United States Healthcare Reform

wahoo · 2010-03-24T07:30:17.000Z

JeffL:

No, even though the wording is confusing (to me) I read that. However, it is not at all clear to me that it would be much of a speed bump to an insurance company bumping up their rates such that the average American, paying his premiums in an employer provided plans, would feel a significant monthly out of pocket pain.

The MLR of 80-85% is much more significant. Insurers gotta pay that % of premiums in benefits. I’m worried about insurers jacking up costs as a result of adverse selection. You’re also gonna see overall cost increases b/c of the excise taxes. If you’re gonna tax medical equipment makers 10+ billion a year, several billion will be passed on to insurers and providers in higher prices.

Tyjenks · 2010-03-24T07:31:05.000Z

The worst thing about the internet is that it is readily apparent how many ignorant/misinformed people exist on the planet. A fact I would rather not be reminded of daily, but it is unavoidable.

White people tax, Jee-zus.

The tired throwing around of the word “socialism” makes me want to punch people in the stomach.

Cubit · 2010-03-24T07:33:02.000Z

@Matt G.

JeffL · 2010-03-24T07:45:46.000Z

Tyjenks:

The tired throwing around of the word “socialism” makes me want to punch people in the stomach.

Just what I would expect to hear from a socialist. And it proves the point that Democrats are extremists, and prone to violence when they don’t get their way.

Is it really a coincidence that a black president imposes a tax that is targeted at white people exclusively? This is obviously his way to let “his people” know that he’s going to make sure that reparations are on the way.

(Hey! This is easy! I need to get me one of them there Twitter accounts now! LOL!) <VBG>

Two_Sheds · 2010-03-24T08:04:27.000Z

JeffL:

Is it really a coincidence that a black president imposes a tax that is targeted at white people exclusively? This is obviously his way to let “his people” know that he’s going to make sure that reparations are on the way.

(Hey! This is easy! I need to get me one of them there Twitter accounts now! LOL!) <VBG>

You’ll need to trim it down a bit. That’s more than 140 characters. I’d suggest infuriatingly abbreviating every word.

Oregon Dispensary

Tyjenks · 2010-03-24T08:05:48.000Z

Before you know it, Obama will be referring to me as “you people”.

We can only hope he does not combine forces with the Mexicans. Then we are done for.

I WANT MY CNTRY BAK!!!

wahoo · 2010-03-24T08:08:24.000Z

Tyjenks:

We can only hope he does not combine forces with the Mexicans. Then we are done for.

too late. He’s already printing Amero coins.

Mister_Widget · 2010-03-24T08:14:39.000Z

Calistas:

Those are the concerns of an American friend of mine and they don’t get any more specific than that. Oh, also, “USA is a republic of free states”, which I think means he doesn’t like big govt.

It also means he skipped his U.S. History class when they covered the Civil War.

noun · 2010-03-24T08:16:59.000Z

Tyjenks:

I WANT MY CNTRY BAK!!!

If my country is really riddled with this many angry, illiterate racists then I don’t WANT it back.

WarrenM · 2010-03-24T08:18:21.000Z

You’ll need to trim it down a bit. That’s more than 140 characters. I’d suggest infuriatingly abbreviating every word.

I’m surprised that there isn’t a service for this … one that will take a block of text and condense it down automatically to Twitter sized. Twitterize.com? Someone is squatting it but it could be a business opportunity!

Jason_McCullough · 2010-03-24T08:34:07.000Z

rhinohelix:

I think there will be a reckoning at the ballot box this November

A reckoning based on the well-documented fact that the controlling party almost always lose seats in the midterms and the controlling party almost always loses seats when the economy is bad? They’ll probably lose at least 25 house seats and at least 4 Senate seats. Some of those house seats are R+6 districts; they’re hard to win even without the above two factors.

Amusingly the Congressional Democrats and Obama are still more popular than the Congressional Republicans, and the Democratic party more so than the Republican party.

Houngan · 2010-03-24T08:47:31.000Z

Pogo:

Ok so… what’s the summary post?

These:

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/03/23/health-care-reform-are-you-a-winner-or-a-loser/

The Christian Science Monitor – 21 Mar 10

Health care reform bill 101: Who will pay for reform?

If the health care reform vote succeeds today, the $940 billion bill would be the biggest change to domestic policy in a generation. The rich and the health industry would pick up most of the tab.

And just posting explanations of how the bills work and the reconciliation process works (thanks to everyone who explained it to me.) It’s pretty amazing, honestly, the thread shut down yesterday and hasn’t peeped since, and these are not happy folks.

H.

BennyProfane · 2010-03-24T08:49:00.000Z

Another useful link:

Law Prof discusses the lawsuits

Short version: these state lawsuits are a waste of time.

WarrenM · 2010-03-24T08:50:09.000Z

A reckoning based on the well-documented fact that the controlling party almost always lose seats in the midterms and the controlling party almost always loses seats when the economy is bad? They’ll probably lose at least 25 house seats and at least 4 Senate seats. Some of those house seats are R+6 districts; they’re hard to win even without the above two factors.

Doesn’t matter that the losses will be completely logical - FOX News will be crowing from the rooftops about “taking back America” and whatever other nonsense they come up with.

Papageno · 2010-03-24T09:15:50.000Z

In view of the elections, the Senate Republicans are at this point just trying to make life difficult for the Dems by making them vote down popular-sounding amendments, including one that would make sure HCR could never provide boner pills to sex offenders (we have Tom Coburn to thank for that one).

Lum · 2010-03-24T09:22:54.000Z

Well, this is certainly a well thought out and rational response from our nation’s leaders.

ReptileHouse · 2010-03-24T09:27:27.000Z

Lum:

Well, this is certainly a well thought out and rational response from our nation’s leaders.

So when is Austin going to get around to seceding from Texas? Houston would probably go with you.

Lum · 2010-03-24T09:34:21.000Z

Already has, really. Though thanks to Tom Delay’s gerrymandering Austin can’t actually elect any congressmen. My congressional district dips into northern Austin, the suburb of Round Rock (which is wingnutty enough) and then encompasses a huge chunk of rural Texas, so my representative is a huge tea party fan who among other things introduced a pro-birther bill into the House insisting Obama prove he’s really an Amurrican. Thanks, guys!

WarrenM · 2010-03-24T09:42:36.000Z

Lum

Love this.

Ever since the safeguard of State legislatures electing U.S. Senators was removed by the 17th Amendment in 1913, there has been no check or balance on the Federal power grab for the last 97 years.

Yes, but now … now that poor people are going to be able to see doctors without going bankrupt, NOW is the time to stand up for what’s right!

Jazar · 2010-03-24T09:47:41.000Z

rhinohelix:

The benefits don’t start until 2014; the taxes start tomorrow.

Some benefits start now and more activate this year.

U.S. – 19 Mar 10

FACTBOX-US healthcare bill would provide immediate benefits

The U.S. House of Representatives is heading for a Sunday vote on a sweeping overhaul of the $2.5 trillion U.S. healthcare system.

I think BBC America is right. It’s the Economy Stupid ™. Always has been.