Re: Healthcare, people are worried about tax increases and the deficit

[edhopper]

This is what I learned from the talk on Mainstream Media TV from the likes of David Gregory.
Of course they don't talk about people worried about dying or going broke because they have no or inadequate insurance.
And I also don't remember and talk about the deficit when Bush gave the Rich a whopping tax cut or spent a trillion on the Iraq War.
But that's what the people in the Village tell us now. It's a right wing talking points world, we just live in it.

[TreasonousBastard]

1. Well, nobody does give a shit about the deficit or healthcare...

and they do care a lot about taxes and their cable bills. At least that's what I hear on the street around here.

The deficit is slowly sinking in because of constant RW screaming about it, and that may not be entirely a bad thing since the deficit has to be dealt with.

Funny thing about people-- they will go out and spend a bundle on a big house and new car-- things they can show off, but bitch and moan about taxes and the phone bill-- things that they can't brag about. In an area full of of million dollar second homes, (and a 6 million town budget deficit) the biggest single complaint I hear is how Cablevision moved a dozen channels so you have to get the digital box for 7 bucks a month.

Health insurance? If 40 million are uninsured, that means around 250 million ARE insured, so even with those who have been screwed by whatever program they're on, why would you hear all that many complaints?

[Hello_Kitty]

2. I watched the last Bill Moyers online last night

It was the one where he was interviewing the former Cigna exec. That guy says that insurance cos. are frequently shifting employers to plans that cover less and require patients to pay more. Health insurance costs are steadily going up, for everyone, and people are going to be unpleasantly surprised when they try to use it.

[TreasonousBastard]

3. I'm forever in the camp that says...

insurance is only a small part of the problem, and focusing on it is a mistake.

The real problem is the rising costs and inefficiencis of health care-- why did my mother spend 5 hours in a hospital for tests and get a bill for over $7,000?

Medicare and Blue Cross paid most, but not all of it. No matter who paid, though, how the hell can they run up over a thousand bucks an hour just for tests?

Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield is now dropping three hospitals on the East End of long Island because they won't reduce costs by 40%. It's all drama, and some deal will be made, but these are the ONLY hospitals on the East End and the next closest decent one is maybe 50 miles away. The real question is just what ARE these costs that the hospitals claim they can't reduce, but Blue Cross says will force another rate hike if they have to keep them in the system and they don't agree to cut.

[prostomulgus]

4. Fix healthcare and you fix the economy.

Fix the economy and you fix the deficit.

The only good solution is single payer healthcare, available to all according to their ability to pay (Bill Gates can pay his own way, the unemployed teen mom shouldn't pay anything).

In order to ensure that healthcare won't increase deficits, make the rich and the corporations pay their fair share.

It's that simple.

(p.s., you're right, the repukes never complained about deficits before so we should just ignore their complaints now).