Brad Wardell's views about technology, politics, religion, world affairs, and all sorts of politically incorrect topics.
Published on March 22, 2010 By Draginol In Politics

People tend to project their hopes and dreams onto things based on their name.

They hear “health care reform” and they see their ideological allies supporting it and they assume it does all kinds of magical things.

For those of you glad that the bill passed, be aware that what was passed resembles nothing like what is in Europe or Canada. 

Here’s what it does (you can read the details at CBS News):

1. It “provides” insurance to 30 million Americans. How does it do this? They made it illegal not to buy insurance. Voila.  Seriously. That’s how they did it. If you don’t, you’re fined $695 annually.

2. They make it illegal for insurance companies to deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions. So the person with basic math skills who figures out that $695 annually is a lot less than $6,000 annually ($500 X 12 months) can wait until they get pregnant, diagnosed with diabetes or gets into an accident and THEN buy insurance.  Thus the cost will go far up.

3. They provide subsidies to make insurance cheaper. In theory.  Since the insurance companies are barely regulated monopolies per state who now know they everyone has to buy insurance, they can raise rates (this is what happened with car insurance when it became mandatory).

The right-wingers are going crazy about it because it socializes health-care.  The left-wingers are currently happy because they don’t realize just how much they got screwed. If/when this program starts to get implemented, I think they’ll start to realize how badly they got screwed.

People on the Internet who are from overseas tend to have no real understanding of America’s healthcare system. They don’t realize that the poor already get medical coverage for free (Medicaid) and that the elderly already get medical coverage (Medicare). 

So in effect, all this bill really does is make it illegal to not have insurance. 

Maybe they should use the same system to eliminate poverty. Just make it illegal to be poor.


Comments (Page 8)
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on Mar 31, 2010

Something good to be said about government-run programs

The government (CDC) ruined it here as they handle vaccines, although many private practices where able to procure some for their patrons. This was just a taste of what it will be like with government run health here.

Edit: Never got the vaccination, so paid zero and I didn't have to pay 40%+ in taxes either. Of course that may be subject to change in the future.

on Mar 31, 2010

Cikomyr
I see. Well, over here in Quebec, the government administrated the distribution all around, and while there had been some problems initially, they eventually developped an efficient system. I think that within 2 weeks of making the vaccine available, everybody that wanted to get vaccinated got vaccinated. In.. november, I think..

Something good to be said about government-run programs

Edit: Got vaccinated freely. Forgot to mention that.

Correction: Canadian Government Run Programs.  And you wonder why we do not want the government running anything more down here???????????

There is a big difference between distributing 30 million doses and 300 million doses.

Anecdote time:  Back in 95, just after CD readers took off, I was doing a IFB for 3500 computers - Windows or Macs - whomever won.  We based the Specs on what each could supply, and had to dumb down the specs to read "dual speed CD Drives" (that should tell you how long ago as well).  Why?  Apple could not quote a Quad Speed Drive (they were readily available in the marketplace at the time).  So I asked them why not?  Their answer - It is one thing to outfit several thousand computers with the newer technology.  It is another to buy millions for your product line.

Edit: Never got the vaccination, so paid zero and I didn't have to pay 40%+ in taxes either. Of course that may be subject to change in the future.

Ditto.  But then I never get a flu shot.  maybe when I get REALLY old.

on Mar 31, 2010

Correction: Canadian Government Run Programs. And you wonder why we do not want the government running anything more down here???????????

Correction: Quebec-government run program. We aren't crazy ennough to try to impose a uniformised system through all of our territory. We are still 1/10th of the USA, pop-wise. That's still an average of 5 states, more if we don't count the big 3.

There is a big difference between distributing 30 million doses and 300 million doses.

No there isn't. Since all administrative procedure has to be executed on the local level, you need to rely on the local governments who are meant to be organised to deal with their own population. No way somebody in Texas can organise distribution in New York (or vice-versa).

 

on Mar 31, 2010

Earlier in this thread I posted a link to an article entitled Waterloo, authored by David Frum who among other things *was* a "fellow" at the tobacco lobbyist cum global warming denialist, American Enterprise Institute.

I say *was* because apparently the Waterloo piece sufficiently annoyed his "fellows" over at AEI that they fired him.

Well not so much fired him as asked if he would consider being associated with the "institute" on a "nonsalaried basis".

Mr. Frum declined. Based on the earlier response to his article in this thread most folks here will be overjoyed.

I really love it when lamprey eat their own young.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/25/frum-forced-out-at-conservative-institute/

on Mar 31, 2010

Glad you're happy, Mumble.  It's a good state of mind.

on Apr 01, 2010

I really love it when lamprey eat their own young.

So you'll be wearing your bib this November?

on Apr 01, 2010

So you'll be wearing your bib this November?
No, I'll be voting progressive, the same as always.

But speaking of eating their young it will be interesting to see how the teabaggers will fare versus more normal Republicans and how well either side will emerge from what appears will become some very bitter primaries for you. Remember NY23?

In any case while it's inevitable some margin will be lost in both house and senate an actual change in majority is unlikely and even if it does occur so what? Are you expecting a veto-proof majority? If that were to occur then that would really be something but if you're predicting that then you better be prepared to eat some crow.

You're stuck with this bill and your hopes of repeal or your dreams of it being found unconstitutional are pie in the sky. But feel free to hope and pray and cry and click your heels together while saying there's no place like home three times and good luck with that.

on Apr 01, 2010

Cikomyr

Correction: Quebec-government run program. We aren't crazy ennough to try to impose a uniformised system through all of our territory. We are still 1/10th of the USA, pop-wise. That's still an average of 5 states, more if we don't count the big 3.

We keep this up and it will be the government of 3 legged left handed red haired people.

No there isn't. Since all administrative procedure has to be executed on the local level, you need to rely on the local governments who are meant to be organised to deal with their own population. No way somebody in Texas can organise distribution in New York (or vice-versa).

The assumption there is that it is handled on the local level.  Yes, some federal programs are administered that way (very few some), but most have the heavy hand coming from DC.  They have this myopic belief that they know more than any local yokels so must administer it from DC, regardless of actual past results.  This was no different.  The feds decided who got what when.  The local doctors and nurses gave the shots, but then, they could not do that until they got the vaccine.

on Apr 01, 2010

Mumblefratz

But speaking of eating their young it will be interesting to see how the teabaggers will fare

That would be you and your party right?  Perhaps if you can eat your own.  You sure do not have 2 brain cells to rub together to enter into an honest discussion.  But then racists are hard put to debate rationally, instead trying to use polemics to incite a reactionary response.

Have fun with your tea baggers.  Don't get AIDS though.  It will not be covered until 2014.

on Apr 01, 2010

Dr Guy
...

You *still* talking to yourself?

on Apr 01, 2010

Aaaaaand the forum just became less attractive

on Apr 01, 2010

You're stuck with this bill and your hopes of repeal or your dreams of it being found unconstitutional are pie in the sky. But feel free to hope and pray and cry and click your heels together while saying there's no place like home three times and good luck with that.

You bet. Give my regards to you new Senator.

on Apr 01, 2010

Are you expecting a veto-proof majority?

Not until 2012.

on Apr 01, 2010

Mumblefratz

Quoting Dr Guy, reply 114...
You *still* talking to yourself?

Guess so - close minded bigots and racists can't understand multisylable words.  I willl see if my 2 year old can talk down to your level.

on Apr 01, 2010

 

Not until 2012.
  Thanks for the laugh.

 

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