Schwarzenegger dimisses single-payer health system

Dismissing the idea of a single payer health care system in his state, via the specter of inefficient government bureaucracy, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger spoke of a system where all citizens were "insured," keeping firmly in place a private layer of industry between citizens and health care services one might think would be obsoleted or diminished by real universal health care.

As he left for his car, The Washington Stakeout's Sam Husseini asked the governor if he believed there was "such a thing as a business bureaucracy," to which Schwarzenegger responded "oh yeah" -- but there was no opportunity to further explore the governor's thoughts, or see what he knew about the examples and lessons learned the North, in Canada.

http://www.washingtonstakeout.com/

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• tws
• thewashingtonstakeout
• washingtonstakeout
• washingtondc
• sam
• husseini
• arnold
• schwarzenegger
• singlepayer
• healthcare

[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...)

[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.

[TheRasenganrules]

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

[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]

@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, 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, 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]

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, 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]

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, 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.