford insurance (as now covered by medicaid, various tax breaks, grants to free clinics, etc.), and making medical care/record keeping more efficient and cost effective -- where are those billions of dollars going?
The whole thing is just scary. It's all so nice on paper but we're going broke. We can't afford this healthcare, and for the insurance companies we are just pawns.
This is a general problem for federal programs of all kinds. Promises will eventually get broken, rules will be bypassed and fiscal discipline can never be maintained because of the constant pressure against the pseudo-civil servant congressman and senator to get perpetually reelected.
If Obama keeps his promise there will be NO health care bill. The trouble is he will not. This thing is going to cost and cost. Even the CBO says it will.
My neighborhood curandera is very good, but neither medicare nor insurance will pay her to do the healing, if we could get rid of the infinite bureaucracies in the healthcare business, starting with the Medical School based Physicians Union then maybe she would be able to compete and I could afford her services.
Andrew Weil, M.D., notes that disease management costs are going to continue to rise until citizens begin to actually care about their health (health care), and our medical institutions (research, education, clinical practice) begin to emphasize preventive as well as remedial medicine.
This thing has gotten so confusing I don't know what to think anymore. Thanks for your get well wishes Sue, sorry I am so far behind in getting comments returned.
health care is a real complicated subject i hope it turns out for the best. Im not really sure what the hubbub is if we all end up on social sec. its going to be the same for us all.
I just dont know what the solution to all of this is... I dont like the fact that government has any say so in this.. I do understand that some some changes need to be made to the health care but in the end, I have a feeling it is going to really cost us and with the times the way they are.... many will just have to take a fine... A fine, this sounds so strange.. how can he force someone to buy insurance..? I guess it can be done though, we have to carry car insurance and homeowners so, anything is possible..
Vickey I work for some doctors... If this goes through some of them will retire while others will only take private insurance. They can't afford the cuts in pay for the federal programs...
So there are hidden costs, like the loss of really good doctors.
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Comments: 24
A very valid set of points though. Even if one stretches real hard to assume Obama is serious about not breakting the bank, Congress has shown no inclination to care nor is there anything saying that future congresses/administrations will either.
This is almost like bait and switch. Offer one thing at a certain price and then switch it with a cheaper model stiffing the buyer.
So there are hidden costs, like the loss of really good doctors.