National health reform bills would exempt Hawaii

[ric]

quote:

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Originally posted by Devany

No it is not a matter of dollars, it is a matter of human compassion, that people can at least be able to buy affordable health insurance.

Aloha au i Hawai`i,
devany

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If it is really NOT a matter of dollars, then why not just spend your own $$ for a-la-carte services when you need them? OR is it just that it is not a matter of dollars when it is OTHER peoples $$ we are talking about?

Furthermore, lots of people who are against this bill still have 'compassion' for others, . . . although the bill's supporters think they have exclusivity in that area. But people also have responsibility to take care of their own family's existence, and as a civilized culture, it IS a matter of dollars. Do you have another suggestion on how to define property rights and commerce?

If it is really NOT about dollars, could I have your bank account number?

[808blogger]

Demand and sales for computers are higher than ever, There are more computers produced now than ever before. Same goes for pills medical equipment etc, In fact why is plastic surgery costs going down and profitable? could it possibly be that the current system is so entrenched already in govt regulation and govt money that there is no "competition" and its a rigged game. now bring in the govt 100% and quality is going to go down and costs will go through the roof.

The entire system of "health insurance" needs to be scrapped. because what we have is not "insurance" its more like a health maintance plan. free dentist, little copays at the doctor, etc.. individuals have no clue what the cost of transacting with their doctors is when they are using "insurance"

Bottom line is that the average man on the street does not need any more $$. he needs his $$ to buy more. Bidding for medical costs with govt money that is created out of debt can only lead to 1 possible conclusion.

quote:

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Originally posted by DickWilson

One reason computer are falling in cost is demand and sales. Medical equipment is very specialized and sales don't total in the multi-millions. Free enterprise in the health care field has resulted in people who were covered, but leave or lose their jobs being denied coverage because of "pre-existing conditions". Will a public option be a bureaucratic mess, probably. Is the existing health care system a nightmare, you bet. One reason health care is so expensive van be seen every time you turn on a tv and see a add for lipitor, viagra, or the like. But the drug companies maintain that the high cost is because of research costs, yah right. and they give those tv adds away.

dick wilson
"Nothing is idiot proof,because idiots are so ingenious!"

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[808blogger]

Great! I also dont understand when the government became "compassionate" in peoples view? I dont feel any compassion as I go through the TSA checkpoint at the airport. I dont feel any compassion when i wait on hold 2 hours to talk to the IRS. I dont feel any compassion when i have to go through a metal detector on a federal building. Infact as far as i can tell the us govt has the most guns of anyone... and likes to use them on people.

I love it, the government can actively kill people in Iraq and Afghanistan, and yet still be viewed as a compassionate benevolent organization that will stand by to help you?

huh? did i miss something? the us govt takes money and kills people...

quote:

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Originally posted by ric

Furthermore, lots of people who are against this bill still have 'compassion' for others, . . . although the bill's supporters think they have exclusivity in that area.

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[David M]

Clarification: Yes, I think the article and the health bill exemption only concern the part of the bill that requires Hawaiian Employers (with a certain number of employees) to provide insurance.

That said, I think this bill is far from excellent and far from reform.

Anybody here actually have a copy of the almost 2000 pages and read it?? I don't and haven't. Someone can post a link?

I have read much of the CBO document: http://www.cbo.gov/doc.cfm?index=9925

A sampling of CBO Healthcare Budget OPTIONS:
Raise the Age of Eligibility for Medicare to 67
Restrict Medigap Coverage of Medicare’s Cost Sharing
Levy an Excise Tax on Medigap Plans
Increase the Fraction of Beneficiaries Who Pay an Income-Related Premium for Part B of Medicare
Increase the Payroll Tax Rate for Medicare Hospital Insurance by 1 Percentage Point
Increase the Basic Premium for Medicare Part B to 35 Percent of the Program’s Costs
Increase Health Care Cost Sharing for Family Members of Active-Duty Military Personnel
Introduce Minimum Out-of-Pocket Requirements Under TRICARE For Life
Increase Medical Cost Sharing for Military Retirees Who Are Not Yet Eligible for Medicare
Disallow New Contributions to Health Savings Accounts
Increase the Payroll Tax Rate for Medicare Hospital Insurance by 1 Percentage Point
Expand Medicaid Eligibility...

Seems like a lot of cost shifting and benefit reduction from those that pay or paid to those that don't or wouldn't. NO, these OPTIONS aren't from the actual bill, but I fear many will find their way there..

David



Ninole Resident

[Bob Orts]

Try this:
http://docs.house.gov/rules/health/111_ahcaa.pdf

Note: don't fall into the negative talk about it being a 2,000 page bill. Once you see the actual bill, you will realize it's really only 60 or so typed pages. The way bills are formatted on paper, causes it to be almost 2,000 pages. But look yourself. DO NOT PRINT IT OUT, copy the bill to regualr spaced paper and save a tree or two []