I'm not entirely sure where I stand in this health-care reform issue. On one hand, I don't want a government run health-care system. I don't want to be told what health-care I can and can't have. I've heard from several Canadian residents that a government run health-care system is not good and that they hate their system. So, why can't we learn from them and stop this now? On the other hand, my Mom is one of those people who can't get health-care. It's too expensive for her. She's got some preexisting conditions and is in the "too old" category to get affordable health-care (even though you're not too old, Mom). Unfortunately, when her husband passed away five years ago, the company sponsored health-care that she had from her husband's job went away and she's had to do without health-care ever since. So, I'm on the fence. I tend to lean more toward not wanting a government run health-care system because it doesn't seem to work, will cost lots of money in additional taxes that I have to pay whether I want to or not, and I don't like having to support questionable medical practices that I am against, like abortion.
However, here's what really chaps my hide. First, Obama promised that the health-care reform would be drafted in open-door forums and without bribes or kick-backs. But, we all know that neither of these things happened and actually quite the opposite. Second, I'm saddened that this deal was voted through by using bribes and kick-backs. What happened to honest politics? What happened to a state representative that actually had the common good of the people he/she is supposed to represent in mind? Lastly, the public is against government run health-care. In the latest polls that I could find (a couple hours old), the public at large is against this bill. Only 37% is for it and 48% is against it. So, how can a government that is supposed to be "for the people" vote into law a bill that a majority of American's are against. It just doesn't make sense to me.
Also, I read today that Obama's approval rating sunk to the lowest point it has been since he took office. Doesn't this give him a little glimpse into the minds of the American people who elected him into office? Apparently not.
4 comments:
I'm completely against government run health care! They can't take good care of the areas they run now. Why should we, as the people, hand over healthcare as well? I feel badly for people who don't have healthcare. I was one of them for several months. But there is always medicare/medicaid. I know in Colorado, it is a good system. I just pray Obama gets voted out of office!
There's an interesting article on this at
http://market-ticker.denninger.net/archives/2109-Health-Care-Arbitrage-Obama-And-The-Dems.html
I like it for the practical advice (for working people. For broke people, the care is free anyway.)
1. Don’t buy insurance until you need it because they can’t turn you down if you get sick or injured.
2. Bank the $20,000 or so it would cost you and your family for insurance every year and negotiate the price of your routine medical care and pay it out of pocket.
3. Pay the small fine for not having insurance out of the $20,000.
4. Build up a nice savings pad because the fine for not having insurance is only 1/5 the price of insurance, and you save about $16,000 per year by not buying it.
I need to do more research on what to do about capital gains taxes, though.
I'm not sure where I stand on this issue either. The only thing I agree with so far is that you CANNOT be denied for health care...however, does that mean they can charge you more than other policies because of the risk? Who knows? I like the idea of paying my own health care costs, but costs for tests [i.e. mammograms, blood work, MRI etc] have risen so high that I would have to work a month just to pay one bill. If there had not been health care companies in the first place, we would be paying more reasonable rates directly to the doctors and/or hospitals. But than who can say what greedy men will do, regardless of whether they are insurance, lawyers, doctors or whom ever.
Maybe I should start my own health fund/money market acct and find a doctor willing to work with my budget in exchange for cash with no paperwork.
What I do hate is being told that I MUST have health care or be fined! I refuse to pay! Come and get it yourself, Barrack and get a small piece of my mind.
Most doctors will work with you on cost. By the way, mammograms are not as safe or accurate as IR thermography. Or as inexpensive.
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