Showing posts with label Healthcare. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Healthcare. Show all posts

Friday, October 30, 2009

A few draft-versions of health care reform have been offered since this spring; all of them have had one thing in common. Conservative pundits have done a great job of highlighting a commonality in all of them: 2013. The regulations limiting freedom in choice will begin in 2013. So much for the plea that we need reform now!

Commentators have forwarded the notion that those in leadership now facing re-election in 2012 will be, beating the ill effects of government-controlled healthcare as they are not implemented for another year. I consider this "Plan A."

Politicians like Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and other liberal congressman have little to fear. The districts they are elected from will continue to elect them. Voters in these locales have drunk the Kool-Aid. The only thing that matters is that we are one step closer to Universal Healthcare. Any problems with the new will be moot. As President Obama says at every option, "this is not a perfect bill. But it is a step closer..."

Plan A relies on the Democrats being re-elected en masse under the belief that they were successful in causing reform. And it any loss of seats or control would come after 2013. Kind of a drive-by lawmaking. Consequences be damned, the change enacted.

Plan B relies on realization that over the next three years, enough light will be shed on aspects of the bill. "Regular" people will be so upset with the unintended and intended consequences alike that they vote out the Democrats in 2012. Given enough time - a single election cycle is a lifetime - the assumed new Republican majority will pegged with causing any downsides relating to the healthcare regulation. In 2016 another Democratic sweep will take place as the Fourth Estate successfully paints the Republicans responsible.

Don't think it is possible? It worked for No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and W. My wife gets all the Union magazines for educators. Every issue contains how George Bush messed up the law or wasn't funded properly. There is no mention of NCLB's author, Ted Kennedy! Never mind that the president neither writes legislation nor controls the "purse strings."

Plan A is the optimal option, it keeps power going. Plan B, less desirable, is still suitable for the Dems. They have a scapegoat for the complications which will reverberate through America on all levels. 2016 isn't too far away for them.

Friday, September 18, 2009

The Most Childish Argument in the Healthcare Debate

Obama takes the stand on healthcare -- chicagotribune.com

Posted using ShareThis

Yes, according to the article, Obama repeats a counter to public option foes:
Obama went on to note concerns that healthcare changes would mean rationed care. Already, the president argued, "insurance companies are rationing care. They are basically telling you what's covered and what's not."
This is supposed to end the debate and public option proponents expect us who oppose Government's take-over to fall in line? This is a junior high level rebuttal that does not fix nor change a perceived problem.

Americans used to believe in not giving Government too much power, especially over personal choices. When did this change? I figure it was a step-by-step evolution as each Progressive used Europe to provide examples of how something could be better.

How many contradictions can one cram into a single article?

From a recent Yahoo! News/AP article1, I have collected a barrage of quotes from Lawmakers and aides in this article. The Associated Press attempted to "cover" fall out regarding illegal aliens and the Healthcare Bill as prompted from Rep. Joe Wilson's [R-S.C.] peanut gallery outburst during President Obama's speech to a joint session.

"What we are trying to prevent is anyone who is here illegally from getting any federal benefit," said Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D...."

"The White House says that Obama does not want illegal immigrants to be able to buy insurance through the new purchasing exchange as they would be allowed to do under Democratic legislation in the House."

"... although the Finance Committee bill is also expected to let illegal immigrants shop in the exchange..."

"'Illegal immigrants would not be allowed to access the exchange that is set up,' Gibbs said Friday. Verification requirements are 'something we'd work out with Congress,' he said."

"Republicans' contention that illegal immigrants would be able to get federally funded health coverage under the House health bill — even though the bill expressly prohibits federal subsidies for illegals.Critics note that there are no enforcement mechanisms, or language on how to verify whether or not someone is in this country legally."

"Democrats in two House committees defeated amendments that would have required verification of legal status."

All of these quotes are from the news piece. These quotes clearly illustrate that there is nothing in the bill which would back up Obama's guarantee that illegal aliens would use my families healthcare dollars!

What happened to 'truth to power'?

The tactic of placing anger (and unashamed claims of racism) towards a Representative who chose to speak up only direct our attention away from the content and promises Obama made in his speech.  Another aspect leads me to inquire: what has changed in the last few weeks?  During Obama's August push to reform healthcare, he refused to counter "death panel" concerns, siting that the bill had not been finalized.  Yet he promises things which cannot be guaranteed, because portions are still being resolved in committees? In essence, President Obama is contradicting himself, but very few are catching on.


  1. Health care talks focus on illegal immigrants

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Illegal Aliens and Obama Untruths

A recent Yahoo! News/AP piece1, reveals how the White House takes a stand against the Dems in an attempt to pacify the Right Wing claims that illegal aliens will be covered under the pending Healthcare Bill.

By recent estimates, there are 11-12 million illegal aliens2 in this country; according to this article that means 4-5 million people within our borders illegally, have health insurance?

Do 4 or 5 million illegal immigrants obtain insurance? From the article:

"In explaining its new position, the White House said that ...illegal immigrants could continue to buy insurance in the private insurance market outside the exchange..."

I guess so.

According to the White House, these aliens are currently able to buy health insurance, and would, in some aspects of the new healthcare bill, be able to buy coverage with their own money. But some 35 million Americans can't afford it now? What is wrong with this picture?

This quote places a new light on boilerplate claims from the Left.

While slightly off topic, it ties into affordable health insurance. Illegal immigrants purchasing health insurance? This could be taken to mean there are "living wages" in America!

Despite the picture painted by poor/labor/immigration activists, immigrants working for less than minimum wage, those working for cash, often under-the-table (and tax-free!), can shell out for a private medical insuarnce policy. I can't imagine too many illegals are pulling down $300K a year.

As the popular arguement goes, illegals are taking jobs Americans won't; are they also taking insurance policies Americans won't?

But, the wider point is, Obama has vigorously defended his claim that "the reforms I'm proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally."

  • Where is "his" bill? He is no longer a Senator.
  • The bill is not out of numerous committees, but Obama refers to the bill as if it is ready to pass by a vote.
  • How much sway does he think he has? Several attempts to add language which bar illegal aliens, have been stricken by Obama's party.
Why would Obama be working so hard to advertise barring illegals from the public health exchange? A stated goal of his is to cover everyone. Primarily, using the Left's logic, is because those who don't have insurance create a burden on those who pay their bills.

It doesn't make much sense. Yet, when your main goal is not insuring everyone in the country, but fundamentally changing the Land of Liberty, little details like illegal immigrants are expendable.

1. White House stiffens against illegal immigrants
2.
Center for Immigration Studies