The Republican Health Care Blunder

[babylonsister]

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/12/19/the_republican_health_care_blunder.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PoliticalWire+%28Taegan+Goddard%27s+Political+Wire%29

The Republican Health Care Blunder


Jonathan Chait: "The United States is on the doorstep of comprehensive health care reform. It's a staggering achievement, about which I'll have more to say later. But the under-appreciated thing that strikes me at the moment is that it never would have happened if the Republican Party had played its cards right."

"The Republicans eschewed a halfway compromise and put all their chips on an all or nothing campaign to defeat health care and Obama's presidency. It was an audacious gamble. They lost. In the end, they'll walk away with nothing. The Republicans may gain some more seats in 2010 by their total obstruction, but the substantive policy defeat they've been dealt will last for decades."

[Laelth]

1. Vomit.

In essence, Chait argues that if Republicans had played their cards right, "We the People" would only be giving 400 billion to the health insurance cabal instead of 800 billion.

If that's true, I wish the Republicans had played their cards better.

Kill the bill.

Forcing people to buy insurance is no more the answer to a failed health care system than forcing people to buy houses is the solution to homelessness.

:dem:

-Laelth

[babylonsister]

2. So now you're rooting for the rethugs? That's just kind of sad. nt

[Laelth]

5. No, babylonsister, your shilling for this awful legislation is what's sad.

Your loyalty has so warped your mind that you're willing to accuse me of being a Republican (and you know me much better than that).

That is sad.

Peace, Sister.

:hugs:

:dem:

-Laelth

[babylonsister]

8. Me shilling? Bwhahaha!

Every positive thread I've read, I've also found you. Who's shilling who?

:D

[Laelth]

10. Smile. O.K.

:dem:

-Laelth

[ixion]

3. I don't see it...

but we'll see, I guess.

a) It is most certainly not what I would call "comprehensive health care reform." It doesn't strike me as that at all.

As soon as the public starts feeling the weight of these mandates, it will go South quickly. From what I've read from Nancy Pelosi's own press releases, my insurance is likely to triple. And I don't even use it! I'm supposed to be happy about that? I think not.

[babylonsister]

4. Triple? Do you have a link? Thanks. nt

[cornermouse]

7. Mine is likely to go up a lot as well next year.

This year's is already locked in. ...I think.

Anyway, I wouldn't have minded my insurance going up if there was universal health care or a generous public option. Anything less than that? No. Its just not enough. And the poison pill included on abortion and women's rights takes it completely out of consideration.

[ixion]

9. It was a couple months back... I searched for the link, but didn't see it

and given how much is in play right now, it's probably changed since then. But I do remember a minimal "certified" plan starting at around $400, which is nearly 3 times what I pay now ($140).

I'll tell you what, though: If, by chance, they do actually go down (something I don't think will happen) I will be very happy to admit I was wrong.

Incidentally, they've already increased 9% this year, despite the fact that I've never used the policy once.

[babylonsister]

11. Nothing is a done deal yet, and things will still likely change.

As for your increases, I believe you as I've read that often on DU. The health insurance companies are raping their clients while they can. I wish that was being addressed.

[ixion]

12. if it were, I would feel better...

but to my knowledge it has not been addressed.

There is also the paradox that insurance companies can still deny coverage for "pre-existing" conditions. Which means you won't be able to get insurance, at which point you'll be fined for not having insurance.

As you say, I'm not sure what this is going to look like in it's final incarnation, and I'm willing to change my opinion if I see some real checks and balances on insurance companies, but at this point I don't see that.

At this point it very plainly appears to be an Insurance Profit Protection Act above and beyond all else.

[LiberalFighter]

24. Do you pay the total premium of your health coverage or does your employer pay part of it?

If your employer pays part of your premiums what is the total of what you pay and your employer pays for your coverage?

[ixion]

26. It's a little complicated, but the short story is that

I pay for one in its entirety for my small business, and I have a full-time gig where the company pays for part of another, and I pay the rest.

[MH1]

21. My insurance premium tripled this year.

BEFORE HCR.

So if your premium triples next year, how do you know this bill had anything to do with it?

[iamjoy]

6. the Republicans WON

how can anyone call this a blunder by the Republicans? We Democrats got outmatched - plain and simple.

Now, if I am understanding the latest version of the bill correctly:

* It provides the opportunity to buy insurance across state lines, a Republican idea even though it strips away the power of the states to regulate commerce within their own state. Apparently this is okay when the states are passing consumer protection regulations.

* There is no public option. Republicans always hated it anyway.

* More expensive employee plans will be taxed. Some of these better plans were a concession to labor in exchange for increases in other benefits.

* The abortion restrictions could limit private insurance companies from including elective abortions, even for a policyholder not receiving subsidies. So, our country is restricting access to abortion.

* Because of mandates, every one will have to buy insurance. Because there is no public option, every one is forced to buy from private companies.

Furthermore, why support the bill even if it has so many things they like? If it passes, the Democrats will get the credit or blame either way. It was a brilliant move on the part of the Republicans. Furthermore, they (with the help of Fox News) whipped up the populace into such a frenzy. The mob grabbed the metaphorical pitchforks and torches to go after the monster thinking the reform was the monster when all along it was the Conservatives and Health Insurance executives. Genius. Pure, rotton genius.

[Laelth]

13. +1 n/t

Kill the bill.

Forcing people to buy insurance is no more the answer to a failed health care system than forcing people to buy houses is the solution to homelessness.

:dem:

-Laelth

[babylonsister]

16. If they won, why are they so miserable? And do you have the final

version of the bill? Kidding, I know you don't. It hasn't gone to conference yet and there's still lots of opportunities to tweak it.

And you might think the rethugs are brilliant; I think they provided nothing but obstruction to the discussion, no ideas, nothing positive. And hopefully Americans will realize and appreciate that fact.

[CanonRay]

18. They're just playing to the base

they're high fiving in the cloak room.

[iamjoy]

23. Of Course They Obstructed

It's easier to be against the proposal on the table than to offer your own solution.

Look, they obstructed the economic stimulus too. It passed anyway and yet unemployment still rose. I believe it would have been worse without the recovery package, but now Republicans can say, "Look, Obama's economic plan isn't working - unemployment is over 10%. Bush cut taxes and unemployment was low." So, when health insurance premiums increase (and we know they will), Republicans will say, "Look how Obamacare raised the cost of healthcare for middle class Americans." They will point to every flaw already in our system and blame it on Health Care Reform. And many people will believe them because it is easier than finding the truth.

I'm sorry to be such a downer. I'd like to think you're right and this will backfire on the Republicans, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

[ipaint]

14. This bill will be an excellent tool of control over americans

once the repubs are back in charge. Watch the subsidies decrease and the penalties increase. Do you actually think it is beyond belief that repubs would throw members of the working class in jail for repeated non-payment if only as an example to what remains of the middle class. That's why they throw the poor in jail now.

The "liberal" middle class seriously underestimates it's opponent. This bill will be incrementally changed for sure. But not in the way you think.

[salin]

15. While there are certainly objectionable parts to the bill

the republican obstruction moved them into the world of the absurd. I would agree with the statement of possible short term gains (per some seats), I think the damage done to them per becoming a party of the perpetual side-show (think old time carnivals), will last for a couple of voting generations.

[MH1]

22. If more liberals focus on exposing the sideshow that is today's GOP

you will be right.

But if they continue to focus on tearing down their own side, the GOP won't be perceived as badly as it should be.

And that worries me.

[CanonRay]

17. And they got a compromised bill, anyway.

Didn't cost them a thing, as far as I can see.

[piratefish08]

19. The rethugs have been clear on on their (insane) position from day one.

We dems and our alleged leadership fucked this one up and we will own whatever half-assed POS bill is eventually passed.

[Vinca]

20. It doesn't matter what the Republicans did or didn't do because

it's hard to imagine this bill being much worse. Republicans will vote for Republicans in the next election. Independents will vote for Republicans in the next election. Democrats will be split among voting against Republicans, voting third party or staying home. It won't be good for Democrats unless the teabaggers split the right down the middle.

[hayu_lol]

25. Some say that there is plenty of time to 'tweak' this faulty bill...

in exchange, I would offer to you Joe Biden's Bankruptcy Bill which has not been tweaked and is crippling people attempting to make a new start...

and the Medicare Part D Bill, badly flawed as we all know, and untouched by human hands since it was forced through the Congress. Fix it? Naw...too much work.

This giveaway to the health insurance companies will not be fixed either. Further, the slam at women as a single class is not to be tolerated.