Bush HSAs = No one in US will have health insurance - Corps keep $$$

[FormerRepublican]

Bush and his stupid HSAs are going to hurt a lot of people. I've been reading about it for the past couple of days, and it doesn't look good. Looks like just another Bush sell out to the Corporate Capos.

Here's some data:

"When it comes to medical benefits, millions of Americans already have a health insurer. Soon, many will also have a debit card and a bank.

Banks, credit unions and money management firms are now positioning themselves to become central players in the business of health care.

Bank of America, J.P. Morgan Chase, Fidelity Investments and hundreds of others are hoping to capitalize on the latest wrinkle in medical care paid by consumers: health savings accounts, which have been around since 2003 but are moving to the forefront of the U.S. national agenda in anticipation of President George W. Bush's State of the Union address on Tuesday.

These supercharged checking accounts, which must be linked to high-deductible health insurance plans, allow consumers to invest their own money for current and future medical expenses and have it grow tax-free. They are the centerpiece of Bush's plans on health care, just as private accounts were offered as a Social Security fix."

http://www.blackenterprise.com/yb/ybopen.asp?section=ybng&story_id=88673129&ID=blackenterprise

Translation: Financial firms rubbing their hands together and dreaming of how much money they'll rip off from Americans with these plans, just like they did when Bush announced his Social Security "reform (rape)" plan.

And more:

"WASHINGTON - President Bush is expected to use his State of the Union address Tuesday to propose using the tax code to create incentives for more Americans to seek health care coverage.
The president calls it ''consumer-driven'' health care, and it's part of his vision for an ownership society, where individuals, not the government, take greater responsibility for their health, wealth and retirement income.
Critics call it a fig leaf that will allow employers to further push the rising cost of health care onto employees.
Few topics are more controversial, and more resplendent with conflicting interest groups, than health care. It's sure to be a top issue in this year's congressional elections and during the next presidential race."

http://www.sltrib.com/nationworld/ci_3449275

Bush is completely incapable of doing ANYTHING that benefits the American people. He makes me want to hurl. By the time he's through with health care, only the rich will have any.

:puke: :puke: :puke:

[leftstreet]

1. Kennedy needs to counter with his Medicare For All plan

I don't know if the plan is "workable," but DAMMIT the Dems need to get a talking point out there about universal coverage.

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0112-37.htm

<snip>

An essential part of our progressive vision is an America where no citizen of any age fears the cost of health care, and no employer refuses to create new jobs or cuts back on current jobs because of the high cost of providing health insurance.

The answer is Medicare, whose 40th birthday we will celebrate in July. I propose that as a 40th birthday gift to the American people, we expand Medicare over the next decade to cover every citizen - from birth to the end of life.

It's no secret that America is still dearly in love with Medicare. Administrative costs are low. Patients' satisfaction is high. Unlike with many private insurers, they can still choose their doctor and their hospital.

<snip>

I call this approach Medicare for All, because it will free all Americans from the fear of crippling medical expenses and enable them to seek the best possible care when illness strikes.

The battle to achieve Medicare for All will not be easy. Powerful interests will strongly oppose it, because they profit immensely from the status quo. Right wing forces will unleash false attack ads ranting against socialized medicine and government-run health care.

[raysr]

2. Here's a LA Times

story on it http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-health27jan27,0,4838490.story?coll=la-news-a_section

[clyrc]

3. I don't know whether to cry or scream

This makes me so mad I can hardly stand it. I don't live in the States anymore, and I have great health coverage, but my family and friends live there. I know so many people who work hard and get very little in return, and it keeps getting worse.

[juliana24]

8. You are the lucky one, to be certain.

[The Straight Story]

4. Here is a 'hopeful' sounding article on it all

http://www.taemag.com/issues/articleID.18985/article_detail.asp

[juliana24]

7. There is nothing of value in MSA's. The paperwork alone is enormous.

[juliana24]

5. Get sick and die going broke paying for your medicine. What a deal!

If its so great why not put * and congress in the same boat ?

[wakeme2008]

6. this will never pass... The Health Insurance Companies will fight it

BCBS and others would basically be put out of business at the expensive of Bank of America, J.P. Morgan Chase, Fidelity Investments and others.

IMHO this is DOA in Congress...

[juliana24]

9. Perhaps, but I wouldnt count on it with idiot son in office.

[Vinca]

10. I don't think so. This is a win-win situation for both banks AND

insurance companies. The insurance companies will still be hawking their overpriced policies only their deductibles will be higher - a good thing for them. Back at the ranch, the banks are issuing HSAs and raking in massive piles of cash. Grandma with a broken hip? She's still SOL.

[DoYouEverWonder]

11. It may not become law anytime soon

but more and more companies are going in this direction, if they even offer health insurance anymore. A lot of places are using temps and non-permanent employees so they don't have to give benefits at all.

[OzarkDem]

12. He didn't get Social Security Reform

He's not likely to get this proposal either, especially the way Medicare Part D is going. The GOP is going through the motions to appease the insurance industry, who is anxious to cash in the way big pharma did.