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Sen. Harry Reid answers a question from Steve Hill at a Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce luncheon Wednesday at the Four Seasons.
Friday, Aug. 28, 2009 | 2 a.m.
Sun Archives
- At Chamber meeting, Harry Reid plays to the center (8-26-2009)
- Harry Reid, John Ensign approval sinks as health care debate continues (8-24-2009)
- Republicans want to make Reid’s town hall the issue (8-21-2009)
- Wall Street Journal: Reid will be judged on health care (8-19-2009)
- Reid releases details of 'tele-town hall' meeting on health care (8-18-2009)
Sun Coverage
Sun Blogs
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is often hesitant during the health care debate in Washington to express his personal views, but he let down his guard a bit this week in Nevada.
Reid opened a private meeting of health care providers in Las Vegas on Tuesday by saying, according to one attendee who took notes: “We have a problem in America and it’s called the private insurance industry.”
Reid went on to express support for a public option, the proposed government-run insurance plan that he compared to Medicare, saying any meaningful reform legislation would have to include a public component.
Nevada’s main progressive group said the majority leader’s comments during Tuesday’s meeting of about 20 hospital CEOs, doctors and other health care providers was among the most significant statements they have heard on his thinking.
“We’re energized and we’re also confident that Sen. Reid is on the right side on this issue,” said Michael Ginsburg, a community organizer at the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, who attended the meeting. “That’s something we can take to our supporters and reassure them.”
Reid has been traveling throughout the state talking to constituents about health care and other issues while Congress is on summer recess.
The senator has declined to host a public town-hall meeting on health care, criticizing as “Astro Turf” — a political term for corporate-sponsored campaigns made to appear like spontaneous uprisings — the protests being organized by groups opposed to health care reform. He has called those who are shouting down elected officials elsewhere across the country “evil mongers.”
Instead Reid will host a telephone town-hall meeting this afternoon, hoping to reach as many as 50,000 Nevadans. The deadline has passed to register for the call.
But in settings with voters over the past few days in Nevada, Reid has shared his thoughts.
“Clearly he is not enamored of the insurance industry,” said Dr. John Ellerton, a physician in private practice who attended the meeting.
Tuesday’s meeting was described by one attendee as a who’s who of the Nevada medical establishment. The group held diverse views and engaged in a healthy exchange with the senator for about 75 minutes, attendees said.
Reid spoke about his preference for the public option.
Reid has previously said he personally backs the public option, which supporters believe would drive needed competition among health insurance companies but detractors say would put some of those companies out of business.
But last month, Reid declined to say whether he would push for the public option during a press briefing in Washington where, as majority leader, he traditionally gives great deference to the committee chairmen as legislation is being formed, and often declines to influence their committee debates.
“It would be really premature for me to lay out for each of you what I think should be in this bill,” Reid said in July.
Reid also spoke Tuesday of the difficulty of getting the public plan component approved in the Senate, where he hopes to attract Republican support. With the death of Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., Reid has 59 senators in his caucus, not the supermajority of 60 often needed to pass significant legislation.
At both the Tuesday meeting and again during a Wednesday luncheon hosted by the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, Reid mentioned the possibility of using the procedure known as reconciliation to pass the health care bill in the Senate with just 51 votes. But he also noted the shortcomings of that approach, explaining to both groups that only part of the bill could be handled with reconciliation, leaving important elements behind.
Reid spoke at both venues about the antitrust exemptions health insurance companies have enjoyed for decades as part of the problem with the industry.
Yet Reid’s comments became something of a Rorschach test — with listeners reaching different conclusions based on their positions on the issue.
Take medical malpractice reform.
Some health professionals argue that medical costs are driven up by those who practice so-called “defensive medicine” — that is, doctors ordering unnecessary tests on patients to cover themselves in the event of lawsuits. Republicans have seized on this issue, arguing it’s time to change malpractice law and rein in trial lawyers.
At the Tuesday meeting, Reid told health care providers the story about a surgery he needed some years ago on his left foot. As he was in the hospital preparing for the operation, he asked what the markings on his right foot signified.
He was told they marked the foot to be operated on.
Reid told the staff they had marked the wrong foot.
Ginsburg took this to mean Reid had no tolerance for the kinds of tort reform being suggested by some of the doctors in the room as a way to rein in medical costs.
However, Dr. Ronald Kline, president-elect of the Nevada State Medical Association, was struck by Reid’s interest in medical review panels that once functioned in Nevada — panels that would review lawsuits and render nonbinding decisions about the merits of a case that supporters say can reduce the number of lawsuits going forward. The panels were disbanded a few years ago in Nevada.
“It was like an evolution of his thought,” Kline said.
On Wednesday, Reid repeated his interest in the medical review panels as he retold the story about his mismarked foot to the chamber crowd.
Different listeners walked away with different understandings of what they thought would happen next in Washington, a symptom of a bill that remains a work in progress.
Yet several said they understand legislation is coming.
“I think his intent is to have something,” Ellerton said. “I think come hell or high water there’s going to be a bill. That was very clear — that Harry wants something done.”
Harry Reid needs to go away. We don't want him or his Public Option. He's simply an idiot.
We have a problem in America and it's called HARRY REID
Harry has been posing with a rifle in his hands and making speeches like he is a centrist with western roots. In private he aligns with community organizers and claims capitalism is the problem with the country.
Reid is no less a socialist with a view of government control over our lives as the answer to everything. It's time for harry Reid to go on permanent vacation. I am sure Obama can find him a job after the voters fire him.
Reid is a withering blowhard and a lapdog to Mistress Pelosi. He should have the dignity to resign and take the job as conductor on the monorail (providing it's functional).
SPORT's!
I would encourage readers to read my comment posted under the Shelley Berkley article in today's LV Sun, same subject, different elected public servant.
A public option would benefit both business and labor in Nevada, a win-win. I have provided some thoughtful examples as to "why".
Thank You.
Good, it says so right in the Constitution: "...promote the general welfare..."
Now watch all of the "Invisible hand" cultist and the self centered scream even louder. Music to my ears. I'm sure that the private insurance corporations appreciate your willingness to shill.
As for all of you who are attempting to act ideologically opposed to a public option we should find a way to let you opt out of medicaid when you hit 65. And please, by all means, keep shopping at Whole Foods; maybe getting out of Wal-Mart will expand your horizons a little.
"It would be really premature for me to lay out for each of you what I think should be in this bill," Reid said"
So Harry does not yet want us to know what is to be in the final bill.
And we are the evilmongers.
How can anybody know what the "fact" are?
There are six bills out there - and no bill out there.
A 1000 pages here - 600 pages there
It cost $1.5 trillion per CBO - it deficit neutral per Obama
The house and senate are playing hide and seek with the bill content.
The house and the senate can pass anything the public demands in open chambers, BUT
Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi can do whatever they really want to do in the closed-door house-senate conference committee.
Do you trust Harry and Nancy to decide you healthcare future in secret in the cloakroom of Congress?
Obama said he will sign anything that congress will send him. And you can believe that.
Remember that Obama will write the rules and regulations based on the "open to interpretation" inept law Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi pass.
Do you trust Congress with your healthcare future?
If Washington wants to work this in a rational manner, it needs to slow down, provide a summary of everything the program will do, and tell us how much it will cost and who will pay for it.
And why are we being called un-American evilmongers for this position.
Reid wants a public option to promote competition? WHAT? That's like saying I want to get run over by a semi so I'll feel good! What, Harry, there aren't enough competitors already?
If there is a "government option," then the government will tip the scales in its favor because it makes the rules. The government's mandates and regulations will inevitably remove the profit, private companies will fail because they do not have tax subsidies to keep them afloat, and the government will be the only game in town. Reid, Pelosi and the Democrats are insisting on the "government option" because they know it will inevitably and eventually destroy the private sector, and then they will be able to arrive at B.O.'s goal of a single payor system.
Nevada cannot afford yet another six years of Harry Reid's buffoonery.
Has mister Reid addressed the hotel and casino workers of this state and told them if the 8% tax on employers is cheaper than them providing health insurance to them then they will all have to go on the public option. So much for competetion in this great state since hotels and casinos are our major industry.
The Health Care system needs much more than just financial considerations and availability.
Much more needs to be done to see that the professionals providing the care are actually qualified professionals and they are using their skills to HEAL, not just line their own pockets at the expense of hurting others.
There also is a great need for better availability of the information on HOW to locate the quality care physicians and to know how to tell the difference between a doctor that wants to HEAL and one that is just going through the motions. The need is for everyone that is not "wealthy" to have this necessary information.
In addition to my own bad experiences attempting to gain quality care, as well as others whom I know and thousands of others seen on the internet, I've recently been emailed a link to a new blog with a story far worse than my own, and he/she has apparently only begun to tell their tale. There was a bit in his/her tale that reminded me of several known situations, so perhaps it might spark some recognition and contribute to any venue of improvement:
http://enoughdangit.blogspot.com/ .
Something must be done.
I say thank God for Harry Reid's courage to stand up to the insurance corporations whose profits depend on sick people NOT getting the health care we need. He is on the side of the little people--not the corporate profiteers whose bidding most of you radical extremist posters do so well, albeit unwittingly. I will work and pray for his re election.
We continue to see the tea baggers and birthers and wingnuts are losing steam. They have outrage, but no leadership. They are on the wrong side of issues and all they can do is scream.
Give 'em hell, Harry!
He looks feeble and withered. He also doesn't recognize that the select group of constituents he thinks he represents doesn't exist anymore.
Thank you, Harry Reid! FINALLY, he says what I've hoped he would say. I hope he means what he says in demanding a public option in the final bill. Consumers should have the right to choose the kind of health care they want. United Health shouldn't be allowed to shove their overpriced "Health Plan of Nevada" down all of our throats!
Harry Reid is toast. He has no chance of being reelected, He should just slink away into the night.
The failure of Harry Reid will turn out a two bagger. Harry and Rory will both be exiled to roam the streets of Searchlight.
Reid is out-of-touch with the majority of Nevada voters who actually vote as the polls show. Also, he is clueless that his statements on health reform hurt him and do not help him.
The question is can he buy the election.
Perhaps, he can.
He will probably also run a slime underground campaign that accuses his opponent of supporting porn, strip clubs, cancer, having ethical investigations, etc.. It worked for Democrats to take over the state Senate. It probably will work again.
Of course he doesn't want Tort Reform, where do you think a lot of his money is coming from the Tort Predators sharing their wealth. This imbecile (showing feeble intellect; mentally deficient) needs to go back to Searchlight and stay there.
Thank you, Harry Reid, for standing up to all the know-nothing crackpots. Their act is just a tired rerun of their scare campaigns against FDR's Social Security Act, and LBJ's Medicare Act. Democratic presidents build foundations for prosperity, while Republican presidents create financial disasters, by happily and recklessly driving us into the ditch, W in our era, Hoover, the last time the markets were left unchecked. Their simplistic free market philosophy NEVER works. It only creates a brief, wild boom, before everything goes bust. Enough with the roller coaster! Let's start building REAL, steady growth!
Ronald Reagan campaigned AGAINST Medicare, calling it Socialism!!! thereby giving socialism a good name... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FzNTB1qt... ...so if you like Medicare, and almost all Americans do, then Ronald Reagan is very, VERY disappointed in you... Socialists!!! You should have relied on the kindness of strangers, instead... That's the Republican health care plan! Simple, and TOTALLY unrealistic!
Anybody who has actually PAID for health insurance, and not just gotten it as a benefit, knows we must have health care reform with REAL choice, with the Public Option. Let Ronald Reagan, and his philosophy rest in peace. Keep fighting the good fight, Harry Reid! Give 'em hell, Harry!
No "Tort reform?" It's no wonder having the Trial Lawyers Lobby contribution to BOTH Partys.
atta boy harry!!!
we need the public option...
tort reform is a joke...
you are one smart man...
vegas loves you baby!!!
Harry is right. The insurance companies have been screwing the public for the longest time, by overcharging and employing teams of "health care professionals" who deny claims for profit. Medicare (government health care) has a much better reputation than private health insurance. Why not simply expand medicare to all, but non-retirees will have to pay for it. Private insurance can shift to providing additional care over and above the baseline medicare insurance.
We do also need some tort reform, lawsuits have gotten out of hand forcing doctors to practice defensive medicine which is costly.
Reid's popularity is diminishing, and he knows it. THIS is the main reason why he does not want to hold any public forums in person.
He IS a very smart politician and ALWAYS has HIS best interest in mind ALL the time.
Bad Reid
Bad Senator
http://aBadReid.com
Still waiting on that Republican health care plan.
This article was written on August 28th, 2009 - and that is HOW LONG into this debate? Let's see now - President Obama was elected in November of last year...no...let's not start the...but...according to Reid, he got him elected...naw...still...let's not start then...so...he was crowned, I mean Inaugurated back in January - so that is at least 8 months - this whole mess started what...oh never mind.. my point is - Reid should have made up is mind - what's left of it - a LONG LONG time ago!
According to the Sun Reid stated: "We have a problem in America and it's called the private insurance industry."
God - I wonder how he REALLY feels! What about Unemployment? Drug Abuse? Teens killing Teens? Drunk Driving? Our poor education systems etc, etc, etc...
No folks - I have to tell you - it is becoming painfully obvious that the dems are NOT going to support ANY kind of tort reform. As one of their illustrious leaders stated - Dr. Howard Dean - "They don't want to take on the trial lawyers!" - so we can forget about that. So I guess we're just going to have to settle on price fixing.
Yeah, price fixing. That's what the "public option" is really all about. Since they cannot legally tell the insurance companies what to charge - the ONLY way is to put a publicly backed subsidized "competitor" out there - that can operate at a loss for as long as necessary until the private insurance companies finally give up the ghost. This would for all practical purposes leave the government option as the ONLY option! Kind of like President Obama said -even with the Post Office as a competitor - UPS and FedEx are doing fine! But the again Mr. President - UPS and FedEx are not dependent upon delivering the daily mail, or junk mail, or supplying PO boxes etc...NOR are they being subsidized by the government. AND DON'T get me going about those other wonderful government subsidized entities like AMTRAK, or Medicare, Social Security, VA Hospitals, etc... - they are ALL in red - that is R-E-D - needing more and more and more taxpayer input ($$$$$) year after year! NOT just due to increased numbers or inflation - but because of poor management, budgetary and fiscal irresponsibility, politicians sticking their noses where they don't belong - etc...
Anyways - I guess Harry is getting to old for this game - and needs more time to formulate his ideas! At this rate - he'll have a complete thought by the time Obama's second term is over with!
lvspectator & Ronald Reagan;
OLD NEWS BUDDY!!!!! Put down your Kool-Aid Sippy cup for a second an read the side bar on that video clip -- you will find that although Ronald Reagan did record that LP -- it was as a paid spokesman for of all organizations -- the American Medical Association.
And I quote"
In 1961 as part of Operation Coffee Cup, Ronald Reagan recorded a long playing record as a paid spokesperson for the American Medical Association called "Ronald Reagan speaks out against SOCIALIZED MEDICINE", excerpts of which are provided here.
listen up boys and girls...
you either support the public option...
or...
you support excessive profits for insurance companies and excessive salaries for money grubbing whore doctors...
period...
end of story...
go get'em harry...
vegas loves you baby!!!
HARRY REID IS A FRIGGIN LOSER. ANYONE WHO SIDES WITH HIM IS
REALLY BIG FRIGGIN LOSER. ABSOLUTE EVIDENT.
was there not an ad that says he is fighting the partisan views in washington and wants to solve the healthcare issue....let's see to h3ll with you its is my way or the highway....public option or go suck eggs.....hmmmmmm....GOODBYE HARRY!!!
vote harry out in 2010...
Years ago i met harry reid when he first became a politician and he was running for office...i shook his hand and i have never forgotten how wet, clammy and slimy it was....i had to go wash my hands.....
I have never trusted him or his decisions and over the years it has proven to be true....
There is only one word that discribes the fate of the human race, GREED!That one little word has taken everyone down!As i have said before,when one asprin costs 9 bucks,a single band-aid is 12 bucks,you tell me where the problem lies?In the wake of the word "greed"you can pass anything as long as you line my pockets!Also with all the illeagals flooding our ER S,dosent help much either.
Come on Reid, let's get the health bill passed.
Tell the republican'ts to either get with it or shut the F up. You don't need any GOP support, and the GOP won't give you any support, let them pound sand!!
The GOP hasn't done ONE thing for the general population........PASS THE BILL WITHOUT THE GOP !!
"Do you trust Harry and Nancy to decide you health-care future in secret in the cloakroom of Congress?"
It's not being decided in secret. The current bills are being publicly debated. Future's claim, 90 percent their posts on this topic, is a vague insinuation with no substance to back it up.
"If there is a "government option," then the government will tip the scales in its favor because it makes the rules. The government's mandates and regulations will inevitably remove the profit, private companies will fail because they do not have tax subsidies to keep them afloat, and the government will be the only game in town."
Mailing a letter or parcel in the United States has a public option called the United States Postal Service along with a number of vibrant, highly profitable private competitors such as UPS, DHL, and FedEx.
A public health-care option will not play out any differently. The public plan will compete on costs and negotiating power and the private plans will compete on speed and level of service.
In other words the above claim is either painfully inaccurate or so speculative as to be meaningless.
"Much more needs to be done to see that the professionals providing the care are actually qualified professionals and they are using their skills to HEAL, not just line their own pockets at the expense of hurting others.
There also is a great need for better availability of the information on HOW to locate the quality care physicians and to know how to tell the difference between a doctor that wants to HEAL and one that is just going through the motions. The need is for everyone that is not "wealthy" to have this necessary information."
I cannot agree more. Whether a health-care consumer chooses to go with a public or a private plan, they need top notch information and access to well-trained primary doctors and specialists.
"Reid is out-of-touch with the majority of Nevada voters who actually vote as the polls show. Also, he is clueless that his statements on health reform hurt him and do not help him."
So is Senator Reid also out of touch with voters guns as well?
Well he isn't on that issue and his public views are certainly not out of touch with voters when it comes to health-care. No one wants to allow private insurers to inflate rates and pass off a failed solution like tort-reform and deportations Texas or forced private insurance feed troughs like in Massachusetts.
"No folks - I have to tell you - it is becoming painfully obvious that the dems are NOT going to support ANY kind of tort reform. As one of their illustrious leaders stated - Dr. Howard Dean - "They don't want to take on the trial lawyers!" - so we can forget about that. So I guess we're just going to have to settle on price fixing."
A harsh tort-reform scheme in Texas did nothing to lower malpractice insurance premium costs. Instead insurers raised those premiums by about 30 percent. Tort-reform only solves the problem of lower profits for the investment sector.
Harry Reid at UNLV student Union Monday Aug. 31 5pm. The media won't do their job we must.
Why would anyone ask Harry where he stands? Ask Pelosi if you want to know what Reid thinks.
Leave Harry alone. He doesn't look well. I don't think he has the energy or stamina to cross the finish line this cycle. What do the English books say?
If democrats are all in favor of a public option to promote competition why do they fight the private option in education to promote competition?
Today, the Republican party sent out a mailer saying Democrats plan to deny Republicans health care. Gee, if only Ted Kennedy had been around, there would have been bipartisanship.
Sadly--and it IS sad, because a strong opposition serves a useful purpose in our political system--the Republican party has lost its marbles.
STOP BLAMING VICTIMS. Why should someone whose wrong arm aputated or someone whose chest rattles with left behind tools or a diagnosis that caused death--why should victims such as these be limited to receiving pathetic tiny compensation. When people are truly hurt by medical practice, there should be adequate compensation AND punitive damages--why should doctors not be responsible for their actions?
Whose to blame for the high cost of malpractice insurance? That's easy, it is (again) the insurance companies. Even if a doctor is in the right and acted in good faith and actually did his/her job, the insurance companies rally to the lawyers who will advise them to settle to avoid the court costs. When a doctor has done nothing wrong, he/she should NOT have to settle any case for expediency. This is just plain wrong!!
If some insurance companies are driven out of business due to a public option then it is pretty apparent that they were truly predatory in nature and deserve to go as bankrupt as their morale fortitude!
Greenie: I'll sleep better at night when the Dems revert to loyal opposition.
"If some insurance companies are driven out of business due to a public option then it is pretty apparent that they were truly predatory in nature and deserve to go as bankrupt as their morale fortitude!"
How about if all private insurance companies are driven out of business due to a public option that does not have to compete due to influxes of tax dollars. Since when did our Congressional Delegation have morale fortitude???
KDOX AM talk show host Rusty Humphries
had no medical insurance, his wife racked up thousands of dollars of medical bills, then he filed bankruptcy, raising costs for people who have insurance or the ability to repay. Of course he is against health care reform, just file BK right Rusty?
Re: James Kresnik yet another Kool-aid drinker!
Regarding the Post Office - When was the last time UPS or FedEx delivered junk mail to YOU? Or how about a Christmas Card? Or Your Bill from Greenspun group? My God man wake up and look at the Red ink!!! Their offering $15,000.00 to non-letter carriers to get out - before they start laying off again!
Regarding Tort Reform? TORT not TOKE - nobody talking about pot here - were talking doctors performing CYA tests -- prescribing medication -- JUST IN CASE, over prescribing and not even able to be human during a law suit -- and show concern and/or compassion during a lawsuit. Extra MRI's, Xrays -- how much can we SAVE by allowing doctors to be doctors instead of having to worry about every Tom, Dick and James out there ready to slap a lawsuit on them because they really weren't GOD?????
Let's FIX the problems & programs we already have -- THEN let's worry about new ones!
It's morally wrong to leave 100 million Americans un or underinsured, 1 illness away from financial ruin. And it's wrong to burden small business with the outrageous insurance costs also -- found a cool site; Balkingpoints ; incredible satellite view of earth
No on HR3200 -- it's time for the Dems to move on to Obamacare 2.0 -- govt healthcare by proxy.
Mandate enrollment in a Federally approved medical insurance program OR pay an income tax surcharge to cover automatic enrollement in Obamacare (an insurance pool contracted by the Feds to provide Obamacare to the uninsured). Obamacare standard mandates free wellness checks & immunizations, free preventive & restorative care for minors (including dental), all with high deductibles. Govt subsidizes low income wage earners through tax code (i.e. you have to file to enroll, surcharge income dependent). States responsible for low income deductibles. Enrollment could be easily proven by the equivalent of a 1099 form when you file.
Prohibit denying coverage for pre-existing conditions, dropping coverage if a client gets sick, or capping insurance company reimbursement.
Jettison end of life counseling. Add restrictions against Federal funding of care for illegals or abortion.
Include HSAs (to cover deductibles).
Tort reform, replace lawsuits with arbitration and reduce defensive medicine costs.
Establish a National arbitration board, made up of medical practitioners, that recommends best practices.
Incentivize preventive care & personal responsibility (free wellness checks, aggressive care of minors, and high deductibles a good start).
Standardize and synchronize medical records data system nationally, to reduce fraud, waste & abuse. Include a requirement for Real ID to enroll in Obamacare. Privacy nuts & the ACLU won't like it, but then you can't please everyone.
Quadruple the sin taxes and implement a processed food tax. (Fatties gotta pay their fair share for the economic burden they're creating.)
Eliminate State standards -- mandate a National standard of coverage that is basic, high deductible, and doesn't cover elective non-restorative cosmetic surgery or abortion (there's always supplemental insurance for the Botox'ers). And by restorative cosmetic surgery I mean things like repairing cleft palates, serious burn damage, prosthetics -- all those would be covered. As would long term care for the serious and/or terminally ill.
Obamacare replaces Medicare and all other Federally funded health welfare programs -- we don't need multiple federally funded health welfare bureaucracies all doing the same thing. (VA & Tricare are employer provided insurance programs, not health welfare programs.)
Surcharge, increased sin taxes, and existing Medicare tax pay for it. Insurance companies make money on the mandated enrollment of the healthy, which subsidizes the unhealthy (only companies that participate in the pool are licensed to operate in the US).
Those of you who scream about "socialism" are the first to line up for medicare, unemployment benefits, welfare etc. Just like the idiot teabaggers who don't want "guvment messin wit ma health care"
"Re: James Kresnik yet another Kool-aid drinker!"
You could try just using my name, but let's see what you have to say.
"Regarding the Post Office - When was the last time UPS or FedEx delivered junk mail to YOU Or how about a Christmas Card? Or Your Bill from Greenspun group? My God man wake up and look at the Red ink!!! Their offering $15,000.00 to non-letter carriers to get out - before they start laying off again!"
I'm not sure what you're getting at. Maybe you can make yourself a little more clear and point out exactly where I was wrong. FedEx won't deliver junk mail for the same reason that you won't send an ordinary letter across country using FedEx for less than 50 cents.
The USPS is laying off workers, and that would be seen as an efficiency and competitiveness measure for private companies. By the way, the USPS receives no federal funding.
Nothing you have mentioned has refuted my first point.
"Regarding Tort Reform? TORT not TOKE - nobody talking about pot here - were talking doctors performing CYA tests -- prescribing medication -- JUST IN CASE, over prescribing and not even able to be human during a law suit -- and show concern and/or compassion during a lawsuit. Extra MRI's, Xrays -- how much can we SAVE by allowing doctors to be doctors instead of having to worry about every Tom, Dick and James out there ready to slap a lawsuit on them because they really weren't GOD?????"
Given the level of writing skill displayed in that quote, it is very hard to understand your point.
As far as I can tell, you are the only person in this discussion who has made any intentional or unintentional mention of illegal narcotics.
If you can point out where Texas' aggressive tort reforms have actually cut medical costs, then I'm sure anyone will be happy to take what you say seriously.
And finally, those fixes you propose have already been tried in various states with no significant downward change in either insurance premiums or health outcomes. Controlling costs is as significant part of balancing the health-care equation, but as far as can be observed, tort reform isn't one of them.
"No on HR3200 -- it's time for the Dems to move on to Obamacare 2.0 -- govt healthcare by proxy."
I think you mean health care like everywhere else in the civilized world. (grin)
"Prohibit denying coverage for pre-existing conditions, dropping coverage if a client gets sick, or capping insurance company reimbursement."
That's not a bad idea and such a provision all the current House bills.
"Jettison end of life counseling. Add restrictions against Federal funding of care for illegals or abortion."
I'm fairly sure that end of life counseling refers to just that - non binding counseling that has been a standard medical practice for decades. It bears no resemblance to the 'death panels' being brandied about at town halls.
Illegals are not covered. I can't speak for abortion, but coverage is unlikely in the public plan. No one should force private insurers to refuse covering any medical procedure the customer is willing to pay for.
"Tort reform, replace lawsuits with arbitration and reduce defensive medicine costs."
Given that tort reform does not significantly decrease medical costs, I'll take pass. Arbitration could make sense for relatively small claims.
Everything else you propose sounds good. Thanks for bringing some ideas to the debate.
"Illegals are not covered. I can't speak for abortion, but coverage is unlikely in the public plan."
Kresnik: Gee thanks, I guess we can take your word for it. By the way, I have a bridge for you to buy. Was it a big surprise for you to learn that you can't fool most of the people all of the time?
JK,
"Rest of the (so-called) civilized world" ain't in all that great of shape either, so I don't know as followimg their lead is all that wise.
Unless it's specifically prohibited (illegals, abortion) it won't be denied since there's no pretext for denial, real or implied.
"End of life counseling" can easily be twisted, either in discussion or in reality, to encourage suicide/euthanasia. Even bringing it up in the context of Govt involvement is insulting & threatening -- it needs to be a patient-family-doctor-minister discussion that does not include a clerk or guidance from the Department of Whatever. Let it go.
Big picture, tort reform may not save a lot of $$$, but legal special interest groups (and their money) have had and continue to have an undue influence over the debate & that influence needs to be quashed for the proposal and system to have any credibility with the public. Besides, 1% is 1% -- and arbitration will meet the need, just not satisfy the greed.
Unless the fiscal & social conservative concerns are addressed, healthcare reform will whither and die. Which is unfortunate, because even we GOP'ers know something needs to be done -- we just don't accept the argument that anything is better than what we have (that's what many said about Dems vs GOP in the last election, and now look at the state of things).
Re: By James Kresnik another Kool-Aid drinker - refers to you buying what ever the dems are selling hook - line and sinker! Your command of the dems talking points is amazing! I did use your name -- and a very apt description.
My apologize for your lack of understanding -- I'll try and make it a little clearer. Every service agency that the U.S. government runs, tries to run, has run -- is showing NOTHING but red ink. Red ink -- is a business term for showing a loss. A loss by a government agency is something that the American public -- those of us who do pay taxes anyway -- must make for in increased fees, and/or higher taxes. THAT is one of the reasons why we have a deficit they all run in the RED!
How's that -- do you understand now?
Regarding "toke" reform. This is reference to what ever it is that you are smoking while you are writing your responses to my postings. I was speaking of "tort" reform in general -- and you state "it was tried in Texas and it failed -- so it can't work. THAT is nonsensical -- and a sign a someone not speaking with all of the faculties about them. Unless of course -- the good folks in Texas tried every single methodology of tort reform -- I'm sure there is something that can be done to allow doctors to be doctors -- and not have to be concerned with covering their butts at every turn.
How's that -- do you understand now?
There are plenty of things in the system that is already in place that needs fixing -- let's fix that FIRST. THEN -- lets make up a whole new set of stuff that doesn't work right that needs fixing later. But let's fix what we have first.
It's high time to recover our liberty and government from those who would sell us out to special interests, whether ideological or economical.
Senator Reid: Are you listening? No, I didn't think so. Say hello to Searchlight because that's where you're going.
I guess most on this board are "evil Mongers". You also must remember that Harry said that you smell while in D.C.
If my Senator told me that I smelled I would vote him out of office. You know what, he was smelling his own dumb butt. Watch Glen Beck!!!!
Why no town meeting Pinkie? You are the 1st to go and tell Obama his 15 minutes is up! That is what I call REFORM. The true Americans are awake now.
The Congress will not include themselves in this new plan. They keep the insurance then have. Doesn't that alone scare everyone??? HARRY MUST GO!!!!!
Wan't to see why this country is so screwed-up?
Invest 6 minutes in your future and watch this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeYscnFpE...
"Illegals are not covered. "
Good.....now they can either die or go home to get treatment.
Boy....is that Obama dude a tough hombre.
REBELRON,
Right-on. And it was done without partisan speak nor disparaging rants. GREAT points all! Maybe some of the ranting ladies and not quite gentlemen here will listen for a change instead of having to have the last word. Good job RebelRon!
They passed the largest spending bill in history without even a cursory reading of it. What colosal arrogance. Our so-called leaders are out of touch with their constituency and reality.
Regarding "Illegal's are not covered"
Where does it say that? I realize that the law says that NO federal dollars will be spent...blah, blah, blah...however, no where in any of the bills does it say that one must prove citizenship in these here United States of America!
So, if you don't have to show your birth certificate, or your green card -- ah...pardon me...but...
It is NOT ALWAYS what a bill says that worries me -- it is what it doesn't say!
Regarding paying for abortions"
Since the public option is specifically meant to "keep the private insurance companies in line" -- they will offer tit for tat the same coverage -- other wise they wouldn't be "competitive.
IF the private companies cover Viagra -- the public option will cover Viagra -- if the private companies cover birth control pills -- they will cover birth control pills -- if the private companies -- cover abortions -- well -- in order to be competitive -- what do you think their going to do?
Again - It is NOT ALWAYS what a bill says that worries me -- it is what it doesn't say!
Waaaaaaaaaa! Harry Reid bad man. Bad, Bad man. Me no like him. He scare me. Bad man. Daddy?....go get Harry Reid and beat him up. He bad man, Daddy. Make bad man go away. Far away. Waaaaaaaa...me want peanut butter samwich. I want samwich. If you no give me samwich, you bad man too, Daddy. Don't be bad man, give baby what baby wants or I call 9-1-1 and say you hurt me.
Carson that was awesome! But this weasel needs to go away.
I'm still laughing!
how come you dittoheads like paying for Rusty's BK? I guess it's socialism. Rack up the bills at the hospital, then file BK. Tort reform? paging Dr. Desei, paging Dr. Desei...you like tort reform don't you doc?
Senator Reid's complaint about disinformation is laughable.
In the spirit of ensuring that I had the right information I mailed Sen Reid the following questions: "1. What is the root cause of the cost growth that is the justification for health care reform?" If a car isn't running properly one diagnoses the problem before deciding to rebuild the engine. The fix for cost growth should be targeted to the problem and we should know what that problem is before designing a solution, so asking Sen Reid about the problem is reasonable. "2. How will proposed legislation reduce the growth in the cost of health care?"
For my trouble I received a form letter that said he would keep my views in mind. Thanks.
So I now feel free to spread disinformation. On what basis does Sen Reid determine that a public option will reduce the growth in health care cost? Where have we ever seen such a plan work? I think nowhere, and we can expect Sen Reid's plan to fail and waste trillions of taxpayer money.
Second, most health care is provided by 3rd party payers, either the government or an employer. In both cases, the consumer is disconnected from the cost of the service. My claim is this is the root cause of the problem. Think of how driving habits and gas consumption would change if fill ups were included in automobile insurance. That is the system we have for health insurance today. It makes no sense; it promotes overuse that drives up cost. Sen Reid's proposal doesn't tackle the problem and one must presume he is woefully ignorant of economic systems or has a different agenda.
Tell your friends....tell your neighbors...tell everybody...spread the word....
REID IS FOR THE PUBLIC OPTION.
Harry must go, it's time to take the country back.
Thanks for the video link RebelRon.
It's very clear to rational thinking people that the statement by John Dewey was never more correct, "Government is the shadow cast by business over society" which in general means that by changing the shadow will not effect the substance.
You have to consider that government is only a tool and they are only doing what is directed by the users. Getting mad at the "Government" for policy making is the same as getting mad at the gun for someone getting shot. We as people should are justifiably pissed off, but most of us are directing our anger at the "gun" not the person shooting it.
Us "Normal People" do not have lobbyist in Washington fighting for what "We" need. It's such an absurd notion that unless a person worked for, or holds huge amounts of stock in the insurance industry, that person would be against a public plan.
The people holding the "Gun" on this issue are those stated above, working for or heavily invested in the insurance industry.