I see only 3 possible outcomes to Heath Care Reform ( ok, Health Insurance Reform)

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

1. Pass a crappy bill that does not have a public option and has no mechanism to drive down costs, does not negotiate drug prices and is mandatory. Also allows higher co-pays for individuals.

Result - people with halfway decent health coverage now provided by their employers will be furious when they discover that their out-of-pocket costs will increase thanks to "reform". Anger all around from those guys plus the people who resent being mandated to buy something from a private for profit sector that they may or may not be able to afford.

Democrats blamed for all the obvious flaws in the bill and get spanked in next elections as the Republicans make hay all day long with why they couldn't vote for such a stupid and corrupt bill.
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2. Pass no bill.

Result - Every Democrat and independent in the entire country who voted for Democrats with a mandate to FIX THE SYSTEM will be totally disgusted. More deaths, more bankruptcies.

Democrats blamed as they have the Presidency, House and Senate and have proved they are completely feckless. Disillusioned Dems stay home in disgust and Repubs flourish at polls. Horrible side effect - Teabaggers will consider this a gigantic victory for their methods of bigotry, ignorance and intimidation and more people will join their insane coterie.

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3. Pass a good bill with a public option, allow people to CHOOSE whether to stay with what they have or move to the PO, cap co-pays, remove all unethical policies like rescission, prior conditions, etc.(effective immediately), negotiate drug prices, and find a way to make insurance affordable and not eat up 15-20% or even higher of gross income.

Result - Big victory for Dems, Repubs look like recalcitrant morans, Happy Dems and independents go to polls to reelect or elect even more Dems to maintain or grow majorities

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