Biden on Healthcare

[PatSeg]

His plan is realistic and doable. I see Joe Biden as a realistic idealist.

<The big focus of his health-care reform, Biden said, would be that medical bills exceeding $50,000 for treating catastrophic conditions would be pushed up to the federal government to pay. Those costly procedures are responsible for driving up health insurance costs, he noted.

He also advocated for the option of Americans buying into Medicare coverage earlier, at age 55, or electing to buy into the health-care plan that federal employees have.

To make the plan less prone to attack from those who fear "socialized" medicine, Biden said, "I don't want a whole new bureaucracy."

He said he would pay for health-care reform by reversing tax cuts for the top 1 percent of earners, those making more than $435,000 annually, which would free up $85 billion.

That tax policy reversal, Biden said, is defensible since that top 1 percent nationally amasses 22.5 percent of all income, and at the same time "a middle class family is drowning" with rising energy, health-care and housing costs.>

http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2007/10/18/news/local/9fe7caee7cc0a7c98625737800070534.txt

[gateley]

1. Our health care system is a nightmare - these are excellent and realistic

plans address the crucial issues right away, while working to continue to make improvements. It's such a wise approach.

[PatSeg]

2. There are no simple answers

It is a complex issue that won't be solved with optimistic soundbites.

[Susan in Iowa]

3. Biden is the Real Straight-Talk Express

Biden understands that you have to work across the aisle to get anything done in Washington. He is willing to say clearly what he will do, while some other candidates equivocate on whether and how they would get out of Iraq, whether they support war with Iran, how they would get broad support for their domestic proposals, and so on. Whether or not you agree with him, if you go to a Biden event, he will answer your questions until you get tired, and give you a very clear choice on every important issue. The man is a straight-talker and a truth-teller.

[PatSeg]

4. Welcome to DU!!

I love getting the Iowa perspective.

[Debi]

5. Hi Susan, welcome to DU!

:hi:

Come on over to the Iowa DU Forum and hang out some time :bounce:

[youthere]

6. Welcome to DU Susan in Iowa...

Another "Iowegian" here...be sure to stop by the IOWA State Forum!

[jillan]

8. Susan - welcome to DU!

Another Biden supporter - woot!:toast:

[gateley]

7. Hi Susan - Welcome! And thanks for the great post! nt

:hi:

[jillan]

9. "I don't want a whole new bureaucracy"

Amen! Another reason why Biden would be able to sell it.

[PatSeg]

11. Which would bring years of more whining and complaining

There rarely are simple answers to complex issues.

[Think82]

10. Kick

[murbley40]

12. Kick