How exactly did "The Greatest Health Care Reform in recent memory"

[Winterblues]

differ from what the Republicans offered in opposition to Clinton's Health Care Reform initiative..IMO I was under the impression we would get change, instead we got warmed over Republican proposals, that in fact was not even as good as the Republicans proposed in 1994. I think this single issue is what brought Democrats down..We will be second guessing for the next two years or so but this is the reason I soured on the Democrats..I still voted for them but I think it will be my last.

[napi21]

1. I honestl think te biggest problem with the HC bill is that most of it

doesn't kick in until 2014. Few people can see or feel the improvements it will make, and people can't think that far into the future. I realize it was done that way bcause it would cost too much if it would have all beem implemented right away, but it's like telling a kid he's going to get that dream toy for Christmas, but not THIS YEAR!

[Winterblues]

3. How does it differ from what the Republiocans proposed in '94?

It has mandates to buy in it, but other than that it seems almost identical.

[zipplewrath]

4. Even what kicks in

The vast majority of the improvements won't affect the vast majority of the people. The vast majority will never hit lifetime or annual limits. The vast majority aren't denied because of pre-existing conditions. The vast majority will see their plans change to have large out of pocket deductibles and won't notice that preventitive care is covered (somewhat). The vast majority won't visit CHC centers. The vast majority WILL see their premiums go up significantly. The vast majority WILL see their health CARE costs rise at 6% or more (according to White House estimates).

[Winterblues]

5. A Republican wet dream

"The vast majority WILL see their health CARE costs rise at 6% or more (according to White House estimates)."

[damntexdem]

2. It's all the candy we're going to get at least until after Halloween 2012.

And it IS better than what we've had before, although far short of an adequate reform.

And what GOPers "offered" in 1992-1994 was all a sham: they had no intention of enacting any of their proposed "reforms," nor indeed any reform.

[blindpig]

6. All the difference in the world

Single Payer would have sealed Democratic dominance for the foreseeable future. The dog's breakfast which we got was seemingly calculated to piss off most everybody, everybody but the health care, insurance and pharmaceutical industries, that is.

[DirkGently]

7. Exactly. If the argument is that we couldn't sell that now, we need to at least START.

[blindpig]

10. That argument was crap

What would have been so hard about "Medicare for all'? With so many sucking wind and unable to get decent, reasonable medical care it's a no brainer. What we got simply reflects the power of Capital.

[DirkGently]

13. That would have been my favorite approach as well. Start with an expansion to the most in need.

[Edweird]

8. What was passed was the republican plan. I posted links to Newt Gingrich's proposal

which was nearly identical to Obama's. It is a screwjob for the citizens and a windfall for the corporations.

[glinda]

9. I am disappointed at the attitude that giving up is the right thing to do. Get smarter.

[Winterblues]

11. I am tired

You younger folk can pick up the torch. I have been in this battle for five decades. It is time for me to move on and enjoy as best as possible what little is left of my life..The America I knew and loved is no more...It is dead...Now we have an America where torture is just fine and rude and obnoxious behavior is rewarded instead of scorned...I've had it...

[glinda]

15. I understand. I did a ton of political footwork up until four years ago when I lost my health and

of course age. Recover and contribute as best you can. That is what I had to do.

[ramapo]

12. The sad truth is...

The Health Care Reform bill enacted this year sucked. It is a complex and unwieldy piece of legislation that offers little help for those most in need.

Even the most touted benefits are sad jokes. Take the availability of insurance to those denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions. First off you have to be without insurance for at least six months, there are no premium controls, and the money for the states is limited.

The complete ban on pre-existing conditions is years off. The mandate forces us to buy from corporations without there being any significant control on premiums. There is no freedom to buy insurance from outside sources if you are eligible for a group policy through your employment.

The list goes on and on but the bottom line is that the whole concept of reform was bastardized by our Democratic representatives and the Senate in particular.

I have researched the systems in place in Germany, France, Japan, Canada, and Great Britain. Citizens in those countries enjoy choice, simplicity, peace of mind, and for the most part excellent service.

While I eventually convinced myself that I was happy to see the legislation succeed, in truth I was bitterly disappointed. I am personally affected by the current system in a number of ways and had hoped for some relief and peace of mind. The HCR provides neither. Sad but true...

[flamingdem]

14. Those most in need will receive decent subsidies nt

[maryf]

16. K&R

allowing the corporate insurers to write the bill was a wrong move...