Real Health Care Reform

The people in Massachusetts have the most expensive health insurance rates in the country (the average family pays more than $13,000 a year). They also have the longest waits to see a doctor - sometimes up to a year to see a specialist. The system in that state is essentially the model the Democratic leaders have been trying to force on the entire country. And the voters there unsurprisingly soundly rejected it. This has renewed my faith in the intelligence of the American public, and in the | Continue reading this entry »

It is not surprising that the country is against the current health care reform proposals. Do they really think we want higher taxes, higher insurance premiums, more government, more bureaucracy, less freedom? The public has been saying this pretty loud and clear for a while now. It looks like Congress may finally be listening. Health care in this country certainly needs reforming. It needs more price transparency, more competition, individually owned health insurance, more consumer involvement | Continue reading this entry »

In the health care debate in the Senate, they are considering letting people age 55 to 64 years old to buy into Medicare. This is being called a "compromise" that would be done in exchange for dropping the so-called "public option". But in fact, this provision would likely accelerate the move towards government-run health care. As I've discussed previously, Medicare is already on course towards bankruptcy. Medicare already pays less to doctors and hospitals than private insurance, thus transferring | Continue reading this entry »

As would be expected, there are plenty of tricks in the Senate health care bill. Take those out, and the actual cost somewhere around $4.9 trillion over the next 20 years, although of course the true cost is not really known. Keep in mind that as the government spends all this money, it will also be requiring you to purchase more expensive health insurance, with your money. Here's where some of the money is hidden: - $200 billion was going to be cut from physicians under the Medicare program. | Continue reading this entry »

Today the Senate health committee voted 12-11 in favor of a two-page amendment courtesy of Republican Tom Coburn that would require all Members of congress and their staffs to enroll in any new government-run health plan. Under proposed legislation, Congress is exempt from the healthcare plan that they will possibly be imposing on the rest of us. Congressman John Fleming, from Louisiana, has proposed an amendment that would require congressmen and senators to take the same healthcare plan the | Continue reading this entry »

Every American should have the right to choose how to maintain and improve his or her health. We are at a defining moment in our country's history. If a bill similar to that passed by the House and proposed in the Senate passes, it will mean a shift in power that may have profound implications on your ability to control your own health care. This is because the more control is taken away from you and given to government bureaucrats (to approve health insurance plans, to approve procedures, | Continue reading this entry »

Here is an email I received from my Senator today: Friend— In conversations with Coloradans across our state, many people have asked me exactly what reform means for you and your families. That’s exactly the right question to ask. That’s why I wanted to make sure all Coloradans have the opportunity to understand exactly what the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act means for you. Put simply, this bill will provide more security and stability to Coloradans who have health insurance, | Continue reading this entry »

On Saturday, the Senate got 60 votes in order to clear a procedural huddle, and begin debate on the Senate reform bill, known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Here's what needs to happen before anything becomes law: • First, the bill must pass through the Senate • Then the House and Senate proposals must be reconciled • Third, the reconciled bill must pass through the House • Last, the reconciled bill must pas through the Senate The CBO ranks the cost of this | Continue reading this entry »

Listening to the radio tonight, I heard a senator say that the so called public option will "inject competition" into the marketplace, to drive down prices. If they are successful, we should have them inject extra competition everywhere. I, for one, would like cheaper microbrews. Its too bad we don't require our Congressional representatives to pass an economics test before we give them the authority that we do. One cannot inject competition. To increase competition, you must instead remove | Continue reading this entry »

Its interesting watching the healthcare debate. The biggest problem is the runaway costs, yet the current proposals do little if anything to reign in spending. Of course, politicians always like to act like they're giving you something, before they take it away. What will they be taking away? Oh, our money in the form of higher taxes and higher premiums, and our access to quality health care in the form of long waits and other rations on care. So let's all ponder how higher premiums will | Continue reading this entry »