MA residents, what do you think of the mandatory healthcare bill,

[babylonsister]

will it affect you positively or negatively, and who is taking credit for it?
Thanks.

[rox63]

1. I think it's a positive thing

I know several people here without health insurance, and I hope this new law helps them get the care they need. Everyone is taking credit for it, because it makes them look good if people think they helped bring it about.

[babylonsister]

3. On the surface, it sounds great; I heard that it could be touted

as a model for the rest of the country. What I fear is that Romney will be taking all the credit, and running with it.

[Dr Ron]

13. Republican taking credit

One good thing about that is that if Kerry runs on his own health care proposal, Romney can't fall back on the Bush line that it is a government take over of health care.

[Mass]

14. Read Kuttner editorial. The GOP has probably a lot to do with it.

It is not that great.

[MonteLukast]

24. David Sirota said something about it weeks ago.

Remember this link?

Here's my favorite part. Joe Klein strikes again: :puffpiece:

Klein's piece is about what he calls a "remarkable" health care plan proposed by Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R). After slobbering all over himself in describing Romney's good looks and oh-so-incredible personality, Klein tells us Romney calls his plan "a personal responsibility system." Sounds pretty good, right? Sure does to Klein, who from his comfortable, cushy perch at Time has rarely gone out and actually reported on the real-life struggles of ordinary Americans.

(Emphasis mine of course)

[MonteLukast]

22. I've been afraid of that too.

The NYT and the Denver papers last week were all Romney this, Romney that about this health care initiative. I think the Wall Street Journal even called it "RomneyCare" and, of course, there were the inevitable quips about how Romney's presidential stock has just gone way up.

At first I thought, now he's really acting like a statesman. Just like Bill Owens did when he supported Referendum C last year. (But notice I said *acting* like a statesman, not *being* a statesman, because if he thinks he expects me to forget his badmouthing MA, he's got another think coming.)

Then I thought, he's not even acting like a statesman; he's showboating. And I noticed not a peep about Kennedy, Kerry, or the MA state legislature-- the REAL authors of this plan, am I not right?-- so I hung my head and sighed at there goes our MSM again. *deep sigh*

[TayTay]

2. In all honesty, I have to read about it more.

Things have been hectic lately and I have been neglecting the home front. (Oh no and Town Meeting is coming up in a few weeks. I am going to have to rely on my husband again for the straight scoop. Damn!)

I will look it up more tomorrow and get back to ya!

[babylonsister]

4. Thanks! nt

[whometense]

5. I'm with Tay,

I don't know enough about it yet either. I'm wondering how the finances are going to work. I saw Mittens on the tv last night pontificating about his own fabulosity (he's taking full credit, so there's at least that fly in the ointment), but the sight made me ill, so I had to change the channel.

Gotta read up on it.

[MonteLukast]

23. Is it just me...

... or is he trying to copy Kerry's smile and hairstyle? Look at the pictures.

[Mass]

6. I am like you - I need more information.

Right now, the $1000 fine on the people who dont have insurance seems a little bit stiff, and on the other hand, it is not clear how comprehensive the least expensive insurances (those that the less affluent people will go to) will have to be (and whether they will have to cover preexisting conditions or not).

Big questions I have to read about.

This said, it seems it is an improvement compared to the present situation and probably the best compromise they could get to.

[TayTay]

7. It's junk. Real junk and very dangerous.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/4/6/11040/27220

It's not real reform, will be unbelievably expensive for low-income families and the deductibles are murder. No drug coverage. Bill co-written by the Heritage Foundation in order to give Mittens something to run for President on. (This version is better than the last, but still, it won't do what it says it does.)

Mittens: Only one candidate from MA has a real health care plan. You should seriously think about listening to him.

[ProSense]

8. That certainly was a red flag.

Romney. They probably just included Kennedy's name because he has been pushing reform. They may even have consulted with him, but there is no way this looks anything like Kennedy's proposal. No funding! Sheeesh!

[Mass]

10. This confirms what I have been hearing and reading.

Too bad that the MA House and Senate rushed to give satisfaction to Mittens. They could have waited and passed a real healthcare reform.

[TayTay]

11. I'm just syaing here, but ....

I think that some Sens. from MA need to read the damn bill. It's not a good deal and it should not be endorsed. It may, in fact, be a Trojan Horse against state-funded health care. Romney is devious enough to do that.

I hope that the esteemed Sens. from this area do some homework on the break and then don't over-praise on the radio what might not be a very good deal at all.

I'm just saying is all.....

[Mass]

12. I read a column by Kuttner about the plan and posted it onThe MA forum.

I guess it reinforces my worries.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=158&topic_id=8292&mesg_id=8292

[MonteLukast]

25. Hmmm.

I've wondering why we haven't heard more from the two Senators. Do they know it's junk, and are sitting by waiting for Mittens to make a fool of himself?

[ginnyinWI]

16. Ack.

That's really disappointing. It is getting such glowing press coverage. Kerry's comment was "if the governor signs it" it will be a good thing--so he seems to be saying it's still not a done deal.

[wisteria]

17. Obviously, I am not from MA, but when I read something of this

plan my thoughts were the same as yours. It seems to imply that some people don't have health insurance because they don't want it, therefore, they have to be forced into getting it. Not to mention the other things you bring up.
It is really appearing to be a set-up in favor of your governor complete with media compliance.

[MonteLukast]

26. Uh-oh.

It seems to imply that some people don't have health insurance because they don't want it

That's EXACTLY what Sirota said. Sounds like a Trojan horse to me.

I still have to read more about it... but if it's true that it's a Trojan horse, the only consolation will be that if it fails, Romney will have the egg on his face.

[babylonsister]

9. Healthcare, MA style-more info and opinions for those in MA:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x880270

[whometense]

15. Today's (unsurprising) news:

(via a post at Kos - no link yet) is that

they're coming over the wire with Romney's statement that he will "amend" the universal healthcare billed passed overwhelmingly in the legislature last week. i just knew it.

Found this story as well: http://news.yahoo.com/s/usnw/20060410/pl_usnw/cahi_urges_gov__romney__don_t_sign_it__massachusetts_health_plan_is_no_model_for_reform311_xml

..."This program is being sold by the governor as a 'free market' proposal," stated JP Wieske, State Affairs Director for the Council for Affordable Health Insurance. "But this plan is a roadmap for a single-payer system that will be a disaster for Massachusetts taxpayers and patients."

The legislation gives the government broad new invasion-of- privacy rights:

-- Individuals must provide a "Health Insurance Responsibility Disclosure" forms - signed under oath, and the can be investigated by the insurance commissioner. The bill also includes other extensive data reporting requirements. Business owners must also sign the Disclosure.

-- The "Connector" - a non-state entity - and other information-gathering agencies can request any information on the business and its employees they deem necessary. Employers not providing insurance not only pay a $295 tax, but once their employees' and dependents state-paid health care costs exceed $50,000, employers are responsible for between 10 and 100 percent of the bill.

-- The bill adds individuals to the small group market - substantially increasing small group costs and making insurance more expensive. It also:

o Adds an additional layer of bureaucracy in the "Connector"

o Limits plan design options for the poor

o Adds numerous reporting requirements for health care providers

o Increases taxes for private payers to cover uncompensated care

The proposal includes:

-- Requirements for "quality of care" initiatives -- limiting the ability of doctors and hospitals to provide the care they believe is necessary

-- New data collection -- including keeping records of individual and business health insurance status

-- Requirements that the government extensively collect hospital billing data and match them with their families, employer relationships, and to keep track of their billing -- on an individual basis.

"After years of debate over health care reform, is this the best Massachusetts can do!?" asked Dr. Merrill Matthews, Director of CAHI. "Employers, insurers and even the White House are leading the way to a consumer driven health care system that expands coverage, increases choices and reduces costs and the uninsured. The Massachusetts plan goes in precisely the opposite direction. It's not a model for reform, but a costly, invasive boondoggle that should be avoided at all costs. CAHI urges Governor Romney not to sign this bad proposal into law"

Founded in 1992, CAHI is a non-profit research and advocacy association whose mission is to develop and promote free market solutions to America's health care challenges. CAHI's membership includes health insurance companies (active in the individual, small group, HSA and senior markets), small businesses, physicians, actuaries and insurance brokers.

http://www.usnewswire.com/

[MonteLukast]

27. What is he trying to do?

Come up with a real disaster of a single-payer plan that will be a lot worse than what we have now, so he can say "see, I told you so; universal health care doesn't work!"

Or is Romney trying to turn MA redder, in his own way?

[whometense]

18. FAIR is looking at this

in their weekly radio show CounterSpin. Received by email.

CounterSpin:
The "Massachusetts Miracle"

April 14, 2006

FAIR's radio show CounterSpin takes a look this week at the "Massachusetts miracle," the health care plan passed by the Massachusetts legislature and touted by Gov. Mitt Romney. The legislation made front pages last week, with many accounts calling it a plan for universal health care. Our guest says that's just what it's not. So how are is press getting it wrong? We talk with Steffie Woolhandler, associate professor of medicine at Harvard University and cofounder of Physicians for a National Health Program.

Also on the show: A contributor to the New York Post's Page Six gossip column reportedly tried to shake down a subject for hundreds of thousands of dollars for "protection" against negative coverage in the column. CounterSpin talks to New York Observer columnist Joe Conason, who says the gossip columnist may have been just following the example of Post owner Rupert Murdoch, who has long used his media holdings to trade favors and punish enemies.

CounterSpin can be heard on more than 125 noncommercial stations across the United States and Canada—find your station here. You can also listen to the show online or subscribe to our podcast.

***

CounterSpin, hosted by Janine Jackson, Steve Rendall and Peter Hart, provides a critical examination of the major stories every week, and exposes what the mainstream media might have missed in their own coverage. Combining lively discussion and a thoughtful media critique, CounterSpin is unlike any other show on the dial.

CounterSpin exposes and highlights biased and inaccurate news; censored stories; sexism, racism and homophobia in the news; the power of corporate influence; gaffes and goofs by leading TV pundits; TV news' narrow political spectrum; attacks on free speech; and more.

www.fair.org/counterspin

[rox63]

19. I'm still not sure

I'm looking at it as a starting point, and hoping that the legislature will fix it once we are rid of Mittens. What makes me most uncomfortable is the part where they'd penalize someone that may not be able to afford insurance. I want to see what sort of subsidies they'll off low-income (but above the poverty line) people. Both my brother and my best friend are currently on Free Care. But neither is below the ridiculously-low poverty line. They just don't have jobs that offer health insurance, and can't otherwise afford to buy insurance. If this results in either or both of them losing coverage or being penalized, I will be mightily pissed.

[TayTay]

20. That is what will happen.

Romney wants to get this thing passed and get pics of himself on the national news signing it. Then he doesn't want to fund it. It will wind up in the trash bin, like the Dukakis Universal Health Care bill from the late 1980's that passed and was never implemented due to lack of money.

This is not reform. It's deception and another Romney bait-and-switch. He will bail out on funding this and pray that people in other states just remember the various national sound bites that showed our Mitt signing this bullshit bill.

Your friends will be screwed. This thing is not funded. It is the appearance of reform, but not actual reform.

[MonteLukast]

29. Were there any...

...lingering negative effects of that Dukakis bill? I'm curious.

[whometense]

21. God, I really hate Mitt the Shit.

He is merely a slightly better spoken and slightly slicker version of Chimpy. He doesn't give a good goddamn about anything but his next step up the ladder.

I'm suspecting that Kerry's kind words about it were meant to not insult the legislature that has been working on the bill for so long. He certainly has reservations about it, as evidenced by that acerbic little aside on MTP. He certainly has no illusions about what Mitt is up to.

[MonteLukast]

28. That's our John... on the ball.

I hope it does go terribly awry and make Mitt look like a fool.

[Blaukraut]

30. At first I thought it was a good idea

But then I heard that Romney line-item vetoed the part where employers get fined if they do not insure their workers. So again, on the surface he was being oh-so-progressive with this, and behind everyones's back, he gave businesses a break. Go figure.

[rox63]

31. That veto will be easily overridden

by the the legislature. Mittens was just trying to burnish his right-wing credentials by partially de-funding a program for poor people.