What is the saddest thing is that the Right (and that includes INDY and 2861 right here) seem to have no intention of even providing a reasonable alternative to Obama's plan. That's sad, because I have a lot of reservatons about the current plan, but the Right has simply dropped the ball on providing any alternative beyond "everything's fine the way it is."
You guys have completely abdicated your responsiblity as citizens of this country to get involved in this process in a reasonable and informed way.
Will these scare tactics and hyperbolic nonsense actually be successful in blocking meaningful reform. I hope not--not because the Democrat's plan is a good one--but simply because the reasons being presented--the partisan crap that has been perpetuated right in this thread--for opposing it are ridiculous!
Not true at all. John McCain had a good plan, unfortunately he was a horrible salesman. Mitt Romney on the other hand had a terrible idea while governor of Massachusetts and that state's healthcare system is now falling apart. It's not a partisan attack it's a good ideas vs bad ideas attack.
Here's Indy's Healthcare bill.
1) Health insurance and healthcare are not the same thing.
Indy would eliminate all government mandates except one, catastrophic coverage must be provided and purchased by all adults. Let people shop anywhere in the nation for whichever type of insurance they want, be it comprehensive or low-cost, high-deductible coverage. Indy's plan would not require citizens to have coverage for
in vitro fertilization, psychiatric care, gender-reassignment, chiropractic care or other less than life-or-death medical care unless they choose to pay for it.
Tax credits would apply if one doesn't get insurance through an employer. Health benefits would become taxable. HSAs (health savings accounts) would be encouraged under the Indy bill, they are outlawed under the House Democratic bill (wonder why?). The idea is to make health insurance like any other type of insurance, something you hope you DON'T need not something you try and use as often as you can.
A) This puts market forces back into insurance AND primary healthcare.
B) This gives patients MORE choices and actual portability while allowing more people to buy insurance that are now priced out of the system.
2) True tort reform. Not even addressed by the Democrats (wonder why?).
A) Lowers malpractice costs
B) Stops "cover-your-ass" tests and defensive medical practices.
I'm against the Democratic Bill because it contains NONE of this and in fact leads us in the exact opposite direction with more mandates, more government control of the markets and less options for consumers. In short, rationing under a government monopoly.
And if opponents of the bill are guilty of "scare tactics and hyperbolic nonsense," it's only in response to the crisis rhetoric of its supporters.
I come at this not as a partisan but as a healthcare provider and a conservative. Now, I don't pretend to have all the answers but nobody is telling me what to say or think either. Reform is badly needed but I'm looking for solutions. a cure if you will, not a retrogress.
(maybe it's time for a separate healthcare thread)