Originally Posted By gadzuux <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/08/25/MNKQ19D32V.DTL" target="_blank">http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/...D32V.DTL</a> GOP cites cost to seniors in health care reform Tuesday, August 25, 2009 >> Republicans have announced a Seniors' Health Bill of Rights, a set of principles the party says are important to ensure that any health care reform "be fully paid for, but not funded on the backs of our nation's senior citizens." "As the president frequently, and correctly, points out, Medicare will go deep into the red in less than a decade," wrote Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, in an essay published Monday in the Washington Post. "But he and congressional Democrats are planning to raid, not aid, Medicare by cutting $500 billion from the program to fund his health care experiment." The Republicans want to outlaw any attempt to ration care based on age, and prevent the government from dictating end-of-life care. Firing back, the Democratic National Committee accused Republicans of using "this feigned interest in Medicare" to scare seniors for the purpose of shooting down reform to gain political advantage. The AARP, which has yet to take a stand on any of the health reform plans being debated in Congress, released a statement Monday saying nothing in the proposals "would bring about the scenarios the RNC is concerned about." Despite assurances by President Obama that Medicare benefits would not be cut, seniors have been showing up in droves at town hall meetings upset about the potential impact of the proposed cuts on their care. "Anytime the government gets involved in financing of health care, they control it with micro managing, and we end up with long lines and rationing. That's what happens in other countries and that's what would happen in our country," said Dr. Donald Palmisano, spokesman for the conservative Coalition to Protect Patients' Rights. But supporters say words like "rationing" are used only to strike fear in the hearts of Medicare beneficiaries and derail the reform effort. Already, controversy over government involvement in end-of-life decisions has all but scrapped a plan for Medicare to pay doctors to consult with patients about their options, including palliative care and advanced directives. "The so-called cuts to Medicare are really cost savings and efficiencies that many providers have already agreed to do as part of health reform," said Joe Baker, president of the Medicare Rights Center, referring a pledge by the hospital trade association to trim payments by about $155 billion over 10 years if health reform passes. "They know if we get all of Americans insured under this plan, their bottom lines will be improved." << So what have we here? Scare tactics and fear mongering and misleading on the part of the GOP. Is any of this founded in reality? No, it isn't - it's made up from whole GOP cloth to scare seniors into voting against their own best interests. Is there no low that the GOP will not stoop to? First - the name - the "Senior's Health Bill of Rights". Sounds positively constitutional, doesn't it? It's a ruse. As anyone who's been paying attention should know, we all have the same rights - ostensibly anyway. There are no "special rights" for seniors or anyone else. So right from the git-go this is being misrepresented by the republican leadership. There is no "bill", if there was it would never make it to the floor for a vote, and seniors have the same rights as you me and every other american. As it should be. The GOP is counting on general ignorance here, and there's there's no lack of that in the republican party. Second - absolutely nothing that they claim is true. Big surprise. There are no laws that "ration" health care based on age. There is no government involvement in 'end-of-life' care. As an aside, republicans have absolutely NO SHAME in pitching this after their appalling display during the Terry Schaivo episode. Maybe they're hoping we don't remember. The AARP, who the republicans deliberately exploited recently with outright lies - saying they opposed health reform legislation (they don't) - says "nothing in the proposals would bring about the scenarios the RNC is concerned about." Third - since when is the republican party the champion of Medicare? It was originally created against unanimous opposition of republicans - now you'd think they invented it. What we have is a disingenuous op-ed piece masquerading as an amendment to the constitution when it's actually just a hack job of lies and scare tactics. And once again, republicans should be ashamed of their own party. But of course they're not.
Originally Posted By ecdc Thanks for the info, gadzuux. It's amazing, isn't it? Frankly, I think I've used up all my outrage for August. I may have to wait 'til September 1st before I can get upset about this.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt Disgusting. How about the Congresswoman who is asking her constituents to pray that the health care reform bill doesn't pass: <a href="http://minnesotaindependent.com/42612/bachmann-prayer-and-fasting-will-help-defeat-health-care-reform" target="_blank">http://minnesotaindependent.co...e-reform</a> She's asking God to prevent people from getting affordable health insurance? Wow.
Originally Posted By SuperDry ^^^ How did I know even before clicking on the link that the Member of Congress involved was Michele Bachmann? <<< She's asking God to prevent people from getting affordable health insurance? Wow. >>> That's just what Jesus would have wanted.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <"Anytime the government gets involved in financing of health care, they control it with micro managing, and we end up with long lines and rationing. That's what happens in other countries and that's what would happen in our country," said Dr. Donald Palmisano, spokesman for the conservative Coalition to Protect Patients' Rights. > Examine that for just a second (that's all it takes before it completely falls apart). The government already IS involved in financing health care. Newsflash: it's called Medicare. And it is not micro-managed, nor does it involve long lines and rationing. And yes, it's government-financed health care. And, of course, the "long lines and rationing" he warns about in other countries is largely bogus as well; most citizens of Canada, France, UK, Germany, Japan, et al, would never give up their current system in exchange for ours. And their health outcomes show why. But forget about that for a minute. I read this guy's statement and it amazed me that anyone would give this guy or his group any sort of serious regard. Hello?? Medicare IS "government involved in the financing of health care."
Originally Posted By Mr X ***And, of course, the "long lines and rationing" he warns about in other countries is largely bogus as well; most citizens of Canada, France, UK, Germany, Japan, et al, would never give up their current system in exchange for ours. And their health outcomes show why.*** I can only speak for Japan, but as far as that is concerned there aren't so many "long lines"...for one thing, most of the care is dispensed through small, local clinics (if you show up on a busy day, sure there might be many in front of you and you might have to wait 50-70 minutes or so...but you can avoid this by showing up just prior to opening and your wait will seldom exceed 5 minutes...how does that compare to the U.S. "appointment" system). As for E.R. care, I honestly can't say since most Japanese (and myself) have little need for urgent care and, knock on wood, I've never needed any. But I would imagine it's far LESS congested than in America, since everyone uses clinics (and Japanese people see a doctor on average 5x more than Americans, or so I read). So, in conclusion, Japanese medical care is okay. It's the American stuff that sucks.
Originally Posted By Mr X p.s. I'm tempted to show up to urgent care just to see what it's like...but I couldn't bring myself to disrupt the system like that for no good reason... If, however, I suffer some traumatic injury or a heart attack or something, I'll be sure to let everyone know how that goes, assuming I don't die in the process. ;p
Originally Posted By mawnck >>If, however, I suffer some traumatic injury or a heart attack or something, I'll be sure to let everyone know how that goes, assuming I don't die in the process.<< AHAAAA!! See? X knows that if he gets a traumatic injury in Japan, he's GOING TO DIE! Proof that American health care is infinitely superior. And our Chryslers are better than their Toyotas too.
Originally Posted By Mr X Well, sure. I'm certain some WOULD consider such a thing as "proof", but statistically speaking I'll take my chances here. America sends people to an early grave far faster than does Japan (and about 40 other countries). That's some serious food for thought for the thoughtful, anyway.
Originally Posted By mawnck Mr X - the sarcasm police have requested that you recalibrate your sarcastometer. It's giving false negatives.
Originally Posted By gadzuux There seems to be two parallel arguments used by opponents of the 'public option' - that government is too incompetent to run a health care program - and that private insurance can't compete with the ever efficient government program. Sometimes you'll even see both arguments made by the same person at the same time.
Originally Posted By fkurucz If the private insurance companies can't compete, doesn't it stand to reason then that they should go out of business?
