Friday, March 19, 2010

Do We Have To Give Insurance Companies Money Yet?


I sure hope this health care vote gets done tomorrow and this thing will be over with soon. The whole debate has been like going out on a date with a fine woman that gradually gets on your nerves more and more as the evening goes along. I was all excited at first and now I can’t wait until it ends. I am going to make a blanket statement and say that there is not one person not in the Senate or Congress that knows what’s in this bill. I also don’t think half of the elected officials know anymore either. Take my Congressman Joseph Cao for example. First he voted for it because he said it was the best interest of his district. At that time there was enough wording in the bill against funding abortions for him to support it. Now, all of a sudden he can’t vote for it because he doesn’t like the wording on funding abortions. My problem is not with Congressman Cao for saying the abortion language changed so he can’t support the bill. My problem is when the Senate was fussing about the public option and the single payer system no one mentioned changing anything about abortion funding. Everyone keeps saying there is no abortion funding in the bill so when did that get back in there? I’m pretty sure before this weekend is over someone is going to bring up death panels again.

I got this thing all figured out now. A lot of Republicans and Democrats both want this bill to pass now that the public option is out of it and there is a mandate to make people buy insurance from corporations. I don’t see how they lose in this. The trick is now for everyone to play the game the right way so they look legitimate to the folks that follow them. If you think I am tripping then just explain why the town halls and death panel rhetoric all of a sudden went away when Democrats in the Senate took the public option out and the president didn’t put it back in his plan. The Republicans that really know how to play the Washington D.C. game really don’t want the bill to die. Reconciliation is alright with them so the insurance companies can get paid. They just need to appear like they are strongly against it. That’s why they keep adding amendments to it and still voting ‘No’. Sure they say a few of the same code words and talking points to keep conservatives off the scent of their real agenda but that roar is now down to a whimper. All those Blue Dog Democrats are going to vote yes now too since the public option is gone. Their plan is too keep talking about the millions of Americans that will now get to buy insurance. That will keep the average liberal off their scent too. That will work out for them as long as no one of any real stature admits that the public option or Medicare buy in would have affected the lives of more Americans in a positive direction more than anything other than possibly giving everyone a million dollar check.

It’s alright. Passing any bill is better than nothing at all. I wish I knew if it would affect me since I already have insurance but it doesn’t matter. We just need to get this over with. It should be over soon…hopefully….possibly…..maybe. I sure hope it is but it ain’t over till it’s over.

7 comments:

K. said...

Unless you work for the federal government, a company like Google or Microsoft that competes for employees, or are independently wealthy, you will wind up benefiting from this bill. If it doesn't pass and we stay with the status quo, the current system will continue to deteriorate, meaning that rates will increase.

Budget-strapped state and municipal governments will be forced to raise co-pays and deductibles, as will non-technology businesses. More and more small businesses will have to drop coverage altogether. If you are self-insured, rates will continue to increase, and as you age, the increases will become too high to pay.

I'm not a big fan of this bill -- I'm a single payer guy. But the alternative to the bill is dismal. Passing it at least puts an end to rescission, coverage limits, and denial of coverage due to preexisting conditions. It also gives us a national health policy where there has been none, meaning that it can be improved over the years.

As far as I'm concerned, health insurance companies are parasites. It frustrates the hell out of me that they will make out like bandits. Unfortunately, they will anyway, and this bill at least curbs the most egregious of their practices.

K. said...

BTW, the difference in abortion language between the Senate and House bills is so thin that you couldn't slide a piece of paper in between. Cao is caving in to his caucus, pure and simple.

Susanna Powers said...

You're right Cliff, I think these people are much more concerned with their constituents' future votes than they are about anybody's health. The process has taken way too long and we just want it overwith & hopefully it will pass. Congressman Cao was even invited to the White House for the Superbowl. Time to take out that DVD and go to the part where Tracy Porter runs down the field, to cheer us up. sp

Clifton said...

I watched the DVD last night.

K. said...

How many times so far? I still pull out the DVDs of the 2004 Red Sox postseason. By now, I skip ahead to my favorite parts, especially when they pummel the Yankees in ALCS Game 7. One never gets tired of the classics!

Clifton said...

If you add in the Youtube clips I lost count a long time ago.

K. said...

LOL! It will never get old, trust me. They could win three straight SBs and you'll always return to this one.