Why don't you or another supporter of the bill tell me what I should like about it. Tell me what you like about it. Is it just the goals or can you point to specifics that you think are a really good ideas.
After all, I recognize our current system is in need of reform. I can see the problems of rising costs and gaps in coverage for Americans.
If we can't agree on everything, what in the bill could we agree on?
If this is a townhall, I've had my say. I want to hear those others in support.
Nice way to sidestep some tough questions, but okay. . .I'll let you get buy with it.
My research consisted of looking at the White House's website on what Obama wants in a health care reform package. I also read the TIME magazine cover article from two weeks ago that has a really handy users guide on how reform would affect various parties. I took a glance at the text of HR 3200, but it will take awhile to wade through that and I do have work I need to do today.
Based on all that, here's what I like (with the caveat that I understand that it may or not be in the current bill that's in Congress).
I like the idea of a public option for insurance.
I like the idea of stopping insurers from denying coverage to those with pre-existing conditions.
I would be okay with making purchasing/having health insurance a requirement (like how it is with car insurance) but I'd also accept giving people the option to purchase insurance. I prefer the former because I think there are people out there who won't buy insurance if they don't have to, even if they can afford it, and those people end up costing us all when they show up at the emergency room. Still I know many would balk at the idea of being forced to buy insurance so I could live without that.
The big problem I would see with reform as I've described would be the cost involved, especially if you're talking about forming a huge new federal agency. Supposedly people paying into the pubic option could help pay for it, but the subsidies needed to cover everybody who can't afford to buy would be pretty big, I'm guessing. My hunch is that it will mean an increase in taxes.
I see a lot that the insurance companies would hate about this type of reform--if Congress simply passed a law that required everyone to buy insurance, I imagine the insurance companies would be elated with that.
Those are some of my initial thoughts.