How To Tell You Need Health Care Reform

[EthansEntertainment]

WE NEED standards for healthcare. YOU HAVE TO WORK FOR THOSE STANDARDS, though. we need people to get off their asses and work.

[xethtoon]

@xaniphir

For some informative articles, you might want to try something called an 'internet search'!

Search this for a good start:

truth out health care

[xaniphir]

@xethtoon the burden of proof is on you, you started this discussion. btw, resorting to name calling automatically loses the argument for you. Have a nice day.

[xethtoon]

@xaniphir

At some point, it's up to you to back up your own viewpoint ("I got charged $600 dollars for a bandaid, but don't blame the insurance companies" ?) or be open to the search docs I pointed you to in good faith, including ones from independent sources outlining health care issues. Follow those and you will find even more factual discussion. I would have provided actual links but youtube doesn't permit it. Meanwhile, what do you bring to the discussion? A closed mind. Goodbye.

[xaniphir]

@xethtoon all your truthout website documents is how fucked up the U.S. health ins. industry is according to a European think tank. The $600 for a bandaid actually happened to me. I had no ins., the bill I got was from a hospital not an ins. co. Now do you mean to tell me that the ins. co.'s conspired with the hospital or forced them to charge that outrageous fee?

[xethtoon]

@xaniphir

YES that is exactly what I am telling you! How do you think for-profit hospitals run, how fees are decided, how their structures are set up?

You don't have insurance? 'Health insurance' is expensive exactly because it is set up to make money. And a for-profit hospital is part of the same business model. It is completely connected.

Maybe the web articles (not from 'a european think tank') shock you because they provide factual comparisons of other systems TO BACK UP THEIR CLAIMS!

[xaniphir]

@xethtoon I think the fundamental difference in viewpoints is that you believe we are entitled to health care and I don't believe we are. I'm still looking for evidence that insurance co.s tell hospitals what to charge for services.

[xethtoon]

@xaniphir

So stop complaining about $600 band aides. If you are not 'entitled' to health care then you deserve to be gouged for it. Many people have much more serious health issues and not being able to afford care IS a matter of life and death and/or financial ruin for themselves and their families. Other systems provide cheaper, fairer alternatives. Insist on remaining willfully ignorant and close-minded. But just because facts don't support your naive opinions doesn't mean they aren't real!

[xaniphir]

@xethtoon So you really think that if you walked into any emergency room with a serious condition that they would turn you away? You are so immersed in your euro worship that you will believe anything. Have you experienced any of these other systems?

[xethtoon]

@xaniphir

The short answer is: You paid $600 for a band aide because the hospital has to make up for all the 'free care' hospitals are required to provide to people who walk into the emergency room with serious conditions.Because those people cannot afford insurance and there is no alternative for them under the current system. You cannot connect any dots at all, can you?

[xethtoon]

@xaniphir

I know people in foreign countries and I know people with many insurance issues in this country. Do you? My LAST comment to you: This week I had a doctor appt. and actually brought up your issue to a nurse of 30 years experience, "$600 for a bandaide - why?" No way to summarize her answer but I suggest that YOU ask some questions directly. Maybe you will learn something about how the system works, since nothing else will ever convince you.

[xaniphir]

@xethtoon you didn't answer my last two questions. btw I also asked if the insurance industry conspires with the med industry to set prices?

[dapop1001]

First we had high medical cost, so we decided to get insurance, now we have high insurance cost and high medical cost! That is what needs to be reformed, insurance for profit on healthcare should be as illeagal as it is immoral! Doctors living like kings in multiple million dollar mansions while the rest of the country is forced into tent cities is also immoral. Fix the educational system so that its not too expensive and more people can learn to become drs. to help control prices. Good luck!

[EgoDuctor]

This video can be sumorized with one word: tookerjerbs.

[xethtoon]

@EgoDuctor

No idea what 'tookerjerbs' means.  Do you?

[EgoDuctor]

@xethtoon It is a reference to southpark's they took our jobs joke.

In other words: You state that people will lose jobs because employers will fire people because they lose too much money otherwise.

Your video is an extreme exaggeration and fherefore I consider it a joke.

[xethtoon]

@EgoDuctor

I still don't follow... do you agree or disagree?

[EgoDuctor]

@xethtoon I know too little about the american health reform. But I'm pretty sure it won't cost a great mass of people their jobs. And a healthcare is better than no healthcare.

[xethtoon]

@EgoDuctor

I'm alluding to the fact that health care costs are a proven drag on employment and the economy. Employers don't hire with benefits because it is so expensive. Costs are not shared. Costs are not contained. I still don't get your point: "a healthcare is better than no heathcare"? What does that even mean? Have you tried to get health insurance in the US? For someone with an existing health condition? Tried to get a job that provides healthcare? No? Then you do know too little.

[EgoDuctor]

@xethtoon I did a lil' reasearch. It will take around 120-700k jobs 'til 2019. The population will grow 14.2% 'til then. That means there will be around 40 million people more than now. The unemployment rate will grow less than 0.5%. A few jobs, yes, a very few jobs in comparison, is a good trade for quite a couple of more people who will benefit from this.

It is a good thing. The job arguement is just pure propaganda of the conservatives in the USA.

[sunriser5041]

@xethtoon yo would like you to ask what mechanisms the us government has just to maintain some sort of emancipation for its citizens? The question is , if im unemployed in the us, what happens then when i just broke my leg and need antibiotics? Or if i had an hearth attack ,or im just born with a specific disease with wich i will not be able to earn money in my life . I mean thou wealthy citizens are as important as them drinking fools , thats just what i heard , mr franklin said

[xethtoon]

@sunriser5041

What happens is basically this: The sick (uninsured) person goes to an expensive hospital emergency room. How the hospitals/doctors pay for this: Through subsidies, through taking it as a business loss. Everybody pays because the costs of the uninsured or under-insured are factored into everybody else's costs and insurance. ALSO if the person has any savings or property, they can easily be wiped out/bankrupted by a medical emergency. A great system all around.

[EgoDuctor]

@xethtoon People who have no heath insurance will be required to pay a tax penalty. The point of this system is that people won't be broke when thay have heath problem. Around 60% of bankrupts in the USA are due to an inability to pay medical costs. Their savings and property ara taken because of their inablity to pay, now that will change. Hopitals will also benefit from this as they lose 34 million usd each year due to uninsured people.

[xethtoon]

@EgoDuctor

Maybe you are missing my sarcasm when I said "a great system all around." In case you don't get it, I am in favor of health care reform. I have a lot of problems with Obama's plan, mainly that it is too timid and does not go far enough to provide affordable options. This cartoon was made before the act was passed. The facts you relate here totally support my PRO HEALTH CARE REFORM position.

[EgoDuctor]

@xethtoon Oh, sorry then. :) .

May I ask why you have problems with Obama's plan?

[xethtoon]

@EgoDuctor

Sorry back. I think we just misunderstood each other. My problems... a long story. Basically, I am in favor of a Public Option (or Medicare For Everybody) vs. the convoluted, half-baked, semi-boondogle (but better than nothing) plan that passed.

[dapop1001]

@EgoDuctor Obamas plan does nothing to stop price gougeing by insurance companies and doctors. All it does is try to spread the cost to more people. The people you are trying to spread the cost to can not afford it, while the insurance executives and drs who allready live like kings get richer. In mass. under Romneycare ( obamacare pilot) employers are passing the added cost right on to the employees. I expect reform to help the patients, not make the rich, richer.

[EgoDuctor]

@xethtoon You pretty much defined the old system there and argued pro heath care reform. I did 5 min research and already consider myself much better informed than you. Conclusion: You have no idea what you are talking about.

[xethtoon]

@EgoDuctor

You've written all these comments and I still can't even understand what your argument for or against is. Again you seem to contradict yourself AND make no sense at all. So I 'pretty much defined the old system there' (what system, where?) AND I 'argued pro health care reform'... so it sounds like I DID know what I'm talking about? What are YOU talking about? What is your point? Why are you even bothering to comment on an issue you admit you know nothing about after all this time?

[bddc201]

At a time when companies are making record profits, wages for the lowest paid earners has been stanant for thirty years. They are also slashing health benefits. The bosses aren't getting crushed, they know the balance of power is swinging their way and will screw anyone to make an extra buck.

[WolfmanMusic]

The most anyone needs is 250,000 and after that they should be heavily taxed to pay for the health care and servicers that will make the USA , one day, also a civilized country because a counrty is judged by the way it treats it's poor poeple, not by how "well" ya can do there.

[WolfmanMusic]

if everyone had the same coverage for the same price, it wouldn't be an issue. In civilized countries, the poor get it for free and the rich pay extra taxes, and that covers the costs of health care. I don't deny anyone the right to make a profit, but they are getting filthy rich.

[TheJerwy]

Reform is needed, but it also depends on what kind. I love the quote, if someone tells you they'll get u to Disney, most people are up for it. But if they tell you you'll get there by getting on a plane and crashing in the middle of it. Then you'll think twice.

[xethtoon]

I guess that makes poopster102 about 5.

[poopster102]

This explains why all liberals think like 10 year olds.

[ZeDingoBlag]

@poopster102 Because liberals have to talk like 10 year olds so conservatives will understand them? I can see how constantly having to talk down would make you think on the level you're talking down to.

[poopster102]

@ZeDingoBlag Good one, you're like Keith Olbermann.

[ZeDingoBlag]

@poopster102 I prefer Doug Stanhope or Joe Rogan. Olbermann and Maher are dicks.

[poopster102]

@ZeDingoBlag "Now this is the economy conservatives, it's like a hot dog bun, you see health care is the ketchup, we got to get the government to shake the bottle up, that way it won't come out all watery"

[ZeDingoBlag]

@poopster102 That's hilarious because I just watched another video that tries to explain healthcare reform in the terms of a picnic.

And it's never what Maher says, it's the way he says it. His intonation changes at the end of his sentence, he lowers and tilts his head, then stares at you like your dad would when looking at his car, which you just crashed into the garage door.

[bowlingballout]

What a great animation... the message was good too.

[igorolech]

do you know why costs crush your boss? because of taxes, you dem idiots! it's your fault! you want a big government!

[xethtoon]

Not true. Cost crush bosses because For Profit Health Insurance Companies. If you want to save tax money there are lots of ways to do it. 1) cut the military budget (more than every other country on earth COMBINED. 2) raise the tax rate on the richest Americans back to more equatable, fair, historic levels.Like before it was lowered and busted the budget by Bush and the REPUBLICAN LIZARD BRAINS. (Go check what the rate was when EISENHOWER was President and the US was at it's economic peak.)

[igorolech]

@xethtoon military budget it's other think, in this case we both agree. but i'm from country where medicine is socialized, and half of your payments goes to the state. our sustem in on the edge of collapse. check it by yourself, search for "polish nfz" or something like that. because of such huge taxation our bosses can't do as much as they could (make more jobs, consume). this tax money is wasted. if someone want to heal himself, he has to go private.

[xethtoon]

The Polish system may be on the edge of collapse but compared with Western Europe or Canada we Americans are simply being screwed. If you ever need health care here, you will quickly learn that. The new legislation still depends on Private Insurers with no Public Option. Republicans actually should be overjoyed! It gives the insurance industry millions of new customers. Medicaid For All should have been the standard. At least now my family may be able to get coverage. That's real improvement.

[tryggda]

@igorolech it's that dang big gummermint ! big txes! ! dang gummermint! ! Doing all sorts of horrible evil things to rurual electrification! And taxes! It is like stealing my moeny--espcially if I am rich and want to keep billions---big money Big Gummermint is trying to steal to pay for food and health--gol dang pioneers did have the gummermint do that--that just got together in a community and figgered it out together---not like gumermint, which arrives from outer space!!

[vinay0429]

dude this should win the commercial. It's funny, informative, and well made! I HOPE YOU WIN! AND I HOPE HEALTH CARE WINS!

[IssuesAndJustice]

It has some factual errors. It is already illegal for an insurance company to drop you for being sick.

The need is there for reform but the Obama plan does nothing to address costs. That is a fact. It doesn't even claim to. All it does it start a government run insurance company and then use taxpayer money to subsidize insurance plans of people who make less than $88,000.

[xethtoon]

Obviously, the solution is to support the Republicans who have determined to do nothing and prevent the solution of any of the issues you raise. We do need real reform.

[xethtoon]

Thanks, me too.

[hamnose]

You're still here. Newsflash: the economy crashed last year. Your beloved Bush was president 8 long years leading into the crash. All European and Asian nations with universal health care have recovered. And that debt you mention was more than doubled under the previous administration. You'd make a great Soviet revisionist! Why didn't you stay there? You think we appreciate freaks like you bringing that fuck the people attitude here? But you aren't a refugee from the Soviet Union are you?

[xethtoon]

There are many dangers and potential dangers for the future. But that has nothing to do with whether the (still) richest most powerful nation in the world can provide decent, basic health care for its citizens. The economic and social long term benefits of THAT are incalculable and would help SOLVE some of the future problems you fear. Some expenses are worth it and pay off. Like HC reform.

[hamnose]

Yeah you Neanderthal just like the AFL CIO

[hamnose]

And what was that. Oh the Maoists killed grandma? Oh yeah I'm sure. And yes indeed you are a copy and paste idiot.

[hamnose]

How do you like that "liberal progressive"welfare that enables you to sit on your ass and make your BS comments all day on youtube. How many for this video does it make? 20? 30? Jesus christ don't you have anything better to do? Like get a life? Oh I get it, this is your life... being a free slave and propagandist for a assholes you'll never know. You make the Stalinist revisionists look like little angels. But you wouldn't know that would you? Because you've never been in the Soviet Union.

[xethtoon]

Oh yeah, if we get health care reform in the US we won't be able to pay for foreign rock and roll cassettes. Maoists will kill our families. We'll be just like the Soviet Union. (But not like Canada.) You've convinced me.

[xethtoon]

BTW, what's so great about the current system that it doesn't need some changing?

[goodrichardsalmanac]

If the insurance os the problem, why is the solution to create more insurance? THINK.

[f1nK3L90]

so, basically, everyone has a certain calculable potential need for health care. this is what insurance companies (IC) use to choose rates. right now IC benefit from choosing not to cover some health care needs, because it lowers IC actual potential risk. the problem with this is that some customers are bankrupted for lack of coverage, and some number of people will die without it. by spreading coverage more are cared for cheaper, while increasing investment in the industry meaning more research

[xethtoon]

No, lack of health care access is the problem. It is currently paid for by having to pay insurance companies whose main goal is to make a profit, not provide the service. Why not pay for it directly through a public service? Here's a test for you: remove everything government currently does for you from your life. Highways to police, etc. You think it would be better paid for privately?

[xethtoon]

Do you even really have any knowledge or understanding of "socialism"? I believe in free enterprise, individual rights, democracy, capitalism with responsible regulation and elected government that deals with real world problems. Some aspects of our complex modern world need government. Privatization is no solution to every problem, a failure in many. HC is the mess it is because it is treated as a for-profit business in the US, unlike in more 'socialist' systems. Stop trusting corporations!

[xethtoon]

Comparing the evil, hypocritical dictatorship that was the USSR to liberal democratic HC policies in Western Europe or Canada is ridiculous. You may as well say "I lived in Russia in the 1990s and they tried democracy and it didn't work and I see it here in the USA and it scares me to death."

[xethtoon]

You're trying to say the USSR was a liberal progressive democracy? Have you ever lived in Canada? Western Europe? Do you have health insurance now? Who pays for it? What does it cover? Are you aware of its limitations, how it is rigged to deny benefits and care? Do you understand that millions are denied any care, or usable care? They lose their homes, businesses, lives, etc. every day because of the current system. Shame on you for misrepresenting the truth.

[xethtoon]

There is a huge gap between what you fear and what is being proposed for the real world here. You need to recognize that. We need health care reform that provides coverage for the millions who now have none or are being bankrupted by the current for-profit system. That's what people voted for. That's what clearly is proven to work in other advanced countries. The current system is rigged for the corporations that profit from it. No one is advocating 'gov takeover!'

[hamnose]

You say you lived in the USSR and it was a liberal progressive democracy? Oh really? How did you like all that rock and roll music? That wasn't banned where you lived? Unions decided everything? Oh really? What labor unions are you talking about? Name one. You saw Mao Zedong supporters in the Soviet Union? They killed your grandma? You willing to stand by that? I say fuck you and your grandma. You copy and paste lying sack of shit. You were never even in the Soviet Union.

[zzx2847]

FREEDOM of CHOICE is being thrown right out the window by the federal government. A wise man once said:

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

-Benjamin Franklin

People need to WAKE THE HELL UP!

[xethtoon]

Franklin's entire politics was that when existing systems fail to act for public good, or only for their own benefit, the people have a right and a duty to organize alternatives. Today, 'the people' need the alternative of the public health care option. He would not be for protecting the powerful status quo.

What Liberty is being lost here? The right to 'choose' between insurance companies that deny and restrict basic health coverage for profit? A nice quote out of context means nothing.

[zzx2847]

Funny but the status-quo of Franklin's time was an all powerful British GOVERNMENT, that imposed regulations on the market and taxes as it saw fit! The same direction government is taking us in today.

And liberty and the right to choose is being trampled on by the progressives in government as they push toward a single payer system. Freedom of choice is being able to choose between different companies, plans and options in a FREE and OPEN market, NOT A GOVERNMENT MONOPOLY ON THE SYSTEM!

[f1nK3L90]

okay, that may be true, but people need health care. the government should give the people what they need; raise the quality of life for millions and pass health care reform. nobody should have the ability to withhold necessary lifesaving medical procedures for anyone for any reason. if government monopoly means higher quality of life, regular medical attention, preventative care, and more fairness in healthcare industry, then i'm in a government monopoly.

[xethtoon]

Funny, but there actually was a major election last november and the President and his party won by a historic margin. That is called representation, and the people, Americans, voted and voted clearly. The system worked! Now it is time for that elected, representative government to act on its promises, which it is trying to do. What part of that do you see as UNAmerican? Also there is NO plan calling for Gov. monopoly. You take the time to comment, how about some research first?

[xethtoon]

There is NOT freedom of choice now! Depending on where you live and your employer or lack thereof, you can choose between insurance companies, but NOT necessarily the actual HC services you need. And no one is proposing a gov. monopoly. You are not dealing honestly with the facts on the ground, let alone the legislation under consideration.

[Zoklor]

Umm, the only reason our country is going broke and insurance companies are like this IS because of our govt. This new bill released is proof enough. A mandate to have health ins., a tax on EVERY single medical device(knee replacements, pacemakers , etc.), and even more taxes on top of all that. Pls tell me how this "reform" is supposed to lower costs for people? Seriously, wake up people.

[xethtoon]

No, the current situation is the result of NOT dealing with this problem for decades, due to the sort of confusion and fear spouted by insurance industry and 'conservatives.' Frankly, the reform would work better if it was a straight single payer option and not a hybrid designed to appease knee-jerk opponents.

[biged2k2]

Yeah you're right. That's why very prestigious private universities like Harvard and Yale aren't liberal at all. And I guess that's why right wing politicians never accuse the students and professors of these universities as being liberal wine sipping elitists.

You're and idiot.

If you're gonna try to spin the point or move the goal posts, you're gonna have to try harder than that.

[ObamasLipsAreMoving]

ohhh.....that's right! Those prestigious bastions of Marxist / Maoist philosophy. Yeah. Different pool of money... Lots of funds from their Marxist / Maoist Alumni.

[xethtoon]

You are really too much. The depth of your lack of actual experience or knowledge boggles.

[drwrencho]

OK Tort reform and non profit the great ideas keep rolling in. hit it from all angles.

[forfancy]

wonderful, great illustrations, clear & concise.

[drwrencho]

I am still waiting for the Republican Health Reform bill but for some reason I hear ans see nothing. I like the private system used in japan. That system would reduce social care Require insurance to be Non- Profit and every employer would be required to cover there employees. Simple and effective So go you right winged buttheads stand by principals and draft it up. Unless of course you dont want health Insurance to be non profit.

[ObamasLipsAreMoving]

Yet another concise example of how well the state-controlled media is doing their job. There is a Republican plan, and it has been around for a long time. But just like the reports of Commies and Maoists in the White House, and ACORN aiding and abetting child prostitution, you won't hear about it. I'll forgive you your ignorance on the matter; you are after all a liberal. PS: I was once a liberal. Then I grew up.

[drwrencho]

I don't agree with you on many things and quite frankly you sound like you are kind of brainwashed like many people on both ends. My political standing is a left leaning Libertarian. If though however you have some websites with references to these statistics i will be glad to look at them

[drwrencho]

Sorry i won't listen to AM radio for my info and as soon as i see the GOP's answer to the health care insurance scam I will consider it.

BTW you sound like an idiot when you start metioning the "commies"

So making insurance non profit is not something you conside?r why? I t works for Japan quite well and Japan has less social medicine than the states. This is information from non partisan studies.

[ObamasLipsAreMoving]

drwrencho- I respect the Libertarian viewpoint for the most part. I wouldn't say absolutely no to a non-profit market. There are non-profits such as Kaiser, now. Are they cheaper? Do they really perform better? I suspect if so they would take a large market share. Can I get Kaiser in FL? NOPE. Not an option. Now if I could buy across state lines I could, and Kaiser could increase market share. But the Dems won't allow that.

[ObamasLipsAreMoving]

GOP plan:

gop(DOT)gov/solutions/healthca­re

[freakawill2000]

This is the GOP's answer to health insurance. Provide real competition, and thus lower costs, by repealing a law banning insurance companies across state lines.

[ObamasLipsAreMoving]

Oh, and by the way, the Republican plan costs the taxpayers approximately $700 billion less than the Democrat proposal.

[ProgrammerOne]

Of course it costs $700 billion dollars less...because "nothing" costs nothing.

[jeffmagic32]

There is no government character in this cartoon. It should be a lumbering retarded giant who takes half the money from both the worker and the boss, leaving both with only one option - government run health care - yayyyy!

[xethtoon]

No sure you do get it...

Are you gonna turn down Medicaid/Medicare when you're eligible?

[jeffmagic32]

Those systems will both be broke within a few years.

[ObamasLipsAreMoving]

Jeff...can you believe that you got 2 thumbs-downs about Medicare/Medicaid going broke? What do these people only read comic books? ahh hahahahahah! LOLOLOLOLOL

Enjoy paying into the Social Security Ponzi Scheme, to, because that one's collapsing, too!

[xethtoon]

Please just tell me, whose lips were moving for the last 8 years? What kind of world do you imagine yourself in?

[jeffmagic32]

I can believe it - facts make liberals very uncomfortable.

[djmarkanthony69]

OUTSTANDING!

[greg0658]

audio is clicky .. I liked it otherwise .. probably plays over and over and over ok .. the broken arm/leg for pre-existing sickness? / something else

[bourne16]

this is one of the best ads in terms of getting the point across, but the emotional one with the kids i think would have a greater impact

[ObamasLipsAreMoving]

If the government has identified $500 billion in waste and fraud already, then don't you think they would have done something about it BEFORE costs got out of control? It is not about helping, it's about controlling.

[xethtoon]

You miss the point that the current system is not set up competitively at all. Also,the major problem for our economy and country is lack of care for millions of citizens, the lack of options being offered by the current FOR PROFIT system. My family is personally dealing with this issue. If I could buy decent coverage, I would. Finally, you are already being controlled... but by totally unaccountable big business. We elect the government, remember? Or don't you believe in democracy anymore?

[ObamasLipsAreMoving]

The point you miss is that when government competes, it cheats, then it fails. Right now, each state has a very limited number of insurers to chose from - government made it that way. It is funny how government says competition is the key, but they want to be the only new competition in town. Competition across state lines that would open up my options from 5 or 6 companies to a couple hundred would be real competition.

[xethtoon]

Well most insurance companies do operate in multiple states and the ones that offer the worst policies are in the states with LESS regulation. It's fun to say government cheats. But what's the sole goal of the FOR PROFIT health insurance industry we have now? To provide health care? That's laughable. Nobody expects utopia, but every other first world nation has a better health system that gives citizens MORE freedom because it frees them from the fear and worry most of us have now. Fact.

[ObamasLipsAreMoving]

Your peace of mind is not someone else's responsibility.

[ObamasLipsAreMoving]

Go online right now and ask for a list of insurance companies in your state. And BTW - On a percentage basis, MEDICARE DENIED more claims that other top insurance companies - that according to the AMA. Google:

ama-endorses-largest-denier-of­-health-care-claims

[xethtoon]

Lips, like I mentioned, my family has been dealing with lists of insurance companies, and details of their coverage in both NY and PA for the past year. Hopefully you will never face a real life health care situation that finally proves the error of your beliefs. Your link is highly suspect and 'proves' nothing except maybe that existing system is broken! Frankly, we're already trying it 'your way.' It doesn't work. Wake up, please. The insurance lobby doesn't really need your help!

[ObamasLipsAreMoving]

xethtoon...In NY you have about 6 companies that are allowed to compete. Likely the same in PA. THAT is NOT competition! If you were to honestly follow up on my link, you would see there is a link in that article directly to the report on the AMA server. It proves that existing gov't plans are WORSE than the market. We know the system needs reform, but not this. I am sorry for the problems you have encountered, really. I am paying on some bills of my own; it IS after all MY responsibility.

[michaelkirschner]

Private schools compete with free tax funded public schools, and they both coexist peacefully

[ObamasLipsAreMoving]

Ahhh... Michael. Interesting observation. It's not necessarily a matter of "coexisting peacefully" that is the wrong term. And, no, they do not literally "compete," either. In order for them to be in competition, they would need to be competing for the same pool of money. They are not.

[biged2k2]

I think the public/private college analogy is much better. They ARE competing, and they are competing for the same pool of money, tuition. The public funded ones are cheaper, yet the private institutions are doing just fine.

[Boomer1949]

Repealing the health insurance exemption of the anti-trust law would accomplish the same thing and that is going to pass before the health care reform does.

[ObamasLipsAreMoving]

Boomer - yes, thank you. There are SO many things that can be done that will not cost the taxpayers a single dime! Why do people think government is the answer? They are the bloody problem!

[drwrencho]

Non Profit for Health Insurance would be a good idea also.

We are the only country in the world profiting from sickness!

Take the teeth away from the sharks.

[ObamasLipsAreMoving]

Did you know that insurance companies "profit" margins are less than 3.5% of net? They rank 86th of all industry. (Google: "ap insurance company profit margins") The dems needed a villain & it couldn't be Trial Lawyers who, BTW, gave 80% of their donations to Democrats. Yet lawyers take a WHOPPING 35% or more of every settlement, the complainant pays costs & walks away with very little. LAWYERS ARE THE GREEDY BASTARDS! Yet Dems have their backs and THAT is why they refuse to touch tort reform.

[Boomer1949]

But the real question is what do health insurance companies do that adds to the health of any person? Why do we need this "middle man" between a person and their doctor? Health insurance is fairly new. I think it was sometime in the 50's or 60's that they came about. Before that you paid directly or if you couldn't afford it, their was charity hospitals and doctors.

[RatJan]

We're stunned to silence by the magnificence of it all.

[coordinatezero]

I think I get it!

[xethtoon]

What, no comments at all?