Furious Seasons

June 16, 2009

Health Care Reform Plan Would Leave 36 Million Uninsured

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office was out yesterday with an analysis of the main health care reform legislation plan under consideration in Congress and things do not look good for President Obama and Congressional Democrats.

"The office concluded that a plan by the committee’s Democratic leaders, Senators Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts and Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut, would reduce the number of uninsured only by a net 16 million people. Even if the bill became law, the budget office said, 36 million people would remain uninsured in 2017."

If that's the best health care reform advocates can achieve with an estimated $1 trillion in spending over 10 years, then count me out. What's more, the article states that Dems are seriously considering new taxes to pay for their plan, which would come in the form of a tax on soda pop or a national value-added tax. Again, count me out. To get me to support a new tax of any kind, the resulting health care plan would have to cover everyone or it's simply not worth doing.

Stay tuned.

Posted by Philip Dawdy at June 16, 2009 10:01 AM

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Comments

Philip,

As one who doesn't have health insurance, this is bleeping unbelievable. I am speechless.

I totally agree with you.

Posted by: AA at June 16, 2009 10:11 AM

Wow, what a disappointment. Pathetic results for such a large price tag.

Posted by: kimbriel at June 16, 2009 11:19 AM

Nothing to worry about!

Through the grapevine I have heard rumors that major pharmaceutical corporations with FDA approval have agreed to place every American on anti psychotic medications at a 10% discount until Health Care reform is no longer needed or desired.

Next problem?

Posted by: Pres at June 16, 2009 11:38 AM

I'm quite sure the lion's share of that $1trillion will go towards subsidizing the insurance industry.

Posted by: Sherry at June 16, 2009 01:10 PM

Philip says:

"To get me to support a new tax of any kind, the resulting health care plan would have to cover everyone or it's simply not worth doing."

I agree with you. The CBO's numbers are troubling. This appears to be a trillion dollar pissing-into-the-wind exercise. This plan seems to want to be all things to all people. Unfortunately, health care is one of those issues that can't effectively balance public good with private interest. You either cover all with at least a basic, single-payer coverage, or you don't.

A universal system can still have a second private tier for elective procedures, but in essence, it is single-payer, intended to cover everyone. Obama is not proposing such a system.

This all speaks less to Obama's plan than it does the sheer iron-clad grip the insurance lobby and AMA have on Washington.

Posted by: The Skeptic at June 16, 2009 02:02 PM

"This all speaks less to Obama's plan than it does the sheer iron-clad grip the insurance lobby and AMA have on Washington."
I totally agree. I doubt even god could help us now.

Posted by: Sherry at June 16, 2009 03:20 PM

G-d doesn't do politics. We have to stop confusing our politicians with Roman Emperors, many of whom did become G-ds after their death. We could all give away all our wordly goods and donate to a national charity to fund health care for everyone who needed it if we want to bring G-d into it. Keeping only what we need, enough, like Ralph Nader lives or lived. (Not sure on that one).

Posted by: Alison Hymes at June 16, 2009 09:52 PM

Great post and could not agree more. Huge price tag for very little progress. It is refreshing to see such a good analysis from someone who is supportive of health care reform but understands the huge sums of money involved and the need for this to make some kind of fiscal sense. And they think WE are the crazy ones?

Posted by: Sarah at June 17, 2009 09:45 AM