It's amazing that the ruling caste of the mega wealthy are so against

[WCGreen]

Universal Health coverage...

First of all, it would save a whole bunch of money for companies now offering insurance to their employees and it would also help many US manufacturing companies be more competitive by lowering the cost of production...

Just look at the recent Union/GM pact...

If this agreement stands, I still have my doubts as to the ability of the company to keep the promises they made, then Legacy health coverage costs to these companies would dramatically reshape the balance sheet of GM...

But we all know from experience dealing with Cost Cutting driven US corporations could care less about passing on the savings from Universal Health coverage to their customers...

The way the mood of the financial markets are today, companies such as GM who eliminate so called legacy costs, would rather pass those savings to their investors instead of their customers...

[bluestateguy]

1. We'll get national health care when corporate America says it's OK

When the realize that national health care would be cheaper for their bottom line, they will become our allies in the fight for universal national health care, and the end of private insurance.

I don't like it that way, but that's the way it is. To effect big changes in policy, you need powerful allies and powerful people on your side.

[baldguy]

15. Once they figure out how to make a profit off it, we'll get national health care.

[Nite Owl]

2. You are thinking like a real human

being and with logic. Their thought is to keep the employee in line. If an employee needs his job to keep a meager health care plan for his/her family then they will put up with any kind of rules to keep that job.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Or maybe they would rather pass those savings

on to their over-payed, fat and sassy CEO's...

Just sayin'...

K&R

[Warpy]

4. you know, I don't think they are.

Even they are suffering the effects of corporatized health care when they have enough of a health emergency to go to the hospital here instead of jetting off to Thailand. I've worked in VIP wards and wings and they're just as short staffed as the rest of the house. Face it, the care isn't very good anywhere (or not nearly as good as it should be), no matter what the decor is like.

I think the only people fighting this are the insurance giants. They know some form of it is inevitable, but they're trying to keep their cash cows.

That's why Hillary's plan leaves the health care giants in place with no public alternative, why it has no mechanism for stopping the denial of part or total payment, the denial of care, itself.

They're now pushing for a universally unaffordable and universally bad insurance system that would leave their power and profits intact.

I doubt the ruling class have been consulted beyond telling them that some form of universal care is now inevitable.

[WCGreen]

11. They don't see it that way...

I'm sure they don't...

[Warpy]

19. They are clueless, not stupid

and know if they don't get some sort of half hearted attempt at universal(ly bad) care out there, a real reform movement might start over it that would eventually make their lives a little less pleasant.

They will always make sure they're exempt from a plan so that they can underfund it later and rebuild one of their cash cows.

[Captain Angry]

5. You don't stay megawealthy by paying taxes.

Health coverage would have to be paid for by somebody. If the funding comes from income tax, property tax, capital gains tax, sales tax, fishing license tax, any tax, it will be opposed by those who can afford to buy their own coverage.

As long as there is an insurance industry, there is a layer of abstraction between what health care costs, and what they can charge for it. If you go to your doctor, and ask what their non-insured cash rate is for a procedure, I think you'd be shocked at the discounts available.

[WCGreen]

8. There is no free market for Health Care...

You are so right...

You can't have a free market if there are no alternatives..

[Deja Q]

9. Or by people not being able to pay for the products.

[rucky]

20. Gotta keep that fourth home in the Hamptons. n/t

[Auntie Bush]

6. No, they would rather pass any savings on to their CEO's.

[Kagemusha]

7. Uh, they're against it because they believe their wealth proves they are fittest.

Support for the weak perpetuates weakness and would ruin national virility. Knowing that is what makes me not a supporter of the zealously wealthy.

[Deja Q]

10. Morality, ethics, and proving one's 'fitness' don't always go hand in hand.

:(

[Kagemusha]

13. It's easy if you simply decide that 'fitness' is morality.

It's not hard being a Republican.

[sandnsea]

12. It's the main growth industry

for the next 20 years. You think they're going to give all that up?

[nightrider767]

14. I'm Sure Many People Would Be leary

Fact is, even though I am for a national health care system, it can be a bit scary. If it's not done correctly, it could be a bit of a nightmare.

I think they'll have to come up with a way to manage costs. Doctors fees, procedures, drug expenses.

And that will be one tough nut to crack, since medical has turned into a major profit center for so many people.

I hope they do it though, it should be done.

[WCGreen]

16. It would just expand medicare for all the people...

and have a deductable based on income...

[nightrider767]

21. I have no doubt in my mind it can be done

But to do it, we're gonna have to have some people say no to lobbyists from the medical/ pharmaceutical industry.

Look at the last drug program they gave to senior citizens. The biggest part of the legislation MANDATED that medicare could not negotiate en mass for the price of drugs.

Very, Very sad........

Hopeless....

Damn,,, I think I need a beer again. :beer:

[slipslidingaway]

17. There is probably more support among the people then we

realize.

Congressional Task Force Disregards Public’s Call for National Health Insurance

"The group created by Congress to listen to Americans’ ideas for improving the health system has ignored their overwhelming advice to create a national health insurance program. Although a national health program was by far the most favored option at 86 percent (25 of 29) of the meetings of the Citizens’ Health Care Working Group (CHCWG), the group’s recommendations avoid the clear public preference for government-guaranteed health coverage.

When given a choice of ten reform options at public hearings held by the CHCWG, participants clearly favored a national health program by a margin of at least 3 to 1. At meetings where participants were asked to rank the 10 options, national health insurance was ranked first 16 of 19 times..."


More at link, K&R
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1869822&mesg_id=1869822

[MetalCanuck]

18. Its all about the insurance compnies losing money..not about lets say Paris Hilton for example.

The average rich person doesn't like the taxes and the companies would be out of work (HMO's) they are one of the owners of the government.

you have

Oil Companies
Banks
HMO's
Drug Companies
Alcohol/tobacco companies

They control government, if you work against them they make sure the politician dies for real ask JFK or they run a propaganda campaign to kill them politically. Thats why things never seem to change other than to get worst. Manufacturing companies like GM have lots of power but not like the above so yes it would help them but it would step of the toes of the rulers.