The problem with this is that is comes from a blog, not a true journalism site, so bloggers usually have their own agenda and does not reference the bill exactly. And it is getting harder and harder to find news sites that don't have a bias, so it is even more important to read yourself and be informed. Key words that writers are appealing to your emotions and not your intellect: "The end is near".."We are all going to die" (which we are) "This is the end of life as we know it" "This is scary"...all variations of trying to instill fear so it will surely close our minds to any other alternative way of thinking...
Here is the link to actual bill.... http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h3200ih.pdf I don't have the time (or inclination) to punch holes in every one of these items but a short perusal will suffice... But come on folks, let's check it out before we rush to judgment. Learn the facts...before you make a judgment and blindly forward these types of e-mails. And even though it references an internet site and looks legit,---read it... Let's not be lemmings and jump off the cliff because someone else said we should. Look at my comments below ... Didn't mean to sound so preachy, but I am in healthcare...and trust me..it's broken and we need to do something as a start. Let's make a decision to try to put something in place...we can always make another decision with another program if this isn't working. It can't cost any more than what services we are paying for now and not getting... Let's take a calm, rational approach...rather than something based on fear of the unknown or by a political hacker of either side... Thanks • Page 22: Mandates audits of all employers that self-insure! The audit to which this refers is regarding a study of a sample of the large insurers and small insurers (to include the self insured) health care markets in order to determine the needs of the new plan based on demographics and pricing strategies per region. • Page 29: Admission: your health care will be rationed! This is discussing the cost sharing portions of the benefit plan...not the care that is rationed... • Page 30: A government committee will decide what treatments and benefits you get (and, unlike an insurer, there will be no appeals process) This is discussing who will determine which treatments and benefit will be included. This is just like what ins. companies do with their board of directors...they have a board which is comprised of health professionals and business leaders to make decision. No where on this page does it say that you have no appeals...On page 33 id does say that the public will have the opportunity to give their input. • Page 42: The "Health Choices Commissioner" will decide health benefits for you. You will have no choice. None. This section describes the functions of the role the commissioner will play. As in any document like this, it is jargon to describe what the functions and duties are...like a job description...what he or she must oversee and makes them accountable...again, like regular insurance plans... • Page 50: All non-US citizens, illegal or not, will be provided with free healthcare services. Again, this page is defining that no one can be excluded under current Title XXVII of the Public Health Insurance Act (already in law) that prohibits discrimination based on genetic information nondiscrimination and mental health =0 A• Page 58: Every person will be issued a National ID Healthcard. This section defines what information will be standards as far as financial and administrative transactions are concerns...akin to your current information as to how the information will be collected so that payments/deductibles can be determined....based on your eligibility. • Page 59: The federal government will have direct, real-time access to all individual bank accounts for electronic funds transfer!! No...this will enable, for example, a hospital and the insurance company to electronically trade payment information so that the insurance company can see what you have to pay vs. what is charged...just like your BCBS statement now. That statement lists what the hospital bills for and what you are responsible for under your plan... • Page 65: Taxpayers will subsidize all union retiree and community organizer health plans (read: SEIU, UAW and ACORN) This section refers to how people who retire with this plan will get insurance. It looks like what retirees set up now or like COBRA where people can buy into after they retire.... (It does not mention unions or ACORN) • Page 72: All private healthcare plans must conform to government rules to participate in a Healthcare Exchange. OK folks, this is almost verbatim what is on this page.... This page includes a purpose of the section ("...a. Establishment.- There is established within the Health Choices Administration and under the direction of the Commissioner a Health Insurance Exchange in order to facilitate access of individuals and employers, through a transparent process, (EMPHASIS MINE) to a variety of choices of affordable, quality health insurance coverage, including a public health insurance option. b.-"Outline of the duties of the Commissioner" blah blah legalese blah blah then"(1) under section 204 establish standards for, accept bids from, and negotiate and enter into contracts with, QHBP offering entities for the offering of health benefits plans through the Health Insurance Exchange, with different levels of benefits required under section 203, and including with respect to oversight and enforcement; " I REST MY CASE... --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Thanks for being part of "PoliticalForum" at Google Groups. 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