MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell gets deserved kudos for nailing a Republican Congressman who opposes healthcare reform for the obvious unspoken reason: the Republicans do NOT want to give Obama any major victories that promise continued popularity with ordinary voters and taxpayers. In their wildest dreams the Republicans cannot imagine people hating healthcare that is no longer only for the rich and the well-employed, courtesy of the insurance industry.
Of course, Republican office-holders cannot aid the spread of Medicare-like coverage. It would become entrenched, assumed, effective and popular (like social security) and it would always bear Obama's name, not the Republican Party. That would insure further Democratic election success. This is not about what's good for the public or the country, this is about a cynical, power-grabbing party trying to get back in control anyway they can without necessarily going to prison. The damage done to nation and humans matters little.
The next set of questions for O'Donnell or another honest interviewer to ask the next Congressional Hypo-Republicrite: Why don't you reject your own personal government-funded platinum healthcare package and buy on the free market? Why doesn't your dedicated free market loving staff reject THEIR fancy government paid healthcare coverage? Have you suggested that Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich reject any government health benefits they are getting? Maybe Karl Rove and Dick Cheney should stand up for what's right and give up their continuing health benefits as former administration officials. Do you think any private insurance company would cover Cheney with his medical history of cardiac problems?
WAKE UP, AMERICA. The end result is going to be an even bigger giveaway to the Corporate Healthcare Masters.
We live under a Single Party System (both bought and paid for by corporate money). Until third parties get some power, we are doomed to more farce like this health care boondoggle.
****$1.833 Trillion over 10 years to support no Health Care Reform*****
In 2008 the costs for the 47 million uninsured was $87.4 Billion or $1, 860 per person.
The 47 Million uninsured spent over $30 Billion out of pocket in cash for Medical Services.
The Federal Government spent $25.6 Billion.
States spent $17.2 Billion
Charities spent $14.5
Between 1998 and 2008 the increase in the number of uninsured was about 8 Million people.
The increase in health care costs is approximately 6.5% per year.
If you project consistent increases out for ten years (8 million more Uninsured between 2008 and 2018, and 6.5% cost increase per year for the next 10 years).
That would give us 55 Million Uninsured in 2018 (extremely conservative projection) at a cost of $3.940 per person.
In 2018 the Federal Government would be expected to spend $56.2 Billion
In 2018 States would be expected to spend $37.8 Billion
In 2018 Charities would have to find $31.9 Billion
And it would be expected that the Uninsured would spend $65.9 Billion out of pocket.
The total cost for the Uninsured over the next 10 years would be $1.4 Trillion.
The Federal Government would be expected to spend $405.6 Billion
State Governments would be expected to spend $273 Billion.
$405.6 Billion+$273 Billion = $678.6 in Taxpayer monies will be spent for the Uninsured over the next 10 years.
Medical bad debt (not part of the uninsured) in 2007 was 25.4 Billion of non collectible money, an increase of 9.5% over 2006.
Project that out with a 9.5% increase each year for the next ten years and you have a total of nearly $433 Billion of bad debt. (Bad debt is of course recovered by increasing the cost of service to those who pay).
$1.4 Trillion + $433 Billion = $1.833 Trillion to support no Health Care Reform.
Sources:
Costs for the Uninsured - The Uninsured: A Primer (2008) - Kaiser Foundation http://www.kff.org/uninsured/upload/7451-04.pdf
Health care bad debt (6/09)
http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20090608/REG/90605999
single payer
it's
HEALTH CARE INSURANCE
repeat
HEALTH CARE INSURANCE
repeat
HEALTH CARE INSURANCE
When the poor get Medicaid, its not INSURANCE. its "coverage"...
Second great story: Dems in MO wanted to run an billboard ad about R Blunt (R-MO) receipt of $0.5M in campaign contributions from Insurance companies, but won't support Healthcare. Local sales rep. denied the billboard, but the corporate headquarters for Lamar Advertising told local guys to grow up, it was an accurate ad and the bill board will go up!