Schwarzenegger dimisses single-payer health system

[TheRasenganrules]

if u liked this dont worry...hell be back

[boorens18]

Alright nevermind.....All I was asking was, what exactly about a public option is so negative? How about this, would you accept the other proposal of allowing people to buy into medicaid? Is that a good idea to you? Its virtually a public option.

[shaithis45]

@boorens18, that is exactly what I was getting at in regards to Medicare and Medicaid. That's the socialized system which our lovely U.S. govt has failed to elaborate on or make that the option to expand it to everyone. And let's see, I've been gracioulsy donating to my govt via forced deductions out of my check for awhile so if govt is really serious about socializing the system, either you increasing the contributions out of a persons check where coverage is automatic or make it an option.

[shaithis45]

@boorens18, in regards to Canada all I can say is thank you for "You Can't Do That on Television" along with saying your country is quite scenic and adventurous especially when it comes to Quebec. Probably most rememerable drive was along the south shore of New Brunswick en route to Nova Scotia. That and flying out of Canada without my passport twice :) May god keep your land glorious and free of greed and corruption and never become like the U.S. political cesspool.

[boorens18]

As for dropping your coverage? Why? Why would you drop healthcare given that the amount you'll be paying into it will be SUBSTANTIALLY lower than what you are now? Didn't you find it surprising when health insurance stocks shot back up in value when the public option was initially killed? Nothing you are saying is remotely based on facts, its all troll bull crap. I suspect you dont even really hold your position your just another internet troll.

[shaithis45]

@booren18, at what type of position might that just be? Also in bad times, here in the U.S. we are free to cut expenses as needed to live in times when unemployment can be sporadic. I lived like that for over two years until I found something decent with benefits. Yep I literally worked my way back up in a broken economy and took a risk just like everyone else and not once did I worry about big bad hospital costs because frankly I hold no important assets. For some it is not about money.

[robertus911]

I can't believe this guy and his staff of experts. California is in a state of kaos. Dmv registration has tripled. smog fees have tripled, Gov services have been cut in half. The state has a 20 billion dallor deficet..busness are leaving by the thousand. His hole administration is a complete failor. And this guy has the nerve to give advice to every body. I thought I have seen every thing but I guess I havent.

[shaithis45]

Single Payer will never work as long as people remain unemployed. CA needs to solve the unemployment situation and boot out the illegal aliens. For Single Payor to work nearly everyone needs to be working accounting for some low percentage of normal population being unemployed. Something tells me they are not seeing the final outcome raising taxes on employers. Granted CA is still a great state but need to take out the current political garbage.

[boorens18]

@shaithis45 dude...its working in my country and we have the same unemployment problem. So...in other words your entire comment there is wrong. Just....wrong. Factually incorrect, erroneous, faulty, misinformed, I don't know how many ways I need to say wrong.

The facts are the facts and here they are.

-America's private run plan is rated 37 among industrial nations

-Virtually all other industrial nations use a form of socialized medicine

-60% of doctors favor a single payer (2008 AoIM)

[shaithis45]

@boorens18, the system assumes that a large majority would be unemployed. If unemployment is unstalbe then where do they get the funds from? Also at the natl level I can tell you here is what you don't do: You never threaten a citizen with a fine for failure to purchase a healthcare policy which is the intention of those in power here in the states. FYI, we are not your country and you don't have a say in our politics because you are simply not a citizen.

[shaithis45]

@boorens18, you may also want to look at why some states have gone broke. Any state with a poor fiscal track record that can't plan for the future and misuses taxpayer funds really can't be trusted to implement much of anything. What the U.S. might be turning into is a financial scam finding new ways to tax and fine. Eventually it will all implode when people wake up and realize that it was never this bad until govt. overstepped its bounds.

[shaithis45]

in some ways booren18 some of us already pay into a socialized system that we don't neccessarily have access to. Social Security/Medicare. Why do states and a Federal system keep mismanaging my tax dollars to the point of where they are debt and you would expect me to trust them with socialization. The more restrictions that are put on business and the American worker that is actually the one always paying for it in the end, the more it can be expected to worsen.

[shaithis45]

@booren18, fyi if your country is so great then ask me this: What was the cause of your country's unemployment? Oops that's right I have no say in your country's future and you don't have a say in mine. Let's us solve our own problems here in the U.S. and first and foremost I'm more concerned about electing reps that will practice fiscal responsibilty and always have a surplus on hand for a rainy day. Funny though how govts just don't want to enforce laws and our immigration issue is ongoing.

[boorens18]

@shaithis45 the cause of our unemployment? LOL omg thats so funny that you bring that up. The cause was americas stupid citizens fucking up their economy. Now the rest of the world is deciding whether or not to switch to a different, more stronger and stable standard currency. So in short, your fuckups are the cause of our problems. If your for fiscal responsiblity you must love idea of a public option (according to the CBO will save 871 BILLION over 10 years. Counting on your vote :P)

[shaithis45]

@boorens18, LOL it is a shame your country relied so much vs. developing any type of industry or economy on its own as it should have from day 1. One heck of a safety net when your country is so reliant on another one. And you call me stupid? Well it takes one to know one now does it? I work for a living, however I came from a type of background where I just managed to know there are some workers you don't want to fuck with.

[shaithis45]

@booren18, just as with any other insurer what govt has failed to already provide the consumer with is a list of benefits for any type of public option. I think govt. has failed to communicate a lot with the citizenry. During all this time in all the pointless debating, where were the list of benefits that myself or anyone else could view and the initial buy in dollar amount should an option become available. In other words where is my insurance quote?

[shaithis45]

@boorens18, what you don't seem to understand about some individuals is that some work a lot harder for their pay and get underpaid for services performed. They are your day laborers and in some cases truckers that are scammed by their respective companies. And now here comes govt saying you will invest in policy or be fined for failure to do so when the reality of the situation is people have a right to save and relocate as needed in order to find stable employment as was the case with me.

[shaithis45]

@booren18, in regards to the public option I have a better and simpler solution. Govt. seems to have overlooked the fact that all they had to do was up the Medicare contributions that are taken out of a person's pay and guess what, everyone is covered. There is you socialized system however funny the govt still supports the insurers. Yep the legislation was really about high medical costs now wasn't it. Nope, it was one big unpopular and illegal tax package.

[boorens18]

@shaithis45 I'm sorry but I didnt ask you for a suggestion. I asked, what is your beef with the public option? How are you negatively affected. Quit trying to change the subject and justify yourself.

Ps, no the medicare percentage would not cover people. (for one you'd leave all the seniors screwed with your plan) and secondly, having a large base is what allows it to be so cheaply run. The smaller the pooled population the greater amount each individual must put in. Simple economics

[shaithis45]

@booren18, didn't the public option even make the bill in the first place? Doesn't sound like it did and actually the public option should have been immediate access to Medicare for those that wanted to buy into the system. And I think you missed the point is that here in the U.S., govt. doesn't have the power to coerce someone into buying a product from a third party and threaten them with fines for failure to comply. What just passed is a bill that will be shot down in the courts.

[shaithis45]

@boorens18, and yet you like to talk about insurance when what has really been failed to address are skyrocketing medical costs to where it used to be one could pay in cash for.  Medical costs have gone out of scope with the public market and if this is where the U.S. is at, then guess what I'm no longer inclined to make as money, save for retirement, or have any major assets. In fact govt doesn't even recognize basic property rights and owning something free and clear.

[boorens18]

@shaithis45 holy fuck would you stop trying to change the subject? In case you havent noticed I'm not budging, I want a real answer....what exactly does the public OPTION do to harm you? Considering that you can keep your private insurance as is (with likely lower premiums)

[shaithis45]

@boorens18, care to show me a link which lists the alleged public option and what benefits it would've offered? Gee I can't just seem to get that information form the lot of you. Are benefits/premiums included in said option. Where is that info posted. Yep an option that is undefined is not really an option now is it? I keep hearing about this public option but just haven't been given a summary of benefits. Show me a summary of benefits along with an introductory buy in rate :)

[shaithis45]

@boorens18, w/ that last comment of "I don't have to explain the option to you" it is telling me that you can't supply me with a source to view in regards to what said public option would have or might have contained. I'm really don't take too kindly nowadays to bad govt that tends to cause more problems than they solve and there are a lot of issues to be taken up. The short answer is that our govt doesn't have the best history or track record. What's left? Voting against the two party system.

[boorens18]

there IS no public option bill. i was asking you generically if you would favor a public option.  Man, you really gotta keep up with the convo.

[shaithis45]

@boorens18, well I can't necessarily favor a bill that hasn't been introduced that I know nothing about now can I? What were somebody's ideals in regards to the option then and was there a summary of benefits that I could've viewed. Yep sounds like our govt alright :) I say fuck it, screw the insurers and go socialism and force people in the insurance industry out of business. Single Payor WITHOUT private insurance. Why not, what could possibly go wrong eh?

[boorens18]

straw man argument....therefore invalid and in no need of rebuttal. I didnt say anything about a single payer system. I simply said a public option. Again, I am speaking broadly. Do you think we should introduce some form of public option (whatever you may what in the details) Do you think a public option has the potential to beat the current system?

[shaithis45]

@boorens18, if the public option is a good as Heather Graham, then that means I can't afford her I mean it. But seroiusly is it just me or do you favor the free market? Also if the public option were to compete, then that means evening the playing field for all insurers involved where govt. does not necessarily have a monopoly. And that public option can be in the form of medicare/medicaid. See the moveon post featuring the public option and you'll laugh your ass off :)

[shaithis45]

@boorens18, my goal is not to prolong my life through life saving treatments and expensive drugs. so the way I approach things now is that if I get cancer or drop dead of a stroke or heart attack then I'd rather just stay dead with an order to not resuscitate. We all have to go sometime but the least thing I'm going to do is suffer under a malevolent system let along accumulate anything of value said system can take. That is where I'm truly coming from where I only seek to make enough to live.

[shaithis45]

@boorens18, you want my opinions on what the public option should contain, just basic preventive care/hospital care only. No mental health, no abortion coverage, and no addtl requirements. Just the basics that keep the costs down. The more complex it becomes in turns of coverage, the more expensive it will get. Make it cheap (i.e. well under $100/mo say like $30/mo even with all respectful co-pays).Prescription drug plan can be offered as an add on. Is big govt capable of simplicity who knows!

[shaithis45]

@boorens18, until then I'm content with living, working, and renting. Works for me here in the states not having to complicate the whole family concept. As far as what I used to do before working as a trucker, all I can say is that industry just caused me to reshape how I view today's American society and all I can say is we a FAR from perfect. I happy to be living locally and having something that pays the bills and if I die I die. It's been fun :)

[shaithis45]

@booren18, I find it quite interesting that the Canadian economy would be so reliant on the American economy. The provinces have their own production as do we and I've traveled through Canada and you have the same commercialism as do we and probably other industries. Also you have a different currency so it is not like your nation is tied into the dollar. Personally I hope your currency rises above ours because I have some of your currency I'd like to trade back in for American currency :)

[shaithis45]

@booren18, as far as your simple economics argument, perhaps increasing the pool is attractive is one is getting what they pay for. However the reality is that some change jobs all the time and some may have unforeseen periods of unemployment where they should be able to drop their coverage at will and address their living expenses. Makes sense to have benefits if one has a stable job. In an unstable situation, you are not going to be forcing anyone to buy or be fined.

[boorens18]

you didnt realize canada would be hit hard by an american recession? America is canadas biggest trading partner. Ergo, if america cant afford to buy is much, we lose business. Hence we get screwed over.

As for there being no list...thats cuz the public option was killed by idiots like yourself before it had a chance to be fleshed out. It was flat out blocked right from the get go (because insurance companies knew they'd lose profit and customers, so they payed off congress) try again.

[shaithis45]

@booren18, LOL!!! You are blaming me for something that is completely out of my control. Killed by idiots like myself. Okay then how did I contribute to killing the public option. At last check I wasn't a U.S. Senator, U.S. Rep or the POTUS nor did I hold any type of judicial post. Just a working stiff however if your are blaming me and other citizens for something that was out of our control, I think you are now starting to reach and get way off base.

[shaithis45]

@boorens18, I've heard all the crap arguments before how the uninsured have boosted premiums for everyone else. Here is a better one for you, in a free market society if the price of something goes up, you simply don't buy into a policy that one would be gouging your for. To put it another way, I'm not responsible for somebody who has chosen to enter into a bad business decision. Better yet whatever happened to boycotting a provider and forcing them out of business for price gouging?

[shaithis45]

@b18, I don't need to have a 4 year degree in this day and age to connect all the dots a realize that govt has squandered its opportunities over the past few decades to get it right.The cycle will probably repeat itself and there willb another depression because lawmakers just couldn't leave well enough alone and instead of being good stewards of fiscal policy have shown nothing but greed and corruption. And I'll just laugh it off an keep right on working and living until it comes to a stop :)

[TheGeezertwo]

ENRON elected Arnie. He still feels obligated to the CEOs and other corporate criminals for his position and wealth. The real question is what kind of morons voted for this fool?

[ronald2394]

How did a muscle bound prick like this ever get into a position of power. If he had twice as many brains he would still be a halfwit.

[plummer90715]

Hey brotha i feel you. When this asshole got elected I could not believe it. This guy prior to being elected never held public office. The sad reality is that his election is a direct refection of the intelligence level and political awareness of the people of California. I was born and raised in California and I am ashamed this piece of human fieces is our governor. And no i did not vote this guy.

[ronald2394]

A sign of any civilised country is the way it treats the poorest. A person should have one basic freedom even if they are destitute.....THEIR HEALTH. Most of this guys brawn is between his ears.

[ronald2394]

Read between the lines what this kraut is saying. I am covered....so are my wife and kids and all my rich pals....So screw you. Actually what a stupid question the reporter asked. What did he expect from this bozo.....a caring society. You would have more luck juggling with soot.

[cutis1000]

dead on, ronald2394!

[diezungen]

Conservatives enjoy killing people by denying them health care.

[xxxDAPROBLEMxxx]

"It is the job and duty of the federal government to make sure that each and every american has health coverage"

Man, I TOTALLY remember reading that in the constitution of the United States. HA.

We owe it to the founding fathers of our country to honor their wishes for the nation they fought, died, and killed for. They fought to create a nation where man is free from a central government's oversight.

[recompile]

They fought to create a nation where a man is free.

Our current system makes slaves of those insured through their workplace and maryters of those who simply cannot buy health insurance because they're sick.

It keeps entrepreneurs out of the market place for fear of losing their health coverage, damaging our free market system.

It kills tens of thousands every year because they lack access to affordable care.

That isn't freedom. That's not the America I know and love.

[xxxDAPROBLEMxxx]

There has to be a better solution out there than this health bill to fix if though man, come on. What makes you think its going to be better than any of the other national health systems around the world. I agree the current system has a lot of downsides but come on there has to be a better way. Look up "ron paul on healthcare"

[TheGeezertwo]

Since every other healthcare system is better than ours, I'm unconvinced that we shouldn't look elsewhere for solutions. Making corporate execs filthy rich hasn't worked.

[kmarinas86]

The solution to more affordable health care

= Bootstrap funding

The solution to more affordable housing

= Bootstrap funding

The solution to more affordable _________

= Bootstrap funding

[MsMaiysha]

Arnold has deep deep pockets. He's nothing more than a talking head for the rich.

[SAMRAM29]

These politicians already have quality health care. That's why a lot of them can't relate to the rest of society in the real world.

[Janusha]

Single pay... well.. it does have one obvious flaw. What about the people that arent working and dont pay. This needs to be an automatic thing. Something you dont need a bunch of papers for, dont need to sign up for, something that you cant wave and get your money back from. Basically... it needs to be nationwide and it needs to be like Europe. Since World War 1 doctors have been responsible for the patients. Not the patients responsible for their own healthcare. They simply arent qualified.

[Melpheos1er]

This is called being part of the human kind. One who has should provide some for the have not.

[Janusha]

dude you dont have to tell me.. My country has a perfectly well working system where it doesnt cost the individual anything to be covered for life.

[sincerityproductions]

Arnold- your forgot once you get everyone on private health care system to make sure you guys do your job and regulate them and reform them so that they actually provide the services they are suppose

[sincerityproductions]

We all know they get kick backs, others get a job in the end with big bonus, not to mention just how many politicians own stock in these companies? Support HR676 Single payer health care message for link to sign petition

[sincerityproductions]

Don't you just love how Majority of politicians proclaims that our health care system is in the Shit house, Logic be a major overhaul to change the direction, desperate measures needed. It is ok for the bailouts of numerous corps cause each of these sectors our in the shit house. Why so different for health care? Any more proof then what happened this week at the Senate Meeting that Politicians are in bed with the private sector

[FluxCapacitor2008]

Insurance lobbyist contribution for 2008 = Over $46,000,000

[digitalnow]

The bill is back for a third time, now SB810. If the gov had passed it first time around, it would have saved the state $8 billion in year one, in just admin costs alone. Then we would be having the gov cut billions from education to make the budget work. what a dick.

[cheezit357]

di,k Arnold Schwarzenegger, Take your ass back to Germany that's where you belong your not and-American and you shouldn't be able to hold office here, you know he's one of the illuminati he doesn't give a damn about people, just the profits big dollars.

[Kold2market]

I liked Arnold as Conan the destroyer! but as a governor he sucks, and his stand on issues like single payor aslo sucks.

What's NOT to like about helthcare for ALL Americans? (Even Conan the barbarian would have liked it...I think...)

[funkyflights]

Bottom line ... our current system is killing Americans... There is no reason to NOT move forward and fix this problem... it will benefit us ALL ... enough excuses already ...common Arnold even you being right wing have to understand this current system has failed...

[digitalcurry]

Californians: Lobby your Sacramento representatives to support S.B.840, a single payer law that Arnold vetoed but will pass again this year.

Other states, contact you congressperson to support H.R.676

[urbanverificationist]

Medicare has outperformed private insurers essentially through more powerful price regulation and lower administrative costs alone, without the capacity controls available to system managers in other countries. The reason is simple: Private coverage could approach Medicare's advantages only if it approximated Medicare's monopsony power and, perhaps, ability to lower administrative costs through compulsory contributions. But that would not be a market system by any normal definition.

[CenterLeftLiberal]

Good point!

[MySeizures]

Why would the American politicians care for sick and dying Americans with out health insurance, when the american politicians don't have to live and die like another ordinary American citizen? Who cares for the dead fish?

[MySeizures]

Dear Friends,

To stop my persistent seizures, I've been recommended for brain surgery by Stanford University.

But I can NOT afford the surgery.

What do you suggest I do to have my Brain Surgery?

HOW COULD YOU HELP ME TO HAVE MY BRAIN SURGERY TO STOP MY SEIZURES?

How about writing to your elected officials on my behalf? Thank You!

[Zeptocomp]

I just watched Fox News on this issue - their solution is: "Get a job"

- an answer like that would be unthinkable of in Europe.....The truth is that USA cant afford public healthcare ....

[CenterLeftLiberal]

Well, that's your typical Fox News answer... as obvious as the fallacies in that statement may seem to you and me, there are people who actually buy what they see on Fox News.

And, yes, the U.S., with the second highest worker productivity rate, thrid highest GDP per capita can certainly afford a health care system as good as other rich countries.

[Lizzychan5]

To insure everyone through the privet sector (which is what Schwarzenegger wants) will expand and entrench the role of the insurance giants who are largely responsible for the current health care mess it is today, They have transformed our nation's health from a system that delivers care to one that has become a funnel for higher profits (in the billions), usually made by denying care.

They get rich while we stay sick!

[nextdoornorth]

Absolutely correct.

Billions going to profit that aren't going to care.

Private insurance is an unneccessary intermediary that only acts to maintain the status quo of class-based service.

I have to wonder if this is so deeply entrenched, what will it take to correct?

[jscottupton]

Thank god Arnold had the sense to reject single payer (government payer). This is suppose to be a free country. If we had a single-payer system for food or housing, we would all be living on skid row.

[sidewalkpilot]

single payer means free choice, private hospitals and doctors -- but there is one insurer - essentially Medicare for All.

[jscottupton]

No free choice for the taxpayer...no free choice for those of us who want nothing to do with "single (government)payer"...and heavy handed regulations on what procedures will be covered and not covered...not to mention the waiting lines.

[CenterLeftLiberal]

Ah, free choice. Yes, in the U.S. you can chose to have your treatment denied by your HMO, going bancrupt to pay for or not having any. Well, as far as choices go, I rather wait for treatment and then not receive any! PS. Canada and the UK have better systems, according to the World Health Organization, despite waiting lines.

[secularnevrosis]

Hrrm...free to work two or more jobs to pay the health care bills,free to be exploited by insurance companies and free to let the same companies give you the medecine that their pharmaceutic "buddies" wants to sell at horrific rates... Not freedom is it?

[Rizerd]

It is interesting you say this when we have schools, fire protection, Medicare, Medicaid, road department, libraries and much more that we accept as part of being a citizen.

Imagine how much more secure Americans would be knowing that they do not have to worry about losing everything with one costly health crisis. ( Medical costs are the number one cause for Bankruptcys in this country.)

[CenterLeftLiberal]

Exactely, health care is a basic right everyone is entitled to, just like law & order. Afterall we would be outraged if police and fire were privatized and public school abolished! The reason is simple, no should have to worry about having his or her basic rights provided.

[bearsagainstevil]

very good point Im british and I fractured my neck and was paralysed Im ok now but for a while it looked like I would be paralysed for life, and I had no worrys that I would be looked after for life and no worrys about insurance .

Im not a socialist but even conservatives in the uk like the nhs getting rid of it would be like getting rid of the police or firebrigade

[danspeaks]

great response by Arnold, the reporter sounded pathetic and needy at the end though, like a guy who didnt want to get dumped

[nextdoornorth]

Without question the solution is 'single payer'.

Multiple payers of medical services (insurers)naturally require profits to survive. Trouble there, is that to do so also requires reducing provision of services where possible and all too often unfairly and tragically. Profit and provision are conflicts of interest. If the U.S. society were to begin to genuinely look after each other and truly leave no one behind, it would witness a stunning drop in crime and a national pride based on substance.

[mozzmanau]

Astalavist. say hello to my Ouzi Nine millimetre. You MORON

[AVTPro]

Every one "MUST" be ID'd.

[bedevilledwitheggs]

bad tie!

[wolfgangss]

try to focus on the issues not his Tie his tie will not save lives or change nations so it doent matter

[1010011010]

Tomorrow will be the happiest day of your life. Your new toaster is up and running, your new haircut widely praised. And just when you think things can't get any better, an email from a stranger arrives, offering to enlarge your Johnson.

Unfortunately, if you don't post this comment to 5 videos, a box of Krugman books will fall from a building and smiteth your head, and everyone you love will be hit by a bus driven insane by the teachings of Sir William Rees-Mogg, whoever he may be.

[sidewalkpilot]

a non-profit, single govt bureaucracy will be far more efficient than several insurance companies having to support redundancies... AND all make profit.

getting it under one roof, streamlining operations, and removing profit from the equation is the ONLY answer to make it affordable, accessible, and as cost-efficient as possible.

[bmtimv]

non profit, the doctors dont make money? man that must be a shitty system!

[sidewalkpilot]

single payer means private hospitals, private doctors, etc -- BUT a single payer, as in a Medicare-like system that pays out instead of six billion bloated greedy different insurance companies

[bmtimv]

European countries like the UK are moving away from absolute single payer health economies, why? Because of specialized care, rationing and wait times. I believe a 2 tier system is a better system for the US that gives citizens the freedom to get healthcare outside a government system and gives the poor the right to care.

[sidewalkpilot]

The poor in the US have right to care. It's the middle class that's getting fucked.

[bmtimv]

its true, this is one of the reasons I don't like the socialist approach, the biggest class gets fucked the most. its these reasons that i am on the fence of this debate even though i am morally opposed to single payer economies.

[sidewalkpilot]

my morals are based in my Christian background. Jesus teaches to take care of the least fortunate. he held the poor closest to his heart. That says a lot about my priorities, and why I am for socialized medicine, or at the least, a single payer system.

[bmtimv]

apparently you haven't hurd about the voucher system nor do you care where the money is stolen from.

[jscottupton]

Yeah...I like the part in the bible where Jesus says "Let the government take care of the poor...increase the number of bureaucrats...raise taxes" Give me a break. Jesus was for INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY and private charity.

[CenterLeftLiberal]

Right, the current HMO system is completely void of bureaucracy. Also, all humans are entitled to basic rights, which is why we give health care to prisoners. Jesus wants you to forgive and love everyone; he wants the rich to share their wealth and, I am quite certain, advocate the provision of health care for everyone.

[digitalnow]

I think, dear jscottupton, that Jesus said something more along the lines of, "...treat all that come before you as if they were me."