The Vote on the Baucus version of Health Care “reform” occurs very soon today.
It is but 1 of 5 bills.
So it’s not even close to over.
But the back room, smoke-filled, “culture of corruption” deals are just heating up.
Whatever good intentions of the Baucus bill will be deluded and crushed by the politics of taking these 5 bills and getting one that ENOUGH Democrats can agree on.
The Republicans really don’t matter. Never have actually. The Democrats just wanted it to look like it mattered. Their biggest problems are within their own ranks.
And the American people certainly don’t matter. (Rasmussen: 44% Support 50% oppose)
This is politics. This is about winning no matter what.
This is about their power, not yours.
So let the pork and horse-trading begin.
It already started, even in the Baucus Bill as was detailed a while back about the deal Harry Reid has in the bill that has nothing to do with reform and everything to do with bribing people in Nevada to vote for him because he’s losing in a race that is still 13 months off.
Majority Leader Harry Reid gets the feds to pick up Nevada’s 100% of Medicaid spending. Charles Schumer gets many high-cost insurance plans in New York exempted from tax.
Yes, Chuck “I never met a Public Option I didn’t like” Schumer got his state, and his state alone, exempted from the provision to tax out of existence the so-called ‘evil’ ” Cadillac” plans.
I guess they weren’t so evil, after all. 🙂 At least in New York.
Baucus’ bill also includes an excise tax on insurance companies for so-called “Cadillac” plans, high-value insurance plans that some say are responsible for high industry costs. Both Democrats and Republicans have argued against the excise tax. Those on the left are afraid that it would anger their base of union supporters who, in recent years, have often opted for a high-end insurance plan at the expense of higher pay. Republicans say any new taxes go against President Obama’s promise of no additional taxes.
Baucus argues his bill provides a middle ground that would appeal to members on both sides of the political aisle.(ABC)
As an independent I know that one thing about the middle of the road is that people from both sides want to hit you.
But now, out of the blue, comes a crippling report on the costs of the legislation from the PricewaterhouseCoopers accounting firm. The analysis was commissioned by America’s Health Insurance Plans, a group representing the industry, and it may just be the monkey wrench that ruins the Democrats’ plans. It warns of:
• An excise tax on employer-sponsored high-value health plans (or ‘Cadillac plans’) that in a few years could also raise premiums for some moderate-value plans.”
• Cuts in payment rates in public programs that could increase cost-shifting to private-sector businesses and consumers.”
• New taxes on health-sector entities that are likely to be passed through to consumers.”
The study estimates that the average family-coverage cost of about $12,300 could reach $17,200 in 2013 (ed: when the “benefits” allegedly start) if these provisions were implemented, $21,300 in 2016 and $25,900 in 2019. Meanwhile, average single coverage — $4,600 today — could reach nearly $10,000 in 2019.
And you thought health reform was all about saving money.
It would be wrong not to identify the motivations behind the 11th-hour dropping of this bomb. Much-beleaguered private insurers long ago thought they saw the writing on the wall that health reform was a sure thing this year. So they made a deal with the devil to support the goals of the Democratic Congress.
Now, however, they see that Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., has watered down his bill’s individual mandate coverage requirements, and they’re afraid massively higher premiums will cause many families to risk not buying coverage until they need it.
But don’t worry, it will be mandatory and the IRS will come after you or your boss if you don’t buy it.
Nothing to worry about there.
Forget that 65% of doctors are against it. (IBD poll)
That doesn’t matter either
And this only 1 of 5. There is still HR3200, the “single payer” public option bill passed by the house along with 2 more public option related bills.
So 4 of the 5 have costs over a Trillion and have a Public Option. The “can’t we all just get along” Baucus bill doesn’t.
What do you suppose is going to survive the process.
Pelosi said (Sept 4th) that any bill “without a strong public option will not pass the House”:
“Any real change requires the inclusion of a strong public option to promote competition and bring down costs,” Pelosi said. “If a vigorous public option is not included, it would be a major victory for the health insurance industry.”
So, let the haggling, horse trading and pork high season begin.
“President Obama has said that a public option will keep the insurance companies honest. If someone has a better idea for promoting competition and reducing health care costs, they should put it on the table,” Pelosi said. “But for the past month, opponents of health insurance reform have demonstrated that they are afraid of the facts. They have only offered distortions, distractions and misrepresentations to try to kill this historic legislation.”
This would be the “they have no ideas” President and the “Republicans just want you to die quickly” Congress and the “Violent Mob” Media for you. They are open to other ideas….:)
It will be “transparent”.
It will cost you less.
It will be good for you.
Promise.
Oh, and will not cost you “not one dime”, except for all the taxes on you and businesses and the industry in general.
But ignore all that.
Trust us, we’re from the government and we are here to save you from yourself.
Trick or Treat! Smell the Elite!
Nothing to worry about.
They got your back. 🙂
Ignore the claymore.
HOPE and Change!
It’s what you voted for, right…:)
Indyfromaz's Blog: The Thoughts of An Independent Arizonan 