Proposed Healthcare Reform Bill is now online

[CptStern]

Health care bill is online now
http://documents.nytimes.com/baucus-proposal-to-overhaul-health-care#p=1

NYtimes has some comments on it
http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/baucus-releases-bipartisan-proposal/?hp

The first surprise in the Baucus plan: a slimmed down price-tag of $856 billion over 10 years. Earlier versions of the health care legislation had come in costing $1 trillion or more. But stay tuned for a close look at the fine print; Congressional budget-scoring is often as much art as science.

Another number to watch: 13 percent. That’s the share of family income that the Baucus plan envisions middle-class American families having to pay in health insurance premiums before co-payments, deductibles and other cost-sharing. [Average cost for current healthcare = 16% of family income]

And senators in both parties are questioning whether, at the end of the day, insurance will be affordable to the people who need it most — perhaps the single most crucial question for all of the health care overhaul proposals.

The Baucus bill seeks to extend health coverage to more than 30 million uninsured American citizens. To do so, it would broadly expand Medicaid, the state-federal insurance program for the poor, and provide government subsidies to modest-income individuals and families to help them buy coverage.

The bill would also create new, state insurance marketplaces, or exchanges, where consumers could shop for insurance and compare plans.

 

[No Limit]

With no public option all this is is a gift to the insurance companies. We will now be forced to buy their overpriced coverage with the government having absolutely no control over costs. Thanks Baucus, you ****ing prick.

 

[CptStern]

the proposed plan costs less per families than the current system. that's definately something. plus there's a choice ...which will go a long way to shutting up the glen becks of this world what with their death panels and idiotic accusations of socialist agendas

 

[CptStern]

hey look the benelovent society of Healthcare insurance companies are looking out for your best interests:

Healthcare insurance providers spending 1.4 million a day to fight healthcare reform

The nation's largest insurers, hospitals and medical groups have hired more than 350 former government staff members and retired members of Congress in hopes of influencing their old bosses and colleagues, according to an analysis of lobbying disclosures and other records.

The tactic is so widespread that three of every four major health-care firms have at least one former insider on their lobbying payrolls, according to The Washington Post's analysis.

The tactic is so widespread that three of every four major health-care firms have at least one former insider on their lobbying payrolls, according to The Washington Post's analysis.

Nearly half of the insiders previously worked for the key committees and lawmakers, including Sens. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa), debating whether to adopt a public insurance option opposed by major industry groups. At least 10 others have been members of Congress, such as former House majority leaders Richard K. Armey (R-Tex.) and Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.), both of whom represent a New Jersey pharmaceutical firm.

The hirings are part of a record-breaking influence campaign by the health-care industry, which is spending more than $1.4 million a day on lobbying in the current fight, according to disclosure records.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/05/AR2009070502770.html

 

[Eejit]

Democracy at it's finest.

 

[Warped]

new planet please!

 

[CptStern]

Democracy at it's finest.

not to worry; I'm sure the insurance companies will pass off the cost of lobbying to the consumer .........oh wait

 

[jverne]

what you guys fail to see that the protesters don't want a better society, they want a society where everyone is fair game. anarcho capitalists. yeah God also.

if they want to dig their own grave...let them.

 

[No Limit]

the proposed plan costs less per families than the current system. that's definately something. plus there's a choice ...which will go a long way to shutting up the glen becks of this world what with their death panels and idiotic accusations of socialist agendas

The public option is also a choice. This might bring down costs from 16% to 13% as you quoted but that's still going to be expensive as hell as the insurance companies will continue to need to make a profit. With a government ran option not only would profit not play a role but the government would have a lot more power when it came to controlling costs. 13% of a $4,000 a month income is around $500 a month. Thats a shit load of money for health insurance.

This bill is bullshit; paid for by the insurance companies. In fact I heard that in some markets the insurance companies are actually running ads in favor of this legislation (don't quote me on that).

 

[CptStern]

Thanks Baucus, you ****ing prick.

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/33420

 

[Saturos]

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/33420

LMAO that shit was hilarious! :cheese:

I especially lol'ed at this part:

Facing all those constituents I failed so badly day after day, year after year? I don't think so. Maybe I'll go to Maine instead. No one knows me there. Set up a small law practice, hang my shingle, buy a quaint little saltbox on the outskirts of Bangor. Of course, I'm sure I'd somehow manage to **** up everything there, too. What the hell was I thinking? God, I'm such a bonehead. I should go live in a cave somewhere, someplace far away from all humanity where I can't poison everything I touch.

Ha ha



BTW, obvious lobbying scandal is obvious. F***king insurance companies are lining the pockets of fools like Baucus.

 

[Sparta]

This bill will require the 35-45 million U.S. citizens without health insurance to buy health insurance, and its going to penalise those who can't afford it.

This is sheer brilliance.

 

[CptStern]

not really:

The Baucus bill seeks to extend health coverage to more than 30 million uninsured American citizens. To do so, it would broadly expand Medicaid, the state-federal insurance program for the poor, and provide government subsidies to modest-income individuals and families to help them buy coverage.

 

[No Limit]

not really:

The problem is that if I can't afford to pay $200 a month now for health insurance the government telling me they'll give me a tax credit next April isn't really going to help me out.

This bill would have been a disaster if republicans actually signed on. But since they are saying no to even this piece of shit bill this might be a blessing in disguise. Democrats have no more excuses for negotiating with republicans.

 

[CptStern]

at this rate americans will never have proper health coverage

 

[No Limit]

at this rate americans will never have proper health coverage

My hope is fading but I haven't let go yet. Deep down inside I still want to believe Obama is some kind of jedi thinking 2 steps ahead of everyone. We'll see.