Newsletters
Newsletter – February 28, 2010
Health Care Reform
I watched some of the seven hour Health Care Summit, reviewed articles in the Wall Street Journal and Orange County Register and watched TV reviews on Fox News and CNN. I do believe that Health Care Reform is needed, but what the President and the DEMS want to do is wrong because the timing and costs in today’s environment are wrong. It came across to me that there are clear differences between the parties. The major one is comprehensive (the DEMS terminology) versus incremental. To me hands down is to for incremental. Much of my reasoning is covered below in the lack of trust of the government.
Another clear cut is the DEMS want for more control of setting pricing and standards. Again I want it to be controlled by the market with some regulatory additions. This is the Republican position. And finally the costs for providing health care for everyone will drive the deficit and our country more quickly to oblivion. I believe the assumptions for cost estimates are naive but as provided by the DEMS, they allow the DEMS to say their program will reduce the budget deficit. Again the Republicans are beating on the cost which is rightfully so.
Our President as always displayed his arrogance right from the start when the Republicans stated the DEMS would have twice the time. It wasn’t so much him saying yes because he is in control and he makes the rules, but in the way he said it. By the way he took 119 minutes, just a little less than the Republicans combined, while the DEMS had over 200 minutes.
Once again Obama is at a loss without his teleprompter, stuttering on occasions. This was particularly true when John McCain asked him about the special deals. It was clear Obama was very uneasy and even testy, stuttering to come up with something meaningful which he didn’t. He of all people commented on the go round with McCain that the campaign is over. He is the one that acts like he is still campaigning.
Maybe it was included in the seven hours and I missed it, but there is a practical aspect that should be addressed. That is resources. The entrance to medical schools has gone down for general practitioners somewhat for the risk of malpractice practice suites. – Maybe tort dollars aren’t so big but the impact of having fewer doctors can be very big. And even during this past week a group of doctors said they will reject Medicare patients if the President goes forward with his plan to reduce Medicare payments to them.
And what was the impact on the people? It appears their anger will increase as a result of the DEMS positioning. As I said above, the timing and costs are key because the lack of trust of the government is going down. Look at the history that has happened during the activity on Health Care Reform. The Republicans have been shut out for 9 months or so – DEMS have held closed door meetings – Special deals like Nebraska having been offered to get votes – Specials deals to Union members and government workers are offered (Both these sectors are paid more than the private sector) regarding the so called Cadillac Plan – Special deals with the pharmaceutical industry. There is a complete lack by the DEMS for accepting what the majority of Americans want from them. This includes at the top of the list satisfaction with their health care program and the belief that the entire process should be started from scratch in Congress.
There is no doubt that many of us agree with the need for health care reform and individual items but what frightens us is the potential costs and the possibility the Government will run the program. Most Americans believe the spending of the government is out of control.
There is anger from people like myself because Obama is surrounding himself with people who believe in rationing services against the elderly. For the record after I reached age 65, I had numerous medical problems that I might have died from years ago, if it wasn’t for the advances in medial sciences. I believe I have been a very productive person since that age. There is a guy in the White House on Obama’s staff who believes – if we went to rationing, 20-30 years would have preference for medical care before me for decision making. – A 20 year old on drugs or part of a gang before me? WOW!