What I need from President Obama

i see what you mean, but what i was talking about is the quality of our doctors, facilities, machines and drugs. not so much about behavior.

The Congress and the country have been engaged in a vigorous debate for many months. And debate is good, because we have to get this right. But in every debate there comes a time to decide, a time to act. And Ohio, that time is now.

We've never been this close. We've never had such broad agreement on what needs to be done. And because we're so close to real reform, the special interests are doing what they always do-trying to scare the American people and preserve the status quo.

But I've got a question for them: What's your answer? What's your solution? The truth is, they don't have one. It's do nothing. And we know what that future looks like. Insurance companies raking in the profits while discriminating against people because of pre-existing conditions and denying or dropping coverage when you get sick. It means you're never negotiating about higher wages, because you're spending all your time just protecting the benefits you already have.

DontTreadOnMe wrote:

i see what you mean, but what i was talking about is the quality of our doctors, facilities, machines and drugs. not so much about behavior.

But you said that the health care system doesn't need reform,....but you didn't just say "we have high quality" you said we have no need for reform in the health care system. I disagree.

that's misrepresenting what i said.

what i said was "i can't remember if it was here or someplace else; but it was pointed out that it's not the healthcare system, but the health insurance system that needs reform. we have a lot of really good doctors (we could always use more good ones), the facilities are generally pretty good and most of the drugs seem to actually do something."

and then, following your comment, i said; "i see what you mean, but what i was talking about is the quality of our doctors, facilities, machines and drugs. not so much about behavior.

i thought i was quite clear in my opinion about doctors owning machines and ordering tests on those machines. i also said that i did not know how we could say they can't do that.

any thoughts on that ?

Giving insurance to everyone doesn't fix that the health care system itself is out of control and the costs are ballooning. Quality of doctors is a red herring, that just isn't related to the problem the country is trying to address.

you said "Quality of doctors is a red herring" but, remarking on the quality of doctors was also the smallest part of what i stated. and only in the first paragraph of my post. you're the one that keeps bringing it up.

for the third time i'll post this; " "access, affordability and the elimination of pre-existing turn downs are major aspects that need to be fixed. and i'm not a big stickler how that happens, just that it happens. "

and right after that i reiterated what i sought in a new program was "... i don't believe it is meant to, or should be the only thing available. just one piece of the pie. and the piece that will nourish you even if it doesn't taste as good. that's what it's for. baseline care for those who have absolutely nothing.

that's misrepresenting what i said.

and then, following your comment, i said; "i see what you mean, but what i was talking about is the quality of our doctors, facilities, machines and drugs. not so much about behavior.

i thought i was quite clear in my opinion about doctors owning machines and ordering tests on those machines. i also said that i did not know how we could say they can't do that.

any thoughts on that ?

you said "Quality of doctors is a red herring" but, remarking on the quality of doctors was also the smallest part of what i stated. and only in the first paragraph of my post. you're the one that keeps bringing it up.

What a day!!! We just got back from a great healthcare rally in Boston! Then someone sent me this from Obama's labor day speech today.

Snood! Tell me you aren't happy with this. Obama has still got it.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRVB4kq59Sw[/youtube]

Quote:

The Congress and the country have been engaged in a vigorous debate for many months. And debate is good, because we have to get this right. But in every debate there comes a time to decide, a time to act. And Ohio, that time is now.

We've never been this close. We've never had such broad agreement on what needs to be done. And because we're so close to real reform, the special interests are doing what they always do-trying to scare the American people and preserve the status quo.

But I've got a question for them: What's your answer? What's your solution? The truth is, they don't have one. It's do nothing. And we know what that future looks like. Insurance companies raking in the profits while discriminating against people because of pre-existing conditions and denying or dropping coverage when you get sick. It means you're never negotiating about higher wages, because you're spending all your time just protecting the benefits you already have.

I believe the evidence is that most people are more worried about the state of our economy and a fast growing national debt than they are about drastically reformed health care services

My strong impression from what I observe opponents have said and done is that they are concerned about our fast growing national debt; don't believe the vague assurances the president has offered them about protecting their privacy and control of their relations with insurers and medical providers; don't believe the vague promises that government will really control costs and entitlements, given its failure to do so on previous programs; do not trust the good intentions of the Congress to which the president has handed this ambitious program; and don't want that much government intervention in their lives.

That isn't too complex a task. Today Health Insurance providers are regulated by the 50 states, each doing its own thing with very little coordination among them - and very little standardazation required by the Federal government. The result is a multiplicity of corporate entities, each constrained to offer servises only in individual states. No surprise that the insurers take advantage of this situation to limit portability and deny coverage to potential high cost consumers to protect their rate bases. The Federal government could regulate and charter insurance companies, just as it does banks, and do so in a way that promotes portability and prevents dropping coverage when claims rise. If desired the government could subsidize the cost of basic policies that provide coverage for injuries, maternity and childhood & infectuous diseases, etc.

The government could also act more vigorously to eliminate some of the fraud that occurs in Medicare and Medicaid. To be fair this is likely a part of the President's plan.

None of this would require a complete overhaul of our health care system; forcibly insert government into the health care decisions and relationships of our citizens; or add hundreds of billions to our national debt..

I need to see less running off at the mouth and more production. I grew-up on the Chicago Machine, so everyone traipsing back into Washington after more than a month off saying that nothing has changed is an admission of failure to my ears. Politics is a combination of imposing will and the art of the possible, Obama has done neither since the bail out and stimulus battles.

If President Obama wants to pass a health reform bill, he shouldn't be giving a speech to Congress tomorrow. In fact, he shouldn't be giving any more speeches, period. From now until whenever, any time he had scheduled for speeches on health care should instead be spent meeting privately with Democratic holdouts to explain how very difficult their lives will be if they don't vote yes