Obama Won't Insist on the Public Option

[portlanddem]

Good video--I just subscribed to your guys videos.

I want the public option because first off, I want insurance companies to have *REAL* competition, so it would make them accountable and lower their monthly premiums, and secondly, so yes, everyone would be covered.

Actually, the US does have the best health care in the world, but here is the key term: for those that can afford it.

I want a bill where the insurance companies can NOT even touch it!!! Whether it is gov't ran or not.

[TheLegalImmigrant05]

A couple of questions, if I may:

1. What is interfering with real competition among health insurance providers NOW, in your opinion? How is competition in that sector different from competition among food markets for instance, or car insurance providers, or companies that produce clothing?

2. What do you think is the profit margin of the health insurance plan industry?

Thank you

[portlanddem]

Sure:

1. Big business & corporate interests with insurance companies are interfering with insurance competition right now. I wouldn't really say it is much different, in that it is a life-right; whereas clothing and food competitors are not profiting off people getting sick. Auto insurance co's on the other hand are--you will never benefit from what you pay into insurance--that is a fact. They will drop you once you surpass what you've put in--take State Farm for example--they do this daily.

[TheLegalImmigrant05]

How exactly does this work - I mean "big business" and "corporate interests" interfering with competition? Are they breaking the law? If they are, then need to be brought to justice.

[portlanddem]

Well, in short, big business does not want the health care reform bill to pass, because pharmaceutical companies are in it for those large corporations; and in turn, get tax breaks for sticking with the insurance companies.

I totally agree, when they break the law, they need to be brought to justice.

[TheLegalImmigrant05]

Oh and by the way, do you know which of the large insurance companies has the biggest denial rate, as in denying to approve care for its clients?

[portlanddem]

No, I do not know which insurance company has the biggest denial rate. It has to be one of the larger insurance companies out there though for millions to be denied medical care each year--it is those same millions who are also pushing for "socialized" medicine.

[TheLegalImmigrant05]

The biggest denier of coverage is Medicare. Look up AMA's 2008 National Health Insurer Report Card - it is easily found on the Internet. Their denial rate (6.85%) is higher than any private insurer included in the report and twice the industry average.

Stay informed.

[portlanddem]

Bullshit. You really believe that don't you?

If Medicare denies more coverage than *any private insurer * that you say it does, why is it that most of the country wants to use a medicare-style system, and those who do use it say "I don't want the government getting involved in my medicare!"

The health care provided as a benefit, to Congress is basically medicare--do you see any of them saying anything about being denied for any coverage?? Of course not.

Talk about being mis-informed.

[TheLegalImmigrant05]

Look. It. Up. Take a look at the document. I have. Then, if you don't like the figures, take it up with AMA they wrote it.

Congress is NOT on a government provided healthcare a la Medicare. They choose from a menu of several dozens private plans, which the taxpayer pays for. Look it up.

Willful blindness is worse than stupidity.

[portlanddem]

2. The profit margin of health insurance co's is in the billions. Even after the costs of producing & manufacturing the drugs, they still profit over a billion $.

For those against gov't ran insurance, that is fine--lets take away ALL medicare, medicaid & of course, EVERY single one of each member of Congress, because I don't want them living off the "socialized" medicine that I am paying for--I can't afford it!

Obama does have the power to remove their health insurance from all of them!

[TheLegalImmigrant05]

I meant %% - profit margin is measured in %. Profitability is measured in %, not in absolute dollars. Absolute dollars are meaningless as a measure of profitability. But surely you knew that.

So do you know what the profit margins are - in % - in the health plan industry? Venture a guess?

[portlanddem]

If I had to venture a guess, realistically I would say over 80% profitability.

[TheLegalImmigrant05]

Realistically, you would be wrong like 20x over.

Average profitability of health insurance plans is 3.30%. I sent you a link in a personal message - check it out for yourself.

I guess it means that we need to stay informed, double check our data, and never believe anything media or politicians say at face value. They could be incompetent and not knw what they are talking about. Or they could simply be lying to you. Or both. Even politicians we like.

[portlanddem]

Realistically, you know, that is the same thing I said when George W Bush and these neocon rethug pieces of shit were all hyped up about illegally invading Iraq, but he didn't check the facts, along with anyone that voted for it, and look where that led us.

Just wondering, how can you prove that link is even authentic and true to what it says?

[TheLegalImmigrant05]

Well, can you prove it's NOT? I mean, what kind of DATA - and I mean DATA, not quotes from speeches or newspaper articles - do you base your conclusions on? Show me what information you are going on. Point me to your source.

[portlanddem]

As president, Obama has full authority to remove the health insurance from ALL members of Congress, & I wish he would!

Now, if he did do that, you know how quick the reform bill would be passed?!?!

Remember, most of those folks are older than 50 yrs old, so they are already on the decline as far as their health's concerned.

They talk about Obama moving too fast with it, Bullshit. It is moving too slow!! They've had over 15 yrs to do this--time is up--it is time to finally get to work!

[TheLegalImmigrant05]

President has no authority over the compensation of the legislative branch, and as such, he can't remove their healthcare benefits from them any more than he can remove their salaries or fire their staff.

[portlanddem]

The president can not remove their salary or fire their staff, but he does have authority to suspend their healthcare benefits. It is a benefit to them, not a law that can not be changed. Just google it.

[insanekoolness]

essiacinfoDOTorg

[insanekoolness]

I don't even agree with health care or insurance period and I don't want it.

I prefer alternative medicine. With good reason too, we found the cure for cancer in the mid 1900's but he U.S. Dept. of Health shut it down because it did not fit into their "definition" of a "drug" and of course a hospital is a business and they were losing money badly. Google Essiac they got over 500,000 signatures BACK THEN that it cured their cancer. The gov. still hasn't found a "drug" that can cure it. ITS BULL.

[shitunot]

these two gusy talk sense..the americans have been scared back into their places by the health insurance companies.

[MrInspector17]

"Thick minded American public" ??? You admit there are waiting times, for non emergency issues, like test, check ups, etc... Who decides what is an emergency or is not one? Currently I can walk into my doctors office ask for x,y and z test and get it, usually within a few hours to a day or two. Under your system, that will go away. No thanks.

[Loakum]

You're welcome. I'm suprised that folks are still quick to believe what the media has to say, when they have been proven to be full of shit, time and time again. The so called News Media is nothing but ratings whores now. They will report boldface LIES, if it gets them ratings (especially Fox News). Look at how long it took (MSNBC and CNN) to FINALLY start debunking the myth, that "Obama wants to kill Grandma", in his HealthCare reform bill.

[astrolabe1976]

well im hoping this AP news headline is right

"Biden: Obama health plan to be bold, contentious"

contentious for who is the question..

[lostinseganet]

America has better tech in health care but the distribution of help is horrible in America.

[Nothiean]

I agree with you on this, totally.

[Loakum]

People...this is just something THE MEDIA came up with. It hasn't been confirmed by President Obama, or the Democratic Party. Remember when the news reported that Michelle Obama yelled "Kill Whitey" in a church? Was that story EVER confirmed as being true? NO! So let's see what Obama will do, before we pass judgements.

[amp1616]

Obama needs to flex his pimp hand. Sweden is way better by the way they even give out ten weeks of paid vacation..i think im in the wrong country

[TheLegalImmigrant05]

Move then.