Key Senator Rolls Out Sweeping Universal Health Care Plan

Two of the Senate's most influential leaders are working separately behind the scenes on legislation that would dramatically alter the way Americans get health care, hoping their early efforts -- including the release today of a position paper -- will push President-elect Barack Obama to move rapidly on the issue and spare the incoming administration some of the missteps that killed Bill Clinton's health reform initiative in 1994.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) is unveiling a 104-page blueprint today that serves as the opening move in a fierce competition in the Senate to frame the debate. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), who is battling a life-threatening brain cancer, has directed aides over the past several months to convene negotiating sessions with a diverse group of stakeholders, including physicians, patient advocates, small-business owners and insurers. He intends to have legislation drafted by Inauguration Day.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[MDCambridge]

Waste of Time:
With medicine treated as a supply-and-demand business, costs will always be pushed to the consumer (insurance) followed by medicine controlling the supply side of the equation; fear of losing will be used by the AMA lobbyists to keep congress from change. Things will get better in the short run and slowly return to minimal healthcare for maximal per capita outlay.

Medicine is not just another free-market business, yet medicine is one of very few businesses that can increase the bottom line by simply increasing costs to the consumer; demand does not go down (unless it's elective medicine). Given the AMA to orchestrate across-the-board cost shifts, it is next to impossible for the consumer to shop around. The only caveat is that prices cannot be raised so fast as to cause a rebellion (what's happening now). (Look for medicine to make short-term concessions to lessen the pain and maintain their irresponsible control.)

Health should not be treated as a demand that can be marginalized by supply-side economics. When total healthcare expenditures as a share of the GDP in the US is higher (15%) than any other country even WITHOUT socialized medicine, you have a self-centered medical community that takes no responsibility for the rising costs; everyone takes what they can.

It is a monopoly. There is a simple rule for monopolies in a capitalistic society: if it behaves, leave it alone; if it doesn't, control it.

[darthdarcy]

I got a plan Senator, give us the same Health Care Plan, you have...

How's that for a plan..?

[Haditup2here]

. . . or better yet employ single payer health care. I read information regarding single payer health
care and it is not the detrimental health plan that Hillary Clinton made it out to be. In fact, it seems like the IDEAL system to move towards. It cuts out a lot of the overhead cost and advertising cost that is employed in many health insurance companies while maintaining a standardize way of keeping records. I think the only reason why Hillary Clinton and others have argued against it is because and keeps out many of the lobbyists and those working for the current health insurance companies.

I read the article and I think the fact that many (including Kay) want to still move forward in taxing benefits is B.S. I am paying at least $124.00 per month through my paycheck and I have only gone to one appointment for a standard check-up and still had to pay money out of pocket for some blood work. As for preventative care, I don't see anything about wellness programs or alternative medicine. Its seems like they are trying to employ a caste system when it comes to health care.

[DavidATolucaLake]

If long lines are the reason we cant have national healthcare, should we not eliminate other events that require a wait in line;
Sporting events
Concerts
Airline travel
Amusement parks
Attending a University, registering/purchasing books
Unemployment assistance
Social Security
Voting

If waiting in line is the hurdle denying Americans health care, that is a WEAK arguement.

[chirps]

Good one. I never heard that argument before, but it's right on.

[DavidATolucaLake]

I love that arguement. My mom lives in Germany, they dont wait in line.

AND, would it be better to NOT treat people or have them wait in a line???
Im sure if you asked those without healthcare, who you like to go untreated or wait in a line to be seen? Im guessing they would prefer to receive treatment.

Does waiting in line stop you from;
attending a sporting event?
using the airport?
attending a concert or play?
registering or purchasing books at a Univeristy??


The standing in line arguement is so banal its become tiresome.

[chirps]

Please STOP! You're making sense.

[bj1000]

I am all for universal care but mandates should be illegal..they are unamerican...

we don't have mandated police care...it is paid for by property taxes..if you have no property ..you don't pay for it...possibly indirectly...though prices etc...but you don't pay as an individual, carry a card etc

its using the government enforcement by penalty of law to buy something ...anything

now how to get to universal care...first start with whats doable....start with children...all should be covered and service at a set rate by the government...insurance to business with be forced to reduce rates...pharma rates would be set by the gov...surgical etc...

the government would set a basic care package for adult care and negotiate the costs..cut out the insurance companies if need be...limit doctors salaries for student loans and government benefits...cut out overhead at hospitals...scandalous surgical rates...$10,000 for an out patient hernia operation...3500 for a colonoscopy...crazy....until you force the costs down...little will change.

[ProudLiberalDan]

Mandates are not unAmerican. We are mandated to file tax returns. We are mandated to get auto insurance to drive a car. We are mandated to attend school until a certain age.

If Congress passes a universal bill that includes a mandate, I believe Obama will and should sign it.

[cqyates]

Just wanted to add one great little point to this awesome debate. Governments with universal health care have a fundamental financial stake in the health of the people. In Europe PBAs (bad stuff in plastics) are banned. Worldwide companies send us the products that don't pass the test for Europe. If we had universal health care it would mean less pollution, less harmful chemicals in our kid's toys and much much more.

[SunshineDaydream]

not only that, how about the food that we eat? i have read that the milk most american's drink would not pass regulations in the rest of the world.

[Zeje]

Yes, I have many friends in Europe and Canada who worry about what they will eat if they come to the US for a visit. Europeans won't stand for the chemicals in their food. Maybe that is why incidence of cancer is lower in Europe and Canada -- and reaching epidemic proportions in the USA

[PT6]

Great Points! Both of you!

[Jenababy]

One of the more interesting things about Obamas plan, is the computerized patient medical data system. Granted you will have far less paperwork to contend with, and no matter where you go your medical information will be at hand, via the national medical data system.

This type of system, has been met with resistance, by the medical community for many years. The fear is that there is no guarantee of total medical privacy. They voice their concerns that data, that can be shared via the net , might become vulnerable to unscrupulous people. They are concerned, that future employers might be able to access that information, and possibly make hiring decisions based on past or present medical problems.

As it stands now your personal medical information is protected from outsiders. I hope they take great care with this, or it could become a real personal privacy problem.

[victoria]

Computerized patient medical data could be a real problem because of privacy issues. Why does it have to be done this way? Is it really absolutely necessary?

[BatedBreath]

Too bad Baucus couldn't work with Kennedy to make it happen.

[SunshineDaydream]

too bad they both couldn't work with kucinich

[bj1000]

mandated healthcare isn't at all like auto insurance...you can choose not to drive..and you don't have to buy auto insurance.

with mandated health care every one pays....you can not choose not to live,...

to carry the analogy to car insurance...then we all should have to buy auto insurance...drivers and not drivers alike....children, people without licences.. because we all benefit from the use of autos..

sounds crazy...because it it...as is mandated healthcare.

[BlueOnBlue]

Mandated health care is a good idea, as is mandated police protection. When it's a matter of life and death, everyone should get the protection.

Now, you may have a point about mandated health INSURANCE. This is something nobody needs. The outcome from mixing insurance with health care has been disastrous, as the insurance companies focus on denial of health care to maximize profits and doctors and hospitals focus on end-of-life treatment (which pays big time) instead of actual health care, provided by underpaid family physicians.

[SunshineDaydream]

you can not choose not to live

ummm, yes you can - we have a word for it and everything.

now onto your other point - what is your problem with everyone in this country receiving medical treatment when they need it? what is your problem with saviing our country billions through preventative care? if we all benefit from universal, not for profit health care - then what is the problem?

[PT6]

I think you will find that Healthcare will go through a dramatic change in the coming years! It has grown much like the Financial industry to be FAR OUT OF BALANCE due to lack of Regulations!

Expensive $1,300,000 MRI units were allowed to proliferate with deregulation! In a single community of 100,000 people there can be 50 to 100 units as Doctors and others see a chance for big revenues! That means low utilization and therefore extremely high costs per EXAM.

With Re-Regulation that cost can gradually be brought down!

If we do not reduce the burden of Healthcare on our Economy the consequences are Government and Citizen Bankruptcies as we are already seeing!

[bj1000]

This is another scam backed by the doctors..AMA, the hospitals and insurance companies..

the problem is not need..it is cost..

mandated health care is forcing you to buy something you have no control over the cost of. It is stealing your freedom ..it will be the first time the government forces you to buy something because you are alive..you have no choice..it is unamerican and undemocratic..

send me to jail first.

[SunshineDaydream]

good luck when you get pulled over without auto insurance

[BlueOnBlue]

We'll tell the police and fire departments to ignore you, too. You wouldn't want their mandated protection, I'm sure.

[SunshineDaydream]

hmmm, interesting, blue. so true.

[Zeje]

And you don't want mandated education either. At this rate, our children will have to go out and work to help us pay for a quart of milk.

[ProudLiberalDan]

No sympathy.

Mandates are not unAmerican.

We are mandated to pay taxes.

We are mandated to attend school until a certain age.

Men are mandated to register for selective service.

We are mandated to drive on the right side of the road.

There needs to be affordable alternatives, but a mandate in itself is neither unAmerican nor undemocratic just because it is a mandate.

[berryessence]

If we are able to to reduce Healthcare by 20% before going fullly universal.... it would jumpstart the economy.

If we also decrease the pharmaceutical stronghold on medicare/medicaid..... if you earn a paycheck...you can see about $43 extra a month!

[Zeje]

There is a reason why US pays more for health care than any other country --- insurance companies, the middle men. Cut out the middle men (paid to prevent access) and our health care costs would be drastically reduced.

[Bluebayou101]

I look forward to a national dialogue about what to do with health care.

Here's an interesting read about how various people around the world discuss their health care systems and respond to the question, "Does universal care mean socialized medicine?":

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundtheworld/themes/socialized.html

[SunshineDaydream]

you are not, rollingdivision - and you know it. besides, why are you okay with giving your life and death decisions to corporations whose only concern is profiting off of you?

[killmenow]

Next time you want to reply to a comment, hit "Reply" underneath that comment so that readers know which comment you are referring to.

[SunshineDaydream]

sorry, dude - but i don't reply to everyone's comments. not when there is a chance they are getting paid for their responses. you, however, are free to do as you please - i expect the same respect.

[Chlowina]

Excellent Answer!!!

[SunshineDaydream]

thanks, chlowina. how people fall for the gop's scare tactics and talking points is beyond me.

[dizmo4]

The Health Care issue scares me. If Obama moves too fast , the US could end up with a bad system that would be scrapped as soon as republicans won the white house again. A bad Universal Healthcare is in may ways worse than no universal health care. A bad system would absolutely destroy any prospects of universal health care for at least a generation. With no universal health care, there's support for universal health care in theory.

COnversely, if Obama doesn't move fast enough, he'll lose momentum and won't be able to get something controversial like this passed. He'll need republican support, I think about 70 Senators is the minimum for something like this to pass and effective and long lasting -- it can't be seen as just the Democratic Health Care plan.

I think Obama has about 6-9 months to get it passes before the honey moon is over. I hope that that is enough time to work out a good plan and get broad support.

[andyg]

The honeymoon, will be over when he makes a mistake and media, will have to start doing their job, if they ignore it, the right wing media will own them.

[SunshineDaydream]

the right wing media?

[thepoliticalcat]

As the man has said before (and will probably say again): "We will move with all deliberate haste." I don't think a perfectionist like him will settle for something slipshod. We can do our part by ensuring that the Republicans stay in the minority for at least the next eight years, preferably the next 20.