What in The Hell Is Going On Here?

I know, and I do see it. I think people have health care reform fatigue. Maybe that is a strategy, I don’t know. I do know people are getting tired of the crises upon crises and the unending change for the sake of change.

The 35% surtax is supposed to be on employers that provide over a specific amount of coverage for their employess. At the current time, there is no public option in the Baucus bill, which is the one that most people are looking at.

I’m pissed! I’ve already sent Bronwyn’s article on. Heck, I’d love to post it at my own blog, for that matter. People don’t look at the details, and that is critical here.

Even if we’re called racists by Rangel and this GA Rep for having the “audacity” to question ANYTHING Obama does (which is racist on its face).

Oh – and thanks for the nod! Charles Krauthammer does have a brilliant mind. I don’t always agree with his conclusions, but he most DEFINITELY deserves an award for his Commentaries.

Name one thing that insurance companies provide that can’t be done with less profit – or a profit motive.
Then look at their CEO’s salaries. Frankly, they should be put out of business.

I think this is “crises fatigue.” And I think it’s absolutely deliberate. The Baucus bill will be unveiled tomorrow, no? But do the Obamatrons really think they can hide something like a 35% surcharge in whatever “revisions” are proposed? Whether it’s on business or individuals, it’s a tax on working America [unless, I suppose, you're a member of a favored union].

I say, No! I say, Hell, No!

As I said before, I do not think Barack Obama or this Congress is well-meaning.

The shell game continues.

The spam monster gobbled another post. Sending an email.

As to crisis fatigue, at what point will some people just give up? At some point in Germany people had to know when they got on the trains that it wasn’t going to be o.k. at the final destination. But they got on anyway. I would like to think I would have died fighting to keep off the train. But, at what point will some people just give up… and at what point will others draw the hard line? I think this is the question.

Would love to know who the hell they think is going to be actually delivering health care services. There is already a critical shortage of doctors and nurses, and this nurse will NOT be working for the Liberal Government system. Everyone may think they have the GOlden Ticket for free healthcare but they are DEAD WRONG.

I guess that’s the nitty-gritty, Dolceder. And it remains to be seen: how far can the American public be pushed? Will we go along to get along?

Or will we push back, hard.

You’re sadly correct, Peggy Sue.

It is a shell game or perhaps, better, a grab of the contents of our wallets from another direction. Bush II grabbed for eight years out of our right pocket and now That One and his low-life parasitic minions want grab from our left pocket. Frankly I don’t care who is doing the rifling or which pocket is the subject of such pick-pocketing, it is theft and shouldn’t be tolerated. If they are so enamored of redistributing wealth, then theirs should be the first redistributed. Charity begins at home obamabots, you give first—show us the money. And it’s 35% or better to call.

The more we bring these details to light–in an understandable way for our friends, families and communities, the more We the People will wake up and demand justice. Saturday D.C. rally was a good start–well, the culmination of a good start during the primaries.

We simply must keep fighting for American principles. Again and again.

I asked this in the other thread, but would like to know if this “fee” will apply to union plans, or will they magically be exempt? How about the federal employees plan? Also exempt?

Here is a link to a video in which Joe talks with Senator Boxer about that 35% tax.

Morning Joe September 14

It is official, the house badge of congressional disapproval goes to… Joe Wilson. Sounds like a congressional medal of honor but an inverse. Wear the badge with pride. It is a compliment. It will be a badge of honor when you run for reelection. When voters turn on congress, and they will… well you are the first insider to be able to be called an outsider. Nobody would have even acknowledged the illegal issue otherwise. To borrow from the left, by any means. This is where we are. We didn’t invent the game, but we can darn well play it. Well done.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090915/ap_on_go_co/us_health_care_heckling

1.5 million going to D.C. isn’t giving up…….800+ tea parties across this nation isn’t giving up……the revolution isn’t coming……the revolution is here!!!

It’s not clear to me what a 35% surcharge means exactly or how it would work. I read Bronwyn Harbor’s preceding comments and transcription of the discussion on MSNBC. Pat Buchanan was part of that discussion and he seemed to be just as clueless as everyone else and he is usually pretty good about explaining things clearly and doing his homework. So, hopefully, Buchanan and other Republicans will pick up on this subterfuge of whatever it is and spread the word in a way that people can understand.

Hopefully, NQ isn’t going to become a Charles Krauthammer fan club. I would agree that he is eloguent but saying that Obama’s continuation of Bush’s policies is a vindication of Bush is idiotic.

Wow! And the Federal Government is going to pick up the “lion’s share” of the cost?

Hello?

Are you really believingt the green shoots and daisies crowd? The Federal Government is effectively:

Bankrupt, people!

And the 35% is on insurance companies? And you don’t think that that cost will passed on to us, the consumer, in higher costs or reduced coverage?

I have a bridge to sell you.

Absolute fools–whoever you are buying into this nonsense.

Fight now! Fight with every last breath. This, is total crap. And if you cannot see it, you are hopelessly blind.

Lily, I am certainly “not” a Bush&Co apologist. Far from it!

But the Democratic Party? The one I supported for 30+ years, the one my family swore absolute allegience to?

No longer exists.

I don’t agree with Krauthammer on many, many issues [although I respect his intellect and his ability to debate the issues].

But on are basic issues? I find myself betwict and between.

It’s not a comfortable position to be in.

I want my single payer and if I can’t have that I want insurance companies to be able to operate across state lines and be punished if they try to pull a fast one when I get sick or hurt.

Investors Business Daily did a poll of doctors and 45% would consider quitting or retiring early if the current medical overhaul as proposed is passed.

Highlights:

“Two-thirds, or 65%, of doctors say they oppose the proposed government expansion plan. Four of nine doctors, or 45%, said they “would consider leaving their practice or taking an early retirement” if Congress passes the plan the Democratic majority and White House have in mind.
More than seven in 10 doctors, or 71% — the most lopsided response in the poll — answered “no” when asked if they believed “the government can cover 47 million more people and that it will cost less money and the quality of care will be better.”

Lots of interesting information on pages 2 and 3 of the article too. And tomorrow, IBD will run an article on why doctors oppose the plan in their own words.

http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article.aspx?id=506199

The health care bill backed by the Dems that ultimately goes up for a vote must be stopped at all costs. I understand, and I am frightened that the Pelosi party machine will get its way. As a Hillary delegate in the primary, I just couldn’t believe the rest of the country accepting the lies, the cheating, the illegal monetary contributions, etc.; and I’m feeling a little deja vu here and feeling, to some extent, helpless.

I think those of us who know in our guts that this bill should not be passed have been doing our best. What makes me tired are the other millions of people who are clueless, uninterested, and tend to go with “whatever.” I know so many of these people who just can’t be bothered with issues after the elections are over. How many times does one knock his/her head against a brick wall before giving up trying.

That’s their strategy, I know.

I’ve expressed my concerns to my senators and representative. I’ve forwarded information. I know the people whose minds must be changed simply do not read it.

I’m sorry, I’ll scream about the 35% insurance tax just as soon as I figure out how to pay my 3800 dollar fine for not having insurance.

SomeoneYouUsedToKnow, I love a mystery. Did you leave any clues?

destroy all traces of capitalism in health care

I disagree, some will always profit from human fraility.

I left a comment down on the other post.
I posted a link on Mary Bono-Mack’s e-mail.

I hope it helps

WOMEN WITH INTELLIGENCE AND EXPERIENCE,MEN WHO SUPPORT THEM AND COUNTRY BEFORE PARTY ALWAYS

PUMAS,BUBBAS,EQUALISTS, AND THOSE PEOPLE RULE

I do not trust anything this POTUS does or says. Whatever he or his handlers say, if history is any judge, if it is something he wants, he will simply let people think they have had an impact on him and he backs down, but only temporarily.

Then when the opportunity presents itself, he/they will switch out the lesser version for what he really wants. That is the Alinsky way: “People won’t remember how you got elected or how or if you got things done – just that you did get elected, but won’t remember or possibly ever know what you accomplished.”

I advocate for a relative who is on disability. His health care is government provided and paid for.

At his clinic, the fees for services were posted. I was dumbfounded. The physician fees were well in excess of what any private insurer would approve for similar work. Social work services: $85 per quarter hour. That is not a typo. Why is the govt approving these outrageous fees? Aren’t they supposed to be motivated by a non-profit motive?

Now the money spent is not an issue for my relative, since he has none, and is effectively on the dole. However we as taxpayers should know why the provider is reimbursed by the feds at such inflated prices.

In addition to the racked up fees, here’s what you can look forward to when you have no choice but to use the public option:

A revolving door of physicians. Have you established a rapport with a doc that knows your case and has identified appropriate treatment? Too bad, you lose, next time you go to the clinic you find a new guy assigned to you. Support personnel – the appt makers etc who are disinterested, rude, make decisions above their positions, the list goes on and on.

I believe some form of health care reform is in order, however it needs to be accomplished in a thoughtful manner that will provide a better outcome for those most at risk. And the mad rush by Pelousy and company is not going to do the job.

Thank you someone!
I wasn’t screaming, but I GOT the message that Bronwyn was conveying!
The last line of my comment on her thread was “Enter the public option in disguise!”
Many of the people who have rallied have seen these numbers, AND loudly rejected this scheme. Did you see the signs…”Can you hear us now?”
We are on the brink of losing competent, compassionate health care, and still we have those who only want to know “what is in it for me”?

The Baucus paln was just released. I got n email fm the NYT. the specifics tey gave are:

1. 13%-Share of family income that the pla envisons middle class families will pay n remiums BEFORE co-pays, deductible and cost-sharing.

2.Will broadly expand Medicaid.

3.Create new state insurance marketplaces, or exchanges, allowing comparison shopping. All companies would have to meet new, starit rgulations.

4. Senators in boht parties question whether insurance will be affordable to those who need it most.

Whatever, it is still socialized medicine. I, personally don’t want any parts of that. Boxer made mention of Cubans in that video. At DC on Sat. there were a lot of Cubans and people from other Latin Ameican countries. They are strongly warning against socialized medicine. Some Cubans said they have to take ther own bed sheets to the hospital!!

Baucus is suppposed to be giving a news conference on his plan at noon EST.

35% is your taxable share + pay for the cost (in less coverage) of whatever your employer pays on taxes for having health insurance on you.

Taxed forced into accepting this healthcare deal. Yikes!

then let’s just get rid of health care insurance period I would prefer that to handing it over to the governmnet.

Truthfully it’s none of your damn business how much someone else makes. EIther you buy their product or you don’t.

Senate’s 10-year health fix would cost US $856B (AP)
AP – Sen. Max Baucus on Wednesday brought out the much-awaited Finance Committee version of an American health-system remake — a landmark $856 billion, 10-year measure that starts a rough ride through Congress without visible Republican backing.

Baucus says he’s solved the funding problem, but his solution brings up another big problem. He plans on taxing so-called Cadillac or gold-plated health insurance plans, but he defines that at $8,000 per year in premiums and above, as Jazz Shaw noted yesterday:

COST: Under $900 billion over 10 years.

HOW’S IT PAID FOR: Fees on insurance companies, drug makers, medical device manufacturers and insurers. Tax of 35 percent on insurance plans costing more than $8,000 for individuals and $21,000 for families, applied to premium amounts over the threshold. Cuts to Medicare and Medicaid. A fee on employers whose workers receive government subsidies to help them pay premiums. Fines on those who fail to get coverage.

Baucus wants to tax the overall cost of the plans, not the portion that employees pay through payroll contributions. The average plan premium in the US is over $4800 per year for individuals and $13,300 for families. The Kaiser Family Foundation report does not detail the distribution of plans over $5788/$16,000 respectively, but 18% of individuals and 20% of families have this more expensive coverage, which means that Baucus’ taxes will almost certainly hit more than the top 5% of families and individuals.

Update: The Hill reports that the Baucus plan will cut Medicare:

Baucus’s measure would cost $856 billion over 10 years — far less than the $1 trillon-plus bills approved by four other congressional committees and less even than Baucus’s previous estimates. The price tag also falls below the $900 billion limit set by President Barack Obama.

The new costs would be fully offset by reductions in Medicare spending and by generating new revenue from an excise tax on health insurance companies that sell plans that cost more than $21,000 for families and more than $8,000 for individuals. Insurers, pharmaceutical companies, medical-device makers, clinical laboratories and hospitals would also pay fees.

Gee, didn’t Barack Obama claim that Medicare cuts were a “myth”? Why, yes he did:

Robert Kocher of the National Economic Council debunks the myth that Health Insurance Reform would be financed by cutting Medicare benefits.

I wait with bated breath for Obama to denounce Baucus as a mythmaker, and for Jimmy Carter to denounce him as a racist.

http://hotair.com/archives/2009/09/16/snowe-bails-on-compromise-obamacare-bill/

Agree 100%

The Insurance companies are just overblown inefficient greedy profiteering middle men.
Canada has SINGLE PAYER. Far more efficient. Covers all Canadians since 1969 and guess what?
Only 3% is spent on administration out of every dollar spent on healthcare. In the U.S. it’s 30% and it’s spent indiscriminately and inefficiently by INEFFICIENT INSURANCE VULTURES.

The GDP share of healthcare in Canada is..8%
The GDP share of healthcare in U.S.A. is..18%

Why?
There’s nothing socialist here. The people are being screwed and Obama got away with stepping on his promise for single-payer like mud. He’s shamefully in the pockets of Big Pharma/Big Insurance Fradusters.

THe Baucus Bill is no change. It’s crazy and unpredictable and it will not work. It’s undemocratic. Everyone should be made to pay for this out of their taxes and big corpo’s should pay most of it. Every citivilzed DEVELOPED COUNTRY has Universal coverage!

U.S. is #37–one ranking below Costa Rica.

but–thank God–one ranking above SLOVANIA!

Obummer did nothing. That’s why he mocked Hillary’s far better solution that covered everyone back in March 2008 and misrepresented her policy in a fraudulent Harry and Louise brochure.

she told the jerk: “SHAME ON YOU BARACK!”

I think there’s gonna be 200 million echoing this..