Something is not always better than nothing

    I am surprised, well maybe not, at your cynicism and stereotyping of Republicans, and I will do my best to not take it personally that you have basically said I, as a Republican, only care about my own self interest.  That is supremely unfair, not to mention, not true.  Interesting how you seem to attack the motives  and personal characteristics of republicans in a rather mean spirited manner as we debate these things.  I try not to disparage you for your thoughts and positions in a personal way.  Further, I do not believe that I have ever done anything to give you an indication that I am a self serving person, but perhaps I have.  I wonder, what do you really think of me?  Ah well,  I will thicken my skin.

I disagree that Health Care is dead if this deal does not go through, in fact I believe it has served as  a catalyst to get people talking about what needs to occur.  I have, for many years, been complaining and decrying the out of control health care costs that are happening.  Perfect example,  I have had 4 babies.  Each approximately 2 years apart (give or take a month), each pregnancy was almost identical, each hospitalization was 2 days long, normal delivery, similar experiences, drugs, monitoring, etc. etc. etc.  ( maybe Ben, the first, there was a bit more intervention as there were a few hairy moments in the final moments of delivery whereby numerous doctors and nurses ( say 12 extra people) were called in to assist but the last 3  were same hospital and everything.  Perry has been with the same company and we have had the same insurance for all 4 babies.  My first  child the out of pocket expense (total) cost me $25.00 ( for everything); my second, it was around $350.00 ;  Jenny, my third, costs were $3200.00; and Nate ran us around $7100.00 .  That is a problem.  SO, before you jump into the belief that Republicans want to keep the status quo; let me reassure you, that is not the case.  Most intelligent and knowledgeable people recognize and want to address the problems that are  in our health care system.

    Now did Republicans raise it as a centerpiece or push for it while in power? No, but times are different and the issue is front and center and the desire is out there from the American people and I think that we can come up with a plan that will address the problem.  You state that no bill is better than the status quo, but what if this bill increases health costs?   What if this bill reduces choices and coverage for the majority of people. What if this bill creates a more pronounced ‘class’ system of care, where by only the rich will be able to get the best services? ( you may state that happens now but I  think this bill could make it more pronounced) What if this bill fails to insure all the uninsured?  Even you can acknowledge there are many scenarios whereby this bill IS worse than the status quo.  

    I think if this bill gets squashed ( and I am fervently praying for the Tuesday election to do this) then this does not mean that everything is done for.  It simply means that if Democrats are serious, they must address the concerns, and listen to the majority of America and what must happen is that the Democrats and the Republicans will then have to  come together and make laws that will fix the problems.  Perhaps this can also be done in a less sweeping and more  piecemeal fashion, instead on one giant unproven experiment, lets address and perhaps tackle the issues in separate bills. ( no more 2500 page monstrosities)  Doing things in a more cooperative, open,  process, where each piece can be examined and solutions discussed. And certainly if you have more broad support you will have less, deal making, and corruption.  I think most people recognize that there are real problems with the spiraling costs that are happening in our country.    Look at increasing coverage as one piece.  Look at improving services as another, look at reducing costs as a third, etc.

I find it fascinating that you have turned a blind eye to the fact that insurance companies and Big Pharma are all in bed with the DEMOCRATS with this bill.  You think that the insurance companies are  not making out like bandits with this new bill?  Why has their stock soared with news of this moving through and passing in the Senate.  Insurance companies stand to make millions and millions with this plan, after all we are now MANDATED to purchase private insurance ( even Rush Limbaugh who can privately pay for it)
Yet you claim this is a Republican tactic.  Not one republican has been able to influence this bill in any significant manner, though Olympia Snowe stuck in for a long time trying,  Dems own it lock stock and barrel so if it does pass I think you ought to invest with those insurance companies but you can thank the Dems .

For the record here are a few of my thoughts on health care reform, feel free to attack them:

• Medical care services need to be paid for by people, not insurance companies,  this creates a separation from what is being bought and like anything else, people can make better decisions if they are doing the buying, not insurance companies or the government.
• Tort reform MUST be a part of this plan.  I was speaking to a neurologist at Chuck E Cheese ( a fellow Homeschooler) who, after clarifying she was WAY off record, told me 80% of her tests are run to cover herself against future lawsuits.  Anecdotal fro sure but in our litigious society people ring the malpractice bell like they are playing the lottery.  I mean Obstetricians, in MD, can be sued for any problem the child can have up to the age of 18.  My current OB/GYN is defending herself against a lawsuit of a 13 yr old who has ADHD.  Her insurance has risen 300% recently and tons are closing up shop.
• Catastrophic care policies ought to be promoted ( maybe mandated) to eliminate bankruptcies due to medical illness.
• Insurance companies need to be able to truly compete to be able to reduce costs and improve service.  When there are so many restrictions as to what can be sold in one state vs. another, there IS no competition,  Government can never provide competition as they have an unfair playing field.
• I agree we are already paying for care for the uninsured, lets figure out how to get them insured. There will be people who are chronically ill and need subsidies for all their care, and some that need supplements to afford coverage.  We do need to help these people but that should be a small segment of the population. Many, many people CHOOSE to not have coverage and instead buy cars, or go on vacation or get a bigger house,  Like taxes everyone should pay SOMETHING, even if it is only a few dollars, because then they get invested in the choices and services and coverage they have/ need.   When things are given to people there is an absence of responsibility , and a dependency that is created,  For many people the incentive to stay dependant overwhelms the ability to become self-sufficient.    I feel very very strongly about this people need a hand-up  NOT a hand out. 
• People need to take a more proactive role in managing their own health.  Paying for medical conditions and problems that are  a result of lifestyle choices should not fall on the shoulders of everyone.  If you choose to smoke and weigh 100lbs more that you should, I shouldn’t have to completely support you medical bills.  Sorry if that sounds self serving but we need to promote responsibility.

SO there you have it,  This issue is not black and white and is so very complex, even the few ideas I have put forth create numerous questions and decisions.  Does something need to happen, YES!!!  This bill is not it, and is much, much worse than nothing.

Cheers,  I will so look forward to another discussion if Scott Brown pulls off the biggest miracle since Cana.