Las Vegas Sun

November 22, 2009

Currently: 57° | Complete forecast | Log in

Letter to the Editor:

The public option is nothing to fear

Irwin Kaufman, Las Vegas

Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009 | 2:02 a.m.

Regarding J.J. Schrader’s Saturday letter to the editor in the Las Vegas Sun about health care, headlined “Government has poor financial track record”:

We are the only developed country that does not provide health care for its citizens. Several plans are being discussed. Among them is a public option, which could provide a Medicare/Medigap-like choice.

Such an option would probably provide most of us with better coverage at less cost.

No one would be forced to choose an unwanted option.

Some opponents of this important legislation have done everything possible to scare Americans and have played the “government” card. I hope Congress ignores these naysayers and passes meaningful health care reform quickly.

Discussion: 29 comments so far…

  1. By Future
    10/27/09 at 2:30 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    "We are the only developed country that does not provide health care for its citizens. Several plans are being discussed"

    We give health care what you are talking about is health insurance.

    The Swiss model is all private and mandatory. And it works.

  2. By StanG
    10/27/09 at 2:57 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    So the Swiss have no homeless, no unemployment, no severely handicapped and no poor people? Wow, what a country.

  3. By brownln4
    10/27/09 at 3:57 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    Is the new health bill on line available for all to read?? If not, how can you be so sure that we have nothing to fear ? How do you know if it will cost less with better coverage if we cannot read the bill?? Oh, Harry and Nancy said so ? That gives me a warm feeling - like I trust those two or Obama to really deliver on anything that works ( stimulus has done wonders so far hasn't it? ). Until the bill is available on line for all to read, you are just blowing smoke.

  4. By BarryS
    10/27/09 at 5:27 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    Brownln4: Calm down. The bill will be on-line in a few days. Then you will foam that it is too long to read. Did you read the bill that got us into Iraq? That multi-trillion dollar waste which killed thousands and bankrupted us was far more important. Of course not. It wasn't available. The health care bill has been discussed for months, by many committees, and many public meetings. This is how legislation is done. it was not rammed down our throats like the Iraq fiasco which was done with nearly no discussion. So, next week, take some time and read it. And watch the debate on CSPAN, and calm down. BTW, the bill doesn't set the coverage: the insurance companies do. Their might be a floor to the bebefits, but it will be higher than most current policies. Nothing requires them to reduce coverage. They do that all by themselves to increase their profits. Your current policy is safe, safe to have the 10-15% increases per year that you have grown used to. That is, unless you are on Medicare or VA care and are partaking of "socialized" medicine already. So calm down.

  5. By judgesmales
    10/27/09 at 6:19 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    The health-care takeover bill will not pass. The Blue Dog Democrats have already said they will not vote for any bill with a public option, and they know the opt-out for states is a political sop thrown in by Scary Reid.

    Reid has just wagered his political future on a fight he will not win. Sure, some sort of health-care-for-leeches scheme will eventually get passed, but Reid has put his full weight behind the public option. When that fails, he's a goner as majority leader and probably as a senator.

    Bye, Scary. Back to Searchlight with you.

  6. By brownln4
    10/27/09 at 7:43 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    Barry- any bets that the new Reid bill will be on line - I highly doubt it and as soon as its posted, if its posted, it will be obsolete due the changes being made every minute. I would love to watch the debates, but have to work to pay taxes and for my health care. So following your logic, based on the money spent on Iraq due to an un-imformed congress as they don't even read the bills they pass like the stimulus package, the health care will follow the same path?? A multi trillon dollar waste??

  7. By LarryVegas
    10/27/09 at 8:19 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    I sure glad the wailer can assure me that "the public option is nothing to fear." Particularly, when he, nor anyone else outside that locked room in Washington D.C. has seen it...

  8. By jlb101
    10/27/09 at 8:21 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    The public option will be run by the government. Anything those despicable morons do should be feared. Our freedom is at stake.

  9. By notacon
    10/27/09 at 8:51 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    Why isn't the great job that Harry Reid has been doing on health care the last few days front page news in the Review Journal?

    The RJ's silence is deafening!

  10. By jlb101
    10/27/09 at 9:34 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    Harry Reid doing a great job? That fool only works for himself. It sounds like he is trying to cram that piece of crap boondoogle down our throats against our will. Send the idiot back to Searchlight before he totally destroys a once free country.

    Notacon- Why don't you pay your own doctor bills instead of parasiting off of people who are better than you?

  11. By POWERPLAY
    10/27/09 at 9:36 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    Hey notacon: You should at least still be happy that the RJ still allows the SUN to piggy back them to the news racks everyday. At least the RJ makes money unlike the SUN.

  12. By LarryVegas
    10/27/09 at 9:51 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    Don't forget that notacon said: "The fact is that those on the right, including the present Republican Party have always been willing to trade peoples lives for profits."

    Really now???

  13. By teamster
    10/27/09 at 10:04 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    HARRY REID IS THE MAN.

    Harry put the public option in the health care
    reform.

    Harry Reid is a true leader with the guts to
    take on the party of NO.

  14. By LarryVegas
    10/27/09 at 10:11 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    Harry did a great job of eliminating the only Republican support he had for this bill.

    Now it's up to the Democrats to push THEIR bill through Congress by themselves. Any bets???

  15. By teamster
    10/27/09 at 10:12 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    IRWIN: GREAT LETTER

    The majority of Americans has spoken.
    Thank you Harry Reid.
    Give em Hell, Harry.

  16. By LarryVegas
    10/27/09 at 10:30 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    The "public option" is dead...

    Nancy Polosi says that it is now called the "consumer option."

    Why the change? Polosi says that it will be easier to sell to the uniformed public.

    Now that really makes me feel better...

  17. By jlb101
    10/27/09 at 11:32 a.m.
    Suggest removal

    It should not be "Give em Hell, Harry. It should be "Burn in Hell Harry". That is much more accurate because that will be his fate for being such a crook and screwing this country so badly.

  18. By Phargo
    10/27/09 at noon
    Suggest removal

    How the hell did Pelosi get that good job anyway?
    A woman's place is in the Mall.

  19. By Patrick_R_Gibbons
    10/27/09 at 12:37 p.m.
    Suggest removal

    Everyone would be forced to pay for the unwanted option. There is also no evidence to suggest it would provide more coverage for a lower cost. In fact there is little to no evidence to suggest government does this anywhere else.

    According to the US government the average public school cost around $9,000 per pupil in 2004. Private school tuitions were around $7,000 on average.

  20. By LarryVegas
    10/27/09 at 3:18 p.m.
    Suggest removal

    TOO BAD HARRY!!!

    Independent Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman said Tuesday that he would back a Republican filibuster against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's health care reform bill if a government-backed insurance plan remains in the package.

    The announcement is a blow to the Democratic leader and signals that he does not yet have the votes to advance the bill. While Reid needs just 51 votes to pass the package, he needs 60 votes to crush a filibuster.

  21. By TePee
    10/27/09 at 3:21 p.m.
    Suggest removal

    I have a question for all those opposed to the "public option." Once you retire and no longer have health care insurance form your employer, are you going to opt out of Medicare and purchase your health care insurance from a private company? Remember Medicare is not automatic and it cost you to be a member.

  22. By jldour
    10/27/09 at 3:47 p.m.
    Suggest removal

    OK, I get what they hope the public option will accomplish. What I would like to know is what mechanism in the bills being considered would get the skyrocketing medical bills under control. If the price of a visit to the doctor or a medical procedure continues to run wild, the savings of health insurance reform that may be realized will be eaten up inside of a year. I don't hear much debate on that. Seems like a big part of the problem.

  23. By jlb101
    10/27/09 at 4:06 p.m.
    Suggest removal

    jldour-Shhh-No one is supposed to ask them that question.

  24. By LarryVegas
    10/27/09 at 6:37 p.m.
    Suggest removal

    Hey TePee... I just retired and have two years before I go on Medicare, so I pay for a portion of my health insurance until that date. My family doctor does not take on new Medicare patients but will continue with existing patients.

    I am concerned with the rate that doctors are reimbursed by Medicare. I do not agree with the cuts that are coming in Medicare and I don't expect a doctor or anyone to work for free.

    If available and not too expensive, I will try to supplement Medicare with private insurance.

    I am not opposed to a "public option" if that is what it turns out only to be. But I don't trust the Obama Administration to just institute a public option without a complete takeover of the health care system with the inevitable elimination of private health insurance companies.

    The key word is "TRUST," and having trust in the government and particularly this administration is more than I can fathom at this time.

  25. By teamster
    10/27/09 at 6:44 p.m.
    Suggest removal

    LarryVegas:

    The truth is this: Joe lieberman has been a
    Republican for a long time.He calls himself an
    Independent like many other Republicans do.
    Democrats don't need him,you can have him.

  26. By LarryVegas
    10/27/09 at 7:02 p.m.
    Suggest removal

    Joe Lieberman is one of the few politicians whose principles are more important than political parties.

    Like my wife says, a good man is hard to find...

  27. By teamster
    10/27/09 at 7:21 p.m.
    Suggest removal

    Larry:

    Joe Liberman's principles are Republican
    principles. If you like Republican principles,
    he's your man.

  28. By teamster
    10/27/09 at 7:33 p.m.
    Suggest removal

    notcon:

    The RJ knows Harry Reid is doing a great job.
    They're afraid to say it.

    HARRY REID 2010

  29. By larry5
    10/27/09 at 8:20 p.m.
    Suggest removal

    Mr. Kaufman - Please remember to wear your helmet if you go outdoors.

Post a comment

Commenting requires registration.

Comments are moderated by Las Vegas Sun editors. Our goal is not to limit the discussion, but rather to elevate it. Comments should be relevant and contain no abusive language. Full comments policy.

Username:
Password: (Forgotten your password?)

OR Create an account (It's free)

  • Most Read
  • Discussed
  • Most E-mailed

Complete Listing

Calendar »

  • 22 Sun
  • 23 Mon
  • 24 Tue
  • 25 Wed
  • 26 Thu

All events on Sunday »