YOU are calling someone else brain dead?

LOL

You’ve got to be completely brain dead not to understand that…

There’s already competition between the insurance carriers… however, DJZ, I still like your idea of getting liberals to drop the state-wide prohibitions that limit competition within their states.

Another idea that would lower costs would be to end the stupid mandates that require everyone who is insured to carry insurance for medical issues they’ll never need.

DJZ, you don’t know a goddam thing about health care. The best you’ve mustered here are the half-retarded and fully uniformed talking points from people so deranged even the state-owned-media won’t publish their garbage.

There is never competition when the government is one of the competitors and gets to set the rules. I’m fully in favor of allowing insurance companies to compete nationwide like auto insurers. I think that’s a great idea. But don’t turn our entire health care system into another Medicare. It’s absurd to think you can add 40 million people to the health care system with the same number of doctors, hospitals, clinics, etc. and think you can keep costs low.

Actually DJZ, Trott was one of the constituents that was having trouble with insurance companies. What was the problem? His home was flooded and he didn’t have flood insurance?

Mccarron-Ferguson provides an anti-trust exemption, as long as state regulation is in place, which it was in Mississippi. Trott was simply trying to force Property/Casualty companies to cover a noncovered exposure by the threat of repealing M-F. Repealing M-F by itself would do nothing for the residents of Mississippi.

Property Casualty Insurance is a million miles away from Life/Health Insurance. DJZ, what the hell would a repeal of M-F do for the average health insurance consumer? What would it do for those who don’t have insurance?

I’d be interested where you heard this bullshit. There are no such agreements between private hospitals and insurers.

VA and Medicare/Medicaid are rejected by hospitals because they reimburse 50 cents on the dollar…

The same hospitals will reject anyone covered by a “public option” for the same reason.

LOL… until government bankrupts it in a few years. Good one, DJZ.

BTW– the “public option” is snake oil. Government has no capability whatsoever to operate an insurance plan… they don’t do it now (Medicare and Medicaid are contracted to private insurance handlers)…

Besides, Payment administration isn’t where the trouble is in health care costs.

Good idea, actually. I’m not sure why Democrats in states like Minnesota ban health insurance companies from competing in their states. Opening the system to more competition is a good idea DJZ.

Credit where it’s due.

“Our military is ran by the government- the best on earth.” True, but no thanks to Clinton, who gutted it in the 90s. Also, our military wouldn’t be what it is without the many private companies that design and manufacture it’s weapon systems.

“Social Security has been pretty reliable.” Wrong. It’s alway in the red. To prevent cashflow problems, they cut benefits and/or raise rates.

Our postal system is the most efficient in the world. Our military is ran by the government- the best on earth. Social Security has been pretty reliable. Ran by the government.

I don’t hear veterans complain about their health care except when they have to travel 300 miles to a VA because hospitals have signed agreements with private insurers that force seniors and veterans to go elsewhere.

Like I said, open it up then we can see what the real story. As long as the right carry water for the insurance industry, it will never be an open conversation only a smash and grab type of legislation or structure.

I agree with you 100% that health insurance should be able to compete nationwide. Right now they can’t because each state regulates health insurance companies. I think it would be great if health insurance was offered like auto insurance is.

I am not for a public option. Doctors and hospitals are turning back Medicare patients because of the restrictions from the federal government. I do not want a bureaucrat in the federal government in chrage of my health care. The bureaucrats can’t deliver the mail without losing money, why would delivering health care be any different?

If you fear a public option then open the system. Allow the private insurers to actually compete against each other across the country and outlaw hospitals and doctors from being forced to sign exclusivity clauses.

Chestnut, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

One of the noble actions of Trent Lott was when he tried to repeal Mccarron-Ferguson when his constituents were having trouble with their insurance companies after Katrina. It exempts insurance companies from federal anti-trust laws.

If they do that, then the public option may not be needed as the insurance companies will then be truly competing against each other.

Right now they have a gentlemen’s agreement that has resulted in regional monopolies and a profit system based on not honoring claims.

Here is my suggestion.

#1 Tort reform. Cap on Med-mal exposure. Loser pay attorney costs. This takes away many of the unecessary tests orderded by physicians, just to cover their asses.

#2 Immigration reform. Close down the borders and round up the illegals. I believe Chestnut was a bit conservative with the 10 million illegals in this country. Send the illegals back where they came from along with any associated “anchor babies.”. This would lift a great burden from K-12 education, welfare, law enforcement, and government-provided health care. Make it a federal felony to employ illegals or enroll their kids in a public school.

#3 The President, Vice President, Senate and Congress all be given a health policy that covers health care costs over $25,000. They can buy private insurance if they want. You think that might get their attention about what drives costs?

#4 All other public employees making more than $100K be given a policy covering more than $10,000 in annual health care expenses. They can buy their own private health care plan as well.

Final thoughts. Most health insurance costs are not about insuring anything – it is the method for funding what we reasonably can expect. This begs the question as to why should anyone be expected to pay for someone else’s “planned” pregancy? Outside of difficult pregnancies – if you can’t pay for the birth, how can you pay for the kid? Unplanned pregnancy: Unless you were raped, this still was your “choice”, why should the government or someone else pay for that? Especially if you keep smoking crack while pregnant.

Liberal danbrome asks; “What about the families that make $0 per year? How about $8K, $12K? $15? $20?”

This make me ask if Liberal danbrome has any understanding of the issues at all. Those families are already covered my medicaid. (along with food stamps, free school lunch, Section 8 housing, daycare subsidies, and probably cash benefits.)

Chestunt rightly suggests the federal government should back away. They won’t because those dependent on government aid are a vital part of the Democratic base. For decades Democrats have addressed “poverty” by feeding it, not for one moment have they had the intention of eliminating it.

Many who’ve chosen goverment dependency as a career, have a better quality of life than many who’ve chosen to pay their own way. Democrats are paving the way to socialism.

Are you really serious? You actually support throwing out the baby with the bath water. I have documented here countless times not only how to improve health care access for lower income earners but also the problem with adding 40 million people into the health care system without increasing costs of expanding services. It can’t be done. Even President Obama admits this and says that health care should be rationed.

You’re wrong about something else: people making zero or $8k a year do have health care through Medicaid. It’s the self-employed and middle income people who don’t have employer-based health insurance who have problems affording health care. Obama’s plan doesn’t do anything to help those people.

Finally, I leave you with this test. When your Congressman says that he or she is going to support a government run health care system, ask whether he or she will be giving up their Cadillac health care plan to opt for the government run plan. If they say no, then they should vote against government health care.

I don’t care what you’re open too. If you’re so concerned about fixing something, offer solutions or shut the fuck up.

To date, the only suggestions you’ve made hinting at a solution is that it’s the federal government’s job to fix this thing you think is a problem.

You’re wrong on both accounts. It’s not the federal government’s job, except to perhaps back away… and it’s not that big of a problem…

And I already demonstrated that this is, largely, already the case.

To be sure, there are huge opportunities to improve the health care system… but the entire conversation about insurance, single payer, etc. is as misguided as it is stupid…

And I will add… that as bloated, un-necessary and un-American as the stimulus bill is as a whole, there are some smart provisions within it to support health information technology.

Unfortunately, Democrats didn’t allow for any of this to be debated publicly… so few will ever know about it.

We need to find a way to provide affordable and accessible health care for every American. I am open to suggestions other than screw the poor and let’s keep everything the way it is.

Calling me a liar just make you look stupid, but be my guest.

And yet you chastise someone else’s “gravy train” for the coverage they’ve provided for themselves.

… and yet you advocate a government take over of health care…

… and yet you’ve already told us you believe that we should pay for everyone else’s insurance.

I’ll have to add “liar” to the list of adjectives I use on you, danbrome.

Or should I give you the benefit of the doubt that you are just intellectually lazy.

Maybe he is one of those illegal immigrants, who knows!

Hint: You’ll have to crawl out from beneath Barack’s sack to do so.

Thanks for the translation. I agree 100%.

Chris earns his coverage. Chris works hard for his coverage. Nobody has a right to hitch a free ride for Chris’ “gravy train” as you put it.

And one more thing… this 8 percent of people are not the earth shattering melt-down that would necessitate the eradication of a health system that actually works pretty well for most people.

BTW: Here’s a novel fucking solution: If health care entitlements are strangling the government, how does going all in aid the problem? Couldn’t it be just as beneficial to untangle government’s role?

… and I thank Bush for fucking up Medicaid with by expanding that entitlement… just so you realize that I am objective about it.

Sorry, but again I need an English translation of this mess.

Knock it off.

I’m not a fascist, and I don’t support a plan that includes the Government taking control.

I’m sorry your party has become so impotent that you feel it necessary to throw bombs at me.

Reid… Typo… sorry.

“These families are not on Chris’s gravy train…”

You mean the gravy train that Chris bust his ass and works for? You’re right, their not on his train… and they have not right to hitch a ride either.

Besides, the gravy flowing out of D.C. is fat enough already.

What about them. Every single one of them will receive care if they need it. All of them.

What, do you think people won’t die if government takes control?

If so, you’re even more retarded than I give you credit for, fascist.

What about the families that make $0 per year? How about $8K, $12K? $15? $20?

These families are not on Chris’s gravy train, anxious to keep the world class health care they already have, because they can’t afford it.

We need to work together to fix that.

You want to know why this country is fucked up danbrome, look in the mirror, then at the fascist idiots (Obama, Pelosi, Read, Murtha, etc.) idiots like you elected.

I’m pleased to be in the 58 percent of Minnesotans who did not vote for Al Franken. That’s the majority, and don’t you forget it.

Allow me to explain. The current, accurate figure is that there are 46 million uninsured individuals in the country. Of that total (you can check this out for yourself) 10 million are non-U.S. citizens (read: NOT AMERICANS).

So the number of Americans without health coverage is 36 million. That’s just over 10 percent of the population, BTW.

O.k., so that’s those without coverage. The next fascist lie is that they can’t afford it. Bullshit.

Of the 36 million, over 17 million made over $50K per year and 10 million of those earned over $75K… these are individuals who CAN afford it, but choose not to buy it.

… and then you get into the millions who are eligible for existing programs, but just simply aren’t enrolled.

Get your facts straight fascist, before you whine about unaffordable health care.

Riddle this too: Where are you going to go for care when your hospital joins the thousands who already won’t accept Federal Government coverage (Medicare/Medicaid)?

Really? Seems I’ve got my facts right on the money. If you have a problem with one of my facts, please expound.

No. There’s nothing about fear of Democrats in the video, moron. The video communicates a clear message — even if you don’t get it. That message is this: Democrats own it. All if it. If you’re not satisfied, hold Democrats accountable.

It’s pretty much the same message Democrats ran in 2004. Why do you have such a problem with it?

“2.) Do you agree that if Republicans had a plan (like in 1994) they would advance in the Congress?”

Of course. And I expect 2010 to be a good hear for Conservatives.

“3.) Do you truly think the GOP has a leader who will stand up and propose real solutions, not just ideology?”

The Conservatives have been offering non-stop solutions to the problem, they’ve been ram-rodded by fascist liberal ideology, danbrome.

Just because you are too stupid to understand and too deaf to hear, and your leaders are too fascist to consider dissenting views doesn’t mean the voices aren’t there.

I’m done trying to talk with you.

Not only do you have your facts wrong, but you are totally clueless about health care issues.

Later.

Americans DO have the chance to be covered by affordable health insurance coverage… particularly if all the mandates demanded by fascist Democrats would be dropped.

Why does a 20 year old single male need OB/GYN coverage?

Moreover, of the 36 million Americans without coverage, only 8 million can’t actually afford a comprehensive plan.

3 very serious questions:

1.) Do you agree that the GOP bases it’s political future on fear of the Democrats? (watch the video Einstein)

2.) Do you agree that if Republicans had a plan (like in 1994) they would advance in the Congress?

3.) Do you truly think the GOP has a leader who will stand up and propose real solutions, not just ideology?

Would you please compose your answer without all the smoke bombs?

There are only 8 million Americans without access to health insurance. It’s hardly worth upsetting the apple cart over.

Besides, shifting payment of health care to government isn’t going to do a goddam thing to control costs.

Only a retard would suggest such a thing… or a fascist Democrat.

And you and AC are smart enough to know that Bush’s policies alone did not cost us any jobs either.

Seriously, you fascist puke, do you have any clue?

Well said.

“Oh wait, there is no leadership in the Democrat Party that’s willing to hear anything other than socialist, anti-American solutions.”

How true. The good news is, EVERYONE now knows that Democrats have created this mess since Democrats took over in 2006.

You fascist bastards have nobody to blame…

You are smart enough to know that Obama’s policies alone did not cost us 5 million jobs. I suggest you cut the theatrics and be honest about that.

“I’ll stick with the world class health care that I receive right now.”

Have you no concerns for those less fortunate? Do you just try not to think about them? Or do you refuse to believe they are suffering?

Clinton produced no jobs… unless you’re willing to concede that in six months, Barack Obama has destroyed about 5 million jobs.

I think DJZ was right when he suggested that a GOP with a plan could make advances in the Congress as in 1994.

Oh wait, there is no leadership in the GOP that’s brave enough to stand up and propose solutions.

Nevermind!

How do you propose we get all Americans covered by affordable health insurance, so we can get a handle on costs?

Just because your situation may be rosey doesn’t mean all is well. American should all have a chance to be covered by affordable health insurance coverage.

Pull your head out of the sand and propose a solution. Otherwise, quit complaining about the Democrats who are not afraid to act.

According to the BLS, employment increased under Bush by 5.2 million through Sept. 2008. (Clinton produced 21.0 million jobs during that same length of time.) So where did the other 15 million jobs go Chris?

The US lost less than 500,000 jobs in June. Still sucky, but looks like it is bottoming out. Too early to tell though.