How Obama says he will deal with people who do NOT buy health insurance

[Clinton Crusader]

Here's the question from Wolf Blitzer at a recent debate:
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MR. BLITZER: Senator Obama, let me just fine-tune the question, because I know you want to respond. On this issue of mandates, those who don't, whether it's 10 million or 15 million, those who can afford it but don't wind up buying health insurance for one reason or another -- they wind up getting sick; they go to an emergency room. All of us wind up paying for their health care. That's the biggest criticism that's been leveled at your plan.
- - -
And here's Obama's response:
SEN. OBAMA: If people are gaming the system, there are ways that we can address that, by for example making them pay some of the back premiums for not having gotten it in the first place.
- - - -
Get that?
Barack Obama says he is against mandatory insurance, but then he goes on to say that if people don't buy health insurance, but get sick and go to the emergency room where we pick up the tab, Obama considers that "gaming the system" and he would PUNISH those people by "making them pay some of the back premiums for not having gotten in the first place."

Hillary says that in her healthcare plan, there would be subsidies available for those who cannot afford to pay for health insurance, and Obama thinks it's terrible that she would require everyone to be insured. But then Obama goes on to say that (according to his plan) if people do not buy health insurance -- but get sick and go to the emergency room -- he would punish them by making them pay back premium payments.

But, Obama, you just got through telling us you think it is unfair to require people to have health insurance -- now you would penalize those who don't? Maybe you need to go back and consult with your lobbyist friends in the insurance industry and see what they want you to do now.

You can read the debate transcript here: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/31/us/politics/31text-debate.html

And you can read about Barack Obama's friendly insurance company obbyists here: "In Illinois, Obama dealt with lobbyists. But as candidate, he faults Clinton for ties"
by Scott Helman-The Boston Globe
September 23, 2007 Read this at: http://tinyurl.com/28br65

And read about Obama's "Harry and Louise"-like ad (maybe Karl Rove is on the Obama team now) at:
http://mydd.com/story/2008/2/1/125123/1714

[SlipperySlope]

1. That only applies to people who are "gaming the system".

If you are able to pay, and choose not to, and get sick, and pay all of your own medical bills, then you are not gaming the system. It is called "pay as you go".

I see nothing wrong with someone who choose to pay all their own bills.

[Fredda Weinberg]

3. Without universal participation, the healthiest will choose to go without

and premiums will be higher for everyone else. You may not mind it, but it's not the common good.

[Submariner]

6. The Romney health insurance scam in Mass

wants to clip me for $8000/yr (including $4K deductible). Over just 5 years, that's $40,000 cash down the toilet. Based on my family health history record, I elect to go self pay because it is highly likely I'll get all the care I need for $1K to $2K/year on average for the next 10 years.

After having Bush/Cheney take away my free VA health care, I'm in no mood for this half-assed mandated health insurance that only enrich the insurance company lobbyists and executives.

[Fredda Weinberg]

9. Yes, what's good for you is not best for the common good.

Whether private or public insurance, the composition of the pool matters. We probably agree on principle - but the political resolution will be tricky.

I appreciate your national service and you're perfectly right to feel short-changed. I wish the history of this country was better with regards to our veterans ... here's hoping the next administration will restore benefits.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

10. Giving $$thousands to insurance companies is best for the common good?

Just kidding, Fredda, I know you think it is. :eyes:

[Fredda Weinberg]

11. Government programs can be the most efficient ... and history shows

us they are. Now, how do we get there, since it's not something we've been able to do before?

[sandnsea]

13. And that would be acceptable under Obama's plan

People would only have to pay some back premiums if they don't have the money to pay for their medical bills, like a 27 year old who gets in an outdoor accident or gets cancer or something.

[robbedvoter]

2. Yup. But Hillary is....a liar! So there!

[The_Casual_Observer]

4. It's a big f-ing mess that isn't going anyplace. Game the system?

As soon a system is established it's gamed. If you don't think so, just look at the Mortgage
Mess.

[gaspee]

5. I already don't go

To the emergency room because I can neither afford insurance nor medical care.

Four years ago, I got 3rd degree burns up and down my arms and had to go to the emergency room after a few days of agony and then infection starting to set in. They charged me 4000.00 bucks for less than an hour of their time and almost no medicine (I had to pay full price for prescriptions.) I still haven't paid it - I don't even make enough money to have to file taxes.

Last year when I sliced my hand open, I used skin glue and butterfly bandages instead of going and getting the stitches I needed.

Obama's plan sucks. Clinton's plan sucks.

Health care is a human right. Even some dems don't agree with that basic supposition.

We can afford our fucking police state and we can afford the asinine war on drugs (what a farce) and we can afford to murder people in countries all over the world, but we can't afford medical care for our citizens?

Even FRANCE can afford medical care for their citizens.

America is a lost cause full of selfish bigots who get caught up in personality games -- the newest version of American Idol is working itself out in our primary.

Lost cause.

[incapsulated]

7. His plan is garbage

But who cares, he makes women "swoon".

[lumberjack_jeff]

8. With the cost of care, it is rational to NOT buy insurance.

If you get sick, you'll get care and all it will cost you is a few months insurance premium.

A heart attack will cost you, what? $400,000? What's a few months retroactive insurance compared to that? There's no risk.

The reason that universal insurance works is because there are some people who buy insurance who don't need it. Not because some of those who (in retrospect) needed it paid some of their premiums retroactively.

[eridani]

12. It's all bullshit. Make it like paying for the fire department

No horseshit about "choosing the fire protection that's right for my family" or trying to decipher what 900 different options really mean. Just pay the goddamn property tax, directly or indirectly, and if your place catches fire, they send a truck out. Jeebus!