Rep. Roy Blunt Tells PJTV Why Gov't Healthcare Is A Bad Idea

[lbergeronbubamule]

Blunt is a teabagger.and I'm not refering to the political party.

[nicksnite]

The U.S. does have wonderful health care, the problem is no one can afford it, unless you are a rich person (congressman). It's true that you can't be refused treatment, but you will lose everything you own to pay for it. Mediaid doesn't help unless you have nothing in the first place, then you will be lucky to get it, in Missouri anyway.

In a country as well of as the United States, no one should die because they can't afford to see a doctor!

[vic1a234567]

his answers are so generic...

[kujayhawkjim]

Voting for Roy Blunt is like voting to bring back the good ole days of Jack Abramoff and Carl Rove. He needs to retire and go away and let Missouri move on to build business, create jobs, improve our schools and live our lives in prosperity and peace. We don't need his, and his cronies', version of corporate welfare, paying taxes for oil company subsidies and pork-filled legislation leading to higher deficits.

[samuils]

Excuse me BUT, including the Rx into medicare has resulted in increased medication price for the rest of us, my Rx before the plan cost me $43, a few years after it costs $85 for the same ammount the same darn thing. All the pharma has done is distributed the profit loss to the non medicare consumer, so yeah I will argue the for the most part that idea was a disaster.

[sjcpal]

Youre' a congressman and supose to know whats in the bill ...read it you lazy asshole

[Hawkflieshigh]

I believe the points have been missed here.

1. The congressman from Missouri states the bill is being pushed through without proper review.

2. Get government out of the business of telling people what to do.

3. Let competition make health care cost effective.

4. Free markets provide based on need of the consumers not regulations.

PPL have missed the point that big business funds the U.S. drive to socialism as that is the ultimate monopoly without any competition by law.

[Sncommand]

I don't know about other countries, but i'm 16 years old and live in Norway and our public health care system is a catastrophe.

Since the Norwegian Workers Party came to power all form of private health care options are banned because they are "bad", "very bad". Because of this the health lines are huge, if you suffer from cancer you will be treated......next year. Not only that, but equipment is crap, doctors are crap, and our ilness gets crappier.

[tomitstube]

america - 37th in health care, and all you hear from repubs is how good private health care works.

funny how this insurance company puppet spends this whole segment reforming the current system, but it works just fine?!

and if you believe this load of crap i've got a condo for sale in baghdad. cheap. corner lot. you might want to say your canadian.

[ForTehNguyen]

cap on your costs and no cap on your benefits? What kinda BS fantasy is that?

[haypenny]

I have two Canadian friends who died because they did not receive life saving surgeries in time [had to wait 6 months]. Both were under age 40, and left behind 3+ children. Government Health Care is a lie folks. Please don't buy into it. It's just the powers that be want to insure illegal aliens to create a new, larger voter base. They don't give a rat's ass whether or not it helps people. A good System example would be like Massachusetts - they have 98% insured citizens & it's Private Sector.

[drunkenboxer1985]

in massachusettes they have mandatory insurance and its expensive as hell and the care isnt nearly as good. Massachusettes has a terrible plan. I agree about socialized medicine though

[ForTehNguyen]

actually MA system is the model for the US healthcare, 2 years after going into law the insurance premiums in that state and medical costs rose double that of the national average, costs overran its govt estimates and is generating a huge deficit, governor threatened insurance companies with price controls, wait times went up a lot, and it still doesn't insure everyone. The MA system is no different than the ones that let your friends die in Canada, which Im sorry to hear that happened.

[haypenny]

I believe you're right. But, I thought that although it is similar to Obamacare, England's NHS, etc., I thought that it's still via private sector? I'll definately have to look into it more - thanks for the info. In any event, there are many alternative plans not involving huge gov't control that are just not being explored by Congress. Like Health Savings accounts. And Indeed, Medicaid & Medicare reform proposals aren't being discussed either. We can't let bureaucrats make our health choices.

[tomitstube]

you are a lying piece of insurance industry bull shit. you know of no one in canada who died waiting for critical surgery.

[haypenny]

Yeah, ok buddy. Yeah - It was all a lie because I work for the Insurance Industry. Okay... Go live in any other country - anywhere, maybe Cuba. And then you can talk about how shitty America's healthcare is - and don't forget to bring your tin-foil hat.

And on behalf of my deceased friends who you deny existed - Go Fuck Yourself, because they're dead because of ignorant cowards who think like you.

[tomitstube]

that's right haypenny, you lying corporate sack of lackey shit. your fake scenario doesn't actually happen in canada. it does happen in america tho, where people die from being denied critical care.

so who's the fucking lying coward? why, that would be you ass wipe. selling americans down the river so a handful of greedy corporate traitors can screw more of us?

here's one. how about YOU go fuck yourself! lying traitor.!!!

[haypenny]

That's why people from all over the world risk everything to come here. That's why Cubans literally swim to our shores - because its so 'horrible' here. It is the Law in the US that NO-One can be denied care. And no one is, even illegals. If they can't pay, the taxpayers eat it. We don't need to further expand gov't control, that is not true reform. And the Government is far more wealthy, corrupt, greedy & power hungry than any Corporation - and yet you see it as the solution to everything.

[tomitstube]

so people risk their lives to come here for the health care? you're delusional.

name one sector of the private market that isn't a total calamity right now?  insurance, health care, auto, oil, banking, real estate, wall street, etc, etc.

it's the tax payer, the government you elected that is bailing out these worthless greedy, lying, swindling failures.

you can't have it both ways, hate the gov't for the bailing them out, then defend them?! do have any idea how stupid you people look?

[haypenny]

People come for many reasons, healthcare is only one. The gov't is bailing out industries which they themselves destroyed via taxes, over-regulation and forcing banks to give mortgages to poor people who couldn't pay them back. It's very easy to look all this up. The auto industry was forced to build cars no one wanted, and unions must have allegiance to big gov't if they want to keep their mega benefits. FORD, didn't take bailout money - now they're the only ones showing recovery & profit.

[tomitstube]

ok haypenny, this is my last response because you've gone off the deep end. i have extensively looked up claims the big bad evil gubment forced private enterprise to fail... so it could bail it out...

it's a lie, there's absolutely no proof whatsoever to back up this right wing nonsense.

the right has become the party of misinformation. the biggest lie is the banks being forced to make bad loans. never happened. why am i surprised your defending crooked loan schemes?

[haypenny]

You're really committed to the lie. I wasn't 'defending crooked load schemes'. God you're dumb. You're right, it's all another silly fairy tale. There's no proof anywhere and will never be. I'm sure you've done the research thoroughly. Anyway folks, there's plenty of videos on YouTube about who caused the housing bubble & economic meltdown showing how much Pelosi & friends made selling securities. Don't worry, I know the gov't never fucks up, and would never deny coverage to anyone ever- Yay!

[bertly71]

She forgot to mention the tax increase to pay for all of this. The deficit spending it will create or the cost overruns over the years.

[winner0loser]

I support the republican plans because they are far less risky and would cost less. Our health care system is not in as much trouble as many say, but health care reform is necessary. We do not want a government plan.

[misteeq64]

Shut up man you Republican had 8 years to come up with improvement you chose war instead . American people when are you GOING to demand proper health care for your self . These politician democrat or republican are not going to do it the lobbies are to strong ,GO OUT AND SHOT

[RighteousPaladin]

English is not your primary language is it?

Nor is what happens in the U.S. your business.

[misteeq64]

This is usually the comment that come out of frustrated republican that have no intelligent reply .Yes english is not my first language french is ,I coould writte in french if you want to their would not be any spelling mistakes . Health care in the state is my buisness my brother is american almost died because he was not able to have medical care . By the way when the vaccine against ignorance ,and close mindness come out hurry and get innoculated you seriously need it

[darkgaizat]

I can't even begin to tell you how stupid this statement is. WE chose war... WE??? Look into the NYCity skyline and tell me who chose war?

Our health care system is the best in the world. Flawed, yes, but when leaders from foreign countries come HERE... HERE!!! for proper healthcare, we're at least doing something right.

[misteeq64]

Your health care is the best??????????? What have you been sniffing ? According to the world heath organization you are failing zerooooooooooooo . Leaders of forreign countries comes to USA for healthcare BINGO you just prove my point you need money and power to have acess to health care in the usa . Asked for September 11 please stop playing the victim ,i do not agree with this carnage .But your foreign policies created it.

[darlena1956]

misteeq64 ...8 years to come up with improvement? This is an improvement? I don't think so, this is inviting government to deny us treatment do you want that? Do you want to be seen as a disease and the government decides what threatment THEY deem appropriate not doctors and yourself?

[ShaytanBozorg]

Well done, Simon.  We need to hear more from our Republicans.

[rednxrule]

nancy pusslousy is disgusting, antone that vote for this bitch is a complete fool or a traitor!

[exacerbatedtaboo]

I think name calling is childish. I don't like nor do I support Nancy Pelosi one bit but the fact that she's in power is partially our fault because we keep electing her. People aren't very educated cause they get thier news from mainstream sources and they are getting cheated out of important information and I think that has a lot to do with why she keeps getting re-elected. But you have to wonder. Considering what her approval rating was before re-election. Did Americans really have a choice?

[finefilth]

Capitalism has become so skilled in this deception that we now find our economic and political leaders committed to policies that serve the pathology at the expense of the healthy body.

[finefilth]

Wearing the mantle of "the market," capitalism's agents vigorously advance public policies that create conditions diametrically opposed to those required for markets to function in a socially optimal way. Like cancer cells that attempt to hide from the body's immune system by masking themselves as healthy cells, capitalism's agents attempt to conceal themselves from society's immune system by masquerading as agents of a healthy market economy.

[TedinLasVegas]

Wait, doesn't the bill demand that "access to healthcare choice be limited in order to cap costs"? Why YES, it does!

I guess that means there IS a cap on benefits!

[exacerbatedtaboo]

How is that worse then having no healthcare at all?

[TedinLasVegas]

Big lie because there is a big difference between no health INSURANCE and no health CARE.

I pay out of pocket -- NO INSURANCE -- for all health maintenance issues and almost half of that "47 million" without insurance are just like me. We CHOOSE to not have and/or use health insurance, but we still get care.

You're trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist.

[exacerbatedtaboo]

That's great if you can find yourself in a position to pay out of pocket but I would say 9 out of 10 Americans can't say they are able to do that. Cash indeed is a form of health insurance. If you have all the money to pay for the proceedure then that procedure is insured by your money. All I'm saying is that there are a bunch of sick people in America not getting treated but we always have the money to spend on bombs to blow people up and kill people. Doesn't that seem odd to you?

[TedinLasVegas]

No, that doesn't seem odd; it is exactly how I would expect people who understand the real world to react.

I'm suprised at the number of people foolish enough to think that national government exists to fix people's problems.

The purpose of national government is to secure the blessings of freedom, liberty, and legal justice.

National government does not exist to educate, feed, or keep people healthy. The more it tries to do these other things, the worse off the country gets.

[exacerbatedtaboo]

So by your first statement I'm guessing you agree with the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Government was created to fulfill the wishes and concerns of the people. Not to take lobby money on behalf of insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies. Government no longer represents the people as they were created to do. They now represent special interests and foreign governments.

[TracyII77]

exacerbatedtaboo, I am one of those uninsured. Not only have my health expenses been cut in half compared to what I was paying (with copays) to have insurance through my employer, but my health care is actually better. I have more control over it. And yes, I grew up under American government run "health care". Yes, they make a practice of denying and limiting care. So this legislation would fine me for not paying into a system that tells me no. How do you justify that?

[exacerbatedtaboo]

But that's just it. I'm not advocating any one certain way of going about this. I think we should really understand the problem with our health care system and fix it. No matter what that means. I don't think we need to rush this issue until we make sure we ALL have it better then we currently do. I would also like to say that I support people keeping thier current insurance and coverage if they are satisfied with it. I'm also not say I would fine someone but something needs to be done.

[TracyII77]

But that is exactly what is in the bill exacerbatedtaboo. It has mandates on both employers and individuals to purchase health insurance. I would be forced to spend money on a over priced system that routinely limits and denies me care. There is no way that I would be able to afford the care I need on my own after paying the premiums and extra taxes. This is what is criminal about the whole thing.

[exacerbatedtaboo]

I'm not saying I support THIS bill but I DO support some sort of coverage for all Americans. There is absolutely no reason we can give all this money to Israel and spend all this money killing people in wars yet there's never enough money to make people better. That makes no sense to me at all. Why is there plenty of money to kill but never enough to heal?

[TracyII77]

I'm not saying that I support the war in Iraq, but our defense budget pales in comparison to what we spend on Medicare and Medicaid. Of course it costs more to "heal" someone than it does it does to kill someone. It only takes seconds to kill someone, but a lifetime to give them medical care. Also, "coverage" is a subjective term. In other countries with "universal health care", there is nothing universal about who gets treatment and when. I mean, I'm covered now without insurance...

[exacerbatedtaboo]

We just recently passed an supplemental bill worth 106 Billion dollars. We most certainly do not spend that much on the medicade/medicare program and if we do the money is most certainly going to the sick or needy. These wars have nearly costed us 1 trillion dollars. Do you know how many people that would cover medically and for how long?

[winner0loser]

Do you know how many people we could cover with the stimulus bill? A lot, my friend. It's all too obvious that health care is NOT Obama's main priority. The stimulus bill is being spent on banks and car companies and other big business, the bill will not help us at all. If you think we could save more people with the money on the wars, then you are right, but thanks to drastic spending, we won't GET covered. I strongly disapprove of the health care bill and I'm sure there are better solutions.

[TracyII77]

From the 2008 budget for 2009:

the two wars: $198B,

Medicaid: $204B,

Medicare: $330B.

And we have yet to pay off our National debt. While the wars may not be justified, that does not change the fact we do spend MORE on Medicaid and Medicare, and are going even further in debt because of it. Two wrongs don't make a right. At no point in this discussion have you ever addressed cutting cost, so people can afford health care on their own. Would that not be better?

[exacerbatedtaboo]

Yes but this just makes mention of 2008-2009. This doesn't say a thing about the billions we send to Israel. The billions spent on weapons, the billions we're paying private contractors. Do you know KBR was charging our soldiers 7.50 for a can of soda? The billions spent on vehicles for the military. It also doesn't tally in all the money that has been spent since these wars originally started. We can afford health care for all. I'm not saying this bill but one with slightly fewer flaws in it.

[TracyII77]

Yes, exactly. Those numbers are for 2008-2009 only.  Those are ANNUAL numbers. We didn't just pay out Medicaid and Medicare in 2008-2009 only! You are also ignoring the elephant in the room, the $11T national debt. We currently have $36.3T in unfunded promises for Medicare and Medicaid ALONE! And let's play devil's advocate and say that we didn't spend ANYTHING on defense. Why not cut taxes, so people can AFFORD their own care? What's the obsession with government?

[Lynx787]

TracyII77 - I'm a middle class working man from Canada and six months ago I had to go the doctor for stomach pains. I went in, saw the doc, and was treated in just over an hour. No extra costs or bills. No red tape. Prescriptions covered.

Nothing universal about who gets what and when? With what evidence? Our system, with all it's flaws, is far superior to the nonexistent one in the States. No one in Canada ever lost their home because they got cancer.

[TracyII77]

Of course no one loses their home. Some people just NEVER get treated. YOU might have gotten care, BUT not everyone does. I have been DENIED care by the government. I grew up with it. I know first hand. And just because you don't see the bill, doesn't mean that you are not paying for it. I would be forced to pay into a system that has already told me no, leaving me not enough money to get the treatments I need. How is that humane?

[Lynx787]

Denying anyone who truly need care what they need, not only to survive, but to feel better and prosper because of it, IS inhumane and it is the way millions of people in the richest country in the world are treated.

[TracyII77]

So you are saying that this isn't about providing people the medical treatments that they need, but making people FEEL better? So is "universal health care" the new opiate of the masses? And for the record, I'm one of those millions of Americans that you are referring to. I have yet to be denied care as uninsured. You seem unable to distinguish insurance from care. And you seem unwilling to admit that there are those who are denied care in Canada meaning "universal health care" is a lie.

[Lynx787]

I meant that people who feel crappy because they are sick can't work and prosper like they would like to. Of course people who get the medical treatment they need feel better because of it. People who are sick need treatment. Denying anyone because you wont get a high enough paycheck to do it is inhumane. Sorry that makes you feel angry and sorry you didn't receive the care you obviously needed. In your country, if you had the money you would have been.

[TracyII77]

So this isn't about needs? This about what wants? How is taxing me out of my needs, so someone else can prosper how they want justifiable? And as I have stated several times, I have NOT been denied care for lack of insurance. But I have been denied care by the GOVERNMENT and by private INSURANCE. In this country, if you are below the poverty line you qualify for Medicaid. Above that, paying medical bills is about choices. No one has a right to owning a house at my expense (and I rent).

[Lynx787]

Over the years I've known plenty of people who required medical attention and none of them, or anyone that they've known, has ever been denied that care but I am not 'unwilling to admit' that there are no one who is not denied. Unlike some people I am not close-minded.

[TracyII77]

So you just admitted that your previous statement," Denying anyone who truly need care what they need..." is false. Yet, you are willing to critisize my choice to be uninsured, by promoting legislation that would punish me for not carrying insurance. And this same insurance has DENIED me and millions of others care. That care has come outside of the system. But after being forced to pay the broken system, what have we left to pay with? And my health is what I fight for.

[Lynx787]

I wasn't against you at all. I said everyone deserves affordable care so as to not lose everything they own because they got sick. I said people who deny others that help, like you were, were inhumane, but anything I say you take as a negative. You are clearly a very angry and bitter individual. I hope you get the help you need.

[TracyII77]

How am I denying others that help? Especially when I am fighting legislation that does that very thing? And since when does fighting bad legislation translate into someone being angry and bitter? Have you no rebuttal but to insult me? I DO believe that people should have access to affordable care. The best way is to cut the costs, not change the name on the bills. And too much cost comes from government mandates. How is forcing me to buy insurance making it affordable?

[TracyII77]

I mean Lynx787, have you even read what is in the bill? Or are you blindly trolling YouTube videos touting your Canadian health care system, because you can't get past your jingoism? I know that the American system is broke. But I'm not so stupid as to not see how this bill will do more harm than good. And once again, don't tell me the lie of "Universal Health Care". There is NO such thing. The moment someone is told no to treatments, they cease to be covered and it ceases to be universal.

[exacerbatedtaboo]

He has government healthcare. Is he saying he wishes to give his government healtcare up for something more expensive and covers less? I bet his family has government healthcare too. Why is it such a perfect fit for him and such a bad idea for everybody else?

[TracyII77]

Because it is not government health care. Most government employees receive the same health insurance as other large employers.  The difference is that congressmen, postal workers, and the like are given a variety of plans to choose from. The military uses a single insurance carrier, TriCare. TriCare was introduced in the early 90's to curb cost overruns in the system and runs the same as any HMO. Which means it limits and denies care to control cost.

[exacerbatedtaboo]

I don't really guess the type of insurance matters in this case. Especially seeings how we the taxpayers and unwillingly paying for his and his families to have it while we go without or settle for something as crappy as medicare or medicade. That just doesn't sound right to me. We should all have health care coverage. Especially when we are paying their salaries every year.

[TracyII77]

"Coverage" is a subjective term. Especially when dealing with the government. I had "coverage" for my braces when my father was stationed at one post. But when we moved, that coverage was a small fraction of the fees of the local orthodontist in the middle of nowhere town. It took my parents a year before we could afford the continued treatment on my teeth.  Nonetheless, I still wore those braces that entire year without a dentist. Is that what you think is preferred health care?

[darlena1956]

You were a victim of government control of heathcare

[56gig]

I demand to read the entire bill.

[bsl103158]

just in the first few moments I feel as if I am being subjected to a mind- altering brew of nonsense and deception by Mistress P

[TheLegalImmigrant05]

"A cap on the cost. No cap on the benefits"

Yes. Keep repeating the mantra, and then maybe it will magically become true. Ommmmmmmmmmmmm. Cap on price. No cap on benefits.........

And the funniest thing is, some people will believe this fairy tale LOL

[lukeedwardsimmons]

If nobody has ever read this bill (or any bill) then who the heck has written them?! If it's written by multiple authors and cobbled together, who edited it? How do they know it isn't chock full of contradicting amendments that cancel each other out? The whole situation is a mess, an absolute mess!

[3RDIDGUY1]

Good interview.