Obama Townhall: Expect HCR Part Deux

[vaberella]

Yup...he basically put it out there. We'll be having another reform measure.

*Reimburse doctors for lower readmission fees.
*Competition for meds.
*One test shared by more doctors on something like facebook. --->Energy Efficiency.

Maybe we can resurrect the PO support again.

UPDATE:

Affordable Care Act: Health IT

*Developing automation of health care information.

*Having all physicians to see you at once. (This made me think of the Cisco commercial.)

Reimbursement Plan

*Providing incentives on the front end to get savings on cost. (Found in the VA system----so it's proven.) <---Isn't VA system like PO too?

*Provide incentives for performance...(not sure how I feel about this--I feel like that's a bit more expense---like race to the top). <---Not feeling this but some might like this.

[vroomvroom]

1. Insurers will never allow PO, hence Obama will be against the PO too

[vaberella]

2. The Insurers were against HCR. He managed to get it passed.

You don't understand the debate. Obama was the one who even brought up the PO.He's the one who fought for the PO. And then we have Congress who's owned by Big Pharma and they didn't want the PO. These Dems actually said they would vote against the HCR if he put the PO in there. The votes were not there. But pressure on Congress can bring it back. Understand the facts of the situation versus reciting your own incorrect views.

[Armstead]

6. Reference to that is conspicuously absent in his answers so far

[vaberella]

8. I NEVER said he mentioned the PO in his statements.

I stated very clearly that maybe we (as in the nation, the citizenry) can start making noise to reawaken it. He did mention, if you paid attention...that he can't do a lot of this alone. He needs our support and that's by making the ears of our Congressmen tired out by phone calls and protests and all of that.

[Armstead]

10. I wasn't referring to you -- He is avoiding it like an electric hot wire

And I am fed up with 25 years of this same old crap while people are going broke, getting needlesly sick and DYING because they can't get affordable health coverage -- as the corporate insurers merge into huge obscenely profitable monsters

[vaberella]

16. Actually that was my point in my post.

He was silent on it. And I called in my post--that we (as in the citizenry) need to push the issue and make him speak up on it. And by doing that...we need to be more proactive. That's what I said in my post. I realize he was completely mum and never even touched the issue, but he did bring up other issues that were off the table the first time around back on board. Except this one. I'm noticing this is not coming through though.

I don't think he was evading it like a "electric hot wire" ---or "hot poker" but I felt he was a non-point because of the last discussion on it. So nothing, but I want it on the table.

[Armstead]

18. Poills have said most Americans would support at least a voluntary Medicare option

This situation is so frustrating because most people (including businesses and people who work in health cares) hate the system and are beinbg financially ruined by it.

And polls have shown that a majority would support some form of public insurance systenm. EWven those who are nervous aboutr a complete single pater system would support a public option or Medicare expansion. Pepole like the idea of Medicare, and if it were pushed and supported by the political class, it is logical to think that they woukld support making it more widsely available to other age groups.

And yet, it never gets done because politicians avoid it. Not all politicians -- Bernie Sanders and a good chunk of Congressional Democrats supported the public option, and some also support single payer.

And when they even bother to attempt "reform" they come up with these convoluted Rube Goldberg monstrsities that are designed to ultimately protect the continued stranglehold of private insurance, with some tinkering around the edges.

And in the wake of the recent "reforms" the idea of public insurance is now treated like dead fish.

THAT's why I got so frustrated and angry listening to Obama today. He is in a position to guide the debate and lead a push to public insurance. But in all of his otherwise worthy explanations and proposals today he nevewr mentioned it. Instead he set the framework that the only answer is cost controls and efficiency. Those are worthy goals, but ultimately only a sliver of the real problem, which is the fact that healthcare continues to be bou0ght and sold like a commodity.

[vaberella]

19. Those polls didn't mean anything to Congress

These congressmen and women voted based on what they heard from their demographic....or so they say. And based on the turn over towards Republican leaning House----we can see that maybe those Dem Congressmen and women who were against the PO should have voted against HCR.

Polls can say one thing but the Congressmen and women hear something different or think they do they reflect that in their votes--or claim too. So for people to say "Obama this or that" it's a bit weak since Obama takes no part in passing legislation. He can try to talk and finagle with some Congressmen and women to vote his way. But he can't assure that change. And unfortunately I don't remember seeing a lot of counter noise in the public or the MSM didn't show much of a secondary voice of people advocating PO in front of Congressmen's door. There were a few, but in comparison to the almost violent rhetoric on the other side...well.


And we can't depend on Obama to hold and able to push everything. I think that's stupidly unrealistic.

[Armstead]

20. I agree with you except I believe Obama can take a leadership role on it

Maybe he wouldn't succeed. But he could do a lot to sell the concept and legitimize it politically, and support those Congvressional Democrats (perhaps a majority of them) who do want to move in that direction.

Whatever the result, he can do a lot to move the ball a lot closer to the goalpost -- at the very least. And there's a good chance he could scofre a gtouchdown with Congress if he really committed himself and the Democratic party to it.

[Donnachaidh]

15. by virtually guaranteeing huge profits for the insurance companies

*he managed* to get it passed..... :rofl:

[DrToast]

14. It's not the insurers that matter

It was the American Hospital Association that killed the public option.

[DJ13]

3. If they keep trying eventually they might accidentally get it right

[Raine1967]

4. He's hitting it out of the park.

I am really appreciating what is being said, as I am the questions that are being put out there.

I am also watching the FB feed, and OMG, Some people just are willfully ignorant or don't understand things.

[Armstead]

5. So what? We'll still be captive of insurance companies

NO talk of the real reform that is needed, which is to move towards public insurance that is based on income.

Save costs, blah,blah,blah....Been hearing that shit for 20 years.

[Armstead]

7. Oh yippie Kay yay --- Another question about it and the answer is....

...More efficiency and technology.

me4anwehile we're still at the mercy of private corporate insurance extortion.

[vaberella]

9. Actually HCR is significant reform from what we had.

And we didn't have the progressive thinkers in office to really support Obama's original plan. In any event...I don't think anything he says would satisfy or interest your outlook. Instead you scoff and snark in response. So it's whatever.

[Armstead]

11. To quote my post above....

I am fed up with 25 years of this same old crap while people are going broke, getting needlesly sick and DYING because they can't get affordable health coverage -- as the corporate insurers merge into huge obscenely profitable monsters.

Maybe that is snark but it is TOTALLY IMMORAL for the democrats to keep kicking this can down the road and trying to distract us with pablum solutions.

[Keith Bee]

12. K&R, but.....

...I hope the hell he doesn't toss it to Max Baucus again.

[Armstead]

13. Naw -- Ben Nelson's got it

[Bluenorthwest]

17. And of course mandates to buy for profit products from Big

Biz. Incentives is a code for 'more money for Big Insurance'. The profit is the problem. It is immoral, and extremely unusual in modern democracies to allow for profit on the providing of basic health care access. In our peer democracies, it is illegal to do so.