Insurers Set To Raise Prices, Walk Away From Consumers: Goldman Report

Originally posted by sos37
reply to post by vor78

 

You have Reid and Pelosi to thank for that - trying to "ramrod" a gigantic healthcare bill down America's throat quickly so Obama could focus on the next liberal agenda item.

What sickens me is Reid went publicly to individual senators and gained their support through back-room incentives. Any blue dogs who had legitimate concerns were asked to ignore those concerns with the help of a generous portion of money for their state, which looks mighty fine for your re-election prospects. And people didn't DEMAND that Obama make that bloodsucker step down!

[edit on 5-3-2010 by sos37]

Yes because tort reform (which accounts for about 1% of healthcare costs) and competition in a monopolized market are going to trim costs? Does the GOP have any other ideas? Nope?

The blue dogs were concerned because the hard right element of the country was manipulated by the GOP machine to think any kind of government healthcare = Socialism/Communism, even though a public option is the absolute only way to be able to reign in healthcare costs.

There's just absolutely no other way to make the costs become affordable and stable for the long term. A company is going to seek maximum profit for minimum risk, every time, and that means denying those that need healthcare the most while being able to charge the highest premiums.

This is what's going to happen if we "scrap" the bill and start over. It will be another horrendous dog and pony show with the right screaming socialism and communism until everyone's ears bleed, and we'll be in the exact same situation, and everyone knows it. It's nothing more than a political delaying tactic so they can make what gains they can come November and ensure that absolutely no reform comes during Obama's term.

Our best hope for affordable healthcare is to see a public option/Medicare expansion included during reconciliation. This story merely highlights that fact. Health insurance should have never been privatized. Unfortunately, this is what happens when it is. And people die. And we all lose out (unless you are an Executive of a healthcare company).

Corporations are legal entities, we should alter how health insurance companies are allowed to exist.

They should have to be non-profit 501c3 companies.

Limits on executive pay.

Inability to dump troublesome customers with lots of health problems.

Profits which have to be given back to customers in the form of rebates if the insurance company sets premiums higher than needed to cover their costs.


There is no reason we have to allow health insurance companies to be for profit companies that give huge paychecks to executives.

reply to post by Bobbox1980

I agree. I like the idea of co-ops. I also like the idea of some form of universal coverage...something we once had a version of before reagan and his cronies stripped it...it was called public health services and while it existed they had small hospitals all over the place...and yes while their main focus was mariners anyone could go to them.

I know, I did.

[edit on 3/6/2010 by iMacFanatic]