You Can't Get Anything at Alice's Restaurant
2 hours ago
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Repeal and replace or fix?
So after 7 years of grandstanding the Republicans could not get their act together on a replacement for Obama Care.
Now that bit of political theater is over, maybe they can get down to governing? Well, they've got a few choices. They can ignore the whole thing and wait for it to fail. I'm sure everyone from the insured, to the uninsured to the insurance companies won't be very happy with that option. Make no mistake, the Republicans own health care now. With the control of all three branches of government, they have no excuse.
To be fair, the Republicans have some deep divisions among themselves. It does not look like that is going to change anytime soon.
So what's left to do? The adult thing is for everyone to set aside the winner-take-all mentality. Republicans and Democrats should make compromises and work together for the good of the nation. That's what a mature republic would do.
It's not like there are no models out there in the world. Countries like Canada and France are looked to because they provide universal healthcare at about half the cost Americans pay. We could look to Singapore. Their insurance costs a quarter of what Americans pay. Small health problems are paid out of pocket. Major issues are almost fully covered. If you are too poor to cover even small issues, the government puts money in a fund for you.
If the goal is to provide good health care for all Americans at a reasonable price, there are a number of ways to get there. That does not appear to be the Republican goal. Judging from their actions it's all about undoing anything Obama did and giving tax breaks to the wealthy. I would like to think they are better than that.
There are a few who have strong ideological objections to any government role in healthcare. That's not reasonable as government is heavily involved, like it or not. Even those who claim to be totally against government involvement have not come out against huge government payments and tax breaks for pharmaceutical companies. Must be just a coincidence those companies are heavy political donors.
If the Republicans don't get their act together and come up with something the whole country can live with, there will be repercussions. In less than four years the Democrats could be in charge again and they'll ram something in.
Now is a unique opportunity for politicians to grow up and do their job. Set aside ideology and focus on practicality.
-Sixbears
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As I see it, ALL the democrats are crooks and half the republicans. Expecting a group of people made up of 3/4 crooks to do the right thing is probably just too much to expect.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I do believe in is their fear of not getting reelected. While doing the right thing may not be motivation enough, fear of the voters may be.
DeleteTo me, the Singapore model above makes the most sense. Every household should be able to $25 a week for each occupant for the common ailments we go to doctors for. The much higher cost but much less common ailments can be taken care of using public monies.
ReplyDeleteHate to say it, but maybe its time to think about a federal healthcare tax. Say $250 a year per adult, $100 a year per child per household. This should cover dental as well, but only repair, not fore veneers and vanity concerns.
We've got to try something different because the same old same old isn't working.
DeleteDurn it - should have made it clear above that the household $25 a week thought was for people to save and KEEP it in their possession for sudden medical emergencies
DeleteAfter 50 years of 'fixing' 'free healthcare' for our Veterans, what makes you think the gubmint, after buying $200 hammers, should be anywheres' near anything in our lives 'cept the mission of the War Department per the Constituion?
ReplyDeleteDoesn't matter what I think. The government is in our business and will not let go.
DeleteLet them figure out what kind of health care they want for themselves then give citizens the same.
ReplyDeleteNotice how they exempt themselves from many of the laws they make.
Deletedon't hold your breath.
ReplyDeletethey will never grow up.
it is the 'capture the monkey with its hand in the jar' type of maturity they have.
they do not aspire to maturity, nor to statesmanship, which most of them probably think is some kind of boat, if they have ever heard the word at all.
We've had some dark times in our nation's past, yet there are times when our leaders actually rose to the challenge. I hope this will be one of those times. (although it doesn't look like the way to bet right now, sadly)
DeleteFrom what I gather, the Ted Cruz plan is the best so far, but lots of Republicans just don't like him. I do, as someone who stands up for himself and for what his constituents, including me, want and ask for.
ReplyDeleteThe Consumer Freedom Amendment will let consumers buy whichever kind of plan they want, Obamacare or market-based. It would also provide for payment with tax-free Health Savings Accounts, which is not now allowed. Check it out.
As always, the devil is in the details. What's proposed and what comes out at the end often have little in common.
DeleteThe President says the Republicans will never own ObamaCare. What a foolish mindset. They do own it and come the elections they will loose the House and the Senate. People are really ticked off about the Healthcare mess, Impeachment talk and especially the bad News Media.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to say you don't own it when your party is in charge of all three branches of government.
DeleteWell said..
ReplyDeleteBeing one who is forced to pay the Obamacare penalty because we can't afford health insurance, it's probably no surprise that I am thoroughly disgusted with the whole thing and think that both sides have done nothing but produce a huge, shameful fail.
ReplyDeleteBut Sixbears, you're way too logical. Politicians simply can't grasp that. I doubt that a single one of them will be willing to step away from the giant King-of-the-Hill game that American politics has become.
One thing I will grant the Democrats, is that they are finally admitting (in action rather than words) that they do not believe in democracy. Their way or no way plainly speaks of dictatorship by their rules alone.