With House Democrats poised to pass the Senate health care bill with some reconciliation changes later today, it is worthwhile to take a comprehensive look at the freedoms we will lose.
Of course, the overhaul is supposed to provide us with security. But it will result in skyrocketing insurance costs and physicians leaving the field in droves, making it harder to afford and find medical care. We may be about to live Benjamin Franklin’s adage, “People willing to trade their freedom for temporary security deserve neither and will lose both.”
The sections described below are taken from HR 3590 as agreed to by the Senate and from the reconciliation bill as displayed by the Rules Committee.
1. You are young and don’t want health insurance? You are starting up a small business and need to minimize expenses, and one way to do that is to forego health insurance? Tough. You have to pay $750 annually for the “privilege.” (Section 1501)
2. You are young and healthy and want to pay for insurance that reflects that status? Tough. You’ll have to pay for premiums that cover not only you, but also the guy who smokes three packs a day, drink a gallon of whiskey and eats chicken fat off the floor. That’s because insurance companies will no longer be able to underwrite on the basis of a person’s health status. (Section 2701).
3. You would like to pay less in premiums by buying insurance with lifetime or annual limits on coverage? Tough. Health insurers will no longer be able to offer such policies, even if that is what customers prefer. (Section 2711).
4. Think you’d like a policy that is cheaper because it doesn’t cover preventive care or requires cost-sharing for such care? Tough. Health insurers will no longer be able to offer policies that do not cover preventive services or offer them with cost-sharing, even if that’s what the customer wants. (Section 2712).
5. You are an employer and you would like to offer coverage that doesn’t allow your employers’ slacker children to stay on the policy until age 26? Tough. (Section 2714).
6. You must buy a policy that covers ambulatory patient services, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment; prescription drugs; rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices; laboratory services; preventive and wellness services; chronic disease management; and pediatric services, including oral and vision care.
You’re a single guy without children? Tough, your policy must cover pediatric services. You’re a woman who can’t have children? Tough, your policy must cover maternity services. You’re a teetotaler? Tough, your policy must cover substance abuse treatment. (Add your own violation of personal freedom here.) (Section 1302).
7. Do you want a plan with lots of cost-sharing and low premiums? Well, the best you can do is a “Bronze plan,” which has benefits that provide benefits that are actuarially equivalent to 60% of the full actuarial value of the benefits provided under the plan. Anything lower than that, tough. (Section 1302 (d) (1) (A))
8. You are an employer in the small-group insurance market and you’d like to offer policies with deductibles higher than $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for families? Tough. (Section 1302 (c) (2) (A).
9. If you are a large employer (defined as at least 101 employees) and you do not want to provide health insurance to your employee, then you will pay a $750 fine per employee (It could be $2,000 to $3,000 under the reconciliation changes). Think you know how to better spend that money? Tough. (Section 1513).
10. You are an employer who offers health flexible spending arrangements and your employees want to deduct more than $2,500 from their salaries for it? Sorry, can’t do that. (Section 9005 (i)).
11. If you are a physician and you don’t want the government looking over your shoulder? Tough. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is authorized to use your claims data to issue you reports that measure the resources you use, provide information on the quality of care you provide, and compare the resources you use to those used by other physicians. Of course, this will all be just for informational purposes. It’s not like the government will ever use it to intervene in your practice and patients’ care. Of course not. (Section 3003 (i))
12. If you are a physician and you want to own your own hospital, you must be an owner and have a “Medicare provider agreement” by Feb. 1, 2010. (Dec. 31, 2010 in the reconciliation changes.) If you didn’t have those by then, you are out of luck. (Section 6001 (i) (1) (A))
13. If you are a physician owner and you want to expand your hospital? Well, you can’t (Section 6001 (i) (1) (B). Unless, it is located in a country where, over the last five years, population growth has been 150% of what it has been in the state (Section 6601 (i) (3) ( E)). And then you cannot increase your capacity by more than 200% (Section 6001 (i) (3) (C)).
14. You are a health insurer and you want to raise premiums to meet costs? Well, if that increase is deemed “unreasonable” by the Secretary of Health and Human Services it will be subject to review and can be denied. (Section 1003)
15. The government will extract a fee of $2.3 billion annually from the pharmaceutical industry. If you are a pharmaceutical company what you will pay depends on the ratio of the number of brand-name drugs you sell to the total number of brand-name drugs sold in the U.S. So, if you sell 10% of the brand-name drugs in the U.S., what you pay will be 10% multiplied by $2.3 billion, or $230,000,000. (Under reconciliation, it starts at $2.55 billion, jumps to $3 billion in 2012, then to $3.5 billion in 2017 and $4.2 billion in 2018, before settling at $2.8 billion in 2019 (Section 1404)). Think you, as a pharmaceutical executive, know how to better use that money, say for research and development? Tough. (Section 9008 (b)).
16. The government will extract a fee of $2 billion annually from medical device makers. If you are a medical device maker what you will pay depends on your share of medical device sales in the U.S. So, if you sell 10% of the medical devices in the U.S., what you pay will be 10% multiplied by $2 billion, or $200,000,000. Think you, as a medical device maker, know how to better use that money, say for R&D? Tough. (Section 9009 (b)).
The reconciliation package turns that into a 2.9% excise tax for medical device makers. Think you, as a medical device maker, know how to better use that money, say for research and development? Tough. (Section 1405).
17. The government will extract a fee of $6.7 billion annually from insurance companies. If you are an insurer, what you will pay depends on your share of net premiums plus 200% of your administrative costs. So, if your net premiums and administrative costs are equal to 10% of the total, you will pay 10% of $6.7 billion, or $670,000,000. In the reconciliation bill, the fee will start at $8 billion in 2014, $11.3 billion in 2015, $1.9 billion in 2017, and $14.3 billion in 2018 (Section 1406).Think you, as an insurance executive, know how to better spend that money? Tough.(Section 9010 (b) (1) (A and B).)
18. If an insurance company board or its stockholders think the CEO is worth more than $500,000 in deferred compensation? Tough.(Section 9014).
19. You will have to pay an additional 0.5% payroll tax on any dollar you make over $250,000 if you file a joint return and $200,000 if you file an individual return. What? You think you know how to spend the money you earned better than the government? Tough. (Section 9015).
That amount will rise to a 3.8% tax if reconciliation passes. It will also apply to investment income, estates, and trusts. You think you know how to spend the money you earned better than the government? Like you need to ask. (Section 1402).
20. If you go for cosmetic surgery, you will pay an additional 5% tax on the cost of the procedure. Think you know how to spend that money you earned better than the government? Tough. (Section 9017).
I just dont understand. If this healthbill is so desirable. why didnt congress and the president accept it, also.
That is an Excellent question.I contacted my congressman and i asked him that same question. He said he will get back to me on that. Well no reply from him as of yet That was two months ago.Hell will freeze over before i get an answer
Give me a break. I am a physician. A young person who decides to forego health insurance to save money? I did that myself for a year or so. I was lucky. Many people, even young people, are not. Who pays when they are out of the blue diagnosed with cancer? Don't think it can happen? Who pays for the care in the emergency room, the intensive care unit, surgery, etc. after a bad car accident? Who do you think is most likely to be in those car accidents? Families are being driven to bankruptcy.
You have a problem with being young and healthy and having to pay for a smoking, drinking, obese person? I don't like it either but I've got news for you. You already do and you are kidding yourself if you think otherwise.
You want to save money by buying a policy with lifetime or annual limits on coverage? Sure you do. Until you have a stroke and need 8 weeks of acute rehab but you saved money on your policy by only paying for 4. Or say you have simple herniated disc surgery and your doctor prescribes 6 weeks of outpatient physical therapy to help with healing and gradually increase your activity? But you only paid for a policy with 2 weeks to save money.
Yes, a single guy without kids will have to pay for pediatric services and a single woman will have to pay for that single guy to have his prostate taken care of if you want to look at it like that.
Don't try to tell me that pharmaceutical companies know best how to use that money. Research and development? The research that always finds that their drugs work and are safe? How much do you think they pay for all those ads?
Well, I could go on. I would like to see everyone take more responsibility for their health. That means eat properly and exercise but it also means no care, no doctor's visit, no CT scan, no hospital stay should be entirely free or totally covered by an insurance plan. That includes Medicare and Medicaid. It is only when people see the connection between their wallets and the care they receive that they will realize the true cost and value.
Not just no CT. I see patients who are taken to an ER by a very expensive ambulance ride for dizziness. THere, they get lab tests, an EKG, and a CAT scan of their head, only to be told to go home and rest, take a pill for dizziness, and see their doctor or specialist in a few days. The cost: thousands of dollars. In Europe, you do not go to the ER for this, you see your doctor who gives you the same pills and you go home and rest. But not here, GOD forgive, you miss their brain tumor! I am waiting to see one of these patients who actually has a brain tumor. But we do this since we can be sued or threatened with a suit by these people. Not in other countries. What a joke, Let us add a little legislation for tort reform. Then you might actually have doctors perform a real exam and treat without fear. The watch our healthcare costs go down. If you do not believe me, when I moved to LA 20 years ago to set up my practice., there were 53 MRI machines in LA alone. In the whole country of Canada, there were only 17. That is why we are such a consuming nation!
Thank you Doctor……..You need to spread this message around as much a spossible
Wow…I didn't realize that there were so many scumbag socialists. Hey wake the hell up. Don't you know that socialism has always failed and always will fail. If you want to live in a socialist country, move to one and stop trying to make the right thinking Americans bow to your will. Right thinking Americans bow to NO MAN!
You don't seem to have much faith in your own people? And I made no comment about paying for those slobs etc as you put it? My comments were about the economic and moral need for this change. I also can see you prefer antagonistic and angry rhetoric, to logic and debate. Pretty typical of those from your side of the argument? I am not interested in judging the habits of your fellow citizens. They will feel the pressure to follow the truth about smoking and alcohol at some juncture of their lives hopefully. What this has to do with my commentary is beyond me?
I hope you live long enough to be able to take “advantage” of this “wonderful” health care sytem.
The items listed by the writer, whether factual or even partially correct, could all be eradicated if the new healthcare program for the United States was a nationwide program that was based solely upon the needs of the people. In other words, a single payer system, without any concerns as to a profit dynamic . I repeat, most of the problems that are now inherent within your new healthcare reform law, as signed today, are present only because of the needs to meet the political reality of compromise, and protection of the interests of the Insurance companies and big Pharmacare. I am sure in a few years unless changed, and with hindsight, it will prove that this was a disastrous compromise and the failure to erase the problem then will have become the 800lb gorilla in the room!….. That of an over bloated, insurance company controlled, bureaucratic nightmare!
You are spreading falsehoods. Please do not continue to spread this nonsense. "A steady stream of our northern brethren" In the name of God where do you get this rubbish from? Canada has an exceptional healthcare system and record, and our life expectancy and overall health is far superior to our "southern brethren"! Additionally heart bypass surgery is a common procedure, with no waiting list for those in need. Check with the NHA of Canada for any statistical information. Please do not do this, as it is an injustice to your own people. Tell the truth at least! get some truthful facts at least before you spout this nonsense!!
Dear Mr. HogBerg:
Having written so passionately about H.R. 3590, you doubtlessly should know its short title as "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act".
As the term "ObamaCare" appear so prominently in your article's title, I searched for it in the 2,409-page bill from the "Rules Committee" link you cited in the article. My search found no reference to "ObamaCare" in the bill.
If you are able, please elaborate on your choice of using "ObamaCare" in the title of your article, which seems to have the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" as its focus.
Finally, your article failed to mention the bill also takes away our freedom to use federal funds for abortion services (Section 1303).
Here's something you didn't think about:
21. If you want to keep 100% of the money you earn, and don't believe in civilization, because you can spend that better than the government to provide a military, a police force, firefighters, roads, bridges, schools, teachers, government, state hospitals, and all the freedoms, safety and security that these things bring you: TOUGH, you selfish, ignorant Tea Bagger.
Dear David,
I can see your upset the “biscuit wheels have fallen off the gravy train” of our corrupted American health care system. I guess now, they’re going to have to start charging more reasonable health care fees closer in line with what every other successful country charges on this planet. Rant on, baby! Knock yourself out! I, for one, am not taking a bite out of your “lofty-sounding patriotic faux fear-mongering chump bait”.
I don’t have to step on & quash down on top of good people with less means than myself doing the best they can to be & feel more successful like you do. I guess by doing that makes you feel better, (& perhaps more superior), about yourself. Some people might call that being a “Classisist”. Isn’t that anti-American too? It's also very old-school British, that's for sure. I guess "publicly" it is a very haughty snobby anti-American thing to be, but privately, someone like yourself can pretend to be an advocate for the "common man" and actually be their worst enemy by helping pass laws that hurt people with less means' finances the worst. What a deceitful selfish beguiling scum you are in my opinion. I guess people could call you a Beguiling Secret Anti-American Closet Classisist. That's what I would call you. But maybe someone out there might have a better name for you.
Wow, you chastise David yet still engage in the same name-calling, character-depraving insults. Hmmm, some would call this hypocritical. Rant on, my friend. Rant on…
Dear David,
I can see your upset the “biscuit wheels have fallen off the gravy train” of our corrupted American health care system. I guess now, they’re going to have to start charging more reasonable health care fees closer in line with what every other successful country charges on this planet. Rant on, baby! Knock yourself out! I, for one, am not taking a bite out of your “lofty-sounding patriotic faux fear-mongering chump bait”.
I don’t have to step on & quash down on top of good people with less means than myself doing the best they can to be & feel more successful like you do. I guess by doing that makes you feel better, (& perhaps more superior), about yourself. Some people might call that being a “Classisist”. Isn’t that anti-American too? It's also very old-school British, that's for sure. I guess "publicly" it is a very haughty snobby anti-American thing to be, but privately, someone like yourself can pretend to be an advocate for the "common man" and actually be their worst enemy by helping pass laws that hurt people with less means' finances the worst. What a deceitful selfish beguiling scum you are in my opinion. I guess people could call you a Beguiling Secret Anti-American Closet Classisist. That's what I would call you. But maybe someone out there might have a better name for you.
jams m.convey How stupid can you be.We have a country of fat over weight slobes that could careless on how they take care of themselves.People who enduldge themselves in to much alchol.AND FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO STILL SMOKE.They are complete IDIOTS And you think we should be pating for this
Hurrah for this first step toward a truly caring health dynamic within the great republic!'' Your words''
How can you have a healthy care dynamic when people don't care about there own health.
It will be, if people like you don't destroy it first, a progressive ongoing march toward a similar system (as in France and UK )whereby doctors will be rewarded for improving the health "prevention aspects" of their patients lives. Rather than the present, " save only if there is a profit in it ". system! Does that address your complaint?
I said " toward a caring health dynamic" not a "healthy care dynamic"? If you wish to criticize or debate lets try and stay on the same subject at least?
To James m., "where doctors will be rewarded for improving the health 'prevention aspects' of their patients lives". I am a doctor and have treated thousands of patients. How many have you taken care of?A large percentage of patients do not follow what we tell them. I tell at least one or two people per day to lose weight, get them involved in weight loss or dietary programs. The failure rate for the last 20 years is huge. Even the cancer patients I treat will often refuse to stop smoking. People want an easy fix, whether surgery or a magic pill. There is no magic. I exercise, I watch my diet, why can't they? Also, where is the fact of taking responsibility for yourself? THese are lifestyle choices. Will the government now mandate that we must stop smoking, drinking, lose weight, and stop super-sizing our McDonald meals? I wish they would, it might make my job easier.
Rewards you say? Not with a lawyer breathing down my neck at every decision I make. I agree with Steve above, there was no tort reform. And there will be none as long as lawyers run the country. Get to the real issues. It will cost so much more than anyone can imagine. There may be rationing or long waits. I could write for pages on this issue. Even now, one of the insurances I accept has P4P (pay for performance). I got dinged last year on this for my "access". I am a specialist and it takes more than two weeks to see me for an elective problem. Therefore, I get paid less. I guess quantity is and will be better than quality. ANd this is what your government is mandating. Have fun, it will be one hell of a ride!!!!!!!!!
More libertarian idiocy. These reforms are something that should have happened at the end of the 2nd world war. Then by now a proper system would be a reality, instead of this piece meal reform, which is only the first step toward what must be an adequate social change. Every forward thinking individual on the planet, recognizes that healthcare must be an essential right, in order for a society to prosper. Not only on monetary issues, but on the ethical and moral planes as well! It is the criminally hedonistic approach of the minority, that "only the wealthy should have access to the fruits of society," that has caused this ongoing negativity within the US national conscience. Hurrah for this first step toward a truly caring health dynamic within the great republic!
Why is this just coming out, that a former CBO head tells the truth about ObamaCare when Democrats were telling us we would save money?
As mentioned in the NY Times (March 21st) and the March 22nd NY Post, "As former Congressional Budget Office head Douglas Holtz-Eakin wrote in a column published in Sunday's New York Times: "If you strip out all the gimmicks and budgetary games and rework the calculus, a wholly different picture emerges: The health care reform legislation would raise, not lower, federal deficits, by $562 billion."
That's Change I cannot believe in.
No Dismal, what happened in history is that we knew Medicaid would be fiscally detrimental and unsustainable and that's exactly where it's headed. Don't count your chickens before they hatch. The worst is yet to come in this country financially. The current band-aides will not cure the fundamental flaws with socialism, and violating the constitution. It's funny how all the libs neglect to talk about the specific issues mentioned in David's amazing fact list.
No Dismal, what happened in history is that we knew Medicaid would be fiscally detrimental and unsustainable and that's exactly where it's headed. Don't count your chickens before they hatch. The worst is yet to come in this country financially. The current band-aids will not cure the fundamental flaws with socialism, and violating the constitution. It's funny how all the libs neglect to talk about the specific issues mentioned in David's amazing piece.
No Dismal, what happened in history is that we knew Medicaid would be fiscally detrimental and unsustainable and that's exactly where it's headed. Don't count your chickens before they hatch. The worst is yet to come in this country financially. The current band-aids will not cure the fundamental flaws with socialism, and violating the constitution. It's funny how all the libs neglect to talk about the specific issues mentioned in David's amazing piece.
The simple facts are: Obama was the most liberal democrat in the Senate and this Obamacare is to appease his ideology and his liberal voters. It will tax people to the sky and decrease the pursuit of excellence in America. Yes, we will be more like Canada, which is mediocre. America was always about pursuit of greatness and morality. The progressive liberal movement is killing this excellence. There were easier, smarter ways to improve the rising healthcare costs, such as: fraud pursuit and percecution, tort reform to lower medical malpractice costs, and allowing people to go across state lines to get affordable healthcare. Which of these were included in the behind closed doors liberal ideology healthcare plan? Um, none of them. Thus, this plan will give healthcare to fat lazy people who eat too much, smoke too much, don't exercise and we all will pay for it. The constitution does not say I have to pay for others healthcare, and I don't want to unless I decide to give to a charity (which I do often). Our hundreds of thousands or dead and crippled veterans fought for freedom, not for healthcare for the lazy and stupid. Entitlements are killing us, and it's not even a slow death, Obama, Pelosi and Reid are doing it at an alarming speed. We'll see what happens in November and 2012, but I already have some bags packed for a more free country – Thailand. And yes, they have a King. Oh ya, our Pres. thinks he is a King too, I almost forgot.
Steve you are so correct.I agree with you' when you use common sense that is how you can come to that conclusion..This bill was stuffed down our throats.Bob
You and Steve deserve each other. Narrow minded and terribly limited and dangerous thinking!
You wrote: "The progressive liberal movement is killing this excellence …". Could you please recap for us europeans – what excellence are you talking about and why have you been preventing the rest of the world from seeing any of it?? On the other hand – when you mention 2012, I think packing your bags is the best you can do, and Thailand sholud be just the first stop for you …
I'm pretty sure this is badly written legislation, too influenced by the big corporations who will probably continue to profit as much as before but this article is full of bull. Big pharma spends more money on advertising than they do on research. Compensation to top executives is over the top, more than twice historical norms going back hundreds of years in real dollars. Ditto for the insurance companies. Are they all of a sudden going to funnel more money into research? I have more sympathy for the medical device makers.
We have the least efficient medical system in the developed world and the most corrupted. Why anyone would want to save it in its current form is beyond me. Well perhaps the very rich in all fields of endeavor who have profited from all the corruption would. Why should they spend any of their ill gotten bonus money to get things back on track. They would prefer a Dickensian world and social darwinism.
The only true and proper economic and actuarial solution, and what would have been even more dividing, would have been to eliminate the "for profit" dynamic altogether. Given the power exerted by the Insurance lobby, war might have broken out however…:-) This has been done with Govt run Auto insurance in many countries incidentally, (to great success I may add) which enhances the "peoples treasury" accordingly and reduces their personal tax burdens year after year. No Insurance companies and no shareholders to enrich.
Somehow I believe this is only a step in that direction and I for one believe that the ultimate goal ha to be the single payer system for healthcare with a PPP system for the wealthy to use as a matter of choice for "elective" procedures.
Good job David. You are spot on. Layne and the others are just bitter because their lives suck and they enjoy free handouts like this at the expense of the country in which hundreds of thousands of real Americans have fought and died for. The founding fathers are rolling over in their graves right now at the sight of hacks like Obama, Pelosi and Reid attempting to turn the U.S. in to the former East Germany.
you've got that right !!! we need to get obama, PELOSI and reid , they are a pox on the american people.
It's funny that whenever you state facts and tell someone what's going to happen based on facts in Canada, England etc. they blame it on the fact that they are a Republican. It's not a political stance people are taking against this socialistic movement by the most liberal politician in the Senate from 2006-2010 (Barry Obama). The opposition is based on overspending and entitlements. The large majority of Americans do not want to pay the bill for the fat, lazy people who smoke all day and are too stupid to manage their own money in order to pay for their own healthcare. Economic conservatives like me are very willing to do common sense things like tort reform to lower malpractice insurance costs and in turn lower medical costs. We are also willing to support allowing people the option to get their healthcare coverage from outside their own monopolistic state. Those are effective fixes that will offer healthcare at a fair price, to all that want it. This government takeover version is get catering to the lazy and worthless and is going to reduce the pursuit of excellence (going to the moon, finding disease cures, Apple, Microsoft, Google) and increase dependency. The only hope of America not deteriorating rapidly is to get Obama, Pelosi, Reid and the other left wing nuts out of office as soon as possible. Otherwise we will end up with alot of useless, tuque wearing bums and butt-pirates like they have in Canada.
"It'll save money in the long run." "It'll pay for itself." "The multiplier effect will benefit the local economy." We've heard this nonsense and numerous variatians claimed for every program or project from nominal Republicans, Democrats, Progressives, you name 'em. The physicians will not disappear into the hills being available only to 'pioneer stock' that seek them. More folks will have medical care at greater total cost and at middling quality. Better care will still be available to those that budget for it and secure the service before needed. What about the middle class? "Tough", I guess. For those aspiring for better, dream on.
Hey! It's not FREE healthcare for all – we are ALL going to pay! And more. Watch your wallets. C
What's the big deal? Oh. OK. You are a Republican. Now your comment makes sense.
Hogberg's rant, and those who echo his bleatings remind this old codger of how MEDICARE (which is truly socialized medical care, alonmg with the VA) were going to drive all the doctors away from medicine, shutter hospitals, etc. Alberta Canada went through this trauma in the 1960s and now all of Canada has universal health insurance.
If one reads U.S. history, "conservatives have said the same things aboutt child labor laws, inspection of meat packing plants, antitrust legislation, etc.
my daughter lives in canada and has for 30 years, if that system is so great why do the older canadians have to come to the united states for heart surgery? why are their doctors leaving? she has to drive from windsor to drive 2 hours for an MRI.
I read recently that Walgreen's in Washington is no longer accepting new Medicare presriptions. We have all heard about the difficulties that some Medicare patients have finding doctors to treat them. We also know about the poor quality of care offered through the VA. Medicare costs are increasing faster that other medical costs and have huge unfunded liabilities. I think you made Hogberg's arguement for him.
Medicare and the VA health care system are very effective to 99.9% of users. Again, if you don't like these health care system, don't use them. Simple. Noone is forcing use to use them.. Remember health care is your responsibility.
The elimination of personal freedoms in the right of choice and liberal government mandates and restrictions on businesses and physicians will leave us with third world quality of health care. Once everybody gets over the euphoria of health care for all in exchange for quality enthusism will falter and if people die because they cannot get healthcare in a timely manner but had to wait all of this celebration will turn to anger.
That may be your OPINION but it is NOT borne out by the FACTS
I'm wishing you could not participate in this health care program. You don't deserve it.
What about the student loan programs in all of this mess?If your child has to use government funding only, do any of you realize what this government may ask or demand from you in the future? how about a year of volunteer services? How about a job within this fast growing government? All pushed on you so that you do not have to pay back the loan? How about if the interest payments are such that it becomes the only way out for a young person? Once all of that happens the government controls every aspect of everything. Remember, they want the IRS to handle all of the insurance information,everything about you is in their files. If the student loan program HANDLED buy the government also goes through, then the government has all of your financial information as well. This is a massive takeover, we can not allow any of this to take place.
You seem to one, "of those people" who see a challenge to their, "liberty" under every rock. Come into the 21 century
Hey, don't use the student loan program, if you don't want to play by the rules. Noone is forcing you Pay for your education yourself.. Remember, it's your responsibility.
does no one get tired of all the alarmist,negative,republican lies? universal health care should be embraced. only uncaring,greedy,selfish animals would want to keep it in the hands of the few rich companies who can do as they wish with peoples lives.
bravo sir, well said
Hope there is provision in the HCR act to let individuals opt out. But don't expect any care from any hospital or doctor if you can't pay for it yourself. This includes heart attacks, care accidents, etc.
I knew your "reviewer" would not post my comment, because he is a COMMIE mole like all the rest.
Jon Doe
Wake up and get with the program rather than being opressed by it!!!!!!!!!!!!
YESSS, comrade!!
Maybe the states should consider secession. The Federal government is usurping it's constitutional power and deserves to lose control of the states.
That happens to be your opinion!! Are you a constitutional lawyer?????????????????
You do not have to be a "constitutional lawyer" to be able to read and understand the Constitution. Probably something you have never done. Is very explicit. Of course the Constitution represents an obstacle to the leftwing liberal mindset.
Your rabid liberal 'screaming' is apparent even in your post. Don't let reality and the facts confuse you.
You may just get your wish. The old United States is gone. Let's break it up into 51 different states. But I get to con trol the nukes!
Welcome to Amerikka's new socialist dictatorship, courtesy of the marxist moles in the "democratic" party and in the media, and thanks to the morons in love with our Kenian impostor "president".
Hogberg conveniently overlooks the fact that Insurance companies are essentially a cost plus business and increasing costs give them more profits. If costs droped 20% (say by imposing a uniform accounting and billing system) what would happent to insurance company profits. Hogberg also overlooks the fact that the most efficient delivery system for healthcare in the US is the VA System. How do I know? Simple, it hasn't been privatized – The VA delivers very good quality care at about 1/3 the cost of the private sector. I'd like to see a an honest comparison between the VA and Private sector care and costs.
My (now deceased) brother-in-law was an Army Korean War infantryman, then switched to the navy just before Viet Nam got really going. After he suffered a paralyzing stroke, he was in and out of VA hospitals in Maryland for three years. You sound like someone who has NEVER gone to see the state of the VA hospital at Perry Point in Maryland, or the FT Howard VA hospital, where he died unexpectedly and for some unknown reason where his corpse received numerous abrasions and cuts and the place where the CIVILIAN funeral director stated that the body seemed to have been disrespectfully handled.
I beg to differ with you on the VA delivering "very good quality care" Cost lower, yes. But based on my family's experiences I am terrified of what the clutzy bureaucracy that is our growing government can deliver. My bro in law waited 7+ months for a colonoscopy. Discovered blockages in the pre-procedure checkup, had a quadruple bypass, languished in the hospital with a staph infection for 13 months. No counseling on diet, served high starch crud in the hospital, gained weight, tore a shoulder muscle getting out of bed, still waiting for that surgery. WAS, however, given a lap-band surgery for the weight problem, then no counseling on what to eat. Now up to 345 pounds. I am not impressed with the VA's non-privatized care. And I am terrified because now I will be forced to experience that care in the not too distant future.
The Va is the best health care system I have experienced. Sure are there mistakes made. Yes, but overall it's a good system. Don't use it, if you don't like it. Noone is making you go there.
This will now increase the resolve of the American people to get to the bottom of whether or not Obama is eligible to be President and whether any law he signs is valid. Since Obama has spent over $2 Million in covering up the discovery of a valid birth certificate (if he has one at all), and covering up his medical and school/college records which would show where he was born, it is apparent that this fool is not a valid President. He is nothing more than a Usurper-In-Chief. No real American would be doing what he and his ilk are doing to this country.
To put it bluntley you are CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Whacko!!! Alias, right wing-nut.
Wacko!!! Alias, left wing-nut. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. What a hypocrite! You need to change your name from TruthPeeler to TruthStealer if you REALLY want to be honest and truthful, but I doubt it judging by your idiotic comments. I've got some beach front property in Montana I'd like to sell you for pennies on the dollar. It's just as good a deal as this national health care bill.
Hogberg's alarmist interpretation is reminiscent of Canada's experience with health care. Doctors, Church groups and business decried the decision for national health care. After more than 40 years only a very very few would want to return to the old ways. The American business community in the form of the drug companies have lied about Canada's healthcare.
Fear is the vehicle Hogberg uses. Passion and emotion is the drive that has supplanted reason.
Jake Buhler
Saskatoon, SK
Canada
Why did the Prime Minister of Canada come to the US last month for heart surgery ?
He stated it was HIS heart that's why.
Because the U.S. has the best health care system in the world, if you can afford it. If you can't, have no insurance, and live in fairly close proximity to Canada you obtain a fake Canadian ID and go to Canada for health care.
I got news for you, you don't need a fake ID to be treated in Canada. You just need to be sick .Same in France same in England same in Europe etc. Not so in the US! Come and visit and see for yourself. We care for the sick! That is the difference! Our health statistics are far superior to your US numbers. Our life expectancy is 3 years longer, our costs are below 12% of our GDP, yours is 18% and growing toward 20% this year. We have the same professional medical standards of education, and some of the foremost surgeons and health specialists on the planet. We do not have insurance company lobbyists running our government! I dare you to do the comparisons and prove your claim that the US system is somehow better?
The Prime Minister of Canada is a known conservative ally of you know who. Nuf said.
Get your facts straight Bay Al. It think it was the Premier of Newfoundland.Labrador one of the 10 provinces of Canada.
Only an ill-informed person would say this. Of course the Prime Minister of Canada did NOT go to the USA for heart surgery. He never had heart surgery.
Several years ago, 50,000 Americans crossed the border into Ontario for free medical care. Tight security now makes that impossible as the USA requires Americans to use passports
It was a Canadian province ‘governor’ or provincial ‘premier’ that came to FL for heart surgery because it was “his heart”.
I seriously doubt any such unsubstantiated figure as “50,000 American’s crossed the border” for healthcare. Why would they cross the border to get on a 6 month waiting list and then maybe get care when they could have walked into any emergency room, with or without insurance, in the USA for immediate care of a much higher quality?
It was not the Prime minister of Canada. He was a minor premier of a smaller province,from a region of the country that is somewhat bereft of specialists in the field particular to his unique condition. The closest available happened to be the eastern US. There are facilities that could have treated him in Western Canada but the distance (4400 miles)and travel were much too inconvenient and might have endangered him too much. Please check your facts before you once again copy the Republican negative viewpoint of Canada's excellent healthcare system. Whatever negative opinion you have heard about our system or that of almost any European country are blatent falsehoods or exaggeration of the facts by the "spinmeisters" of the Republican party. You are being lied to!!.
Sorry, but I have family in Canada. They talk about coming to the states for anything more serious than a cough or cold! And there is a steady stream of our northern brethern coing south on a regular basis for"emergency procedures" they can not gey there like like bypass surgeries, which would be leaving them to die back home! Thanks to agreements with many hospitals, many in the Detroit area. The ambulances with these folks come screaming across the border with lights and sirens blaring often almost every day!
Agreed. It will also bankrupt this country within a decade and trashes our constitution
You are entitled to your OPINION but you are NOT entitled to your own facts. Wake up and smell the roses, you and the others of your ilk are wrong and will ALWAYS will be wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The “smell of roses” is probably as close as you will ever get to actual “facts”. Typical screaming (!!!!!!!!!!) delusional liberal rabidly spouting totally inane BS.