The Health Care Debate Goes On

There are a lot of things right and a lot of things wrong with this bill. But let's hear from the arch-Conservative.


From John:

"This doesn't come anywhere near reform. It's nothing more than Chicago politics and a massive power grab by the party in control of Congress. It's great to have compassion for the 30 million of questionable Americans without health coverage but which is more compassionate: to provide health-care for 30 million uninsured or to ease the economic suffering of 300 million Americans?"

http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/capitalhill.htm

I'm as concerned as anyone about government overreaching. But in this instance, we may need it.  it's clear that healthcare and personal economics go hand in glove and for better or for worse, the government is the only one in a position to make a decision.

It's a rock-solid truth that having or not having access to health care/insurance drives work decisions, family life and personal health. Right now, the way we dole out health care is by ability to pay. But that ability to pay (i.e. access to health insurance) is determined either overtly (exclusions for certain groups or pre-existing conditions) or covertly (premiums) by the existing marketplace.

I've had direct experience with both situations. It turns out to carry too much weight when making life decisions. We're better off realizing that everyone should have access to health insurance.

This bill should have turned out better and it will take a while to straighten out. But it's a start.

Health Reform, Finally

It was an ugly, ugly process. But we need health care reform. And now we have it. There are plenty of provisions for everyone. And plenty for everyone to criticize. But really, it's time to move on from politics to performance.

Health Care Reform v Political Reform

We need health care reform. In the eighties and nineties as an independent contractor, I paid $10-20K out of pocket every year for my family's health care.

At one point - even though I had insurance - I owed more than $500,000 for health care costs. Each and every year I had to find health insurance, because after one year of coverage, rates would skyrocket. I commiserate with the millions of Americans who cannot get insurance or who are underinsured.