HEALTH CARE AS EXPLAINED BY A NOBEL-PRIZE WINNER

Yeah Tim... both sides have some good arguments - that's why I'm glad to not be a politician who has to make the hard choices.

Government REFORM of health care - YES, it's needed.

Government TAKEOVER of health care - NO, should be avoided.

If the gov takes over... in time, the private competitors will not be able to compete (except for their customers who are rich), and the majority of us will be stuck with overall lower quality care, and potential conflicts made by the gov as to what health care we should be entitled too, and of course "how soon" we get that care.

For instance, you may think you should get a certain treatment (or medicine, etc), based on your health history and condition. Well, the gov-run health care may not agree... and then what will you do? Travel to Canada?

I feel our leaders in Washington should make the changes slowly and constructively, so that potential errors can be realized/noticed and solved, and avoid the radical takeover/change that is being proposed by the White House (a massive bill so large that no person has really read about all of the gov-mandated changes - shocking!)

It surprises me that those on the left complain about the invasiveness of past Rep presidents, but just turn away and accept the constant strong-arming being done by Obama's policies... incredible. And just how many "czars" will Obama end up appointing over his 4 years? (and I hope it's only 4 years before we get somebody more moderate in the WH).

-JOE- (Love Hendrix!)

Have we not realized that NOTHING is free and that we actually have to work hard to get things done?

Right now a coworker is feeling sick, doesn't have insurance yet, has no money, and the only thing he can do is go home and rest. Let's not talk about me at all.

At least what most people here in South Texas do is cross the border to get affordable health care. If you have insurance here in the US and go to a doctor or hospital, you have to pay money. If you go to Mexico you still have to pay, but a bit less. There is never a situation where you might feel a bit better because your health care costs would be taken care of.

This is a BIG issue that needs time to be taken care of, not a few weeks and paperwork that nobody reads. This thing will involve EVERYBODY, because in a way or another, we'll be linked to it, whether it's me who's receiving benefits, or is me who is paying the taxes.

I pity the fools who start arguing about the 'politics' of it, the ones who start arguing that this is too democrat, or too republican, or nothing at all. What is it going to take for most of us to realize that we need to help each other, and this is one of the biggest steps to bring this country back to the top?

I agree it does need to happen sooner than later. It's been in need of change for far too long, so I'm not siding with the excuse that Washington is moving too fast - it's been 50yrs overdue, how much slower can it get?

I'll agree that we should be leery of "government takeover", but the WH has said countless times that this is not a takeover of the health care industry. The gov. is just covering the costs when you "chose" their option. There will be no interference of gov. when it comes to you and your doctor. If anything, the gov. is protecting your rights and confidentiality between you and your doctor.

Ok, so this brings up the argument, "what is the government willing to cover and not cover?" So far, Washington has said they will cover just about anything under the sun with the public option. However, why do we jump down the governments throat about what they will not cover or provide when private industry is already doing that exact thing to us now!? In other words, what's the difference?

What's sad is when you are someone sick without health insurance, you want help right now! You don't care what political stance or soapbox someone else is standing on, all you know is you want meds to feel better! If anything, non-insured people are angry this has been dragging on for decades with no solutions. In the meantime, some fat health insurance CEO took home 17-million on the behalf of the citizens of this country. And there are people worried about "government takeover" when the common health of our nation is taken over by private industry.

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[Post edited by Tim Raynor on Aug 18, 2009 - CDT 10:20 AM]

^Those are very good arguments Tim! (I agree)

And the hospitals are marking up their costs to the extreme so they can soak the insurance companies... of course, they will argue they don't get paid by many who visit the ER (unpaid bills), but how many people can even pay these sky high bills without insurance coverage? It's a revolving nightmare/circle.

And I'm sure the companies are going to make a profit regardless of the health care reform rules that pass... they've got lobbyists working Washington.

Reform regulations for health care needs to be done fairly, moderately, carefully, fiscally sound, and with protections to guard against fraud etc. But to have the government "be" ultimately responsible for seeing everything runs smoothly is scary. I'm worried no matter how it turns out.

-JOE- (Love Hendrix!)

Everything that gets messed up can be fixed we can always not offer the service anymore, we can always raise taxes, we can do a lot of things...

...except OUR HEALTH. We can fix money matters, but we can't fix our health once it's gone to the drain. So again, take the time for this plan, don't just let the 'aides' type in words.