Derek Schmidt campaigned to join to the legal efforts to block health care reform, so he can't back out now as Kansas's new Attorney General.
But that doesn't mean it isn't still a bad idea. Here are two reasons.
1) The lawsuits are already out there and wasting time and money on this seems following politics rather than prudence.
2) Be careful what you wish for: health reform props up the existing, market-based system by requiring people to buy into it. If there is no mandate to purchase private insurance, then eventually the dreaded single-payer, totally government run system that conservatives fear so much will be the only option when the pendulumn swings to the left again.
Remember that mandates to buy private insurance was a GOP alternative in the 1990s to Clinton's government-centered plan.
Also, the GOP claims people want repeal. Yes, but ... if you ask the question with more specifics behind it (which is usually a good idea) you find more support for adding to it, rather than just getting rid of it.
A novice's take on the local, state and national political scenes
Me
David Allen
- Politics 101
- All politics is local -Tip O'Neil
12 comments:
I guess you fogot the part of Obamacare that gets forced back on the states through increases in Medcaid expenses!
You care to tell me how a Bankrupt Federal Government plans to save a Bankrupt State of Kansas?
It might be different if things were all rosy and there were surpluses but everything and everyone (Education, State Pension Plans, Tax revenues, etc.) are UPSIDE DOWN!
Besides they know Obamas healthcare plan is a jobs KILLER!
(Small businesses who already can't afford to provide healthcare can't afford to pay a the penalty as required for not covering their employees. The big companies will just move more jobs out of the Country!)
Then the best for last - His healthcare bill doesn't reduce the cost of healthcare - it will just increase it!
I really think it is almost criminal how the current atmosphere is to just "kick the can down the road" spend, spend, spend and let the burdens fall on the future generations!
I agree with REAL REFORM that cuts spending by reducing duplications, wasteful spending and fraud! (Do you really think hiring 16,000 IRS employees reduces the costs?)
Forcing people to buy it is STUPID.....they probably do not have it because it cost so much. Perhaps the bill should deal with the expense of insurance and the stupid lawsuits people file. Then the costs would go down and people could afford to purchase insurance. And then to fine them if they don't???? To me that is the part I don't like.
Of course theinsurance industry would hate of we eliminated the right to sure for reckless actions. If they learned that policies out refusal to cover life saving treatment out simple detection method would go without repercussion they would gladly volunteer to make whole
Nothing need be said about lucrative payouts to share holders in exchange for shafting private citizens.
Heaven forbid we eliminate frivolous spending and excessive subsidies to these huge corporations.
We would rather oppose this president's policy than to acknowledge that some of our neighbors are suffering or dying prematurely because they have no access to quality health care.
Let's give a few more trillion to halliburton and snag another 100 jobs
Oh yeah and (coincidentally) a few trillion in posted profits.
That ought to balance the budget right?
That ought to balance the budget right?
What do you think is going to happen when they allow Cities and States to go Bankrupt?
I'm guessing that means some kind of "recievership"?
Then everything is on the table and a Judge or some other Agency of Authority negoiates the settlements?
Of course we could just desolve the Government all together along with our currency and start over!
How do you think thats going to turn out - you got "Universal Healthcare" but a lower Standard of LIVING"
Gee, they got great teeth (dental care)in Cuba!
This anti-universal health care attitude is amazing in Ark City where the clear majority of people are either on government supported health care, work in the kind of job that won't provide health care of any kind or has a job that provides health care that is worthless when depended upon.
Some day just go down to the clinic and see just what "gold-plated" $15,000 / year health care plans the normal folks in town have.
If you check into an emergency room in Wichita with a $75,000 heart attack, you can find out that your health care plan is a joke and they charge all out-of-plan patients 5 times what they charge the insurance companies. Or get cancer and get cancelled when you can't pay the premiums because you are bedridden and jobless. You might reconsider the position.
I know a lot of people parrot what they hear on right wing radio, but those talk show people are in the pockets of the health care industry.
There are a lot of things that need reform: hospitalization bill caps, pre-existing conditions, extortionate out-of-plan hospital billing and the only way to change that is to increase the pools to include everyone and to enact reforms to make the insurance companies to play fair, according to the repubs from the 90's and the dems today, including the ex-governor.
See what you feel when the big C hits next year and your insurance company weasels out of paying after you lose your savings and house. You will die at home without health care right before they take the house and throw your family out on the streets, like happened to my aunt.
Or maybe you just want to argue the "politics" of it.
January 22, 2011 9:46 PM
You are pretty much all over the map in your comments. I think you think it's a bad idea.
No matter how many people may be helped I sense that you would still argue against it.
You did however articulate one theme of honesty that belies our truest sentiment.
We do placec our own standard of living as equal to whether or not another lives or dies. That's what you are saying. You would rather be finacially comfortable than to pay for your neighbor to get cancer treatment if he were unfortunately laid off before he was diagnosed or if he was diagnosed before he was hired.
We care more about standard of living than we do about preservation of life.
We care more about standard of living than we do about preservation of life.
Well you made an "excellent point"!
Lets just extend Obamacare to the rest of the World! (If we can borrow that much money from China!)
We certainly intend to provide it for those who are here illegaly!
(You think their country is jumping through hoops to keep them alive?)
Then about that preservation of life - and who decides who lives and dies - Government will tell us!
Maybe they will even tell us who gets a chance at living?
Don't kid yourself it will end up being a numbers game and you'll just be a NUMBER! (Just by shear size it can't help but be anything else!)
Unless of course you can get yourself elected to a Congessional seat! (You better get busy.)
I think you think it's a bad idea.
I've had second thoughts - I really like extending Obamacare to the rest of the World!
"We certainly intend to provide it for those who are here illegaly!
(You think their country is jumping through hoops to keep them alive?)"
USA Today:
MEXICO CITY — It sounds almost too good to be true: a health care plan with no limits, no deductibles, free medicines, tests, X-rays, eyeglasses, even dental work — all for a flat fee of $250 or less a year.
To get it, you just have to move to Mexico.
They take very good care of us," said Jessica Moyal, 59, of Hollywood, Fla., who now lives in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, a popular retirement enclave for Americans.
The IMSS plan is primarily designed to support Mexican taxpayers who have been paying into the system for decades, and officials say they don't want to be overrun by bargain-hunting foreigners.
Pre-existing conditions aren't covered for the first two years, and some newer medicines and implants are not free. IMSS hospitals don't have frills such as televisions or in-room phones.
The program has helped people such as Ron and Jemmy Miller of Shawano, Wis. They decided to retire early, but knew affording health care was going to be a problem.
Ron was a self-employed contractor, and Jemmy was a loan officer at a bank. At ages 61 and 52, respectively, they were too young to qualify for Medicare, but too old to risk not having health insurance.
"We knew that we couldn't retire without Medicare," Jemmy Miller said. "We're pretty much in Mexico now because we can't afford health care in the States."
Bob Story, 75, of St. Louis, had prostate-reduction surgery at an IMSS hospital in Mazatlán and discovered that patients were expected to bring their own pillows. It was a small price to pay, he said, for a surgery that would have cost thousands of dollars back home.
"I would say it's better than any health plan I've had in the States," he said.
Anonymous said...
"We care more about standard of living than we do about preservation of life. \Well you made an "excellent point"!
Lets just extend Obamacare to the rest of the World! (If we can borrow that much money from China!)
January 27, 2011 8:14 PM"
Why is that the blogs for Ark City cannot foster a serious conversation thorugh one topic.
Someone always has to start this "chicken Little" the sky is falling routine.
We govern us!!!
And thank God Congress finally demonstated some civiity and maturity instead of turning our tederal government into a live version of the Jerry Springer show.
If you have meaningful comments shar but stop with all the hype, please.
"I would say it's better than any health plan I've had in the States," he said.
You probably could say that! But look at the reverse side of your same article!
All the illegals that are coming here for work, education, welfare and healthcare - not to mention all the money they are sending back to their families in Mexico!
There are retirement and assisted living facilities in Mexico that older Americans are flocking to because they are so much cheaper and the Dollar is so much stronger than the Peso!
We are probably financing it all in one fasion or another be it through Illegal Drugs, Tourism or Illegal immigration!
If you have meaningful comments share but stop with all the hype, please.
Oh c'mon your being a stuffy old cogger - The Sky isn't falling and neither is the Nation DEBT!
But
It's just raining money!
"if you ask the question with more specifics behind it (which is usually a good idea)"
Maybe you should follow your own advice when looking into some of the actions by our local dept. heads
"If you have meaningful comments share but stop with all the hype, please."
Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela all have public universal health care provided.
Yep. that is the meaningful comment. It goes to reason that if these countries can provide universal health care then a first rate country like the United States can provide it too.
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