Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << I don't know, but a not-for profit co-op which provides competition to private insurances, and is required to have financial capital reserves similar to the private market seems to be an idea worth discussing and considering. >> Where is this not-for-profit co-op going to come from? Are there organizations out there just waiting to create this insurance group out of the kindness of their hearts? It seems to me that these sort of insurance plans would be available already if there were parties interested in pursuing them. What's stopping not-for-profit co-ops from competing in the marketplace now?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo They exist in the UK, but they often need pump priming finance to start up and tax breaks to build and distribute the reserves in a different may to stimulate the market.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo The quality of care and value for money on support for children in young people in care was not satisfactory. So I and my team developed an outcomes based contracting model - financially sustainability model, the legal delegatable activities and terms of agreement, the monitoring and quality assurance processes etc. This was done in consultation with over 600 stake holder organisations over a 9 month period. Simultaniously we built the market demands and expectations and agreed financial profiling for each of the different organisation types. And although we could do our own monitoring of the pilot, it was essential to appoint non partisan evaluators, so we commissioned a partnership between a University and an international audit firm. The bill became a law last October, and the pilots will go live this October. It will be a three year evaluation with 7 Local Authorities (was to be 9, but two were seen as too great a risk to use people as guinea pigs). Dependent on the results, we can extend the pilot for a further 2 years before a final decision is made by government. It is a world first as far as we are aware, and could be a model for private/3rd sector/public sector partnerships. I was very honoured to direct the first part of the process, and I really think it can do well. I hope it does. But unless we try new things, how will we make a difference?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I understand one of the academics on our team has been advising the Obama administration on the models. He is one of the foremost experts in the world and was invaluable for my project. If you are interested, here is the Prospectus we put together: <a href="http://publications.teachernet.gov.uk/eOrderingDownload/DCSF-00389-2008.pdf" target="_blank">http://publications.teachernet...2008.pdf</a>
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt Isn't it obvious by now that the real target of those who oppose health care reform is Obama, not the the plan itself? I wouldn't be surprised if many, if not most, of the protesters are even vaguely familiar with what is being proposed.
Originally Posted By HRM I agree that many of the protesters may not be familiar with the details of what is proposed, but don't confuse this with not being concerned with government control of Healthcare. Speaking for myself... I'm not thrilled with most of the public beauracracy that I've had to deal with when trying to get things done. Government has not shown me that me that it can operate efficiently without public oversight. On the other hand, an industry where private insurance companies figure out how to increase profits by refusing coverage, (ok, an oversimplification), isn't in the best interests of comprehensive healthcare either. I guess a large part of the debate is who do you trust to represent your interests.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "I agree that many of the protesters may not be familiar with the details of what is proposed, but don't confuse this with not being concerned with government control of Healthcare." You do know that Obama is not proposing that the government take control of health care, right?
Originally Posted By HRM Yes, I do... His initial stance involved a public option. A choice for an individual, similar to the option that he and members in Congress now enjoy. If I'm happy with my current provider, I can keep it. However, if I'm not mistaken (and I might be) the healthcare reform package will set guidelines for deciding coverage of care; guidelines overseen by a public agency, not decided as now occurs in the private sector. Although the private sector has shown itself to be inadequate in this regard by denying or dropping coverage, you just have to wonder what the government would do. Having just spent the better part of two years dealing with Medicare for my parents. OMG!
Originally Posted By ecdc <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/17/man-carrying-semi-automat_n_261279.html" target="_blank">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...279.html</a> While everyone's busy being outraged at my comments that the Republican party is full of racist fools, another guy showed up to a town hall where Obama was speaking with a couple of guns. And of course, I actually haven't heard any reasonable response to my claim, beyond a load of outrage. I will clarify and say what I've always said: I don't think every Republican is a fool or a racist. But I think the party is controlled by fools and racists, and they are clearly deferential to them. If you have evidence to the contrary, William and Josh, I'm all ears. If you can point where Republican leaders have denounced these things in no uncertain terms and said it has no place in the Republican party, then I'll gladly admit my error. But from everything I can see, the Republican party is subtly and not-so-subtly encouraging this kind of behavior, because as Hans so accurately said, it's not about healthcare, it's about bringing down Obama.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***"A pathetic party of racists, bigots, and ignorant fools." ecdc, you have been misled by the darkside.*** Putting aside the irony for now, are you really claiming that the Republicans have not been putting on display a great deal of racism and bigotry recently? If "yes", are you saying none at all?
Originally Posted By mawnck >>I'm not thrilled with most of the public beauracracy that I've had to deal with when trying to get things done.<< Aha, but do you not realize the selective nature of this complaint? Yes, you remember times that some Government entity frustrated the hell out of you with their inefficiency or rudeness or whatever. But how about the thousands of times you dealt with the government and it went smoothly? Think back over the past week and I bet you can come up with dozens, maybe even hundreds of examples. But those aren't what you remember because you take them for granted.
Originally Posted By EighthDwarf Question for the Obama health plan supporters here: are you completely satisfied with what's being proposed? Do you think is the solution we've been looking for? I agree the Republicans should be ashamed of the behavior they are demonstrating in their opposition to the bill. But I am also concerned that Dems are supporting the plan simply because it's their plan. It is entirely possible that this plan is not the right plan but the passionate rhetoric on both sides is rendering a healthy debate impossible.
Originally Posted By Mr X All I can come up with is a soup analogy ED...it has been watered down to a weak broth at this point. Perhaps it will still sustain, but it's hardly ideal. I fear that when they're done with it it'll be nothing more than lukewarm water, which they might as well throw out (but they won't).
Originally Posted By mawnck What X said. It's not very good, except that it beats the heck out of the status quo. If there are any Repubs who still remember how to form sentences, I'd love to see a viable alternative plan. So far, the only plan they've presented is the one Will Rogers described back during Depression I (which bears an alarming resemblance to Obama's financial policies): "Come on in and get it, boys. We ain't looking."
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I do not think this bill is perfect, and I do not think it goes far enough. But I do see it as positive for: a) Opening the debate b) shaking up a broken system c) Setting a path in the right direction Those are worthy of support. Bills can be enhanced and amended, and frequently are. Therefore I would rather see this pass than fail. It's not about who's bill it is for me, but what is right for humanity. And I think this is one of many steps on our journey.
Originally Posted By utahjosh " are you really claiming that the Republicans have not been putting on display a great deal of racism and bigotry recently?" A few have. The great majority hasn't. From reading these boards you'd think anyone who claims to follow Christ is a gun-toting maniac racist.
Originally Posted By Hans Reinhardt "Do you think is the solution we've been looking for?" No. I want universal health care.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***" are you really claiming that the Republicans have not been putting on display a great deal of racism and bigotry recently?" A few have. The great majority hasn't.*** I'm talking about the leaders, Josh. It's a lot more than a few (convenient for you to say though, ain't it?).
