BS: re Health Care summit

Subject: BS: re Health Care summit
From: beardedbruce
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 07:39 AM

The following is from a liberal op-ed by E.J. Dionne in the Washington Post, but this part I think is to the point and valid, and deserves to be thought about:



"At the heart of the fight between Republicans and Democrats is an honest disagreement over the role of federal government. The Republicans don't want our national government to play a major role in solving the core problems of our health-care system. They insist that more federal action will simply make things worse. (Although they then turn around and criticize any cuts President Obama proposes in Medicare, which, last I looked, is a federal government program). The GOP's suggestions are small because they don't want government to do much. The party's main health-care proposal would spend $61 billion over 10 years -- in other words, an average of $6 billion a year -- and cover an additional 3 million people, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The amounts they propose are a smidgen compared to the value of the tax cuts the Republicans voted for during the Bush years.

And the truth is that if using the federal government to solve some of the problems in the health-care system had been a priority for Republicans, they could have passed something when they controlled the White House and both houses of Congress. They chose not to.

Obama and the Democrats, on the other hand, believe that the federal government must take large steps to repair a broken health-care system. The proposal the president put on the table this week would spend $950 billion over 10 years to insure 31 million people.

If both sides are honest about this core difference, they probably won't reach agreement, but at least Americans will know why we are having this fight. In fact, it's absurd to expect sudden compromise from two parties so far apart philosophically and so far away from each other in how much they want to do. Does anyone really think they can, say, split the difference between $950 billion and $61 billion? "

Subject: RE: BS: re Health Care summit
From: Ebbie
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 10:14 PM

I have not yet read the entire op-ed article- had you thought of linking to it? - but my guess is that Dionne has a lot more to say than that. He is a well informed and thoughtful columnist.

That said, I'm glad to have the huge differences outlined. I don't for a minute believe that the GOP isn't aware that our health care system is broken beyond tinkering. Conceivably the Democrats could/can find ways to compromise, although the end outcome will/would result in saving money, result in the US citizens receiving more affordable health care, which should result in a healthier, happier populace.

The other night a musician friend who has severe asthma told us that Advair, the 'new' twice a day treatment that is so highly advertised these days has an astronomical cost, so although her asthma has progressively gotten worse, she simply doesn't take it as often as prescribed.

One month's supply of Advair costs $300.00!

Subject: RE: BS: re Health Care summit
From: MarkS
Date: 25 Feb 10 - 11:14 PM

Hey Ebbie,

I checked Canada drugs online (I shop there myself) and found all sorts of Advair products. The cheapest was $ 89 for 60 dose. Don't know if this dose or potency is useful for your friend, but they have all sorts of other potency and dose offerings and quantity discounts too - but you might want to let your friend know of this source.
In general, I have found Canada drugs to be a great money saver.

Mark

Subject: RE: BS: re Health Care summit
From: CarolC
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 12:35 AM

Here's the whole thing...

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2010/02/what_todays_health-care_summit.html

Subject: RE: BS: re Health Care summit
From: CarolC
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 12:41 AM

With Google, everyone can be Superman...

Subject: RE: BS: re Health Care summit
From: Ebbie
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 12:54 AM

Thanks, Mark S. I just called that friend and left a message on her phone. We are so close to Canada here that it would be a pity not to look into it.

Subject: RE: BS: re Health Care summit
From: beardedbruce
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 04:20 AM

"this part I think is to the point and valid, and deserves to be thought about:"

When I post the whole article, I am criticized for it: When I post only the part I want to discuss, and the source, I am criticized.

Sounds like some here are more interested in criticism than discussion.

Subject: RE: BS: re Health Care summit
From: CarolC
Date: 26 Feb 10 - 04:15 PM

Is there some reason, beardedbruce, why you don't post just a portion with a link so everyone can read the whole thing if they want?

Subject: RE: BS: re Health Care summit
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 03:54 AM

The logical consequence of ever smaller government is the return to the law of the jungle. That enables the strong to exploit the weak. That makes Republicans the enemies of society.

Subject: RE: BS: re Health Care summit
From: Riginslinger
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 07:08 AM

The entire health care system is so huge, most people would be better off if the govenment just took it over. There would be no need for insurance companies.

            The Republicans keep saying the US has the best health care system in the world, and that's probably true, if you can afford it.

            The summit just set things up for the Nuclear Option.

Subject: RE: BS: re Health Care summit
From: Bobert
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 07:46 AM

The summit was pure politcis...

Reminded me of Bush drapin' hmself in the flag for every legislative propsosal for 2 years following 9/11...

But, hey, if it moves the Dems along on health care then it was worth it but I'm sure the Repubs are a little steamed to be used like that...

Just being objective here, folks...

Dana Milbank of the Washington Post had an interesting article/op-ed on it and siad that it was much like a 7 hour class with Obama as the professor... Well, yeah, it was...

No matter... Like I said, if it brings health care reform back to the front page and gets the Dems off their asses then it will have been worth it but I'd be willing to bet that Obama won't get to call that play again and get away with it... It kinda reminded my of a Karl Rove trick...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: re Health Care summit
From: Ron Davies
Date: 27 Feb 10 - 12:51 PM

As I said elsewhere, the point wasn't anything to do with persuading Republicans. It was to give moderate and conservative Democrats cover to vote for reconciliation--since they can now say the Republicans were given a chance to contribute to the bill, but only insisted in junking it and starting over.

Subject: RE: BS: re Health Care summit
From: CarolC
Date: 28 Feb 10 - 01:48 AM

One of the things that the summit seems to have accomplished is to provide a forum for addressing all of the objections that the Republicans have/had to the various Democratic options, and for dispelling the bullshit.