What Do You Say To A Kid That Says - "Why Work So Hard For Health Care Uncle........

[global1]

if the Democrats lose power - the republicans are just going to change it back.

I answered 'baby steps' - some will stick and it'll move the process along for the good.

But - help me here DU - I'm not even sure I believe that.

[gateley]

1. HOPEFULLY enough of the populace will have benefitted that there would be

a bi-partisan :7: outcry if they attempted it.

[frazzled]

2. The Republicans won't change it back

Have they changed (or been able to change) Social Security or Medicare? They have tried tweaks, but once these big sorts of social legislation are in place, the basic provisions are pretty much in place for good. They can nip around the edges, but they would not dare to try to reverse it.

[Oregone]

4. They did cut Pell Grants and student aid significantly

Think of that in the context of the magic subsidies.

[customerserviceguy]

6. If it passes, they'll run on changing it back

And if they can cobble together majorities in Congress (using the few Blue Dogs who survive November), they'll simply attach repeal to a defense authorization bill, and President Obama will have to sign it. They'll claim they have a 'mandate' to do so.

[Oregone]

3. "the republicans are just going to change it back"

Doubt it. Subsidized & mandated funding originated in the Republican party.

They would probably rather alter the subsidy structure and co-pay/deductible regulations. I imagine the aim will be to deliver the same amount of government funds to the insurance companies, but make insurance more unaffordable to actually use. Ultimately, the people who brought the mandates will be in hot water.

[Uncle Joe]

5. Anything the Democrats pass, the Republicans will work to make worse, when they come back to power.

If the Democrats pass a mandate imposing a modest or moderate fine on those not purchasing for profit "health" insurance, the Republicans coming to power will increase the fine to draconian levels and probably throw in a prison sentence.

The best protection against such an occurrence is a switchover to a government single payer coverage system, expand Medicare either all at once or rapidly phase it in to cover everyone from the cradle to the grave.

If a tax increase on the mega-wealthy needs to be passed, so be it, their tax rates aren't anywhere near what they were in the 60s or 70s.

I believe the true irony; is that ill conceived half-measures will more likely insure a Republican return to power and this includes taxing health benefits; this actually breaks two campaign pledges by the President in one policy. The tax on health benefits which candidate Obama ran a commercial stating McCain would be the first to do such a thing and as a back door tax against those making less than 250k.

Thanks for the thread, global.

[bridgit]

7. If only 'youth' could see that from time to time it is a winding road...

"A self-ordained professor’s tongue
Too serious to fool
Spouted out that liberty
Is just equality in school
“Equality,” I spoke the word
As if a wedding vow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I’m younger than that now."