The Health Care Debate Redux

[Lars77]

Run time: 25:39 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfKUgLAhXHk   Posted on YouTube: January 18, 2011 By YouTube Member: TheRealNews Views on YouTube: 308   Posted on DU: January 19, 2011 By DU Member: Lars77 Views on DU: 560

 

[JDPriestly]

1. Of course, in Calcutta and Pakistan, the health care system

works according to the rules of economics. The rich purchase health care and long lives, and the poor die in the streets.

Now, why in the world would I listen to someone from that kind of society with regard to issues that are essentially human, not economic?

[phrigndumass]

2. I was very impressed with Donna Smith's array of knowledge ...

... on this issue, and her ability to express the facts without biased statistics. Shikha Dalmia made some valid points, but some of her data is biased to include only those who have health coverage and seek treatment. I have noticed that it is common among libertarians to flood the debate with tons of statistical arguments in rapid succession, so as to not give opportunity to those who disagree to refute that data or ask for proof. They should be called out on that.

The actual cost of health care compared to other countries is a data source that needs to be explored more, but only when it is inclusive of entire populations and also counts those who don't seek treatment due to lack of coverage or ability to pay. But I am certain of one thing: the cost of health care hasn't increased anywhere near as much as the cost of health coverage in the last 20 years. This is because we pay "market price" for health coverage. The only viable answers are to either regulate the insurance industry with only the "consumer" in mind or to take health coverage out of the "market" realm altogether by providing a single-payer program.

I'm reminded of FDR's People's Bill of Rights. Health care is a civil right, a necessity.

[dotymed]

3. Yesterday, I was talking with a RW friend of mine.

He has a degenerative disease that has cost him and his for profit insurance company a lot of money. He was worried that his lifetime coverage ceiling would be met long before he expired. Even though he is quite "well-off", he didn't want to go broke from medical costs. I informed him that, in his vernacular, "Obamacare" has already rescinded the threat of lifetime coverage ceilings. I also informed him of other positive changes that this mandate has brought.
While I realize that this "Affordable health care act" was mainly a gift to for-profit insurance companies (America is the only nation in the world that allows for profit health insurance), we were thrown a few bones that are positive. Single Payer is, of course, the only solution to this problem. To allow insurance companies to profit from peoples misery is a real disease.
Amazing that our "super-majority", would not allow Single Payer a "place at the table." The CBO has all of the numbers that prove the savings we could realize from Medicare for all.....like our politicians get.

[srf Rantz]

4. and what was his response?

did he have an epiphany or retreat into the typical RW denial and name-calling?

just once I'd like to hear the former... to give me a sliver of hope.

[dotymed]

6. His Response...

"really? Are you sure?" I then told him that my insurance company had sent these new rules to me. I also said that if "they" had mandated lower insurance premiums, it would have been an even better "start." He changed the subject, but I could tell that he was questioning his propaganda...

[Charleston Chew]

5. Social Security Broke: That's Bu11$#!t

"That's Bullshit" with Sam Seder:

Pointing out Bullshit so you don't step in it. This week, on behalf of the lesser people, Sam calls Bullshit! on having to fight a Democratic Administration over the Alan Simpson co-chaired, Debt Commission and the false claim that Social Security has anything to do with our deficit and needs to be cut.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x479063

[dotymed]

7. I just re-watched

CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY, and I still do not understand how this movie didn't even cause demonstrations against the elites....