Architect of Obama's health care plan fears a 'political' decision by the Supreme Court

[eridani]

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/culture/2011/11/4156059/architect-obamas-health-care-plan-fears-political-decision-supreme-c

Jonathan Gruber, an M.I.T. professor and a key intellectual architect of President Obama's overhaul of the American health care system, said, "You know, I think basically, what they've constructed, the Affordable Health Act, is the best possible private-sector solution to our problem of the uninsured that we have available, you know, short of single-payer."

"Basically, this is the last hope for a free-market solution for covering the uninsured. If this fails, then you either give up on the uninsured or you go to single-payer. Those are the only two options left. And the Republicans, if they're willing to stand up and say, 'We give up on the uninsured,' then great, let them say that and let the voters come to the polls and decide, but they won't say that."

Comment by Don McCanne of PNHP: "Best possible solution... you know, short of single payer." If the Affordable Care Act fails (which it clearly will because it's only more of the same), then either we "give up," or we "go to single payer." It's too bad that Jonathan Gruber was distracted by concerns about feasibility when he was assisting with the design of the Romney and Obama plans. The only plan that's really feasible is one that works - single payer.

My comment: "Market" health care amounts to mass murder for profit, which unfortunately doesn't bother the 85% of the population that accounts for only 15% of health care costs. Their opinions on how good their insurance is are roughly equivalent to their opinions about how good their fire extinguishers are--that is to say mostly worthless.

Markets are only good for providing more--which is a wonderful thing if you are talking about computer memory or iPod features. Fires, murders, pain and sickness--who the fuck wants more of those things? Market entities, that's who. Can't find it online, but I clipped a brief AP article from the Seattle Times of January 30, 2011

Fewer people suffered from swine flu in 2010 than in 2009, bad news for hospitals. Community Health Systems said admissions fell 3 percent in the third quarter of 2010 from a year earlier, for example. It said 1.2 percentage points of the drop wer due solely to fewer flu and respiratory illness patients. The industry is also getting fewer baby deliveries, as prospective parents wait out a weak economy. Still Oppenheimer is optimistica about hospital stocks, saying a strengthening economy will mean a pick-up in elective surgeries.

What kind of morally deranged sociopathic society thinks that less illness is bad news? One in which health care exists to extract profits from pain, suffering and death, apparently.

[CarmanK]

1. Of course, BUT THE DERANGED ROBERTS COURT believes in commerce!

I am concerned about Alito and Thomas. The are in obvious positions of conflict of interest. Perhaps this would be a chance for Roberts to redeem his pathetic soul and say as much. The court upholds the right of the fed to regulate commerce. I think the health care law would survive.

[CarmanK]

2. Of course, BUT THE DERANGED ROBERTS COURT believes in commerce!

I am concerned about Alito and Thomas. The are in obvious positions of conflict of interest. Perhaps this would be a chance for Roberts to redeem his pathetic soul and say as much. The court upholds the right of the fed to regulate commerce. I think the health care law would survive.

[CarmanK]

3. Of course, BUT THE DERANGED ROBERTS COURT believes in commerce!

I am concerned about Alito and Thomas. The are in obvious positions of conflict of interest. Perhaps this would be a chance for Roberts to redeem his pathetic soul and say as much. The court upholds the right of the fed to regulate commerce. I think the health care law would survive.

[CarmanK]

4. Of course, BUT THE DERANGED ROBERTS COURT believes in commerce!

I am concerned about Alito and Thomas. The are in obvious positions of conflict of interest. Perhaps this would be a chance for Roberts to redeem his pathetic soul and say as much. The court upholds the right of the fed to regulate commerce. I think the health care law would survive.

[CarmanK]

5. Of course, BUT THE DERANGED ROBERTS COURT believes in commerce!

I am concerned about Alito and Thomas. The are in obvious positions of conflict of interest. Perhaps this would be a chance for Roberts to redeem his pathetic soul and say as much. The court upholds the right of the fed to regulate commerce. I think the health care law would survive.

[kickysnana]

6. We told the DINOS not to approve extremists for the Court and now they are worried?

[MisterP]

7. that whole "the only way to care for the uninsurable is mandates" simply shows the utter bankruptcy

and corruption of the American public sphere

and "the President has spoken, He is the fount of all good" that was flying around was even more horrifying than when it was under Dubya

[eridani]

8. A mandate to pay taxes for a public good is something I can live with

A mandate to put mass murderers between me and my providers is quite another animal.