Government Run Health Care You Vote For It, You Use It

[lisabob22]

what a fucking lying idiot. There is no public option  in the health care insurance reform passed last year. We would all benefit from having a Medicare for any American who wanted option.

[dgs2091]

We already have a government run health plan Mr. Congressman. It's called MEDICARE...!!! ENOUGH ALREADY..!! When will you sponser a plan to scrap that "socialist" program? Where is your petition from the seniors in this country who want to abandon medicare? AFRAID to TALK about that right? I THOUGHT SO...!!! Wake up people and realize that it is this very rhetoric that keeps the middle class bearing the brunt of the costs and reaping the fewest rewards...!! They want us right where we are...!!!

[wen790]

THE ENTIRE COUNTRY IS A MESS

george bush radical war

obama with health care

THEN AGAIN I WOULD TAKE HEALTH CARE INSTEAD OF WATCHING SOLDIERS BLOW THE BODIES APART FROM A HOLY WAR WE WILL NEVER WIN

[lisabob22]

@wen790 health care yearly huge increases in cost needs to be addressed. Health costs are what is driving future deficits. If we had health care costs similar to other modern countries that have better health care systems we would be running a small surplus or a small deficits right now. The private sector is driving up health care costs every year. Medicare actually works better than private insurance for basic health care. And Medicare controls costs much better.

[hoosiermama5357libin]

I agree -make the Dems. go on the Public Option and make all the Republicans give up their subsidised-2/3s of their premiums are paid by tax payers- and have them come out into the market to get their insurance. What a bunch of hypocrits!!!! Everyone in the fed is on the dole! Don't force these Republicans to be socialists!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jackiemarkeia]

It appears that the dictator Obama and his liberal Democratic servents are planning on ramming this down our throats regardless of our outrage and outright rejection to this health care plan. Trow Obama out in 2012,and Dems in congress in 2010.Then have new congress and new president change,amend or throw this health care bill out the door, if it gets signed into law, stating that it is unconstitutional to force a health care plan on Americans that have free choice.

[Beachman212]

require congressmen and senators to take the same healthcare plan they force on us (under proposed legislation they are now, and have always in the past, been curiously exempt).

[craigdvm]

Think about this: How has the gov't done at managing a governement-run retirement plan (Social Security)? AWEFUL!!! I dont expect to get 1 cent from SSI for my retirement, even though I have paid tens of thousands into the thing. If the Federal Government is put in charge of national healthcare, EXPECT NOTHING DIFFERENT!!! Healthcare will suck for everyone just as SSI does now!!

[GodsGalaxy]

It's obvious that some these people haven't read a summary of the more than 1,000 pages in Obama's health care plan. Anyone who reads and understands it will not want any part of the plan. Can you say EUTHANASIA?

Google "ORGANIZATIONAL CHART OF THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS' HEALTH PLAN".

Everyone except politicians will be forced onto the plan. When you need a doctor, you will apply to a panel who will decide if you are eligible. If you are a senior or very ill, you may be counciled on how to die!

[Brutuses2]

Good for this Senator.  Let's see Nancy's response to this. That old bat!!

[zorq2]

This (non-binding) resolution would "force" congress persons voting "yea" on the heath reform bill to "agree to choose" the government run health care? Talk about a waste of time.

Better idea: Attach an amendment to the health reform bill abolishing the current government run insurance for congresspersons so that they would be forced into the broken private insurance system that Republicans love oh so much, or into the new Government option that Republicans are trying oh so hard to sabotage.

[MrQuickwit09]

Ah brilliant idea, support another broke medicare medicaid system. I think we've already proven time and time again that the government has no business trying to run healthcare or anything else for that matter.

[zorq2]

That's odd because the grumpy old users of medicare rate their satisfaction with their health care much higher than young users in the private insurance system. Stereotyping for a moment, it seems like those grumpy old farts who use Medicare usually love to take time to complain about anything at all. If Medicare is so bad, why do you suppose it's users like it so much better than the users of private insurance?

[MrQuickwit09]

My G/F works with hospice patients with medicare, they hate it. So I'll go ahead and say either the study is B.S. or the elderly surveyed were drugged up; or when you compare medicare to nothing I suppose it would be all peaches and cream. I love my private insurance and that option is being taken away from me by Obama. So much for liberty and freedom.

[zorq2]

Of course, second hand paraphrased gossip always trumps scientifically conducted, statistically significant surveys.

Wait, no it doesn't.

Good luck with your willful pursuit of ignorance.

[MrQuickwit09]

hmm statistically significant surveys, you mean like the one that 25% of doctors refuse to provide care to medicare patients? Your stupidity is astounding. A majority of medicare patients are happy with medicare? You should look again 37% are happy.... woooooooooww break out the wine 37% is a significant majority..... good job, you have proven yourself an idiot yet again. The only study I found where a majority of elderly were happy was from 2000. (this is 2009)

[zorq2]

Where did I ever use the word "majority?" Go back and read what I said because your reading comprehension is clearly lacking. When I referred to "statistically significant" surveys I was referencing their large sample size as opposed to your girlfriend's alleged conversations with a few people.

Are you ready to admit that studies say people who use Medicare more happy with their coverage than people who use private insurance? Or do you still believe your girlfriend's second hand gossip?

[MrQuickwit09]

Are you ready to admit that Obama himself told the elderly to "take a pill" (direct quote from Obama) instead of worry about treatment? You see, the problem is that Obama realizes that the elderly are no longer a tax base and so he does not give a shit if they live or die which is exactly why they get the shaft in the new health care plan.

[MrQuickwit09]

Statistically significant? How is 37% statistically significant regardless of the sample size? 3500 is not a significant sample size by the way...

Interesting study titled "More Problems Than Solutions in Medicare Report" pretty much says medicare is FAILING.

The second report "Medicare's Two Fundamental Problems" shows how jacked up the system is and why.

[MrQuickwit09]

Oh yeah... new headline today in the news... "Dozens Nabbed in Medicare Fraud Busts" Horrraaay medicare works..... (unless you have your eyes open)

[bigcatsnake]

I suggest you, unlike most of congress, read this health care bill. Obama wants to rush this through b/c of all the crap that is written in. e.g. health care for all immigrants both legal and illegal, government acess to personal bank accounts for transfer of funds, all doctors on same flat pay rate regardless of specialization. That last one is the one that kills, doctors go to school and become good at what they do to make money. If there's no incentive we won't have the best and people die.

[zorq2]

Maybe once the bill is finalized both you AND I will be able to read it to judge its merits. Until it is finalized, all the bullshit you mentioned is at best hearsay.

[bigcatsnake]

As far as Obama and Pelosi are concerned it is finalized. You can read the bill now! it's available. If it wasn't in the final form why would Obama want it voted on before the Aug. break? Look around at other examples of gov. run health care, who has ever had sucess? Would you like to go to France or Canada for surgery? or might there be a reason that people travel here for procedures? I love privately run health care, but of course why should the good of the majority get in the way of the few

[zorq2]

I'd go to France for surgery any day. They have a health care system that ranks above the US in international studies every time. It's usually in the top three while the US is usually somewhere in the 20's. If you really think a system who's dedication is to keeping share holders happy above keeping policy holders healthy, a system that values bottom line profit above base human misery, is a system you want, I think you've drunk the kool-aid.

[MrQuickwit09]

Quick question for you... How did universal health care turn out in Obama's home state?

Your ASSumptions are not only way off base. (you specifically assume the government cares about the patients like in Canada *rolls eyes*) Nevermind the government only cares about your health if you are not; elderly, a veteran, or any one of a number of groups of people. Obama even said it in an interview that old people should take a pill instead of seeking treatment. Wow.... brilliance .

[zorq2]

Illinois has never had universal health care coverage. I don't know what you are referring to. Are you the one making assumptions?

Publicly-traded insurance is not merely motivated by profit, it is legally obligated to make as much money as possible. If that means halting coverage for seriously ill patients they can and will do it.

25% of people with private insurance in the US who suffer a major illness or injury have their coverage dropped immediately. Another 25% are dropped within 1 year.

[zorq2]

A Quick correction. "Nationally, a quarter of firms cancel coverage immediately when an employee suffers a disabling illness; another quarter do so within a year."

[MrQuickwit09]

HAHAHAA Illinois is Obama's home state? HAHAHAH Jackass, Hawaii is Obama's home state and it HAS had a universal health care plan... AND IT FAILED.... HAHAHA ILLINOIS I'm dying here. Your ill-informed attempts to prove me wrong are laughable. now I KNOW you just make shit up.

[zorq2]

Since when is the state where you were born the state where your HOME is? Obama doesn't have a home in Hawaii. Illinois is his HOME STATE because that is where he lives in his HOME. Don't worry, I'll understand if these concepts are too complex for you to comprehend. Also, Hawaii never had Universal health care either. It had a program that tried to cover children who didn't already have coverage but too many parents switched over to use the government option, and it ran out of money.

[MrQuickwit09]

Technically his HOME as YOU put it would now be Washington, D.C. good job proving yourself a jackass again. If you search for "home state" of certain famous people you find their birth place not their home of residence. nice try

Ummm google "universal child health care hawaii"

Hmmm so it failed right? why did it fail? because the plan sucked, thats all it boils down to. useful idiot.

[zorq2]

The place you sleep isn't your home. Obama calls a house in Illinois home. Senators and Congresspersons sleep in DC, they call their respective states "home." As I said, I don't really expect you to comprehend subjects this complicated.

As I pointed out, If Hawaii's child health care "sucked" why was it so popular? It's downfalls was that it wasn't funded well enough to accommodate the huge influx of users because of the crashing economy.

[MrQuickwit09]

Um... look up the definition of home... one is your place of origin.. your lack of understanding is appauling. ... aka if I'm visiting france but live in new zealand but was born in america. you would probably feel compelled to explain your complete situation. but now you are just arguing symantics.

If it was such an awesome plan, then why did it fail?

[MrQuickwit09]

It makes no sense fiscally whatsoever to create a government run health care plan. Which would you rather have. 60% taxes or 1500 a quarter health care plan? (assuming you make 60-80k a year)

[MrQuickwit09]

by the way, hawaii's, now failed, health care plan was so popular because taxpayers were footing the bill... if you are paying taxes on something dont you want to reap the rewards of it?

[zorq2]

Okay, then I guess G W Bush's home state was Connecticut and not Texas. Which state do you think he calls "home?" Clearly you don't have a clue.

I told you why the plan failed. Two times now. Seriously, reading comprehension is a good thing. Try it out.

[MrQuickwit09]

You're right I have absolutely no clue... I just go by webster's dictionary it is TOOOOOTTALLLY wrong.... jackass. webster's = home: (a place of origin)

just as I would say (if anyone asked) my home state is wisconsin but I live in virginia.

hmmmm so lets see then we agree the plan failed because the plan sucked? and then we want to try a universal health care plan for the whole U.S. when it couldnt even support a few thousand people in one state? There is a reason medicare is failing.

[zorq2]

You think it is a coincidence that Websters dictonary definitions 1, 3, and 4 TOOOOOOTTALLLY agree with me and only definition 4 can be interpreted to agree with you? Ask Obama where his home is. What do you think He'll tell you? Like I said. You don't have a clue.

I also see you're reading comprehension has failed you again. How unfortunate.

[MrQuickwit09]

I think his exact words be that he lives in the white house but is from Hawaii. how hard is that to understand? just do a simple "google" search of Obama hometown hawaii and it brings up numerous articles with the TITLE obama's hometown hawaii.

I also see you're reading comprehension has failed you again. How unfortunate.

[zorq2]

I think his exact words would be that he lives in the white house, he was born in Hawaii, but his home is in Illinois. How is that hard to understand?

... Reading comprehension... Yawn.

[MrQuickwit09]

Sigh... is this what its come to? a ridiculous argument (which you are wrong about) about Obama's home state because you can't argue ONE valid point about health care?

Besides Obama's OWN words say Hawaii will ALWAYS be his home... ME 1 YOU 0

[zorq2]

You're the one who keeps changing the subject. I've made several points about health care that you have failed to seriously address.

Do you now want to explain to me how Private insurance companies DON'T value shareholders above policy holders? I didn't think so.

"One of the reasons I'm a U.S. senator is that I got strong support from places like southern Illinois ...," Obama said.

"These are areas back in my HOME STATE that are pro-gun, very religious and with low minority populations ...."

[MrQuickwit09]

Explain to me how they do? Besides if the insurance is such an awesome get rich way to go then why don't you get into it?

Hawaii will always my home. - Barak Obama

[MrQuickwit09]

It all boils down to this point.... Which would you rather have 1500 a quarter insurance (mine is only 600 a quarter) or 60% taxes to pay for a universal health care plan that doesnt work?

Please explain to me how medicare and medicaid are not broken.

[zorq2]

Publicly traded companies are mandated by law to maximize profit. If they fail to do so then they open themselves to lawsuit from their shareholders. Therefore, their priorities are first and foremost to the shareholders. Of course it helps that the size of employee/management bonuses is often reflected in the amount of profit they haul in. Greed is a great motivator to deny customer claims.

Hawaii may "always be his home" but he apparently doesn't think it's his "home state."

[MrQuickwit09]

then by the your very own argument lawsuits would prevent insurerers from denying claims as well. according to your argument (by your logic) insurerers would be required to deny ALL claims to maximize profits therefore would be open to lawsuit ALL of the time

apparently he believes both are according to webster's and his own admonission.

[zorq2]

Eh, no. Do you know anything about the real world? There are other laws that require insurance companies to comply with their contracts (fulfill claims). The shareholder laws insist that they deny as many claims that fall into grey-areas or loopholes as possible.

[MrQuickwit09]

Well I would be inclined to believe you if you could produce evidence that shareholder laws insist that they deny as many claims as possible.

Besides not all insurance companies are publicly traded, people have a choice in what insurance company they have (at least for now). Apparently you know nothing about the real world....

[zorq2]

Arnoud W.A. Boot & Jonathan R. Macey, Monitoring Corporate Performance: The Role of

Objectivity, Proximity and Adaptability in Corporate Governance, 89 CORNELL L. REV. 356, 363 n.21

(2004) Argues that U.S. corporate law obligates management to pursue the maximization of the value of

the shareholders investment, and no other interest.

You really think the private insurance companies care about making profit less than the public ones? Just how naive are you?

[MrQuickwit09]

All I'm saying is that if an insurerer doesnt do what is covered in the policy (its your obligation to know your policy as well) then you can sue.

[MrQuickwit09]

But your argument fails on many different levels to include how a universal health care plan is intended to hold up when medicare itself is failing. 1 in 5 (12 million people) medicare patients end up in the hospital within a month of discharge according to Dr. Eric Coleman. 1 in 3 were back in the hospital within 3 months. The practice cost the government roughly 17 billion in one year alone.

[zorq2]

Which argument fails? I think this comment belongs in one of the other conversations you're following.

[MrQuickwit09]

Is your reading comprehension failing you again? Do you need me to explain? My comments have shown thoroughly the government cannot support a health care plan... and it WILL fail. not only that .... the very video shows that congresspeople are unwilling to join the plan because it sucks.

[zorq2]

You're telling me that weakling nations like Sweeden and Denmark can support universal health care plans but you don't think a powerhouse like the USA can handle the challenge?

The video doesn't offer any insight as to why congress persons might or might not want to join the plan. In other words, you just lied.

Now if a congress person did choose to not use the bill they are discussing, it might be because they already have a very cushy government funded health insurance plan. Imagine that.

[MrQuickwit09]

Flemming already said it; congressmembers get premium care. did you not understand the video?

Arent taxes in sweeden nearly 80%? a quick "google" of sweden health care shows the system is failing with ONLY 9 million people on it. Great example another failing system with only a handful of people on it.

[MrQuickwit09]

As for denmark (only 5 million on the health care plan) 85% of the health care costs are covered by taxes...

thanks again for two more examples in MY favor. Denmark and Sweden are the two highest taxed nations in the industrialized world... is that what we want for the united states?

No thanks, I'll take private health care over 60% taxes any day.

[BHollivan]

the village idiot from Kenya CLEARLY said in his campaign that WE THE PEOPLE should be able to have the SAME health care that HE and HIS WIFE and HIS CHILDREN have through the govt. Now... if OUR care would be the same as HIS care, why wouldn't everyone on capitol hill jump on it like a duck on a junebug? 'Cause it's CRAP.

Sweeden and Denmark have higher than 50% taxes (on EVERYONE) and also doesn't have the illegals, and military to fund/feed.

[MrQuickwit09]

here's a couple title's for you..

"Obama Hometown Ball | KGMB9 News Hawaii "

North Korea 's threatening America , Obama's hometown in Hawaii ...

underway for parties in Washington, D.C., but also in Obama's hometown in Hawaii

I can keep going there's only about 900,000 with that state Obama's hometown/homestate is in Hawaii. ]

here's the best article:

Hawaii will always be home for President Barack Obama

[Iris054]

6 million Americans travel abroad each year for medical treatment or surgeries. One out of three Americans are uninsured. 18,000 per year die because of it.

[74SCARAB]

Your stats are completely erroneous. About 47m are uninsured. There is overlap between these groups but: 18m can afford it but don't want it (income of $50-75k); 8.4m are 18-25 and don't want it; 12.6m are illegals; 9.4m are in between jobs (+/-4 months); 8m are children covered under parents plans; 3.5m eligible for Govt programs but not signed up. In the end 9-12m truly need assistance. Also, 81% of those with insurance LIKE IT!

[athorpe923]

The Dems will not allow this, they know that this medical "reform" will not work. At least we have some republicans with backbone to start this bill. You will never see a dem even consider this.

[ZaKEEuS]

This is the most sense I've heard a republican make all day

[brettweston]

awesome! if the dems think this plan is so good..they should enroll in it :)

[LaurelW777]

Way to go Fleming.

[cdm1972]

Gotta love bold freshman reps that aren't entrenched in the system and out of touch with Americans.