Is this bad? Is it worse than the status quo?

[cali]

Would it help you?

I opposed this legislation on the grounds that it did not include a public option, but this is what I have for coverage and I've found it pretty good. I pay $60 a month. It's subsidized private insurance administered and regulated by the state.

http://www.catamounthealth.org/catamount-health-information.html

[Uben]

1. It allows us to move forward....

...and that is good. I'll get back to ya when it gets out of conference and we see the final bill. Until then, this was a necessary step to keep things going.

[Armstead]

7. I believe it moves us backward

It further embeds and expands the insurance industry power and wealth and undermines -- perhaps fatally -- any chance of ever getting at least an alternative in the form of a public universal healthcare system based on income and ability to pay.

[Jamastiene]

2. I oppose the mandate to buy private sector products

that, in far too many cases, if reported, would fill an entire building at the BBB. I do not like the idea of helping pay for some CEO's next freaking yacht and not even being offered a ride on the thing.

I absolutely despise the anti-choice amendments in both the House bill AND the Senate bill. Many of us could go round and round arguing about that for years to come, but the truth is that misogynist Bullshit should NOT be there. Period.

I also wonder how this will be implemented. It is federal legislation, but will states be able to change the availability to certain classes of people? That concerns me as well. For some states in conservative areas, any number of shenanigans could go on, if it is not strictly enforced. Is the language strict and will it be strictly adhered to that minorities of all types will have access to health care equally?

I do have lots of questions and very serious misgivings about how this legislation was brokered. I understand that bills are compromises, but this bill seemed to be lopsided toward conservative Democrats too much.

Mostly, I wonder why every progressive senator we have did not stand up for their states and make some demand their votes come at a price too. Were they given that option like the Blue Dogs were?

This legislation might have been much better if progressive Democrats had been given a seat at the table to make demands and have those demands specially written into the bill like the conservative Democrats got.

It seems wrong that some states got special treatment and the rest of us did not. The imbalance of power, because those certain senators named their price for their vote and the ransom was delivered, just seems wrong to me, somehow.

Will it help me? That remains to be seen. That will depend on if they offer financial aid for people below the poverty line who do not have children. Every bit of financial aid I have looked into in my lifetime has required a person to be over 65, have children, or be disabled. Period. I cannot imagine that ever changing much in my state, to be honest.

[cali]

3. Bernie got 10 billion for CHCs. Other liberal Senators also had some

of their demands met, but I agree with you about many points in your post. Having said that, it's now a done deal, and I want to work to make it better.

[JoDog]

4. What you said

Plus, there is absolutely nothing preventing the private insurance companies from jacking up prices once they get us. And, while I can't ask the government to pay for an abortion, I may be forced to pay for someone else's IVF.

[Mass]

5. You live in VT. I live in MA. This bill brings little to our states. The question should be for

states like KY or TX's people?

[cali]

6. Does it open the door to programs like Catamount?

If it does, then it brings something to those states.

[Jamastiene]

8. If those states will stick to the plan and not start toying with it,

it might be a good thing.

[Ninga]

9. More unfunded mandates for the states like "NO Child Left Behind"? I don't know

what this bill will do or not.

I only know for the last 20 years we have had to swallow some sucky legislation.

Any biggies out there you like?

Nafta?
Cafta?
IWR?

Not little stuff, but big stuff....any you like???