HCR Passes

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Betty

...For someone like me, on the other side of the coin, every day waiting is another day something terrible can happen and wipe us out. So yes, I do have tunnel vision - with health care being the light at the end of the tunnel.

My cousin (who is of my parents' generation) sent a comic strip around to some family members (thankfully I'm not on his email list) where the "punchline" was that the election of Obama and health care reform were the work of the devil. When my mom, whose daughter is on the verge of being severely screwed in the insurance department because she had the audacity to have cancer while unemployed, wrote back explaining that perhaps not everyone thought that joke was very funny, his response was, "Geez, you take it so personally." Umm, yeah, that's because it's affecting her personally!

[CoasterMatt]

Everytime I see the thread title, I think of the kidney stone I passed, and how much "fun" dealing with the insurance company has been.

[JWBear]

Originally Posted by Betty

It's a lot easier to wait for reform to happen when you've got health insurance...

This sums up, I think, one of the major differences I see between myself and many on the other side of the health care reform debate. I have excellent and affordable health insurance. So the reforms (at this point, at least) have little affect on my access to coverage. It's not a personal thing for me. However, I have the ability (thank goodness) to be sympathetic to the plights of others who are less forunate. I have the ability to see beyond my own selfish needs and to support what is best for all Americans.

[Alex]

I have to defend scaeagles a bit. To believe that a given course of action is not a solution to a recognized problem, or that it will actually make the problem worse in the long run is not the same as having no empathy for the problem.

Plenty of government programs have been implemented over the years that were sourced completely from a sense of empathy and desire to make things better for the downtrodden only to have perverse unintended consequences that offered no net improvement and possibly an actual worsening.

I have no problem at all with honest opposition to even what might seem a "moderate" advancement. I just hate the dishonest opposition (and dishonest promotion) that seems to be the preferred channel of communication for the most prominent which then trickles down to those who rely on them for information.

[sleepyjeff]

Originally Posted by Jazzman

Requires all insurance plans to cover maternity and child care up to age 21.

Requiring insurance to do this and that and the other thing is the reason insurance costs of gotten so out of hand.....what ever happened to just letting people purchase what they wanted or needed and not being forced to buy insurance for things they don't want? I am sure that childless couple down the street are thrilled that they have pay into the same pool that covers this

Prevents insurance companies from requiring co-payments for preventive care, including well baby and child care.

See above comments.

Establishes that the maximum annual deductible is $5,000 for an individual and $10,000 for a family.

Why 5 and 10? why not 4 and 11, or 3 and 6? Why not 12 and 17?

Establishes both an internal grievance process for when an insurance company denies a claim, as well as independent board outside the insurance company that someone can appeal to.

I've got no problem with this.

Establishes that all insurance plans must be written in "plain language," must contain details about the coverage, and must provide notice before changing a person's coverage.

That's rich coming from the same people who just voted for 2700 pages of lawyerese....very rich indeed

Establishes whistleblower protections for health insurance company employees who report violations to the federal government.

I thought we already had this but if not why not a law that protects whistleblowers for all industries? Do health insurance companies need more whistleblower protections than, lets say, chemical companies

Amends the Health Service Act to prevent rescission and guarantee that people may renew their health insurance, even if they become ill.

Seems fair I guess.

Eliminates yearly and annual caps, which frequently cause those suffering from chronic illnesses to lose their private insurance and resort to public programs, costing the system billions in the process.

So, um, these "billions" won't happen now....or will the ~evil~ insurance companies have to pay the "billions" instead? Seems to me insurance companies might have a hard time staying in business......which, if this does force them out of business then ...um, who will step in to pay for ..........oh, I get it!

Eliminates pre-existing clauses, thereby guaranteeing access to care for those in most need of it.

See above.

How do these things limit or take away our freedom and destroy America?

No mention of the whole you "must" have insurance or be fined portion of the bill........interesting omission given the above question.

I cannot see how they do, and I thank God that enough of our Congressmembers had the courage and good sense to fight the good fight and establish these rights.

Do you really think these sleazeballs were fighting "the good fight"?

[Not Afraid]

I see this program as a mere start towards a system that will benefit all. It certainly is not the final deal - or comes close to what we actually need, but a start is something better than a stall.

I view the accusations of "socialism" and the "work of the Devil" as stupid, empty arguments and I hope the wackos keep it up, because it sure helps those holding actual discussions.

I know too many people who don't have health care and really need it. While I've been fortunate enough to have it during major illness, I would have had some VERY dire effects if I did not. One major illness is all it takes to lose years and years of hard work.

As for paying more taxes.......it's about time our taxes went toward Quality of Life in this country. Healthcare and Education should be getting our tax dollars. Lets take care of ourselves FIRST before we take care of the rest of the world.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by sleepyjeff

I am sure that childless couple down the street are thrilled that they have pay into the same pool that covers this

Yes, I'm fine with it.

Thanks for your concern though.

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by Alex

Yes, I'm fine with it.

Thanks for your concern though.

Ditto.

[innerSpaceman]

What about the proposed deficit savings tallied by the Congressional Budget Office? That's the best impartial arbiter of educated money prognostications we have ... and the money savings estimates are what allowed a good many Democrats to vote in favor.

Are opponents of the bill claiming these savings won't happen? Is that what they mean by making matters worse? Or what exactly will make matters worse, and worse in what ways? So far, the details objected to by sleepyjeff seem - at least to me - to be pretty petty objections with little potential harm.

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by Alex

Yes, I'm fine with it.

Thanks for your concern though.

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

Ditto.

I'm not part of a couple but I'm childless and fine with it too.

Originally Posted by sleepyjeff

Why 5 and 10? why not 4 and 11, or 3 and 6? Why not 12 and 17?

Round numbers divisible by 5? Out of all the things to dislike you're going to single out this? Would you be happier if it was any of the examples you gave? This makes it look like you're picking out things to pick on for the sole point of being outraged at something in this bill.