The Consequences Of Failure

[babylonsister]

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_02/022398.php

THE CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE.... Frequently, when the political world ponders the consequences of health care reform's possible demise, talk centers around electoral considerations. If reform fails, Democrats would look incompetent, the party's base would feel demoralized, President Obama would suffer a devastating setback, policymakers will fear further efforts for at least 20 years, etc.

But health care is not principally about parties or electoral consequences; it's about a failing system that costs too much, covers too few, and keeps getting worse. The AP's Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar has a good piece today outlining exactly what would happen to the existing American health care system if Democratic policymakers come up short this year.

{T}here's no doubting the consequences if lawmakers fail to address the problems of costs, coverage and quality: surging insurance premiums, more working families without coverage, bigger out-of-pocket bills, a Medicare prescription gap that grows wider and deeper, and government programs that pay when people get sick but do little to keep them healthy.

The AP piece takes a closer look at the consequences for a variety of key groups.

* Seniors: If the AARP-backed health care reform bill fails, older people will miss out on a chance to eliminate co-payments on preventive care. Even more importantly, the "doughnut hole" prescription coverage gap will get worse unless the Democratic plan becomes law.

* Workers: If health care reform fails, more Americans will go without the coverage they need, more families will face costlier bills if they get sick, and co-payments and deductibles will become even more costly. The total number of uninsured Americans will grow to 54 million people before the end of the decade.

* Those with health problems: If health care reform fails, Americans with pre-existing conditions will continue to struggle with either no coverage or coverage they can't afford. Rescissions will also continue, leaving families with no insurance when they need it most. Those in their 50s and 60s should expect to pay premiums up to seven times higher than those in their 20s. Younger people who would be able to stay on their parents' insurance if the Democratic plan becomes law would run the risk of getting left out.

* Employers: If health care reform fails, big employers will continue to pass on higher costs to their employees in the form of higher premiums and co-payments. Small employers will continue to drop coverage altogether.

This isn't some fanciful nightmare -- this is what has been unfolding for years after conservatives killed the last real effort to reform the dysfunctional system. The point is, the existing problems that everyone already hates will just keep getting worse, and everyone at every level of the debate knows it.

It's a good time, then, to remind policymakers that for all of our sakes, they really need to pass ... the ... damn ... bill.

—Steve Benen

[MannyGoldstein]

1. It's Like Trying To Get A Dog to Do Math

Getting things done is just not in their DNA.

For better or worse, seems like we'll have lots of new policymakers over the next few years, thanks to Dean's law:

"We all voted for change we can believe in. If we don't get it, we'll get some more change in 2010,"

[babylonsister]

2. What's your solution for getting rethugs to vote in the best

interests of their constituents? I'm all ears.

[MannyGoldstein]

5. Have A Simple Bill That Their Constituents Badly Want

A public option and a mandate - favored by 67% of Americans - would have been perfect. Particularly if coupled to strong support by the WH and Congressional Democrats.

The current bills are so convoluted that it's tough for me to figure out whether they are a step forward or not - Lord know what loopholes lie within.

[babylonsister]

11. That's what WE want; do you honestly

think the rethugs would have voted for this? I don't.

[MannyGoldstein]

12. Their Constituents Don't Want The Current Bills

Why should they vote for them?

Their constituents do want public option plus mandate. Had the Democrats gone that way instead of triangulating, we'd have HCR now.

[babylonsister]

14. You sound like Boner and McConnell; swallowed that hook, line and sinker.

http://www.aflcio.org/issues/healthcare/reform.cfm
AMERICANS WANT HEALTH CARE REFORM

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/02/americans_still_want_health-ca.html

Americans still want health-care reform

[MannyGoldstein]

16. Really - I Think You're Better Than That.

1. Comparing me to Boehner and McConnell on any level is just wrong.
2. You're putting words in my mouth. I didn't say that Americans oppose HCR. In fact, I stated that they were overwhelmingly for it. I simply stated that Republican constituents were against the current plans on the table. Do you disagree?

[DCBob]

3. Its going to get even more difficult to get "change" if we give up on our current leadership..

This only plays into the hands of the Republicans.

[MannyGoldstein]

6. It's Not Our Fault That The Democrats Totally Blew It

We elected them to do a job. They chose to triangulate instead - I don't see how that's our fault.

It's their fault, and there will be consequences.

[DCBob]

7. There are plenty on all sides to blame for the failures but we as Democrats will suffer more..

if we give up on our current leadership.

[MannyGoldstein]

9. And What Should We Do To Support Them?

Sorry, there's no substantial blame on the electorate for the current FUBAR. We elected people who said they'd do X, and instead they immediately turned around and did Y, literally laughing at those who tried to hold them at their word. That's lying, plain and simple, and it's not at all the fault of those who were lied to.

And what more can we do to prop these weasels up? Democrats keep voting for "Democrats" - it's the middle that's lost now.

[DCBob]

10. Vote and support the Dem candidate most likely to succeed. If we split the vote and..

the Repubs get back in power we are doomed because they will not want to give it back again.

[MannyGoldstein]

13. We've Done Exactly That For 17 Years

And will probably continue to do that. But, as Dr. Phil would say:

"And how's that workin' out for us?"

We need to end the Clinton/Emanuel/Obama policy of providing overwhelming support for that candidate who is furthest to the right. It's been a catastrophe.

[DCBob]

15. Yeah, I hear you.. I dont have an answer to that..

All I know is that we cant afford to let the GOPers back in.

I am off to the gym for a workout. Take care.

[MadHound]

4. Shall we look at the consequences of actually passing one of the Congressional bills?

Let's see, handing over a mandated monopoly to the insurance companies. This wouldn't be so bad except for the fact that there isn't a public option. This combination guarantees that the price for insurance will continue to go up, quite possibly at a quicker rate than without HCR. Yes, there are some weak, let me stress weak, price controls that will be gotten around by either loophole or by further "correction" passed by future Congresses. These higher premiums will kill the middle, working and poor class.

Then there is the issue of the excise tax, which is still slated to fall heaviest on unions and other middle class socioeconomic groups. I'm a teacher, I don't make that much since teachers are undervalued and underpaid. One of the ways our union has tried to make up for this is fighting for a good benefits package, including what can be termed as a "Cadillac" insurance plan. Under the Senate plan, the most likely to pass, I will be paying out my scarce cash for taxes on these hard fought for, hard earned benefits. Meanwhile the rich will skate as they always do. Is that right?

And while it is still up in the air as to whether banning pre-existing conditions will make it into the bill, most likely if it does, the Senate version, again the one that most likely will be passed, has a loophole that allows those with pre-existing conditions to be charged up to three times as much as others.

And under both bills there is language that will further limit women's right to choose. Sorry, but I can't support that, can you?

Sorry, but I'm not willing to throw so many people under the bus for so little gain. It is better that we kill this bill, get the Democratic troops in order, put through a much more liberal plan that includes a strong public option (at the least). And if the 'Pugs want to filibuster, then goddamn it, let them, and use the bully pulpit to very publicly beat them over the head and shoulders for their obstructionist ways. You need only fifty one votes to pass these bills, any Democratic leadership should be able to pass such a bill through. The trouble is our current Democratic leadership is lacking in a spine, unwilling to fight, and too beholden to their corporate masters.

[FreakinDJ]

8. Time for Obama to discuss RATpubliCON plan in the Press

I don't think people understand exactly what the RATpubliCONs are proposing for Health care reform.

If folks knew it would mean less coverage with HIGHER deductibles, (basically Bankruptcy Coverage) and an endless array of loop holes the Health Insurers can use to DROP people from coverage or DENY claims - then the public outcry would be against the RATpubliCONs for blocking reforms.

It has got to be laid out with their name on it