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We need health care reform — even Joe Wilson should get that
Monday, September 14, 2009 6:08 AM PDT
If you read this column regularly, you know that I usually write about something local. Well, today I'm going national and I'm writing about health care — but as the saying goes, all politics are local.
Our health care system is broken and our President is trying to do something constructive about it. Those of you that disagree with me probably prefer the Joe Wilson approach.
If you missed it, Joe Wilson, a member of the House of Representatives from South Carolina, shouted "You lie!" during the president's speech to a joint session of Congress, in response to the president saying that any health care reform/insurance reform bill would not apply to those who are in the United States illegally.
Well to be clear, crystal clear, Mr. Wilson is the liar. First, there is no bill yet before the Senate, and the drafts before the House of Representatives say that illegal immigrants cannot be covered. If you don't believe me, look it up yourself, but please stop listening to Mr. Wilson.
If Mr. Wilson's lack of respect for the office of the president and the setting in which the speech was given was not enough to certify Wilson as a whack-job, his apology should. Sure, he apologized — but only after being taken to the woodshed by the "leadership" of his own party, sorta like one would force their child to apologize for being rude to someone. Enough history about Mr. Wilson.
I believe that even those who are still looking for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq understand that our health care/health insurance system is broken. The disagreement is on how to fix it, and I really think most of that is about the public insurance option.
Well, I have news for some you — we already have public options. The problem is that they are not available to most of us, and they are costly for all of us.
The first public option is free. Let me give you an example.
Two people are walking down Sacramento Street and suffer heart attacks. One is middleto upper-class, self-employed with a high deductible insurance. The other person is homeless without a dime and without identification. Both will be transported by ambulance to Lodi Memorial Hospital, where they will receive the best treatment available without differentiation. When they are both well, they will need to settle their bills with the hospital.
The self-employed person will pay what they can. If it exceeds what they can afford, the hospital will formulate a payment plan for them with no expectation that the person will become bankrupt as a result. Their insurance company, however, may not be so giving, in that the annual deductibles and monthly premiums will need to be met.
The homeless person will use public option number one — free — and pay nothing. Their costs will be absorbed by the hospital. Charity care.
In 2008, Lodi Memorial Hospital absorbed $4.6 million in charity care. Did I mention that they wrote off and didn't collect $11 million from Medi-Cal and $12.6 million from Medicare? That is $28.2 million that went uncollected, and that's at little Lodi Memorial.
The second public option is also not available to everyone, and that is Medicare. I went to the Medicare Web site, and I will be eligible for Medicare on March 1, 2029, right before my 65th birthday — yet I pay into Medicare every month through my payroll.
Now I know that Medicare is not perfect, and I also know that the free option is not the one I want or need because I can afford to pay something, but why not have a government-run insurance option? Would I select it? I don't know, because there isn't one.
What would be wrong with the government providing an insurance option that is funded by premiums? Is it that insurance companies would make less money? So what? If the public insurance option were like other government programs it wouldn't be as nice as the private stuff, so only those without other options would take it, and thus private insurance companies would do just fine.
Those of you with private insurance could keep what you have. Those of you with a lot of cash could do whatever you want. I am not proposing that anything be taken from you.
In the United States of America, no one should avoid going to the doctor out of fear for being unable to pay. We would all be healthier and we would save money. I think Joe Wilson would even get that.
John Johnson, CFA, is a Lodi-based business appraiser. Contact him at john@johnejohnson.com or 369-1451.
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rantraves wrote on Sep 27, 2009 8:50 PM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 25, 2009 10:30 PM:
Bob Hussein Loblaw wrote on Sep 24, 2009 9:09 PM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 24, 2009 8:18 PM:
rantraves wrote on Sep 24, 2009 6:41 AM:
ttian wrote on Sep 24, 2009 12:53 AM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 22, 2009 11:37 PM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 22, 2009 1:18 PM:
Journey wrote on Sep 22, 2009 11:53 AM:
http://tvbythenumbers.com/category/ratings/top-news/cable-news "
rantraves wrote on Sep 22, 2009 8:14 AM:
dyan wrote on Sep 21, 2009 7:51 PM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 21, 2009 3:18 PM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 21, 2009 3:17 PM:
Aimee wrote on Sep 21, 2009 3:02 PM:
I know it gives you little warm fuzzies to think that, but honestly, I can assure you, it's not true.
But you might want to seek some assistance with that Brian thing... "
dyan wrote on Sep 21, 2009 2:29 PM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 21, 2009 1:56 PM:
Me too! Go for it. :-) "
Lodian wrote on Sep 21, 2009 1:55 PM:
Aimee wrote on Sep 21, 2009 12:24 PM:
Uh, well, that's not exactly true. You CONTINUALLY bring up the issue...I've mentioned it before, on multiple occasions....who cares??
I'd LOVE it if every person you've ever accused of being Brian all logged on and posted at the same time - what a hoot that would be!!
People Annoyed with Lodian (please add your name if I've missed adding you)
-Dyan
-Brian
-Gcamp
-Sparky595
-Aimee
-Lou
People Who Find Lodian's Posts "Witty" (please feel free to add your name in case I've missed you)
-Bob Hussein Loblaw
Yes, Lodian, all these bloggers that "attack" you are one person. Don't you think it's telling that you have more detractors than you do fans? Maybe you might want to change your blogging style and be a little more tolerant? "
Lodian wrote on Sep 21, 2009 11:28 AM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 21, 2009 9:54 AM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 21, 2009 9:53 AM:
I must apologize, as my post was meant for scamp and not for you. You guys seem so similar I guess I just got you mixed up. Sorry, pal. :-) "
Journey wrote on Sep 21, 2009 9:25 AM:
Live + Same Day Cable News Daily Ratings for September 17, 2009
P2+ Total Day
FNC – 1,586,000 viewers
CNN – 590,000 viewers
MSNBC –454,000 viewers
CNBC – 197,000 viewers
HLN – 374,000 viewers
P2+ Prime Time
FNC – 3,238,000viewers
CNN— 1,054,000 viewers
MSNBC –1,123,000 viewers
CNBC – 259,000 viewers
HLN – 813,000viewers "
gcamp wrote on Sep 20, 2009 9:52 PM:
sam wrote on Sep 20, 2009 7:17 PM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 20, 2009 7:16 PM:
I have since pointed out to her that her that I never made that claim. She has responded with silence.
No proof to back her rambling false accusations;.
No apology for calling me a coward.
Whose the coward, now? Pathetic. "
sam wrote on Sep 20, 2009 7:08 PM:
I love that President Bush is sitting next to John Madden in the new Cowboy Arena watching football. He made quite a few bad choices as our president, but it is fun to watch him loving football.
Our presidents are JUST MEN. Get over it. "
sparky595 wrote on Sep 20, 2009 6:50 PM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 20, 2009 6:35 PM:
I will, however, claim that fox news has 50% of all viewers combined with CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, CNN, and HLN throughout the entire day.
I will also claim they have 3 times the viewers of their nearest competitor during their evening broadcasts.
http://tvbythenumbers.com/category/ratings/top-news/cable-news
Lodian, you need to put the drink down, and direct your attacks at the right person....you idiot. "
Lodian wrote on Sep 20, 2009 6:32 PM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 20, 2009 6:26 PM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 20, 2009 6:08 PM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 20, 2009 5:49 PM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 20, 2009 5:48 PM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 20, 2009 4:39 PM:
How about the self admitted communist Van Jones? Fox was the only one doing the story until he resigned. Then the obama state run media finally did one report about the resignation.
How about Acorn? Fox was the only one willing to show undercover video of them helping a "prostitute" attempt to evade taxes while whoring out 13 year olds. Lodian, even you can't defend this. Oh yeah. The state run obama media finally reported this days later.
Both stories have overwhelming video to back them up, so you can't make your false claims of "opinions and views being interjected"
Lodian, I bet you don't have the courage to post where you get your "news" from. "
Lodian wrote on Sep 20, 2009 3:09 PM:
What 70%? Bologna! Where did you get that figure? And so what! It doesn't mean a thing. Does FOX even report the news anymore? Just like a lot of journalism today, it's all about the reporters opinions, views, and interjecting those opinions and views in their report. I have no respect for such journalism. "
rantraves wrote on Sep 20, 2009 2:19 PM:
anthropis wrote on Sep 20, 2009 11:41 AM:
gcamp wrote on Sep 20, 2009 10:08 AM:
Obama told Univision's "Al Punto" ("To the Point") that the strong opposition to his plan is part of a political strategy.
"Well, part of it is ... that the opposition has made a decision," he said. "They are just not going to support anything, for political reasons." ....Does this guy now looks like a racist? "
Brian wrote on Sep 20, 2009 8:42 AM:
" Ahhh, Clidian, you try to be so cute with your answers. Especially when you have nothing to back up your comments. "
-Indeed,
She has to be So Cute all the time. "
Brian wrote on Sep 20, 2009 8:39 AM:
" Brian wrote "It's almost like she is trying to say she is a victim
of what other people say that causes these outbursts."
What in the world? lol! Brian, you are really showing your insanity here again. If you can't debate an issue just bow out for goodness sake. Too funny! "
-Well,
Then one could conclude that at any given moment, Lodian is subject to outbursts. Walking down the street and unloading at the intersection with no one in sight might be construed as a little insane. "
Brian wrote on Sep 20, 2009 8:31 AM:
It's clear that Obama lied in his speech. He's gone on to change his rhetoric on "Meet The Press" this morning. Speaking out of both sides of his mouth is considered one of his more favorable traits in liberal circles. "
LodiJoe wrote on Sep 19, 2009 3:16 PM:
rantraves wrote on Sep 19, 2009 1:26 PM:
gcamp wrote on Sep 19, 2009 12:26 PM:
gcamp wrote on Sep 19, 2009 12:15 PM:
gcamp wrote on Sep 19, 2009 12:13 PM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 19, 2009 12:08 PM:
The real issue is we are facing a government take over of our healthcare. Has any one actually stopped and really thought about the implications of this? It's not all about "healthcare for everyone" or "lower costs". We could do that without government involvement. There is so much more to it. The government is trying to get there hands into every aspect of our lives. Banks, car companies, education, healthcare, and how we consume energy ( Cap and Trade bill). One year ago, they weren't involved in these. Wake up! This government is going socialist right in front of us. "
stantaves wrote on Sep 19, 2009 10:59 AM:
ttian wrote on Sep 19, 2009 10:03 AM:
http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/12/stephen-hawking-defends-care-in-the-uk/
"Recently I was traveling through Spain when I fell and injured my hand. On my way to the hospital without an appointment, I prepared myself for the worst (in terms of waiting, etc.). Within 2 hours I was screened by one doctor, received an X-ray, and then given the diagnosis by a second doctor.
I was shocked by the high levels of efficiency, care, and professionalism exhibited at every step of the process.
The same diagnosis here would have taken far longer as most insurance companies require the use of specific X-ray facilities that frequently don’t match their network of doctors or hospitals. It would have been a multi-step process stretched out over days - assuming I have health care.
In one week, my health care runs out. I’m a recent grad (of a graduate program, not undergrad), so COBRA doesn’t apply to the health insurance I bought through school. And not surprisingly, as a recent grad, I have no job at the moment. Pennsylvania’s Adult-Basic plan has an 18 month waiting list because Republicans shot down efforts to sufficiently fund it.
Maybe I should return to Spain?" "
ttian wrote on Sep 19, 2009 10:02 AM:
http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/12/stephen-hawking-defends-care-in-the-uk/
"I also lived in Sweden for 20 years, and I never had a problem with their health system. Americans, who don’t travel anywhere, let alone know anything about the countries they are talking about, let the AMA, and the drug companies keep them in total fear and ignorance."
" I lived in England several years and the National Health is the most popular government program with the English and with the Americans who live there. The program absolutely takes care of everyone who needs it. They don’t consider for a second about rationing care if you are disabled or aged. This is a complete fabrication by the American right. The English express nothing but horror that somehow in America a price is put on someone getting health care, which they see as an inalienable right. We should be a little more aware of what goes on in their system and not, as is now happening, let lies parade as knowledge." "
ttian wrote on Sep 19, 2009 9:41 AM:
"An Illinois man getting chemotherapy was dropped from his insurance plan when his insurer discovered an unreported gallstone the patient hadn't known about.
"They delayed his treatment, and he died because of it," the president said in the nationally televised address.
In fact, the man, Otto S. Raddatz, didn't die because the insurance company rescinded his coverage once he became ill, an act known as recission. The efforts of his sister and the office of Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan got Raddatz's policy reinstated within three weeks of his April 2005 rescission and secured a life-extending stem-cell transplant for him. Raddatz died this year, nearly four years after the insurance showdown."
BEWARE fellow insurance(for profit) holders,if you need treatment, your insurance may drop you for another condition you may not even know about that they "discovered". Now not only are you ill, you have to fight for your life with an "INSURANCE SHOWDOWN". - Next,you'll need your STATE :ATTORNEY GENERAL'S" number handy so that they can put you on their schedule to order the insurance company to reinstate your insurance policy. If you're lucky it'll happen in 3 weeks & lucky if treatment wasn't rescheduled/delayed. "
Bob Hussein Loblaw wrote on Sep 18, 2009 9:29 PM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 18, 2009 3:19 PM:
rantraves wrote on Sep 18, 2009 2:57 PM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 18, 2009 1:16 PM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 18, 2009 12:16 PM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 18, 2009 11:09 AM:
"Hey I have an idea, we can all make a post at an exact same time. That will really confuse Lodian as to who Brian is."
We're all still waiting for this big event. Any consensus between your peanut gallery (Sybilites) on when this will take place. "
Patton wrote on Sep 18, 2009 11:09 AM:
More comments about this than any article for a long time, Love it. "
Lodian wrote on Sep 18, 2009 10:39 AM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 18, 2009 10:20 AM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 18, 2009 9:35 AM:
Will you be letting us all know when this will happen? I wouldn't want to miss it. "
Lodian wrote on Sep 18, 2009 9:28 AM:
"Lodian, since you know all of Brian's handles, why don't you lay them all out for us."
Nope, you'll have to figure things out for yourself. No one is going to answer this question FOR you, spackle. Enjoy! lol! "
sparky595 wrote on Sep 18, 2009 9:14 AM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 18, 2009 7:14 AM:
Journey wrote on Sep 18, 2009 6:57 AM:
http://d.yimg.com/kq/groups/17260182/1610997888/name/ftc-vi26.wmv "
Journey wrote on Sep 18, 2009 6:54 AM:
steve wrote on Sep 18, 2009 6:40 AM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 17, 2009 11:20 PM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 17, 2009 11:19 PM:
" Hey I have an idea, we can all make a post at an exact same time. That will really confuse Lodian as to who Brian is."
Nope, Real Facts says that doesn't work. "
Lodian wrote on Sep 17, 2009 11:18 PM:
Thank you! :-) "
Lodian wrote on Sep 17, 2009 11:17 PM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 17, 2009 11:16 PM:
Come closer...
Shhhhh...
Ya wanna know a secret?
Now keep this to yourself...
Don't tell Brian...
No one really cares how many handles
Brian creates here. We all know he does it. So what. That's his psychosis. It's just a kick watching him juggle all of them, thinking he's fooling everyone, and then letting him know now and then that we're on to him. He gets so angry when caught and that alone tells the story. Now, if you were a sharp gal you would have figured that out for yourself. "
Lodian wrote on Sep 17, 2009 11:08 PM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 17, 2009 10:55 PM:
" Lodian, you are just an idiot. I did not suggest asking political ideology prior to a surgery. I made a comparison that a democrat could not have a 95% success rate. However, like usual, you spin other people's words around."
Ah, your such a victim. Poor spackle. "
sparky595 wrote on Sep 17, 2009 5:32 PM:
gcamp wrote on Sep 17, 2009 4:59 PM:
Aimee wrote on Sep 17, 2009 4:47 PM:
Even if a person has an email provider that allows them to change email addresses whenever they wish, or permits them to have more than one email, it still says the subscribers name before each and every email?
Ah, but then this assumes that you "think" before you post these accusations, which is not your forte. "
Aimee wrote on Sep 17, 2009 4:41 PM:
" An Open Letter To Brian
Please take one for the boys and take Lodian out for a night on the town (or at least Wilson Way).She has this thirst with you that only will be quenched with what happens when the lights go out with a conservative,Take her out on the town,I will kick in the first pitcher of Margaritas.The next morning she will be Alan Combs worst nightmare...YYYOOOUU CCCAANN DDDOO IITT!!! "
LOL!!!!!! She does seem to have an abnormal obsession with Brian.
Not sure how long you've been here but a while back Lodian was bitterly complaining that she was being "impersonated" by other bloggers! Now that sign-in's have been instituted she's on this "you have multiple handles kick" whenever someone disagrees with her. "
sparky595 wrote on Sep 17, 2009 4:01 PM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 17, 2009 3:39 PM:
I wonder if spackle will ask his surgeon, in the emergency room, if he or she is democrat or a republican before that doctor saves his life? lol!
spackle in the emergency room... "Oh, I'll wait for the republican, thank you" "
sparky595 wrote on Sep 17, 2009 3:06 PM:
"The physician told me he has a 95% success rate and dang, I really like those odds. "
The physician is definitely not a democrat. lol! I hope all goes well and we'll see you back here soon. "
anthropis wrote on Sep 17, 2009 1:50 PM:
gcamp wrote on Sep 17, 2009 12:26 PM:
anthropis wrote on Sep 17, 2009 12:18 PM:
gcamp wrote on Sep 17, 2009 11:51 AM:
" At this moment ....I wish you well..not being sarcastic but I would avoid this blog until your valve is replaces,you will have a coronary reading what the left wingnuts want..my prayers are with you seriously "
anthropis wrote on Sep 17, 2009 11:09 AM:
gcamp wrote on Sep 17, 2009 11:00 AM:
wtf wrote on Sep 17, 2009 9:41 AM:
Only $865 BILLION dollars....money we don't have since you tax payers will also be stuck with this "bill"
http://www.wmur.com/news/20954622/detail.html
http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=78454
But funny....the GOP don't endorse this scheme of the Senate:
http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/sep/16/baucus-releases-health-bill-without-gop-backing/
Like I said, the "public option debate" is only a ruse on the road to compromise so the outcome will be Massachusetts-style "mandated" insurance and if you don't buy their scheme, you'll be fined almost $4,000 **in addition** to the $865 BILLION price tag for this "health care" "
wtf wrote on Sep 17, 2009 9:37 AM:
It seems that the "public option debate" is only a ruse. You watch. Obama and the rest of the clowns will end up "compromising" and create a mandate so **everyone** has to buy "health" insurance whether they want it or not.
I really **must** be prophetic 'cause looky here:
"Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) released his general plan for the Senate version of ObamaCare yesterday, and it portends some hefty costs for American families. Baucus stripped out the public option but left in place individual mandates to buy insurance — and backed them with big fines, administered by the IRS. Each family could pay up to $3800 per year for failing to get government-approved coverage..."
http://hotair.com/archives/2009/09/09/senate-obamacare-bill-fines-families-3800-per-year-for-ignoring-mandate/
http://www.allgov.com/ViewNews/Senate_Bill_Would_Fine_Those_without_Health_Insurance_90704 "
gcamp wrote on Sep 17, 2009 8:57 AM:
"They delayed his treatment, and he died because of it," the president said in the nationally televised address.
In fact, the man, Otto S. Raddatz, didn't die because the insurance company rescinded his coverage once he became ill, an act known as recission. The efforts of his sister and the office of Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan got Raddatz's policy reinstated within three weeks of his April 2005 rescission and secured a life-extending stem-cell transplant for him. Raddatz died this year, nearly four years after the insurance showdown.
Obama aides say the president got the essence of the story correct. Raddatz was dropped from his insurance plan weeks before a scheduled stem-cell transplant......"The Essence of the story?" President flat out lied.Obama need to issue a public apolgy to the American people for all the lies he told.Sickening,makes me want to throw up!!! "
gcamp wrote on Sep 17, 2009 7:58 AM:
dyan wrote on Sep 17, 2009 6:39 AM:
Lee wrote on Sep 17, 2009 12:04 AM:
I agree with you, Mr. Johnson. "
gcamp wrote on Sep 16, 2009 8:30 PM:
Please take one for the boys and take Lodian out for a night on the town (or at least Wilson Way).She has this thirst with you that only will be quenched with what happens when the lights go out with a conservative,Take her out on the town,I will kick in the first pitcher of Margaritas.The next morning she will be Alan Combs worst nightmare...YYYOOOUU CCCAANN DDDOO IITT!!! "
gcamp wrote on Sep 16, 2009 8:22 PM:
1)I consider it a compliment
2)I like opps to make people look like fools
3)I am a Republican (I like making money off the ignorant people) "
uncle stinky wrote on Sep 16, 2009 7:35 PM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 16, 2009 3:42 PM:
rantraves wrote on Sep 16, 2009 3:34 PM:
Billy Rubin wrote on Sep 16, 2009 3:16 PM:
LOL @ Brian.
Well, I guess the heavy alcohol consumption started sometime before 2:00 in the trailer park in Arizona... always the gentleman. "
sparky595 wrote on Sep 16, 2009 2:00 PM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 16, 2009 1:57 PM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 16, 2009 1:21 PM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 16, 2009 1:18 PM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 16, 2009 1:13 PM:
gcamp wrote on Sep 16, 2009 1:07 PM:
" Lodian, what high school do you attend? You are just an immature hack that doesn't want to be accountable to the attacks you launch. You have nothing of substance to add to anything posted here. Why don't you grow up and in the mean time, go play on your swing or tricycle. "
BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO Lodian is a joke with nothing to offer but childish games "
Lodian wrote on Sep 16, 2009 1:06 PM:
" I'll take your lack of answer regarding working for an HMO, or having worked for an HMO, as a "yes" Lodian. ;)
Quite deft, attempting to not answer my question by asking one of your own.
As to the "others" posting and suggesting you pay more attention; you might want to take your shoes off and use your toes...there are more than just Brian posting. LOL! "
wtf: Maybe you could post a "link" in reference. LOL! "
gcamp wrote on Sep 16, 2009 1:05 PM:
Lodian lets make a 1000.00 wager with the loser donating to the other's political party that Brian and I are two different people. "
Lodian wrote on Sep 16, 2009 1:04 PM:
" Lodian, what high school do you attend? You are just an immature hack that doesn't want to be accountable to the attacks you launch. You have nothing of substance to add to anything posted here. Why don't you grow up and in the mean time, go play on your swing or tricycle. "
Brian? "
Lodian wrote on Sep 16, 2009 1:02 PM:
Really, wtf? You really wanna play it that way? So, what does your little winking smiley face mean? "
sparky595 wrote on Sep 16, 2009 12:58 PM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 16, 2009 12:51 PM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 16, 2009 12:50 PM:
Yes, these companies prevail. Unfortunately our schools have seen fit to sign a contract with the soda company and now these products are sold on our school campuses. "
sparky595 wrote on Sep 16, 2009 12:37 PM:
" sparky595 wrote on Sep 16, 2009 10:19 AM: "When did we lose our freedom to eat and drink what we want..."
You can eat/drink whatever you like. "
Why didn't you finish my sentence as written, or did it not fit in with your spin.
I said " When did we lose our freedom to eat and drink what we want without the government regulating it because they "care" about us. "
1143 wrote on Sep 16, 2009 12:30 PM:
Why is it always the liberal group that cries foul? "
wtf wrote on Sep 16, 2009 12:21 PM:
Quite deft, attempting to not answer my question by asking one of your own.
As to the "others" posting and suggesting you pay more attention; you might want to take your shoes off and use your toes...there are more than just Brian posting. LOL! "
Lodian wrote on Sep 16, 2009 11:59 AM:
Others? lol! Ya mean, Brian (and alters)? LOL!!! Now there's a good source. You've got to be a better judge of character than that, wtf. Come on! I expect a lot more from you. "
Lodian wrote on Sep 16, 2009 11:56 AM:
" Lodian, you never answered my question from yesterday.
Do you, or have you, worked for an HMO? ;) "
I did not take that "question?" seriously due to the little winking face at the end. Where do you work, wtf? "
wtf wrote on Sep 16, 2009 10:52 AM:
I have to restate this: Please pay attention before posting if you are responding to others. "
wtf wrote on Sep 16, 2009 10:47 AM:
Do you, or have you, worked for an HMO? ;) "
wtf wrote on Sep 16, 2009 10:44 AM:
gcamp wrote: "...an alternate price list come down Big Mac 12.00 Soda 6.50 Happy Meal 45.00."
That's a good price list to start with; but it wouldn't be alternate...hey, this is America! It would be the SAME for EVERYONE. ;)
I wouldn't worry too much, gcamp; the BIG political donors like Pepsi and all the other junk food makers would never let this happen.
Keep Americans fat, dumb and happy...oh, and make sure they all have Obamacare to take care of them since they can't make intelligent choices of their own. LOL! "
Lodian wrote on Sep 16, 2009 10:36 AM:
You can eat/drink whatever you like. "
Lodian wrote on Sep 16, 2009 10:35 AM:
I can agree with taxing these items. "
Lodian wrote on Sep 16, 2009 10:33 AM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 16, 2009 10:32 AM:
It that covered under your catastrophic coverage policy? "
Lodian wrote on Sep 16, 2009 10:29 AM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 16, 2009 10:19 AM:
gcamp wrote on Sep 16, 2009 10:13 AM:
gcamp wrote on Sep 16, 2009 10:06 AM:
wtf wrote on Sep 16, 2009 10:01 AM:
That's right, a FAT tax.
Tax any kind of junk food: cakes, cookies, chips, candy, soda, pizza, fast food, etc.
Why?
Because obesity is fast replacing smoking as the number one user of "health care" services. In addition to obesity, which is rampant in the US, you have heart attacks, breathing difficulties, joint problems, etc.
If this crap was taxed, then maybe people would think twice before buying it. And if the gov insists on their version of "health care" then this tax could pay for it. "
wtf wrote on Sep 16, 2009 9:58 AM:
Which is something people will no longer be able to do once "health care" becomes law...no more opting out.
And chances are, alternative forms of health care won't be covered, either. This "health care" bill needs to be shelved and looked into much deeper before passage. "
wtf wrote on Sep 16, 2009 9:57 AM:
I had "health care system" coverage for my entire family once. We never even used it for an entire year except for when my daughter had an allergic reaction to something she ate.
Guess what?
We **had** to go to the emergency room because it turns out she had internal hives and could have suffocated.
Oh, and because we hadn't used our "health care coverage" we had to pay a deductible which would have been the cost of visiting the emergency room anyway. "
wtf wrote on Sep 16, 2009 9:52 AM:
You can "cash out" of insurance policies; but with HMOs, it's a "subscription fee" similar to if you ordered the paper version of the LNS.
A "health savings account" has been floated, and this sounds good; however, key word is "sounds" because if the gov handled the savings account, you know the $$$ wouldn't be there when you needed it. ;)
HMOs are in the business to make a profit which is why they cater to young, health individuals who usually don't need a doctor and, when they do, are told, 'We're sorry. We don't cover that (anymore).' "
wtf wrote on Sep 16, 2009 9:48 AM:
"Oh, and just as soon as mandatory 'health care' becomes the law of the land, you watch the costs magically go up, up, UP! LOL!"
And just today I read on the front page how Comcast is raising their rates.
What's the connection you may wonder.
It's this: A little over three months ago, I'm sure all will recall the federally mandated "switch to digital TV" and comcast was one of the ways to continue receiving signals without a converter box.
As a result, Comcast had oodles of new customers. And now?
Well, now that they have a virtual monopoly, they have to raise their rates due to the cost of operation.
This is **exactly** what will happen with federally mandated "health care" read: HMOs. "
sparky595 wrote on Sep 16, 2009 9:28 AM:
This should answer any question on why I am concerned with losing my healthcare.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-bY92mcOdk
Next question?...... "
Lodian wrote on Sep 16, 2009 9:25 AM:
of what other people say that causes these outbursts."
What in the world? lol! Brian, you are really showing your insanity here again. If you can't debate an issue just bow out for goodness sake. Too funny! "
Lodian wrote on Sep 16, 2009 9:22 AM:
For what? lol "
Lodian wrote on Sep 16, 2009 9:21 AM:
Brian: Uh, excuse me? You have never apologized for a thing, Brian. And even if you had apologized it means nothing when you turn around the next day and do the exact same thing. "
Lodian wrote on Sep 16, 2009 9:16 AM:
What agenda? "
Lodian wrote on Sep 16, 2009 9:14 AM:
Why do you think anything will happen to your private healthcare plan? "
Lodian wrote on Sep 16, 2009 9:11 AM:
Sparkie: Ya mean like this one from Brian?
Brian wrote on Sep 15, 2009 8:22 PM:
"-Get off my back BITCH! You're really becoming an irritant. Your pathetic little rants are becoming old and tiresome. Why don't you just leave these bloggs and maybe your ilk will go too. You must be quite miserable to have to disrupt every blog with your
childish antics. Go away BITCH!!!!!!!!" "
Brian wrote on Sep 16, 2009 7:53 AM:
A class act you are not, Brian. "
-Pot Kettle Black "
Brian wrote on Sep 16, 2009 7:51 AM:
I listen to Hugh hewitt almost every day. Before him is Michael Medved and Dennis Prager. A good daily dose of conservatism gets me through the day.
You know how Lodian and her ilk will do everything they can to push their agenda. See how they are already making it seem like I am you. There couldn't possibly be other conservatives out there who share my views, is their charge. Obviously they have never visited townhall.com or read any of Charles Krauthammer's articles. Watch out for lodian re-posting some racist remarks I made quite a long time ago
to make her point. I have apologized for them. Unliker her, I have held myself accountable for my digressions.
She refuses to hold herself accountable for her digressions. It's almost like she is trying to say she is a victim
of what other people say that causes these outbursts. How about that? A liberal a victim? :) "
rantraves wrote on Sep 16, 2009 7:43 AM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 16, 2009 6:29 AM:
Great American Trucker wrote on Sep 16, 2009 6:12 AM:
There's nothing wrong with the quality of our health care - only with getting people to be responsible for paying for services they use. Taxing the snot out of everyone is not the way. "
ttian wrote on Sep 15, 2009 11:10 PM:
ttian wrote on Sep 15, 2009 11:09 PM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 15, 2009 10:26 PM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 15, 2009 10:24 PM:
"-Get off my back BITCH! You're really becoming an irritant. Your pathetic little rants are becoming old and tiresome. Why don't you just leave these bloggs and maybe your ilk will go too. You must be quite miserable to have to disrupt every blog with your
childish antics. Go away BITCH!!!!!!!!"
A class act you are not, Brian. "
gcamp wrote on Sep 15, 2009 9:54 PM:
gcamp wrote on Sep 15, 2009 9:23 PM:
Brian I do like your style,very professional,unfortunatley I have lost my patience with the Libs, when you show them FACTS and they somehow deny it or put this bazzar spin to it,it has drove me towards a smackdown style.My stlye: throw some facts out there followed up by a lot of sarcasm that is put together with lousey spelling/grammer (I figure they will understand me better if I spell most of my words phonetically).At the end catch them(Libs) in their own lies,then DRIVE it home.Can't spank your kids anymore and midget tossing is out of vogue so the next best thing to do is to pulverize libs I mean convert "
Lodian wrote on Sep 15, 2009 8:33 PM:
Brian wrote on Sep 15, 2009 8:13 PM:
Aside from my occasional digressions, I consider my posts very well thought out
and informative. Of course voter and her ilk would ever admit they have gotten anything out of my posts. Their agenda here is to condescend and disrupt. On the occasion I have digressed it was only after constant attacks from these ilk did I feel the need to retaliate. Of course what's acceptable in their minds to do doesn't mean they will tolerate anyone throwing it back in their face. This is the mindset of the typical liberal. "
Brian wrote on Sep 15, 2009 8:07 PM:
One of the better bloggs is Hugh Hewitt's where he has a method of rooting out the troublemakers. It works quite well. It's on Hughhewitt.com.
It's called the hughniverse "
Brian wrote on Sep 15, 2009 8:01 PM:
" Glad to meet you Brian,I was accused of being you yesterday.After reading your posts,I would like to Thank Voter for the compliment. "
Yes,
This is their tactic. They have this unquenchable thirst for being intellectually dishonest. When you enter these bloggs as a conservative
or with conservative viewpoints be prepared to get discredited by these ilk. Hugh hewitt calls these type of people "Nutters". Everywhere you go on the net where there is politics discussed on bloggs these "Nutters" are present to disrupt and make a mockery out of things. When Bush was in office
he was a victim of these "Nutters". They are still lurking about, as you can see. They are quite an angry crowd.
Liberalism is a mental disorder. "
gcamp wrote on Sep 15, 2009 6:18 PM:
Yes, indeed, God Bless America! The Unites States of America, a place where one can still share a personal opinion, even amongst the likes of you, gstamp...Whats that suppossed to mean?Is their a hidden message there I am missing but in any case stay on point and send back the info where you accused me of saying soda was good for you,now stay on task "
sparky595 wrote on Sep 15, 2009 6:18 PM:
gray cloud wrote on Sep 15, 2009 6:04 PM:
wtf wrote on Sep 15, 2009 5:02 PM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 15, 2009 5:01 PM:
Yes, indeed, God Bless America! The Unites States of America, a place where one can still share a personal opinion, even amongst the likes of you, gstamp. "
wtf wrote on Sep 15, 2009 5:00 PM:
It's all about the bottom line; not about taking care of people.
Incidentally, my friend is all for Obama's scheme because she knows she'll be going back to work. I don't begrudge the fact she wants to work; but, ultimately we will have Massachusetts-style "health care" - then watch the sh*t hit the fan. ;)
You sure you don't work for an HMO, Lodian. LOL! "
wtf wrote on Sep 15, 2009 4:57 PM:
All that you have listed are covered by catastrophic insurance; however, the "healthcare" you advocate is more commonly known as an HMO.
According to Webster's New World Dictionary, HMO, or Health Maintenance Organization, is defined as:
"a health care system, operating within a specific geographical area, in which an organization hires medical professionals to provide a wide range of specified medical services for their ***prepaid subscribers***"
And mark my words, this will be the final gov compromise: an HMO. Like I said, no wonder the VP for Blue Cross was all for this scheme. "
gcamp wrote on Sep 15, 2009 3:56 PM:
dyan wrote on Sep 15, 2009 3:19 PM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 15, 2009 3:18 PM:
gcamp wrote on Sep 15, 2009 1:59 PM:
gcamp wrote on Sep 15, 2009 1:57 PM:
gcamp wrote on Sep 15, 2009 1:51 PM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 15, 2009 1:46 PM:
gcamp wrote on Sep 15, 2009 1:45 PM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 15, 2009 1:44 PM:
dyan wrote on Sep 15, 2009 1:38 PM:
gcamp wrote on Sep 15, 2009 1:17 PM:
wtf wrote on Sep 15, 2009 1:04 PM:
Perhaps you missed my post at 11:28 AM where I said, "I have no problem with purchasing catastrophic health insurance - as insurance was originally intended..."
But blanket insurance, even for things I **don't** want coverage for....I don't think so. "
gcamp wrote on Sep 15, 2009 1:03 PM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 15, 2009 12:48 PM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 15, 2009 12:47 PM:
"Why shouldn't everyone should have to buy health insurance just like we all have to buy car insurance? "
Do we all have to buy car insurance? I thought you were only required to by car insurance if you CHOOSE to have a car. You have no CHOISE with obamacare. Buy it or be fined. "
rantraves wrote on Sep 15, 2009 12:30 PM:
dyan wrote on Sep 15, 2009 11:51 AM:
The answer? Of course. More debt because it "feels" like the right thing to do. "
Lodian wrote on Sep 15, 2009 11:50 AM:
And I see this healthcare plan as doing exactly that, addressing real healthcare reform in this country. "
Lodian wrote on Sep 15, 2009 11:44 AM:
I don't see this as a cure-all. This is a sincere attempt to offer options for Americans. America's healthcare problem needs attention, now. "
Lodian wrote on Sep 15, 2009 11:39 AM:
Millions become ill or injured even though they have taken care of their health. "
Lodian wrote on Sep 15, 2009 11:38 AM:
The costs are already high. "
wtf wrote on Sep 15, 2009 11:30 AM:
HMOs make their money by duping healthy people into their "plans" - these people pay premiums even if they don't need to see a doctor; but the minute they do, they're told, "Oh, we no longer cover that."
Real reform of this industry, as has been stated many times on this board, is what is needed. Not some pie-in-the-sky government cure-all. "
wtf wrote on Sep 15, 2009 11:28 AM:
As it now stands, those who are responsible and already take care of their health will have to pay for those who don't. And once a monopoly is in place, watch the costs sky-rocket. "
Lodian wrote on Sep 15, 2009 11:23 AM:
wtf: Why shouldn't everyone have to buy health insurance just like we all have to buy car insurance? "
Lodian wrote on Sep 15, 2009 11:22 AM:
Juvenile (and adult) Diabetes is a big problem in this country. Soda has a lot to do with this problem. I don't have a problem with a soda tax, just like cigarettes. "
dyan wrote on Sep 15, 2009 11:12 AM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 15, 2009 10:58 AM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 15, 2009 10:24 AM:
wtf wrote on Sep 15, 2009 10:20 AM:
What I meant was that they will have to pay much higher prices for these items providing they're even able to purchase them.
An example: Back in 2000, I was up in Canada and went to the store to pick up a natural remedy containing herbs. Here in the U.S., you go to the store, pick up off the shelf and purchase it. In Canada, I had to go to the pharmacy counter and have him get it for me from behind the counter. Add to this, items we can currently buy, being put into the "prescription only" category and the costs can only go up. "
wtf wrote on Sep 15, 2009 10:04 AM:
And following on its heels, was the congress passing legislation regarding HMOs....which is what we'll end up if this current form of "health" legislation passes. Add to this the upcoming implementation of Codex Alimenatarius and those who are responsible for maintaining their own health through food, supplement and natural remedies will be forced to then buy these items since they'll be classified and will fall under "covered by insurance" "
wtf wrote on Sep 15, 2009 9:51 AM:
This whole thing is a scam, similar to Romney's Massachusetts "healthcare" - in fact, check that one out. It hasn't done too well since it was "mandated" into law.
http://www.campaignforliberty.com/article.php?view=217
http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0914/p09s01-coop.html "
wtf wrote on Sep 15, 2009 9:50 AM:
"Like car insurance?"
Pretty much. Don't know if you recall, but earlier this year, there were investigations into the cost associated with auto insurance, as in: prices were jacked because of monopolies.
It seems that the "public option debate" is only a ruse. You watch. Obama and the rest of the clowns will end up "compromising" and create a mandate so **everyone** has to buy "health" insurance whether they want it or not.
Didn't you find it odd that the local VP of Blue Cross ***endorsed*** this scheme?
Ultimately, it will benefit the insurance companies, who will then have a monopoly and can raise prices as high as they want. "
dyan wrote on Sep 15, 2009 9:01 AM:
dyan wrote on Sep 15, 2009 8:59 AM:
gcamp wrote on Sep 15, 2009 8:55 AM:
gcamp wrote on Sep 15, 2009 8:53 AM:
BOYHOWDY if the Gov was so worried about about the peoples health,then how could they ever think they could help more people when they can not or will not, give decent health care to the people that are the TRUE natives of this land "
sparky595 wrote on Sep 15, 2009 8:47 AM:
gcamp wrote on Sep 15, 2009 8:30 AM:
gcamp wrote on Sep 15, 2009 8:24 AM:
Brian wrote on Sep 15, 2009 7:55 AM:
Another clip:
Meanwhile, the liberal netroots, which had almost unanimously said Joe Wilson was the liar, started yelling at the top of their lungs that the bill shouldn't be changed to fix a problem they claimed didn't exist 24 hours earlier.
Unfortunately, this sort of deception has been the rule, not the exception in the Democrats' health care push. In fact, Barack Obama has sold health care by saying, in effect, "Anybody who has anything negative to say about health care reform is just spreading myths."
-How about that! "
Brian wrote on Sep 15, 2009 7:51 AM:
A Clip:
The aftermath of Joe Wilson shouting out "You lie" at a shameless liar in the midst of a shameless lie about health care has turned out to be one of the most Orwellian moments in recent memory.
After Wilson's outburst, liberals, in and out of the mainstream media, rushed to tell us that it was Wilson, not Obama who was wrong. Why, there was simply no way that illegals would be covered!
But then, a funny thing happened: the Senate started working to close the loophole that Wilson pointed out. You know, the one that allowed illegal aliens to get coverage. Soon thereafter, the White House quietly followed the Senate's lead and started backing that provision.
INDEED! "
rantraves wrote on Sep 15, 2009 7:26 AM:
t jefferson wrote on Sep 15, 2009 6:30 AM:
I agree the Health care system does need reform...just not what is being proposed. Were is the tort reform? without it you will not get the saving. Were is the proposal to get rid of medicare and medical? I used to work in Healthcare and a little know fact, if you care to look at the data, is that health care cost only started skyrocketing in the 60's when LBJ instituted the Great Society. Why anyone thinks cost will go down with a govt run program is beyond me, but hey keep putting the dummies into office and you too will get a socialist outcome. At that point you won't be able to change it. I really wish all the people who love socialism would move to canada, this country would be oh so much better. "
gray cloud wrote on Sep 14, 2009 8:14 PM:
dyan wrote on Sep 14, 2009 7:55 PM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 14, 2009 7:36 PM:
voter wrote on Sep 14, 2009 7:35 PM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 14, 2009 7:34 PM:
voter wrote on Sep 14, 2009 7:24 PM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 14, 2009 7:11 PM:
"Finding a doctor will get increasingly difficult, waits for appointments will grow longer, and more sick people will turn to crowded emergency rooms, says Ted Epperly, president of the AAFP, an association that represents more than 93,000 physicians."
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-08-17-doctor-gp-shortage_N.htm
I could do this all day. "
sparky595 wrote on Sep 14, 2009 7:06 PM:
"The American Academy of Family Physicians predicts a shortage of 40,000 family physicians by 2020. According to the organization, the number of U.S. medical students going into primary care dropped nearly 52 percent since 1997."
http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/yb/135231331
, "
voter wrote on Sep 14, 2009 7:02 PM:
voter wrote on Sep 14, 2009 6:58 PM:
gcamp wrote on Sep 14, 2009 6:50 PM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 14, 2009 6:47 PM:
"2013. That’s the year everyone would have to have health insurance under the House version of the health care bill. It may seem like the far distant future — especially if you don’t have insurance now — but many experts say it’s not nearly enough time to beef up the supply of physicians necessary to care for the tens of millions suddenly entering the health care system."
Same article....
"The Association of American Medical Colleges projects a shortage of 124,000 physicians by 2025."
http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/05/who-will-care-for-the-newly-insured/?scp=5&sq=american%20association%20of%20medical%20schools&st=cse
Again, I ask, how are we going to handle 46 million people going onto a government run healthcare plan in the "near" future? "
lodidian wrote on Sep 14, 2009 6:32 PM:
Many of us regret blurting out something inappropriate at some point in our lives. It happens.
I personally believe, what Joe Wilson said was fine. When and where he said it was inappropriate. Joe apologized for his outburst and the president has accepted Joe's apology.
I have a lot of respect for Joe Wilson for apologizing---immediately. This is what a real man does. A real man does not simply say he "could have calibrated his words differently".
Slimy! "
gcamp wrote on Sep 14, 2009 6:26 PM:
1)Amtrac
2)US Post Office
3).....Not "
gcamp wrote on Sep 14, 2009 6:24 PM:
voter wrote on Sep 14, 2009 6:19 PM:
gcamp wrote on Sep 14, 2009 6:05 PM:
I am with lodidian, send a list of profitable run entities run by the government,for extra credit a list of break even entities. "
gcamp wrote on Sep 14, 2009 5:25 PM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 14, 2009 5:09 PM:
Of course not. I want everyone that wants insurance to have it. I wish great healthcare on everyone. I just have some concerns with how we are going to get there. Am I just supposed to agree with all 1000 pages of ANY bill this government is throwing around? Is there anyone that can honestly say they agree with 100% of the bills that are being proposed? "
lodidian wrote on Sep 14, 2009 4:42 PM:
You ask an excellent question: what is being done NOW to eliminate waste and fraud within the medicare and medicaid systems?
Last Wednesday, Obama said the proposed, nine hundred billion dollar, nationalized health insurance program can be paid for largely by eliminating the five hundred billion dollars in fraud and waste in medicare and medicaid.
It seems this fraud and waste will continue unless Obama gets his way. "
Lodian wrote on Sep 14, 2009 4:41 PM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 14, 2009 4:39 PM:
What do you suggest? Let everyone die? "
voter wrote on Sep 14, 2009 4:28 PM:
voter wrote on Sep 14, 2009 4:25 PM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 14, 2009 4:25 PM:
I agree with the concept of preventative care. I agree that it may save money and resources in the future. You are missing my point. My point for the third time, how do we handle the 46 million person inrush the first years while we build up the doctor/nurse workforce? That has been my question, but you keep dancing around it. "
sourwine wrote on Sep 14, 2009 4:23 PM:
Your column was precise and laid it all out and easy to understand. Keep up the
good work. It was refreshing to read
a column that made sense. "
lodidian wrote on Sep 14, 2009 4:20 PM:
Rule number 1:
Never let facts ruin a good story!
The government could be very successful running the Mustang Ranch or any business it chooses to enter, including the health care insurance business.
There many good examples of cost effecient government operations. Right? "
gcamp wrote on Sep 14, 2009 4:09 PM:
voter wrote on Sep 14, 2009 3:58 PM:
voter wrote on Sep 14, 2009 3:56 PM:
gcamp wrote on Sep 14, 2009 3:49 PM:
Lodian wrote on Sep 14, 2009 3:44 PM:
" Although I don't condone anyone yelling out while any president is speaking, Joe Wilson had a valid point."
Wilson is an embarrassment to his party. Sounds like his fellow Republicans had a serious talk with him in the back room. "
Lodian wrote on Sep 14, 2009 3:42 PM:
" A public option doesn't "sound" like a bad idea; however, what concerns me, is the idea that once this is passed, then everyone would be **forced** to buy insurance whether they want it, use it, or not. "
Like car insurance? "
Lodian wrote on Sep 14, 2009 3:41 PM:
" Mr. Johnson, you seem to be concerned about the uncollected dollars of free care that the Lodi Memorial Hospital incurs. What do you think will happen when 46 million (it's obama's number so I will use it) uninsured suddenly are given healthcare insurance without adding 1 doctor or nurse to the system? Private practices will be over run with patients, so many will turn to emergency room hospital care.
Hardly the relief that Lodi Memorial is seeking, I'm sure. "
Answer: Jobs will be created. "
gcamp wrote on Sep 14, 2009 3:26 PM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 14, 2009 3:24 PM:
voter wrote on Sep 14, 2009 3:15 PM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 14, 2009 3:06 PM:
Hardly the relief that Lodi Memorial is seeking, I'm sure. "
voter wrote on Sep 14, 2009 3:04 PM:
There is no limit to the stupidity some of you repeat. "
gcamp wrote on Sep 14, 2009 2:53 PM:
commonsense1 wrote on Sep 14, 2009 2:50 PM:
gcamp wrote on Sep 14, 2009 2:46 PM:
max stanfield wrote on Sep 14, 2009 2:18 PM:
gray cloud wrote on Sep 14, 2009 12:38 PM:
gray cloud wrote on Sep 14, 2009 12:37 PM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 14, 2009 12:21 PM:
That is another uneducated and mis-leading statement that I am tired of hearing. Talk to the thousands of small business owners that pay more for their employees healthcare than the public option will cost them. They will drop their employee's private insurance coverage in a heartbeat and enroll them into the public option to save overhead costs. So another lie of obama's is, if you like your healthcare insurance, you can keep it. What if you have no choice because your employer switches you?
Mr. Johnson, with all due respect, stick to local stories. "
max stanfield wrote on Sep 14, 2009 11:46 AM:
max stanfield wrote on Sep 14, 2009 11:44 AM:
onestooge wrote on Sep 14, 2009 11:14 AM:
lynn wrote on Sep 14, 2009 10:25 AM:
yabajobu wrote on Sep 14, 2009 9:18 AM:
- How will a public option cure Lodi-Memorial's poor collection practices? As you stated, Lodi-Memorial got stiffed even by state-run health insurance, so why would having a public option cure the problem?
- You complain about paying for MediCare, yet take no account for the increase in taxes that setting up a new public agency to administer the public option would necessitate. How will having a public option resolve this problem?
- The complaint against the public option is not that it will decrease revenue to insurance companies, but that it's monopoly status (funded by taxes) would make it an unfair competitor. Instead of having to be profitable, a public option would always survive because it would just ask for additional taxes to support its losses. Would the government ever let the public option go away if it was unprofitable? I highly doubt it (see Medicare, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, etc.) "
sparky595 wrote on Sep 14, 2009 8:44 AM:
http://blog.heritage.org/2009/09/10/obama-speech-fact-check/ "
sparky595 wrote on Sep 14, 2009 8:43 AM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 14, 2009 8:32 AM:
sparky595 wrote on Sep 14, 2009 8:25 AM:
Stella, I am very interested in seeing "in writing" where it says the bill does not allow illegal immigrants to be covered. I'm not saying you are wrong, I just would like to actually see that. From what I have read and heard, there have been numerous attempts to put amendments in the bills that specifically state that no illegals be allowed to receive benefits and every time they have been voted down by a complete partisan vote by the democrats. It seems if the dems and obama were truthful about what they say, those amendments would have been passed, not shot down. "
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2009 8:06 AM:
Stella wrote on Sep 14, 2009 7:57 AM:
Neo wrote on Sep 14, 2009 7:48 AM:
Comments on this story are now closed.