Wednesday, September 16, 2009

What do you think of the Baucus health care bill?

Sen. Max Baucus
Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, released the first draft of the committee's legislation to overhaul the country's health care system today.

You can download Baucus' bill, the "America’s Healthy Future Act," here.

7 comments:

diggndeeper said...

223 PAGES!!!!

Mary said...

What Modified Adjusted Gross Income (without sections 911, 931 and 933) would be 300% of the federal poverty level?

I'd like to believe that the people we've elected to represent us will do a good job of making sure we have good health care.

Anonymous said...

First thing to jump out at me th section which states that after 2013, all policies not under fed control - "you get to keep your insurance" - will switch to government control (AFTER the 2012 presidential election). Second is the "exchange" that is some rosy future will be self-sustaining. No specific requirements. A lot of the ideas refer back to the system in Massachusetts, which, by the way has exploded in costs and is going broke. All policies will be required to cover certain services - I can't save money by getting a policy that doesn't cover maternity services, for example. I like the provision that requires a list of standard charges from hospitals. Page 68 outlines a home visitation program that sounds like "big brother" evaluating how people are raising their kids. In addition, it seems the fed will collect all kinds of personal data from health care providers, some of which should be confidential.
I read the first half of the bill. While it does address health insurance, the VAST MAJORITY of it sets up new federal requirements for the entire health care sector. This is the main objective of the administration - more control and eventual federal takeover. It was never about the insurance.

Anonymous said...

as a republican who voted democrat in 08, and finds himself more independent, i think this is a pathetic bill in any terms, the problem with congresses lack of real cost costing, and real choice is just evident, that the lobbiests always win. who fights for the middle class. i think the thought of being taxed 3.5k a year, and pay more in premiums will just kill the system, in NC we are mainly controlled by really 2 major companies, open the choice, allow freedom of choice to be covered, and reform that state level choices since the feds wont do it, obama can give any speech he wants, he doesnt write law. even worse, the dont even reflect his ideas or rhetoric. i think 2010 will be a watershed election for the republicans, not because they are better, but just out of frustration if this bill is passed in its current form. i dont believe in death panels, i think the president is an american citizen, so i am not extrmeme right, but i like my current insurance. if u want real reform, reform cobra and have the government subsidize the employer paid premium if get laid off. that would allow coverage, and make the insurance companies have to lower prices to compete with the employers lowering the price. the president asks who has a better idea, well it time to listen to all of them, because this bill is not one of them in any form. not even a starting point. my rep, larry kissel is a blue-dog dem, so i am happy to see he does represent our area, which is mostly republican. all elected federal reps are on notice, i am tired of talk, time to earn ur pay. why does a 1st term rep need 160k? we need term limits and reduce the pay of elected officals, it called public service, ask a cop or fireman, if they get over 80k for their jobs?
no.....get mad, get educated, ignore glenn beck, ignore keith oberman, and educate yourself...

JED said...

Why are people not concerend with the fact that the employers will have to pick up the largest cost of any of these plans?

To offset the cost, employers will have to charge more for their products or services, or cut employees. Even with tax credits, (which is just way to say they won't charge as much in taxes at the end of the year) the cost will still have to be offset.

If costs rise, customers go away. If customers go away, jobs go away.

Reaganite Republican said...

Note that whenever Obama, Emanuel, or Gibbs are asked about why polls show SO many people oppose their misguided Cap-n-Trade and Obamacare proposals, they ALWAYS segue-right-into “we need to educate the public…”.

LOL- save your breath- Constitutionally-aware patriots don’t take lectures from Marxists.

http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com

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